Aviva research finds almost a fifth of Brits book holidays 4-5 months in advance

Authored by Aviva

• 19% of Brits are set to book or search for their next holiday 4-5 months in advance, with over a quarter (26%) planning 2-3 months ahead
• Research indicates that Brits could be using January as a time to book both Easter and summer holidays
• One in eight (13%) expect to holiday three times this year
• However, one in nine holidaymakers (11%) admit to never purchasing travel insurance

January is traditionally a time for planning ahead and it seems that holidays are no exception. Aviva research shows that almost a fifth (19%) of Brits plan to either book or search for their next holiday 4-5 months in advance - a figure which is consistent amongst parents and non-parents alike.

The research, which surveyed 2,001 Brits, also reveals that over a quarter (26%) plan holidays two to three months in advance, meaning that travellers could be lining up plans for Easter and summer in the next fortnight.

Despite only being a few weeks into the new year, just over a fifth (21%) of holidaymakers expect to go away twice in 2024, with a further 13% expecting to go away three times. When looking at the length of holidays this year, Brits are choosing to go away for 4-7 nights (28%), followed by 8-14 nights (19%) and long weekends at 2-3 nights (12%).

Of those who are going on holiday in 2024, just over a fifth (21%) want to see tourist attractions, followed by adventure/touring holidays (10%) and going on a cruise (11%), indicating that Brits may have an appetite for exploring and adventure.

Kelly Whittington, Director of Travel Claims at Aviva, comments: “As we look ahead to the new year, it’s not surprising to see an influx of holiday bookings as people look to make the most of renewed holiday allowance and flash sales from tour operators and airlines.

“Despite these plans, it’s worrying that one in nine (11%) holidaymakers never purchase travel insurance, which is designed to help customers in the case of an unforeseen emergency. This could either mean something that occurs on holiday or an incident that happens beforehand that disrupts travel plans.

“Whilst we all hope the worst won’t happen, unfortunately accidents or illnesses can and do occur, and medical expenses can be costly, especially in some countries. By taking out travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday, you can protect both yourself and your possessions, giving you peace of mind in the lead up to your trip.”

Aviva’s top tips for taking out travel insurance include:

• Take out travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday. This means you’re immediately protected against things that might mean you need to postpone or cancel your trip, such as accidents or illnesses.
• Check with your insurer if you’re extending your trip. If you're already abroad and want to extend your trip, it's important that you speak to your insurer before your existing cover runs out, to see if they can continue to cover your trip. 
• If you’re taking a longer trip, check the maximum number of days for cover. Many travel policies are limited to a certain number of days as standard, although insurers may be able to extend cover.
• Declare all medical conditions to avoid potential costly medical bills abroad. If ever in doubt on what is considered a ‘medical condition’, check your policy documents or contact your insurer directly.
• Double check your policy documents to make sure you have the correct level of cover for the activities you have lined up. Some, such as rock climbing and going on cruises, may require an additional level of cover, which you may be able to add to your existing policy for a fee and should be purchased before you travel.