PASSPORT WARNING AHEAD OF SUMMER HOLIDAY BOOKING

With the new year having just begun, it’s predicted that thousands may book their summer holidays this weekend, to make sure they have something to look forward to. But travellers are being warned to check their passport is valid now, rather than waiting to closer to their trip. Alvaro Iturmendi, Confused.com travel insurance expert comments:

“Booking your holidays can be very exciting, and a welcome distraction to the beginning of the year blues. But no matter how far in advance you’re planning, it’s never too early to check your passport’s validity, so you don’t get caught out last minute.

“Our research found that less than half (43%) of travellers knew that if you’re heading to the EU, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before their departure date. And if your passport doesn’t meet this regulation, it could mean you’re denied entry into the country, or may not even be allowed on the flight in the first place. Either way, it’s likely to lead to a lot of disruption to your holiday plans.

“An emergency passport could cost up to £207 depending on its urgency. And if you leave it to the last minute, having to take time off work and travel to visit a passport office could become costly and time consuming. This is especially true if you need to visit an office far from home. Unfortunately, travel insurance will not cover the cost of last minute travel for an emergency passport, nor for any missed flights or holidays. It’s important to always double-check your passport’s expiration date as soon as you start planning your trip, and leave yourself ample time to renew it if needed. By using our passport checker, you can save a great deal of time, money, and stress.”