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Compare travel insurance for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland stands out for its majestic landscapes, lively cities and warm hospitality. It even offers a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Giant’s Causeway.

If you’re making the trip over, we can help you find travel insurance for your stay in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland stands out for its majestic landscapes, lively cities and warm hospitality. It even offers a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Giant’s Causeway.

If you’re making the trip over, we can help you find travel insurance for your stay in Northern Ireland.

Written by
Anna McEntee
Home, pet and travel insurance expert
Posted
17 JANUARY 2025
5 min read
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Do I need travel insurance for Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland may be part of the UK but it’s still worth taking out travel insurance for your trip. Just bear in mind that many UK travel insurance policies are only valid if you’re away for two or more nights. If you’re only taking a one-night trip, make sure your policy covers this. Your policy might also only be valid if you’re above a minimum distance away from home.

UK residents have access to Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland, which is their version of the NHS. However, the right travel insurance policy could also cover you for lost or damaged luggage as well as trip cancellation.

How much does travel insurance for Northern Ireland cost?

Northern Ireland will be covered under a UK travel insurance policy. When you compare travel insurance for Northern Ireland with Compare the Market, you could get a UK policy for a week away from £3.95[1]. To find out how much it will cost you, start comparing travel insurance quotes now.

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The price you’ll pay for your policy will depend on several factors, including:

  • Activities you plan to do – you may need to pay more to cover certain sports and activities
  • Your health – if you have a pre-existing medical condition, you might need to look for specialist cover, which could cost you more
  • Whether you buy an annual or single-trip policy – a multi-trip policy could work out cheaper if you visit Northern Ireland more than once a year.

[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 1 week. Prices correct as of January 2025.

Customers with pre-existing medical conditions

If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. Whatever happens, tell your insurance provider the truth. If you give false information or miss something out, your claim could be rejected.

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

If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call them on 0800 138 7777.

What type of travel insurance do I need for Northern Ireland?

If your Northern Ireland visit is the only trip you’re making over the next year, a single-trip policy will be all you need. However, if you travel regularly throughout the year, an annual multi-trip policy might end up cheaper overall.

What will Northern Ireland travel insurance cover?

Standard travel insurance for Northern Ireland will usually cover:

  • Lost, stolen or damaged luggage and passports  – this can cover the cost of replacing your possessions if your bags are lost, stolen or damaged.
  • Flight disruptions – this can come in useful if your flight gets cancelled or delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, or if you need to cancel due to illness, injury or bereavement.
  • Trip cancellation – cancellation cover allows you to claim back costs for transport, accommodation and trips you’ve been forced to cancel for reasons listed in your policy.

Of course, all insurance policies vary so always check the terms and conditions before choosing a policy.

What won’t Northern Ireland travel insurance cover?

Here are some common exclusions to be aware of when you’re travelling to Northern Ireland:

  • Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions – your insurance may be more expensive if you have certain medical conditions, but it’s still important to declare them. When you compare travel insurance for Northern Ireland with Compare the Market, we’ll only show you policies that cover you for your declared conditions.
  • Incidents related to alcohol abuse – claims made due to alcohol consumption could be rejected.
  • Terrorism – Northern Ireland has a history of terrorist activity, and the UK government classifies the current threat level as ‘substantial’. Check your policy terms for mentions of terrorism to see what you’re covered for, if anything.

What activities will I be covered for?

There’s plenty to enjoy in Northern Ireland, so make sure you have the right level of cover for your trip. The following activities may need to be added to your policy:

  • Golf – Northern Ireland is renowned for its golf courses, including the famous Royal County Down. If you’re planning a golfing holiday, consider adding golf cover to protect your equipment and green fees.
  • Extreme sports – if you’re planning on trying your hand at extreme sports such as rock climbing or abseiling, Northern Ireland has some fantastic spots such as the Mourne Mountains. Make sure your policy covers these high-risk activities.
  • Adventure sports – for those seeking adventure, activities like zip-lining at Colin Glen Forest Park or mountain biking in Rostrevor are popular. Check that your travel insurance includes cover for these types of sports.
  • Water sports – Northern Ireland’s coastline offers great opportunities for water sports. Whether you’re surfing in Portrush or kayaking in Strangford Lough, ensure your policy covers water-based activities.
  • Winter sports – if you’re visiting during the colder months, you might want to try skiing or snowboarding at the Craigavon Ski Slopes. Look for a policy that includes winter sports cover.

Healthcare

As a UK traveller you’ll have access to HSC treatment in Northern Ireland. This means that, if you need medical care while on holiday, you can visit hospitals and clinics just as you would at home.

Because of this, UK citizens don’t need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access medical care in Northern Ireland.

Risks of travelling in Northern Ireland

While Northern Ireland is generally a safe place to visit, it's important to be aware of potential risks:

  • Terrorism – the UK government says the risk level is currently ‘substantial’. If you’re planning a trip to Northern Ireland, stay informed about the current security situation and follow travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
  • Weather – Northern Ireland is not prone to extreme weather, but heavy rain, wind and storms can sometimes disrupt travel plans.
  • Crime – petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag theft can occur, particularly in busy areas such as Belfast. Always be vigilant and keep your belongings secure.

Nightlife

Northern Ireland offers a vibrant nightlife scene that caters to a variety of tastes, from traditional pubs to modern bars and nightclubs. Belfast has a lively pub scene where you can enjoy live music, traditional Irish dancing, and of course a pint of Guinness, if the famous ‘black stuff’ is to your taste.

Do bear in mind though that your travel insurance is unlikely to cover claims made for incidents that take place due to alcohol consumption.

Driving

People drive on the left in Northern Ireland, which might make hiring a car or taking your own over on the ferry an appealing option.

If you drive your own car in Northern Ireland, your existing car insurance policy will cover you just fine. If you’re planning on crossing the border into the Republic of Ireland, your policy will cover you but possibly only at third-party level. Check your existing policy wording to find out, and think about taking out European car insurance if you’d like comprehensive cover.

You might also want to consider European breakdown cover.

Other tips for travelling in Northern Ireland

  • Pack appropriately – Northern Ireland’s climate can be unpredictable. Pack for all seasons; take plenty of layers and a waterproof jacket.
  • Currency – Northern Ireland uses the pound. If you cross the border into the Republic of Ireland, you’ll need euros.
  • Food – the Irish are known for their hearty meals, so don’t miss the opportunity to try an Ulster Fry breakfast or a traditional Irish stew. The seafood is also usually delicious, thanks to how close everything is to the sea.

Compare Northern Ireland travel insurance

Simply tell us what you need and we’ll compare great-value deals to help you get the right level of cover for your trip.

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