When is the best time to get travel insurance?
Key takeaways
You should buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip – this ensures you are covered for cancellations or illness before your departure.
Travel insurance does not become cheaper the closer you are to your departure date.
Post-departure travel insurance is usually expensive and may be limited.
Skipping insurance can be costly – without cover, you may have to pay for medical treatment, cancellations, or emergencies abroad yourself.
When should I buy travel insurance?
You should buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. This ensures you’re covered if something unexpected – such as illness or cancellations – forces you to change or cancel your plans before departure.
Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my departure date?
No, travel insurance is usually not cheaper if you wait until closer to your departure date. In fact, last-minute policies are often more expensive and may exclude benefits like full cancellation cover.
When is it too late to buy travel insurance?
You generally need to buy travel insurance before your trip starts. In some cases it is possible to buy post-departure insurance, but your options may be more limited and the policy will probably be more expensive. There might also be a waiting period before cover starts.
You can buy last-minute travel insurance up to the day of your departure. Prices for last-minute travel insurance on MoneySuperMarket start from £4.07
However, it is recommended that you buy travel insurance as soon as you book. That way you are covered for issues - such as illness or travel disruption - that prevents your trip from going ahead.
💡 Top tip: You may be able to upgrade your travel insurance while you are away if you want to get extra cover for specific higher-risk activities, such as water sports or quad biking.
Do I really need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is not a legal requirement. However, it can be required by some tour operators. Cruise ships, for example, may not let you board without cruise insurance.
Even when holiday insurance is not required, it is strongly recommended, even for short trips. It can cover unexpected costs such as medical treatment abroad, trip cancellations, lost luggage and travel disruption, which can otherwise be very expensive.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), medical expenses were the most common reason for a travel insurance claim in 2024, making up 34% of all claims (up from 29% in 2023).
ABI figures show that in 2024, the total value of medical claims reached £262 million, with an average payout of £1,528. In contrast, you can find holiday insurance on MoneySuperMarket from as little 75p
What does travel insurance cover before my trip?
Travel insurance can cover trip cancellations due to a variety of unforeseen circumstances such as illness, accidents, death in the family, redundancy, bankruptcy of a travel provider, and even pregnancy-related issues.
What does travel insurance cover during my trip?
Standard travel insurance will usually cover:
Medical expenses: pays out for emergency medical treatment and repatriation costs, but usually excludes any costs related to pre-existing medical conditions you did not declare on your policy.
Baggage and belongings: pays out if items such as your suitcase or handbag are lost, stolen or damaged. May also cover your passport and lost or stolen cash up to a certain amount.
Disruption cover: pays out for disruptions to your plans including cancelled flights and involuntary curtailments.
Legal cover: assists with legal fees related to incidents that may occur during your trip.
However, every policy is different. Check your policy documents to see what is and is not covered by your specific holiday insurance.
What is not covered by travel insurance?
Travel insurance typically does not cover:
Changing your mind about travelling
Reckless or illegal behaviour that leads to accidents or losses
Undeclared pre-existing conditions
Travelling to a destination against government FCDO advice
High-risk activities without additional cover
High-value items exceeding the claim limit
💡 Top tip: You can often upgrade your travel insurance to include add-ons like winter sports, gadget cover and travel disruption cover.
How long does travel insurance cover last?
How long travel insurance cover lasts depends on the type of policy you choose:
Single trip insurance - cover ends on the day you return home from the trip in question. Many policies have a maximum trip length, typically around 31 days.
Annual multi-trip insurance - cover lasts for 12 months from the start date you chose for your policy.
Long-stay insurance - protects you for being away from home for a longer period of time (often for 12-18 months) and ends on the date you return home.
What happens if I am delayed coming home?
In the event of delays, insurance providers won't usually stop your cover until you're able to return home. For example, if a natural disaster has stranded you in another country, your provider will usually keep your policy active until you've managed to get back safely.
Where can I buy travel insurance?
You can compare quotes for 57
We also offer our travel insurance customers rewards. Get a voucher worth up to £5
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...
Reviewer
Emma Lunn
Personal finance expert
Emma has written about personal finance for almost 20 years, with a career spanning several recessions and their inevitable consequences. Emma’s main focus is helping people learn to manage their...
