Travel insurance

While the average annual travel insurance policy costs as little as £37 - the average medical claim is £1,300 and £816 for the average cancellation claim, according to the ABI.

Picking the right travel insurance policy depends on a few things.  

The most common types of policy are:

• Single trip: This insurance will cover you for one short trip.  
  
  
• Annual multi-trip: If you’re taking more than one trip a year, then a multi-trip policy will likely be the most cost-effective. There may be a limit on the total number of days abroad you’re covered for. 
  
  
• Worldwide: Generally, travel insurance for trips within Europe are cheaper. This is largely because medical costs in countries outside the EU can be much higher.
  
  
• Winter sports: You’ll need this for skiing, snowboarding or other winter activities that are generally a bit more dangerous and might require special provisions. They can also involve expensive specialist equipment, which this policy should cover.
  
  
• Cruise: Covers the specific risks and activities associated with this type of holiday. 
  
  
• Couples: This is for two adults, who live at the same address and are in a relationship. 
  
  
• Family: This covers members of a family in one simple policy. Some insurance providers will also offer free cover to anyone under 18 in the family. 
  
  
• Group: This could suit you if you’re travelling with up to 10 friends or family members, if you’re all travelling from the same country. 
  
  
• Business travel: If you’re travelling for work, then business travel is tailored for your needs. 

You can also find specialist insurance for:

• Backpackers
• Volunteers
• Golfers 

You’ll want to pick a policy with the right level of cover and inclusions for you. 

For example, comprehensive policies will typically cover you for the following: 

• Loss of baggage
• Theft
• Cancellation
• Medical treatment
• Public liability
• Emergency repatriation

Most annual and single policies cover you for between 90 and 180 days, so you should check the details if you’re planning a long break away. If you are away for longer than this, you may need a long-stay policy.

You should also be able to add extras to your policy for anything which isn’t included as standard – for example:

• Winter sports
• Extreme sports

Yes, you can still get travel insurance even if you have a medical condition, although you might need to look for a specialist provider. That’s because having certain health issues could mean that you’re more likely to need medical treatment while you’re on holiday. Unlike in the UK, you’ll be expected to pay for any care you receive and even common procedures can cost thousands of pounds.

See more on travel insurance with medical conditions with some specialist advice if you have cancer or heart conditions.

We provide impartial and independent comparison from a range of UK travel insurance providers. Before you start, keep any dates of your planned trip to hand and know how much any valuables you take with you might be worth to make sure you get the right level of cover. With great value deals on single, direct and annual holiday insurance, we could find you a cheap price in minutes.