London travel insurance startup reveals new app for Brits who don't insure holidays

London-based insurtech startup Pluto has announced two milestones for the business less than 12 months after its launch.

This has been in tandem with the launch of a funding round on Seedrs.

Founded by friends Alex Rainey - previously at Accenture Digital - and Harry Williams, an experienced product and design lead, Pluto aims to build up the public’s trust in travel insurers by providing customers with on-demand policies and transparent pricing.

A recent report from YouGov released figures stating that over two thirds (68 per cent) of Brits think insurance providers will do ‘everything possible’ to avoid paying a claim.

Alex Rainey, co-founder and CEO of Pluto, said: “A lot of people aren’t even sure what’s included or excluded in their policies.

“On top of that, an inherent lack of trust towards insurers has meant that many millennials choose to take a chance and travel without any insurance at all. We get it, because most insurers won’t help with flight delays, they won’t help you prepare for a trip or even make your life easy when something does go wrong. That’s why we founded Pluto.”

As strikes across Europe and hurricanes in North America led to flight delays and cancellations this month, the tension between what customers want from their travel insurance and what is available, was brought to attention.

In addition to offering flight delay cover, Pluto is announcing an integration with Babylon Health to try and ‘ease the strain’ of getting ill on holiday. It will provide customers with 24/7 medical help and prescriptions, available through its mobile app.

Duncan McIntyre, an investor of Pluto, added: “In an industry that’s in desperate need of changing from reactive to proactive, Pluto are at the forefront of meeting modern travellers needs and expectations.

“If your flight is delayed or you’re feeling unwell on holiday, they’re providing instant care Pluto is a game-changing addition to the stale and archaic travel insurance market.”

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