Insurance
Brexit ad campaign launched
The government has launched a new campaign which includes potential changes to travel insurance and passport rules for UK holidaymakers after Brexit.
The public information campaign is titled The UK’s new start: let’s get going and will be run on TV, radio, online, print and billboards.
The adverts will highlight the steps travellers should take before travelling to Europe after 1 January 2021. These include:
- Getting comprehensive travel insurance
- Ensuring your passport is valid
- Checking your roaming policy with your mobile phone provider
- Contacting your vet at least four months before travel if you want to take your pet
Rory Boland, Which? travel editor, said: “Millions of holidaymakers will be affected by these potential changes to travel around Europe, and the possibility of higher travel insurance premiums, roaming charges and new rules and regulations will be concerning for many who have already booked holidays for 2021 and now have to factor in additional costs.
“In this event, travellers will no longer be able to rely on their EHIC cards, so when shopping around for travel insurance consumers must ensure their policy includes adequate health cover. While some mobile phone providers have said they have no plans to change roaming charges following Brexit, holidaymakers should check with their provider before travelling.”
The campaign will target UK citizens intending to travel to Europe from 1 January 2021, as well as all importers to and exporters from the EU, alongside UK nationals living in the EU and EU, EEA or Swiss citizens living in the UK.
Marketing material will include the government’s “Check, Change, Go” strapline which directs people and businesses to a checker tool at gov.uk/transition which quickly identifies the necessary next steps they need to take.
The campaign will run alongside the UK’s continued negotiations with the EU. The UK is leaving the single market and customs union at the end of the year, and so most of the actions businesses and citizens are being asked to take will need to be completed regardless of the outcome of negotiations.
Michael Gove, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, said: “At the end of this year we are leaving the single market and Customs Union regardless of the type of agreement we reach with the EU. This will bring changes and significant opportunities for which we all need to prepare.
“While we have already made great progress in getting ready for this moment, there are actions that businesses and citizens must take now to ensure we are ready to hit the ground running as a fully independent United Kingdom.
“This is a new start for everyone in the UK – British and European citizens alike – so let’s get going.”
Details of the key actions that businesses and individuals need to take before the end of the transition period can be found on gov.uk/transition.
