VisitCover

Post Office Travel Insurance – Everything You Need to Know

Written and researched by Michael Kays (Travel Insurance Expert) | Fact Checked by Danya Kristen (Insurance Agent).

We see your suitcase is packed and your passport is ready. But before you dash off to your dream destination, let’s talk about that non-negotiable travel buddy: insurance.

Not just any insurance, but Post Office Travel Insurance. Here’s everything you need to know.

In this article...

Post Office Travel Insurance: An Introduction

Post Office Travel Insurance isn’t a boring old postal service. It’s a lifeline for travelers, offering a safety net across the globe. It’s been awarded the ‘Best Travel Insurance Provider’ by the British Travel Awards for 12 consecutive years – pretty impressive, right?

Their policies are designed to cover various unexpected events during your journey, from medical emergencies to travel disruptions.

Recommended Plans

✅  Atlas America

Up to $2,000,000 of Overall Maximum Coverage, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19, Trip Interruption & Travel Delay.

✅  Safe Travels Comprehensive

Coverage for in-patient and out-patient medical accidents up to $1 Million, Coverage of acute episodes of pre-existing conditions, Coverage from 5 days to 364 days (about 12 months).

✅  Patriot America Platinum

Up to $8,000,000 limits, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Coinsurance for treatment received in the U.S. (100% within PPO Network), Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions covered.

Decoding the Types of Post Office Travel Insurance

Here’s the good news: Post Office Travel Insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all policy. They offer different types of cover to suit your unique travel needs. Here’s a quick run-through:

  • Single Trip Insurance: Perfect for one-off adventures, this covers you for a single holiday or business trip.
  • Annual Multi-Trip Insurance: If you’ve got a severe case of wanderlust and plan multiple trips in a year, this policy has got you covered.
  • Backpacker Insurance: Designed for the intrepid globetrotter, this policy covers long trips and even working holidays.
  • Over 50s Travel Insurance: Tailored for travelers over 50, this policy offers comprehensive cover and no upper age limit.
  • Family Travel Insurance: A policy that protects the entire family under one umbrella. It often includes free cover for children.

The Perks and Protection: What’s Covered?

A key part of choosing your travel insurance is understanding the cover provided. Post Office Travel Insurance offers protection against:

  • Medical Emergencies: From sudden illness to injury, your medical expenses are covered. This includes hospital fees, transport, and even a return journey if needed.
  • Cancellation and Curtailment: If you have to cancel or shorten your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, you’re protected against any financial loss.
  • Baggage Loss: Say goodbye to worries about lost luggage. If your baggage goes on an adventure of its own, the Post Office has got you covered.
  • Travel Delays: Stuck at the airport due to delayed or cancelled flights? You’re eligible for compensation.
  • Personal Liability: If you cause harm to someone or their property, the policy has got your back.

Remember, it’s crucial to read the policy document carefully to know exactly what’s covered.

Post Office Travel Insurance vs Private Travel Insurance: Comparison

Of course, the Post Office isn’t the only game in town when it comes to travel insurance.

There are plenty of private companies offering competitive policies. So how does Post Office Travel Insurance stack up against them? Let’s have a closer look.

Post Office Travel Insurance

Post Office Travel Insurance shines in its comprehensive coverage . It’s a solid choice for many travelers, thanks to its broad variety of plans , from single trips to annual multi-trips.

Here’s a snapshot of what makes it stand out:

  • Range of Policies: With policies tailored to backpackers, over-50s, families, and frequent flyers, the Post Office caters to a wide demographic of travelers.
  • Broad Coverage: They provide extensive coverage, including medical emergencies, cancellation, curtailment, lost baggage, and travel delays.
  • Ease of Application: The application process is user-friendly and straightforward, with the ability to apply directly through their website.

Private Travel Insurance Companies

Private travel insurance companies, like World Nomads and Allianz Travel, bring their unique strengths to the table. Here’s what they offer:

  • Specialist Coverage: Some private companies specialize in certain types of coverage. For example, World Nomads is renowned for its adventure travel insurance, covering over 200 adventure activities.
  • Flexible Policies: Many private insurers offer the flexibility to extend your coverage or adjust your policy even after your journey has begun.
  • Additional Benefits : Some private insurers offer extra perks. For example, Allianz Travel provides coverage for rental car damage or theft as part of their policies.

In the end, the best travel insurance for you will depend on your individual needs and travel plans. It’s important to closely examine each policy’s offerings, exclusions , and price before making a decision.

While Post Office Travel Insurance offers a one-stop-shop solution with policies for every type of traveler, private insurers may provide more specialized coverage or added flexibility.

Be sure to weigh your options carefully to choose the policy that’s the perfect fit for your journey.

Easy-Peasy Application Process

Applying for Post Office Travel Insurance is as breezy as a walk in the park. Simply hop onto their website, choose your policy, fill in your travel details, and hit apply. You’ll then receive a quote. If you’re happy with it, proceed to payment. Boom! You’re insured.

The Final Word

Post Office Travel Insurance is all about taking the worry out of your wanderlust, offering a safety net that lets you savor your adventures fully. And remember, always travel insured because no trip should be a gamble.

1. Is Post Office Travel Insurance good?

With numerous awards under its belt and a wide range of comprehensive policies, Post Office Travel Insurance is certainly a strong contender in the market. However, as with any insurance, ensure it fits your personal needs before purchasing.

2. How do I make a claim with Post Office Travel Insurance?

Making a claim with Post Office Travel Insurance is straightforward. You can make a claim online on their website, or call them on their claims line. Remember, always have your policy number and relevant documents handy when making a claim.

3. Can I get a refund if I don’t use my Post Office Travel Insurance?

If you cancel your Post Office Travel Insurance within 14 days of purchase and haven’t made a claim or started your trip, you can receive a full refund. After 14 days, the refund policy may vary.

Get Free Consultation

Safe Travels USA Cost Saver Review

Safe Travels USA Cost Saver

January 24, 2020

Safe Travels USA Comprehensive Reviews

Safe Travels USA Comprehensive

January 23, 2020

Patriot Platinum Reviews

Patriot Platinum

Visitors-Care-Travel-Insurance-Reviews

Visitors Care

Patriot International Reviews

Patriot International

Patriot America Reviews

Patriot America

January 22, 2020

Patriot America Plus Reviews

Patriot America Plus

January 21, 2020

Atlas America Reviews

Atlas America

January 16, 2020

Nationwide Prime Travel Insurance Review

September 21, 2023

Nationwide Luxury Cruise Travel Insurance Review

Nationwide choice cruise travel insurance review, nationwide universal cruise travel insurance plan review, nationwide essential travel insurance plan review, all clear travel insurance – all you need to know.

August 4, 2023

CoverMore Travel Insurance: Everything You Need to Know

Staysure travel insurance: everything you need to know, argentina expatriate health insurance – ultimate guide.

August 2, 2023

Visitcover.com is a travel insurance review portal that will help you choose the right travel insurance plan for your next trip. By bringing you unbiased, fact-checked, verified information about travel insurance companies, plans, claim processes, and everything that's usually mentioned in the fine print. Make informed decisions, with us!

Opening hours

09.00 - 22.00

09.00 - 18.00

09.00 - 16.00

4422 Flamingo Villas, Ajman Media City, United Arab Emirates

Call Us: +1-972-985-4400

[email protected]

© 2023 VisitCover.com

Easy Trip Logo

Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

The Post Office is regarded as the largest retail network in the UK as well as the largest financial services chain that’s been there for more than 370 years. However, apart from that, the company also offers insurance products, one of which is the post office travel insurance.

travel insurance the post office

In this article, we’re going to talk about everything you need to know which regard to this particular travel insurance. But before that, let’s have a look at the achievements of the Post Office regarding insurances.

What is the Post Office?

Post Office has been voted the “Best Travel Insurance Provider” for 9 straight years starting from 2006 to 2015. Apart from that, it also received the Silver award from the British Travel Awards in 2016 and 2017.

As a massive network, the Post Office offers a wide range of options when it comes to their insurance policies. One of them is the rudimentary budget cover through the Super Economy Travel Insurance. There’s also the Premier Plus policy which provides complete coverage.

Primary Insurance Policies Offered

There are three main types of travel insurance policies offered by the Post Office, namely annual multi-trip, backpacker travel cover, and single trip.

Let’s have a breakdown of each of these policies:

Single Trip

The single trip insurance will provide coverage depending on your age when you obtain your insurance policy. The Post Office website states that those who are below 71 will be covered 365 days per trip. Meanwhile, those who are 71-75 will be covered 90 days and individuals 76-85 are only covered for 31 days.

travel insurance the post office

As the name implies, a single trip policy will cover for you if you plan to take a single trip in the near future.

Annual Multi-trip

The multi-trip policy allows you to spread your trip abroad using a voluntary add-on. You can receive coverage of around £10 million for a medical emergency. They also have a 24/7 medical emergency helpline available.

This policy is perfect if you plan to travel several times a year without having to go through the hassles of obtaining concealment every single time.

For the single and multi-trip policies, there are five different levels available.

Here’s a detail detailing these levels alongside other important details:

All of the levels come with a personal liability cover ranging from £1-3 million. However, the Super Economy comes with various extras like death, personal accident, personal money, hospital benefits, and passport cover.

Backpacker Travel

The backpacker travel insurance is designed for backpackers who are price aware. As such, the Post Office provides two coverage options for them: Economy and Super Economy.

travel insurance the post office

The two policies will provide coverage for up to 18 months. Moreover, you can come back home 3 times within a span of seven days. However, you have to keep in mind that the coverage doesn’t apply if you’re in the UK.

This is often the best option if you plan an adventure trip as it covers you from sharks to safaris and more. The policy can be availed of by anyone between 18 and 60 years old. You can also avail of additional cover for business, cruise, golf, and winter sports and add any of them in the above policies but for an extra cost.

