Business travel insurance

Get cover for your next business trip from £2.50*

Compare travel insurance quotes for your next business trip

  • Cover for when you're travelling for work

  • Business phones, laptops, and company money all covered

  • Compare quotes from up to 44 trusted providers1

*The cheapest business policy based on 1 adult aged 30, with no previous medical conditions, travelling to Spain for 3 days. Correct as of May 2024.
1Correct as of October 2024

What is business travel insurance?

Business travel insurance provides cover when you travel for business reasons, rather than a usual holiday.

Business travel insurance policies offer all the things standard insurance does, such as emergency medical treatment. But, they can also offer specialist cover for things like company cash and expensive business equipment.

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Do I need business travel insurance?

This depends on your company, as well as your personal circumstances.

Some companies provide their staff with business travel insurance. This is usually offered as part of their employee package. So, if this is the case for you, you might not need to get travel insurance for your business trip.

But, if your employer doesn't offer you travel insurance, there's no need to worry. All this means is that you'll need to consider taking out your own policy to cover you.

What our travel insurance expert says

"Got a business trip coming up? A business travel insurance policy can provide all the benefits of a standard travel policy, along with added protection for work-related problems. So, on top of things like emergency medical treatment and baggage cover, business travel insurance can also handle the unique problems that work trips can bring.

"So, this can include things like financial cover for your work equipment if it gets lost, stolen, or damaged. It even can include reimbursement for lost or stolen company money. With this type of policy, you'll be able to go on your business trip with the peace of mind you're covered financially if things go wrong."

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert
Travel insurance expert Confused.com logo

What does a business travel insurance cover?

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What’s covered

Business equipment

You'll be covered for the damage, theft, or accidental loss of business equipment. This includes laptops and office supplies. If your equipment is delayed or lost in transit, some policies can also pay for the cost of a replacement. In some situations, providers may also include cover for sports equipment.

Company money

Some business travel insurance policies can cover you for lost or stolen company money, cheques, or prepaid virtual money cards. Some providers can also pay out for lost or stolen event or entertainment tickets.

Cancellation cover

If your flights or accommodation get cancelled, or if a business event gets cancelled, you could be reimbursed for any expenses lost.

Medical treatment

If you need to receive emergency medical treatment while you're on your business trip, your policy should cover the costs. If you're travelling in the UK, medical treatment is covered by the NHS.

Repatriation to the UK

As with a standard travel insurance policy, this provides cover if you need to return to the UK to receive medical treatment. Without a travel insurance policy in place, it could cost thousands of pounds.

Certain expenses

You could get reimbursed for certain expenses. For example, if you're involved in a legal incident that isn't your fault, your policy could cover your legal fees.

Baggage cover against theft, loss, or damage

If your personal items are lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged, your policy can provide financial cover.

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What’s not covered

Travelling against FCDO advice

You won't be covered for travel to destinations the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised not to visit.

Incidents involving alcohol and drugs

If illness, injury, or death occurs as a result of drugs and alcohol, you won't be covered by business travel insurance.

Any pre-existing conditions you didn’t declare

If you need emergency treatment for a pre-existing condition you didn't declare, you may not be able to claim.

Injuries or claims from taking part in risky activities

Neither business nor standard travel insurance covers for 'high-risk' activities, like rock climbing. For certain risky activities, you'll need to consider an adventure travel insurance policy add-on.

Theft or loss of items you didn't take care of

If you lose business items or they get stolen because you didn't care for them, you might not be able to make a claim. For example, if you leave equipment unattended.

Free eSIM with up to 2GB of roaming data when you buy travel insurance**

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.

Find out more about eSIMs
Image of a mobile asking you to claim your eSIM reward
**eSIM comes with pre-funded credit and the amount of data received in exchange, will vary based on the specific country you select. Compatible devices only. T&C's apply.

What type of travel insurance do I need to work abroad?

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Single trip business travel insurance

This is suitable if you’re only going on one trip within the next 12 months. This type of policy can cover you for the duration of your trip, from the moment you leave home until you return. Most single-trip policies provide cover for up to 31 days.

Explore single trip travel insurance

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Annual business travel insurance

Otherwise known as annual travel insurance, this can provide cover for multiple separate trips over a period of 12 months. These policies tend to cost more upfront, but they can be cost-effective if you're going on more than one trip a year.

Explore annual travel insurance

How much does business travel insurance cost?

Type of policy Policy cost
Single-trip business travel insurance
£2.50
Annual business travel insurance
£11.85**

**The cheapest annual business policy, based on 1 adult aged 30, with no previous medical conditions, travelling to Europe. Correct as of May 2024 - Confused.com data.

If you're only going on one business trip within the next 12 months, it could work out cheaper to buy a single-trip policy. But, an annual business travel insurance might be more cost-effective if you travel frequently.

Helpful hint: Most annual and single-trip policies have a maximum time frame of 31 days. So, if you're going to be away for between 1 and 18 months, consider long stay travel insurance.

Do I need European or Worldwide cover?

This depends on where you’re planning to go.

A business travel policy doesn’t automatically cover all countries. If you've chosen a single-trip policy, you'll usually choose a single destination for cover. If you choose annual travel insurance, you can usually specify where you're travelling to and whether you need european cover or worldwide cover. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your level of cover:

European travel insurance covers you for travel within Europe. It’s recommended by the FCDO, but isn’t a legal requirement. It usually covers things like emergency medical treatment and repatriation, flight cancellations and baggage cover.

