Regulation Shakes Up UK Travel Agents on Insurance

The government has announced that all travel agents will be subject to regulation by the Financial Services Authority when selling travel insurance to customers with a holiday - the same regulatory body that already oversees fair play for companies selling travel cover directly.

(PRWEB) June 30, 2007 -- The government has announced that all travel agents will be subject to regulation by the Financial Services Authority when selling travel insurance to customers with a holiday - the same regulatory body that already oversees fair play for companies selling travel cover directly.

With 20 million people buying travel insurance every year, this announcement will have an big impact on how the public purchases this service -- an entirely positive impact, according to the Government.

From January 2009, the Financial Services Authority will take responsibility for regulating all travel insurance sold along with a holiday, i.e travel agents.

Ed Balls, former Economic Secretary explains why this will benefit the consumer: "Evidence shows that companies regulated by the FSA are better at providing consumers with product information and guiding them through the sales process."

In practice, the Government is saying that Travel Insurance is not always straight-forward to understand, so it is necessary for regulation to ensure that key aspects of the cover are fully laid out, before a customer purchases. Research indicates there is a "knowledge gap" in public understanding currently which the FSA can help close. Travel insurers who sell directly to customers, through the internet or otherwise, already have to be FSA approved, meaning they are duty bound to explain the benefits of their products, outlining key exclusions that may apply, not just the price.

Rob Thomas, Marketing Director of Travel Insurance Web:
"We welcome this announcement by the Government. When we sell a policy online, we understand the way in which a customer must be well informed before they buy. Many people think the internet is fixated on pricing, but quality and the nature of the service is probably more important. As an FSA regulated company, we welcome the idea that all providers will now offer the same level of transparency, greatly reducing the possibility of mis-selling."

Notes for Editors:
Travel Insurance from Travel Insurance Web is available online at www.travelinsuranceweb.com Travel Insurance Web is a specialist insurance intermediary, whose primary service is to distribute low priced, high quality travel insurance cover. We offer two products: Single Trip Travel Insurance and Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance - with a price promise of being the cheapest on the web.

Contact:
For more information, further comment or a quote please contact:

Rob Thomas, Marketing Director of Travel Insurance Web
T: 020 7422 5517
W: www.astrenska.com

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