Other Policies Offered

Apart from the major insurance policies offered by the Post Office, there are also several other policies which are as follows:

This is perfect for individuals who plan to go on a golfing holiday . Through this policy, you can enjoy the following:

  • Protection in case you can’t play due to injury or poor weather
  • Coverage against injury personal liability cover and while playing
  • Coverage for your golfing equipment against theft

Cruise Cover

If you plan to enjoy the luxury of a cruise, then this policy is for you. It protects you from any unforeseen risks that might come along with cruise holidays. It comes with the following features:

  • Coverage for a delayed transport
  • Coverage for damage or stolen evening dress
  • Replacement of any lost or misplaced damaged

Winter Sports Cover

Winter sports do come with their own risks, but this policy will ensure that you can still have fun despite that. It comes with the following inclusions:

  • 24/7 medical assistance
  • Coverage for sports like ice skating and snowboarding
  • Protection from any injuries
  • Protection for a damaged or stolen equipment

Worldwide Cover

This policy ensures that you won’t suffer from any issues with your insurance when you go traveling around the world. It comes with the following features:

  • Emergency repatriation
  • 24/7 medical emergency helpline
  • Replacement for lost or stolen documents
  • Financial coverage for medical treatment in the event of injury or illness when traveling

Pre-Existing Medical Condition

travel insurance the post office

Post Office’s coverage for a pre-existing medical condition ensures that you can get to have fun and enjoy life despite your condition. It includes the following features:

  • Quick and easy repatriation
  • Treatment monitoring
  • Payment for any medical expenses while you’re traveling

Family Cover

This is the perfect policy if you plan to travel together with your policy. This will allow you to avoid any hassles that come with obtaining individual policies for each of your family members. It includes the following:

  • Maximum of £10 million emergency medical coverage in the event of injury or illness while traveling
  • Assistance during a vehicle breakdown missed departure or delayed public transport

Cost and Coverage

One of the main reasons why the Post Office travel insurance has managed to outdo most of its competitors in the market is its very cheap cost. In fact, it has the cheapest insurance quotes available on the market.

travel insurance the post office

When it comes to coverage, Post Office covers all basic forms of coverage including property damage, comprehensive coverage, and bodily injury liability among others. However, you can also gain access to special kinds of coverages that are exclusive to Post Office travel insurance members.

These special coverages come in the form of emergency road service, rental reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown insurance.

Policy Exclusions

These are the general exclusions that apply to any of Post Office’s travel insurance policies:

  • Claims due to war or act of terrorism
  • Traveling for the purpose of receiving treatment overseas
  • Traveling without heeding the advice of a medical professional
  • Personal injury caused intentionally
  • Taking part in an organized sports competition

Other Important Information about the Post Office Travel Insurance

  • Apart from providing coverage for any personal injury or illness sustained while traveling abroad, the Post Office will also offer guidance, assistance, and advice regarding legal proceedings and obtaining proper compensation.
  • When applying for any of their travel insurance policy, you can also choose to add an Excess Waiver. This will allow you to reduce your excess to zero, thereby removing the need to contribute to the cost of your claims. However, be prepared to spend an additional cost for this.
  • Even though there are only a few travel insurance providers that cover business travel, the Post Office’s policy will provide coverage for business travel that can greatly help professionals abroad. This policy will provide coverage for emergency couriers, employee replacement, equipment hire, computer equipment, and business money. This is only optional.
  • Not all optional cover types can be added to every policy type. Only the Cruise cover is applicable for the Premier and Premier Plus policies. Meanwhile, the Golf and Business cover is only applicable to Standard, Premier, and Premier Plus.
  • Various holiday activities and sports will be covered by the Post Office under the Standard policy. However, riskier activities like sailing and jet skiing won’t be covered for any personal accident claims.

Are there any special policy rules for pregnant women who travel?

There are certain limitations for pregnant women who want to travel.

travel insurance the post office

In line with the Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth policy, coverage for pregnant women will only include the following:

  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Emergency Caesarean sections and medically necessary termination
  • Gestational hypertension
  • Hydatidiform mole
  • Hyperemesis gravidarum
  • Placental abruption
  • Placenta praevia
  • Pre-eclampsia
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Retained placenta membrane
  • Stillbirths and miscarriage
  • Premature births more than 8 weeks before the expected delivery date

Will the policy provide cover during a war or terrorist act?

Unfortunately, you won’t be covered for any terrorist act that doesn’t involve the use of chemical agents and nuclear weapons.

How many people are included in a family?

A family can either consist of a couple or a group consisting of up to 8 travelers.

travel insurance the post office

It can also include a person with his/her partner, dependent children, and dependent grandchildren below 18 years of age. Keep in mind that you will have to pay the appropriate premium for this.

Wrapping Things Up

Post Office is one of the leading health insurance companies in the UK. With their wide range of travel insurance policies, you will be able to enjoy peace of mind as you go traveling into other countries.

travel insurance the post office

The best part is, the policies offered by the Post Office are one of the most affordable options currently on the market.

Related Articles

Read Insurance for International travelers

Easy Trip Guides

Recent Posts

Solar Power Calculator (100% free)

Solar Power Calculator Overview Solar Power Calculator Solar Power Calculator Adjustable Variables Solar Panel Wattage Average Daily Sunlight...

Weight Conversion Calculator (100% free)

Weight Conversion Calculator Overview Weight Converter Kilograms Pounds Ounces Grams Kilograms Pounds Ounces Grams Convert Use a...

Daily Achieve

Your Complete Guide to Post Office Travel Insurance

Whether you’re planning a dream vacation abroad or simply visiting family in the country, unexpected events such as lost luggage, flight delays, or medical emergencies can ruin your trip. Comprehensive travel insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection in the event that something goes wrong. In the United Kingdom, the Post Office provides competitively priced travel insurance policies that can be purchased online or in person. This article will explain what Post Office travel insurance offers, what it covers, how much it costs, how to purchase it, and whether it’s the best option for your next trip.

Table of Contents

What is the Post Office’s Travel Insurance?

Post Office travel insurance offers financial protection and assistance to UK residents before and during domestic and international trips. It covers the costs of emergency medical care, trip cancellations or delays, lost or stolen items, and other travel-related incidents. The Post Office collaborates with an established insurance provider to provide four levels of coverage based on trip duration:

  • Single trip coverage for holidays of up to 120 days.
  • Annual multi-trip coverage includes unlimited trips of 31 days or less.
  • Long-term coverage for trips lasting between 31 and 550 days.
  • Backpacker cover for extended trips up to 550 days for travelers aged 50 or younger.

The Post Office travel insurance plans are designed to be affordable while still providing adequate protection for the majority of holiday scenarios. Certain hazardous sports and activities may necessitate additional coverage for full protection.

What Does the Post Office Travel Insurance Cover?

Post Office travel insurance covers several standard categories with varying benefit limits depending on the plan selected. Here are a few of the main topics covered:

  • Emergency Medical Expenses – Provides coverage for hospitalization, surgery, ambulances, prescriptions, and other medical expenses if you become injured or ill while traveling. This is the most important coverage to have internationally, where high healthcare costs are common.
  • Cancellation or Curtailment – Reimburses prepaid travel expenses such as flights and hotels if you must cancel or shorten your trip due to illness, injury, death in the family, or other covered reasons. Allows you to recoup some of your lost money.
  • Delayed or Missed Departure – Provides benefit payments if your travel is delayed for more than a specified number of hours due to covered reasons such as severe weather, strikes, equipment failure, or public transit delays beyond your control. Missed departure also includes additional transportation/lodging costs incurred as a result of issues that prevented you from arriving at the departure point on time.
  • Personal Possessions and Baggage – Covers the cost of repairing or replacing items lost, stolen, or damaged while traveling, up to the specified item and benefit limits. Covers items such as luggage, clothing, jewelry, electronics, phones, valuables, and more, with some exceptions.
  • Personal Money – Replaces stolen or lost cash, traveler’s checks, or money orders that were directly caused by a burglary, mugging, or robbery while on the trip. Provides additional security when carrying money for vacation purposes.
  • Personal Accident – Provides a lump sum cash benefit if you die or lose limbs or sight as a result of an accident while traveling. Helps to mitigate tragedy during trips.
  • Personal liability insurance covers legal fees and compensation if you cause accidental injuries to others or damage to their property while on a trip. Protects against third-party liability claims.
  • Legal Expenses – Pays for legal consultation fees if you need to file compensation or damages claims against third-parties for events like: injuries/death of insured, hospitality contractual disputes like hotel/restaurant/car rental, issues around property damage/loss, or wrongful arrests during travels.

Aside from the core coverage sections above, Post Office policies may include additional benefits such as:

  • Scheduled airline failure coverage
  • Hijacking protection
  • Pet Care Fees
  • Home emergency reimbursement.
  • Hospital Benefit Payments
  • Golf Equipment Cover
  • Replacement driver coverage.

The Post Office travel insurance aims to provide comprehensive protection suitable for the majority of common holiday scenarios. However, additional modules may be required for full coverage of certain high-risk activities.

How Much does Post Office Travel Insurance Cost?

As a general guideline, Post Office travel insurance costs around £9 for single-trip European coverage and up to £72 for worldwide coverage on longer annual multi-trip policies. However, costs can increase significantly when you consider:

  • Worldwide coverage typically costs 50-100% more than European-only cover.
  • Annual multi-trip policies are more costly than single trip coverages.
  • Longer trip durations raise premiums.
  • Older travelers pay higher than younger travelers.
  • Adding additional modules increases costs.
  • Pre-existing medical conditions incur significant costs.

To help estimate pricing more accurately, get an instant online quote based on your trip details and options. Prices vary greatly based on individual circumstances, so customized quotes provide the most accurate premium estimates.

Generally, Post Office travel insurance costs are very competitive in the UK market. The cost is reasonable when compared to similar plans from Provident Insurance, Swinton, LV, Saga, and other major providers. Those with pre-existing conditions can also compare quotes from insurers that specialize in high-risk cases, such as Freedom Insurance, InsuranceWith, and Staysure. In most cases, the Post Office plans provide comprehensive coverage at a reasonable cost.

How to Purchase Post Office Travel Insurance.

Purchasing Post Office travel insurance takes only a few minutes online or at a local Post Office branch.

Online Purchasing Process:

  • Visit: www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance.
  • Click the “Start Quote” button.
  • Answer basic travel questions.
  • View quote and customize cover.
  • Enter personal/medical information.
  • Pay securely online with your card.

The online process is quick and easy, allowing you to purchase appropriate coverage 24/7 based on your specific travel plans.

In-Branch Purchasing Process:

  • Visit the local Post Office branch.
  • Discuss your needs with the staff.
  • Select a suitable cover option.
  • Complete the application form.
  • Pay policy premium at the counter.

Purchasing cover in-branch allows you to discuss your specific needs with knowledgeable staff. They can recommend comprehensive products that are tailored to your specific trip needs.

Regardless of how you choose to purchase, the Post Office travel insurance plans provide dependable coverage for your travels at competitive rates. Their recommendation status from Defaqto, an independent researcher, adds to their quality coverage offering, which is suitable for the majority of holiday scenarios.

Is Post Office Travel Insurance right for you?

Finally, determining whether Post Office travel insurance fits your needs is based on a few key factors:

  • Does your trip require global or European coverage?
  • Is your trip duration appropriate for single, multi-trip, or long-stay policy structures?
  • Does the included coverage have sufficient benefit limits for your risk tolerance?
  • Can you cover any pre-existing medical conditions at a reasonable additional cost if necessary?

Does the price fit within your insurance budget?

If you can answer “yes” to these questions and obtain a suitable quote, Post Office travel insurance will most likely meet your protection requirements!

Many UK residents who plan regular vacations within Europe or elsewhere find that the Post Office travel insurance plans meet all of their needs. The coverage is comprehensive but reasonably priced, and it is backed up by a well-established national insurance partner.

