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How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

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Table of Contents

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards that offer varying levels of travel insurance coverage for purchases made with the card.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance?

How much is travel insurance?

Is travel insurance worth it?

What does travel insurance cover?

Does travel insurance cover COVID?

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Helping you make the most out of your money

Searching Money Mentor . . .

The best travel insurance providers.

Updated May 9, 2024

In this guide

If you’re looking to escape the UK winter, or if you’re saving your holiday for the height of summer, you may wish to consider travel insurance. We explain what travel insurance is and some of the best policies on the market for your holiday.

In 2022, UK residents made 71 million visits abroad. This was over three times the amount made in 2021, when COVID restrictions kept many people at home. 

So if you’re part of a growing number of people spending time abroad, have you considered travel insurance? By taking out one of these policies you could be protected for lost baggage, delayed flights, and medical emergencies abroad among other unforeseen events.  

In this article we explain:

• What is travel insurance

What does travel insurance cover?

The best travel insurance.

• Travel insurance and medical conditions

Read more: Passport renewal costs and waiting times

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance covers the cost of unforeseen events and mishaps that either stop you from going on holiday or affect you while you’re away.

Depending on the policy, travel insurance might cover you for:

• Medical bills if you suffer illness or have an accident while you’re away
• Cancellation of your trip for reasons outside of your control
• Lost or stolen baggage

Policies are usually relatively inexpensive and can give you the peace of mind that your costs will be covered if something bad happens while you are on holiday.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), a trade body, the average claim on travel insurance in 2022 was a little over £970. So while travel insurance won’t stop bad things from happening, but it can prevent you from having to find the money to pay for unexpected costs even after you return from your holiday.

Read more: Ten budget travel tips

Free Times article: Confessions of a millionaire City trader

A working-class kid who was expelled from school, Gary Stevenson was paid seven-figure bonuses by Citigroup while in his twenties. Read why he had to leave

Many people opt to take out travel insurance to cover potential medical care while away.

Every week, 3,000 Brits need emergency medical treatment while abroad, according to the ABI. But travel insurance isn’t just about covering medical costs. It can protect you against a range of unplanned events:

• Cancellation or trip interruption for reasons outside your control
• Missed transport or delayed departure for reasons outside your control
• Personal injury and death, including medical evacuation
• Lost, stolen or damaged items, including baggage, passports and money – check if your home contents insurance covers you
• Accidental damage or injury caused by you

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights?

Most travel insurers provide a basic level of cover for cancelled flights. Aviva’s travel insurance, for example, will pay out if your flight is cancelled due to an airport shutdown.

If your airline cancels your flight then you should claim a refund directly with them, so your travel insurance could cover other costs such as hotel bookings, vehicle rentals, and other possible excursions.

What are my rights during strike action?

If your flights are cancelled because air staff are striking, which they have over last summer, you might be entitled to compensation from the airline. But for this to apply, customers must have been given less than 14 days’ notice.

It also depends on whether the airline was at fault or not: so if it’s the airline’s staff who are striking, you should be entitled to compensation.

If you’re worried that your flights might be delayed or cancelled, you should also check your travel insurance policy.

Some policies cover you for a cancelled or delayed flight, provided you took out the policy before the strikes were announced.

But if you haven’t yet bought your insurance, you may be out of luck. This is because most insurers won’t cover you for strikes which were already known about.

Read how travel insurance could catch you out.

Below we’ve listed some of the best travel insurance providers on the market, all of which were nominated in Times Money Mentor awards 2023.

Times Money Mentor award winning cover

Best for over-50s

Post Office

Best for those with pre-existing medical conditions

Best for those wanting substantial medical cover  

Best for a range of unique add-ons

Looking for a new holiday destination?

Make sure to visit Times Travel for your holiday inspiration this year. From palm beaches in Fiji to the beautiful Italian coastline, Times Travel caters to all different tastes. Unlike other parts of the site, you also don’t need a subscription to enjoy their high-quality content.

Another notable provider

Despite not winning a nomination at the Times Money Mentor awards, this provider also offers a decent level of cover:

Switched On

The best travel insurance for cruises.

If you’re thinking about taking a cruise, it’s important to take out special additional cover such as a cruise insurance to protect you.

Cruise insurance is normally offered as an add-on to travel policies, and protects you if you:

• Miss connections to reach the departure
• Fail to get back on board after planned stops
• End up being confined to your cabin

Though if you want a dedicated travel insurance policy for a cruise, here’s an option to consider:

Just Travel Cover*

Best for cruise holidays

The best winter sports cover

If you’re planning a skiing and snowboarding trip then it’s important you have insurance that will cover you if you’re involved in an accident on the slopes.

