Where is my travel insurance policy valid?

If you’re thinking about getting travel insurance, how do you make sure that you’ll be covered for the country, or countries, you’re visiting?

Use our straightforward guide, then let us know which regions and countries you’re intending to visit, so you can find the right cover for your chosen destination.

If you’re thinking about getting travel insurance, how do you make sure that you’ll be covered for the country, or countries, you’re visiting?

Use our straightforward guide, then let us know which regions and countries you’re intending to visit, so you can find the right cover for your chosen destination.

Josh Daniels

From the Travel team

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Posted 20 NOVEMBER 2019

How do you make sure your travel insurance covers you for where you’re going?

Our easy-to-use travel insurance comparison tool divides the world into four regions:

United Kingdom
Europe
USA/Canada/Caribbean/Mexico
Rest of the world

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

A travel traffic light system has been introduced for international travel. From 19 July 2021, trips to green and amber listed countries are legally permitted if you live in England and Scotland. However, you’ll still need to fulfil any pre-departure requirements, such as testing. If you live in Wales and Northern Ireland, you still need to follow the rules for your relevant local authority.

If a country is on the green or amber list, you still need to check the latest travel advice and entry requirements for each country you visit or transit through. This is to ensure you’re aware of any specific requirements relating to entry and to check travellers from the UK are permitted. Countries can have their traffic light status changed at short notice and you should take this into consideration when looking to travel. Please check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice for the latest information.

The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel to red listed countries. Should you choose to travel against the FCDO rules, you will not be covered by any travel insurance policy you purchase. Some providers do offer cover for international travel if you’re travelling for essential purposes, however most do not. In all cases, should you have any queries please check the policy wording or contact your chosen provider before purchasing to ensure the cover meets your needs.

Travel within England, Scotland and Wales is permitted under the current guidelines. However, public health rules and lockdown restrictions continue to vary, including entry restrictions for Northern Ireland. Check the latest guidance from the official tourism boards for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Find out more here

Customers with more serious pre-existing medical conditions

Our panel includes insurance providers who quote cover for all medical conditions declared on our website, with no exclusions.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPs) has launched a directory of insurance providers on its Money Advice Service website that may be able to provide quotes over the phone, if you have more serious medical conditions. Find more information at the Money Advice Service or by calling the British Insurance Brokers’ Association on 0370 950 1790.

How to use our comparison tool

To check whether your destination is covered:

click on the region you’re travelling to
fill in some further details about the type of cover you require, e.g. single or multiple trip, when you’re going, how long you’re going for, and if you have any pre-existing medical conditions
we’ll then provide you with a list of quotes to choose from
click on ‘more details’ to see everything you need to know about each policy

click on the link ‘check if your destination is covered in this policy’ and type in your destination. It will tell you whether the country you’re travelling to is covered by that policy

Make sure you tell us about all the regions and countries you intend to visit during the life of the policy, as different countries may require different levels of cover. This is especially important if you choose:

What else should you watch out for?

Will you be taking day trips to other countries during your trip? For example, from Greece to Turkey, or the US to Mexico? If so, check that your policy also covers you for all destinations you’ll be visiting, or any claims you make may be invalid
For travel insurance purposes ‘Europe’ refers to the geographical region, not just countries in the EU
If the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned against travelling to a country, your travel insurance policy will be invalid if you travel there

Compare travel insurance quotes

Start a quote by using our quick and easy travel insurance comparison tool and find the right cover for your chosen destination. Then you can look forward to your trip with the peace of mind that you’ve got the right policy and cover in place.

Check your destination and compare quotes today in minutes.