Travel insurance
Going away? Don't overpay
- Get single trip travel insurance from just £2.14[1]
- Find cover for pre-existing medical conditions
- Plus, enjoy fantastic rewards, on us*
[1] Based on Compare the Market data for a single trip travel policy for a 20 year old with no pre-existing medical conditions travelling in UK for 2 nights. Prices correct as of June 2024.
We work with 42 trusted travel insurance brands[2], including:
[2] Correct as of June 2024.
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What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance could cover medical expenses, trip cancellation or delays, lost or stolen baggage and personal liability while you’re travelling. The type of cover you need will depend on the countries you’re visiting, the activities you’ll be doing and the length of your trip. You’ll also need to state whether you want travel insurance for a single trip, multiple trips or for backpacking.
Why do I need travel insurance?
While we all love to get away from it all, accidents do happen - as well as medical bills, travel insurance covers, delays, lost items and thefts. All these can prove costly if you’re not properly insured.
Almost 1 in 4 people don’t take out travel insurance for their holidays. However, they probably should have, when you consider that travel insurance providers paid out £370m in 591,000 claims last year, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
To give you some idea of the potential costs without insurance for emergency medical care, the ABI has examples of what has been paid in 2017 for claims that you’d have to pay if you had no insurance:
- £768,000 was paid to cover the medical costs of treating a traveller who suffered a stroke in the USA.
- This includes £60,000 for an air ambulance back to the UK.
- £125,000 to pay for surgery following a jet-ski accident while holidaying in Turkey.
- £136,000 for treating complications following an insect bite in Chile. This included paying for a nurse to escort the traveller home.
So, whether you’re taking the family to the beach, a student on your gap year taking the trip of a lifetime or simply making the most of your retirement, there’s sure to be a policy to keep you covered.
Frequently asked questions
How does travel insurance work?
Travel insurance works by protecting you financially against certain problems that could occur while you’re away. If you need to make a claim, you should contact your insurance provider as soon as you can.
You’ll usually be able to claim online or phone a dedicated claims line, although you may need to pay for any costs upfront before claiming them back. So, it’s vital to keep any receipts and hospital bills you’ll need to support your claim.
What does excess mean in travel insurance?
Excess in travel insurance is the amount you agree to pay towards any claim you make.
For example, if you have a policy with a £100 excess and claim £1,000 for a cancellation, you’d pay the £100 and your insurance provider would reimburse you the remaining £900.
Has Brexit affected travel to Europe?
Brexit introduced several changes for travellers between the UK and EU:
You now need to have at least three months left on your passport to visit countries in the EU. Your passport must also be issued less than 10 years before your arrival date. You could be refused entry if not.
If you’re a tourist, you’ll only be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check GOV.UK to see what countries are covered by this rule
If you’re planning on taking your car abroad or hiring a vehicle, you’ll need the right driving documents.
Your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is still valid until the date of expiry. When it expires, you’ll need to get a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). You can apply for a new card up to nine months before your current card expires. It’s still recommended to make sure your travel insurance gives you an adequate level of cover.
Find out more about post-Brexit changes for UK nationals visiting the EU at GOV.UK.
Do I need travel insurance if I have an GHIC or EHIC?
Yes, because these cards won’t offer cover for other emergencies such as cancellation, theft or loss of baggage.
While the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) or EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) provides help with necessary medical care, you shouldn’t presume this offers you the same protection as travel insurance.
For example, it won’t cover you for emergency repatriation if you need to be returned to the UK for specialist medical care.
However, it’s important to have a GHIC or EHIC when you go away. Some insurance providers won’t cover medical claims unless you do.
Can I get travel insurance for the UK?
Yes, you can get travel insurance for trips in the UK.
If you're holidaying in the UK, although the NHS will cover your medical needs, you'll still want cover for:
- an internal flight or train being cancelled
- your hotel being closed or going out of business
- your baggage being lost, damaged or stolen
- cancelling your trip due to ill health or bereavement.
Travel insurance could potentially cover you for all these.
Be aware that some travel insurance policies for the UK will require you have a minimum three-night pre-booked stay to be covered.
Will travel insurance cover lost passports?
Yes, while you should always check your policy beforehand, most travel insurance will cover you for lost or stolen passports.
If your passport is lost or stolen, it’s important that you report this quickly. You’ll need to apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) to help minimise the disruption to your holiday.
Keep any reference numbers when you report your passport’s loss/theft. These will be needed when claiming on your insurance.
Can I get travel insurance if I’m pregnant?
Absolutely. Pregnancy isn’t considered a pre-existing condition, so travel insurance when pregnant shouldn’t cost you any more than usual.
But you won’t be covered if you fly against medical advice and might not be covered if you give birth abroad.
You might want to check your policy to see if it covers holiday cancellation or curtailment due to pregnancy complications. Also, see what medical cover you have, just in case baby arrives sooner than expected.
Can I get travel insurance when I am already abroad?
You might be able to buy specialist travel insurance after you’ve departed, although you should really arrange cover before you set off.
Your circumstances and whether you intend to make a claim will be taken into account. There may be a waiting period to prevent you from making an immediate claim.
Can travel insurance be extended?
Many providers will let you extend your cover if you decide to make your holiday last a little longer.
You should let your provider know as soon as possible and avoid letting your cover expire, as this might make an extension more complicated.
What does doubling up on travel insurance mean?
Doubling up on insurance means that you’ve taken out more than one type of cover.
This might be because you’ve taken out a travel insurance policy but also have cover from another source, such as a bank or credit card provider.
Having two forms of cover doesn’t mean you’ll get twice the pay-out. And doubling up could delay your claim being processed, as both providers may ask each other to cover the cost.
So, it’s not usually an advantage to be ‘double’ insured.
How can I make a claim on my travel insurance?
If you need to make a claim on your travel insurance, here’s what to do:
Have your policy, travel documents and emergency contact details with you.
Contact the police or relevant authority as soon as possible to get an official report if your claim is for theft or the result of any other criminal activity.
Contact your insurance provider as soon as you can. If possible, get them to agree to any medical treatment before you go ahead. In some cases, you may need to pay upfront, then claim back the money when you get home.
Keep or request any evidence to support your claim. Make sure you keep the necessary receipts to back up your claim. You’ll also need relevant police or medical reports if needed.
