Geo-political tensions have changed the way UK holidaymakers view travel insurance – with people putting safety abroad before the hunt for cheaply-priced travel policies. The new research conducted by AllClear Travel Insurance, conducted after the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, reveals that 68% of people going on holiday this summer say they will look for travel insurance that is either top quality or has good cover features – compared to just 15% of people that say they will shop around for the cheapest available policy.
These findings come at a time when UK adults remain resilient about travelling abroad this summer – with Southern Europe and the Med remaining the top choice summer holiday region (30%) for the fifth consecutive summer.
What has changed is the perceived importance attached to safety when abroad. Nationally, 38% of survey respondents said their health and safety on holiday is now of prime importance abroad this summer, up from 25% this time last year. The AllClear data also revealed a three-year peak in the percentage of adults with medical conditions that now say they would be happy to pay a higher premium for their travel cover if they could be sure their medical conditions would be covered – rising from 23% to 35% over the last 12-months.
This upweighted consumer focus on safety and quality travel insurance products comes at a time when AllClear products have been recognised as a Which? Best Buy for the 3rd year running! All 3 products Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum have been recognised as Which? Best Buy for 2026.
The public’s focus on safety abroad and comprehensive cover also comes at a time of soaring temperatures across Europe this last week, which flags the potential of another summer of extreme heat across Europe. This presents another reason why UK holidaymakers, especially those with medical conditions, should explore the merits of comprehensive travel insurance with good medical cover this summer. As Letitia Smith at AllClear Travel Insurance comments: “High temperatures can impact various medical conditions. For example, some antidepressants (SSRIs) can make people more prone to heatstroke. For those with respiratory issues, heart problems, diabetes or mental health concerns, staying informed can help people to travel confidently and enjoy the summer.”
Top tips on being safe in extreme heat abroad from AllClear Travel Insurance:
Managing respiratory conditions
· Avoid outdoor activities if pollution is high: Use air quality apps to keep track of levels.
· Keep rescue inhalers handy: Make sure you have quick access to medication.
· Stay indoors during peak heat and humidity: Use air conditioning to stay cool and filter out pollutants.
Managing your heart health
· Stay hydrated: Dehydration can increase heart strain, so drink plenty of fluids.
· Avoid heavy meals and strenuous activity: Both can overwork your heart. Opt for lighter meals and moderate activities.
· Keep cool: Stay in shaded areas or use air conditioning during the hottest parts of the
Tips for diabetics
· Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels: Regular monitoring is essential.
· Drink plenty of water: Dehydration affects insulin absorption and blood sugar control.
· Keep insulin cool: Store insulin in a cool place. Avoid direct sunlight or hot environments
Tips for managing mental health
· Stay cool and hydrated: Physical discomfort can worsen mental health issues.
· Limit outdoor activities: Avoid heat-induced stress by staying indoors during the hottest part of the day.
· Seek support: Talk to someone if you’re feeling overwhelmed or experiencing significant changes in mood.
Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at AllClear Travel Insurance comments: “We see from our latest data that people still very much want to travel abroad this summer. That said, the conflict and tensions in various parts of the world have understandably triggered a mindset-change with many holidaymakers now placing far greater emphasis on being safe abroad. The prospect of another summer of extreme heat also prompts safety considerations, particularly for those people travelling abroad with pre-existing medical conditions. In the current climate of consumers putting safety first, we encourage all holiday makers, especially those with medical conditions, to declare all their medical conditions when choosing the travel cover that best meets their needs.”
Reflecting on the Best Buy awards, Chris Rolland, CEO of AllClear Travel Insurance adds: “On behalf of the team, I am delighted that AllClear has been awarded Best Buys by Which? for the 3rd year in a row. In a travel insurance market so often driven by price, the quality of product we offer and our empathetic customer service are important – especially at times of uncertainty when more people are giving more thought to the travel insurance products they can trust.”
The AllClear research also asked people about the holiday destinations they thought would be the safest to visit this summer. For many of the destinations listed, a significant percentage of respondents thought they would be able to pay the medical bills themselves if they were to have an accident or fall ill while on holiday in that country.
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Given current conflicts in some parts of the world, the safest place to go on holiday this summer (single choice) |
Places where people think they could pay the medical bills themselves (multi choice) |
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Spain |
16% |
21% |
|
Canada |
15% |
11% |
|
Italy |
13% |
15% |
|
Portugal |
12% |
13% |
|
Sweden |
11% |
11% |
|
Germany |
7% |
16% |
|
USA |
6% |
12% |