There is no worse feeling for any driver than returning to your car only to find that it has been broken into, or even worse has been stolen all together. Whether it’s your £300 P Reg Fiesta or your £1m Bugatti Veyron, there is always the fear that when you leave your car, you’re leaving it in the hands of opportunistic car thieves.
Search the web and you’ll find thousands of articles that give you advice on how to keep your car safe. Here at eInsurance, we’ve decided to compile the best bits of advice from these articles into one handy list that will hopefully minimise your chances of becoming the latest victim of car theft.
•Buy a Ford Ka.
Between 2004-11, confused.com claimed that not one car theft had involved a Ford Ka. When questioning ex-burglar Michael Fraser, they discovered that one of the possible reasons for this may be because they are not very desirable cars in terms of ‘street cred’ in the crime world. Therefore cars such as BMWs, Jaguars and Range Rover Sports should be replaced with a Chevrolet Matiz or a Hyundai i10 Comfort, which are much less at risk to car theft, even if you may lose some ‘street cred’ points in the process!
•Get a tracker fitted.
A study has found that over 90% of vehicles with a tracking device installed that were stolen in the first half of 2011 were recovered, with 80% being returned to the owner within 24 hours. As many car thieves have discovered, it’s becoming much harder to physically break in and steal a car, which means that they focus on home burglary or assault in order to obtain the keys. A tracking device is an extra layer of security for your car should all else fail. Our sister company CVD have teamed up with security specialists Sure-Track to save you over £100 on the purchase of a wireless tracking unit. Many sites say that this should be a necessity for all vehicles, so click here to find out more and save money.
•Turn your wheels when you park/ ensure you steeling wheel is locked.
Many people advise that when you park your car, you should always turn the wheels to face the curb or towards another car next to you. This makes it much harder for thieves to move it, meaning they would have to put more time and risk into stealing it, thus making it more likely for them to move on from your vehicle. Most cars should now have a steering lock system installed, where the steering wheel will lock into place when the keys are pulled out. It’s always a good idea to ensure that your steering wheel is locked into place before leaving your car, which again will make it much more difficult for car thieves.
•The usual...
Make sure your car is locked, keep any valuables out of sight (or take these with you) and wipe off any marks on your windscreen that might have been made from your sat-nav holder. These may all be pieces of advice that people have heard a thousand times, but many still fail to abide by them. Anything that is left on show that can suggest to thieves your car will contain something of value will make it more of a risk. So regardless of the situation, if you’re running late or in a hurry for example, always ensure you follow these basic rules.
•The importance of having the right insurance.
Earlier this year, the government made it compulsory for everyone in the UK who owned a car to have it insured, whether you were driving it or not. But making sure you have the right type of insurance for you is very important. When getting a new policy, always ensure you’ve told the truth on your insurance application to ensure you are fully covered for any situation. For car insurance, honesty really is you best policy.
Whilst many of you may already know what is written above, the fact is that those who are victim to car theft are found to have not followed these pieces of advice. Car thieves hunt for those who are in a hurry or the ‘it won’t happen to me’ types of people. So the one time you may leave a valuable item in the back seat may be the time you find that your car has been broken into.
Whist all these things may be seen as an inconvenience or an extra expense you could do without, it can only take one moment of negligence to find that you have fallen victim to car theft. Security measures for vehicles are always changing, as are car thieves’ methods, so it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with the latest security measures and to ensure you keep as safe as possible.
If you want to sort out your car insurance right away, visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
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Friday, 19 August 2011
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Pets really are good for you!
For those of you who don’t own pets, you may not fully understand why pet owners dedicate so much of their time, effort and attention to their furry members of the family. Recent stories have shown the extremes of this recently, with some pet owners finding their dogs a suitable partner to marry and 1 in 10 pets now having their very own Facebook pages!
But why is this? Why are these animals getting pampered to a life of luxury when some believe they will give nothing but a mess in the back garden back? A recent study published by the American Psychological Association may have the answer to this.
