Brits travelling uninsured could end up "out of pocket"

Brits heading off on holiday this summer uninsured could end up "substantially out of pocket", one expert has warned.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper has advised travellers that while holidaying on home soil may save them some money, cutting corners on cover could cost them more in the long run.

"While it is very tempting to try to save at every opportunity when money gets tight, the range of problems you might encounter while travelling ... is huge," Simon Lamble, a spokesman for comparison website Confused.com, told the paper.

He added that spending a "few pounds" on travel insurance may be essential for holidaying Brits, who in the case of an unexpected problem could find themselves in a "very costly situation".

In related news, Thomson has defended its decision to launch self-catering accommodation from £2 per night, saying that it is not an indication of a market downturn.

The British tour operator explained that its bookings for the summer remained robust, despite the credit crunch that is prompting many Brits to budget.