What is single trip travel insurance?
Single trip travel insurance gives you the protection you need for one particular trip away. Cheap single trip policies can cost as little as £10 when purchased for a typical seven day holiday. Your trip will be covered for a host of circumstances, including cancellation, unforeseen medical costs and emergency repatriation.
Who needs single trip cover?
If travelling once or twice per year, single trip cover can be a cost effective solution when it comes to making sure you are covered for a variety of eventualities.
Our comparison tool will allow you to compare policies from a wide variety of travel insurance companies and you can tailor the policy to your individual requirements by including extras such as winter sports, holiday money and baggage cover.
What does single trip travel insurance cover?
With a single trip policy you'll usually be covered for a combination of eventualities, this can include:
- injury & illness
- holiday cancellation
- public liability
- loss of baggage
- theft of holiday money & possessions
- emergency repatriation.
A comprehensive insurance policy will usually also give you access to a 24-hour manned emergency telephone number to ensure any claim is resolved quickly and efficiently.
Cover can be arranged for the exact number of days you require and is suitable for a single person or a couple.
What cover levels should I look for?
When searching for single trip deals, it's important to make sure you find a policy with the features and cover levels you need at a competitive price. Choosing a policy based on price alone can lead to you missing out on valuable cover in important areas.
We recommend that you aim to get the following minimum levels of cover when running quotes to find a single trip holiday insurance policy:
Medical cover of at least £2 million (aim for £3-4 million when travelling to the USA). This should also include the cost of an air ambulance back to the UK.
Personal liability cover in the region of £1 million.
Cancellation cover equal to or higher than the value of your holiday to ensure you can recoup the cost should the unexpected occur. This should also cover pre-paid excursions and activities you've booked so don't forget to include these in the total value.
Cover is usually sold on a per person basis so you would need £1,000 worth of cover each if the total value of your holiday came to £2,000.
Baggage and personal belongings cover should cover the cost of replacing the personal items you are bringing with you. Expensive digital cameras and laptops can exceed the single item limit on some policies as it is common for insurers to cap the amount you can claim on any one item.
Holding spending money equal to or higher than the amount that you’re taking with you, usually around £500.
MoneySuperMarket data. Collected between January and June 2017
How can I save money on single trip insurance cover?
It is important to remember that cheap single trip travel insurance may not always give you the cover level you need and you will usually find that the excesses you would need to pay in the event of a claim can be higher on a cheaper policy.
To get a great deal on your travel cover when browsing through single trip insurance quotes, it's best to compare a number of policies to ensure you can get a good combination of price vs. cover levels and then narrow the search down to a couple of prospective policies.
If you travel three or more times a year, a single trip policy is unlikely to be the most cost effective solution to your insurance needs and you should consider an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy.
If you are travelling with your family, purchasing a number of single trip policies may not be the best option. Instead, you should look for family holiday insurance which could save you some money in the process and may include extras such as additional baggage cover.
Likewise, if you plan to travel with a group, investigate a group travel insurance policy as this may present the best value for money solution and you can usually add extras such as cover for water sports and skiing.
Possible exclusions
In common with the majority of travel insurance products, you may find that dangerous activities - such as winter sports, climbing, bungee jumping and diving - are not covered under the standard terms and conditions of a policy.
In many cases a claim can be rendered void if the insurer finds out that the policyholder was inebriated or under the influence of illegal drugs at the time of an accident.
Where should I go?
MoneySuperMarket data. Collected between January and June 2017
With international travel becoming easier and more affordable than ever, there’s a huge range of destinations to choose from:
- As the destination for 26% of single trips in 2017, Spain is the most popular option for single trip travellers. With white sandy beaches, epic historical monuments and world-class gastronomy, it’s easy to see why. It’s also the most popular amongst families, as the destination for 33% of family trips.
- In fact, the Iberian Peninsula as a whole is enormously popular amongst holidaymakers, with 4% of travellers heading to Portugal. Right on the doorstep of Spain, it’s a slightly more affordable option, offering a wide range of enchanting cities and gorgeous landscapes to explore.
- The USA is the third most popular option for travellers, with 7% of all single trips headed stateside. From the bright lights of New York to the sun-soaked cities of California, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime destination for most travellers.
MoneySuperMarket data. Collected between January and June 2017
City breaks
City breaks are also enjoying a bit of a renaissance. From weekend getaways to weeklong trips, they’re a fantastic way of exploring an area before committing to a longer stay.
- Spain remains first choice for a city break, while Portugal rose from 8th to 7th between 2015 and 2017. Madrid, Barcelona and Seville – as well as Lisbon and Porto in Portugal – are swiftly becoming some of the top picks. They’re cool, affordable and packed with culture.
- France has recently become the second most popular choice. Many of its cities have a romantic reputation which makes them perfect for a short-stay, while up-and-coming destinations like Montpellier and Toulouse are well worth exploring.
2017 saw an explosion of interest in several countries which fly under the radar when it comes to travel destinations. Croatia and Bulgaria are the fastest growing single trip destinations for a city break, offering an enjoyable blend of historic towns and exciting nightlife.
MoneySuperMarket data. Collected between January and June 2017
Top tips for travellers
Even if you’re not a regular traveller, there’s plenty of things that you can do to ensure that your trip goes off without a hitch:
- Plan for medical emergencies. Make sure that you have the local emergency numbers and that you know where the nearest hospitals or emergency care centres can be found.
- Consult the Foreign Office’s travel advice website. The Foreign Office provides up-to-date travel advice for every country, including information on safety and security, health, money, natural disasters and local laws and customs.
- Keep the local embassy’s contact information. In the unlikely event that you need to use it, you don’t want to be wasting time Googling it over a bad Wi-Fi connection.
- Change your currency before you leave. If you wait until you’re at the airport, you’ll probably have to pay some hefty (and unnecessary) fees.
- Take out travel insurance, even if you have an EHIC. Although the EHIC gives you some coverage, it doesn’t provide you with anywhere near the depth of a travel insurance policy.
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