Most people generally depend of human interactions for social support, but can your pet cat give you similar results? It has been widely reported that for people with health problems, animals have been helpful in facilitating that said person’s emotional well-being and physical recovery. But this new study gives evidence that suggests that you don’t have to be ill to benefit from the company of animals.
Three studies aimed to see if everyday people did in fact benefit from their pets. They found that they had better self-esteem, were more socially communicative and generally less fearful than those who did not have an animal companion in their lives. They also found that when a participant had experienced rejection in their lives, their pets would give them a good level of support to make them feel better.
Participants were also asked to write about their favourite pet and one of their friends. The results from this showed that writing about a pet has the same positive effects as when they are writing about a friend.
This is the first study of its kind to focus on the benefits of pets to everyday people. Past studies have only focused on the benefits pets have to owners who are struggling with health problems.
So if your parents or loved ones are sceptical about adding a furry edition to the household, it might be worth bringing up the fact that pets have shown evidence of positively changing your life.
It may also be worth considering that if your pets are giving your all of these benefits to you, maybe it’s time to return the favour and show how much you care...
Visit ePet for pet insurance to protect against unforeseen incidents that can affect both your pet and your pocket. ePet offers a variety of policies to suit you and your pet. Each year 1 in 3 pets are injured or become ill and need urgent veterinary treatment. We can help cover the cost of these unexpected bills for as little as 13p a day, leaving you with the important job of helping your important member of the family back to full recovery.
Read more about this story here.
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But why is this? Why are these animals getting pampered to a life of luxury when some believe they will give nothing but a mess in the back garden back? A recent study published by the American Psychological Association may have the answer to this.
Most people generally depend of human interactions for social support, but can your pet cat give you similar results? It has been widely reported that for people with health problems, animals have been helpful in facilitating that said person’s emotional well-being and physical recovery. But this new study gives evidence that suggests that you don’t have to be ill to benefit from the company of animals.
Three studies aimed to see if everyday people did in fact benefit from their pets. They found that they had better self-esteem, were more socially communicative and generally less fearful than those who did not have an animal companion in their lives. They also found that when a participant had experienced rejection in their lives, their pets would give them a good level of support to make them feel better.
Participants were also asked to write about their favourite pet and one of their friends. The results from this showed that writing about a pet has the same positive effects as when they are writing about a friend.
This is the first study of its kind to focus on the benefits of pets to everyday people. Past studies have only focused on the benefits pets have to owners who are struggling with health problems.
So if your parents or loved ones are sceptical about adding a furry edition to the household, it might be worth bringing up the fact that pets have shown evidence of positively changing your life.
It may also be worth considering that if your pets are giving your all of these benefits to you, maybe it’s time to return the favour and show how much you care...
Visit ePet for pet insurance to protect against unforeseen incidents that can affect both your pet and your pocket. ePet offers a variety of policies to suit you and your pet. Each year 1 in 3 pets are injured or become ill and need urgent veterinary treatment. We can help cover the cost of these unexpected bills for as little as 13p a day, leaving you with the important job of helping your important member of the family back to full recovery.
Read more about this story here.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
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Thursday, 7 July 2011
7-year-old decides toy cars are boring, so tries out a real car instead!
Most of the time when police pick up a joyrider, they're expecting a certain stereotype. For example, a late teens – mid twenties male in a hoodie probably with no licence or car insurance. But what about a seven-year-old boy still in his pyjamas?
This is what police were faced with in Michigan, USA, when a seven-year-old boy stole his stepfather’s car and drove it 20 miles down the road, reaching speeds of up to 50mph.
What’s even more frightening is the fact that the child had to stand up in order to work the pedals. Witnesses say that even though the boy was driving erratically, he seemed to know what he was doing, which admittedly is quite impressive for a boy who is only seven, but still highly dangerous. This does raise the question however as to who taught the child to drive a car at such a young age?