Ultimately, obtaining travel insurance should relieve stress rather than add to it. Travellers can now enjoy peace of mind by purchasing quality coverage online or at trusted local Post Office branches, allowing them to focus on making the most of their upcoming adventures!

Getting caught without insurance while traveling can have disastrous financial consequences from minor mishaps. Post Office travel insurance provides strong UK-based protection, allowing you to explore the world with confidence. Their policies provide comprehensive coverage at reasonable prices for holidays of varying lengths and destinations. Understanding what Post Office insurance includes and excludes will allow you to determine whether it meets your needs before embarking on your next journey. The simple online quoting and purchasing process makes obtaining coverage an easy decision that adds security rather than hassles to your upcoming travel plans. 

Similar Posts

What Does “Standing on Business” Mean on TikTok?

What Does “Standing on Business” Mean on TikTok?

TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, particularly among Generation Z. The app allows users to create and share short videos, and trends spread quickly. One…

Why Most People Don’t Need Permanent Life Insurance

Why Most People Don’t Need Permanent Life Insurance

Permanent life insurance, which includes whole life and universal life policies, is frequently promoted as a necessary component of everyone’s financial plan. Insurance agents tout the policies’ lifelong coverage, tax-advantaged…

9 Startup Business Loans And financing Options to Consider

9 Startup Business Loans And financing Options to Consider

Starting a business requires significant financial resources, and obtaining the necessary funding can be difficult. Whether you’re starting a new business or expanding an existing one, understanding the various financing…

What Does “We Stand on Business” Mean? An Exploration

What Does “We Stand on Business” Mean? An Exploration

The phrase “we stand on business” is used occasionally in various business contexts. What exactly does it mean when someone says, “We stand on business”? This article will look at…

How to Start an ATM Business?

How to Start an ATM Business?

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are an important part of how we bank today. People want easy access to cash, so starting your own ATM business could be very profitable. However,…

Discover the Wonders of Pet Naturals Busy Butter for Your Furry Companions

Discover the Wonders of Pet Naturals Busy Butter for Your Furry Companions

In today’s fast-paced world, our beloved pets frequently encounter situations that can cause anxiety, stress, or hyperactivity. As responsible pet owners, we strive to give our furry friends the best…

  • Privacy Policy

Travelers Plans How to Travelers Plans in The World

Post office travel insurance.

World Travel Insurance

Traveling is an exciting adventure that offers numerous opportunities for discovery, exploration, and growth. However, like any journey, there are risks that come with it. That’s where travel insurance comes in. In this article, we’ll examine Post Office Travel Insurance, what it offers, and how it can benefit travelers like you.

What is Post Office Travel Insurance?

Post Office Logo

Post Office Travel Insurance is a type of insurance policy that aims to protect travelers from unexpected risks that may arise during their trip. These risks may include trip cancellations or delays, lost or stolen luggage or personal belongings, medical emergencies, and other incidents that can disrupt a traveler’s journey.

What are the Benefits of Post Office Travel Insurance?

Post Office Travel Insurance

Post Office Travel Insurance offers various benefits to travelers, including:

  • Comprehensive coverage for a range of travel-related risks
  • Flexibility and customizability to suit travelers’ unique needs
  • A 24/7 helpline for emergency support
  • Competitive prices and transparent policies

These benefits can help travelers enjoy peace of mind and confidence during their trip, knowing that they’re protected in case of unexpected events.

What Types of Travel Insurance Does Post Office Offer?

Post Office Travel Insurance offers various types of travel insurance policies, including:

  • Single Trip Travel Insurance
  • Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
  • Backpacker Travel Insurance
  • Winter Sports Travel Insurance
  • Family Travel Insurance
  • Cruise Travel Insurance

Each policy caters to different types of travelers and their unique needs. For example, the Single Trip Travel Insurance is ideal for those taking a one-time trip, while the Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance is best for frequent travelers. The Backpacker Travel Insurance is designed for those taking an extended trip, while the Winter Sports Travel Insurance provides coverage for winter sports activities like skiing and snowboarding.

How Much Does Post Office Travel Insurance Cost?

The cost of Post Office Travel Insurance depends on various factors, such as the type of policy, the duration of the trip, the traveler’s age, and the destination. Typically, policies start from as low as £4.20 for Single Trip Travel Insurance and £42.00 for Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance, making Post Office Travel Insurance an affordable option for many travelers.

How to Buy Post Office Travel Insurance?

Buying Post Office Travel Insurance is quick and easy. Interested travelers can purchase a policy online, over the phone, or in selected Post Office branches. They just need to provide some basic information about their trip, destination, and personal details, and they’ll receive a quote and policy instantly.

Post Office Travel Insurance is a valuable investment for travelers who want to protect themselves from unexpected risks during their trip. With comprehensive coverage, competitive prices, and flexible policies, it’s a reliable option for many types of travelers. By choosing Post Office Travel Insurance, you can enjoy peace of mind and confidence during your adventures, knowing that you’re protected.

English Use arrow key to access related widget.

  • Customer Service
  • My USPS ›
  • Español

Top Searches

Alert: We are currently experiencing issues with some of our applications. We are working to resolve the issues and apologize for the inconvenience.

Alert: USPS.com is undergoing routine maintenance from 10 PM ET, Saturday, March 9 through 4 AM ET, Sunday, March 10, 2024. During this time, you may not be able to sign-in to your account and payment transactions on some applications may be temporarily unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Alert: Severe weather conditions across the U.S. may delay final delivery of your mail and packages. Read more ›

Alert: USPS.com is undergoing routine maintenance from 11 PM ET, Saturday, March 2 through 4 AM ET, March 3, 2024. During this time, payment transactions on some applications will be temporarily unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Alert: We are currently experiencing issues with some of our applications. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Alert: Payment transactions on some applications will be temporarily unavailable from 11 PM ET, Saturday, January 6 through 3 AM ET, Sunday, January 7, 2024. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Alert: Some of our applications are undergoing routine maintenance on Monday, October 30 from 10-11 PM ET and may be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Alert: Hurricane Idalia is affecting USPS operations in the Southeast U.S. For updates, see our Service Alerts ›

Alert: Some of our applications are undergoing routine maintenance from Saturday, August 26 through Sunday, August 27 and may be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Person packing a fragile item in a Priority Mail Flat Rate Box.

Insurance & Extra Services

Add proof of mailing & delivery, signature services, & more.

Get extra protection for your special envelopes or packages. Learn about the insurance and extra services we offer: some are included for free, and others are available for a fee.

  • Protect valuable shipments and get peace of mind with additional insurance, signature-required delivery, and other add-ons.
  • Keep proof of when you mailed your items and know when your items are delivered safely to the correct recipient.
  • In some cases, you can order or print the extra service forms you need online.

Order Forms & Labels Extra Services Pricing & Fees

Person packing a fragile item in a Priority Mail Flat Rate Box.

Extra & Included Insurance

Standard shipping insurance.

You can purchase insurance coverage for your mailpieces for up to $5,000 in indemnity to protect against loss or damage. Insurance fees are based on the item’s declared value. There are limitations for insuring some products and certain items.

Mail Insured for more than $500

  • The recipient may be required to show an acceptable primary ID before USPS will deliver the mailpiece.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions

Important Links

About Insured Mail Insurance Exceptions Nonpayable Claims

Insurance coverage only covers the actual value of mail contents. You may purchase up to $5,000 indemnity coverage in person at a Post Office or online.

The price is based on declared value, starting at $2.75.

Insured Mail Fees

Priority Mail Express & Priority Mail

Priority Mail Express ® and Priority Mail ® services include up to $100 of insurance in the price. For more valuable shipments, additional coverage is usually available.

Qualifications

Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail domestic shipments must have an applicable USPS Tracking ® barcode to qualify for included insurance. Priority Mail insurance is not included when you purchase it along with certain extra services.

Priority Mail Express Insurance Details Priority Mail Insurance Details

Priority Mail Express Delivery

Keep your postmarked mailing receipt and proof of value of your shipment in case you need to file a claim. When your mail item is lost, you should file a claim no later than 60 days from the date of mailing. If your item is damaged or missing contents, you should file a claim immediately but not later than 60 days from the date of mailing.

Payable Claims Nonpayable Claims Proof of Value General Filing Instructions Priority Mail Express Claims

USPS Ground Advantage

USPS Ground Advantage ™ service includes up to $100 insurance in the price. For more valuable shipments, additional coverage is usually available.

USPS Ground Advantage domestic shipments must have an applicable USPS Tracking ® barcode to qualify for included insurance.

USPS Ground Advantage Insurance Details

USPS Ground Advantage Claims

Proof of Mailing & Delivery

Usps tracking ®.

Provides tracking updates as an item travels to its destination, including the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery.

  • Available online or at your Post Office depending on the mail class.

Certified Mail ®

Prove you sent it. See when it was delivered or that a delivery attempt was made, and get the signature of the person who accepts the mailing when combined with Return Receipt.

  • Purchase at your Post Office.
  • Present for mailing to a Postal employee if a postmarked sender’s receipt is requested.
  • Combine with Return Receipt to get an electronic or physical delivery record showing the recipient’s signature.

Return Receipt

Get an electronic or hardcopy delivery record showing the recipient’s signature.

  • Purchase at a Post Office depending on the mail class.
  • Available with Priority Mail Express using only PS Form 3811 (54 KB) .
  • Electronic Return Receipts are not available to APO/FPO/DPO addresses or to certain U.S. territories or possessions, or Freely Associated States.
  • $3.65 for mail receipt
  • $2.32 for email receipt

Certificate of Mailing

Show that you sent the item when you say you did. This official record shows the date your mail was presented to USPS for mailing.

  • Only available at your Post Office.
  • Available only at the time of mailing.
  • Don’t lose your certificate. The Postal Service ® does not keep a copy.
  • Use PS Form 3817 or PS Form 3877 only.

$2.00 Form 3817 (20 KB)

Signature Confirmation ™

Find out information about the date and time an item was delivered or when a delivery attempt was made. Add security by requiring a signature. USPS keeps a delivery record, which you may request via email, fax, or mail.

  • Purchase online or at your Post Office depending on the mail class.
  • Limited availability to APO/FPO/DPO locations and certain Freely Associated States.
  • Use with any service except USPS Marketing Mail ® and Adult Signature Services.
  • Before delivery, the recipient must show an acceptable primary ID with a clear photo.
  • $4.15 at a Post Office
  • $3.50 paid online

USPS Tracking Plus ®

Purchase extended tracking history for your item and receive a USPS Tracking Plus Statement via email upon request. Get access for up to 10 years.

  • Purchase online through USPS Tracking ® .
  • Available for: Priority Mail Express ® , Priority Mail ® , USPS Ground Advantage ™ , Parcel Select ® Non-presort, Library Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail ® , First-Class Mail ® (letters and flats)*, USPS Marketing Mail ® parcels*, and USPS Marketing Mail Nonprofit parcels*

*With purchase of a trackable extra service

Price starts at $0.99

Valuable Items

Registered mail.

