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Best travel insurance UK 2024 guide

We all deserve a break now and then. And the last thing you want to think of when booking your holiday is something going wrong. But it’s better to be prepared than caught off guard. That’s why you should always consider travel insurance when going on a trip.

But how can you find the best travel insurance policy for your needs? Read our guide below to find out more.

Why do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance protects you financially if your trip away doesn’t go as planned and you incur unexpected expenses for delays, losses or medical treatment.

All travellers can benefit from travel insurance. But travel insurance is particularly important if you are going on an independent trip without a tour operator, because if something goes wrong, you will have no other help.

There are three main types of travel insurance:

• Single-trip cover: this is the most typical form of travel insurance, covering you for a one-off trip or holiday. There will be a time limit on the cover that can range anywhere between one month and 365 days
• Annual multi-trip cover: this allows you to make multiple trips, or have multiple holidays, in a 12-month period, all under the same travel insurance policy. There may be a cap on how long each individual trip can be
• Long stay, or backpacker, cover: this is normally used for around the world trips, gap years, and longer cruises, and can last for up to 18 months

To find the best UK travel insurance, compare policies before you go to ensure you get the right coverage for you and the specific trip you’re planning.

How to find the best travel insurance policy

When comparing policies to find the best travel insurance for your trip, you should consider: 

• Type of cover you need
• Excess (how much you’ll be expected to pay out yourself before the policy will cover you)
• Amount of medical coverage, and why pre-existing conditions aren’t included
• Limit on baggage claims
• Coverage for specific sports and activities
• Any potential rewards and discounts
• Add-ons, such as gadget insurance

Best travel insurance deals and discounts

Looking for the best travel insurance deals from the best travel insurance companies? In most cases, the easiest way to find the best travel insurance deals is to use a comparison website. Travel insurance comparison websites let you compare costs and coverage side by side to find the best UK travel insurance.

The four main comparison websites – Moneysupermarket, Comparethemarket, Confused.com and GoCompare – also often have certain deals and discounts when you buy travel insurance from them, offering some of the best travel insurance deals on the market.

Moneysupermarket : Find the same deal for less, and it will price match and give you a choice of a £20 gift card. Only on annual travel insurance.

Comparethemarket : Two for one cinema tickets with Meerkat Movies and savings at restaurants when you dine out or order pizza in with Meerkat Meals, as well as 25 per cent off coffee and pastries at Caffè Nero every day of the week through the Meerkat app.

(In November 2023, Confused.com and GoCompare had no deals or discounts for travel insurance).

Price is obviously a big consideration when you are looking for the best travel insurance – you’ve probably already spent a lot on your holiday. But you may be able to get much better coverage for just a few pounds extra, so it’s worth scrolling down the comparison site’s list of providers before buying.

Medical costs abroad will undoubtedly be the biggest expense you face if you fall ill abroad, so don’t scrimp on those.

Then think about your next biggest expense (probably cancellation/interruption of your trip) and make sure that you have high-value coverage for that.

If you find you can get much higher coverage (the maximum amount you can claim per type of claim, such as medical or baggage) for not very much more money, go for the slightly more expensive option.

Going direct

Comparison sites won’t always find you the cheapest deals, however. For example, Direct Line offers some of the best travel insurance with Covid cover and is not on comparison websites.

Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer discounts for buying directly from them, as follows:

Bundled coverage options

When looking for the best travel insurance for your holiday, it can make sense to buy a bundle of coverage under one policy.

Comparison websites will often offer add-on gadget cover, winter sports cover or cruise cover all under the one policy. If you need that extra cover, it is typically cheaper to buy your travel insurance this way rather than as separate policies.

What is covered by travel insurance?

The best travel insurance companies will offer you comprehensive coverage across all types of claims. It’s easy to compare the best travel insurance deals using a comparison website.

Medical coverage

This covers you for medical expenses you incur if you become ill or have an accident while away. The best UK travel insurance will have a high level of medical coverage.

For example, medical coverage will pay for any necessary treatment if you come down with severe food poisoning or you fall through a window and have to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.

• Avoid hefty bills or debt for medical assistance outside the UK
• Access better treatment – for example, at private vs public hospitals
• Often, as long as you declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests, you are covered if you fall ill during your trip (check policy exclusions)
• Even the best travel insurance companies will likely charge you more if you have a pre-existing medical condition
• You might have to pay part or all your medical expenses first, then claim on the policy afterwards
• Even the best travel insurance companies do not cover events that happen after you have consumed alcohol excessively or taken recreational drugs or other substances

Trip cancellation/interruption

This insurance pays out the cost of your missed trip if you have to cancel or cut your holiday short due to unforeseen circumstances.

For example, cancellation insurance would normally pay out if you broke your leg just before you were due to travel and had to cancel your trip.

Interruption insurance would cover you if you had to come home early for certain reasons beyond your control – for example, if the area you were staying in was engulfed in wildfires.

• Money you would have lost on pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses is paid to you under the policy
• It can be especially valuable if the trip you are planning is very expensive, as this is money you would lose if you couldn’t go
• You’ll usually only be covered if your trip is cancelled or cut short for specific reasons listed in your policy
• You usually won’t be covered if you miss your flight because you are held by customs or cancel because of a work issue or a pre-existing medical condition that is not covered

Baggage cover

This insurance covers the cost of replacing your luggage if it is lost or stolen.

For example, if an airline loses your luggage in transit or your suitcase is stolen from your hostel while you’re away, you can make a claim for the cost of replacing its contents.

You may also be able to claim for costs related to baggage delay if the airline temporarily misplaced your baggage.

• You can claim for the actual cash value of your belongings or the cost of replacing them (whichever is less)
• High-value items, such as jewellery or sports equipment, can be very expensive to replace without travel insurance
• Standard policies usually place per item and total limits on claims.
• If you are taking very expensive items away, check your policy carefully to ensure that you’re covered (and potentially get a separate policy)
• Some items could be covered by your home insurance policy, so check your policy carefully to see what is any isn’t. It’s also important to note that, should a lost item be covered by both policies, you can only claim once; an attempt to claim twice would be considered fraud

Personal liability

This insurance covers you if you are held responsible for harming another person or damaging their property.

