Domestic travellers reluctant to get travel insurance: OP

About 70 per cent of Finns plan to travel in Finland this year. Many prepare for travel abroad with travel insurance, but when travelling at home, they may not be able to assess the need for insurance cover, according to a survey conducted by Pohjola Insurance.

A cabin holiday is an enduring favourite of Finns, and this summer it will be a part of the holiday plans for about 30 per cent of Finns. Many also plan to do a road trip in Finland by car (20%), holiday in Lapland (18%), make a hiking and climbing trip (17%), or make a boating trip (7%). Some also plan a longer cycling trip (6%), said the OP in a press release referring to the study.

According to Pohjola Insurance statistics, travel insurance sales have fallen by as much as 75 per cent since last year. In addition, some forget to check whether the travel insurance already acquired is also valid in Finland.

“Due to Corona virus restrictions, travel abroad almost completely stopped, and at the same time fewer and fewer obtained travel insurance. It is important to remember that insurance is also necessary when travelling domestically. Continuous travel insurance has been created so that you do not have to worry about insuring individual trips separately,” said Atte Erkamo, who is responsible for personal insurance for Pohjola Insurance’s personal customers.

In 2020, Pohjola Insurance indemnified about 30 000 domestic accidents while travelling, for a total of approximately 11 million euros. By the end of April this year, the corresponding damage while travelling has already been compensated by about three million euros.

According to Pohjola Insurance statistics, in 2019, the average compensation for damage while travelling in Finland during the 2020 summer holiday period was approximately 340 euros. Of this damage, 56 per cent was luggage damage and 44 per cent sickness and accidents.

“Normally, there is no excess for damages covered by travel insurance. If you want, you can choose it for insurance, but only a few do so,” said Erkamo.

The insurance valid for domestic trips provides security if the destination is at least 50 km from your home, place of work or study, or holiday home, as measured by a bird’s eye view.