Most travel insurers will offer winter sports cover as an optional add-on to their regular cover and will protect you if you:

• Need to be airlifted off the slopes or rescued and need medical treatment
• Turn up and there’s no snow
• Can’t start skiing and snowboarding because of avalanche risk
• Find out your equipment – such as skis, snowboard and boots – has been stolen

It’s difficult to predict what the next ski season will look like. But if you’re booking now and want cover for the essentials, here’s a policy to factor into your calculations.

InsureandGo*

Best for winter sports

What should a basic travel policy cover?

When shopping for travel insurance, you should ensure your policy comes with the following seven things as standard:

1. Medical expenses

This covers the costs of any emergency medical and surgical treatment while you’re away.

It usually costs more for cover in the US as medical bills can run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Any treatment that can wait until you get home is not usually included.

Most policies offer cover of £1 million for medical costs in Europe. This is usually £2 million in the US.

2. Repatriation

This is where you might need to be evacuated from the country you’re visiting.

Repatriation usually happens when you need to get back home to the UK in the event of a medical emergency and is usually covered as standard in most travel insurance policies.

3. Cancellation/curtailment

This covers any travel and accommodation costs you have paid for and can’t use or claim back.

You need a good reason to cancel your trip, so make sure you double check the terms and conditions of your policy.

4. Missed departure

This covers your extra accommodation costs and travel expenses should you miss your departure due to situations outside your control.

It usually includes your car breaking down or being involved in an accident. Leaving home at the last minute won’t count.

This covers you for delays to your travel plans, such as severe weather conditions.

Delays known about before (such as strikes) won’t be covered.

6. Baggage cover

This should cover you if your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.

You might need extra cover for gadgets or valuable possessions as there are usually limits on separate items.

Losses need to be reported within a certain time frame and you must have a written report from your airline if it loses your baggage.

7. Personal liability cover

This should cover you if you are liable to pay damages due to:

• Accidental bodily injury to someone
• Or for loss or damage to someone else’s property
• Claims made by family members or employees won’t be covered

Choose a smooth private healthcare journey with Saga Insurance

• Easy access to a specialist

• Fast tests, scans and treatment

• Comfortable hospital stay

Get a Saga Health Insurance quote

For people over 50. Saga Health Insurance is a unique product designed by us specifically for our customers, and it’s only available through us. Together with our underwriter, Bupa Insurance Limited, we are committed to providing high standards of quality and service. 

What extra cover can you buy?

To provide a peace of mind you might be able to add the following onto your policy too:

• Wedding cover – If you’re travelling abroad for a wedding, some providers might include an add-on which covers damage to your possessions. If you think you need something more comprehensive, then consider a separate wedding insurance policy
• Gadget insurance – While you’re abroad you may wish to cover your laptop, phone, or tablet from theft or damage
• Golf equipment cover – Planning to tee off abroad? Then consider cover for moving your clubs overseas. This type of add on includes cover for your equipment if it is lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged

Read more: Is credit card travel insurance any good?

What is not covered by travel insurance?

Travel insurance won’t cover you for a risk that is known about.

For example, if you have a long-standing medical condition that means you can’t go on holiday, your insurer might not cover you for the cancellation costs.

Insurers also won’t cover you if you have to cancel your trip for reasons within your control. For example, if you miss your flight because you woke up late, your claim is likely to be rejected.

Travel insurance is also unlikely to cover you if you have been irresponsible. For example, if you leave your valuables in your hold luggage then your policy won’t cover you if these items are damaged.

Each travel insurance policy will have specific things it won’t cover and this will vary depending on the provider. So it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully.

What types of travel insurance can you buy?

There are two main options to choose from when taking out a travel insurance policy:

• Single trip — covers you for one trip of a specified length only
• Annual multi-trip — covers you for all your trips for one year (if you travel a lot this can work out cheaper than lots of single policies)

You need to make sure that either option of travel insurance covers you for where you are going, such as:

• Europe only
• Or the more expensive, worldwide policies (these either include or exclude the US)

But check first which exact countries providers include in their policies. For example, some policies include Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt in their Europe insurance.

There is also specific travel insurance for backpackers, which offers extra cover for those who are likely to be away for an extended period of time or travelling to multiple destinations.

Also bear in mind that if you are doing any extreme sports like skiing or going on a cruise then you might need to buy an add-on.

When should I take out travel insurance?

It’s usually best to take out travel insurance as soon as you have booked your trip.

While many people think of travel insurance as something that covers problems while they are away, some policies cover you for issues, accidents and illnesses that stop you from being able to travel.

Cancellation is one of the main reasons that people claim on a travel insurance policy. If the cancellation happens before you have bought insurance then you wouldn’t be able to claim.

How much should I pay for travel insurance?

