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Travel insurance
What travel insurance do I need?
Whether you need a single-trip policy, annual multi-trip cover, or a tailored plan for families and couples, travel insurance comes in several forms. Choosing the best coverage simply depends on your destination and the protection you require.
Annual multi trip
If you travel several times a year, an annual multi-trip policy could save you money compared with buying separate cover for each trip. It can also protect you against cancellation costs from the moment your policy starts, subject to its terms and conditions.
Single trip
If you’re planning just one holiday in the next 12 months, a single-trip travel insurance policy may be the most affordable option for the cover you need.
Cruise travel insurance
Cruise travel insurance can protect you against unexpected problems during your cruise. For example, it may cover you if bad weather causes your ship to miss a planned stop or if you become ill while at sea. Coverage depends on your policy.
Backpacker insurance
Backpacker insurance is designed for people taking long trips, especially those who plan to visit several countries during the same journey. It can provide cover for an extended period, rather than just a short holiday.
Winter sports cover
Winter sports travel insurance covers activities such as skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. Depending on the policy, it may also protect your ski or snowboard equipment against loss, theft or damage.
Business travel insurance
Business travel insurance is designed for people who travel for work. It can help protect work equipment, such as laptops, and cover extra travel costs caused by unexpected problems during a business trip.
Destinations
What does travel insurance cover?
Most travel insurance policies cover emergency medical expenses, cancellation costs, lost or stolen baggage, travel disruption and emergency repatriation. Cover limits, exclusions and eligibility criteria vary by insurer and policy.
typically covered
- Lost baggage: It can help cover the cost of your luggage and personal belongings if they are lost, stolen or damaged during your trip. Depending on your policy, you may receive a full or partial payout, up to the cover limit.
- Cancellation cover: Cancellation cover can refund your prepaid travel costs if you have to cancel due to an unexpected illness, injury or bereavement. Many UK policies offer at least £3,000 in cover, but limits and conditions vary.
- Medical expenses: If you’re injured or fall ill while you’re away
- Emergency repatriation: Covers the cost of bringing you or a family member back home following a serious illness, injury or death while abroad.
- Declared medical conditions: Be honest about any existing or past medical conditions, current health issues, or tests you’re waiting to have.
Not typically covered
- Changing your mind: You won’t usually be covered if you cancel your holiday because you no longer wish to travel.
- Missed flight Travel insurance doesn’t always cover flight cancellations
- Undeclared medical conditions: Insurance claims related to pre-existing medical conditions are only covered if your insurer has agreed to include them in your policy.
- Airline strikes:Your airline may offer a refund or alternative travel. Insurance may cover remaining costs if your policy includes disruption or strike cover.
- Accidents under the influence
- Negligence: Leaving your belongings unattended or not taking proper care of them could result in your insurance claim being rejected.
- Natural disasters
- List Item
- Acts of terrorism
Trip Types
How much does travel insurance cost?
Travel insurance costs vary based on factors such as your age, destination, trip length, medical history and the level of cover you choose.
|
Age band
|
Single-trip travel insurance quote
|
|---|---|
|
Under 18 |
£16.91 |
|
18-25 |
£9.68 |
|
26-35 |
£14.13 |
|
36-45 |
£24.50 |
|
46-55 |
£28.14 |
|
56-65 |
£33.15 |
|
66-70 |
£52.43 |
|
71-75 |
£70.56 |
|
76-80 |
£99.52 |
|
80+ |
£143.72 |
Is travel insurance worth it?
According to ABTA’s Holiday Habits 2025–26 report, only 53% of respondents consider travel insurance essential when planning a trip.
However, the cost of travelling without suitable cover can be significant. In 2024, members of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) paid out £472 million across more than 500,000 travel insurance claims. Medical expenses accounted for 34% of claims, with an average payout of £1,528.
Real-life claims show how high medical costs can be:
£25,000 – Medical treatment and repatriation for a traveller injured in a forest fire, as reported by Insurance Business.
Over £1 million – Emergency medical treatment and repatriation for a traveller in the USA, according to the ABI claims report.
These figures show why suitable travel insurance is important, particularly when visiting countries where medical treatment can be expensive.