The reason behind the theft was because the young boy wanted to see his father, who lived 12 miles away. So instead of bothering his mother, who was asleep at the time, he thought the best idea would be to steal his stepfather’s car and drive there himself.
The police were called and were able to safely box in the seven-year-old, until he finally pulled over. They then had to help the young boy figure out how to unlock the car and get out! Police obtained video footage from their vehicle of the boy driving 5mph below the speed limit (so at least he had learned not to speed!).
Luckily, the boy was unharmed and did not cause any damage to anything or anyone else.
Prosecutors are now focusing on how the boy knew how to drive when he was almost 10 years younger than the legal age in Michigan. It is also in question as to who to charge: the boy or his parents.
It goes without saying that his parents will think twice about what they are teaching their child in the future. Our advice: wait until they are of a legal age before you teach your child how to drive!
Visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
To read more on this story, click here.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
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This is what police were faced with in Michigan, USA, when a seven-year-old boy stole his stepfather’s car and drove it 20 miles down the road, reaching speeds of up to 50mph.
What’s even more frightening is the fact that the child had to stand up in order to work the pedals. Witnesses say that even though the boy was driving erratically, he seemed to know what he was doing, which admittedly is quite impressive for a boy who is only seven, but still highly dangerous. This does raise the question however as to who taught the child to drive a car at such a young age?
The reason behind the theft was because the young boy wanted to see his father, who lived 12 miles away. So instead of bothering his mother, who was asleep at the time, he thought the best idea would be to steal his stepfather’s car and drive there himself.
The police were called and were able to safely box in the seven-year-old, until he finally pulled over. They then had to help the young boy figure out how to unlock the car and get out! Police obtained video footage from their vehicle of the boy driving 5mph below the speed limit (so at least he had learned not to speed!).
Luckily, the boy was unharmed and did not cause any damage to anything or anyone else.
Prosecutors are now focusing on how the boy knew how to drive when he was almost 10 years younger than the legal age in Michigan. It is also in question as to who to charge: the boy or his parents.
It goes without saying that his parents will think twice about what they are teaching their child in the future. Our advice: wait until they are of a legal age before you teach your child how to drive!
Visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
To read more on this story, click here.
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Friday, 1 July 2011
eInsurance, part of Brightside Group plc: Winner of The PwC West of England Business of the Year Award.
We are proud to announce that the Brightside Group plc has been awarded the West of England Business of the Year Award. The awards, held by global professional services giants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and in its 23rd year, are designed to acknowledge various businesses for their achievements in areas such as financial performance, innovation, contribution to the region and many more. Previous winners of the awards show the high level of standards needed, with companies including Dyson, MITIE and Bristol Airport all previously winning the coveted award.
Brightside Group is one of the fastest growing insurance broking and financial services in the UK which endeavours to distribute market-defining insurance both to individuals and businesses.
Their current products range from Quota Marketing which specialises in GAP insurance and market-leading targeted lead generation solutions, to none other than eInsurance Group!
For a company that only began 10 years ago as a 2 person start up, Brightside Group has gone from strength to strength. With a 2263% profit growth in policy numbers from 13,000 in 2002 to 313,000 in 2010, they show no signs of slowing down. They have also been recognised for their innovative techniques in tackling insurance fraud, using solutions such as manually checking No Claims Discount and introducing ‘redeye’ to monitor customer identification activity.
As well as their successes financially, Brightside Group see the importance of contributing to the region by employing 1,400 individuals from the South West region. Their impressive charity work for NSPCC’s Child’s Voice South West appeal was greatly noted and appreciated by regional Chair Deborah Meaden; successful business woman more commonly known in the popular TV series ‘Dragons Den’.
The development of sport in the South West across all ages is another aspect that Brightside actively encourages. The online car insurance gurus eCar have been proud sponsors of Wellington Rugby Club and are also principal sponsors at the Somerset County Cricket Club.
