Do I need travel insurance?

You've just booked your holiday and the excitement is starting to build. You're ready to relax by the pool, sample local cuisines, and enjoy a break from your normal routine. But to fully enjoy your trip, you might also want to think about getting travel insurance.

In most cases, travel insurance isn't a legal requirement in the same way car insurance is. But it's something worth considering if you're planning a trip abroad.

Is travel insurance worth it?

Nobody wants to think about things going wrong, especially when you're gearing up to go on holiday. But sadly, mishaps happen. Travel insurance is your financial safety net, making sure you don't lose out if something happens while you're away.

For most countries, travel insurance isn't a legal requirement, though there there are some places, like Cuba, that require you to have cover in place before you enter the country. But even if you don't legally need it to get into the destination you're travelling to, travel insurance is still worth considering as:

It can cover your medical bills

If you fall ill or get an injury while on holiday, travel insurance can help cover your medical bills. Often the cost of healthcare can be very high when abroad, so insurance means you're not left out of pocket.In fact, according to ABI the average emergency medical treatment claim is £1,750, which is already substantial. But this can easily rise into the tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds for travellers needing things like medical repatriation.

So having the right type of policy in place can easily pay for itself.

It can cover cancellations

Travel insurance can also help you get money back if your flights or accommodation are cancelled. Or if disruption causes you to miss your flight or an onward connection.

It can cover theft, damage or loss of your possessions

Losing personal belongings is a worry for many travellers, so getting cover can make sure you're compensated if they're lost, stolen or damaged. You'll need to check what's covered under your policy though, and you might need to take out gadget insurance for your electronics.

With prices starting at £2.80*, travel insurance is definitely worth considering.

Do I need travel insurance if I have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC?)

The GHIC card, which is replacing the current Ehic card by 2026, lets you get necessary state healthcare abroad at the same cost as residents of the country you're visiting. You can use it in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries.

But even with GHIC or EHIC, you may still have to pay for any treatment you need while travelling. Travel insurance can help ensure you can cover the cost. Plus, it covers other things that could derail your holiday too, which an EHIC or GHIC won't.

Do you need travel insurance for a cruise?

Yes, most cruises will require you to have travel insurance before you board.

Cruise insurance is similar to other travel insurance policies, but is more specific to the problems you could face on a cruise. Cruise cover could include:

• Missing a port departure In case you miss your port departure or a connecting flight.
Medical emergencies at sea: If you need things like an air ambulance to shore
• Lost or stolen luggage if your belongings are lost, stolen or damaged on your cruise.

Tip: If you're looking for a cruise cover quote we can help. When you're getting a quote with us, select 'cruise cover' when we ask you if you want to add any extras to your policy and we'll do the rest to find you a great deal.

Do you need travel insurance for a UK holiday?

If you're a resident of the UK, then technically no as your healthcare should be covered by the NHS. But a UK travel insurance policy could still come in handy by covering things like cancelled internal flights and lost baggage. So it's definitely still worth considering.

What type of travel insurance do I need?

There are 3 main types of travel insurance to choose from. The type that'll suit you best depends on your needs.

• Single trip: This will cover you for a single trip away.
• Annual multi trip: This covers you for a whole year. If you're going on multiple trips away in a year, getting annual insurance will mean you don't have to take out a new policy each time you travel.
• Backpacker: This covers you for longer trips taking in multiple countries, making it ideal for those backpacking through Asia, for example.

You can also fully tailor your policy to your needs by taking out policy add-ons. These include:

Winter sports cover

Winter sports are becoming more and more popular, but they also have a risk of injury. Getting this add-on for a skiing or snowboarding trip can cover you for injuries, as well as piste closure and bad weather.

Cruise insurance

This will cover you for risks that are more specific to a cruise. This could be missed port departure, an air ambulance to hospital, or lost luggage.

Business travel insurance

If you're going away on a business trip, getting cover is a great way to solve any issues you might face. Travel insurance can compensate you for lost luggage and cancelled flights, among other things.

How much travel insurance cover do I need?

That's a tricky one. Getting the right amount of travel insurance depends on a number of things:

• The cost of medical care in the country you’re visiting: Medical care is more expensive in the USA, for example, and cheaper in some European countries.  So take this into account when deciding on an amount.
• The cost of your flights: Longer haul flights cost more, so you should check your chosen policy gives you enough cover to fully compensate you if your flight doesn't go as planned.
• The value of your luggage: Factor this in when picking a policy, as you'll want enough cover to fully insure everything you're taking with you.
• The cost of your accommodation: Ideally, you'll find a policy that can fully compensate you for cancelled accommodation, or one that can supply you with a suitable alternative if your accommodation is cancelled after you've alrerady arrived at your destination.

Do I have travel insurance with my home insurance?

If you have home insurance, you may have contents away from home cover. This insures your possessions while you’re away from home - but it's unlikely to cover then while you're abroad.

Getting travel insurance can cover your personal belongings if they're lost, stolen or damaged while you're away.

Do I have travel insurance with my bank?

Travel insurance can come as an add-on with premium bank accounts, but the cover you're given might be basic. It's a good idea to double check what you’re covered for, and compare quotes to find a more comprehensive policy if it’s too basic for your needs.

*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 - August 2024.