All it needs is an hour or so of expert instruction, which could include:

• Motor Insurance, as they are about to start driving,
• Travel Insurance, as they may be planning a gap year or working for a season
• Insurance of their possessions, tas hey may be going to university.

Reacting to reports that the latest Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) survey has found 40% of 18 to 24-year-old travellers go overseas without any travel insurance, MPI says many young people are leaving school with no understanding of insurance. and few of them appreciate the importance of travel insurance or the possible financial burden they might face without it.

“At school gap fairs we talk to a lot of intending gap year travellers and seasonaires and find that a large percentage are completely ignorant about the need for insurance, how it protects them or how to go about buying a policy.

“Closer questioning reveals that while they know nothing about travel insurance, they are also completely in the dark about the other insurances they will need in adult life.”

MPI warns that young people who travel without insurance risk huge bills for emergency medical treatment and possible repatriation in the event of serious injury or illness while away.

“We have also seen an increase in Liability claims for wintersports where skiing into to another skier, who then sues for damages, can result in very high costs.”