Travel Insurance Market (inc. over 55s) UK October 2013
1. Market overview
General insurance The General Insurance industry experienced tough conditions during many years of the five year period through 2013-14, as bleak economic conditions in the UK resulted in weak demand for many general insurance products. Market softening conditions also negatively affected industry revenue. Meanwhile, the financial crisis and the continued volatility in financial markets resulted in weak or falling investment income during the first three years of the period. As a result, total industry revenue is expected to decline by a compound annual rate of 2.8% over the five years through 2013-14. In 2013-14, industry revenue is forecast to increase 6.2% to 47.8 billion, as demand for insurance slowly increases and the market begins to harden. Despite being well below the returns earned before the financial crisis, investment income is also expected to improve in 2013-14 and favourably influence industry revenue.
Insurance and travel: quick stats The UK insurance industry is the third largest in the world and the largest in Europe. It is an essential part of the UK s economic strength, managing investments amounting to 26% of the UK s total net worth and contributing 10.4 billion in taxes to the Government. 26.2 million travel insurance policies were bought by consumers in 2011. Out of these 0.7 million claims were made in 2011, resulting in 1.1million paid to customer s each day. Customers paid an average of 24 for annual travel insurance and 35 for single trip cover. Customers making a travel insurance claim received on average 594 in 2011.
Travel insurance claims, by type Trends in travel insurance policy sales and premiums, 2005-2011: In 2012, medical claims represented 56% of the total cost of travel insurance claims. In 2004, medical claims represented only 33% of the total cost of travel insurance claims. The average cost of a medical claim in 2012 was 900, over 200 higher than the next type of claim reported (cancellations claims are the second highest) and nearly 50% higher than in 2004.
The UK travel insurance market The UK travel insurance market witnessed a 7.6% fall in 2011, to reach a value of 706.3 million, from 764.8 million in 2010. This fall in industry revenue was largely attributed to two key factors; the continued low level of trips abroad and the increasing popularity of policies sold alongside added value accounts, where premiums can be a matter of a few pounds a month. AXA continues to hold the largest share of the travel insurance market in (2010/2011), with 20.2%, representing a GWP of 154.3 million. Travel insurance has widespread product penetration for a non-compulsory product, with only 8% of consumers not purchasing cover for their last overseas trip. This product penetration can be explained by increasing consumer awareness of the benefits of insurance as potentially high medical costs are highlighted in the press.
Key Trends in the Insurance Industry Greater Personalisation of Products - The insurance industry as it stands is heavily based on the pooling of risk, although this may start to change as consumers demand insurance products based on their own individual ends and actions rather than the statistical average of a large group. Greater Integration - Consumers have become accustomed to the ease, intuition and elegance of digital retail interaction and want the same experience from insurers. As smartphones, ipads and other such versatile mobile devices proliferate, they also want to be able to conduct business when they want, where they want and on the channel of their choice. Greater transparency, flexibility and control. Sensor technology could be used to help develop a more proactive approach to risk management and customer support by allowing insurers to monitor policyholders driving activity. Data and Analytics - Tapping into and exploiting value from the explosion of data and harnessing the power of next generation predictive tools and techniques. These insights are vital to understanding client behaviour. The improved ability to sense consumer sentiment would allow the industry to provide products and services that meet customer demands in shorter timeframes. Social platforms to drive business intelligence - Consumers are increasingly willing to share their perceptions and experiences with one another in a wide variety of social media settings. This will allow the industry to collect profiling data helping them to stay in tune with changing consumer sentiments, behaviours and expectations. In turn insurers will be more connected with customers.
