Thailand backpackers top insurance claims

BACKPACKERS taking trips to Thailand top the list of those making travel insurance claims, it was revealed yesterday.

Claims following Thailand visits account for 22 per cent of all backpackers' claims, according to InsureandGo.

The company added that UK backpackers' claims amounted to more than 6 million a year, with personal luggage claims accounting for 40 per cent of this total, and medical expenses more than 33 per cent. Lost documents and lost money accounted for more than 10 per cent of claims.

After Thailand, the country generating the most claims from British backpackers was Australia, followed by India.

InsureandGo founder Perry Wilson said: "We believe crime around the world is increasing because of the global economic crisis, which is why we are seeing a big rise in claims."