Free insurance no longer offered by Grand UK Holidays

Grand UK Holidays, specializing in over-55 travel, announced that it has been forced to discontinue the free insurance it has offered on domestic breaks for the last 25 years.

The travel operator said that it needed to make the change in its 2009 programme due to the new FSA regulations stipulating how travel companies are permitted to sell insurance, effective 1 January.

To replace the insurance feature, customers will receive a ‘price-back insurance’ offer if they choose to buy Grand UK’s own insurance for domestic coach holidays – anywhere in England, Scotland or Wales. Customers would receive a voucher worth £10, which could be used toward the purchase of their next holiday their next holiday, subject to certain conditions.

The company’s sales director, Harold Burke, said: “This has upset the travel industry and is not necessarily better for the consumer.

“It is making the whole issue more difficult and more expensive to operate, which will ultimately have an impact on the consumer.”

Grand UK’s summer 2009 programme marks the company’s 25th anniversary, and features 42 new itineraries. Holidays by air are up by approximately 40 per cent.

“Despite the credit crunch, more of our customers are taking holidays by air, as well as river and ocean cruises,” Burke added.

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www.grandukholidays.com