Flight MH370 Disaster Boosts Demand for Travel Insurance

We all have a tendency to get complacent in life, and cut back on things that we should buy to save a few pounds.

This is certainly what happens with travel insurance. People forget to buy it or deliberately skip buying it in an effort to save money. Unfortunately, travel cover is something many British travellers do not take seriously.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) discovered that 48% of Britons did not realise that if they fell sick while abroad and did not have insurance, they would have to pay all medical bills and repatriation charges.

According to a survey carried out by the Association of British Insurers Brits, spend more on magazines and sweets at the airport than they do on a travel policy. Often, people do not check the small print and end up under insured or not covered at all.

However, every now and again something happens, which shakes things up and makes people think. One such example is Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014. Despite a multinational search, the plane and the 239 passengers and crew on board the flight have yet to be found.

There were no British nationals aboard that flight, but nine died when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down near Hrabove, Ukraine on 17 July 2014. The two events reminded travellers across the globe, including those from the UK, that anything can happen. Demand for travel insurance shot up almost immediately after each of these events.

One passenger told Oman News:

"I think the disappearance of MH370 is a wake-up call that reminds us that we need to take adequate cover and ensure that in case something happens to us, our families are adequately compensated,"

The sentiments of this passenger have been reflected across the globe. There is evidence that many who have never considered buying travel insurance before are now doing so.

If this is you and you are not sure how to start, use this site, you will find the advice you need to buy a good quality policy that covers every eventuality.