The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) is warning travellers that they could invalidate their travel insurance if they have an incident on holiday while under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs when they come to make a claim. BIBA’s research into 20 leading travel insurance policies shows a clamp down on drunken behaviour with all the insurers surveyed having some form of alcohol and drugs exclusion.
BIBA has warned that the exclusions which have been strengthened in recent years vary dramatically between insurers and could lead to consumer confusion. Exclusions range from ‘excessive alcohol intake’ or ‘drinking so much alcohol that your judgment is seriously affected’ through to some policies which reject ‘any claims that result from using alcohol’.
Graeme Trudgill, BIBA’s Head of Corporate Affairs, said: “We believe that travellers will be surprised that there is such a variety of exclusions within policies and they need to understand what level of alcohol could invalidate a claim and if excessive, it almost certainly will.”
BIBA explained that insurance policies are legal contracts and wordings vary due to the individual insurer’s experience with claims and their appetite for risk. Travellers should consequently take reasonable care and not take unnecessary risks while having fun on holiday because having to meet the cost of a rejected claim out their own pocket can run into thousands of pounds. For example, the average cost for medical treatment overseas was £2,040 in 2011*.
The difference between insurers exclusions is considerable, varying examples from the research include:
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‘We do not expect you to avoid alcohol on your trips or holidays but we will not cover any claims arising because you have drunk so much alcohol that your judgment is seriously affected and you need to make a claim as a result;’
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‘Any claim arising directly or indirectly from you having a blood alcohol content level that exceeds 0.19%, this being the equivalent of you having consumed 8 units of alcohol in a single sessions. 1 unit of alcohol equals half a pint of normal strength (4%) beer, lager or cider or half a standard 175ml glass of 12% wine or one 25ml measure of spirit.’
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‘Any claim arising directly or indirectly from your drug addiction or solvent abuse, excessive alcohol intake, or you being under the influence of drug(s).’
BIBA’s research covered twenty of the major travel insurance brands and is available for download here.
Leighann Forsyth, BIBA’s Head of Communications, added: “Travel insurance is vitally important. Travellers could be confused by the different attitudes that are taken by insurers so it is important for them to check their specific policy wording, stay safe and speak to an insurance broker to fully understand the policy cover and conditions.”
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Notes to editors
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For further information please contact :
Graeme Trudgill
Head of Corporate Affairs
020 7397 0218
trudgillg@biba.org.uk
Becky Pledge
Communications Coordinator
020 7397 0231
pledger@biba.org.uk
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* Emergency medical treatment and repatriation facts from the Association of British Insurers, 2011.
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About the British Insurance Brokers' Association The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) is the UK's leading general insurance organisation representing the interests of insurance brokers, intermediaries and their customers.
BIBA membership includes just over 2,000 regulated firms having merged with the Institute of Insurance Brokers (IIB) in November 2011.
General insurance brokers contribute 1% of GDP to the UK economy and BIBA brokers employ more than 100,000 staff.
BIBA helps more than 400,000 people a year to access insurance protection through it’s Find a Broker service, both online and via the telephone.
Brokers provide professional advice to businesses and individuals, playing a key role in the identification, measurement, management, control and transfer of risk. They negotiate appropriate insurance protection tailored to individual needs.
BIBA is the voice of the industry advising members, the regulators, consumer bodies and other stakeholders on key insurance issues. BIBA provides unique schemes and facilities, technical advice, guidance on regulation and business support and is helping to raise, and maintain, industry standards.
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