When is the best time to get travel insurance?
Key takeaways
The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as you book your trip
Getting it early is often cheaper and covers you for cancellations and travel changes
You can buy last-minute insurance up to the day of your departure
When should I buy travel insurance?
Immediately after booking your holiday. Since the cancellation benefits will kick in as soon as the policy starts, buying your insurance early means you won't be out of pocket if you can't take the trip.
Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my departure date?
No, it is usually more expensive to buy travel insurance last-minute.
When is it too late to buy travel insurance?
You can buy last-minute travel insurance up to the day of your departure. It is often also possible to buy post-departure insurance.
However, your options may be more limited and the policy will probably be more expensive. There might also be a waiting period before cover starts.
Compare last-minute travel insurance quotes | Cover from just £3.77[1]
Do I really need travel insurance?
🚩Many tour operators such as cruise liners will insist you take out holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you could be personally responsible for paying some very high costs if something goes wrong with your trip.
According to the Association of British Insurers, the average travel insurance claim was £972[2] in 2022. In contrast, you can find holiday insurance on MoneySuperMarket from as little as £0[3]
What does travel insurance cover before my trip?
It can cover 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.
🚩 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?
Typically not covered:
Changing your mind about travelling
Reckless behaviour leading 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 upgrade your insurance to include add-ons like winter sports, gadget cover and travel disruption cover.
How long does travel insurance cover last?
It depends on the type of policy you choose:
Single trip cover ends on the day you are due to return home from the trip in question.
Annual multi-trip cover lasts for 12 months from the start date you chose for your policy.
Long-stay cover, like single-trip cover, protects you for a specific period and ends on the date you are due to return home.
What happens if I am delayed coming home?
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 most likely keep your policy active until you've managed to get back safely.
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Just sign up to our free SuperSaveClub[5] before you buy your travel policy.
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What should be the start date of travel insurance?
For single-trip travel insurance, the start date should ideally be the same day you book your holiday to ensure you're covered for any eventualities, like trip cancellations. For annual travel insurance, the start date should be the day you book your holiday. In general, it's best to buy coverage as soon as you make your reservations for maximum protection.
How long does it take for travel insurance to activate?
Travel insurance activates immediately upon purchase for single trip policies and some specialist types like cruise or winter sports cover.
For annual travel insurance, it starts from the chosen start date, which should ideally be the day you book your holiday. Last-minute travel insurance can be obtained up to the day before your trip.
Does travel insurance get more expensive the longer you leave it?
The cost of travel insurance is more influenced by the length of your trip rather than the timing of the purchase. However, it's advisable to buy cover as soon as you make your reservations to maximise your protection.
What happens if I don't buy travel insurance?
If you don't buy travel insurance, you will have to pay out of your own pocket for any problems while you're away, such as medical emergencies or lost luggage. You may also lose money if you need to cancel your trip and can't receive a refund.
This could result in costs amounting to thousands of pounds.
