Sainsbury’s Bank is calling on people to watch out for unscrupulous travel agents that use underhand and misleading tactics to pressurise people into buying their travel insurance policies.

The bank’s research indicates that 6% of those who claim to have bought insurance from travel agents over the past 12 months, around 726,000 people, said they were told they could not book their holidays unless they also took out the cover being offered by their agents. However, this is not the case, you do not have to have their insurance in order to purchase the holiday.

The bank’s research also highlights that misleading tactics used by travel agents could potentially leave thousands of people with inadequate cover. Around 15% of those who have purchased cover from travel agents this year, some 1.89 million people, claim they were not asked about any pre-existing medical conditions.

A similar number also said that their travel agents did not explain what their policies covered.

Michael Liddell, travel insurance manager, Sainsbury’s Bank said, “Our research findings are disturbing because it shows that some travel agents are either intentionally or unintentionally misleading customers when selling insurance, and in some cases using pressure tactics to help close the deal."

"Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance uses a very flexible screening process. If a person has a medical condition or has suffered from a serious illness in the past, it looks to develop a comprehensive understanding of their health and the risks involved so that on an individual basis, cover can be provided whenever possible."

“By January 2005, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) will start regulating the sale of travel insurance, which will provide consumers with greater protection. Consumers should be aware however that it could be at least a further two years before travel agents are regulated in this way.”

To help avoid the ‘heavy handed’ tactics of some travel agents and ensure you have adequate cover before your head off on your travels, Sainsbury’s Bank offers the following advice for purchasing travel insurance:

• Don’t be bullied
  If your travel agent insists that you purchase its insurance policy before it can sell you a holiday, find another travel agent.
• How comprehensive is the cover?
  The first consideration is to understand the basics of what you need in order to find the right product for you. Not only should you ensure that you have cover for all of the main problems you could encounter on your travels such as cancellation, the cost of medical treatment, money being stolen or lost or even missing your flight, you should also check the full range of benefits and exclusions within the policy.
• Dealing with the insurance company
  Always read the small print and make sure you are up front with your insurer about any pre-existing medical conditions, if you fail to do so you could later find that you are not covered. With Sainsbury’s Bank, customers will be asked a number of medical questions and they may also be referred to medically trained staff who can help ensure they receive the most appropriate cover if they have an existing medical condition.
• Are you paying a fair price?
  Once you have identified the level and quality of cover that’s right for you, you then need to review the cost of the policy. Insurance policies from travel agents can be among the most expensive available.