The cheapest travel insurance identified in a new Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) survey is available on the Internet. Two new players in the market - Ryanair Direct, which is located at Ryanair.com, and online broker Getcover.com - are charging up to 50 per cent less than competitors. AA Travel, Accident & General, Aer Lingus and Coyle Hamilton are also good value for certain policies, according to the CAI. Ryanair Direct at £9 (€11.5), Europ Assistance at £12.80 and Getcover.com at £14 offer the cheapest cover for two weeks in Europe, although Ryanair's is not as comprehensive as others in some categories. The CAI recommends that travellers examine the level of cover provided and not just the price of travel insurance.

Getcover.com was the cheapest in the survey for two-week cover in the US at £28, with Europ Assistance following closely at £29.

The two travel agents included in the CAI survey, Budget Travel and Falcon/JWT, were far more expensive. Both charge £28 for two weeks in Europe, while Budget Travel charges £49 for two weeks in the US.

The cheapest annual family policies in the survey were from Getcover.com and Coyle Hamilton at £95 and £100 respectively. The Coyle Hamilton policy covers up to 180 days abroad each year.