Get maximum security for your valuable items. Registered Mail ® items can be insured for up to $50,000 at your Post Office ™ location.

  • Purchase at your Post Office or through your Rural Carrier.
  • Regardless of how you purchased the service, present Registered Mail items for mailing to a Postal employee.
  • Receive a mailing receipt, and upon request, electronic verification that an article was delivered or that a delivery attempt was made.

Price starts at $16.80

Hold For Pickup

Customers can pick up valuable and perishable merchandise at a designated Post Office.

  • USPS will hold packages for up to 15 days, depending on the service selected (5 days for Priority Mail Express ® ).
  • Customer is notified by email that a package is available for pickup.
  • The addressee must show an acceptable primary ID with a clear photo.

Signature Services

Restricted delivery.

Specify the person who can sign for and receive your item. Must be purchased in combination with another extra service as follows: Certified Mail, Collect on Delivery (COD), Insured Mail (over $500), Registered Mail, or Signature Confirmation.

  • USPS may request a primary ID with a clear photo for the addressee or the person authorized to sign for and receive your item.
  • Certified Mail Restricted Delivery $11.65
  • COD Restricted Delivery $6.90
  • Insured Mail Restricted Delivery $6.90
  • Registered Mail Restricted Delivery $6.90
  • Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery $10.40 (electronic) / $11.05 (retail)

Adult Signature Required

This service requires the signature of an adult age 21 or over at the recipient’s address. You’ll get delivery information, as well as the recipient’s signature and name.

  • Add this service to your qualifying online label purchase.
  • Not available for purchase at Post Office locations.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions Adult Signature Required Details

Adult Signature Restricted Delivery

With this service, your item is delivered only after the addressee or their authorized agent verifies their identity, proves that they’re 21 years of age or older, and signs for it.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions Adult Signature Restricted Delivery Details

Collect on Delivery (COD)

Let your customers pay for merchandise and shipping when they receive the package. You also get insurance coverage up to $1,000 based on amount to be collected or amount of insurance coverage desired, whichever is higher.

  • Purchase at a Post Office, or through your Rural Carrier, depending on the mail class. Present COD for mailing to a Postal employee.
  • COD service provides the mailer with a mailing receipt.
  • Not available for international shipments, APO/FPO/DPO locations, and certain Freely Associated States.
  • The recipient may pay the COD charges via cash, personal check, or money order payable to the mailer (accepted by the USPS employee after the recipient presents an acceptable primary ID with a clear photo).

Price starts at $10.80

Other Services

Usps label delivery service.

Request USPS Label Delivery service to get physical outbound labels delivered for a fee. Businesses can also request physical labels for their customers.

  • Available through enhanced Click-N-Ship ® service to USPS.com personal and business account holders.
  • Also, available to business account holders through USPS Web Tools ® APIs .
  • Available for Priority Mail Express ® , Priority Mail ® , and USPS Ground Advantage ™ services. For businesses, Priority Mail Express Return, Priority Mail Return ® , USPS Ground Advantage Return, Parcel Select ® , and Parcel Return services are also available.

$1.25 (per label)

Compare Add-On Services

Use the below chart to see whether an add-on is already included in the price of your chosen mail/shipping service or if it's available for a fee.

1. Insurance coverage is provided against lost, damage, or missing contents and is limited to a maximum liability of $100 when the pieces bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) or USPS retail tracking barcode and the mailer pays retail or commercial prices. For more details, see the Domestic Mail Manual Section 503.4 . Back ^ 2. Form 3818 by mail only. Back ^ 3. When purchased at the time of mailing with Certified Mail, COD, insurance (for more than $200), or Registered Mail. Restrictions apply. Back ^ 4. Available with USPS Marketing Mail packages when bulk insurance (for more than $200) is purchased at the time of mailing. Back ^ 5. When purchased at the time of mailing with COD or insurance (for more than $200). Back ^

  • Auto Insurance Best Car Insurance Cheapest Car Insurance Compare Car Insurance Quotes Best Car Insurance For Young Drivers Best Auto & Home Bundles Cheapest Cars To Insure
  • Home Insurance Best Home Insurance Best Renters Insurance Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Types Of Homeowners Insurance
  • Life Insurance Best Life Insurance Best Term Life Insurance Best Senior Life Insurance Best Whole Life Insurance Best No Exam Life Insurance
  • Pet Insurance Best Pet Insurance Cheap Pet Insurance Pet Insurance Costs Compare Pet Insurance Quotes
  • Travel Insurance Best Travel Insurance Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Best Cruise Travel Insurance Best Senior Travel Insurance
  • Health Insurance Best Health Insurance Plans Best Affordable Health Insurance Best Dental Insurance Best Vision Insurance Best Disability Insurance
  • Credit Cards Best Credit Cards 2024 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Best Rewards Credit Cards Best Cash Back Credit Cards Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards Best 0% APR Credit Cards Best Business Credit Cards Best Credit Cards for Startups Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Best Cards for Students without Credit
  • Credit Card Reviews Chase Sapphire Preferred Wells Fargo Active Cash® Chase Sapphire Reserve Citi Double Cash Citi Diamond Preferred Chase Ink Business Unlimited American Express Blue Business Plus
  • Credit Card by Issuer Best Chase Credit Cards Best American Express Credit Cards Best Bank of America Credit Cards Best Visa Credit Cards
  • Credit Score Best Credit Monitoring Services Best Identity Theft Protection
  • CDs Best CD Rates Best No Penalty CDs Best Jumbo CD Rates Best 3 Month CD Rates Best 6 Month CD Rates Best 9 Month CD Rates Best 1 Year CD Rates Best 2 Year CD Rates Best 5 Year CD Rates
  • Checking Best High-Yield Checking Accounts Best Checking Accounts Best No Fee Checking Accounts Best Teen Checking Accounts Best Student Checking Accounts Best Joint Checking Accounts Best Business Checking Accounts Best Free Checking Accounts
  • Savings Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Best Free No-Fee Savings Accounts Simple Savings Calculator Monthly Budget Calculator: 50/30/20
  • Mortgages Best Mortgage Lenders Best Online Mortgage Lenders Current Mortgage Rates Best HELOC Rates Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders Best Home Equity Loan Lenders Best VA Mortgage Lenders Mortgage Refinance Rates Mortgage Interest Rate Forecast
  • Personal Loans Best Personal Loans Best Debt Consolidation Loans Best Emergency Loans Best Home Improvement Loans Best Bad Credit Loans Best Installment Loans For Bad Credit Best Personal Loans For Fair Credit Best Low Interest Personal Loans
  • Student Loans Best Student Loans Best Student Loan Refinance Best Student Loans for Bad or No Credit Best Low-Interest Student Loans
  • Business Loans Best Business Loans Best Business Lines of Credit Apply For A Business Loan Business Loan vs. Business Line Of Credit What Is An SBA Loan?
  • Investing Best Online Brokers Top 10 Cryptocurrencies Best Low-Risk Investments Best Cheap Stocks To Buy Now Best S&P 500 Index Funds Best Stocks For Beginners How To Make Money From Investing In Stocks
  • Retirement Best Gold IRAs Best Investments for a Roth IRA Best Bitcoin IRAs Protecting Your 401(k) In a Recession Types of IRAs Roth vs Traditional IRA How To Open A Roth IRA
  • Business Formation Best LLC Services Best Registered Agent Services How To Start An LLC How To Start A Business
  • Web Design & Hosting Best Website Builders Best E-commerce Platforms Best Domain Registrar
  • HR & Payroll Best Payroll Software Best HR Software Best HRIS Systems Best Recruiting Software Best Applicant Tracking Systems
  • Payment Processing Best Credit Card Processing Companies Best POS Systems Best Merchant Services Best Credit Card Readers How To Accept Credit Cards
  • More Business Solutions Best VPNs Best VoIP Services Best Project Management Software Best CRM Software Best Accounting Software
  • Manage Topics
  • Investigations
  • Visual Explainers
  • Newsletters
  • Abortion news
  • Coronavirus
  • Climate Change
  • Vertical Storytelling
  • Corrections Policy
  • College Football
  • High School Sports
  • H.S. Sports Awards
  • Sports Betting
  • College Basketball (M)
  • College Basketball (W)
  • For The Win
  • Sports Pulse
  • Weekly Pulse
  • Buy Tickets
  • Sports Seriously
  • Sports+ States
  • Celebrities
  • Entertainment This!
  • Celebrity Deaths
  • American Influencer Awards
  • Women of the Century
  • Problem Solved
  • Personal Finance
  • Small Business
  • Consumer Recalls
  • Video Games
  • Product Reviews
  • Destinations
  • Airline News
  • Experience America
  • Today's Debate
  • Suzette Hackney
  • Policing the USA
  • Meet the Editorial Board
  • How to Submit Content
  • Hidden Common Ground
  • Race in America

Personal Loans

Best Personal Loans

Auto Insurance

Best Auto Insurance

Best High-Yields Savings Accounts

CREDIT CARDS

Best Credit Cards

Advertiser Disclosure

Blueprint is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service focused on helping readers make smarter decisions. We receive compensation from the companies that advertise on Blueprint which may impact how and where products appear on this site. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Blueprint. Blueprint does not include all companies, products or offers that may be available to you within the market. A list of selected affiliate partners is available here .

Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance of April 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

Heidi Gollub

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 9:52 a.m. UTC April 11, 2024

  • path]:fill-[#49619B]" alt="Facebook" width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 18 18" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
  • path]:fill-[#202020]" alt="Email" width="19" height="14" viewBox="0 0 19 14" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">

Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

WorldTrips is the best cheap travel insurance company of 2024 based on our in-depth analysis of the cheapest travel insurance plans. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans offer affordable travel insurance with high limits for emergency medical and evacuation benefits bundled with good coverage for trip delays, travel inconvenience and missed connections.

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of travel insurance experts analyzes hundreds of insurance products and thousands of data points to help you find the best travel insurance for your next trip. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

  • 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
  • 567 rates reviewed.
  • 5 levels of fact-checking.

Best cheap travel insurance

WorldTrips

Top-scoring plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, why it’s the best.

WorldTrips tops our rating of the cheapest travel insurance with two plans:

  • Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheaper travel insurance plan of the two, with $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage and an optional upgrade to primary coverage. It’s also our pick for the best travel insurance for cruises .
  • Atlas Journey Premier costs a little more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage . This is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority.

Pros and cons

  • Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of our 5-star travel insurance plans.
  • Atlas Journey Premier offers $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
  • Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
  • Each plan offers travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
  • 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
  • No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Travel Insured

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured offers cheap travel insurance for cruises and its Worldwide Trip Protector plan gets 4 stars in our rating of the best cruise travel insurance .

  • Worldwide Trip Protector offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and a rare $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits, which means you won’t have to file medical claims with your health insurance first.
  • Cheap trip insurance for cruises.
  • Offers a rare $150,000 for non-medical evacuation.
  • $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
  • Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
  • Missed connection benefit of $500 per person only available for cruises and tours.

