With travellers increasingly turning to tools like ChatGPT as a quick way to plan their trips, an insurance expert is warning that users might not realize the potential travel disruptions they could face caused by misinformation the technology may provide, such as missed flights or incorrect visa information.
Leading U.S.-based travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth recently surveyed nearly 2,500 customers and found that 81% of travellers find AI helpful when seeking out travel insurance to protect their trip.
Other key survey findings included:
- 65% who have used AI for trip planning said they would use it again.
- 47% have used AI to build travel itineraries; of those, 52% use ChatGPT.
- 34% reported receiving false or misleading travel info from AI tools.
- 44% trust AI as much as traditional sources, such as travel agents, friends, and search engines.
The company points out that though the convenience and speed of using AI might be appealing to travellers planning their getaways, they should proceed with caution, especially when planning critical trip details, like buying travel insurance.
Most travel insurance policies, it notes, do not cover trip disruptions caused by misinformation. For example, AI-generated information could result in:
- Missing a flight due to an incorrect airport time zone.
- Booking a hotel that is no longer in operation.
- Entering a country without the required visa due to inaccurate documentation advice.
But though such possible AI mishaps aren’t typically covered, travel insurance is still an essential need for common and costly disruptions, such as medical emergencies, severe weather, or airline cancellations – risks can’t be prevented, even with careful planning, says the company.
Tips
According to Squaremouth, anyone using AI to search for travel insurance should:
- Double-check AI-generated information with official sources: There have been numerous instances where travelLers have received false information about things like travel document requirements, resulting in challenging situations and bad travel experiences. Check with government sources regarding travel documents, visa requirements, and travel advisories.
- Don’t rely on AI when choosing travel insurance policies: More reliable information is available from online marketplaces or directly through licensed travel insurance experts.
- Know what is covered and what is not: There are exclusions to every policy. Though travel insurance can offer protection against many unexpected travel disruptions, it likely won’t cover those caused by user error or choices made based on incorrect information from AI.
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