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TRAVEL INSURANCE

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Find tailored travel cover at the right price by comparing deals from the UK’s leading travel insurers.

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What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance helps protect you financially if something unexpected happens during your holiday or before you travel. It can cover a variety of things, depending on the policy you choose, such as:

  • Trip cancellation or interruption: If you have to cancel your trip unexpectedly, travel insurance could reimburse you for your non-refundable travel costs. This could be due to illness, injury, work reasons, or even bad weather.

  • Medical expenses: If you get sick or injured while traveling, travel insurance can help cover the cost of medical treatment, including hospitalisation and emergency evacuation. Most regular health insurance plans don't provide full coverage abroad.

  • Lost, stolen, or damaged baggage: If your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged, travel insurance can help you recoup the cost of your belongings.

Why is it important?

While it's not a legal requirement to take out travel insurance, it's essential for managing unexpected expenses during your holiday. Certain events can disrupt your plans and lead to significant financial losses, particularly with medical treatments abroad.

In 2022, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reported a 75% increase in cancellation claims and a 235% rise in medical claims, with the average medical claim amounting to £1,750.

However, medical costs abroad can be much higher, as indicated by UK government statistics, which show medical procedures and repatriation from Greece can reach £30,000.

Given the rising number of claims and the potential for high medical costs abroad, holiday insurance is a wise decision.

What insurance do I need for my holiday?

When choosing the best insurance for your holiday you want the right policy for your needs. Choose from:

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    Annual Multi-trip

    Save time and money with coverage for multiple holidays annually, typically up to 30 days per trip.

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    Single Trip

    Often the cheapest policy option providing cover for one trip up to 31 days.

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    Winter Sports Cover

    Protection for winter sports enthusiasts, including equipment like skis and snowboards.

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    Business Travel Insurance

    Customised insurance for business trips, featuring coverage for electronics and extra travel expenses.

What type of travel insurance do you need?

Select your cover

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance policy inclusions and exclusions vary. The following information provides a general overview of common travel insurance inclusions and exclusions. Always read your policy documents thoroughly to understand what is and isn't covered before your trip.

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    What's covered?

    • Lost baggage & belongings: Up to £4,000 in case your baggage or personal belongings are lost, damaged, or stolen while you’re travelling, allowing you to claim for their full or partial value.

    • Cancellation cover: Up to £7,000 in compensation if you need to cancel your holiday for reasons specified in your policy, such as illness or bereavement.

    • Emergency medical expenses: Protection for medical bills or emergency medical treatments, with up to £15million of cover.

    • Travel disruption: You can claim for delays if bad weather, strikes, or something breaking down affects your flight, ferry or other mode of transportation.

    • Repatriation: if yourself or a family member becomes injured or falls seriously ill while you are away, emergency repatriation can cover the costs to bring you home.

    • Personal liability: Protects you if you are involved in an at-fault incident that results in legal costs or damages while you are on holiday.

    • Covid-19 cover: Most companies usually include Covid cover as standard

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    What's typically not covered?

    • Choosing not to travel: You can’t claim simply because you no longer want to go on holiday.

    • Missed flights: If you miss a flight because you were late or didn't get through security on time, you will not be covered by your travel insurance provider.

    • Alcohol related incidents: If you have an accident or an incident occurs while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, most providers are unlikely to pay out on the claim.

    • Pre-existing conditions: Some insurers may refuse to cover treatment for certain medical conditions, such as cancer or respiratory conditions. or pre-existing medical conditions that weren’t mentioned in your application.

    • Airline strikes: Your airline is the first port of call for compensation in this case (although related costs such as accommodation may be covered by your travel insurance).

    • High-risk sports: Review your travel insurance policy to see which sports are covered. Activities deemed high-risk, such as skiing, may require a special insurance policy.

How much does travel insurance cost?

According to our latest data, the average price for travel insurance is £31.06iv.

You can find single-trip travel insurance policies from as little as £0.82i a day, and annual cover starting from just £9.26v. However, there are key factors that will affect the price you pay, including:

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    Your Destination

    Where you plan to travel can affect premiums as the risks and cost of medical treatment varies between different countries.

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    Length of your trip

    The longer your trip often increases your risks therefore the more expensive your travel premium is likely to be.

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    Your Age

    The older you are, the more expensive your premiums after likely to be. Older people are often placed in a higher-risk bracket to insurers.

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    Pre-existing medicial conditions

    Existing conditions may increase premiums as there is a higher risk to insurers that you may make a claim or need treatment on your holiday.

When should I buy travel insurance?

The golden rule for buying travel insurance is to buy your insurance as soon as you've booked your trip. If you'd prefer to wait, be sure that your policy is in place at least 15 days before your trip to shield you from unexpected weather, traffic or strike events that may impact your holiday.

Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my holiday?

Buying travel insurance immediately after booking your trip can be cheaper than doing so closer to your departure date, and it also ensures coverage from the moment of booking. This includes protection from cancellations outside of your control, such as supplier failure, bereavement, redundancy, illness, or injury - if you fail to buy travel insurance once you've booked your holiday, you risk not being covered for these reasons.

