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Last minute travel insurance
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Compare holiday insurance quotes from 55[2] trusted UK providers
Find tailored travel cover at the right price by comparing deals from the UK’s leading travel insurers.
Can I book travel insurance last minute?
Yes, although it may depend on what you mean by ‘last-minute’.
We always recommend taking out insurance as soon as you book your trip, but if you’ve left it late, don’t worry, you’ll still have options.
In most cases, you can still buy travel insurance right up until the day you leave. So, if you’ve booked a spur-of-the-moment getaway or forgotten to take out insurance for a planned trip, you can still get cover on the day you depart.
However, insurers have different rules for how late you can book. For some, it will be when you leave home. Others will still cover you if you take out insurance when you arrive at the airport. So, make sure you check individual policies.
Some may have a waiting period before certain elements of cover kicks in, but this varies between insurers and policies. Check the policy wording carefully, particularly if you're buying cover on the day you plan to travel.
Can I get travel insurance when I'm already abroad?
You’ll have fewer policies to pick from as many insurers don’t allow you to get travel insurance while abroad because of the risk of fraud. For instance, someone might lose their luggage and then buy travel insurance so they can make a claim.
If you do find a specialist insurer offering post-departure travel insurance, you’re likely to pay more than if you’d booked before leaving. The process of getting insured is also likely to be more complicated, as there’ll be extra checks to prevent fraud.
When is it too late to buy travel insurance?
If you haven’t left for your trip yet, you still have time, though your options narrow the later you leave it as insurers tend to apply different deadlines. Some won’t insure you once you’ve passed into airport departures, for example.
However, you may struggle to find an insurer if you’re already abroad. It’s by no means impossible – as outlined above, you may still be able to find a specialist provider willing to insure you.
Our expert says…
Last-minute travel insurance is available up to the day before your trip, and sometimes right up until you’re at the airport. It covers essentials like travel delays and emergency medical needs. However, options may be limited, and it may exclude certain benefits like 'Cancel For Any Reason' or pre-existing conditions cover. Always read the policy details carefully before purchasing. Buying insurance as soon as possible after booking your trip is recommended to get wider cover and benefits.
Jake Edmonds Travel & Commercial Insurance Expert
What does last-minute travel insurance cost?
Getting last-minute travel insurance is generally no cheaper than taking it out in advance. It may cost a little more. The average cost of a single trip policy is £19.93[3], compared with £20.35[4] for last-minute cover.
Like any travel insurance, there are a few different factors that will affect the cost of your policy:
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Your age
The cost of travel insurance may increase as you get older because your risk of illness or injury generally increases with age. Insurers have age bands for travel insurance and travellers over 65 are considered the highest risk to insure
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Length of trip
Longer trips cost generally cost more to cover than shorter trips. Similarly, multi-trip policies will cost more than single trip but they can save you money if you plan to take a few different trips during the year
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Your destination
Where you are travelling to can affect the cost of your travel insurance. For example, the cost of medical treatment is different around the world, which affects how much medical cover you need
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Your health
If you have any pre-existing conditions, you may need to pay more for your travel insurance to have them covered. Standard policies will cover most conditions, though you may need to pay a higher premium, but there are also specialist policies that offer extra cover
What does last-minute travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance policy inclusions and exclusions vary. The following information provides a general overview of them but always read your policy documents thoroughly before your trip to understand what is and isn't covered.
Also be aware that if you buy insurance just before you travel, there may be a time lag before full cover kicks in. Check your policy for details.
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Emergency medical cover
If you are injured or fall ill while travelling and require emergency medical treatment, your travel insurance should cover the cost
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Repatriation
If you experience a serious medical emergency and need to be brought back home, your travel insurance generally covers the cost of arranging your repatriation
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Baggage
You should be able to claim back some of the cost of your belongings if they are damaged, stolen, or lost while you're travelling
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Cancellation
If you have to cancel your holiday because of an emergency, your travel insurance should usually cover you for cancelled accommodation and activities. However, if you take out last-minute insurance, you won’t be covered if the event causing the cancellation happened before the policy was bought
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Disruption
If your trip is delayed or cut short, you can put in a claim for parts of your trip that are disrupted, like flights or accommodation. This cover is sometimes optional rather than standard
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Personal liability
If you are involved in an incident where you may be responsible for injury or damage to someone else's property, your travel insurance may help you cover related legal fees
What isn’t covered by last-minute travel insurance?
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Excluded health conditions
Travel insurance providers usually cover most pre-existing conditions, but some conditions may be excluded. This means that your medical expenses for excluded conditions won't be covered
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High-risk activities
Standard policies may not cover you for any dangerous or high-risk activities, and you may need to take out a specialist policy
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Alcohol and drugs
Insurance often won’t cover incidents that occur while you're under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including medical emergencies
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Airline strikes
It is usually the responsibility of the airline to compensate passengers if strikes prevent them from travelling, although sometimes travel insurance can help cover the cost of cancelled accommodation and activities
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Missed flights
You will not be covered if you miss your flight or other transport because you were late or changed your travel plans
When will my travel insurance start?
