Brits advised to opt for annual travel insurance

The importance of travel insurance has once again been hammered home to holidaymakers by one expert this week.

According to the Thrifty Scot, whenever any traveller ventures outside of the UK they should ensure they have a policy in place to cover medical emergencies that may occur while abroad.

Whether they purchase this when they book their plane ticket or take out a separate policy with an independent operator, holidaymakers are strongly recommended not to bypass this product.

Furthermore, Brits intending to see the world on a shoestring budget are advised to opt for annual travel insurance policies by the expert.

The money advice website claims that annual travel insurance policies work out cheaper in the long run if purchased from a firm which deals exclusively with this kind of product.

It says: "The policies are available as single or family policies and are relatively inexpensive."

However, while holidaymakers will most likely be considering costs when choosing a policy, the Thrifty Scot notes that the price tag is not the be all and end all.

Travellers were warned: "When you decide to take this route, the cheapest is not always the best policy.

"You need to have an inclusion for lost or stolen baggage that is for more than £500. Any less than this is not worth bothering with."

Last month holidaymakers were advised by the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) that even the Brits with the best insurance policies will be left uncovered if an accident occurs because of drunken antics.

Frances Tuke, spokesperson for Abta, said: "Most insurance policies are not valid if the cause of an accident is because of drinking.

"That is the conditions that they set and that is what people need to be aware of."

She added that there has been a crack down on tolerance levels on binge drinking and noted that it is important insurance providers are consistent with their enforcement of this approach.

The importance of having a decent travel insurance policy in place is illustrated by Foreign and Commonwealth Office statistics, which reveal that 8,304 Brits needed assistance in the US last year.

Furthermore, in 2007 2,032 Brits were arrested in Spain and 126 British citizens died in India between 2006 and 2007.

Ms Tuke concluded: "We as an industry need to work with partners and local authorities, bar owners and hoteliers to ensure that there are boundaries for young people in resorts and that they are enforced."