More than 2.3 million travellers are estimated to have made the mistake last year, according to new research into travel insurance errors.
Travellers are now being warned not to make the same slip-up this year, or else they risk finding themselves abroad without proper insurance cover.
The study asked travellers when they purchased their insurance last year, and 8% admitted that they left it until they were already overseas to do so.
This means most of these holidaymakers likely wouldn’t have been protected should they have needed to claim.
Among the at-risk travellers, 1.19 million said they didn’t know about this rule, meaning they were unaware that their policy might have been invalid.
Bizarrely, more than 1.1 million holiday-goers admitted they knew buying a policy this late would void their cover, but proceeded to do so anyway, meaning they knowingly paid for invalid insurance.
Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “You won’t be covered under regular travel insurance if you buy it once you’re already on your holiday.
“If you purchase a policy once you’re out of the country, or in some cases sooner, this voids your cover. This is to protect insurers against any fraudulent claims.
“If you did forget to buy a policy until it was too late, you’ll need to look at buying post-departure travel insurance – something that’s usually only available from a small number of providers.
“This might take a bit longer to come into effect but should cover you for most things that a regular policy will.
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“If you only remember at the last minute, you can still buy a policy on the day you travel. Just remember to check what you’re covered for, as you might miss out on things like cancellation cover.
“However, buying it at the eleventh hour is still better than risking a holiday with no protection at all.”
Martin Lewis’ urgent travel insurance warning
Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to anyone planning a holiday this year, and to anyone who already has one booked.
The Money Saving Expert has told travellers to act ‘right now’ in order to avoid potentially losing money on their trip.
Speaking on ITV’s Martin Lewis Money Show Live, the personal finance expert urged everybody to get their travel insurance ASAB – as soon as you book.
Mr Lewis said: “Travel insurance is not just to cover you when you are away, it is also very important to cover you in case something happens before you go that stops you going.
“I have a rule. You should get your travel insurance ASAB – as soon as you book.
“Many people have already booked, if you do not have your travel insurance and your holiday is booked do it right now.
“Every year someone asks me a question, something like ‘I have been diagnosed with cancer and cannot go on the holiday, they are saying we cannot have our money back, what should we do?’
“The answer is to get on to your travel insurance, and they say ‘I have not got it yet’.
“Do not get your travel insurance the day before you go on holiday, get it ASAB.”