Best cheap travel insurance for families

Travelex

Travelex has the best cheap travel insurance for families because kids age 17 are covered by your policy for free when they’re traveling with you.

  • Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
  • $2,000 travel delay coverage per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
  • Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
  • Only $50,000 per person emergency medical coverage.
  • Baggage delay coverage is only $200 and requires a 12-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Nationwide

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide has the best cheap travel insurance for seniors — its Prime plan gets 4 stars in our best senior travel insurance rating. However, Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan ranks higher in our best cheap travel insurance rating.

  • Cruise Choice has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion. It also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay, for cruises or tours. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.
  • Coverage for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
  • Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
  • Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
  • Travel medical coverage is secondary.
  • Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
  • No “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade available.
  • Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person is only for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

AIG

AIG offers the best cheap travel insurance for add-on options because the Travel Guard Preferred plan allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades.

  • Travel Guard Preferred upgrades include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings. There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million.
  • Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your affordable travel insurance policy.
  • Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
  • Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
  • $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
  • Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe

TravelSafe has the best cheap travel insurance for missed connections because coverage is not limited to cruises and tours, as it is with many policies.

  • Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
  • $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
  • Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
  • Most expensive of the best cheap travel insurance plans.
  • No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
  • Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

Travel Insured

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

The cheapest travel insurance in our rating is $334. This is for a WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred travel insurance plan, based on the average of seven quotes for travelers of various ages to international destinations with a range of trip values.  

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

There are several factors that determine the cost of travel insurance, including:

  • Age and number of travelers being insured.
  • Trip length.
  • Total trip cost.
  • The travel insurance plan you choose.
  • The travel insurance company.
  • Any add-ons, features or upgraded benefits you include in the travel insurance plan.
Expert tip: “In general, travelers can expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 10% of their total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs,” said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip.

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

Choosing cheaper travel insurance without paying attention to what a plan covers and excludes could leave you underinsured for your trip. Comparing travel insurance plans side-by-side can help ensure you get enough coverage to protect yourself financially in an emergency for the best price. 

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

  • Travel Basic is cheaper but it only provides up to $15,000 for emergency medical expense coverage. You’ll also have to pay extra for coverage for children.
  • Travel Select will cost you a bit more but it covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and includes coverage for kids aged 17 and younger traveling with you. It also offers upgrades such additional medical coverage, “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage and an adventure sports rider that may be a good fit for your trip.

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

Make sure you understand what you’re giving up if you buy the cheapest travel insurance. Here are a few reasons you may consider paying a little extra for better coverage. 

  • Emergency medical. The best travel medical insurance offers primary coverage for emergency medical benefits. Travel insurance with primary coverage can cost more than secondary coverage but will save you from having to file a claim with your health insurance company before filing a travel insurance claim.
  • Emergency evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote location or planning a boat excursion on your trip, look at travel insurance with a high medical evacuation insurance limit. If you are injured while traveling, transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility could cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands. It may make sense to pay more for travel insurance with robust emergency evacuation coverage. 
  • Flexibility. To maximize your trip flexibility, you might consider upgrading your travel insurance to “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . This will increase the cost of your travel insurance but allow you to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy. The catch is that you’ll need to cancel at least 48 hours before your trip and will only be reimbursed 50% or 75% of your trip expenses, depending on the plan. 
  • Upgrades. Many travel insurance plans have optional extras like car rental collision and adventure sports (which may otherwise be excluded from coverage). These will cost you extra but may give you the coverage you need. 

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

The best way to find the cheapest travel insurance is to determine what you’re looking for in a travel insurance policy and compare plans that meet your needs.

 “Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different, and every traveler has different needs, wants and concerns. This is why comparison is key,” said Morrow.

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

  • How often you’re traveling. A single-trip policy may be the most cost-effective if you’re only going on a single trip this year. But a multi-trip travel insurance plan may be cheaper if you’re going on multiple international trips throughout the year. Annual travel insurance policies cover you for a whole year as long as each trip doesn’t exceed a certain number of days, usually 30 to 90 days. 
  • Credit card has travel insurance benefits. The best credit cards offer perks and benefits, and many offer travel insurance-specific benefits. The coverage types and benefit limits can vary, and you must put the entire trip cost on the credit card to use the coverage. If your trip costs more than the coverage limit on your card, you can supplement the rest with a cheaper travel insurance plan.
  • The coverage you need. When looking for the best travel insurance option at the most affordable price, only buy extras and upgrades you really need. A basic plan may only provide up to $500 in baggage insurance, but if you only plan to take $300 worth of clothes and accessories, you don’t need to pay more for higher coverage limits.

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

Cheap travel insurance can be worth it, as long as you understand the plan limitations and exclusions. Taking the time to read your policy, especially the fine print, well before your trip can ensure there won’t be any surprises about what’s covered once your journey begins.

“If a traveler is looking for coverage for travel delays, cancellations, interruptions, medical and baggage — a comprehensive travel insurance policy will provide the most bang for their buck,” said Morrow. But if you’re on a tight budget and are only worried about emergency medical care and evacuation coverage while traveling abroad, stand-alone options are cheaper.

Before buying travel insurance, you should also consider what your health insurance will cover. 

“Most domestic health insurance plans, including Medicare, will not cover medical bills abroad,” said Morrow. Even if you’re staying stateside, you may find value in an affordable travel insurance plan with medical coverage if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). 

A cheap travel insurance plan is better than none at all if you end up in a situation that would have covered some or all of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance . From those top-scoring travel insurance plans, we chose the most affordable for our rating of the cheapest travel insurance.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

  • Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
  • Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
  • Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
  • Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
  • Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
  • “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
  • Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
  • Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
  • Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

When buying travel insurance, cheapest is not always the best. The most affordable travel insurance plans typically offer fewer coverages with lower policy limits and few or no optional upgrades. Add up your total nonrefundable trip costs and compare travel insurance plans and available features that cover your travel expenses. This strategy can help you find the cheapest travel insurance policy that best protects you from financial loss if an unforeseen circumstance arises.

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

According to our analysis, WorldTrips , Travel Insured International and Travelex offer the best cheap travel insurance. Policy coverage types and limits can vary by each travel insurance provider, so the best way to get the cheapest travel insurance plan is to compare several policies and companies to find the right fit for your budget.

A good rate for travel insurance depends on your budget and coverage needs. The most comprehensive travel insurance plan is usually not the cheapest. But cheap trip insurance may not have enough coverage or the types of coverage you want. Comparing different levels of coverage and how much they cost can help you find the best cheap insurance for travel. 

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% to 6% of your total travel expenses for one trip, according to our analysis of rates. However, you may find cheaper travel insurance if you opt for a plan with fewer benefits or lower coverage limits. How much you pay for travel insurance will also depend on the number of travelers covered, their ages, the length of the trip and any upgrades you add to your plan.

Travel insurance covers nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs — up to the policy coverage limits — when your trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason outlined in your plan documents. Even the cheapest travel insurance policies usually provide coverage for:

  • Medical emergencies.
  • Trip delays.
  • Trip interruption.
  • Trip cancellation.
  • Lost, stolen or damaged luggage.

However, if you’re looking to save on travel insurance, you can shop for a policy that only has travel medical insurance and does not include benefits for trip cancellation .

Even when you buy cheap travel insurance, you can often use upgrade options to customize your policy to meet your specific needs. 

Some common travel insurance add-ons you may want to consider include:

  • Rental car damage coverage. 
  • Medical bundle.
  • Security bundle.
  • Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
  • Adventure sports bundle.
  • Pet bundle.
  • Wedding bundle.
  • “Cancel for work reasons” coverage.
  • “Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage.
  • “Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Mandy Sleight

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

10 worst US airports for flight cancellations this week

10 worst US airports for flight cancellations this week

Travel Insurance Heidi Gollub

10 worst US airports for flight cancellations last week

10 worst US airports for flight cancellations last week

Average flight costs: Travel, airfare and flight statistics 2024

Average flight costs: Travel, airfare and flight statistics 2024

Travel Insurance Timothy Moore

John Hancock travel insurance review 2024

John Hancock travel insurance review 2024

Travel Insurance Jennifer Simonson

HTH Worldwide travel insurance review 2024

HTH Worldwide travel insurance review 2024

Airfare at major airports is up 29% since 2021

Airfare at major airports is up 29% since 2021

USI Affinity travel insurance review 2024

USI Affinity travel insurance review 2024

Trawick International travel insurance review 2024

Trawick International travel insurance review 2024

Travel insurance for Canada

Travel insurance for Canada

Travel Insurance Mandy Sleight

Travelex travel insurance review 2024

Travelex travel insurance review 2024

Best travel insurance companies of April 2024

Best travel insurance companies of April 2024

Travel Insurance Amy Fontinelle

Best travel insurance for a Disney World vacation in 2024

Best travel insurance for a Disney World vacation in 2024

World Nomads travel insurance review 2024

World Nomads travel insurance review 2024

Outlook for travel insurance in 2024

Outlook for travel insurance in 2024

Survey: Nearly 85% of Americans avoid family over the holidays

Survey: Nearly 85% of Americans avoid family over the holidays

Travel Insurance Kara McGinley

Key benefits of travel medical insurance

  • Travel medical insurance coverage
  • Who needs medical travel insurance?

Choosing the right travel medical insurance

How to use travel medical insurance, is travel medical insurance right for your next trip, travel medical insurance: essential coverage for health and safety abroad.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

  • Travel medical insurance covers unexpected emergency medical expenses while traveling.
  • Travelers off to foreign countries or remote areas should strongly consider travel medical insurance.
  • If you have to use your travel medical insurance, keep all documents related to your treatment.

Of all the delights associated with travel to far-flung locales, getting sick or injured while away from home is low on the savvy traveler's list. Beyond gut-wrenching anxiety, seeking medical treatment in a foreign country can be exceedingly inconvenient and expensive.

The peace of mind that comes with travel insurance for the many things that could ail you while abroad is priceless. As options for travel-related insurance abound, it's essential to research, read the fine print, and act according to the specifics of your itinerary, pocketbook, and other needs.

Travel insurance reimburses you for any unexpected medical expenses incurred while traveling. On domestic trips, travel medical insurance usually take a backseat to your health insurance. However, when traveling to a foreign country, where your primary health insurance can't cover you, travel medical insurance takes the wheel. This can be especially helpful in countries with high medical care costs, such as Scandinavian countries.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

Another benefit that often comes with travel medical insurance, emergency medical evacuation insurance covers you for any costs to transport you to an adequately equipped medical center. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is often paired with repatriation insurance, which covers costs associated with returning your remains to your home country if the worst happens. 

These benefits are for worst-case scenarios, but they might be more necessary depending on the type of trips you take. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is helpful if you're planning on traveling to a remote location or if you're traveling on a cruise as sea to land evacuations can be costly. Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer non-medical evacuations as part of an adventure sports insurance package.