David Charles from PwC and chairman of the judges for the businesses with a turnover of over £25 million category said, “We believe it is important to recognise the hard work and continued success that has ensured the region is well placed to move forward. The region has a number of excellent businesses and their ability to stay ahead in the current climate should be rewarded.”
John Gannon, commercial director at Brightside Group, said, ‘This award is a tremendous honour for Brightside Group, and great testament to the dedication and hard work of all our staff. We were thrilled to be recognised amongst the incredibly strong line up of finalists for the award. To win the award against such high calibre companies is a true privilege.’
To learn more about The Brightside Group, click here.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
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Brightside Group is one of the fastest growing insurance broking and financial services in the UK which endeavours to distribute market-defining insurance both to individuals and businesses.
Their current products range from Quota Marketing which specialises in GAP insurance and market-leading targeted lead generation solutions, to none other than eInsurance Group!
For a company that only began 10 years ago as a 2 person start up, Brightside Group has gone from strength to strength. With a 2263% profit growth in policy numbers from 13,000 in 2002 to 313,000 in 2010, they show no signs of slowing down. They have also been recognised for their innovative techniques in tackling insurance fraud, using solutions such as manually checking No Claims Discount and introducing ‘redeye’ to monitor customer identification activity.
As well as their successes financially, Brightside Group see the importance of contributing to the region by employing 1,400 individuals from the South West region. Their impressive charity work for NSPCC’s Child’s Voice South West appeal was greatly noted and appreciated by regional Chair Deborah Meaden; successful business woman more commonly known in the popular TV series ‘Dragons Den’.
The development of sport in the South West across all ages is another aspect that Brightside actively encourages. The online car insurance gurus eCar have been proud sponsors of Wellington Rugby Club and are also principal sponsors at the Somerset County Cricket Club.
David Charles from PwC and chairman of the judges for the businesses with a turnover of over £25 million category said, “We believe it is important to recognise the hard work and continued success that has ensured the region is well placed to move forward. The region has a number of excellent businesses and their ability to stay ahead in the current climate should be rewarded.”
John Gannon, commercial director at Brightside Group, said, ‘This award is a tremendous honour for Brightside Group, and great testament to the dedication and hard work of all our staff. We were thrilled to be recognised amongst the incredibly strong line up of finalists for the award. To win the award against such high calibre companies is a true privilege.’
To learn more about The Brightside Group, click here.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
Follow us on Twitter
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Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Backseat drivers’ comments are steering motorists to danger.
As most drivers know, there are many factors that can distract you from concentrating when you are driving, both externally and internally, which can lead to dangerous conclusions.
In recent years, the most reported distraction has been the dangers of talking on your mobile phone whilst driving. In the UK, the law states that it is illegal to drive whilst using a mobile phone, with police ever being able to prosecute drivers when they are using a hands free devise if they think their driving performance is poor whilst using one.
A recent study by esure however has looked at another dangerous distraction that many believe to be harmless, but in reality is the reason for one in seven road accidents or near misses - backseat drivers.
This new study reveals how backseat drivers’ comments have increasingly become the cause of many road accidents, with partners being the worst offenders. This is becoming an increasing risk for many drivers, mainly because they underestimate the effects that distractions have on their driving. The study also shows that men are the worst culprits to take their eyes off the roads for a chat. But even when drivers keep their eyes on the road, backseat comments can cause distractions which may lead to the driver not spotting hazards on the road.
The study highlighted other top distractions for drivers, which included eating, drinking and changing music, but driving with other passengers was seen as a bigger distraction by those who took part in the study, with backseat comments topping the bill (51% of motorists citing this as the worst distraction).
What’s even more surprising is that even though this study showed that most people recognised backseat drivers as a distraction, almost all (91%) motorists who took part in the study admitted to being backseat driver themselves when travelling in another car!
