As the school term begins and the peak summer holiday season winds down, 60% of UK holidaymakers are planning to save money by taking advantage of cut-price, off-peak getaways.

This trend reflects a growing desire to make holidays more affordable, according to a recent Opinium survey* of 1,000 holidaymakers commissioned by Multitrip.com, a specialist travel insurance provider.

The survey finds that nearly nine in ten (89%) holidaymakers are taking steps to reduce their holiday costs, with many travelling off-peak as an effort to save money (60%). Additionally, more than a third (35%) say avoiding the extreme heat in Europe during July and August is a key benefit of travelling outside peak season.

Holidays continue to be a top priority for more than half (56%), despite financial pressures, and will be one of the last things they cut back on. While two fifths take multiple holidays each year, three fifths (58%) enjoy one holiday annually.

To protect their holiday investment, Christian Bennett at Multitrip.com stresses the importance of purchasing travel insurance as soon as they book, or ‘ASAB’, to ensure coverage starts immediately. “If you wait until closer to your departure date to arrange travel insurance, you might find yourself unable to recover the cost of your trip if you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, for instance if you or your travel companion or a close relative is diagnosed with a serious illness. That’s why we’re urging UK holidaymakers to secure their cover as soon as they book their flight or holiday, especially since the cost doesn’t decrease if you leave it until the last minute.”

However, the survey also reveals that many holidaymakers may not be adequately protecting themselves. Almost a quarter (22%) opt for the cheapest travel insurance available, and only a third (33%) check that their policy’s cancellation limit would cover the cost of their holiday if they had to cancel. The same proportion also fails to check that their luggage coverage is enough to cover the costs of lost or damaged luggage and contents.

Christian Bennett adds: “It’s also crucial to thoroughly research travel insurance options to ensure you have the right coverage for your needs. At Multitrip.com, we offer three levels of cover with optional add-ons, allowing customers to tailor their policy to suit them. It’s vital for customers to carefully review their chosen policy, paying attention to coverage limits, excesses, and essential add-ons such as Cruise Cover and Travel Disruption coverage.”

Multitrip.com offers a range of policies to suit different needs and budgets. The Annual ‘Essential Cover’ policy, starting from just £19.99**, includes up to £1,000 per insured person for cancellation or curtailment and £1,600 for baggage or baggage delay. For those seeking more comprehensive protection, the Premier Cover provides up to £3,000 per insured person for cancellation or curtailment and up to £2,000 for baggage. The Premier Plus Cover offers the most extensive protection, with up to £5,000 for cancellation or curtailment and up to £3,500 for baggage or baggage delay.