British holidaymakers should shop around for their travel insurance, but purchase cover as soon as possible, experts have urged after a number of providers stopped taking on new customers.
LV this week became the first to announce it was to pause the sale of policies to new customers, citing a desire to concentrate on existing holders. On Thursday, Aviva stopped offering “travel disruption” cover to new customers, while InsureandGo announced that new customers will not be able to make any claim relating to the virus.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI), however, said travellers should still be able to acquire cover. “Travel insurance for new customers remains widely available,” a spokesman said, “so people should shop around for the cover that best meets their needs.”
It warns, though, that insurers will keep policies under constant review and take “whatever commercial decisions they feel are prudent”.
Gareth Shaw, of consumer group Which?, said the restrictive moves by insurers were “very alarming”.
“Anyone planning a holiday should get insurance as soon as they book,” he said. “We urge you to get cover immediately from a reputable insurer.”
As governments around the world update control measures, the holiday plans of more and more travellers are likely to be impacted.
