Ignorance is not bliss for holiday travel insurance

Recent research by the Post Office insurance company suggests that UK holidaymakers making their way abroad without their recommended vaccinations and medications maybe heading to the proverbial fool’s paradise.

The research revealed that around 56% of UK holidaymakers were unable to accurately identify destinations for which vaccines and preventive shots are mandated.

Holidaymakers who then set off on their much-awaited trip, armed with what they think is adequate cover from their travel insurance may in fact be headed for a nasty shock.

Even while they may carry what could be considered adequate travel insurance, running into medical problems abroad without having the crucial preventive care may in fact nullify their travel health insurance policy.

The Post Office also added that a large faction of people surveyed—at 31% percent—could not recall exactly which diseases they have been already vaccinated against, or for that matter when they had received these vaccinations.

Rachel Croft, representative of the insurance company, said it was worrying that so many of travellers are careless when it comes to checking whether vaccines or preventative medicines such as malaria tablets are recommended before visiting a destination. Not only are holidaymakers potentially risking their health, she warned, but they also risk invalidating their travel insurance policy, should they become ill and seek medical treatment.