What is high-risk travel insurance?
Key takeaways
High-risk travel insurance covers you to travel to areas which have a FCDO warning in place advising against all or all but essential travel
Standard travel insurers will not cover you for travel to high-risk countries
High-risk travel insurance can cover medical expenses, evacuation, wrongful detention, cancellation and lost belongings
What is high-risk travel insurance?
High-risk travel insurance protects you when visiting destinations that standard travel insurance won’t cover. It’s designed for trips to places the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travelling to, or where there’s a higher chance of disruption.
You might need this type of policy if the area you plan to visit has:
War, civil unrest or terrorism
Recent natural disasters
Outbreaks of infectious diseases or viruses
High-risk travel insurance works in a similar way to regular travel insurance. You can choose single-trip or annual multi-trip cover.
When would I need high-risk travel insurance?
High-risk travel insurance isn’t used by most holidaymakers. You’ll only need it if you plan to travel to any area with an FCDO warning, since standard policies become invalid if you travel to such destinations.
High-risk travel insurance may be useful for:
journalists covering global issues
humanitarian workers
business travellers whose work is connected to higher-risk areas
people visiting family in higher-risk countries
adventure-seekers looking to travel off the beaten track
Can I visit a country or area against FCDO advice?
Yes - there’s no law stopping you. But it’s strongly discouraged, especially for leisure trips.
The FCDO publishes travel guidance to help British nationals stay safe abroad. Even with high-risk travel insurance, visiting areas it considers unsafe carries serious risks.
If things go wrong, you may find it difficult to get help. In high-risk regions, medical care can be limited, UK government support may be restricted, and local laws may not be consistently enforced.
What counts as essential travel?
The FCDO sometimes advises against 'all but essential travel' to an area. However, there is no official definition of what counts as 'essential' travel. It is a personal decision left up to individuals. You should weigh the importance of your reason to travel to an area against the elevated risks you will face once there.
Be aware that regardless of what your reason for travelling is, standard travel insurance policies are unlikely to cover you if you travel to an area with a FCDO travel warning.
Can I get travel insurance to visit a country against FCDO advice?
Yes, but you’ll usually need specialist high-risk travel insurance.
Most standard travel insurance policies will be invalidated if you travel to areas that have a FCDO warning in place. That means if you put in a claim it will be automatically rejected and you will have to cover all the costs yourself.
What does high risk travel insurance cover?
Different insurers offer different levels of protection, so it’s important to read your policy documents carefully before you buy.
MoneySuperMarket’s high-risk travel insurance partner, High Risk Voyager, offers policies that include:
Emergency medical assistance, even in remote or unstable regions
Evacuation cover in the event of political unrest or natural disasters
Winter sports and leisure activity cover
Enhanced personal accident protection
Non-medical cover, including lost baggage and trip cancellation
Cover is available worldwide, although trips to the USA are limited to 89 days.
Exclusions and restrictions apply — particularly for pre-existing medical conditions.
How much does high-risk travel insurance cost?
The price of high-risk travel insurance varies depending on where you’re going, how long you’ll be away, and what you’ll be doing while you’re there.
It’s generally much more expensive than standard travel insurance, but it could save you a lot of money if something goes wrong during your trip.
To put the potential costs in perspective, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reports cases where repatriating injured British travellers cost £70,000 from Cyprus and £124,000 from Spain — both stable European destinations. In higher-risk regions, the cost of medical treatment or emergency evacuation could be far higher.
Are there any restrictions on high-risk travel insurance?
Yes, eligibility rules often apply. These can vary between insurers.
With High Risk Voyager insurance:
Age limits may apply
Medical restrictions may apply
Active military or paramilitary personnel aren’t covered
How do I decide whether it’s safe to travel somewhere?
No travel comes with a 100% safety guarantee. Reading through the FCDO destination page before you book can help you understand the specific risks associated with a given destination, allowing you to make an informed decision about travelling there or not.
The FCDO website also hosts general and country-specific advice for people who may face unique challenges and risks because of their identity or circumstances. This includes:
Taking out a travel insurance policy that is well-suited for the trip you're taking can also give you peace of mind against travelling risks. Make sure it includes cover for any adventurous activities you plan to do such as hiking or diving.
Can I cancel my trip if I think it would be unsafe to travel?
Standard travel insurance will usually cover cancelling your trip if the destination receives a new FCDO warning after you booked it. But if there’s no FCDO warning, your insurer is unlikely to cover cancellation simply because you feel unsafe.
Exceptions may apply — for instance, if a medical professional advises you not to travel, or if pregnancy or health issues make the trip unsafe.
Regardless of the circumstances, speak to your insurer before cancelling – they will be best placed to advise you on what cancellation costs they will and won’t cover.
How do I get high-risk travel insurance?
You can get high-risk travel insurance a quote quickly and easily through MoneySuperMarket’s partner, High Risk Voyager.
Whether you’re visiting a conflict zone or an area with strict restrictions, specialist travel insurance provides peace of mind and practical support when you need it most.
Author
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