It's also worth mentioning that emergency medical evacuation insurance is required for international students studying in the US on a J Visa. 

Types of coverage offered by travel medical insurance

The exact terms of your coverage will vary depending on your insurer, but you can expect most travel medical insurance policies to offer the following coverages.

  • Hospital room and board
  • Inpatient/outpatient hospital services
  • Prescription Drugs
  • COVID-19 treatment
  • Emergency room services
  • Urgent care visits
  • Local ambulance
  • Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
  • Dental coverage (accident/sudden relief of pain)
  • Medical care due to terrorist attack
  • Emergency medical evacuation 
  • Repatriation of mortal remains
  • Accidental death and dismemberment

Travel medical insurance and pre-existing conditions

Many travel insurance providers will cover pre-existing conditions as long as certain conditions are met. For one, travelers need to purchase their travel insurance within a certain time frame from when they placed a deposit on their trip, usually two to three weeks. 

Additionally, travel insurance companies usually only cover stable medical conditions, which are conditions that don't need additional medical treatment, diagnosis, or medications.

Who needs travel medical insurance?

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Even if well-managed, preexisting conditions like diabetes or asthma can make a medical backup plan even more vital.

Having what you need to refill prescriptions or get other care if you get stuck somewhere other than home could be essential to your health and well-being. That's without counting all the accidents and illnesses that can hit us when away from home.

Individuals traveling for extended periods (more than six months) or engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing) should also consider a solid medical travel plan. Both scenarios increase the likelihood that medical attention, whether routine or emergency, could be needed.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip medical travel insurance . Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Like other types of insurance, medical travel insurance rates are calculated based on various factors. Failing to disclose a preexisting health condition could result in a lapse of coverage right when you need it, as insurers can cancel your policy if you withhold material information. So honesty is always the best policy.

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Making the right choice when shopping for travel medical insurance can mean the difference between a minor hiccup in your travels and a financial nightmare. 

When a travel insurance company comes up with a quote for your policy, they take a few factors into consideration, such as your age, your destination, and the duration of your trip. You should do the same when assessing a travel insurance company. 

For example, older travelers who are more susceptible to injury may benefit from travel medical insurance (though your premiums will be higher). If you're traveling for extended periods throughout one calendar year, you should look into an annual travel medical insurance plan . If you're engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing), you should seek a plan that includes coverage for injuries sustained in adventure sports.

Travel medical insurance isn't just for peace of mind. If you travel often enough, there's a good chance you'll eventually experience an incident where medical treatment is necessary.

Before you submit your claim, you should take some time to understand your policy. Your travel medical insurance is either primary (you can submit claims directly to your travel medical insurance provider) or secondary (you must first submit claims to your primary insurance provider). In the case of secondary travel medical insurance, a refusal notice from your primary insurance provider, even if it does not cover medical claims outside the US, is often required as evidence of protocol.

On that note, you should be sure to document every step of your medical treatment. You should keep any receipts for filled prescriptions, hospital bills, and anything else documenting your medical emergency.

As many people have found out the hard way, reading the fine print is vital. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you fall ill with a severe condition, including illnesses like COVID-19. 

Still on the fence about whether or not medical travel insurance is worth it ? It's worth noting that many travel insurance plans also include medical protections, so you can also protect against trip cancellations and other unexpected developments while obtaining travel medical insurance.

While short, domestic trips may not warrant travel medical insurance, it may be a good idea to insure longer, international trips. You should also consider travel medical insurance for trips to remote areas, where a medical evacuation may be expensive, and more physically tasking trips.

While shopping for travel medical insurance may not be fun, a little advance leg work can let you relax on your trip and give you peace of mind. After all, that is the point of a vacation. 

Medical travel insurance frequently asked questions

Trip insurance covers any unexpected financial losses while traveling, such as the cost of replacing lost luggage, trip interruptions, and unexpected medical expenses. Travel medical insurance just covers those medical expenses without the trip interruption or cancellation insurance.

Travel insurance companies usually offer adventure sports as add-on coverage or a separate plan entirely. You'll likely pay more for a policy with adventure sports coverage. 

Many travel medical insurance policies now include coverage for COVID-19 related medical expenses and treat it like any other illness. However, you should double-check your policy to ensure that is the case.

travel insurance the post office

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

travel insurance the post office

  • Main content
  • Skip navigation
  • Find a branch
  • Help and support

Popular searches

  • Track a parcel
  • Travel money
  • Travel insurance
  • Drop and Go

Log into your account

  • Credit cards
  • International money transfer
  • Junior ISAs

Travel and Insurance

  • Car and van insurance
  • Gadget insurance
  • Home insurance
  • Pet insurance
  • Travel Money Card
  • Parcels Online

For further information about the Horizon IT Scandal, please visit our  corporate website

Monzo Banking

We work with Monzo so you can bank locally through us

Access your bank accounts at Post Office branches across the UK

A person in a black shirt, their hands counting money at a post office counter

Banking services from Monzo are available at your local Post Office. Access your personal and business accounts at any of our 11,500 branches.

More information

For more information on products and services offered by Monzo, please visit their website .

Discover our full range of banking services

Find out more about over-the-counter banking in a branch near you

  • Today's news
  • Reviews and deals
  • Climate change
  • 2024 election
  • Fall allergies
  • Health news
  • Mental health
  • Sexual health
  • Family health
  • So mini ways
  • Unapologetically
  • Buying guides

Entertainment

  • How to Watch
  • My watchlist
  • Stock market
  • Biden economy
  • Personal finance
  • Stocks: most active
  • Stocks: gainers
  • Stocks: losers
  • Trending tickers
  • World indices
  • US Treasury bonds
  • Top mutual funds
  • Highest open interest
  • Highest implied volatility
  • Currency converter
  • Basic materials
  • Communication services
  • Consumer cyclical
  • Consumer defensive
  • Financial services
  • Industrials
  • Real estate
  • Mutual funds
  • Credit cards
  • Credit card rates
  • Balance transfer credit cards
  • Business credit cards
  • Cash back credit cards
  • Rewards credit cards
  • Travel credit cards
  • Checking accounts
  • Online checking accounts
  • High-yield savings accounts
  • Money market accounts
  • Personal loans
  • Student loans
  • Car insurance
  • Home buying
  • Options pit
  • Investment ideas
  • Research reports
  • Fantasy football
  • Pro Pick 'Em
  • College Pick 'Em
  • Fantasy baseball
  • Fantasy hockey
  • Fantasy basketball
  • Download the app
  • Daily fantasy
  • Scores and schedules
  • GameChannel
  • World Baseball Classic
  • Premier League
  • CONCACAF League
  • Champions League
  • Motorsports
  • Horse racing
  • Newsletters

New on Yahoo

  • Privacy Dashboard

15 men brought to military enlistment office after mass brawl in Moscow Oblast

Local security forces brought 15 men to a military enlistment office after a mass brawl at a warehouse of the Russian Wildberries company in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast on Feb. 8, Russian Telegram channel Shot reported .

29 people were also taken to police stations. Among the arrested were citizens of Kyrgyzstan.

A mass brawl involving over 100 employees and security personnel broke out at the Wildberries warehouse in Elektrostal on Dec. 8.

Read also: Moscow recruits ‘construction brigades’ from Russian students, Ukraine says

We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron !

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine

Recommended Stories

'sasquatch sunset' is so relentlessly gross that people are walking out of screenings. star jesse eisenberg says the film was a ‘labor of love.’.

“There are so many movies made for people who like typical things. This is not that," the film's star told Yahoo Entertainment.

O.J. Simpson dead at 76 after battle with cancer, family announces

O.J. Simpson, one of the most infamous figures in U.S. history, had been battling cancer.

Scott Boras loses Jordan Montgomery as client after super-agent's disaster offseason

Boras reportedly demanded at least $170 million for Montgomery. The pitcher ended up getting $25 million.

2024 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Projections for every pick following March Madness

With the NCAA tournament behind us, here's an updated look at Yahoo Sports' first- and second-round projections for the 2024 NBA Draft.

2025 Toyota 4Runner (finally!) revealed, and the new Trailhunter is extremely cool

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is finally arriving this fall with a full lineup including returning TRD Pro and new Trailhunter. Hybrid power now available.

Republicans (?!?) are killing a tax cut

In a flip of the usual priorities, Senate Republicans seem likely to kill a set of tax cuts that have already passed the House and are broadly popular. Here's why.

2024 NBA Awards: Official picks for MVP, Rookie of the Year and every individual honor

With the 2023-24 NBA season coming to an end, here's one voter's award ballot, breaking down the top candidates — and declaring the winners.

2025 Toyota 4Runner vs Land Cruiser vs the old 4Runner: How they compare

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner looks like it'll be a clear improvement to its predecessor. Though looking at the specs, it may pose a problem for the Land Cruiser

Ex-NFL linebacker Terrell Suggs arrested on assault charge in Arizona after incident at Starbucks drive-thru

Suggs is due in court on April 29 for a preliminary hearing.

2024 NFL Draft guide: 32 teams, 32 needs, picks, best fits and more

What selections does your team have? What areas should it address? Who's the dream fantasy pick? We cover all that and more for every franchise right here.

Adam Silver: Raptors’ Jontay Porter accused of ‘cardinal sin’ in betting scandal, full ban a possibility

The league is investigating Jontay Porter over several betting irregularities in which player props on him all hit after he left games early.

Shohei Ohtani scandal: The 5 most surprising revelations of Ippei Mizuhara's criminal complaint

Ippei Mizuhara allegedly stole $16 million to help pay for his gambling habit that included 19,000 illegal bets.

Mock Draft Monday with PFF's Trevor Sikkema: Cowboys fill needs, Vikings and Broncos land QBs

We continue our 'Mock Draft Monday' series with PFF's Trevor Sikkema joining Matt Harmon the pod. Sikkema provides his five favorite picks from his latest mock draft as well as his least favorite pick. The PFF draft expert also shares what goes into his methodology when crafting a mock, especially as inch even closer to night one of the draft.

2025 Ram 1500's 'Hurricane' I6 tops V8 in fuel economy

2025 Ram 1500 full-size pickup truck now has fuel economy numbers, and the Hurricane inline-six delivers better numbers than the V8 it replaces.

2024 NFL Draft: Top 100 big board goes in-depth on names to know ahead of marquee offseason event

Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice has Drake Maye at No. 1, Caleb Williams at No. 2, and a whole lot of intrigue after in a deep class at wide receiver, offensive line and cornerback.

2024 NFL Draft: Favorite players outside the top 50

These aren't household names, but there are plenty of quality, if imperfect, prospects that should be available on Day 2 of the NFL Draft and beyond.

NBA Playoff Picture: Pelicans-Kings has high stakes, plus a big showdown in the East

Here are the latest updates on the postseason landscape, including magic numbers, relevant tiebreakers and the stakes for Thursday's slate of games.

