- Holidaymakers jetting off over the school holidays will carry on average £2,300 of gadgets in their luggage
- Most popular gadgets are smartphones, electronic readers, laptops, smart watches, MP3 players and digital cameras
- Scottish families take the most possessions, averaging six devices, two more than travellers from Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and the East Midlands
- However, most travel insurance policies do not cover gadgets as standard
UK holidaymakers chasing the sun over the school holidays will be jetting off with on average £2,300 in their luggage, amounting to an average of five gadgets per family. Each family member could be carrying up to two devices in their pockets including popular gadgets such as smartphones, electronic readers, laptops, wearable tech such as smart watches, music players and digital cameras.
Travel Insurance Explained (TIE) has surveyed 5,000 UK travellers* and found that 62% will take a device on holiday, and will travel with multiple devices. Younger travellers will take more gadgets on holiday though the survey found there are no differences between men and women – both genders are keen to have technology at their fingertips.
Regionally there are some distinct differences in tech savvy travellers. The Scottish will take the most possessions on holiday, averaging around six devices, which is higher than those travelling from, Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and the East Midlands.
However, as Fiona Macrae, head of Travel Insurance Explained (TIE) says, many travel insurance policies do not cover gadgets as standard:
UK travellers are carrying more technology on holiday than ever before, so they need to ensure that there is adequate cover under their policy, as not all insurers provide gadget cover. Many policies specifically exclude mobile phones, whilst others may offer very low levels of cover, often £500 or less, and/or policies with a high excess.
“Customers should also be aware that there may be limitations regarding the age of the gadget and some providers will only cover gadgets up to 24 months old but others cover gadgets up to 48 months old.”
TIE can show you what a worst-case scenario might look like and also what to look out for when buying your policy. Check out: http://www.travelinsuranceexplained.co.uk for more info.
* The survey of 5000 British travellers was carried out by FWD research during March 2018