How to find cheaper travel insurance

It's important to choose a travel insurance policy that covers your needs. Cheapest isn't always best but there are steps you can take to find the right cover at the right price:

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    Compare quotes

    Comparing quotes from several brands at once makes it easier to assess whether the price and features meet your needs.

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    Consider optional extras

    Optional add-ons can enhance your coverage, but it’s worth checking whether they're already covered by other policies.

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    Consider annual cover

    If you travel more than twice a year, an annual multi-trip policy can be a great money-saving option

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    Increase your excess

    Choosing a higher excess can help reduce your premiums. However, if you do have to make a claim, you will have to pay more toward it.

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    Group travel cover

    Grouping family members or multiple travellers under one policy may be cheaper than taking out separate cover for each person.

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    Be mindful of trip length

    With single trip cover, your premiums reflect the length of your trip, so don’t pay more than you need.

Can I get travel insurance if I have pre-existing medical conditions?

Healthcare costs and medical treatment abroad can be very expensive. With travel insurance, you can explore the world with confidence, even if you have a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes or cancer – as long as you tell your insurer about it.

We can show you prices from a panel of specialist insurers that offer medical travel insurance covering a wide range of medical conditions. Premiums are often higher than a standard policy, but at least you’ll be covered should a condition flare up while you’re away. 

If you're still struggling to find suitable cover, the MoneyHelper website provides a list of specialist insurers to help you get adequate cover, or you can call the British Insurance Brokers Association on 0370 950 1790.  

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Jake Edmonds

Is travel insurance really necessary?

If you're in a country with expensive healthcare, getting sick or injured can quickly become a stressful ordeal. Emergency medical treatment claims cost on average £1,750, according to the Association of British Insurers, yet the cost of an average single trip policy costs just £22.70 vi to cover yourself for any medical emergencies and personal belongings.

Single trip cover is ideal for those who only take one holiday per year, allowing you to fully enjoy your holiday, with the peace of mind of knowing you're protected from unexpected financial burdens.

- Jake Edmonds, Insurance Expert

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Travel insurance comparison rated highly by our customers

Based on 17,726 reviews 4.7/5 of our customers would buy from us again
Good price for worldwide yearly travel. Easy to apply and buy!!
A variety of choices with various filters so you can choose what it’s important to you. The de facto rating unimportant to me so I filtered by that but for others it could be price and amount of over . I got what I needed at a very fair price so didn’t bother shopping around
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Specialist travel insurance policies for individuals and groups

MoneySuperMarket simplifies comparing specialised travel insurance options tailored to your requirements.

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    Single person

    Travel insurance that will cover only you. If you select a single-trip policy, you will only be covered for the duration of that trip.

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    Over 70s travel insurance

    Tailor your policy to suit your personal health and medical needs. If you are over 70, get travel insurance that reflects risks likely to affect you.

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    Couples travel insurance

    Travel insurance that will cover both you and your partner under one policy, so you won’t have to take out two separate policies.

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    Family cover

    Taking out travel insurance for the whole family can be a simple process. Get cover for everyone under one roof, under one policy at our best rates.

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    Group cover

    You can choose who you want to include in group cover including family, friends, or anyone else you're travelling with. Cover a group up to 10 people.

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    Under 18s

    Whether it's travelling with school or with family, travel insurance can cover you for most things that could go wrong while you're away.

Upgrade your holiday cover with add-ons

Tailor your cover for your specific needs with a wide selection of policy extras available:

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    Winter sports cover

    Provides cover for medical treatment or high-value equipment related to your winter sports activities such as skiing or snowboarding.

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    Business cover

    Business travel insurance policy can add extra cover for company money and equipment as well as travel disruption caused by schedule changes

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    Gadget travel cover

    Protect your gadgets while travelling such as your phone, laptop, tablet or gaming handhelds if they are damaged, lost, or stolen

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    Passport cover

    In case your passport is lost it’s stolen while you’re away, passport cover helps you obtain an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) to minimise disruption on your holiday.

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    Golf equipment cover

    Protects your golfing gear and covers non-refundable green fees

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    Cruise cover

    Includes activities and risks associated with cruises, including medical treatment needed while on board

Why compare travel insurance with MoneySuperMarket?

Whether you need worldwide cover, a single trip, or a multi-trip policy, at MoneySuperMarket, we’re here to make sure your holiday planning is a breeze. Here’s what you’ll get:

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    Flexible to suit your plans

    Get fully comprehensive cover for as long as you need it, whether that's one day or a few months, or single trip or multi trip policy

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    Quick and easy to use

    Simply pop in a few details about where you’re off to next, pick the best deal for you and get insured for your next trip.

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    Save money

    Compare quotes from the UK's leading travel insurance providers and filter through a range of policies that match your needs as well as your budget.

What do I need for a quote?

Ready to compare quotes? Here's what to do next:

  • 1

    Tell us about yourself

    Give a few details about you, your travel dates and destination, and whether you have any medical conditions to declare.

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    We’ll do the legwork

    We’ll put together a list of travel insurance quotes, so you can pick one that works for you at the best price.

