Holidaying Brits 'failing to buy insurance'

A fifth of British holidaymakers regularly travel without adequate insurance, according to new research.

The study by price comparison site Moneysupermarket.com also found that four per cent of Britons never take out travel insurance, while those in their 20s are the least likely to travel insured.

About 12 per cent of male holidaymakers travel without insurance on purpose, compared with nearly nine per cent of their female counterparts, the poll discovered, with over half of those who do buy cover looking for insurance over the internet.

"With the prospect of spending a few days in the sun, it appears travel insurance is the last thing on the mind of some Brits," commented Richard Mason, director of insurance at Moneysupermarket.com.

He added that travel cover is "vital" for problems such as cancelled flights, lost money and emergency medical treatment.

According to recent research by Saga Insurance, nearly a third of Britons are unaware that the old E111 form for healthcare cover in the EU has now been replaced with the European Health Insurance Card.

• British Airways boss underlines Heathrow Airport importance
• Emirates completes move to new terminal in Dubai
• New US airport runways welcomed
• New campaign invites holidaymakers to Paris
• Tokyo 'the world's culinary capital'
• Observation wheel to open in Melbourne
• Visitors offered Christmas bonuses in Brussels
• Stansted Airport eco-certification extended to 2011
• United Airlines to resume flights from London to Denver
• US airspace expanded for holiday period