When you buy travel insurance, you can decide if you want it to start immediately or on a later date. If you want it to start on the day you buy it, you’re usually insured the moment you pay for the policy.
So, if you wake up on departure day and realise you’ve forgotten to get cover, there’s still some time to get it in place.
How to get the best deal on last-minute 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:
Check the small print
You may be in a rush to secure cover, but you should still read the policy details carefully. Overlooking an important exclusion or limit could backfire if you later need to claim.
Choose the right policy type
You generally start getting value from an annual policy once you've travelled three or more times during the year. If you’re unsure about how many trips you’re likely to take in the next 12 months, you might be best sticking to a single trip policy.
Look at optional extras
Optional extras can enhance your travel insurance protection, but they may not always be necessary. Think carefully about what kinds of extra cover are worth the cost and keep an eye out for policies that may offer these protections as standard.
Choose the right excess
A higher excess can save you money on your insurance but also means that you cover more of your emergency costs. Choose an excess that's right for you and strikes the right balance between cost and cover.
Shop around
Comparing quotes online makes it easy to find the best deals. With MoneySuperMarket the process is quick and easy. By answering just a few questions you can get quotes from UK providers for you to browse.
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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Earn rewards
Buy through us and get up to £5[5], plus other SuperSaveClub rewards
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We're trusted
MoneySuperMarket is the UK's most recommended price comparison website[1].
Ready to compare? Here's what to do next
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Tell us about yourself
Give a few details about you, your travel plans, and your preferred level of cover
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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
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You’re on your way
Once you’ve chosen, you can purchase your policy and, subject to its terms, you’ll be covered from the start date given
Travel insurance guides and expert tips
Travel insurance guides and expert tips
Keep up to date and find out all you need to know with our latest guides.
I have a Global Health Insurance (GHIC) card, so do I really need to take out last-minute travel insurance?
Yes, a GHIC isn't a replacement for travel insurance. Your GHIC is primarily there to help you access medically necessary state healthcare. Travel insurance can provide much wider protection, depending on the policy you take out.
Will my cover be reduced if I buy travel insurance just before my trip?
Buying travel insurance just before your trip does not usually reduce the standard cover you receive, but the timing can affect what you’re protected against.
Medical, baggage and travel-disruption cover generally begins from the policy’s stated start date. However, cancellation cover may be limited if you buy after problems affecting your trip have already arisen.
Some insurers also impose restrictions on pre-existing medical conditions or certain activities. Always check the policy wording, especially the start date, exclusions and conditions, before you buy.
Does last-minute travel insurance cover pre-existing health conditions?
Yes, you may still be able to get travel insurance that covers pre-existing health conditions when buying last minute. However, you must declare any conditions the insurer asks about when you apply.
Depending on your circumstances, an insurer may cover your condition, charge an additional premium, apply an exclusion or other restriction, or decline to provide cover. If you have a medical condition, check the policy terms carefully and make sure you answer the insurer's medical questions fully and accurately.
Can I modify my existing travel insurance policy at the last minute?
Yes, many insurance providers allow policy modifications, such as extending cover dates, even if you purchased the insurance last minute. It's important to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to discuss the options available to you.
Are there any restrictions on the cover provided by last-minute travel insurance?
Last-minute travel insurance policies generally offer similar cover as policies purchased in advance. However, it's essential to carefully review the policy terms and conditions to understand any potential limitations or exclusions that may apply. Certain pre-existing medical conditions or high-risk activities may have restricted cover.
Can I purchase additional cover after buying last-minute travel insurance?
Yes, depending on the insurance provider, you may have the option to add extra cover for specific activities or valuable items to your existing policy. Get in touch with your insurance provider to ask about extra cover and any related costs.
Is emergency medical evacuation covered by last-minute travel insurance?
In most cases, emergency medical evacuation is covered by last-minute travel insurance policies. However, the level of cover and specific conditions may vary between insurance providers. Review your policy documents or contact your insurance provider for detailed information on emergency medical evacuation cover.
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We get paid by the companies we work with, but the payment we get doesn’t have any bearing on the information we provide. We get paid in different ways, depending on the type of product or service you buy through us. Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible, but we only show results from our partner providers.
Our comparison service is, and will always be, free to use.
Why should I use a price comparison website?
One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals on your household bills is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
Does MoneySuperMarket work with all the providers on the market?
No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
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Reviewed on 8 Oct 2026 by
Sources and supporting information
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[1]
YouGov Survey 1st July 2025 to 30th June 2026. Net Recommend score derived from "Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?" Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=17,883, Compare the Market n=16,193, Go.Compare n=8,523, Confused.com n=7,918, Uswitch n=514)
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[2]
The number of providers for travel insurance in August 2025
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[3]
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for single trip cover in September 2026.
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[4]
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket with last minute cover in September 2026.
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[5]
Selected providers. SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