2024 NFL Draft: Top 10 offensive line prospects anchored by stars from Penn State, Notre Dame

It's close between the top two for Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice, and there are a ton of other guys worth getting excited about in a deep class.

For women who stay single, the pressure is higher to save more for retirement

The number of single adult women in the US is at its highest level ever — and for many of them, the risk of running out of money in retirement is a serious concern.

US economy has Wall Street 'borderline speechless' after blowout March jobs report

The March jobs report was the latest piece of economic data to surprise Wall Street analysts and send stocks rallying.

Money latest: American Express announces two big changes to credit card

Two changes to British Airways credit cards - which help customers collect Avios points towards flights - are coming. Read about this and the rest of today's consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog, and tell us your thoughts on any of the stories we cover in the form below.

Friday 12 April 2024 16:23, UK

  • UK economy grows slightly for second month in a row
  • How your neighbour's garden could wipe up to £57,000 from your house price
  • At what age do you reach peak earnings?
  • Prescription costs are rising - here's how to beat the hike
  • Authentic or Greek-style? Your guide to getting healthier yoghurt for less
  • 'WTF is going on with the price of olive oil?'
  • Could I build a home gym for less than my gym membership?
  • Basically...  Tax codes
  • Cheap Eats : Great British Menu legend shares ultimate toastie recipe

Ask a question or make a comment

American Express has announced two major changes to its British Airways credit cards which help customers collect Avios points towards flights.

From November, the amount that BA Amex and BA Amex Premium Plus card holders will need to spend every year to get "two-for-one" companion vouchers will rise to £15,000.

That's a £3,000 rise in the minimum annual spend for Amex customers and £5,000 for Amex Premium Plus.

The companion vouchers mean customers can grab a second seat for someone travelling on the same flight, or a 50% discount on the Avios price of a solo flight.

That's not the only change, however, as American Express is also hiking the annual fee for its Amex Premium Plus card from £250 to £300 - an inflation-busting 20% increase.

The fee increase applies from today for new applicants. Existing cardholders will be hit with the rise for renewals from 1 August onwards.

Meanwhile, the US bank said the qualifying spend for companion vouchers will start from 1 November regardless of when membership is renewed.

That means some current customers may need to race to hit the lower minimum spend by 31 October.

American Express told consumer champion Which? that it occasionally makes changes to cardholders' account terms. A spokesperson said the companion voucher "remains an industry-leading credit card benefit", while both cards "continue to provide great value for customers".

Greece has announced a scheme to give "free" holidays to tourists affected by the wildfires that ravaged Rhodes last summer.

More than 20,000 tourists and locals were forced to flee homes and seaside hotels after blazes fanned by strong winds broke out on the island and burned for days in July 2023.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed  last year to offer a one-week free holiday in Rhodes to those whose holidays were cut short.

The country's government has now officially launched the "Rodos Week" scheme, which offers an e-voucher of between €300 and €500 compensation for a week's stay.

The general secretary of Greece's tourism ministry  told  The Guardian that it has been a "very complicated process not least, I think, because we’re the first country in the world to do this".

The amount holidaymakers can claim depends on the rank of the hotel they were originally staying in.

E-vouchers can be claimed during two phases: between now and May 31, and from 10 October to 11 November.

Only those who stayed in hotels are eligible for the scheme, the government said, with Airbnb accommodation excluded.

Yannis Papavasiliou, head of the island's union of hoteliers, said there has been good take up already with over 5,000 holidaymakers enrolling, according to The Guardian.

The airport where you're likely to face the longest delays has been revealed as one of the UK's biggest.

London Gatwick replaced Birmingham to top the list for 2023, with its departures nearly 27 minutes behind schedule, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.

The West Sussex airport, the second-busiest in the UK behind Heathrow, was hit by air traffic control shortages across Europe last year and also had similar problems in its control tower.

In a statement, Gatwick said it was "working closely with our airline partners to improve on-time performance".

"The majority of cancellations are caused by poor weather, airspace constraints across Europe and inefficient third party ground operations," it said.

Luton airport followed with an average delay of almost 23 minutes, while Manchester took third place at nearly 22 minutes.

In contrast, holidaymakers flying from Belfast City (George Best) had the best experience, with the typical delay there just 12-and-a-half minutes in 2023.

Across all airports, the average delay was almost 20 minutes and 42 seconds - though this fell from 23 minutes and 12 seconds the previous year amid a boom in travel after the pandemic.

CAA director Tim Johnson said the aviation sector needed to "focus on resilience" before summer comes to "keep passenger disruption to a minimum".

All scheduled and chartered departures from UK airports with at least 1,000 outbound flights were included in the analysis, with cancellations excluded.

Naomi Leach, deputy editor of Which? Travel, said the latest figures point to "millions of passengers" experiencing "unacceptably long hold-ups last year".

"This cannot be allowed to become the new normal."

But the Airport Operators Association argued that data doesn't show "any of the context around operating in a global environment".

"Airports work extremely hard to minimise delays while providing a positive, safe and secure experience for passengers," it said.

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'You can't get a mortgage with a bad credit rating'

Just how important is keeping on top of your credit score when it comes to buying a home?

For this one, we've got the help of  Emma Steeley , chief executive at borrowing platform Aro. 

"The honest answer is that a bad credit rating can stop you from getting a mortgage, and a poor rating can throw some serious hurdles in your path," Emma says. 

"Despite this, it's not the end of the road if your credit rating isn't as rosy as you'd like it to be."

What counts as a bad credit score?

"In the worst-case scenario, this will likely mean you've defaulted on or missed payments, and debt has been escalated to the stage where legal action has been initiated," Emma says. 

An applicant left with a credit score below 325 is considered "poor" or even "very poor" by Equifax. 

A game of risk for lenders

Before we talk about what your credit score will do to an offer rate, it's important to understand the impact that the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio can have on this too, as it heavily influences the interest rate offered by lenders.

Your LTV ratio is used by lenders to decide how risky it is to lend you the money to buy your home. It compares how much of the property you will own - ie, how much deposit you can put down in relation to the property’s value - to how much they will need to lend to you to make up the difference.

"The lower your LTV ratio, the better the mortgage rate you're likely to be offered - the higher the LTV, the higher the risk for the lender," Emma says. 

"A higher credit score can help mitigate the impact of a high LTV, potentially resulting in a more favourable interest rate."

What to do if you have a poor credit score

The obvious answer here is to try to improve your credit score, by building your file with credit builder loans and/or secured cards.

"While the options may be limited and less favourable for those with 'poor' credit scores, they do exist," Emma says. 

Those are usually longer or more expensive deals, however. 

The good news is most lenders don't solely use credit scores as a measure of creditworthiness. 

"Best practice will see lenders using a blended scorecard, that overlays behavioural data and back book financial performance with credit data to get a much more accurate assessment of an individual's payback ability," Emma says. 

However, for people with a "very poor" rating (below 226, according to Equifax), the number of offers you are likely to receive shrinks to almost zero.

Myth or must?

It's undeniable that a good credit score gives you more flexibility when it comes to getting a mortgage. 

"Importantly, credit scores can be improved," Emma says. 

"Those who take a proactive approach to managing their finances and understand how to rebuild their credit score will find themselves presented with a wider array of loan options."

A good credit score is a money must. 

Messy neighbours can slash tens of thousands of pounds off the value of your home, according to new research.

A survey of estate agents by Churchill Home Insurance found that more than four in five (82%) believe it's important for homeowners to chat to their neighbours about their poorly maintained property before putting the house on the market.

Some 22% said an overgrown garden is likely to have the biggest impact, while 20% said rubbish or junk in the driveway or front garden could affect the cost.

Overflowing gutters (20%), several cars parked on or around the property (19%) and garden ornaments and statues (18%) also cut the value of neighbouring homes, estate agents said.

The research also revealed that some sellers deliberately time viewings to make their houses seem more attractive, avoiding issues next door such as loud music or pets - or even avoiding the neighbours altogether.

Sarah Khan, head of Churchill home insurance, said: "First impressions count when it comes to selling homes, with the sale price often negatively impacted when the neighbouring property looks scruffy.

"Investing a few hundred pounds in a gardener to tidy up next door's front garden could pay huge dividends when it comes to selling your home, a win-win for both you and your neighbour." 

What do estate agents say? 

We spoke to people in the industry about the risk of having messy neighbours when it comes to moving - and what their advice is for those seeking to avoid any effect on their sale.

James Stevenson, south and south west area director at Foxtons,  agrees it can make the process more difficult.

"Gardens that are unkept or full of clutter, pavements and frontages that have fallen into disrepair or where your neighbours are showing little care for their property are all a negative flag for buyers," he said.

"Additionally, any disruption that has become a neighbourly dispute must be declared to prospective buyers, so it's always better to have a great relationship with your neighbours and try to resolve any existing issues amicably."

Messy neighbours are "frustrating" at any time, but become a "more pressing issue" when it comes to putting a home up for sale, says  Sarah Cull, senior associate director Strutt & Parker Salisbury.

"Before you get your own gardening shears out, the first step should always be to try to have a frank conversation with your neighbour - you can even explain that you're looking to sell and you want to give prospective buyers the best first impression possible."

If a friendly chat doesn't do the job, Sarah suggests heading to a local garden centre to pick up some screening.

"Where the neighbour's garden is considered a nuisance - for example there's lots of rubbish which could attract pests, or weeds are damaging groundwork - then you can report it to your local council," she added.

By  Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

The continued return to growth with GDP - a measure of everything produced in the economy - up 0.1% has been welcomed by markets.

The FTSE 100 - the index of most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange - is up 0.86% and near its all-time high.

Pushing up the index is Fresnillo, the precious metals mining company with its share price up 6.91%.

Potentially putting a dampener on the global economy is the fact oil prices have remained elevated, with a barrel of the benchmark Brent crude oil costing $90.57.

Currency wise, one pound buys $1.256 and €1.17.

Jeremy Hunt says the latest economy figures are a "welcome sign".

The chancellor said GDP growth of 0.1% shows "that the economy is turning a corner, and we can build on this progress if we stick to our plan".

"Last week our cuts to national insurance for 29 million working people came into effect across Britain, as part of our plan to reward work and grow the economy," he said in a statement.

The UK economy has grown slightly for the second month in a row, official figures show.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew just 0.1% in February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

It's another signal that the UK economy is working its way out of recession.

Growth of 0.3% was recorded last month - and that figure has been revised upwards from a previous estimate of 0.2%.

A recession was declared in February after data showed two quarters of economic contraction.

If the economy expands for three months, the UK will be officially out of recession.

It can be hard to balance getting nutritious foods that make you feel good without emptying your wallet.

In this series every Friday, we're trying to find the cheapest ways to identify the healthiest options in the supermarket.

We've asked  Sunna Van Kampen,  founder of  Tonic Health ,  who went viral on social media for reviewing supermarket products in the search of healthier choices, for his input. 

