Troubled package holiday company MyTravel could boost sales for independent travel insurers.

Essential Travel director Stuart Bensusan said that if MyTravel were to fail, more customers would look to purchase travel insurance independently.

"It could be a good thing for us," he said.

"If people take more independent holidays, they sort out their own tickets and insurance. In many cases, it is more cost effective."

Bensusan said he had noted a rise in independent travel insurance sales and a decreasing popularity in package holidays

Primary Group group marketing director John Bibby agreed that customers could move to independent insurers.

But he said the travel company ultimately controlled the point of sale.

"For this reason, if tour companies like MyTravel failed, it would not create quite such a large opportunity for the travel insurance industry," he said.

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