"66% of Young Travelers Took Off Without Travel Insurance!"

TWO-THIRDS of young people jetted off without travel insurance – because more than half didn’t think anything would go wrong.

A poll of 2,000 adults found another 58 per cent of these and travellers have skipped getting covered because it costs too much.

Compare the Market highlight the importance of booking insurance at the same time as your tripCredit: Will Ireland / PinPep The average holiday insurance claim is around £4,500Credit: Will Ireland / PinPep

But that risk doesn’t always pay off, as 29 per cent of all have had to make a claim after things went awry either before or during their trip.

The average claim came to around £4,500, with top reasons including cancelled holidays due to unforeseen circumstances like illness.

Nearly half (48 per cent) have had to use their policy because of long , while 45 per cent needed help following a medical emergency overseas.

Emily Barnett, expert at Compare the Market, which commissioned the research, said: “Taking out travel insurance should be as instinctive as booking your flights, giving you protection against unforeseen circumstances, for example should you need to cancel before you depart.

“With the busy winter travel season upon us, whether it’s skiing in the Alps or a visit to the Christmas markets, it’s never been more important to make sure you have suitable cover in place before you set off.”

It also emerged 41 per cent have claimed for delayed or damaged baggage, while 40 per cent needed their policy after being targeted by abroad.

Others have had to rely on insurance after their hotel or travel company cancelled on them, while 38 per cent made a claim to access medication during their trip.

However, 16 per cent didn’t realise their policy needs to match the specific requirements of their holiday – as some trips, such as , need specialist cover.

And this rises to nearly a third (31 per cent) among those aged 18 to 24.

When it comes to travel worries, the biggest fear among those polled is facing a medical emergency away from home (37 per cent), followed by losing (21 per cent) and missing their flight (19 per cent).

The findings have inspired a striking photo series from Compare the Market, titled ‘What Happened on Holiday’, designed to highlight the importance of booking insurance at the same time as your trip.

Emily Barnett added: “We’re urging Brits to protect their trips early to give themselves peace of mind, so they can focus on making memories instead of mishaps.”

Nearly half of Brits have risked holiday protection by not taking out travel insuranceCredit: Will Ireland / PinPep Almost 48 per cent have had to use their policy because of long travel delaysCredit: Will Ireland / PinPep