Many HolidayMakers Forget Gadget Insurance

Holidaymakers will take on average £424 worth of electronic gadgets including phones, laptops, MP3 players, DVD players, cameras and camcorders on vacation, however many will not have these adequately insured.

Keen to replicate their home comforts whilst abroad, British holidaymakers will pack a total of £7bn of electronic gadgets when they set off for their vacation this year. The average family will be taking £738 of gadgets with them, more if children bring along their electronic games too, however Axa Insurance is warning that almost a third of holidaymakers will not have these adequately insured.

Many people think that either their home contents insurance, or travel insurance will cover loss or damage to their expensive electronic gadgets, however if these items are placed in the luggage hold, neither of these policies is likely to protect them. And AXA also advises that for many who think they are covered, their travel insurance single item cover will not be enough for the more expensive items they take.

As holidaymakers are more likely to take a mobile or smartphone on holiday than a watch or jewellery – nearly 90% of us will take a mobile while only 58% will take a watch and 48% any jewellery. For example, the average holiday party will take at least two phones with them. This is why it is important to have good insurance for your iPhone or smart phone that covers trips abroad.

Specialist gadget insurance is more likely to cover the cost of replacing a lost or damaged item and most will cover international travel. This is emphasised by Amanda Edwards from AXA home insurance who said: “Personal possessions cover is more important than ever these days. Our lifestyles are changing and we are carrying more and more high value, electronic items with us when we leave our homes – not just when we go on holiday.”

“Unfortunately, these items are also very attractive to thieves and if you go anywhere without adequate insurance, or fail to look after your property carefully outside the home you could find yourself footing a fairly hefty bill to replace it.

“While baggage cover is useful for flip-flops and t-shirts, it was never really designed for the high value electronic kit we carry these days and we suggest that people use this holiday period as a prompt to consider very carefully what cover they need not just for their holiday but throughout the year.”