Worldwide travel insurance covers you for almost anywhere in the world, including:

It also covers all the essential things you'd expect from a standard travel insurance policy. For example, emergency medical expenses, repatriation costs, baggage cover, and cancellation and curtailment. By adding business cover to your policy, you could also get specialist cover for business laptops, phones and other equipment.

Cover for countries like Turkey and Egypt can vary between European and worldwide policies. This is dependent on the provider, so it’s best to read the policy wording before buying.

When getting a quote for worldwide business travel insurance, you can choose between:

  • Worldwide excluding Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, USA
  • Worldwide including Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, USA

Compare business travel insurance quotes

What extras can I add on to my business travel insurance policy?

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Golf travel insurance

Golf and business go hand in hand, with many a deal struck on the fairway. Golf insurance can shore up your travel insurance with added extras like cover for your clubs, compensation for non-refundable green fees if you’re too ill to play, and even things like hole-in-one cover if you’re obliged to buy a round at the clubhouse after striking it lucky. 

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Winter sports cover

Away to the alps on a company retreat? Or hitting the slopes after a big conference? Winter sports insurance, aka ski insurance, adds in cover for snow-sports-specific scenarios that a standard policy might exclude. You could get cover for the cost of care if you’re injured skiing, or compensation for piste closure due to lack of snow. 

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Gadget insurance

While business travel insurance might cover things like your laptop, you may not get the same level of protection for other bits of tech. Even if you do, single item limits might put a cap on what, and how much, you can claim for. Gadget cover adds in an extra level of protection, ensuring your electricals are insured against a wider range of mishaps.

We compare up to 44 travel insurance companies

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Coverwise
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What affects the price of travel insurance with business cover?

There's a few things that can affect the price of your travel insurance policy. Let's take a look at them:

Where you’re travelling to

Insurers take into account the destination you plan to travel to. For example, if you're going to a country with expensive medical costs, like the USA, you may find your policy to be a higher price.

The length of your trip

The length of your business trip can also increase the price. Generally, the longer you're away, the more likely you are to make a claim. So, if you're going on a longer trip, you may find your policy is more expensive.

Your age

Some insurers consider travellers aged 50 or older to be at an increased risk of needing to make a claim. So, this can lead to a more expensive business travel insurance policy.

Your health

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, this can increase the cost of your insurance. This is because insurers may consider you to be at a higher risk of needing to get treatment for it.

High-risk activities you plan to do

Certain activities, such as skiing or mountain climbing, are considered high-risk by insurers. So, if you're planning to do sports or activities not included in your business travel insurance policy, you can buy optional add-ons. These include adventure travel insurance, and ski insurance.

What your voluntary excess is

The voluntary excess is how much you're willing to pay in the event you need to make a claim. Typically, increasing the excess reduces the cost of your policy. But, just make sure you can afford to pay your excess if you need to make a claim.

Am I covered by ABTA or ATOL?

This depends on your travel provider, and the nature of your trip.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is a trade association that works with UK-based tour operators, tour agents, and travel providers. ABTA protection can cover your trip if you buy a rail, sea, or road-based package through an official ABTA travel provider.

This means that, if your travel provider goes into administration, ABTA can cover you financially by reimbursing expenses lost, or offering alternative travel arrangements.

The Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) is a similar type of scheme that offers protection to package trips involving air travel. So, similar to ABTA, if your trip is ATOL protected and gets cancelled due to the travel provider going into administration, ATOL cover can provide a refund.

Top tip: Before you book your holiday, check whether you'll be covered ATOL or ABTA. You can do this by looking for official logos displayed on your travel provider's website, or on any documentation you've been sent.

Can I get a business travel insurance quote if I have a serious, pre-existing medical condition?

Usually, yes. If you’re looking for business travel insurance and have a pre-existing medical condition, using Confused.com to compare quotes could help.

Pre-existing medical conditions include things like:

The cost of your cover is likely to be higher if the insurer believes the pre-existing condition means you have a high chance of needing medical services while on holiday.

Some insurers may not offer you travel insurance if you have a serious medical condition. Especially if you’re undergoing treatment or waiting for an operation.

Can I use my GHIC or EHIC on a business trip?

Yes, if you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can use it for any business travel you do within Europe.

The GHIC, and the EHIC entitles you to medical care at the same cost of a local person in the country you're in. This is often free or much cheaper than you'd pay without one. If you have the EHIC, this applies to countries within the European Union (EU). But, if you have its replacement, the GHIC, you might be able to use it in certain countries outside of the EU.

But it's no substitute for travel insurance, and can leave you with expensive medical costs to pay out. So, you should still consider taking out a policy with the right level of cover - even if you have a GHIC or EHIC.

Why choose Confused.com?

  • We were founded in 2002, and have over 2 decades' worth of experience in insurance.
  • We help millions of customers each year with their car, home, van, motorbike, and travel insurance needs.
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  • We’re FCA regulated, as are the 43 travel insurance providers we work with. All of our providers are reputable, trusted brands so you can rest assured you’re in good hands whoever you choose.

Need more help?

Do I need key person insurance as an employer?

Key person insurance is a type of cover that can protect your business financially if a key employee isn't able to work.

Certain key person policies can provide cover if a 'key' employee is too unwell to work. Or, if they die during a business trip. But it's important to note that key person insurance isn't a suitable replacement for travel insurance.

This is because key person insurance only covers 'essential' employees. These are workers like senior managers. Key person insurance doesn't pay for medical care for employees on a business trip, or the equipment they may have with them.

So, to make sure that your employees and your business are protected with the right level of cover, it's worth considering a business insurance travel policy.

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Page last reviewed: 20 June 2024

Reviewed by: Alvaro Iturmendi

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