For example, it covers you in situations where you cause serious damage to your holiday accommodation or accidentally stumble into someone else, causing them to need medical treatment.

• The cost of defending yourself in a legal case or repairing/replacing damage could be extremely costly without travel insurance
• Your travel insurance company will take over dealing with a foreign legal system
• You’re covered for the cost of any compensation (up to certain limits)

Limits: 

• Not all travel insurance provides personal liability as standard
• Policies may exclude personal liability while you partake in adventure activities
• Claims related to you committing a crime or damage by wilful negligence won’t be covered
• You likely will not be covered if you admit liability or make an offer to pay before talking to your insurer

Finding the best travel insurance with Covid cover

Looking for the best travel insurance with Covid cover? Many travel insurance policies now include cancellation cover for reasons related to Covid. This often applies within two weeks of being due to travel, according to the Association of British Insurers, but individual policies can vary.

To make a claim, insurers often require proof in the form of a medically approved positive Covid test. A lateral flow test or self-diagnosis is usually not accepted.

What Covid-related cover to look for

The best travel insurance with Covid cover should include the following:

• Cover if you can’t start your trip because you tested positive for Covid before travelling
• Cover if you or family members cannot return home because you/they test positive for Covid during the holiday
• Cover for additional costs, such as alternative flights, accommodation and Covid tests
• Cover if you cannot reach your final destination during transit due to Covid-19

Travel insurance providers with comprehensive Covid cover

Looking for the best travel insurance providers with Covid cover? Most travel insurance policies now offer some kind of Covid cover, but Churchill, Direct Line, M&S and Aviva have some of the most comprehensive offerings, with cover for cancellations and expenses related to Covid.

• Covid covered as standard on travel insurance policies
• Cover for trip cancellations if you, a close relative or a travelling companion is diagnosed with Covid-19 or another pandemic disease
• Cover if you or a person you’re planning to stay with must quarantine (abroad or in the UK)
• Cover if you can’t use pre-booked and pre-paid accommodation affected by Covid-19
• Cover for quarantine or where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel within 28 days of departure
• Cover for emergency medical expenses abroad due to Covid-19

Direct Line

• Cover for travel to a destination where the FCDO is advising against all but essential travel 
• Cover for medical expenses if you catch Covid-19 while you’re away 
• Cover for additional accommodation and transport if you have to quarantine due to Covid
• Cover for cancellation costs if you or a close relative get Covid-19 before you go
• Cover for quarantine or if the FCDO changes its advice after you book your trip
• Cover if you have to cut your trip short if the FCDO changes its country advice unexpectedly

• Cover for emergency medical expenses if you catch Covid-19 during your trip
• Cover for unrecoverable costs up to £6,000 if you must cancel your trip or return early, including if you have to self-isolate or quarantine before you travel due to Covid-19
• Cover for if you need to cancel your trip due to a positive Covid-19 test or if the FCDO advise against travel to your destination in the 31 days leading up to your trip
• Providing you haven’t travelled against FCDO advice, you’ll also be covered if you catch Covid-19 while abroad

• Coverage of up to £5,000 per person if you must cancel your trip due to getting Covid (you’ll need to provide confirmation and evidence of a positive test result)
• Cover for Covid-related emergency medical treatment and expenses while away
• Cover if you unexpectedly need to quarantine, including extra travel and accommodation costs to get home (provided a return trip was booked) 
• Cover for costs for any accommodation and excursions unused due to getting Covid where the costs can’t be recovered elsewhere
• No cover you if you travel against FCDO advice*
• No cover if you can’t travel because you don’t meet the entry requirements of a country (such as having had Covid vaccinations)*

* It’s worth noting that these clauses are not unusual and the majority of providers will have something similar

Tips for selecting the best UK travel insurance packages

Need some help picking the best UK travel insurance packages to make sure that you get the best travel insurance deals? Here are some tips for picking the best policy features for you.

Coverage limits

When looking for the best travel insurance companies to go with, check coverage limits. These are the maximum amounts your travel insurer will pay if you need to claim. You’ll see when you compare travel insurance policies that coverage limits vary for each type of claim and between policies.

The government-backed MoneyHelper website recommends that the best UK travel insurance should have the following minimum coverage for each type of claim:

• Medical: £1m or more for travel to Europe and £2m or more for the US
• Cancellation/interruption: £2,000 or more
• Missed departure: £500 or more
• Delay: £200 or more
• Baggage cover: £1,500 or more
• Personal liability cover: £2 million or more

Deductibles/excess

Deductibles, also known as the excess, is the amount you have to pay out of your own pocket before your travel insurance will start paying for your claim.

You have to make a trade-off when it comes to choosing the excess and the best travel insurance policy for you.

The lower the excess on a travel insurance policy, the better for you if you have to claim because you will have less to pay from your own pocket (or, more often, deducted from your claim).

But lower excess travel insurance policies are more expensive because the insurer knows it has more to pay out if you claim. Higher excess policies are cheaper, but you’ll have more deducted from your claim.

An exclusion on a travel insurance policy is an event the policy will not cover you for.

Common exclusions on a standard travel insurance policy may not be obvious. According to the ABTA – The Travel Association, these include:

• Incidents that occur after drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs
• Theft of unattended possessions
• Sports, extreme sports and activities such as skiing, white water rafting and bungee jumping
• Medical treatment resulting from existing medical conditions you have not declared or conditions preventable by vaccine or advisable medication, such as antimalarials
• Medical costs if you stay abroad after your doctor says you are fit to return to the UK
• Strikes and industrial action if it was known when you booked your trip
• Rescheduled flights where the airline has cancelled and then rescheduled your flight
• Travel to destinations where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel

To get the best travel insurance deals, one way around some of these exclusions is to buy add-ons for adventure activities. In addition, make sure to declare all pre-existing conditions and keep an eye out for any travel disruptions before you book.

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions are illnesses or medical conditions you have and are aware of before you travel.

Travel insurance companies will ask you to disclose any pre-existing conditions. If you use a comparison website, it will be among the first questions you’re asked before it shows you quotes. It’s important to be honest.

Some travel insurance companies, but not all, will offer cover for pre-existing medical conditions, while others will offer cover but exclude any claims arising from that medical condition. This will depend on the person being covered and the medical condition.

