What is one-way travel insurance?

This guide is for informational purposes only. We do not currently offer one-way travel at MoneySuperMarket.

Key takeaways

• One-way travel insurance covers journeys without a return ticket, protecting you from departure until you reach your destination or until the policy ends.

• It usually covers your outbound trip and the first days or weeks of your stay abroad, giving you time to arrange longer-term insurance in your destination country.

• You may need to buy from specialist insurers and compare policies carefully, as many standard travel insurance providers require a return date.

• It can be useful if you’re emigrating, travelling long-term, or leaving without a fixed return date, but alternatives like backpacker or long-stay insurance may be better in some situations.

What is one-way travel insurance?

One-way travel insurance is a type of travel insurance designed for people who are leaving their home country without a fixed return date or return ticket.

Instead of covering a round-trip holiday, it covers you from your departure until you reach your destination or until a set cover period ends.

A one‑way policy keeps you protected on the move — from lost luggage and cancelled flights to unexpected medical emergencies.

How does one-way travel insurance work?

One-way travel insurance usually provides travel insurance cover for your outbound journey and the first part of your stay abroad. It can be anything from 1 day to 31 days.

This gives you the reassurance that you have medical cover in place whilst you are travelling and for the start of your stay. The idea is that you then have time to arrange alternative cover in your destination country. For example, if you were a Brit emigrating to Australia, you’d need to register with Medicare.

Some one-way travel insurance policies run for much longer – up to two years.

This is different to standard travel insurance, which covers your outgoing and return journey as well as your time abroad, but usually only allows you to be away for up to 31 days at a time.

How do I buy one-way travel insurance?

When buying one-way travel insurance, you often need to look for specialist insurers because many standard travel insurance policies assume you will have a return ticket and a fixed trip length.

As a result, comparison websites and mainstream insurers may not offer policies designed for one-way journeys, so travellers usually need to contact specialist providers directly to obtain suitable cover.

It is important to compare several specialist policies before choosing one, as cover, exclusions, and prices can vary significantly between insurers.

When should I buy one-way travel insurance?

You should ideally take out cover that starts as soon as you book your outbound ticket, so you know you’ll be protected in case you need to cancel your trip before leaving.

Do I need one-way travel insurance?

A one-way travel insurance policy can be ideal for people in the following circumstances:

• You’re emigrating and potentially making multiple stops before settling in a new country.

• You’re returning to your country of origin after an extended period of time away.

• You’re planning to travel for an extended period of time without a planned return date.

However, it might not always be the best option. There are some alternative types of cover you might consider depending on your situation:

What will one-way travel insurance cover?

Your one-way travel insurance policy will usually offer the same cover as a standard travel insurance policy, such as:

• Cancellations, curtailments and delays in your travel bookings as a result of circumstances out of your control.

• Emergency medical treatment costs if you become ill or injured.

• Repatriation if you need to be brought back to the UK in an emergency.

• Personal possessions cover if your belongings are lost, damaged or stolen.

• Legal expenses and personal liability cover.

How long does one-way travel insurance last?

If you’re emigrating to another country, a one-way travel insurance policy will usually last for about a week from your departure date, and for up to 31 days after you reach your destination. Policies vary between insurers so it’s important to understand how long you will be covered for.

If you’re travelling without a return date in mind, you’ll still need to provide an end date for your policy. For example, you could take out cover lasting 12 to 24 months from the start date if you’ll be travelling for a year or two.

What isn’t covered by one-way travel insurance?

Like most insurance policies, you will find that one-way travel insurance comes with certain exclusions:

• Damage or losses resulting from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or from reckless or illegal activity.

• Activities that aren’t covered by your policy, like extreme or risky sports.

• Cancellations caused by you changing your mind or not enjoying your travels.

• Medical conditions you were aware of that you didn’t declare when taking out cover.

What if I have pre-existing medical conditions?

You will usually still be able to take out one-way travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition. However, you will need to declare it to your insurer before you buy your insurance or you may not be able to claim.

Unfortunately you’re likely to pay a little more for cover with a pre-existing condition, as insurers will see you as a higher claim risk. How much extra you’ll need to pay will depend on your condition, but it will usually be a relatively small extra fee compared to the potential thousands you might need to pay for medical treatment if you become ill while you're away.

Compare travel insurance quotes

We don’t currently offer a comparison service for one-way travel insurance where you don't intend to return. For this you’ll need to contact specialist insurers directly to find out more about what they offer.

However, some of our providers will allow you to book a trip with no set return date as long as you return within a certain period of time (usually a year to 18 months.)