Bupa Travel Insurance has decided to take travel Insurance to another level, by providing insurance coverage for space travel. The company which provides coverage for specific areas such as gap year travel and skiing is now studying the space tourist market, as its next targeted area of insurance.

Already Richard Branson is planning to make flights into space happen as early as 2009, so it looks like this may be a serious reality. Nick Potter: head of Bupa travel commented saying “We provide insurance cover to people in 190 countries so it wouldn’t be a giant leap to add outer space to that list.”

He also said “We are looking into space tourism as a real market for the next generation of travellers, especially as Russian cosmonauts have already taken tourists up into space.” However for those of you looking for coverage that is closer to home, Bupa travel has also just launched a new mature gap year sabbatical product for those aged, between 36-45, who intend on taking a break.