A SHOCKING survey composed by Sainsbury's Bank has revealed that over the past 12 months, some 3.3 million people claim to have travelled overseas without insurance.

That's around 13 per cent of all those who holidayed abroad.

Sainsbury's Bank is warning people of the dangers of travelling abroad without insurance as last year, they estimated that there could have been around 241,000 travel insurance claims for medical or hospital care alone.

Karen Preston, Travel Insurance Manager, Sainsbury's Bank said: "Travel insurance is essential for anyone going abroad, even if they are just planning a long weekend.

"The largest number of travellers going on holiday without insurance seems to be the under 24 age group, so we are urging them in particular not to forget travel insurance and to make sure its on their holiday 'to-do' list along with sun lotion. By shopping around, you can find quality cover at a competitive price. Our premiums for example, start from as little as £22."

Sainsbury's Bank says that the highest percentage of those travelling without insurance is in the age groups 16 - 24 and 65 and over.