Travel insurer installs self-service insurance kiosks in airports

clock • 1 min read

Columbus Direct is installing 30 self-service travel insurance purchase kiosks in 9 UK airports this year.

Holidaymakers can purchase travel insurance last minute in a customer journey that takes 3 minutes to take out a policy. 

Columbus Direct successfully trialled the launch at London Gatwick Airport last year. 

Eight more major UK airports will now offer the service, including London City, Luton, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Southampton, and Edinburgh.

Further UK airports are expected to be added to the roll-out plan in the coming months.

The travel cover at the kiosks offers customers the same prices as online quotes so there will not be any extra cost for last-minute purchase at the airports.

Alison Wild, head of marketing at Columbus Direct, said: "We are incredibly excited about the official roll-out of our digital kiosks throughout the UK. Our customer insight has enabled us to identify a rise in the number of so-called ‘last minuters', who know they require travel insurance but simply haven't got around to buying it in advance of departure.

"Travellers have long been buying foreign currency or picking up rental car at airports, so offering them the opportunity to purchase last-minute travel insurance just makes sense.

"We have introduced the kiosk-led solution to make insurance purchase a hassle-free, simple process for busy people as well as for those who might not have given much thought to the matter prior to their trip. With this new service offering we can provide holidaymakers protection against any eventualities, and most importantly, peace of mind."

Susan Almond, business development at London Gatwick Airport, commented: "When Columbus Direct first approached us to discuss the idea of self-service kiosks, we immediately recognised the considerable value and convenience such machines can provide to travellers.

"We are very pleased to have been involved in this successful project as the first UK airport."

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