How ABTA and ATOL Protect Your Holiday
By Anna Jones at Eversure,
10th July 2025, 5 min read
Planning your holiday should be exciting and anticipation, but what happens when your travel provider suddenly goes bust? That’s where ABTA and ATOL come in; they are the essential safety nets that protect your money and your holiday.
You might be asking what these schemes actually cover? This article breaks it down.
ABTA: Non-Flight Holidays
What is ABTA and who does it cover?
ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) is the UK’s main travel trade body, backing over 70 years of consumer protection. Unlike ATOL, ABTA doesn’t deal with flights; it focuses on safeguarding other types of holidays like coach tours, cruises, and train-based trips.
What Protection Does ABTA Offer?
When you book with an ABTA-accredited travel company, you’re not just gaining financial protection if the company collapses - you're also benefiting from a robust code of conduct. ABTA members must meet certain standards, so you know you're dealing with a reputable provider.
From advice on your travel rights to dispute resolution services if something goes wrong, ABTA also offers practical help.
ATOL: Air Package Holidays
What is ATOL and why does it matter?
ATOL stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence, a UK financial protection scheme run by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). If you’ve ever booked a package holiday that includes a flight, it should have been ATOL protected.
Introduced in the 1970s, ATOL was designed to protect travellers from losing money or being stranded abroad if their travel company folds. Today, any UK-based company selling air-inclusive packages is legally required to hold an ATOL licence.
How It Works
If your travel provider stops trading before your holiday begins, ATOL guarantees a full refund. If you're already abroad when trouble strikes, ATOL covers the cost of getting you home safely — no out-of-pocket surprises, no logistical nightmares.
Car Hire Excess Insurance
While ATOL and ABTA both provide powerful protections, they don’t cover everything. There’s one more smart layer of defence you should consider: hire car excess insurance.
Imagine renting a car for a scenic coastal drive only to be hit with unexpected charges after a minor scrape. Your standard car rental agreement is unlikely to cover those costs, but a car hire excess insurance policy can.
We offer this cover to reimburse people for steep repair bills. Combined with ABTA and ATOL, you'll have total holiday security.
Final Thoughts
Booking through protected providers and adding extra layers of cover like car hire excess insurance allows you to truly relax on your holiday, as you'll know you’re protected from every angle.