Most price comparison websites include an option to show insurers who do offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, so that would be a good place to start.

The following are likely to be considered pre-existing conditions you should disclose, according to the government-backed MoneyHelper website:

• A condition where you are on a list for an operation
• A condition where you are waiting for test results
• Anything you have been to the doctor about in the last year, including minor things
• Any serious conditions you’ve ever had – for example, cancer, heart trouble, respiratory problems or a mental health breakdown

A good tip for everyone, but especially if you have a pre-existing condition, is to buy your travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday. If your condition gets worse and forces you to cancel your plans, you’ll be covered from the day the policy starts.

On family group policies, the cost will be determined based on the riskiest traveller (according to insurers), which could be someone with a pre-existing condition or an older individual. In this case, it is often cheaper for the group for that person to get a separate policy.

Add-on options

Add-ons are extras you can purchase in addition to a standard travel insurance policy. They cost a bit more, but you may find you’re not covered without them. 

Gadget insurance

This covers things that a standard policy may not, such as your mobile phone or laptop. If these items are covered, you may find the claim limits are far less than the cost of replacing them.

Before you add this option to your travel insurance, check your home insurance policy, because you may already be covered.

Winter sports/adventure activities

Riskier activities, such as skiing or white water rafting, often require extra holiday insurance because insurers think that you are more likely to need to make a claim doing these things.

Winter sports/adventure activities cover is worth getting, or you may find you are not covered for medical expenses if something goes wrong.

Standard travel insurance is generally meant for land-based holidays so you’ll need to opt for a specialist cruise policy if your holiday is a cruise.

European FCDO travel advice extension

Most standard travel insurance policies are invalid if you travel when the FCDO advises against “all but essential travel”.

This add-on allows you to travel to Europe with a valid travel insurance policy, even if the FCDO has advised against it.

This can be an expensive add-on, but if you really must travel to a risky area, you will need this extension in order to make sure you have cover.

Best holiday insurance summary

Choosing the right travel insurance is an essential part of enjoying peace of mind while you are on holiday.

When looking for the best travel insurance deals, don’t just pick the cheapest policy. Instead, look for the cover limits that match your requirements. For example, baggage cover of £5,000 isn’t worth having if your baggage is worth £1,000; cancellation cover up to £10,000 isn’t worth having if your holiday cost you £2,000.

The easiest way to compare the best travel insurance is usually by using a travel insurance comparison website.

Think about the sort of activities you’ll be doing while you’re away. You may need extra holiday insurance for things such as winter sports or scuba diving or if you are going on a cruise.

Be honest about any pre-existing conditions when buying your travel insurance, or you won’t be covered if you have to claim.

The best travel insurance is a safety net for you and your family to enjoy your trip away stress-free, knowing that you’re covered for everything from medical expenses to cancellations if things go wrong.

Frequently asked questions about the best travel insurance UK packages

Is travel insurance necessary for domestic travel within the uk.

Even where medical costs in the UK are covered by the NHS, a sudden illness could lead to other expenses, forcing you to cancel your trip, the costs of which travel insurance would cover.

Lost or stolen luggage and broken gadgets or other claims for damage can just as easily occur in the UK as abroad.

What is annual travel insurance, and is it a good option for frequent travellers?

Annual travel insurance is a policy that covers you for multiple trips away within any 12-month period. It is often cheaper than buying a separate policy for each trip if you are planning to go away multiple times in one year.

Annual travel insurance is also useful if you are planning a long trip visiting several countries, as often insurers require you to buy travel insurance before you leave the UK rather than abroad mid-trip.

Are there any travel insurance companies that specialise in certain types of trips or travellers?

Specialist travel insurers cater to specific groups of people. It can make sense to seek out travel insurers that cover your needs.

Adventures Insurance, Sports Cover Direct and Snowcard tailor their travel insurance to those who enjoy activity holidays and extreme sports, for example.

Senior travellers are the focus of policies from All Clear, Avanti, Co-op Insurance Services, Free Spirit Flex, Good 2 Go Extra, Goodtogo Insurance, Saga, Staysure and Total Travel Protection.

Insurers offering business trip cover include Allianz, Direct Line, Coverwise and Insure & Go.

How do I make a claim with my travel insurance company?

To claim on your travel insurance while you are away, make sure that you take your policy number with you and the emergency number for your insurer. If you are travelling abroad, take any international numbers too.

Call your insurer as soon as you realise you need to make a claim. Keep all receipts and medical expense forms. If you are travelling with other people, make them aware of your policy details and the insurer’s phone number in case they need to call on your behalf.

To make a claim when you return home, check the following:

• You haven’t left it too late to make a claim
• What you’re claiming for is covered
• The excess is not more than the value of your claim (if so, it’s not worth claiming)

Notify your insurer as soon as possible for a claim form, send it back fast and keep a copy of it. You should also include copies of paperwork to support your claim, such as receipts or medical certificates (keep copies of the originals in case your claim is queried or refused).

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a freelance journalist, editor, and producer. She has a wealth of consumer finance experience, having written about money matters and business for over 15 years.

During her tenure as a freelance writer, she has worked for ITN, Wired, and The Sunday Times, as well as financial institutions such as Aegon, the Chartered Insurance Institute, and Pension Bee, where she’s presenter of the Pension Confident Podcast.

Laura has previously held roles at The Times, where she was the Acting Editor of Times Money Mentor, The Telegraph as a senior finance reporter and was the co-host of the It’s Your Money Podcast, which was renowned for making complex finance issues accessible, and The Financial Times, where she worked as a News Editor. Laura has also worked at CNN, Politics.co.uk, and as a producer at Radio 5 Live.

Connor Campbell

Connor Campbell is an experienced personal and business finance writer who has been producing online content for almost a decade. 

Connor is the personal finance expert for Independent Advisor, guiding readers through everything they need to know about car insurance and home insurance. From how much it costs to the best insurance providers in the UK, he’s here to help you find the right policy for your needs. 

In his capacity as writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet , Connor explored a number of topics close to his heart, such as the impact of our increasingly cashless society, and the hardships and heroics of British entrepreneurs. His commentary was featured in sites such as The Mirror , the Daily Express and Business Insider . 

