Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has issued an important travel insurance warning for anyone planning group holidays with family and friends this summer. Speaking on his Money Saving Expert show, Lewis stressed the importance of securing the right type of travel insurance to protect everyone in a group, especially if there’s a chance one person might need to cancel.
The Risks of Solo Travel Insurance for Group Trips
Lewis explained that solo travel insurance, typically purchased by individuals, doesn’t always cover situations where one person’s issue causes the entire group to cancel. For example, if someone in the group can’t travel due to illness, injury, or another unexpected circumstance, solo insurance won’t protect everyone in the group. He advised viewers to consider purchasing a shared or comprehensive group travel insurance policy.
“Think carefully before buying solo travel insurance if you’re travelling with a group,” Lewis warned. He further recommended that people book a group policy to ensure that, if one person can’t go, everyone in the group is covered.
The Importance of Booking Insurance Early
Martin also reiterated his key motto: “ASAB” – As Soon As Booked. He urged viewers to get travel insurance as soon as they’ve secured their holiday arrangements. The earlier you book the insurance, the better protection you’ll have in case something goes wrong before your trip.
A Real-Life Example
On his show, Martin discussed a viewer’s experience when booking flights for a family of seven to Australia. The viewer had secured insurance immediately after booking. Later, one of the family members became pregnant and was unable to travel on the scheduled dates. Thankfully, the insurance covered the cost of rescheduling, which amounted to £5,000.
Martin highlighted the importance of considering who you’re booking for. He explained that if you’re travelling with family, individual insurance for each person may work, as long as it covers family cancellations. However, if you’re booking a group holiday with friends, each person may need separate insurance, which can cause problems if one person can’t make it. A group policy, on the other hand, ensures that everyone in the party is covered in case of cancellations.
The Heartbreak of Being Uncovered
In his Money Saving Expert articles, Martin also shared a poignant reminder for travelers: “Each year, heartbreakingly, without fail, in the run-up to summer, someone who’s been diagnosed with cancer or another serious condition that needs long-term treatment tells me they won’t be able to go on their holiday, but the airline/hotel won’t refund them (which is within their rights as the ticket is not faulty).”
He stressed that one of the main benefits of travel insurance is to protect you if something happens before your trip that stops you from going. “That’s what travel insurance is for,” he said. “Please get it ASAB.”
Key Takeaways
- For group holidays, make sure you get a group policy to ensure everyone is covered if one person has to cancel.
- Get your insurance ASAP after booking to ensure you’re protected against any unforeseen events before your trip.
- Don’t leave it until the last minute, as not having insurance could cost you significantly if something goes wrong.
By following Martin Lewis’ advice, holidaymakers can avoid unnecessary stress and make sure their vacation plans are properly protected.
