UK travellers are taking gap years later in life but a leading insurer has warned that travel insurance should still be a priority.

A recent poll of American Express customers revealed that 11% planned to take a gap year in the future and over 89% of these respondents were over 30 years old. Of the gap year holidays currently taken by UK travellers, 56% are taken by over 25’s and 38% are taken by the over 55’s.

Top destinations included the USA, New Zealand and South America, but once this decision is made insurance should always be the next consideration, according to American Express.

Joanne Field, marketing manager at American Express Travel Insurance, said: “While the over 25’s taking a gap break are unlikely to be on such tight budgets as younger travellers, it can still be tempting to try and skimp on insurance. Not all policies are the same and it really pays to do your homework and carefully consider the level of cover in relation to your plans.”