You may find it difficult to manage distractions whilst driving. Some distractions are unavoidable, but there are some precautionary steps you can take to reduce the risk of becoming distracted. For example, you need to recognise what is causing the distraction. If it’s a backseat driver, you need to ensure they are aware that they are causing a distraction. You may think you are being rude to the passenger, but this is a much better outcome than being involved in a road accident.
Also, if you are aware that you are a backseat driver, like many who took part in this study admitted to being, it’s essential to learn to respect the driver of the vehicle and understand that you are more than likely going to be more of a hindrance rather than a help with your comments. Distractions are everywhere for motorists, so you should not add to these with your ‘helpful’ comments!
There is currently no law against back-seat drivers, but there are laws that focus on not engaging in distractive activities. Motorists can be charged with careless driving or failing to be in proper control of their vehicle. In other words, a backseat driver might not receive 3 points on their licence, but their comments may lead to the driver getting into trouble with the law if they become too distracted.
Above all, remember to simply focus on your driving. This needs to be a priority for all drivers, even if you’re driving on a route you regularly take. It may seem a pretty obvious, but many motorists forget this, which makes them victim to distractions like backseat drivers’ criticisms. And remember, if backseat drivers persist with their comments, you can always kindly remind them where the nearest bus stop is!
Visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
Click here to read more.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
Follow us on Twitter
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In recent years, the most reported distraction has been the dangers of talking on your mobile phone whilst driving. In the UK, the law states that it is illegal to drive whilst using a mobile phone, with police ever being able to prosecute drivers when they are using a hands free devise if they think their driving performance is poor whilst using one.
A recent study by esure however has looked at another dangerous distraction that many believe to be harmless, but in reality is the reason for one in seven road accidents or near misses - backseat drivers.
This new study reveals how backseat drivers’ comments have increasingly become the cause of many road accidents, with partners being the worst offenders. This is becoming an increasing risk for many drivers, mainly because they underestimate the effects that distractions have on their driving. The study also shows that men are the worst culprits to take their eyes off the roads for a chat. But even when drivers keep their eyes on the road, backseat comments can cause distractions which may lead to the driver not spotting hazards on the road.
The study highlighted other top distractions for drivers, which included eating, drinking and changing music, but driving with other passengers was seen as a bigger distraction by those who took part in the study, with backseat comments topping the bill (51% of motorists citing this as the worst distraction).
What’s even more surprising is that even though this study showed that most people recognised backseat drivers as a distraction, almost all (91%) motorists who took part in the study admitted to being backseat driver themselves when travelling in another car!
You may find it difficult to manage distractions whilst driving. Some distractions are unavoidable, but there are some precautionary steps you can take to reduce the risk of becoming distracted. For example, you need to recognise what is causing the distraction. If it’s a backseat driver, you need to ensure they are aware that they are causing a distraction. You may think you are being rude to the passenger, but this is a much better outcome than being involved in a road accident.
Also, if you are aware that you are a backseat driver, like many who took part in this study admitted to being, it’s essential to learn to respect the driver of the vehicle and understand that you are more than likely going to be more of a hindrance rather than a help with your comments. Distractions are everywhere for motorists, so you should not add to these with your ‘helpful’ comments!
There is currently no law against back-seat drivers, but there are laws that focus on not engaging in distractive activities. Motorists can be charged with careless driving or failing to be in proper control of their vehicle. In other words, a backseat driver might not receive 3 points on their licence, but their comments may lead to the driver getting into trouble with the law if they become too distracted.
Above all, remember to simply focus on your driving. This needs to be a priority for all drivers, even if you’re driving on a route you regularly take. It may seem a pretty obvious, but many motorists forget this, which makes them victim to distractions like backseat drivers’ criticisms. And remember, if backseat drivers persist with their comments, you can always kindly remind them where the nearest bus stop is!
Visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
Click here to read more.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
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Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Cheapest way to travel in London? Chauffeur-driven luxury cars!
