A new report has condemned travel agents for “ripping off” customers by charging over the odds for travel insurance.
The study by insurance firm InsureandGo revealed that insurance provided by travel agents can be up to 92 per cent more expensive than that offered by independent firms.
The research highlights the value that consumers can find if they are willing to do their research and shop around for the best deal.
Perry Wilson, of InsureandGo, said: “If it isn’t bad enough travel agents are indulging in heavy-handed and misleading practices to sell their insurance products, now we find they are massively overcharging customers too.”
He added that the Financial Services Authority should regulate travel insurance providers.
The average cost of European insurance from a travel agent is 9.3 per cent more than the market average, while for worldwide insurance this figure rises to 23 per cent.
