Travel agents told to be picky about who they insure

Travel insurer Journeys has urged travel agents to target specific customers, rather than insuring the majority of people.

This comes in response to Mintel's recent report saying premiums are likely to rise by up to 30%.

Journeys pointed out that major competitors such as Boots, Tesco and the Post Office "restrict the type of people they cover to make sure they are as risk free as possible".

Managing director Patrick Chong said: "Some customers are better suited to certain travel insurance products than others. Agents are doing themselves no favours by selling the same cover to everyone.

"This damages both the industry and the customers, who will pay in the long term with increased rates.

"I'm not saying that agents should turn business away, just that they should be more savvy about who they insure," he added.