Martin Lewis Issues Urgent Warning to Holidaymakers Over Travel Insurance
Financial guru Martin Lewis and his Money Saving Expert (MSE) team are urging all holiday planners to address one critical task immediately: securing travel insurance as soon as their trip is booked. The consumer champion has emphasised that delaying this purchase could result in devastating financial losses if unforeseen circumstances force cancellation.
The 'ASAB' Rule Explained
During a recent episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, Lewis introduced his straightforward principle: "ASAB - As Soon As You Book." He explained that many travellers mistakenly view insurance solely as protection during their holiday, overlooking its crucial role in covering pre-departure disruptions.
"Travel insurance is not just to cover you while you're away," Lewis stated. "It's also very important to cover you in case something happens before you go that stops you going. I have a rule: you should get your travel insurance ASAB - as soon as you book."
Real-World Consequences of Delay
The financial expert revealed that he regularly receives heartbreaking inquiries from viewers who failed to insure their holidays promptly. One particularly distressing case involved a viewer who booked a Christmas holiday last year, only to receive medical advice against flying after paying for everything.
"I'm now being told I've lost all the money for the holiday," the viewer lamented in a message read by co-host Jeanette Kwakye. Lewis responded with characteristic bluntness: "The answer is no. I mean, look, very simply, just think about it for a second. If you bought a tennis racket and you broke your arm, you can't say to them, I want a refund because my arm's broken."
He elaborated: "The tennis racket still works. The flights still work, the hotel still works. It's not them that's got the problem. It's you. That's the logic. That's what you have insurance for."
Immediate Action Required
Lewis delivered a direct message to those who have already booked holidays without insurance: "Right now, many people have already booked. If you don't have your travel insurance and if your holiday's booked, do it right now."
He expressed frustration at being unable to help those who contact him after disaster strikes: "Every year, someone asks me a question something like, 'I've been diagnosed with cancer. We can't go on the holiday. They're saying we can't have our money back. What do I do?' And I'm impotent. Because the answer is, you get on your travel insurance. And they say, 'Well, I haven't got my travel insurance yet'."
Government Travel Advice Considerations
While securing insurance promptly is crucial, travellers must also remain aware of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance. The government explicitly warns that insurance policies may be invalidated if travellers visit destinations against official advice.
Current FCDO guidance for the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai, advises against all but essential travel. The GOV.UK website states: "Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office."
Official recommendations include:
- Purchasing insurance immediately after booking
- Thoroughly reading policy small print and exclusion clauses
- Reviewing FCDO travel advice regularly
- Registering for destination alerts
Lewis concluded with a heartfelt plea: "Please don't be the person this summer who asks me that question. If you're going to get travel insurance, ASAB." His message serves as a timely reminder that proper financial protection should be the first item on every holidaymaker's checklist, not an afterthought.
