In a response to a growing number of claims for lost baggage compounded by recent security restrictions, the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) is urging travellers to check their insurance to ensure any valuables checked into the hold of a plane are properly covered.

This highlights the problem that many travel insurance policies do not cover valuables which are checked into the hold, and will often stipulate that you keep them under your control in your hand luggage or about your person. However, following stricter hand luggage restrictions more passengers are checking in items such as foreign currency and portable computers.

In an effort to clarify the issue, BIBA has issued a list of items which may not be covered by travel insurance when packed into a suitcase which is then checked into the hold:

• Sunglasses and spectacles


• Photographic equipment including accessories


• Computer, radio or audio equipment (including CDs)


• Electronic equipment including electronic games, mp3 players, computers and mobile phones


• Telescopes and binoculars


• Leather, suede or fur clothing


• Personal jewellery, items of gold or silver, or watches


• Video equipment including DVDs


• Passports, money and credit cards


• Stamp, coin or medal collections


• Works of art


• Hearing aids


• Sports, leisure and musical equipment

It's important to check your own policy as cover terms and consitions can vary significantly.

BIBA expects many consumers to be surprised by this list and may be unaware that, even with travel insurance in place, they could be putting their personal belongings at risk.

Technical Services Manager at BIBA, Graeme Trudgill, commented: "With claims for missing baggage on the increase and restrictions on hand luggage, travellers need to be aware that many items are not insured if placed in your checked luggage. We have seen an example of a traveller who was unable to claim for a camera when it was stolen from her checked luggage.

"The good news is that some household policies may offer wider cover than travel policies. Valuables are often more appropriately protected under the personal possessions section of a household policy (although this is an optional extra that many travellers do not buy) ? which would cover them for all risks cover around the world.

"However, no two policies are the same and some cheaper household policies may not cover valuables in the hold either, particularly jewellery. The best advice we can offer consumers is to ask your broker to ensure that either your household policy or your travel policy provides appropriate cover for you."

BIBA advises consumers to contact a specialist insurance broker to find the most suitable policy for their needs and budget. A database of brokers can be found at http://www.biba.org.uk/consumer/findbroker.asp.

A new survey by Moneysupermarket insurance has revealed that too many UK holidaymakers are prepared to risk travelling without buying travel insurance.

With so many destinations available at the click of a mouse and cheap internet deals easy to come by, it appears that many are neglecting to protect themselves and their belongings against the most common holiday emergencies. A staggering one in five of us travel without insurance, and half of those do so intentionally with the rest forgetting put cover in place. Men are worst with 12% deliberately travelling uninsured compared to nearly 9% of women. Alarmingly, 4% of those surveyed admitted that they never take out any travel insurance cover.

Director of insurance at Moneysupermarket.com, Richard Mason, said... "With the prospect of spending a few days in the sun, it appears travel insurance is the last thing on the mind of some British holidaymakers. Whilst they might think nothing will happen to them while away, travel insurance is vital for claiming on cancellations, lost cash, public liability and providing emergency medical treatment. It gives you added peace of mind should anything go wrong."

The research also showed that UK travellers in their twenties are most likely to travel intentionally uninsured (13%). Of those that do invest in a travel insurance policy, the survey reveals that 52% of the respondents shop around and find their own policy using internet research whilst 14% buy the insurance policy offered by their travel agent.

Richard Mason added... "It was encouraging news for consumers when the FSA announced that, from 2009, the sale of all travel insurance will be regulated. For those still taking out policies when they buy their holiday, for example through a travel agent, regulation in terms of price and suitability will be welcome. I urge holidaymakers to travel with insurance by researching the level of cover you need then shopping around for a competitive price."

For a comprehensive list of UK travel insurance providers and price comparison websites, visit the Travel Insurance Companies Index.

UK specialist insurer, Insure and Go Travel Insurance has announced that it is to include free missing child cover as standard on all it's policies.

Policies will be extended to cover all children up to the age of 18 who have been missing for more than 24 hours after an initial report to the police and will pay out a maximum of £110,000 to cover the cost of accommodation, translators and any media publicity required to help locate the child.

Managing Director of Insure and Go, Perry Wilson, said... "We pride ourselves on our ability to give customers peace of mind when they go away. Following the disappearance of Madeleine McCann we received calls from concerned parents asking what support they would receive from their travel insurer if their child went missing whilst on holiday. At the time this may not have been covered in some cases so we decided to add it to all of our travel insurance policies for free."

Every year in the UK, up to 400 children under the age of 14 and around 950 children aged between 14 and 17 are reported missing to the Police National Missing Persons Bureau.

Perry Wilson continued: "We have previously demonstrated our ability to react to changing conditions in the travel market. When terrorist attacks became a major worry for our customers we ensured that our cover matched their concerns. When increased security meant hand baggage had to be put in the hold we were the first company to authorise payments on these claims."

Insure and Go has grown quickly since it's launch in 2000 and is now one of the UK?s largest direct travel insurance companies.