 Swiftcover.com Travel: 100,000 teenagers head off on holiday with no insurance: In news likely to cause alarm among the parents of teenagers (and disinterested shrugs from their offspring?) new research has revealed that as many as 100,000 16 to 18 year-olds could be setting off on holiday this year without proper insurance cover. According to the insurer swiftcover.com an estimated 500,000 teenagers are likely to take their first holiday without their parents this summer. Of those, a fifth are set to leave without adequate travel protection.
While holidaying without your parents for the first time can be an exhilarating rite-of-passage for many young people, Tina Shortle at swiftcover.com says it is crucial to make sure teenagers are properly protected. The simple fact is that because of their age and inexperience they are a high-risk group when it comes to holidays.
Perhaps not surprisingly, 45% of teenagers admit to drinking too much when they are on holiday away from their parents for the first time. Unfortunately, drunken escapades can sometimes end in disaster. Aside from the obvious hangover, drinking too much in hot weather can also lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion. Even more importantly, many insurers declare claims for accidents that take place under the influence of drink invalid.
Drugs are another issue parents and teenagers need to be aware of. 40% of all Brits detained overseas are held due to drug related offences. Experimenting with drugs is always a gamble but doing so abroad, where strengths and purities may differ from those at home and local knowledge is limited, make it even more like Russian Roulette. Again, insurance claims for accidents that take place under the influence of drugs are likely to be declared invalid.
Excessively rowdy behaviour not only causes problems in hotel complexes, in extreme cases it can lead to persistent troublemakers being kicked out. It is also worth remembering that in some parts of Europe, particularly Spain and Greece, local police are known for their harsh stance against holidaymakers accused of loud or indecent behaviour.
Teenage adrenalin junkies taking part in dangerous sports, like white-water rafting, also need to think about the potential dangers. As swiftcover.com points out, the medical costs associated with a relatively straightforward injury such as a broken leg can add up to a staggering £7,000 in Europe. The insurer advises you to check you're fully covered before you strap on the harness.
Swiftcover.com also recommends packing some sunscreen. A third of teenagers suffered from heatstroke or sunburn last year. A map of the local area may also come in handy. 11% of teenagers get lost or stranded on their first holiday without Mum or Dad to navigate.
Other general precautions include following local health and safety advice, making sure you've got all the relevant vaccinations, taking extra care in dangerous or unfamiliar situations and, most importantly, checking that you've got adequate insurance ... and of course, don't forget to send Mum and Dad a postcard - that could have even worse repercussions. †
 Latest News
|
|
» Parishioners to be asked to pay for Priest Sex Abuse Compensation?
» Wife Swapping to save on Car Insurance
» Can things get worse for honest Brits? Oh, yes!
» Unethical business practices encouraged by government appointed bodies
» Marry your daughter to save on car insurance
 NCD News Channel
|
|
Loading...
| Popular Insurers
|
|
| Other Insurance News
|
|
» SwiftCover.com Hands out Customer Service Awards to Small Businesses
» Getting your equipment out? Swinton Insurance says make sure you're covered!
» Celebrities Insuring their Ass(ets) Just Media Hype?
» Endsleigh Student Insurance You're carrying more valuables than you think
» Gladiator, Budget & eVan The solution to the uninsured van driver problem?
» MoreTh>n team up with Junction will insurers now become comparison services themselves?
» Flooding Victims still Stranded Don't be one of them next year
» Which? not a fan of insurance comparison sites
|
NCD News: Swiftcover Travel Insurance - 21.07.08
>> NCD News: 
