TrustScore 4.7 | 29,997 reviewsHow to compare travel insurance quotes
Tell us about your trip
We'll need to know what type of travel insurance you're looking for, your destination, how long you're travelling for, and how many people you want to include on the policy.
Tell us about you
We'll need to know your age and details of any pre-existing medical conditions you have. If you're including others on your policy, we'll need this information for them too.
Compare policies
We'll run your details past the panel of insurers we work with to show you a list of quotes. Read the policy documents carefully and choose the one that best suits you.
Travel insurance companies we work with
We compare travel insurance from up to 43 UK travel insurance companies to find you our best deals.
Admiral
AA
Tesco Insurance
Post Office
Esure
RACHow much does travel insurance cost?
The price you pay will vary depending on factors like your destination, length of trip, age and whether you have any medical conditions. But, you could get travel insurance from £3*.
*Cheapest single-trip travel insurance policy for 1 adult aged 30 with no pre-existing conditions, travelling to Spain for 3 nights. Uswitch data, April 2025.
What does travel insurance cover?
Each policy will differ, but let's take a look at what most travel insurance covers:
Cancellation and curtailment
If you need to cancel or cut short your trip for an insured reason, travel insurance can cover your costs.
Medical cover and repatriation
If you require medical care during your holiday, or need to be flown home, travel insurance can cover your hospital bills.
Baggage cover
If your belongings are lost or stolen, you can claim on your travel insurance for replacement items.
Personal liability cover
This can cover your legal costs if you injure a third party or cause damage to their property.
What isn't covered by travel insurance?
It's a good idea to read your policy documents carefully and understand the exclusions.
Undeclared medical conditions
Failing to declare a medical condition when you buy travel insurance can invalidate your insurance. Medical bills can cost thousands, so being upfront about medical conditions is vital.
Sports and activities
Some higher-risk activities, like skiing or scuba diving, are unlikely to be covered by standard travel insurance. If you're planning these, you might want to consider specialist cover.
Travelling against government advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issues travel advice. Travelling against this advice can invalidate your insurance.
Incidents involving drugs or alcohol
Your travel insurance is unlikely to cover you if you become injured or your belongings are damaged or lost while you're under the influence.
Types of travel insurance
Single-trip
Single-trip travel insurance covers 1 trip, usually up to a maximum of 120 days. This is normally the cheapest type of travel insurance if you're just planning to go away once in the year.
Annual
Annual travel insurance covers multiple trips over the course of 12 months. If you're a frequent traveller, it can be cheaper to buy an annual policy than separate single-trip policies for each holiday.
Backpackers
Backpacker travel insurance covers longer trips, often up to 18 months. They allow you to travel to multiple countries in one continuous trip, ideal if you want to see more of the world.
How travel insurance can benefit you
While travel insurance isn't a legal requirement in most countries, it's still recommended that you purchase a policy before you go on holiday. It can protect you if things go wrong during your trip.
Travel insurance can cover the cost of medical care, replacing stolen belongings or even cover your costs if you have to cancel your holiday altogether. Without it, you could be left thousands of pounds out of pocket if something goes wrong.
But, make sure you check the entry requirements of your destination. In some cases, you need travel insurance to qualify for a visa.
Travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
Having a medical condition shouldn't stop you from getting travel insurance. But, it might mean insurance costs more or limits your choice of policies. This is especially true if you have multiple conditions, or more serious conditions.
Struggling to find suitable travel insurance? MoneyHelper has a directory of insurers that offer cover tailored to those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Travel insurance optional extras
Travel insurance doesn't cover everything. But, you can enhance your cover with policy add-ons. Just remember that these can make your insurance more expensive.
Winter sports cover
This covers alpine-related incidents, such as mountain rescue and lost ski passes. It can also cover your ski gear.
Gadget cover
This covers accidental damage, loss or theft of your personal gadgets, like a mobile phone or laptop.
Business cover
This can cover business equipment you're travelling with, like a company phone or laptop. It can also cover business money.
Cruise cover
This covers the unique things that can go wrong on cruises, like missed ports, cabin confinement and unused excursions.
"You can buy travel insurance as long as you haven't yet left the country. But, the best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as you book your holiday. That way, you're covered in the run-up to your trip. So, if you need to cancel your holiday due to an insured reason, like becoming ill or being made redundant, you can claim for your trip costs on your insurance."
Do I need travel insurance if I have a GHIC?
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) isn't a replacement for travel insurance.
The GHIC gives you access to state-level medical care in certain countries. Even with a GHIC, you could still end up with medical bills. This is because they don't guarantee free care - just that you'll pay the same as a citizen of the country you're in. Travel insurance can cover the additional costs.
But travel insurance also covers more than medical bills - for example, if your belongings are lost or stolen, travel insurance can cover the cost of replacement items.
How do I claim on my travel insurance?
Most insurers allow you to make a claim online. You should do this as soon as possible.
You'll need some supporting evidence when you make a travel insurance claim, like hospital invoices or receipts for replacement items.
What is a travel insurance excess?
An excess is the amount you pay towards any claims. It's normally taken out of your final payout. There are 2 types of travel insurance excess:
- Voluntary excess - This is an amount set by you when you buy your insurance.
- Compulsory excess - This is an amount set by your insurer.
You normally have to pay both types of excess, so it's worth checking them to make sure you can afford them if needed.
Can I extend my travel insurance policy?
Some insurers let you extend your policy - all you have to do is contact them and ask. You should do this well in advance of your policy ending, though. If your policy ends, you might have to buy a new one, and this can be expensive if you're already abroad. You might also have to wait a few days for a new policy to be activated, so your insurer can run fraud checks. This can leave you unprotected if things go wrong.
