Travel Cover 'Essential' for Adventure Holidays

Taking out travel insurance is particularly important for people who go on activity holidays, it was claimed today.

According to STA Travel, the higher danger these travellers face of something going wrong while they are on holiday makes taking out the cover comparatively more important. The firm has also released research on Britons' top adventure choices for last year, with rafting the Grand Canyon, reaching Everest Base Camp and tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda taking the top three places. Trekking the Inca Trail in South America and taking a ride on the remote Trans Mongolia Express railway rounded out the five most popular adventure choices for 2007

A spokesperson for STA Travel said: "Travel insurance can seem like an unnecessary extra cost. However it is undoubtedly the wisest purchase you can make before going on your gap year, in case you lose your belongings or need medical attention."

She added: "You should ensure the travel insurance you take out covers all the countries you plan to travel to and any activities you plan to participate in."

Recent research from Defaqto found that one in seven travellers from the UK currently take trips abroad without buying any form of travel insurance - despite the recent general price reductions in the cover from providers.