When getting around busy cities in the UK such as London, many of us tend to take public transport, with the bus or tube being popular choices. Most of us would much rather travel in a more luxurious form of transport rather than squeezing onto the tube for the daily commute. Unfortunately, the general consensus is that luxury travel would be out of most people’s price range, with public transport costing much less. But in reality, is public transport really the cheapest choice?
According to new research by the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), it would seem that a cheaper option to public transport would be the Rolls-Royce Phantom!
For those who don’t know much about the Phantom, here’s a brief overview:
Nearly 20ft long and 6ft 6in wide, suicide doors that close electrically, a 6.75 litre V12 engine which goes 0-60 in 6 seconds and has a price tag of £250,000. In other words, it’s a far nicer experience than slotting yourself into a tube carriage that’s already full to the brim. But how on earth can it be cheaper to use one of these over public transport?
The ETA has worked out that currently, a tube ticket in central London can cost up to £24 per mile. The Phantom will set you back £200 per hour (which includes your very own chauffer), which works out to around £16 per mile in Central London.
The only downfall on travelling in the Phantom is its lack of regard for the environment. The ETA state that driving one kilometre would emit 377g of CO2 which is around five times more than that generated on the tube.
This research has highlighted the ever-rising cost in public transport, which is putting many people off using it. The fact that hiring one of the most luxurious cars available today can be cheaper than the tube certainly should raise some eyebrows for those involved in public transport fares. So the next time you’re in London and decide to treat yourself by hiring or even buying (if you’re lucky and have a spare £250,000 lying around) a luxury vehicle, you may save a few quid on travel expenses! Just make sure you’re insured before you set off!
Visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
To read more on this story, click here.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
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According to new research by the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), it would seem that a cheaper option to public transport would be the Rolls-Royce Phantom!
For those who don’t know much about the Phantom, here’s a brief overview:
Nearly 20ft long and 6ft 6in wide, suicide doors that close electrically, a 6.75 litre V12 engine which goes 0-60 in 6 seconds and has a price tag of £250,000. In other words, it’s a far nicer experience than slotting yourself into a tube carriage that’s already full to the brim. But how on earth can it be cheaper to use one of these over public transport?
The ETA has worked out that currently, a tube ticket in central London can cost up to £24 per mile. The Phantom will set you back £200 per hour (which includes your very own chauffer), which works out to around £16 per mile in Central London.
The only downfall on travelling in the Phantom is its lack of regard for the environment. The ETA state that driving one kilometre would emit 377g of CO2 which is around five times more than that generated on the tube.
This research has highlighted the ever-rising cost in public transport, which is putting many people off using it. The fact that hiring one of the most luxurious cars available today can be cheaper than the tube certainly should raise some eyebrows for those involved in public transport fares. So the next time you’re in London and decide to treat yourself by hiring or even buying (if you’re lucky and have a spare £250,000 lying around) a luxury vehicle, you may save a few quid on travel expenses! Just make sure you’re insured before you set off!
Visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
To read more on this story, click here.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
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Thursday, 16 June 2011
Britons still reluctant to take out travel insurance – but at what cost?
It’s that time of the year again – Britain’s unpredictable ‘summer’ weather is here which means that holidaymakers across the UK will takes their chances abroad for warmer weather.
Planning on what one needs to take with them on holiday can usually be a stressful experience. Whilst trying to make sure all the essentials are packed such as tickets and passports; new research has shown that holidaymakers are choosing not to pack one vital item... Travel Insurance.
Around 12 million Brits have made plans to visit friends and family abroad this summer, with many more expected to book last minute deals online. However, despite this huge figure, only half of young people have taken out insurance. Research published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) found that 39% of people who were visiting friends and family in Africa did not take out travel insurance on their previous trip and only 48% took out travel insurance when visiting relatives in South Asia.
Many people feel that travel insurance is redundant when visiting friends or family abroad, regardless of where they are travelling in the world. In reality, it’s the most important item to pack in your suitcase. The foreign office are reminding those who don’t take out travel insurance run the risk of facing a colossal medical bill, whether they are visiting friends and family or not.
