Despite the credit crunch limiting spending and pushing the price of holidays up, Brits are queuing to escape the dreary British summer more than ever. However, many are leaving without one vital ingredient - travel insurance.

In a bid to save money many are going without travel insurance, risking huge expense should anything go wrong. With 20 per cent of Brits holidaying outside of Europe where they will not be covered by a European Health Insurance Card, travel insurance is more essential than ever.

Many are seeking adventure which they feel Europe cannot offer, deeming European countries as overcrowded and unoriginal destinations. 69 per cent of Brits travelling outside of Europe said that their motivation was to seek out local culture and to have a unique experience.

And six per cent of Britons say that they sought out an unknown destination with the intention of being the only person among their friends who had been there.

"This research shows that Britons are moving away from traditional holidays and becoming aspirational in their holiday choices." remarked Sally Ann Watts, head of marketing at Cater Allen.

The most popular ‘original’ experiences which British holidaymakers sought out were skiing in the winter, which just under a quarter of Brits will be doing, safari, favoured by 10 per cent of tourists, rainforest exploration, which 11 per cent of us will be heading for, with a further10 per cent going on activity holidays, such as diving.

Adventurous holidays such as these really require a need for specialist travel insurance which will cover medical costs and the loss of expensive equipment in the event of an accident.