Your travel insurance premium will depend on a range of factors such as your age, health, type of policy, and destination. This is why an average travel insurance premium will likely be meaningless, so make sure to do your research and get a quote from several different providers before deciding on a policy.

Do I need travel insurance?

Unlike car insurance, travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement. However, it does come with a host of benefits such as cover for medical expenses.

We’ve already listed the benefits of having protection for unexpected medical costs above, and it remains pertinent if you’re travelling abroad and won’t have access to the NHS. According to the ABI, there is one recorded case in 2022 when a traveller in Thailand contracted a serious blood infection which needed intensive medical treatment. The bill eventually came up to £250,000 which was paid in full by their travel insurance provider.

Also consider that some visa applications require you to have a suitable travel insurance policy in place before you apply. If you’re applying for a Schengen visa to travel Europe you’ll need a policy in place which covers medical expenses up to €30,000 during your trip.

FAQs: Travel insurance and medical conditions

Many people solely take out travel insurance to protect themselves from medical expenses. According to the ABI, the average medical claim on travel cover is more than £1,300. Notoriously in the US, these figures run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds.

So below we’ve answered some of the most common medical related questions on travel insurance:

Q. Does travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Some insurers do provide cover for pre-existing conditions. However, it is vital that youflag these conditions during the application stage. If you don’t it could invalidate your policy.  

Q. Do you need to tell your travel insurance provider if you have a new medical condition?

If there is a significant change to your personal health then you’ll need to inform your travel insurance provider. This includes being diagnosed with a new long-term illness.

Failure to do so could invalidate your policy.

Q. Can you get travel insurance if you’re over 75 with medical conditions?

Yes. In fact, there are some providers on the market which tailor their policies towards an older demographic. For example, Saga has dedicated policies for over 50s and 70s.

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Some of the products promoted are from our affiliate partners from whom we receive compensation. While we aim to feature some of the best products available, we cannot review every product on the market.

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• About Santander UK
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Santander offers online discount and cashback on annual travel insurance policies

Santander has today (1 September) announced the launch of a 15% cashback offer on all new annual travel insurance policies taken out before 31 October 2022. 

Santander customers can also benefit from a further 30% online discount and Santander World Elite Mastercard customers can enjoy a 40% online discount. 

The cashback amount is calculated on the total premium paid (after any discount has been applied), including any optional extras customers may have purchased and insurance premium tax.

To qualify for the cashback, the policy must still be active on 28 February 2023. The cashback will be paid on or around this date.  

Santander Travel Insurance provides: •    Moneyfacts 5 star rated cover for quality; •    European or Worldwide cover (excluding Cuba); •    Option to choose an annual multi-trip or single trip policy; and •    Individual, couple or family cover.

Santander Travel Insurance is arranged and administered by Chubb European Group SE.

ENDS The information contained in our press releases is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions.

Notes to Editors  Cashback offer ends midnight on 31 October 2022. Santander reserves the right to end the offer earlier at our discretion. 

Only one cashback payment will be made per policy and will be to the main policyholder.

Existing Santander current account customers will receive the cashback directly into their account. Where customers do not have a Santander current account, the main policy holder will receive a cheque.

More information on Santander Travel Policies can be found here: Travel & Holiday Insurance | Get A Quote | Santander UK  

Santander UK plc Travel Insurance Review

Everything you need to know before you buy travel insurance from Santander UK plc!

The experts say:

Santander UK plc has made a splash in the travel insurance world with their Santander Travel Insurance policy. With an impressive Which? ranking of 61%, it's clear that they are providing superior Covid coverage - something that should give peace of mind to travelers everywhere. On top of that, they provide generous medical expenses cover at no limit, as well as baggage cover of up to £2000 and cancellation cover up to £5000. The only downside is that airline failure is not covered - but with an excess payable on medical claims of just £75, this policy still rates highly. Fairer Finance even gave it a 4-star rating, so you know you're in good hands with Santander!

What Santander UK plc customers are saying right now:

• 👍Their App is really good 😊
• 🤩Provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine within the framework of the UN.
• 🔒Bank protects deposits well and reliably.
• 📱Number has changed, nice to have been advised.
• 🙌Great customer care!
• 😡 Terrible customer service and unhelpful staff
• 😠 Frequent blocking of accounts without explanation
• 😞 Incompetence and unprofessionalism

Santander UK plc customer reviews summary

Santander UK plc travel insurance has been met with a wide range of experiences. Customers have experienced shoddy customer service, blocked access to their money, requests for excessive information and even refusal to tell customers why they were blocked. Some customers appreciated the good app, but many found it difficult to access their funds. Overall, Santander UK plc travel insurance earns a score of 3/10.

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