Holiday Collapses Prompt New AA Travel Cover

BASINGSTOKE, England -

- AA Travel Insurance Now Includes up to GBP5k Financial Failure Protection

Travellers who protect themselves with AA Travel Insurance are now automatically covered for financial failure of the firms they book through.

According to AA Travel Insurance, more than 50 holiday firms have collapsed during the past 12 months, dashing travel plans for thousands and leaving others to pay for extra flights home.

Explains Christian Young, CEO of AA Travel Insurance: “Travel agents and operators selling package holidays that include the flight with other travel components (such as transfers or hotel) should provide the traveller with Air Travel Organisers’ Licence (ATOL) protection or similar. But this doesn’t apply to the increasing number who prefer to book their own separate holiday components such as flight, hotel or car hire - all of which are easy to arrange online.

“Uncertainty in the market is leading many travellers to build their own holiday arrangements and they may have little or no protection in the event of a company failure. They, as well as business travellers and weekenders and those driving in Europe, will now automatically enjoy that extra protection with AA Travel Insurance.”

Few travel insurers offer this type of cover as standard or sell it as an add-on, while others restrict cover to scheduled airline failure. AA Travel Insurance covers all suppliers of separate travel components including airlines; accommodation suppliers (such as hotel companies and villa owners); car hire companies; ferry operators; excursion organisers and theme parks.

“Many travellers believe they are fully protected when taking a holiday, either through their insurance, credit card or travel compensation schemes. But the truth is that cover is often incomplete, patchy and the claims process can be long-winded,” Young says.

“The travel sector is going through a difficult time. The recent strength of the Euro against the GBP; oil prices; unemployment; people deciding to stay at home or leaving holiday plans until the last moment are all contributing to mounting losses in a market where margins are very small. Even British Airways is very publicly facing cash flow difficulties and many smaller operators could possibly become grounded.

“One commentator* recently said that: ‘the late deals market could be all that stands between some travel businesses and failure’.”

Young adds: “People should not be deterred from taking a holiday.

“There are many bargains to be had: holiday companies are being left with thousands of unsold flights and hotels throughout the world that can be booked at bargain prices. If you buy a package through an agent bonded by ATOL, ABTA or similar you will have protection. If you make your own holiday plans, AA Travel Insurance will help ensure you remain protected.”

AA Travel Insurance (www.aatravelinsurance.com/) now includes financial failure holiday protection automatically, protecting against the insolvency of any travel or accommodation supplier up to a maximum of GBP5,000 per person and where ATOL or similar cover doesn’t apply. The cover is provided by International Passenger Protection Limited (IPP), world-wide leaders in financial failure insurance with over 20 years experience in providing this specialist cover.

* Barry Moxley of the Association of Independent Tour Operators Specialist Travel Agents: Daily Mail, 19 June 2009 AA Travel Insurance - terms and conditions apply.

BASINGSTOKE, England, July 22 /PRNewswire/ –

About AA Travel Insurance

At AA Travel Insurance our goal is make sure that you get a good deal on travel insurance (www.aatravelinsurance.com/), so that whether you are travelling for business or pleasure you will always be covered.

Our secure website allows you to buy travel insurance online in just a few minutes, or if you prefer to talk to someone why not contact our UK based call centre? Our call agents are available today from 8:00am to 9:00pm

AA Travel Insurance is a division of Drakefield Insurance Services Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. (Firm Registration No. 312317). Drakefield Insurance Services Limited is part of The AA.

All single trip and annual travel insurance (www.aatravelinsurance.com/travel-insurance/annual-travel-insurance.asp) policies bought by telephone or online now include financial failure holiday protection. For full information visit www.theAAtravelinsurance.com or call +44(0)845-092-1729.

Source: AA Travel Insurance

Press Office, +44(0)1256-49-59-69 or press.office at theAA.com