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    You’re on your way

    Once you’ve chosen the right quote for you, you can purchase your policy and you’ll be covered for your trip.

Travel insurance is a form of cover that may pay out if you suffer an injury when you’re away to cover the cost of medical expenses and any repatriation if it’s a serious injury. If your trip needs to be cancelled for some unforeseen reason, such as the illness or death of a close family member, then travel insurance may cover your losses. And if your baggage or belongings are damaged or lost, then travel insurance could compensate you up to a set limit.


Buying travel insurance gives you peace of mind and protects you if something goes wrong while you’re on holiday. If you do have a problem while you’re away, the first step is to contact your insurance provider. Most companies have dedicated claims lines, and you may also be able to file a claim online if it’s easier for you. You’ll normally need to pay for any costs upfront before claiming them back. So, keep any documents, such as hospital bills, you need to support your claim.

The Global Health insurance Card (GHIC) entitles you to medical treatment in certain countries for free or at a reduced cost. However, this isn’t a replacement for travel insurance as it won’t cover you for private medical costs, nor will it be useful for rescue and repatriation. It also doesn't offer additional protection for your belongings and possessions, accommodation, or flights. 

Your insurance excess is the amount you will need to pay when making a claim. If you have a policy with a £150 excess, for example, then you claim for a baggage loss of £800, you would pay the £150 and the remaining £650 would be paid out by your insurer. 

If you need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy

  • Keep your documents to hand: keeping your policy documents, including your policy reference number, can be hugely helpful when you contact your insurer to make a claim.  

  • Contact the authorities: if you’re claiming as a result of a crime, you have to let the local police know and get an official police report. Some insurers may not pay out for a claim if you don’t alert the authorities within a certain time period, usually within 24 hours of the event. 

  • Don’t delay: you should also contact your insurer as soon as possible if you think you’ll have to claim, to ensure that they’ll cover you for what you need. This could be particularly important for medical treatment, as some insurers may require you to confirm what treatment you’re getting and whether it’s covered before paying out. It’s worth checking your policy documents to see if there’s an emergency 24 hour contact number you can call. 

  • Gather evidence: police reports, medical notes, or receipts to prove ownership can all improve the chances of your claim being accepted, and for some insurers they could even be necessary in order to validate your claim. 

You still need travel insurance if you’re staying in the UK for your next holiday (staycation). Although the NHS will cover the cost of any medical treatment, travel insurance can pay to transfer you to a hospital closer to home. Travel insurance will also bring you or a family member home if you have missed your flights, trains, coach or your family have to drive home separately. 

Travel insurance for the UK also covers you against the risk of holiday cancellation, baggage loss, losing spare cash and anything happening to your mobile phone and other gadgets while you’re away from home.

Yes, travel insurance providers generally consider Jersey and Guernsey as well as all other Channel Islands as part of the UK. Travel insurance is important here as while there is a reciprocal healthcare agreement between the UK and Jersey, it doesn’t cover things like repatriation - and will only last for visits under six months. There is no agreement between the UK and Guernsey. 

Booking a last-minute travel insurance policy is still possible, as you can usually still buy you're travel insurance up to the date of your departure. However, different policies will have different rules on how late you can book and booking last minute means you may miss out on cover if your trip is cancelled. It is always recommended to buy your travel insurance at the same time you book your trip.

In most cases, yes, there is travel insurance cover for pregnancy and this should be covered under a standard travel insurance policy. However, if you are having any medical concerns during your pregnancy, it is worth telling your insurance provider before you travel and checking what you are covered for.

Most travel insurance policies will cover medical costs while you're travelling if there is a medical emergency related to your pregnancy. However, your policy won't cover your medical bills if you require routine care or give birth.

Travel insurance hasn't changed very much for UK holiday goers in Europe. UK citizens are still able to access state-funded healthcare in most EU countries with the new GHIC card or if they still have a valid EHIC although there are limitations to the level of cover they will provide

It's recommended you also buy travel insurance policies for Europe, the only difference between these policies and worldwide policies is that your policy won't cover you if you travel outside of Europe.

Some insurers may allow you to extend your policy while you're away, provided your trip is within the 'length of trip' limit on your policy, while others may require you to take out a new policy.

If you plan to take a long trip or visit several destinations in one holiday, you may need long stay travel insurance. This type of policy will cover long trips and backpacking holidays.

Not every travel insurance policy will cover wildfires. When it comes to extreme weather and natural disasters, your insurance may not offer any cover or may require you to pay extra for cover. Even so, cover for these kinds of events can be complicated and there are certain hidden terms to travel insurance policies that may prevent you from being able to claim.

For example, when cancelling in the event of a wildfire or other type of national emergency, most travel insurance providers won't cover cancellations unless the FCDO has given a travel warning for your destination. If they haven't, or if that warning doesn't advise against anything except necessary travel, then your travel insurance won't cover cancellation costs. Similarly, your travel insurance may not cover any issues related to wildfires or extreme weather if they were forecasted before you travelled.

You can read more about what travel insurance will cover in our guide 'Will travel insurance cover natural disasters?'