Travel insurance sold directly by low-cost flight operators is overpriced, vacationers have been warned.

A travel industry expert has urged Americans to secure their travel insurance cover independently of budget airlines, because such combination deals do not reflect good value for money.

Stuart Bensusan, managing director of Essential Travel, believes fliers are paying as much as $200 over the odds for the apparent convenience of arranging travel insurance with their no-frills carrier of choice, Travel Weekly reports.

“The level of mark-up charged by online flight companies is excessive and a totally unnecessary cost for [vacationers] to pay,” he told the publication.

Travelers who arrange their own flights, accommodation and car rental are particularly vulnerable to being caught out, Mr Bensusan continued. By falling victim to this false economy, consumers are “falling in to a huge travel insurance honeypot”, he added.

Instead, experts recommend consumers use the internet and comparison tools to track down the best travel insurance deal for them.

Contributed by J.Bevan