One in three Irish people are going abroad without travel insurance, a survey by AA Ireland has shown. 65pc of respondents consider travel insurance extremely important, yet only 3 in 5 always buy it
Of respondents, 84pc list medical emergencies as top travel worries, with lost luggage and flight cancellations following
Nearly 60pc have never had occasion to claim on travel insurance, but find it valuable when they do Discounts, trusted brands, and mobile claim support are key factors for purchasing decisions Europe remains the top travel destination, with 65pc of people planning to visit this year
Separate research by London based Gigasure reveals that excess insurance purchased through rental companies can exceed the cost of hiring a vehicle, with potential extra costs of €700 for two weeks or €415 for one week.
For example, renting a standard compact car in Spain for eight days costs €335, while the rental company’s insurance adds €400, making it 54pc of the total hire cost.
Gigasure’s standalone car hire excess policy for the same duration amounts to just €31.34., highlighting substantial savings for travellers.
Tips from Gigasure include planning insurance purchases ahead of travel, researching policies for better coverage, and maintaining firm boundaries against high-pressure sales tactics at rental counters.
A written statement from AA Ireland shared, “Travel should be about enjoyment, relaxing & not a worrying or stressful time. This survey reinforces what we already know – people value peace of mind but sometimes delay or skip insurance leaving them potentially exposed. Travellers should purchase their Travel Insurance as soon as they make that first important booking.”
Ernesto Suarez, CEO of Gigasure shared, “Car hire companies are well-known for using harsh tactics to frighten customers and make them buy additional cover or pay for extras they don’t need. Do your research and buy a standalone policy before you travel so you know that when you get to the desk, you just need to collect the keys and be on your way.”