In order to tackle these alarming statistics, the FCO have launched a new ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign, which aims to remind Brits to make sure they have obtained appropriate travel insurance before they jet off. The FCO has also released some examples of foreign medical costs. For example, a broken arm in Spain can cost £5,000, whereas getting an air ambulance in Australia can leave you with a bill of £100,000.
The same costs can apply to potential diseases you may catch while abroad. For example the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have recently warned that the rise in malaria cases in UK, which has seen a 30% increase in cases, is potentially down to travellers staying with friends and family abroad and not taking the necessary precautions. The HPA believes that this is because many travellers staying with people they know believed they would not be at risk when they know the area they were visiting. However, those who have not taken out insurance will not be able to rely on the Foreign Office to arrange better medical treatment or pay bills for any British travellers.
Besides these facts, many still see travel insurance as an unnecessary extra when planning a holiday, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. This blog only scratches the surface of potential risks travellers face when going abroad, with many more (for example, ash clouds cancelling flights) that could also be detrimental to travellers and their wallets. Even the slightest injury abroad or losing an item of luggage could leave you with a bill that costs more than the holiday itself.
With the ability now to obtain online travel insurance at a cheap and affordable price, there really is no excuse. It should be a priority after you’ve booked your flight and accommodation. You can then get back to the other important task... looking forward to your holiday!
Check out eTraveller to see how much money you can save on your travel insurance. You can get a quote in seconds, with a choice between Essential and Extra cover to suit your own individual needs. Click here to see how much money you can save.
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Planning on what one needs to take with them on holiday can usually be a stressful experience. Whilst trying to make sure all the essentials are packed such as tickets and passports; new research has shown that holidaymakers are choosing not to pack one vital item... Travel Insurance.
Around 12 million Brits have made plans to visit friends and family abroad this summer, with many more expected to book last minute deals online. However, despite this huge figure, only half of young people have taken out insurance. Research published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) found that 39% of people who were visiting friends and family in Africa did not take out travel insurance on their previous trip and only 48% took out travel insurance when visiting relatives in South Asia.
Many people feel that travel insurance is redundant when visiting friends or family abroad, regardless of where they are travelling in the world. In reality, it’s the most important item to pack in your suitcase. The foreign office are reminding those who don’t take out travel insurance run the risk of facing a colossal medical bill, whether they are visiting friends and family or not.
In order to tackle these alarming statistics, the FCO have launched a new ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign, which aims to remind Brits to make sure they have obtained appropriate travel insurance before they jet off. The FCO has also released some examples of foreign medical costs. For example, a broken arm in Spain can cost £5,000, whereas getting an air ambulance in Australia can leave you with a bill of £100,000.
The same costs can apply to potential diseases you may catch while abroad. For example the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have recently warned that the rise in malaria cases in UK, which has seen a 30% increase in cases, is potentially down to travellers staying with friends and family abroad and not taking the necessary precautions. The HPA believes that this is because many travellers staying with people they know believed they would not be at risk when they know the area they were visiting. However, those who have not taken out insurance will not be able to rely on the Foreign Office to arrange better medical treatment or pay bills for any British travellers.
Besides these facts, many still see travel insurance as an unnecessary extra when planning a holiday, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. This blog only scratches the surface of potential risks travellers face when going abroad, with many more (for example, ash clouds cancelling flights) that could also be detrimental to travellers and their wallets. Even the slightest injury abroad or losing an item of luggage could leave you with a bill that costs more than the holiday itself.
With the ability now to obtain online travel insurance at a cheap and affordable price, there really is no excuse. It should be a priority after you’ve booked your flight and accommodation. You can then get back to the other important task... looking forward to your holiday!
Check out eTraveller to see how much money you can save on your travel insurance. You can get a quote in seconds, with a choice between Essential and Extra cover to suit your own individual needs. Click here to see how much money you can save.
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