Travel insurance leaps by up to 250% for over-65s When travellers turn 65 or 66, premiums rocket with 15 out of 48 annual worldwide policies for the over-60s. This includes policies from Columbus Direct, Debenhams, ETA and Insureandgo. For example, a 65-year-old would pay 58.72 for an annual worldwide policy with Essential Travel. Turn 66 though and the price for the same customer leaps to 205.51. That's an increase of 250% overnight. These new findings highlight the need to shop around for insurance cover as people get older. Of the 80 annual policies looked at in a Which? survey, 97% exclude people over a certain age. Just 9% offer cover for people in their 80s. Travel insurance providers with no upper age limit include Saga and Age UK. For single-trip policies, 84% of companies apply an upper age limit and only 33% cover people in their 80s. As with private medical insurance and life insurance, travel cover gets more expensive as you get older. So while someone under 55 could pay as little as 33 for an annual policy, the cheapest policy that meets the criteria for over-65s will cost around 74. Once people reach 70, prices start at 109 a year, while over-80s can expect to pay from 349.
2. Consumer sentiment
How is travel insurance perceived? Travel insurance is viewed as offering peace of mind and safety and is considered as essential by over half of adults. This indicates a strong base for potential sales. What is noticeable is that the number of trips taken abroad does not seem to impact on the intensity of the feeling that travel insurance is essential or offers peace of mind. It is the process of going abroad rather than the frequency of going abroad that impacts on perceptions.
Perception segments: over 55 s play it safe
Type of policies purchased Older adults aged 55+ are more likely to have cover for people with pre-existing medical conditions, baggage cover and cancellation cover, possibly indicating an increased risk awareness as consumers age, while adventure travel and backpacker cover is more common for adults aged under 35.
Going abroad without insurance In the last 12 months, 17% of adults who took a trip abroad did so without any insurance cover. Young men were the most likely to go abroad without any insurance. Those taking short breaks (often young) are also more willing to risk going uncovered.
Drivers of policy purchase
Claiming on travel insurance in last 3 years 10% of policyholders state that they have claimed. Adults aged 55+ and women were the most likely to claim, which may explain why it is harder for older adults to get cover and why premium rates for adults aged 65+ are also higher. So clearly an older female adult (especially one with pre-existing medical conditions) who travels abroad frequently for longer periods is the greatest risk to cover.
3. Elder-brands
Gnu Insurance Gnu Insurance offers worldly-wise over 50s travel insurance for the seasoned traveller. The company is part of global financial giant Aegon. Gnu primarily offer single-trip cover with no upper age limit; annual multitrip insurance for those up to age 85; and a new product for under-85s called Pay Per Day aimed at the spontaneous holidaymaker. It says it can cover all pre-existing medical conditions, many at no extra cost.
RIAS RIAS are award-winning specialists in providing insurance for the over 50s. One of the company s recent innovations is the Kids Go Free' feature that allows children up to the age of 24 years old and in full-time education to be fully covered by their parents' or grandparents' RIAS Travel Insurance policy when holidaying together.
Saga SAGA offers comprehensive single, and annual multi trip travel insurance for the over 50's, with no upper age limit. They also provide the option to add bolt-ons including Golf, Winter sports and Scuba cover. Saga have also recently announced plans to list the 3 billion pound company as soon as the first quarter of next year (Financial Times, October 2013).
Staysure Staysure specialise in insurance and financial services for the over-50s in the UK and Europe, with the UK headquarters being located in Northampton. Formed in 2004 by Ryan Howsam to provide comprehensive yet reasonably-priced travel insurance for the growing number of over 50s within the UK, Staysure travel insurance (also launched in 2004) by originally providing travel insurance policies specifically to over 50s at the lowest possible price. The company also offer Staysure Holiday Money (with HIFX) online at favourable exchange rates and delivered direct to the door, as well as expat insurance, launched in 2010.
Columbus Direct Columbus offer single trip travel insurance for travellers aged up to 85. Annual multi trip policies are available up to age 74. All policies come with a range of sports and activities as standard, with options for an even wider range of more challenging activities. Ski and winter sports cover is available on all policies for the over 65's.
Age UK Age UK Travel Insurance has no upper age limit and people can cover their pre-existing medical conditions wherever possible. The charity recently became a Which? Recommended provider for Travel Insurance - one of only four companies who made it onto Which? s Recommended Provider list for travel insurance in 2012.
Other 50+ travel insurance providers
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