Travel insurance could help to ensure that you're covered for anything unexpected that may happen before or during your trip.
For most countries, travel insurance isn't a legal requirement, but some countries do ask you to buy travel insurance before you fly. For example, if you're travelling to Cuba you must have travel insurance otherwise you won't be granted entry into the country.
Buying a travel insurance policy can help you reclaim all or some of your costs if you need to cancel your holiday or cut it short. Cancellation cover is included as part of most travel insurance policies, along with baggage cover and cover for medical expenses.
Here are 2 examples of where travel insurance can help, from the Association of British Insurers (ABI):
Travel insurance with medical cover could help cover any medical expenses like these.
Exactly what’s covered by travel insurance varies between providers, so check the details of your policy carefully before buying.
How much you pay for holiday insurance depends on your personal circumstances. Here's how much it could cost depending on the type of policy you buy:
| Policy type | Price |
|---|---|
|
Single-trip travel insurance
|
£2.80*
|
|
Annual cover
|
£9.503
|
|
Backpackers insurance
|
£38.094
|
*The cheapest price for a single-trip travel insurance policy. Based on a 30-year-old with no previous medical conditions travelling to Spain for 3 nights. Confused.com data - November 2024.
3The cheapest price for a European annual travel insurance policy. Based on a 30-year-old with no previous medical conditions. Confused.com data - November 2024.
4The cheapest price for a European backpacker travel insurance policy. Based on a 30-year-old with no previous medical conditions travelling for 3 months. Confused.com data - November 2024.
The amount you pay depends on:
Some insurers might not cover you if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Others might only offer you insurance at a higher price. This is because you might need emergency medical attention for certain conditions while you're on holiday. Some pre-existing conditions include:
You must tell your insurer about any health issues to make sure you've got the right cover. If you don't and need to make a claim, it could be rejected and you may have to pay for the medical treatment yourself. If in doubt, contact the insurer before buying your travel insurance.
If you can’t find suitable cover, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) might be able to help. This organisation has set up a directory of insurers who cover customers with pre-existing medical conditions through their brand MoneyHelper. You can also phone MaPS for free, impartial advice on 0800 138 7777.
With roaming charges making an unwelcome return, eSIMs are a convenient option when travelling. eSIMs are non-physical and are embedded into most newer smartphones; meaning you won’t have to put anything physical into your device, it should already be there.
How does it work?Simply buy your travel insurance, claim your free eSIM, and install it onto your device at the tap of a button. Your eSIM with 2GB of roaming data will kick in on a local mobile network when you get to your destination.
Covers 2 adults and up to 8 children with 1 policy.
Covers you for any holidays you have planned in Europe.
Long stay travel insurance is the perfect policy for those who plan to travel for an extended period of up to 18 months.
Provides quotes for travellers over the age of 50.
Covers you for travel to multiple locations around the world.
Covers you to take part in certain activities when you’re on holiday.
Helps provide peace of mind for any unexpected problems while away.
Covers you for volunteer work while abroad.
"Things are starting to get a little bit festive around here - perhaps you're already dreaming of sipping on a mulled wine at a Christmas market in Berlin. Or maybe gliding down the slopes of the Alps on your skis is more your vibe. Whatever you're planning for your winter holiday, insurance can help cover the cost of lost baggage, travel disruption and medical costs to name a few."
1 Correct as of October 2024.
Get in touch with your travel insurance provider as soon as possible. If you have your policy details to hand, you could contact them while you’re still on holiday. They might send you a claim form, or ask you questions over the phone. They should be able to guide you through their process from there.
Make sure you keep any relevant documents to hand:
Yes it has. Even though most countries don’t require PCR tests anymore, Covid-19 is still something that you have to consider when travelling, especially the cover you get as part of your holiday insurance. Since the pandemic, policies that include Covid-19 cover protect you against things including:
Covid-19 is now something that has to be considered when travelling. If you travel against FCDO advice, any travel insurance policy you have is void and you won’t be covered if you need to make a claim.
The level of cover you get varies depending on the policy, so it’s important to read the policy wording before you buy.
We recommend that you get a travel insurance policy before you go anywhere, even if you don’t leave the UK for your holiday. A UK travel insurance policy usually covers you for all the things you’d be covered for when abroad, including:
Even if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), it's still a good idea to buy travel insurance. There is a limit to what an EHIC or GHIC card can cover and they don't recover costs for cancellations or lost baggage.
Tourist tax isn't a new thing, but there are changes happening when it comes to how much we can expect to pay to visit certain places. Read our guide to learn more.
Learn everything you need to know about travel insurance for non-UK residents with our in-depth guide.
From scams to theft and pickpocketing, tourists are often a target while on holiday. Find out how to protect belongings, and get travel insurance before you go.
Compare travel insurance with Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis. Find out more about travelling with these conditions and get a quote today.
Compare travel insurance with Cystic Fibrosis. Find out more about travelling abroad with a medical condition and get a quote today.
Planning on emigrating? Or maybe you're heading off on a trip but don't know when you'll be back? Read more about how one-way travel insurance can cover you.
Page last reviewed: 29 November 2024
Reviewed by: Alvaro Iturmendi
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