Compare couples travel insurance

Planning a romantic city break or an anniversary getaway? If you’re jetting off with your other half, couples travel insurance could be a budget-friendly alternative to buying separate policies. Here’s how it works.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: please check the latest government travel advice that sets out what you need to do, if anything, before you travel abroad and before you return home. You should also check the latest travel advice and entry requirements for each country you visit or transit through. Travel rules can change at short notice, so check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for the latest information.

Kate Hughes

Insurance expert

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Posted 28 JANUARY 2020 Last Updated 14 JUNE 2022

What is couples travel insurance?

You’re in a relationship and you’re planning a break together. Sounds great. But should you opt for couples insurance? Do you really need it? What’s the difference between that and solo or family cover anyway?

In a nutshell, travel insurance for couples (also known as joint travel insurance) covers both you and your partner on one policy when you’re travelling abroad.

To qualify for couples travel insurance, you both need to be aged 18 or over, live at the same address and be in a relationship.

Customers with more serious pre-existing medical conditions

If you have a serious health condition, the price you pay for travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. However, there are still many providers out there and you should be able to find affordable cover. Whatever happens, don’t be tempted to lie to an insurance provider, because if you do and then need to make a claim, it could be rejected.

When you declare medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show quotes from insurance providers who will cover all declared medical conditions, with no exclusions.

MoneyHelper has launched a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone if you have more serious medical conditions. Find more information at MoneyHelper or by calling them on 0800 138 7777.

What does couples travel insurance cover?

Like every other kind of cover, couples travel insurance policies vary between providers, so read the small print to be sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for. Standard features of travel insurance for couples typically include:

Medical cover – this will help make sure you won’t be left with a hefty hospital bill if you need treatment while you’re abroad. You’ll usually be covered for around £10 million in medical expenses. It sounds like a crazy amount of cover, but medical bills can be huge. The policy might also include repatriation to the UK for treatment.
Baggage cover – from pricey laptops to fancy designer sunglasses, your personal belongings will usually be covered for damage, loss and theft. But check if there are single-item limits (the maximum an insurance provider will pay towards any single item).
Cancellation cover – this is an important one, and the reason financial experts warn travellers to take out travel insurance as soon as they book their break. It means you may not be out of pocket if you’re forced to shelve or cut short your holiday due to something unexpected like an accident or illness that prevents you from travelling. Cancellation cover would usually be equal to the value of your holiday, including pre-booked excursions, activities and extras.
Travel delay/disruption cover – if your flight is delayed then your first port of call should be the airline. If, for example, your hotel isn’t finished, you should contact your tour operator. It’s their responsibility to compensate you for the cost of the disruption caused. If they’re not compensating you for the disruption, you should call your insurance provider.

Insurance providers don’t tend to cover you for every eventuality though, so always be careful when you’re buying your policy to make sure you have the right cover for your needs.

What won’t couples travel insurance cover?

Before buying your couples travel insurance, there are a few exclusions to watch out for. Standard policies typically won’t cover:

Pre-existing medical conditions – if you have any health issues like diabetes or cancer, you may need a specialist policy. At Compare the Market, any medical conditions you declare will be covered in your policy.
Extreme sports – not all insurance providers will take the fall if a bungee jump goes disastrously wrong. Whether it’s skiing, white-water rafting or even skydiving, adrenaline junkies may sometimes need to seek out policies that specifically cater for extreme sports. Make sure you’re crystal clear about what your policy does and doesn’t cover. Otherwise, you might need to extend your policy in order to cover these activities, which would cost you more.
Certain locations – from dangerous countries to plush cruise liners, not every insurance policy will cover you everywhere. If you’re opting for a cruise, for example, you need to select the cruise option when completing your quote.
Delays and disasters – some of the least anticipated eventualities aren’t always covered by insurance providers. These can range from storms, floods and tornadoes to acts of terrorism. The same can also be true for more common eventualities, such as delayed flights. Make sure your policy doesn’t exclude any of the more likely ones.
Drug or alcohol misuse – don’t let any celebrations get out of hand. You may have a claim rejected if your insurance provider believes the incident was down to you being intoxicated.

While you’re checking all that, make sure you’re aware of and happy with the limits the policy has, such as the value of claims for single items and how much cash is covered.

Do you have to travel together for couples travel insurance?

Not always. With couples travel insurance, travelling separately is allowed with some policies. This could be particularly useful if you regularly visit family overseas and can’t always go together, or if you’re travelling alone or with friends.

Can I save money by taking out a couples policy?

You might. Going on holiday is pricey enough, so it will come as good news that opting for couples travel insurance could save you money.

That said, if one of you has a pre-existing medical condition, it may be cheaper to buy separate policies – so it’s worth getting a comparison for both to see which could be cheaper.

If you travel a lot, you could pocket further savings with an annual multi-trip policy rather than a single-trip policy.

While travel insurance for couples might seem tempting, the lowest-priced deals don’t always offer the right cover and could sometimes end up costing you more money if your trip doesn’t go to plan. A good policy should tick all your boxes, as well as meeting your budget, so make sure you compare policies before buying the policy that suits you.

Where can I compare travel insurance?

If you’re looking to compare travel insurance for couples we can help you. To compare offers today, simply answer a few questions and we’ll find you a selection of travel insurance companies to choose from. Get a quote in minutes and see if you can start saving.

Frequently asked questions

Can we go skiing on our joint travel policy?

While many activities may be covered by standard travel policies, winter sports usually aren’t because of the perceived risks involved – even if you’re moving at snail’s pace on a flat piste. If you want to hit the slopes together, you’ll probably need to pay for extra cover to give you the protection you need.

Do we have to be married to get couples travel insurance?

No, but you and your partner will need to be living together to be eligible for couples travel cover.

What happens if we break up?

Sadly, you won’t be able to make a claim on your travel insurance if you split up with your partner and no longer want to go on the holiday you’ve booked. But it’s often worth getting in touch with your tour operator. They don’t have to offer you a refund, but most will try to find a workable solution. You might end up paying a cancellation fee, but it’s better than being left completely out of pocket.