TRAVEL insurance specialist Just Travel Cover, based in Sunderland, reported a 22 per cent rise in the number of European single trip policies purchased in January when compared to the same period last year.

Managing director Andrew Jackson believes this increased consumer confidence has been buoyed by the elimination of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

Speaking about the uplift, he said: “January is traditionally one of the busiest months of the year for the travel insurance industry so it’s always a good litmus test to judge what the next few months will have in store. This time last year, we were preparing for an April Brexit and the markets were clouded by uncertainty, nobody knew what to expect.

“Now, as we prepare to leave, consumers are safe in the knowledge that following withdrawal from the EU, the UK will enter a transition period up until the end of this year, during which ABTA, the UK travel association, has confirmed everything will remain unchanged. This certainty has been welcomed by the wider industry and we’ve certainly witnessed an uplift in those arranging insurance for holidays to Europe this month as a result.

“Europe is the most popular overseas destination for UK holidaymakers purchasing travel insurance and so it’s only natural for consumers to be affected by such macroeconomic events. At least, for the next 11 months, it’s business as usual and consumers can continue planning and preparing for their time abroad, whether for business or pleasure, safe in the knowledge that they are protected.”