Travel Insurance Guide UK — What You Need Before You Go
Why you need travel insurance, what it covers, how to choose the right policy, and how to make a claim. Advice for UK travellers on single, annual, and specialist cover.
·3 min read
Travel insurance is one of those costs that feels unnecessary until you need it. Medical emergencies, cancellations, and lost baggage can cost thousands — far more than any insurance premium.
Why You Need Travel Insurance
Risk
Potential Cost Without Insurance
Hospital stay (USA)
£10,000–£50,000+ per day
Medical repatriation (air ambulance)
£20,000–£100,000+
Hospital stay (Europe)
£500–£5,000+ per day
Trip cancellation
Cost of flights, hotels, activities
Lost/stolen baggage
£500–£5,000+
Legal liability (accidental injury to someone)
Unlimited
The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) only covers state healthcare in Europe — it does not cover repatriation, private treatment, or non-medical losses.
Types of Cover
Type
Best For
Typical Cost
Single trip
One-off holiday
£15–£50 (Europe), £30–£100 (worldwide)
Annual multi-trip
2+ trips per year
£30–£80 (Europe), £60–£150 (worldwide)
Backpacker / long-stay
Extended travel (30+ days)
£50–£300
Family
Family with children
10–20% more than individual
Cruise
Cruise holidays
Higher premium (specialist cover)
What’s Covered
Standard Cover
Cover
Typical Limit
Medical expenses
£5–£10 million
Repatriation
Included in medical cover
Cancellation
£1,000–£5,000
Curtailment (cutting trip short)
£1,000–£5,000
Baggage
£1,000–£3,000
Personal money
£200–£500
Travel delay
£100–£500
Personal liability
£1–£2 million
Legal expenses
£10,000–£50,000
Optional Extras
Extra
What It Covers
Winter sports
Skiing, snowboarding (equipment, piste closure)
Adventure activities
Scuba diving, bungee jumping, etc.
Cruise cover
Missed port, cabin confinement, itinerary change
Golf cover
Equipment, green fees for unused rounds
Business cover
Laptop, business equipment, samples
Wedding cover
Wedding abroad cancellation, outfits
How to Choose
Factor
What to Check
Medical cover
At least £5 million (£10 million for USA)
Cancellation cover
Enough to cover your total booking cost
Excess
How much you pay per claim (typically £50–£150)
Activities
Are your planned activities covered?
Pre-existing conditions
Declared and covered?
Age limits
Some policies have upper age limits
Trip duration
Does it cover the full length of your trip?
Geographical cover
Europe only or worldwide (including/excluding USA)?
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Condition Type
Impact on Insurance
Well-controlled (e.g. managed blood pressure)
Usually covered with small premium increase
Moderate (e.g. diabetes, asthma)
Covered with increased premium
Complex (e.g. cancer in treatment, recent heart surgery)
Specialist insurer needed; higher premium
Not declared
Claim will be rejected
Always declare all pre-existing conditions. Non-disclosure will invalidate your entire policy — not just claims related to that condition.
Making a Claim
Step
Action
1
Contact insurer’s emergency line (for medical emergencies, before treatment)
2
Keep all documentation (receipts, police reports, medical records, boarding passes)
3
Report theft to local police within 24 hours and get a crime reference number
4
Complete claim form within the required timeframe (usually 30–90 days)
5
Provide supporting evidence
6
Check the decision and appeal if necessary
Common Reasons Claims Are Rejected
Reason
How to Avoid
Pre-existing condition not declared
Always declare everything
Activity not covered
Check policy before booking
Travelling against FCDO advice
Check travel advice before travelling
Alcohol-related incidents
Most policies exclude alcohol/drug-related claims
Inadequate evidence
Keep all receipts, reports, and documentation
Claim outside policy limits
Check limits before travel
Tips for Saving on Travel Insurance
Buy annual if you travel 2+ times per year
Buy early — cover starts from purchase date (cancellation protection)
Compare prices — use comparison sites
Check existing cover — some bank accounts and credit cards include travel insurance