At financial trading firm Spreadex, meanwhile, his market commentary was featured in outlets such as The Guardian , BBC , Reuters and the Evening Standard . 

Connor is a voracious reader with an MA in English, and is dedicated to making life’s financial decisions a little bit easier by doing away with jargon and needless complexity.

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Frequently asked questions

Travel Insurance is a type of cover that protects you and your holiday from various risks. This could be if you need emergency medical treatment while you are on holiday or if you need to cancel your trip before you go. The level of protection you have will depend on the level of cover you choose.

The purpose of Travel Insurance holiday cover is to provide financial protection and medical support if you need help when you are away. Travel insurance can help cover the costs of emergency medical care and loss of luggage.

How much you will pay for Travel Insurance will depend on your age: pre-existing medical conditions , trip duration and destination . Travel Insurance will cost a percentage of your overall holiday budget. However, it will protect you from bills from an emergency abroad that could otherwise cost you tens of thousands of pounds.

The type of Travel Insurance cover you choose will depend on frequently you travel. An Annual-multi trip Travel Insurance policy can save you time and money if you plan to get away more than once within 12 months, otherwise a single trip policy might be better for you. If you plan to take a cruise, you'll need cruise cover . Cruise cover offers all the essential elements of cover found on a standard Travel Insurance policy, but with extra benefits tailored for your cruise holiday.

All you need to do is start a quote and complete the medical screening process. You'll be asked a set of simple questions regarding your medical history and trip details. You'll then be presented with various options for Travel Insurance cover.

You can buy online Travel Insurance directly from our website. Alternatively, you can call one of our specialist experts who can help guide you through the process over the phone.

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• Compare travel insurance

Learn about the different types of travel insurance available from Post Office, compare these and find out what’s covered by each.

Not all travel insurance is created equal

While most travel insurance policies options have a few staple similarities, the specifics and the level of cover they offer can change depending on the kind of holiday you’re taking and your unique circumstances.

Before you buy a policy, it's important to compare holiday insurance options from a range of providers to find the product which most closely fits your travel needs and offers good value for money.

Make sure the policy you choose provides enough cover for those who will be travelling, activities you plan to take part in while you're away, and any devices you'll be taking that need protecting too.

Here, we've compared the three main types of policy available from Post Office Travel Insurance and the various add-ons for specific types of holiday.

Find out more about our different types of travel insurance

Compare the three main types of post office travel insurance, single-trip travel insurance :.

This is a policy covering you for one, uninterrupted trip that begins and ends in the UK. The maximum trip duration can range from 31 days to 365 days dependant on your age.

Annual Multi-trip Travel Insurance :

For people who get away two or more times a year, Annual Multi-Trip cover can be a cost-effective way of getting covered for all of your journeys without having to buy a new policy every time. The maximum duration for any trip taken during the 365-day policy period is 17 days when you have Economy or Standard cover, and 31 days if you have Premier cover. The limit can be extended to 31, 45 or 60 days per trip for an additional premium.

Backpacker Insurance :

For the intrepid explorers, Backpacker Insurance covers you for multiple destinations for as long as 18 months, and also allows you to return home 3 times for as long as 7 days at a time during your policy

Optional extras and add-ons

On top of these baseline policies, there are options you might need to add to give you an extra layer of protection which require an additional premium. These are:

Covid-19 Cover :

All Post Office Travel Insurance policies include cover for cancellation, curtailment and medical costs due to Covid-19 in certain circumstances. Find out what's covered for Covid-19 as standard .

If you want additional cover for other coronavirus-related disruption scenarios, you can add extra protection for missed departures or change in testing and quarantine rules with our Covid-19 upgrade .

Winter Sport Cover :

This protects you for a range of winter sports and activities and is necessary for anyone visiting the slopes, as normal cover won’t protect you against injuries and similar eventualities while skiing

Cruise Cover :

If you’re a fan of sailing the seven seas, this cover is a necessary addition to protect you against the unique risks that cruising can involve, like falling sick at sea or failing to make land due to poor weather

Additional Sports and Activities Cover (including golf) :

Ardent golfers can sleep easy knowing that their gear (up-to 3 years old) is covered and that they can claim for compensation if courses are closed

If you are booking a cruise, ski or winter sports trip, it's now mandatory to include winter sport cover or cruise cover on your policy.

Other optional extras to enhance your cover are:

Gadget Cover :

For the people who need a little extra protection for the technology they travel with. The cover levels provided are per policy, rather than per person.

Trip Disruption Cover :

Holidays are meant for relaxing but outside factors can sometimes cause disruption and worry. This optional extra helps protect you from the impact of airspace disruption, natural catastrophes or terrorist acts on your travels. Terms and conditions apply.

Excess Waiver:

The excess is the amount deducted from the payment you receive if you make a claim. It's payable per person and per section of the policy, for each incident that gives rise to a separate claim where a policy excess applies. If you want to remove your excess, you can choose our ‘excess waiver’ option, for which you'll pay an additional premium upfront.

Travel insurance policy comparison from Post Office

There are a few features that all of our travel insurance policy types include. these are:.

• Medical cover (including for medical costs incurred due to Covid-19 in certain circumstances)
• Cancelling or cutting short your trip (including due to Covid-19 in certain circumstances)
• Loss of belongings – including money/cash and passports
• Legal protection
• Personal liability
• Personal accident

Depending on what level of cover you get, the extent to which these things are covered – or whether or not you'll need to pay an excess – can differ.

With any Post Office Travel Insurance, including our optional add-ons and whoever is named on the policy, all benefits listed and any excess amounts to be paid are per person rather than per policy. The exception is Gadget Cover, on which these are per policy instead.

The type of holiday you’re taking can help you decide what level of cover you need and what sort of add-ons to consider, as well as if you have any existing medical conditions that need to be factored in.

Do you need cover for more than one trip abroad? If so, you might want to see whether it’d be better value to get Annual multi-trip or individual Single-trip policies. You can do this by getting quotes for both and choosing the one that suits you best.

Remember that even if you haven’t yet decided to go away more than once, the mood might take you. Only you know how prone you are to last-minute getaways, and with Annual Multi-trip you may be able to save on your travel insurance by only buying it once in a year.

