Ahead of the half term break, we are again working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to remind people – consumers and our Members – about the dangers of travelling without insurance. Unfortunately our research shows an increase in the number of people travelling overseas uninsured, with 22% of people now travelling overseas without insurance, up from 19% last year. Most worryingly, it is younger travellers who are driving this increase through a mixture of misunderstandings and a desire to save money.

ABTA and its Members have expressed concerns that regulations introduced in 2007 mean fewer travel businesses are selling insurance at the point of sale, and ultimately this appears to have resulted in fewer holidaymakers taking out the appropriate insurance. ABTA continues to argue for the relaxation of these burdensome regulations and is asking the Government to review its position. ABTA recently submitted a consultation response to the Treasury calling for the regulation to be repealed and continues to work with the Tourism Minister, her officials and the Financial Conduct Authority, as the industry regulator, to examine ways in which the burdens placed on the industry when selling insurance could be reduced so that insurance is more readily available at the point of sale. In the meantime, we urge Members to familiarise themselves with their rights and responsibilities in informing customers about travel insurance - see our Guidance note.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive