‘Sunshine Saturday’ is the first Saturday of the New Year and traditionally kicks off the peak holiday booking season, with Britons snapping up early deals to escape the winter blues.

As the UK travel industry gears up for ‘Sunshine Saturday’ – falling on January 4th this year – Multitrip.com, a specialist travel insurance provider, is calling on holidaymakers to organise travel insurance alongside their holiday bookings.

If someone needs to cancel*** their holiday due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, they need to have travel insurance in place to protect their holiday costs. Multitrip.com found that in 2024 more than half (55%)* of those who buy its single trip travel insurance policies buy them less than seven days prior to departure. This delay means they lose out on this critical coverage.

Christian Bennett from Multitrip.com explains: “By buying insurance as soon as you book, or ‘ASAB’, you’re safeguarding your holiday investment, and ensuring you’re protected should you be unable to travel.”

Worryingly, in a Multitrip.com survey**, carried out by Opinium, of 1,000 holidaymakers, 21% of holidaymakers say they have travelled abroad without any insurance at all, with nearly a quarter mistakenly believing that a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) covers all potential medical costs abroad.

“A GHIC only provides basic state medical care in some countries including the EU and Switzerland,” Bennett continues. “It won’t cover the expense of getting you home or the costs of an extended stay due to a medical emergency.”

Travel insurance is needed for more than just medical care. The Opinium survey further reveals that more than 60%** of travellers have encountered issues abroad, from needing medical attention, to lost belongings and missed connections. Christian Bennett adds: “It’s crucial to thoroughly research travel insurance options to ensure you have the right coverage tailored to your needs, and carefully review your chosen policy, paying attention to coverage limits, excess and add-ons. At Multitrip.com, we offer three levels of cover with optional add-ons, allowing customers to tailor their policy to suit their needs.”

Multitrip.com offers a range of policies to suit different needs and budgets. The Annual ‘Essential Cover’ policy, starting from just £19.99****, includes up to £1,000 per insured person for cancellation or curtailment and £1,600 for baggage or baggage delay. For those seeking more comprehensive protection, the ‘Premier Cover’ provides up to £3,000 per insured person for cancellation or curtailment and up to £2,000 for baggage. The ‘Premier Plus Cover ‘ offers the most extensive protection, with up to £5,000 for cancellation or curtailment and up to £3,500 for baggage or baggage delay.