And if you’re only taking the one trip, is it a long one or a short one? If it’s a long one, compare the travel insurance options of Single-trip or Backpacker Insurance. Backpacker Insurance wouldn’t necessarily be the right cover for a long weekend in Paris, for example, but if you’ve spent your savings on a round-the-world plane ticket with a couple of pit stops at home* then Single Trip wouldn’t be the right option.

You’ll also need to factor in things like your age (policies aren’t available to people under the age of 18, and Backpacker Insurance isn’t available to people over 60) and any existing medical conditions .

Finally, there are add-ons to consider. Some activities or holiday types require you to have specialist coverage. The two most common are winter sports holidays and cruises, as these holidays pose unique risks.

If you’re not going on a specialist holiday, it’s still important to check your policy to make sure you’re covered for any activities you’ll be taking part in.

What does holiday insurance cover?

Medical cover.

Medical cover is there for accidents, illnesses, injuries and any manner of afflictions that can happen while you’re away. Whether this is getting food poisoning, slipping and falling or getting an excruciating toothache looked at, travel insurance may be able to help.

Cancellation and curtailment

Sometimes things go wrong that are out of our control. You may need to cancel your trip or come home earlier than planned. Travel insurance may be able to protect you against these eventualities.

For Single-trip policies, cover starts right away from the moment you take it out. For Annual Multi-trip policies, cover starts from the start date of the policy. If you have a trip booked already, be sure to start your Annual policy as soon as possible so you're covered for cancellation.

If something serious prevents you from going or you have to make alternative arrangements while you’re away because of events beyond your control, you may be able to make a claim.

Loss of belongings

Losing anything while away can be distressing, particularly if it’s valuable or important, like a passport. If it wasn’t the result of negligence on your part, you may be able to claim for items you’ve lost or had stolen and get contributions toward the cost of replacements.

Optional add-ons will cover more specific eventualities. For example, with Winter Sports Cover, you could be covered for loss or damage to your skis providing they're yours and less than 3 years old. There are important added benefits too, such as mountain rescue from a ski slope if you needed it, which wouldn’t be included without a Winter Sports add-on.

The right travel insurance for you

When you compare travel insurance policies, always ensure you’ve taken everything into account. This protects you against inadvertently invalidating your policy as well as giving you the most comprehensive cover possible.

So from existing medical conditions to the activities you’ll be taking part in while you’re away, knowing everything you need cover for will help you compare holiday insurance products with clarity.

*Backpacker Insurance allows 3 separate trips home to the UK of up to 7 days' duration each time. Your travel insurance won't cover you while you're back in the UK.

Interested in travel insurance?

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Specialist Medical Travel Insurance

POLICIES TAILORED TO YOU, FOUNDED FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Travel Insurance Policies

Getting specialist travel insurance ensures you have the most suitable cover for emergency care when you need it. It provides you with protection if the unexpected does happen, so you can enjoy your holiday without worrying. We believe you shouldn’t be charged a fortune for peace of mind whilst you travel.

xRated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot

Based on over 5,900 customer reviews

Concerned about COVID-19?

We’ve got coronavirus cover on all policies, and offer more cover with our optional COVID-19 Extension. See how coronavirus impacts your existing travel insurance policy

Why Insurancewith?

After Fiona Macrae , Insurancewith’s founder, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, she found it almost impossible to get affordable travel insurance. Like anyone else, she was looking forward to a holiday, but sensibly-priced cover seemed out of reach.

Insurancewith was created to help people with all kinds of conditions – including cancer , mental health , epilepsy , and many disabilities – get the most suitable cover for your personal needs at a price to suit your budget.

Customers tend to come to us after they’ve been quoted extraordinary prices for specialist travel insurance. They’re often worried they won’t be able to travel again.

At Insurancewith, we believe everyone deserves a holiday. We offer something a bit different. We don’t charge more than we need to on your medical declaration (we don’t think it’s right to make money from your situation) and won’t charge you more than necessary for quality cover.

You have the option of chatting through quotes and queries with one of our trained advisors as well as using our online quote system. We are very proud of the service we provide and the savings our customers make. If you’d like to find out more, take a look at our Customer Savings Stories here.

All of our polices include the following benefits:

• Award-Winning¹ Travel Insurance
• Over 5,000 conditions and the side-effects of treatment covered
• Discounts for couples, families and single-parent families
• Up to £5,000 cancellation cover
• 24/7 emergency medical assistance team
• No upper age limit for single trip policies (depending on the destination and trip duration)

Thank you Insurancewith

“After a long struggle trying to find affordable travel insurance for my husbands grandad who has terminal cancer, we were about to give up. This caused a major problem as we were getting married in Cyprus and we desperately wanted him to be there.

I discovered InsuranceWith and after a questionnaire and phone call, we were given an extremely affordable and reasonable quote. We had been completely honest about his cancer and I was amazed they would cover him.

Without InsuranceWith, Grandad would not have been able to be there with us for our special day. We cannot thank them enough and have recommended to all of our friends and family. Just because you have a terminal illness, this should not deprive you of holidays abroad.”

We have insured thousands of people, helping them make those precious memories, and saving some of them a lot of money along the way!

Find out how much you could save...

Why Choose Insurancewith?

We specialise in medical travel cover . By working with charities, clinical specialists, and you – our customers – we’re always improving our understanding to create products and services to meet your needs. It’s all part of our efforts to address any of the issues people have when looking for specialist travel insurance.

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for a chance to

Protectif Screening

In order to give a fair assessment of your situation, we use Protectif Medical Risk Rating. Our screening process allows us to ask relevant questions about your condition or treatment in order to assess the risk effectively. Protectif allows us to provide affordable coverage to our consumers and instead of categorising all of our customers with the same condition as having the same amount of risk, we ask relevant questions based on the medication you are taking to effectively evaluate your circumstance.

Instead of looking at the perceived risk of each condition, we use our award-winning risk rating system, Protectif, to understand your situation. We not only offer a broad range of cover levels suiting every traveller and budget, but we assess risk more effectively than other insurers. It’s one of the industry’s closest things to a personally underwritten travel insurance policy. For an accurate assessment, we’ll ask you about your lifestyle and personal experiences. Find out what else to expect from questions asked during our quote process.

