CAA says some Brits are taking huge risks when booking holidays

The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) has released new figures which suggest that some holiday makers are taking huge risks when they book holidays abroad.

The research showed that as many as 46% of people are more concerned with getting the cheapest deal for their holiday than they are about whether it is protected or not. And 37% don't fully understand the benefit of buying a holiday which is ATOL Protected.

The CAA is currently running an awareness campaign to encourage more people to book holidays which are ATOL protected. The rules for ATOL Protection were changed last year, so that ‘flight plus' holidays are also now protected. Customers booking a flight plus accommodation or car hire from the same supplier should receive an ATOL certificate to show that their holiday is protected.

ATOL protection means that if your holiday supplier goes bust before you travel you will be able to apply to the CAA for a refund of the money you paid. If your holiday supplier goes bust whilst you are away and you are stranded abroad, the CAA will arrange for you to get home.

In the last 3 years there have been over 170,000 refunds issued to holiday makers whose ATOL-protected travel company has collapsed, and more than 60,000 Britons have been brought home from abroad.

David Clover of ATOL said: “Whilst it is understandable that nearly half of UK adults are more concerned with getting the cheapest deal than making sure they are financially protected, there's a real risk people could leave themselves open to losing their money if something goes wrong with their booking.

“But holidaymakers can easily avoid this risk by booking an ATOL protected holiday. Doing this will guarantee their money is safe and they won't be left stranded abroad - even if their travel company goes bust.”

How can you protect your holiday if does not come under the ATOL Scheme?

If you book a holiday direct with an airline, or book elements of your trip directly with different suppliers you should be aware that your holiday will not be ATOL protected. In this instance you should look for a travel insurance policy which includes Scheduled Airline/End Supplier Failure cover. This will protect the money you've invested in your holiday, enabling you to make a claim for reimbursement if your holiday supplier goes bust before you travel and help you cover the costs of alternative arrangements to continue your holiday or return home if your holiday supplier goes bust whilst you are away.

The good news is that travel insurance from insurewithease.com includes Scheduled Airline/End Supplier Failure cover as standard on all policies.

Get a travel insurance quote now.

Digg    Reddit    Facebook    Tweet This