Compare last minute travel insurance quotes
Leaving it until the last minute to buy travel insurance can make it a bit harder to find cover. That's where we can help. Comparing quotes is the easiest way to find a policy, even at the last minute!
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1Correct as of February 2025
What does last minute travel insurance cover?
It depends on when you buy your last minute travel insurance. Because generally you're buying your travel insurance at the last minute, you probably won't be covered for anything in the lead up to your trip. For example, if you need to cancel your holiday due to illness or bereavement.
But you should be covered for some things once your last minute travel insurance activates. This includes:
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Medical treatment abroad. If you need medical care during your trip, travel insurance can cover your bills.
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Repatriation cover. If you need to be transported home for things like medical care, your insurance can cover the costs.
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Baggage cover. If your bags are lost, damaged or stolen, your travel insurance can cover the cost of replacement items.
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Third party liability. If you injure a third party or damage their property and incur legal fees as a result, your travel insurance can cover them.
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Curtailment cover. If you need to cut your trip short, travel insurance can cover the costs. The event that causes the curtailment must have occurred after you purchased a travel insurance policy and it was activated.
What isn't covered by travel insurance?
There are a few common exclusions to look out for with travel insurance. It's important to carefully read your policy documents to ensure you understand what isn't covered. Here are some typical exclusions:
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Cancellation cover. You won’t be covered if you need to cancel your holiday before you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy.
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Incidents that occur under the influence. Your insurer won’t cover anything that happened while you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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Undeclared medical conditions. If you don’t tell your insurer about a medical condition and then require medical care because of it, it’s unlikely that your medical bills will be covered.
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Travelling against FCDO advice. If you decide to travel to a country that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against, your insurance won’t cover you.
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Certain sports or activities. Higher-risk activities like skiing or scuba diving are unlikely to be covered on a standard travel insurance policy.
What our travel insurance expert says
Frequently asked questions
Can I make last minute changes to my travel insurance policy?
This depends on a couple of things. Firstly, it'll depend on your insurer. Some insurers will let you make amendments to your policy. Secondly, it'll depend on what the changes are. For example, if you decide you want to go skiing, your insurer might let you add winter sports insurance to your policy.
The best way to check is to contact them directly. Just bear in mind that you'll probably have to pay for any cover you add.
Can I buy travel insurance if I'm already abroad?
'Post departure' or 'already travelling' insurance exists, but it can be difficult to find. It's also often much more expensive.
You might also have to wait a few days for the insurance policy to activate. That's so the insurance company can run fraud checks.
Can I extend my travel insurance policy while I'm travelling?
This depends on your insurer, so we'd advise speaking to them. But many insurers will let you extend an existing policy as long as you contact them before it expires.
Keep in mind that if something has happened during your trip, your insurer might not cover it for the extension.
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