• Question sets allow us to understand individual circumstances
• Thousands of conditions and side effects of treatment able to be screened

Our Charities

When you take out a policy with Insurancewith, we’ll also donate £1 to charities that help support people like our customers every day. We support a number of charities including FACT, YourSimPal and Make 2nds Count to name a few.

¹ Insurancewith Awards Won: Finalist in the UK Broker Awards, 2011. Winner of Insurance Times Innovation of the Year Award, 2013. Bronze Award Winner for Best Travel Insurance Provider at British Travel Awards, 2016. Customer Champion of the Year at the Insurance Times Awards, 2017. Plus, our founder Fiona Macrae was awarded the Consumer Marketing and Awareness Award at the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Public Trust Awards, 2018

*Please note, Insurancewith’s online prices automatically include a 15% discount against our Customer Service Centre prices. This code entitles you to an additional 5% off your policy, and is a discount from the base price, not including the additional cost of optional extensions or any additional medical premium

$ Insurancewith has been rated 4.8 out of 5 (Excellent) based on over 7000 customer reviews on Trustpilot. Based on  Trustpilot data  2023 

§ Based on quote data from 2023. Correct as of 12/09/2023 

LONG STAY: For trips up to 18 months duration. GET A FREE QUOTE

Uk travel insurance company for everyone.

Get an instant quote and save money with Navigator Travel Insurance. Policies for backpackers, gap year travel, student travel or family holidays for UK citizens. We can cover most types of working abroad, including manual work, using heavy machinery, agricultural work and working with both domestic & wild animals. We have a wide range of policies for motorcycling on or off-road, and motocross. Most adventure or hazardous sports also covered – including insurance for paragliding, bungee jumping, scuba diving, whitewater rafting, martial arts, rugby, polo and skiing.

Holiday Makers

Families, couples or individuals.

Families, couples or individuals on holiday or business trips for shorter durations.

gap years, Backpackers and Career break

Usually couples or individuals requiring cover for longer term overseas trips of 2 months or more.

Sports & Adventures

Skiing, snowboarding, climbing and more.

We offer four policies for people travelling overseas, requiring cover for specific sports and activities.

Working Abroad Insurance

Manual work, farm work, service work.

Cover designed for those traveling abroad with the intent to find work overseas

Motorcycle Travel Insurance

On-road & off-road cover for motorcycles.

Get covered for your next motorcycle holiday with Navigator Travel Insurance.

Volunteering Travel Insurance

Voluntary and charitable work abroad.

Doing volunteering work abroad is a great way to explore the world, learn how to do it safely.

Short stay insurance offers great cover for individual holidays or business trips. The levels of cover ensure peace of mind and protection for you, and your family. These policies are designed to cover trips of up to 62 days in duration. We have a choice of several policies, some with no age limits.

These policies can also cover a broad range of sports and activities and the opportunity to upgrade to include insurance for more extreme sports and activities such as skydiving, high altitude trekking as well as rugby, polo and lacrosse, though some of these will require referral to our underwriters for consideration to determine costs and conditions.

Skiing and Snowboarding insurance is also available on short stay insurance by doubling the standard price.

FIND OUT MORE

Long stay travel insurance is ideal if you are planning on being outside of the country for an extended period of time (two months or longer). Navigator Travel specialises in long stay travel insurance for gap year travel, volunteering or studying overseas, career break and sabbatical travel and backpacking to individual destinations, round-the-world itineraries or working holidays.

Navigator’s GOLD and SILVER products offer cover for a range of sports and activities, however they do not cover the more extreme activities such as skydiving, high altitude trekking, rugby, polo and lacrosse. Winter sports insurance is an optional extra and can be added for cover up to 31 days.

Our LONGSTAY & BACKPACKER travel insurance covers a wider range of sports and activities (in Activity Packs 1-4) and can cover longer periods of winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding. These two policies are also great for working abroad, as they can cover a wide range of work, including manual, agricultural, working with machinery or animals.

These policies offer flexibility that allow you to extend your duration whilst abroad or upgrade the policy to include more extreme sports and activities if required.

The maximum age limits on these long stay policies are: LONGSTAY & BACKPACKER – 70 years for Worldwide cover up to 18 months or 76 years for European travel. GOLD, PEARL and SILVER long stay policies have very low age limit of 59 years.

Annual Multi Trip

If you are a frequent traveller, it would be worth investigating annual travel insurance. Multi Trip policies will cover you for a 12-month period for a set price, such as Navigator Silver or Navigator Gold, that cover you for individual trips of up to 45 days in duration (extendable to 62 days at extra cost). For longer trips, you will need Long Stay single trip policies that cover journeys of over 62 days.

Annual Multi Trip insurance cover can be purchased as an individual, as a couple of as a family. Discounted annual prices are available to couples and families and provide a level of cover to ensure peace of mind and protection when abroad.

These policies do cover a broad range of sports and activities and give you the option to upgrade and include extreme sports and activities such as paragliding, martial arts training and sports such as rugby and polo. Requests for some of these sports and activities will need to be referred to our underwriters for consideration and may incur additional costs and conditions.

NAVIGATOR SILVER or GOLD Annual Multi Trip policies will cover up to 21 days wintersports free of charge , in the 12-month period. A maximum age of 69 applies to Navigator Silver Annual policies, or 74 years for Navigator Gold.

Why do you need travel insurance?

When you plan your holiday or travel arrangements it is important to choose your holiday insurance with care. Many policies do not give cover for adventurous or hazardous sports and it is frequent for holiday insurance not to cover working whilst travelling.

Navigator Travel offers several UK online insurance policies that cover working and many sports and hazardous activities. Our ADVENTURES policy is aimed primarily at travellers requiring cover for hazardous sports or work, with a good selection of sports covered.

The SILVER, PEARL, GOLD & DIAMOND policies cover fewer types of work and sporting activities.

What does travel insurance cover? 

You’ll find that every travel insurance company has differing policies which will vary in what is, and isn’t, covered when you travel abroad. From claiming for lost baggage, to unexpected delays, and receiving cover for pre-existing health conditions, dependent on your circumstances and which travel insurance policy you choose, you’ll find several different types of cover to be included and, more often than not, will find that you can add additional cover as needed. 