The series does not aim to identify the outright healthiest option, rather how to get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

This time we're looking at yogurt - specifically the differences between some of the most popular: authentic Greek and Greek-style. 

"You have to watch out for Greek-style yoghurt masquerading as the authentic variety," Sunna says. 

Typical Greek-style yoghurt has around 4.6g of sugar per 100g, he says.

But swivel your cart towards the authentic Greek yoghurt, and you'll find only 3.3g per 100g.

"That's an impressive 28% reduction in sugar content, or a teaspoon of sugar a day if you have a 300g portion." 

To be clear - this isn't added sugar, this is the naturally-occurring kind from lactose in the milk.

Protein is the building block of our bodies, and something around 66% of Brits don't get enough of.

"Authentic Greek yoghurt boasts around double the protein content of its Greek-style cousins - with branded versions having 9g per 100g compared to just 3.7g per 100g," Sunna says. 

This means in a typical 300g bowl, you are getting 27g of protein versus only 11.1g in Greek-style. 

Here's the bottom line - it is more expensive, but the investment is worth it, Sunna says. 

  • Greek-style yoghurt – supermarket own label – 22p per 100g
  • Authentic Greek yoghurt - supermarket own label – 46p per 100g
  • Authentic Greek yoghurt – branded versions – 50-58p per 100g

"Okay, so we are talking double the price, but you get what you pay for with double the protein," Sunna says.

Think of it this way - every 300g bowl is an extra 72p per day for nearly 16g of extra protein and nearly 30% less sugar. 

"Far cheaper than what you'd pay for a protein bar with the same amount of protein," Sunna notes. 

The key here: value isn't exclusive to the price tag - and investing in your health is more important than ever. 

So, next time you're navigating the dairy aisle, remember that not all yoghurts are created equal - opting for authentic Greek yoghurt can be a small but effective step towards a healthier diet without breaking the bank.

The nutritionist's view - from  Dr Laura Brown , senior lecturer in nutrition, food, and health sciences at Teesside University...

Yes, absolutely for a source of protein. 

Yogurt is better than protein bars and powders that are full of protein, as they come along with a long list of other potentially artificial ingredients that are not necessary. 

If we are looking at yoghurts from a health perspective, then you're definitely wanting to look for this style - natural, Greek, low sugar or sugar free but not fat-free! 

Families should avoid investing in sugar-laden yoghurts that do not serve any nutritional purposes. 

If someone is eating yoghurt specifically as a source of protein, then there are much better sources like beans and lentils which are affordable and will provide other additional benefits including fibre. 

The price of a prescription is set to to rise from £9.65 to £9.90 in England in May - but there are ways you can save money on your medicines.

Fee-free options remain in place for some, such as those who are pregnant, have certain disabilities, students or the elderly.

But if you're not exempt, there are still some means of cutting the costs of treatments.

Prepayment certificates

Prescription prepayment certificates (PPC) cover NHS prescriptions over a given time period, no matter how many medicines you need.

There are two options: A three-month PPC (£32.05 from May), which will start to save you money if you buy four or more prescriptions in that period, or a 12-month PPC (£114.50), which pays off if you buy 12 or more in a year.

Ask for a larger prescription

Doctors may agree to prescribe a longer course of medicine - such as two months' worth instead of one, halving the cost.

Just ask the question - they might say yes, especially if there's no danger of overuse.

Menopause medication

The NHS offers a particular PPC for hormone replacement therapy.

It lasts for 12 months and costs £19.30, rising to £19.80 from 1 May.

Women can use the PCC as many times as they need within the year.

You might not need a prescription

For some ailments, there are over-the-counter options sold cheaper than their prescribed alternative. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

travel insurance the post office

IMAGES

  1. Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

    travel insurance the post office

  2. Reviewed: Post Office travel insurance

    travel insurance the post office

  3. Post Office restores travel insurance offering

    travel insurance the post office

  4. Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

    travel insurance the post office

  5. Post Office Travel Insurance to create 75 new jobs in Glasgow

    travel insurance the post office

  6. Post Office Travel Insurance Discount Codes February 2021

    travel insurance the post office

VIDEO

  1. ୧୫୦୦ ରଖନ୍ତୁ ୩୧ ଲକ୍ଷ ପାଆନ୍ତୁ/post office rural postal life insurance/RPLI in post office/pradeep info

  2. Post Office Insurance Plan

  3. post office 10 lakh accidentally insurance

  4. @Postal Life Insurance,Post office scheme

  5. Postal insurance, post office scheme, Every indian should pay postal insurance

  6. Dark Reality of Term Insurance Policy with Return Of Premium Option

COMMENTS

  1. Travel Insurance

    Post Office Travel Insurance can cover you for a single trip of up to 365 days(2), or multiple trips in a single year. This applies to trips taken anywhere in the UK and abroad too. We also offer backpacker cover(7) for a single trip of up to 18 months.

  2. Post Office travel insurance review

    Post Office travel insurance customer reviews. The Post Office travel insurance has a rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars from just 105 reviews on the customer review site Trustpilot. Customers detailed problems with claims being paid and refunds for policy cancellations. As with all travel insurance policies, it is important to do your research and ...

  3. Compare Travel Insurance

    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 ...

  4. Post Office Travel Insurance Review

    The Post Office also won Best Travel Insurance Provider at the British Travel Awards in 2022 and at the Your Money Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Its Premier policies are Defaqto 5-star rated ...

  5. Worldwide Travel Insurance

    Get a quote today to see if we can cover you. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition that Post Office Travel Insurance cannot offer cover for, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) have launched a travel insurance directory listing companies that may be able to help you. You can also call 0800 138 7777.

  6. Post Office travel insurance review

    The latest data from the Financial Conduct Authority show that Post Office's underwriter - Astrenska - paid out 85-90% of claims made on annual European policies in 2022. This was above the average rate of 76%. It accepted 85-90% of claims made on annual worldwide policies - above the average of 82%. It paid 80-85% of claims made on single trip ...

  7. Travel Insurance

    All Post Office Travel Insurance include a level of cover for disruption resulting from Covid-19 in some circumstances. You can also add our trip disruption option, which provides additional cover for others set out in the policy wording. For more information, visit our page on travel insurance covid-19 cover.

  8. Compare Post Office Travel Insurance

    The Post Office isn't just for sending letters and parcels. It also offers customers a range of financial products, including travel insurance, which was introduced in 2007.. Since then, it has paid out over £177 million in travel insurance claims, and has won the Best Travel Insurance Provider at the Your Money Awards in 2023.

  9. Post Office Travel Insurance

    Post Office Travel Insurance: An Introduction. Post Office Travel Insurance isn't a boring old postal service. It's a lifeline for travelers, offering a safety net across the globe. It's been awarded the 'Best Travel Insurance Provider' by the British Travel Awards for 12 consecutive years - pretty impressive, right?

  10. Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

    The single trip insurance will provide coverage depending on your age when you obtain your insurance policy. The Post Office website states that those who are below 71 will be covered 365 days per trip. Meanwhile, those who are 71-75 will be covered 90 days and individuals 76-85 are only covered for 31 days. As the name implies, a single trip ...

  11. Your Complete Guide to Post Office Travel Insurance

    Post Office travel insurance covers several standard categories with varying benefit limits depending on the plan selected. Here are a few of the main topics covered: Emergency Medical Expenses - Provides coverage for hospitalization, surgery, ambulances, prescriptions, and other medical expenses if you become injured or ill while traveling.

  12. Travel Insurance

    For emergency assistance, to make a claim, complaint or manage your policy online: Visit our travel insurance support page. For questions about the coronavirus cover on our policies: Visit our travel insurance Covid-19 FAQs page. (1) Calls to 03 numbers will cost no more than calling a standard geographic number starting with 01 or 02 from your ...

  13. Compare Post Office Travel Insurance

    Post Office travel insurance offers three different levels of cover - Economy, Standard and Premier. In fact, its Premier policy has a five-star rating from Defaqto. Post Office was the winner of the Best Travel Insurance Provider at the Your Money Awards 2023. It has paid out over £177 million in claims since launching travel insurance in 2007.

  14. post office travel insurance

    Post Office Travel Insurance is a type of insurance policy that aims to protect travelers from unexpected risks that may arise during their trip. These risks may include trip cancellations or delays, lost or stolen luggage or personal belongings, medical emergencies, and other incidents that can disrupt a traveler's journey. ...

  15. How can I use insurance?

    How can I use insurance? - USPS

  16. Shipping Insurance and Delivery Services

    Compare Add-On Services. Use the below chart to see whether an add-on is already included in the price of your chosen mail/shipping service or if it's available for a fee. Included. Available. Standard Shipping Insurance. Priority Mail Express ®: $100 1. Priority Mail ®: $100 1. USPS Ground Advantage ™: $100 1. First-Class Mail ®.

  17. Average Cost Of Travel Insurance 2024

    Compare Quotes. Via Forbes Advisor's Website. The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your trip costs, according to Forbes Advisor's analysis of travel insurance rates. For a $5,000 ...

  18. Best Cheap Travel Insurance of April 2024

    Atlas Journey Premier offers $150,000 in primary medical coverage. Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage. Each plan offers travel inconvenience coverage of ...

  19. Travel Medical Insurance: Your Guide to Staying Protected on Trips

    For one, travelers need to purchase their travel insurance within a certain time frame from when they placed a deposit on their trip, usually two to three weeks. Additionally, travel insurance ...

  20. Monzo

    Plan your getaway with travel essentials including travel money, insurance and documents. All travel services; ... Banking services from Monzo are available at your local Post Office. Access your personal and business accounts at any of our 11,500 branches. Personal banking services; Cash withdrawal No:

  21. Travel insurance for backpackers

    Travel insurance often costs 4% to 10% of your trip's total price. So if your backpacking adventure will run you $4,000, the total cost of insurance may be $160 to $400.

  22. Elektrostal

    Elektrostal , lit: Electric and Сталь , lit: Steel) is a city in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located 58 kilometers east of Moscow. Population: 155,196 ; 146,294 ...

  23. 15 men brought to military enlistment office after mass brawl in Moscow

    Local security forces brought 15 men to a military enlistment office after a mass brawl at a warehouse of the Russian Wildberries company in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast on Feb. 8, Russian Telegram channel Shot reported.. 29 people were also taken to police stations. Among the arrested were citizens of Kyrgyzstan. A mass brawl involving over 100 employees and security personnel broke out at the ...

  24. Elektrostal to Moscow

    Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from Elektrostal to Moscow right here. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can ...

  25. Mira Street, 23, Elektrostal

    Get directions to Mira Street, 23 and view details like the building's postal code, description, photos, and reviews on each business in the building

  26. Money latest: The age when the average Briton pays off their mortgage

    Fake flights and caravans are the two most common items being sold by fraudsters in relation to travel, Lloyds Bank's research has found.. As Britons head online to book deals for the upcoming ...