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Why do I need travel insurance?

You never know what can happen when you go away, so it’s important to ensure you’re covered for any number of occurrences.

Holiday insurance can include medical care, lost baggage, delayed flights, and trip cancellations. Any one of these can be quite costly, and if there’s anything the pandemic has taught us, it’s how important it is to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances.

There’s no legal requirement to purchase travel insurance for going on holiday, but it gives you peace of mind so you can enjoy your trip away.

Can I get travel insurance to cover COVID-19?

You can still find policies that will cover coronavirus issues like medical treatment or an early trip back home. However, make sure you check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice before you book, as you may not be covered for travel to countries they advise against. This can include locations with lockdowns or restrictions in place.

What does travel insurance cover?

Each provider will have different inclusions in their policies, so you should check with your chosen one for specific needs. There are things that you can typically expect to be included in most holiday insurance policies.

Types of travel insurance policies

Cover for pre-existing medical conditions

A pre-existing medical condition is basically any illness or condition you have before you travel. This can include minor conditions like high cholesterol and asthma as well as more serious conditions like diabetes, heart conditions, and cancer.

You always need to inform your insurer of all medical conditions or you could risk voiding a claim and paying for any treatment out of pocket, which could be very expensive. Having certain illnesses increases your risk and potential cost if you fall ill during your trip, so insurers need to know as much as possible.

You’ll still be able to get cover for some pre-existing medical conditions, although you may have to pay more in certain cases. There are some conditions and situations that might make it difficult to find cover, and you may end up needing to exclude your condition from your policy.

How to compare travel insurance for the best deal

1. Select your policy type: choose between single and multi-trip.
2. Tell us who’s going: are you travelling alone, with a partner, or family?
3. Choose your destination: select your country from the list.
4. Add your dates: how long are you away for?
5. Tell us about you - basic details like name, age & address.
6. Decide on your extras - baggage cover, cancellation cover & winter sports cover.
7. Declare any pre-existing medical conditions.
8. Compare quotes and cashback offers: browse the list of results and choose one that’s best for you.

Travel insurance FAQs

• How much is travel insurance?

  If you’ve never purchased travel insurance before, you might be worried about how much it may cost. But you can get travel insurance that's as cheap as a takeaway coffee .

  Of course, the cost of your policy all depends on the details of your trip. How long you’re away for, where you’re going, what your cover involves, and who’s going are all variables that make up the cost. Our comparison tool helps you find not only the cheapest travel insurance but the one that best suits your needs, which is the most important factor.

• Do I need travel insurance if I have an EHIC or GHIC?

  Yes; travel insurance covers much more than just medical treatment when you’re abroad. If you have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card), you’ll be entitled to state healthcare at a reduced rate or free within the EU or Switzerland. Each country’s healthcare system is different, so the treatment you receive and what you pay for it will vary.

  Travel insurance, however, also covers you for delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and emergency repatriation. You may also be entitled to private medical care rather than the state medical care an EHIC or GHIC will cover.

• Can I get travel insurance for the UK?

  Yes, you can cover your next staycation in the UK with travel insurance. Of course, you’ll be covered by the NHS for medical treatment without insurance, but you’ll have that extra peace of mind for your possessions, journey delays, and even last-minute travel in a medical emergency. Some policies for travel insurance in the UK require a minimum number of nights’ stay, so be aware of this when picking your policy.

• What does excess mean in travel insurance?

  If you need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy, you’ll usually pay a little towards it; this is known as the excess. The amount of excess you’ll pay depends on the provider and the details of your trip.

  For example, if you claim for lost or damaged baggage to the amount of £750 and your excess is £100, you’ll pay £100 and your insurer will pay the remaining £650.

• Can I get travel insurance when I’m already on holiday?

  Yes, although you may have to pay more and could be covered for less. You can buy travel insurance any time before your trip, including last minute. Buying travel insurance when you’re already abroad can be trickier and likely won’t include cancellation cover. You may be able to find cover if you look for specialist post-departure travel insurance that fits your needs.

• How can I make a claim on my travel insurance?

  Whenever you need to make a claim on your travel insurance, you should keep as much documentation as you can. This includes your policy documents, any hospital notes if you’ve required medical treatment, or police reports if you’re claiming about a crime.

  If you need to contact the police about a crime while you’re on holiday, it’s best to act as quickly as possible, ideally within 24 hours. Keep any evidence you get, like reports and receipts to validate your claim as much as possible.

• Can I extend my policy?

  Yes, although each insurer is different so you should check with yours to see what they can accommodate. When you take out a policy, you specify the dates you’ll be away, so if your plans change and you want to stay away longer, your cover will need to reflect this.

• Do I need travel insurance when pregnant?

  Pregnancy isn’t classed as a pre-existing medical condition, so you won’t need to declare it or buy specialist insurance. There is usually a limit to the number of weeks you can travel and be covered for pregnancy-related treatment, however. Some insurers will cover you for the full 40 weeks, while others may limit you to around 26 weeks. Your cover will also depend on your mode of transport, as you’re usually not permitted to fly past 37 weeks, or 32 weeks with twins.

• Do I need travel insurance if I’m studying or working abroad?

  For studying abroad, you’ll likely need backpacker insurance. Sometimes known as long-term travel insurance, it’s a good option for a trip that includes multiple locations or a long period of travel. Backpacker insurance can cover those studying abroad and some work like bar work or fruit picking that long-term travellers or students often undertake.

  If you’re doing any sort of work abroad, including unpaid voluntary work, your insurance needs to cover that. While some backpacker insurance will include this, each policy is different, so you should contact the insurer to check what is and isn’t included. It’s important to make sure you’ve got the right insurance so that if you’re injured while working, you can make a successful claim.

  If backpacker insurance isn’t right for what you need, you may be able to find specialist working abroad insurance, which includes all the usual elements customised to your needs.

• What happens if you don’t declare medical conditions for travel insurance?

  If you have pre-existing medical conditions that you don’t declare when you buy your policy, any claims you need to make relating to them won’t be accepted.