A recent study by AA Travel Insurance has revealed that women are far more likely than men to take extra precautions to ensure their personal safety while travelling.
Of the thousands of females who participated in the latest AA Travel Insurance Poll, 26.6 per cent said they won?t travel alone if they can help it, whereas just 8.7 per cent of men said the same.
The AA poll also reveals that two-fifths of females will play it safe and avoid going out alone after dark while in an unfamiliar locale. Only 9.4 per cent of the men surveyed said the same. The poll’s female respondents were also less inclined than males to flag down a taxi in the street when abroad.
When it comes to the safety of personal belongings while travelling, the figures show women are more likely to use a padlock on their suitcase and to avoid carrying their passports on their person than their male counterparts.
The poll also indentifies areas where holidaymakers are falling down on the simplest of security measures.
“Take the use of room safes, for example,” said John Farrell, director of AA Insurance. “Despite the obvious peace of mind they afford, 34.7 per cent of those we surveyed don’t use them when on holiday.”
Similarly, 36.1 per cent of those polled by the AA admitted they can be “a bit lackadaisical” when it comes to leaving valuable items out in their hotel room.
The results of the poll also show that about 20 per cent will make sure that their companions know where to find their travel insurance document.
“This is an excellent habit to get into and we’d encourage it across the board,” said Farrell. “We’d also remind holidaymakers never to go without travel insurance cover, something 15-20 per cent do each year.”
