British Parents Visiting Dangerous Road When it Comes to Travel Insurance

Parents are failing to prepare adequately for their family holidays according to the latest research by Post Office[R] travel services. For one in 10 parents, organizing their travel insurance is considered no more important than cleaning the house when preparing for a family holiday.

Despite this lack of preparation, children’s safety remains a major concern for parents during a family holiday, with nearly three quarters [70 percent] worrying about accidents and injuries and two-thirds [66 percent] concerned about illness.

However, the study reveals that only a third of parents will feel suitably prepared for their family holiday this summer and that just 13 per cent will prioritize travel insurance as part of their planning. Nearly a third [31 percent] of parents say they have experienced an accident or an illness while on holiday, and a further 24 percent have experienced loss or theft of property – so thousands of families could be at risk this summer if they fail to update their travel documents.

When it comes to stress, one in five [21 percent] find arranging travel safety precautions the most stressful part of organizing a holiday. A further 24 percent find packing for the family to be a major cause of stress while travelling to the airport is a stressful activity for 18 percent of parents.

Hugh Stacey, head of travel services at the Post Office[R], said: “Preparing for a family holiday can be one of the biggest stresses of the year. Yet, as a house-proud nation we are bizarrely more concerned about cleaning the house than organizing adequate travel insurance.

“Taking a small amount of time to prioritize travel essentials such as insurance, passports and E111s can reduce the worry associated with a family holiday. Our Kids Go Free and Single Parent policies are tailored to meet the needs of modern families and provide reassurance for parents when travelling with their kids.”

With more than four million families reportedly taking more than one trip abroad each year, the Post Office[R] is urging parents to ensure they are fully prepared for family travel.