The UK consumer lobby group Which? has criticized travel agents for charging far more for travel insurance than rival banks or insurers.
The criticism comes after the consumer group carried out a mystery shopper exercise at a number of travel agents, banks, retailers and insurers to find out how prices compared across distribution channels. Which? also discovered however that many travel cover sales left customers vulnerable to invalidity because the correct procedures were not followed at the point of sale.
In particular Which? highlighted that nearly two thirds of travel agents surveyed failed to ask the customer about any existing medical conditions, which could cause their cover to be void in the event of a claim.
However the retailer Marks & Spencer and high street lender Bradford & Bingley were commended for their processes and clear explanation of cover to customers.