The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) are today urging UK holidaymakers who are looking for a holiday deal to ensure that the trip they book is ATOL protected.

Although it is very important to ensure that your holiday is protected against the risk of insolvency, for those that prefer not to book a package or flight plus holiday it is possible to obtain financial protection elsewhere, such as from your travel insurance.

2.9 million people booked ATOL protected holidays last January, however the CAA is concerned that some holidaymakers may book unprotected trips in their rush to get the best deal on price.

Having ATOL protection means that your holiday is protected in the event of the financial collapse of your holiday supplier. This means that if the company collapses before you depart for your holiday you will be able to claim a full refund from the CAA. If the company collapses whilst you are abroad the CAA will arrange for you to brought home.

Between 2011/12 and 2012/13 ATOL protection enabled more than 14,000 holidaymakers to be brought home after the collapse of a travel company and 69,000 people were eligible for refunds.

Package holidays bought from a bonded tour operator, and ‘flight plus’ holidays where a flight plus accommodation, or flight plus car hire are booked from the same supplier, should be ATOL protected.

Financial Protection and Travel Insurance

For those that prefer to travel more independently, book their flights direct with an airline, or accommodation direct with the supplier, financial protection is available elsewhere.

One option is to choose a travel insurance policy which includes cover for Scheduled Airline/End Supplier failure.

With Scheduled Airline/End Supplier Failure, cover is provided in the event that one of your unbonded holiday suppliers, including airlines, hotels, car hire or accommodation supplier, become insolvent, enabling you to make a claim to recoup the cost.

This means that you will be able to rebook that element of your holiday with an alternative supplier and continue your holiday as planned. If the insolvency occurs whilst you are away and it is not possible to continue with your trip cover is provided for return transport back to the UK.

Goodtogoinsurance.com includes Scheduled Airline/End Supplier Failure on all policies.

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