Survey on travel mishaps

14 Feb 2015  2036 | World Travel News

SINGAPORE  The top three travel mishaps for Singaporeans are flight delays, falling sick and luggage loss, according to a travel survey conducted by ACE Insurance Limited in the last quarter of 2014.
Released Wednesday, the survey showed 78% of the respondents had experienced a travel mishap during their holidays.
The survey, conducted in October 2014, was based on online responses from 524 residents in Singapore.
The top three travel mishaps were: flight delays (54%); falling ill (39%) and loss of baggage (19%).
The findings were based on 525 respondents who participated in the ACE online survey, which serves as a snapshot of the respondents’ travel habits.
Over 80% travelled abroad for leisure more than twice a year and 62% used the internet for all aspects of travel, including destination research and online purchase.
Top of the holiday worry list included being injured in an accident (24%), falling ill (23%) and having valuables or travel documents stolen (15%).
However, they were least concerned about political uncertainty and terrorism, with just 9% listing it as their most pressing concern.
Consumers aged 30 and below, otherwise known as the Gen-Yers, are more worried about loss or delay of luggage than those above 40 years old, who are more worried about being injured in an accident.
But 79% of the younger respondents are also not likely to buy travel insurance if they are going on short trips or nearby destinations.
However, they are travelling more than any other age groups, with 64% travelling more than twice a year.
When they buy travel insurance, 70% of them buy it online.
ACE Singapore country president, Mack Eng, commented: “As more Singaporeans become avid travellers, there is a need to advocate ‘travelling smarter’ and to ensure that they are adequately protected.”
ACE provides useful travel tips and advice to help holiday-makers travel smarter by being better informed.
He also noted that almost one in four respondents go on holidays without travel insurance and regretted it as they had encountered problems.
With the upcoming Chinese New Year, travel is expected to peak.
ACE tips for common travel mishaps
inside no 6FLIGHT DELAYS
Sadly there’s not much you can do to avoid flight delays since the cause tends to be out of your hands. But you can still make the most of an unfortunate situation. First, check the flight status before you set off. If you know it’s delayed ahead of time you can spend your time more productively than hanging around the airport.
If you’re already at the airport when you learn of the delay, make sure you get the airline representative to explain to you exactly what is happening. You’re often entitled to food and accommodation depending on the length of the delay so make sure you understand your options.
If you’re planning to make a claim for the delay with your travel insurer, you will probably need a document from the airline confirming the flight number, the length of the delay and the reason. It pays to keep a copy of your travel insurance policy with you or to have the contact number handy so you can check what you’ll need on the spot.
inside no 6.1FALLING SICK
Make sure you research your destination before you travel: in less developed countries it’s a good idea to only drink bottled water. Use bottled water for brushing your teeth, and make sure that uncooked food like salad has not been washed with tap water.
While prevention is better than the cure, accidents and illness do happen. It’s worth checking in advance where the nearest medical facilities are so you know what to do in an emergency. If you’re planning on claiming on your insurance, then you should call your insurer as soon as possible after the incident so they can advise you on what to do.
LOST BAGGAGE
inside no 6.2Few things in life are worse than the sinking feeling that comes when everyone else has already left the baggage claim area and you realise that your luggage hasn’t made it.
First of all, try to keep as many essentials as possible in your hand luggage so you know that you will at least have the basics with you if you lose your check-in luggage.
Restrictions on taking liquids on planes make that trickier these days, but if you have a change of clothes and a toothbrush with you then at least you have most of what you need should the worst happen.
If your bags do go missing, your first step is to speak to the airline representative while you’re still at the airport. They will give you documentation to prove your claim, and they’re also your first point of contact for compensation. Some airlines will also provide a toiletry bag with basic necessities upon request.
Next up is to contact your travel insurer to let them know. They will need copies of the documentation from the airline, so make sure you have it handy. If there’s a suspicion that your bags have been stolen rather than lost, then you may also need a police report, so it’s best to call your insurer before you leave the airport.
Keep your policy somewhere safe (in your hand luggage).

sourced:ttrweekly.com 

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