“Holidaymakers really should avoid taking out large quantities of cash when they are travelling around a city; the hotel safe or security deposit box should be used for that as well as any credit cards not needed on day trips and passports. It’s also sensible to use a bag that goes across the body rather than one that hangs down at the side and to keep your arm across it as much as possible.

“The key is not to attract attention to yourself as a wealthy tourist – so it’s also worth avoiding wearing expensive jewellery or bags or other accessories that shout ‘money’. The more like a local you look the less likely the opportunistic gangs will focus on you.”

According to recent research* “Barcelona takes the top slot of number one city for pickpockets with Madrid, Tenerife and Costa Blanca, all also making it into the top ten. And whilst Spain appears to be the world’s pickpocketing hotspot, it’s interesting to see that all ten cities are in Europe.

“Most travellers enjoy the world’s cities without becoming the victim of thieves, but this latest data highlights the risks and helps remind travellers to keep their valuables secure at all times. It also highlights the importance of buying the right travel insurance, enabling them to replace stolen items once they return home.

Insurewithease.com offers 3 levels of cover, so that holidaymakers can choose the cover most suited to their needs, based on the value of items they plan to take with them when they travel.”

For a fraction of the cost of their holiday, insured travellers will be covered for accidents, illness, lost luggage or delays and cancellations, not to mention expert support and advice on hand when it’s needed most.

END
December 2010

*The 2010 Pickpocket Index is based solely on TripAdvisor site data calculating the number of times travelers use the term pickpocket (and translations of) in their reviews in the last twelve months.

For further information about insurewithease.com travel policies or commentary from Sarah Findlay please contact the Press Office at HSL:
Wendy Harrison/Maddy Roles/Jenny Staniforth on 020 8977 9132 maddy@harrisonsadler.com
Notes to Editors

Insurewithease.com
Insurewithease.com is an online travel insurance provider with one clear aim: to give travellers insurance that’s easy to arrange, competitively priced and offers great choice on cover.

Insurewithease.com aims to make life easier when buying travel insurance by offering a range of policies, all in a matter of clicks, including Annual Travel Insurance; Single Trip; Backpacker Insurance and Winter Sports Cover.

It offers a rating system of silver, gold and platinum to enable customers to clearly see the level of cover associated with each policy and to choose the cover most suited to their needs and budget.

Insurewithease.com is a trading name of ONE Underwriting Ltd. ONE Underwriting is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.