Airlines automatically adding travel insurance at time of booking flights

Some airlines are automatically adding travel insurance at the time of booking flights according to Which? Holiday and some are not clearly showing the insurance restrictions or exclusions.

European law states that airlines cannot automatically add extras, such as travel insurance, at the time time of making a flight booking.

However, at least 4 airlines have been found to be doing this by Which? Holiday.

Travel insurance is being added for each passenger booking a flight by Easyjet, Jet2 and Monarch and Air Berlin is adding cancellation insurance for flights returning the same day.

Against European Law, these airlines include a ‘tick box’ which is initially ticked to indicate travel insurance is required. This has to be unticked to opt out.

Even if you haven’t already got cover and therefore do want that offered by the airline, be careful to check what is being offered as it seems many airlines are not providing a suitable level according to Which?

Those that have fallen short in terms of the insurance provided include British Airways, Ryanaire, Wizz, Flybe and Monarch.

You may find it useful to get travel insurance through a comaprison website like Confused.com, that way you can compare the covered offered by different providers for what price.

Editor of Which? Holiday, Lorna Cowan, commented ‘Buying insurance at the same time as your flights may seem like an easy and convenient option. But if you’ve already got an insurance policy, or it doesn’t provide the right amount of cover for you, it’s as useless as no cover at all.’