Travel insurance firm urges vaccinations

Claim-triggering illnesses could be reduced among holidaymakers by increased usage of vaccinations, a travel insurance firm has pointed out.

Post Office Travel Insurance said today (December 2nd) that many people are confused about the potential medical risks of travelling to various popular holiday destinations.

Research from the cover provider also indicates that 44% of holidaymakers fail to look up recommended vaccinations prior to their overseas trips.

Meanwhile, around one-third (31%) do not remember which diseases they have previously been vaccinated against.

Holiday illnesses generally lead to travel insurance claims, which can in turn boost premiums for the traveller in future.

However, correct use of vaccinations lowers the chances of the holidaymaker having to make the claim in the first place.

Rachel Croft, head of Post Office Travel Insurance, said: "People should check out the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice [before travelling] to make sure they do have the necessary vaccinations."

She added: "There are some situations where, if you were ill abroad and you haven't taken malaria tablets, the insurance company would say that you should have taken those tablets and won't pick up that claim."

A recent survey from experts at Lonely Planet suggests that UK travellers' top three "hot" destinations for 2010 should be El Salvador, Germany and Greece.