Martin Lewis urges 'do this' at same time as booking holiday
Millions of weary people will book a sunshine break in January with travel agents saying it's one of the busiest times of the year for holiday purchases.
But as well as excitedly booking this year's holiday, Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has urged folk to also buy another vital component.
The consumer champion said that when booking your break, you should also buy travel insurance immediately or risk losing money.
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He explained that every year he is contacted by people who have become ill since making their plans and can't travel. And he said far too many don't have insurance in place meaning they lose the money they've paid, reports the Mirror.
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Writing on his founded website Money Saving Expert, Martin said: "Heartbreakingly, each year one or more people who've been diagnosed with cancer or other serious conditions usually ask me about their holiday, as they can no longer go and the airline/hotel won't give them a refund (as the ticket isn't faulty).
“I suggest they contact their travel insurer, as that's a key gap it's designed to cover, and then they say they haven't got around to getting it yet. It's a painful moment.
“Half the point of travel insurance is to protect you if things happen beforehand that stop you going, so delay and you're not getting all its value. Get it ASAP."
Martin highlighted that insurance needn't be a big layout and can be bought for as little as £10. There are two main kind of policies - annual and single-trip.
Martin explained that if you'll go away at least twice, even just for weekends, annual cover usually works out cheapest. It covers virtually all trips away, though often has a duration limit (eg. 30 days per trip).
He also recommended some annual policies from companies Coverwide, Leisure Grand Flexi, Admiral and A to Z for under-65s and Admiral, Leisure Grand, Avanti, and Staysure for over-65s. Prices start at £11 for under-65s and £38 for over-66s.
The single-trip policies he recommended were Coverwise, Leisure Guard Flexi, and CoverForYou for under-65s and Coverwise, Leisure Guard Flexi, Avanti, Admiral, and Staysure for over-66s. Prices start at £7 for under-65s and £26 for over-66s.
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