You will always find that, with regular travel insurance policies, there are a number of standard components that are synonymous with travelling abroad that are covered, which tend to be consistent across different holiday insurance companies. However, you’ll equally find that several types of cover are not included. We’ve outlined below what you’ll often find to be covered in standard travel insurance policies, and equally, what you often won’t find to be covered: 

What is normally covered: 

• Losing Your Luggage

You’ll often find that, if your baggage is deemed to be lost in transit whilst you’re travelling for A to B and beyond, you can be compensated by the insurance company you’ve purchased your policy with, which will allow you to claim the estimated value or your luggage and its content either in full or partially. This varies dependent on the total amount of expenses that your baggage cover allows you to claim back. 

• Cancellation Cover

Cancellation cover encompasses compensation for any aspects of your journey that you may have to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, such as accidents or illness. This can either be full or partial compensation and can include aspects of your holiday such as your flights, hotel, and any trips or excursions that you may have planned. 

• Emergency Repatriation

Emergency repatriation cover, in short, means you’ll receive any compensation for the costs involved in getting you back to your home country should a medical emergency occur. 

Theft cover means that, should you have your personal belongings or luggage stolen, you may be entitled to be reimbursed for any items that have been directly lost beyond your control.

• Medical Expenses

Medical expenses cover will entitle you to full or partial reimbursement for any costs associated with medical-related appointments, necessary operations, prescription medications, and other required expenses associated with health-related illnesses or accidents. 

If you find yourself to be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances including strikes, poor weather, or your transport, such as flights, ferries, or trains, are delayed, you can normally claim back for this, but this will only be if the delay is over a minimum period of time. This is something 

• Personal liability

Should you be directly responsible for an incident or accident that has occurred, such as damaging someone else’s property or personal belongings, you may find that travel insurance companies and their policies will cover you for the cost of any legal fees associated with this. 

What is not normally covered: 

• Extreme sports/ water sports

Any activities that could be considered high-risk and sports that are usually categorised as extreme, such as skiing, paragliding, skydiving and scuba diving, are often not covered by standard policies from holiday insurance companies.

A specialist travel insurance policy that covers whatever sport you’re planning on engaging with during your trip will ensure that you have the security you need should you require any medical cover as a result of your activities. 

• Gadget cover

Whilst you often can be compensated for any personal belongings that are stolen, or any items that may be lost in your luggage, with normal travel insurance policies, you can often opt for gadget cover as an additional type of cover on your policy. This will protect any electronic devices that you may be taking on your travels with you.

• Pre-existing health conditions

Should you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may find that standard travel insurance policies will not cover you. Instead, you may need a specialist travel insurance policy, dependent on your condition. 

• Missed flights

If you’re responsible for missing your transport abroad, you will not be reimbursed for the cost of your tickets. Regardless of the reasons for this, even if they were beyond your control, you’ll find that travel insurance companies will not compensate you.  

• No longer wanting to go on your trip

Should you decide that you no longer want to go on your trip, regardless of the circumstances, this is not a sufficient enough reason for your travel insurance company to reimburse you for the cost of your holiday. 

• Natural disasters

Should you be struck by a natural disaster during your trip, this isn’t often a condition in normal travel insurance policies that is covered. If you are considering going to a country in which natural disasters are common, or have previously occurred, we would advise giving yourself peace of mind by ensuring you book a travel insurance policy that includes natural disaster cover.

It is possible to upgrade your travel insurance policy to incorporate additional types of holiday or trip cover, including the aforementioned, such as gadget insurance, natural disaster cover, and insurance for high-risk activities and extreme sports.

The Best Travel Insurance Policies for Your Trip

This important part of trip planning is all too often given insufficient consideration and many holidaymakers travel each year with policies that are not suitable for the activities that they are undertaking. There is such a range of travel types that it is often difficult to identify the right policy for you without a lot of research. Some of the specialist policies offered here at Navigator are:

– Backpacker Insurance – Working Travel Insurance – Volunteering Abroad Insurance – After Departure Insurance – Extreme Sports Insurance

How to avoid common mistakes when buying travel insurance services

Long stay travel.

A common mistake when selecting a policy for long-stay travel is to buy  Annual Multi-Trip holiday insurance . Because these are advertised as “annual holiday insurance” it is assumed that they would provide cover for a long stay trip, such as a gap year holiday. But, n reality, whilst they will give insurance cover for many trips, there is an individual trip duration limit, which is often only 31 days.

This type of cover can be invalidated if your trip is longer than this duration, so for holidays like this, you need long stay cover. Our AIG LONGSTAY & BACKPACKER and NAVIGATOR SILVER & NAVIGATOR GOLD policies cover long trips of up to 18 months duration.

Work Overseas

It is also increasingly popular these days for people to seek work overseas, and it is important that you get a working travel insurance cover to ensure that work is covered.

Many holiday policies will not cover claims that arise in the workplace, though Navigator Travel offers policies like the High Risk Voyager and Adventures or Longstay & Backpacker, which cover manual work, using heavy machinery, working with animals, and agricultural work.  There will be additional conditions attached to manual work and occasionally higher costs. Personal Liability claims are not covered though, and these should be covered by the employer who should have insurance in place to protect against such eventualities.

Get a Free Quote from Navigator Travel Insurance

If you live in the UK, whatever your requirements, we will try to obtain a suitable quote to cover your needs, and offer a personal service to try and ensure that the policy meets your expectations. Call us now or get a quote online !

Can I buy travel insurance after departing the UK?

You can buy travel insurance once leaving the UK, however, we would advise that you purchase your travel insurance in advance of your trip. When you purchase the right policy for you, you can specify a start and an end date for the period that you want to be covered for. 

So, it is of no detriment should you purchase your travel insurance in advance and it provides you with peace of mind knowing that you’ll be covered right from the start until the end of your holiday. 

Should you be on your holiday and are faced with unforeseen circumstances, such as a cancellation or you require emergency medical attention,  before you’ve purchased your travel insurance policy, you will not be able to be compensated for the expenses associated with these events. 

How can I make a claim on my travel insurance?

