Backpackers and Flashpackers Get Travel Savvy

15th August 07

BACKPACKERS and 'flashpackers’ on a career break are getting increasingly conscious of travelling responsibly.

Sales of backpacker-specific insurance policies increased by almost 25% last year*, a figure which Go Travel Insurance is confident of beating in 2007. This is thanks largely to the increasing number of young professionals taking a year off to travel, who have been nicknamed 'flashpackers’ thanks to their higher spending power. On top of this more than 30,000 students have deferred university places this year, the bulk of who are expected to go travelling.

Chief executive Christian Young commented: “These days a year out isn’t the sole preserve of young students on a budget. Flashpackers usually in their late 20s or in their 30s have more money to spend on their travels, however at the same time they’ve learnt the value of a comprehensive insurance policy. We’re seeing more and more of these older travellers asking for the backpacker policy.”

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned students set to embark on a gap year to turn their attention to revising for their trips as without adequate preparation many gap year students fall foul of common travelling traumas.

In Australia alone, over 2,000 passports were lost; in Thailand, 233 Brits were hospitalised and 108 arrested between April 2005 and March 2006 according to the FCO.

Go Travel Insurance offers backpackers’ a six-month European policy from £82.25 including baggage cover, or £65.80 without baggage cover. A 12-month worldwide policy starts from £199.75 including baggage or £159.80 excluding baggage. All the policies include cover for lost or stolen travel documents and passports.

Young added: “One of the most useful elements of our backpackers’ policy is that it offers them the flexibility to return home up to three times during their trip without voiding their insurance policy, which is especially important if you’re doing a year-long trip in stages.”

Editors Notes:

1. Go Travel Insurance is a division of Drakefield Insurance Services Limited.  Drakefield, an AA group company is an experienced operator of established travel insurance websites and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
2. Go Travel Insurance offers a truly end to end service, with claims, call centre and medical screening, all handled in-house in the UK, giving a customer-focused and professional service every time.
3. The Go Travel Insurance website has been operating since 2000 providing instant quotes with quick, easy and secure online buying  www.gotravelinsurance.co.uk
4. Go Travel Insurance is committed to customer service, always ensuring that the customer is delivered a quality product at a competitive cost:

• Single Trip cover from £3.95
• Annual Multi Trip cover from £31.95

• Drakefield is an AA Group company and works with the following organisations:

• Financial Services Authority
• Financial Services Compensation Scheme
• British Insurance Broker Association http://www.biba.org.uk (BIBA No. 005340)
• Association of British Travel Agents http://www.abta.com (associate member)
• Institute of Travel and Tourism
• Association of Travel Insurance Intermediaries
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office 'Know Before You Go’ campaign

For more media information call Louise Prior at Prior PR on 07786 227572 or louise@priorpr.com