To make a claim on your travel insurance policy, you should contact the travel insurance company that you purchased your policy with as soon as possible. You’ll most likely receive a claims form in which you can give details of your circumstances and your claim. You’ll need to include any evidence relating to your claims, such as copies of receipts, medical certificates, or official paperwork. 

Should you need to make a claim with us here at Navigator Travel, you can call us on 0161 973 6435 or reach us via our contact form to receive further details and information about making your claim.

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Find the right travel insurance policy with allianz assistance.

AWP Assistance UK Ltd , trading as Allianz Assistance and Allianz Global Assistance , is a subsidiary company of Allianz Partners SAS. AWP Assistance UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom to provide insurance products and services.  

Please note that, whilst AWP and Allianz Insurance are part of the global Allianz SE group of companies, AWP and Allianz insurance are separate companies and not part of the same group of companies in the UK. Any communications regarding Allianz Assistance services should therefore be addressed to AWP .

A range of cover options are available including single and multi-trip, 24/7 medical cover, backpacker,  winter sports and more. 

Whatever type of trip you're taking, Allianz Assistance will help you find a plan that covers the "what ifs?". 

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Allianz Assistance is the trusted car warranty provider for ten of the UK’s leading car brands.  Find out more on Allianz Assistance about the three levels of car warranty that are available.

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About Travel Insurance

Planning a holiday is one of the most exciting activities we can undertake, but we all have different ideas about our perfect trip. For some of us a beach holiday in Benidorm is paradise, while others would prefer a trek in Southeast Asia or a mountain climb in Scotland.

Whatever we choose, we should always be cautious about protecting ourselves if something goes wrong, and that’s why travel insurance is so important.

NerdWallet has partnered with Quotezone. Compare quotes from the UK’s top insurers, including:

This insurance quote service is powered by Quotezone. The data you supply and submit is collected directly by Quotezone who are responsible for the handling and processing of that data. By using their quote system you are agreeing to their terms and conditions and privacy policy which can be found at Quotezone.co.uk.

What will travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance is a premium taken out to cover the traveller in the eventuality of something bad occurring during the holiday. Typical occurrences covered by travel insurance include:

• Flight/holiday cancellation and curtailment
• Serious injury/illness
• Loss of baggage/contents
• Personal liability (injuring someone else)
• Emergency assistance

Should I always go for the cheapest policy?

Definitely not, unless it covers you for everything you plan to do on the holiday and all eventualities. Cheaper options can sometimes exclude important details and set high excess levels.

What won’t it cover?

These are not concrete examples and all insurers differ, but some reasons why an insurer might not pay out include:

• In certain circumstances it will not cover extreme sports or expeditions; don’t book a trek to the top of Mount Everest and expect standard insurance to pay out in the event of a disaster
• Loss of items or injury through negligence such as alcohol
• Ignoring FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) advice
• Full cost of valuables (see below)
• Failure to report crime within a certain time frame

Is travel insurance mandatory?

For the vast majority of countries travel insurance is not mandatory, although for the cost of a few pounds it makes sense to obtain it. There are many factors, such as flight cancellations, crime, bag thefts and political upheaval in a country that are out of the traveller’s control, but will cost them dearly if they are not insured.

Passport controls in some countries, such as Cuba, will ask for proof of insurance before allowing you to enter. When you apply for a visa for Russia, you could be asked to supply evidence of insurance. The simple rule of thumb is to check well before you reach the airport and put steps in place to cover yourself.

When should I take out travel insurance?

From the moment you book, not the start of the holiday. The cost will probably not be too different, and that extra cost will cover you if you have to cancel before the holiday begins. If you decide to undertake a more spontaneous extreme excursion or activity while on holiday, this could be booked a day or two before.

What affects my travel insurance costs?

There are a huge range of factors, such as:

• The destination itself
• Type of holiday – cruise, multi-trip, extreme adventure
• Your health (see below)
• Gadgets (see below)
• Length of travel

How will my health affect costs?

There’s no need to reveal every ailment and pain you suffer, but failure to disclose significant conditions such as heart conditions, cancer or diabetes would be folly simply because your cover could be invalidated in the event of a claim and you could face bills of thousands or tens of thousands of pounds. Even if you have been cured of a particular condition, you might still have to declare it.

Previous injuries, illnesses and conditions could be regarded as denoting a higher risk and the downside is that it might drive up your travel insurance costs. An insurer might even refuse to insure you altogether. Some countries such as the US and Canada have particularly expensive medical care, which could also affect the insurers’ decision.

Will travel insurance cover my gadgets?

It depends – some companies will cover laptops, smartphones, cameras and similar, but only up to a certain cost. Consider paying out an additional premium for individual items.

What should I do if I’m travelling to somewhere that becomes dangerous?

Check your policy documents for details of what your insurer will do in the event of trouble. Aim for a tour operator covered by ATOL (UK Civil Aviation Authority), ABTA or similar representative body.

If something happens a few days before you’re due to leave then your first port of call should be the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which regularly updates travellers on travel advice and the current political/economic/social states of countries that might be affected by unrest or freak, dangerous conditions such as earthquakes.

Travel Insurance FAQs

Which? recommends £2 million of medical cover for Europe and £5 million worldwide, £1,500 of cover for baggage and personal belongings, and £3,000 for cancellation or curtailment.

Don’t travel to Europe without an EHIC – European Health Insurance Card. It’s free and in effect gives you access to state–provided healthcare within EEA countries.

The more claims you’ve made in the past, the more expensive your cover is likely to be.

It is not mandatory to take out travel insurance through the airline or travel agent you’ve booked the holiday with. In fact, shopping around may save you money.

About the Author

Holly champions clear, jargon-free writing. She’s been creating finance content for leading organisations for over 10 years.

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To ensure your complete security, we only work with insurers who have a global presence and the expertise to provide our policyholders with the highest levels of protection and service. All of our travel insurance policies are underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance S.A. UK Branch, which is part of the AXA Group, with worldwide medical and emergency services provided by AXA Travel Insurance Ltd, who have offices located around the world to ensure you can get the help you need, wherever you may be.

Medical Consultation Service included with all travel policies.

Our Single Trip, Annual Multi Trip and Ski insurance policies cover cancellation costs, medical and repatriation expenses, baggage, money and include a 24-hour medical helpline.

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