travel insurance uk resident less than 6 months

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No minimum residency

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Travel and holiday insurance if you have been living in the UK for less than 6 months

No residency travel insurance  .

This specialist travel insurance policy doesn't require you to have been in the UK for a minimum period before cover becomes available, providing you have unrestricted access to the UK. 

Many travel insurance policies require you to have been in the UK for a minimum of 6 months before you can take out cover – This isn’t the case with ISETI. If you have just moved to the UK to live, whether that’s on a temporary or permanent basis, with a work or study visa, this policy is designed for you!

In order to be eligible for our no minimum residency cover, you must be living in the UK, at least temporarily with unrestricted access to the UK in order to make your return journey (access within the provisions of a Visa are also acceptable) and access to treatment under the National Health Service.

No minimum residency cover 

Our no residency policy is designed to cover people up to the age of 79 that have been living in the UK for less than 6 months, providing the same cover benefits as many of our specialist products. A single cover level is available with cancellation cover up to £3,000 per person and emergency medical expenses as high as £10 million. View our policy wording for more information.

• Cancellation cover up to £5,000
• Emergency Medical Expenses up to £10 million
• Baggage/Personal Property up to £2,500
• Personal Liability up to £2 million

How to apply for travel insurance

How to apply for, travel insurance, applying for no residency insurance.

You can apply for travel and holiday insurance through our online quote journey or over the phone with our friendly UK call centre. We aim to make the process as simple as possible and you can rest assured that all information remains confidential. If you need assistance obtaining a quote, we provide an online chat where one of our travel insurance agents will guide you through the process or you can call us on 01223 785 539 .

We offer a variety of specialist travel insurance policies, from cover for pre-existing medical conditions to policies for those already travelling abroad. Click ‘Start Quote Journey’ to obtain a quote online. You will be presented with several policy options which direct you to a dedicated information page, explaining the cover details and benefits. Once you’ve found the policy suitable for your travel requirements, click the ‘Get Online Quote’ button to complete your details.

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Already left the UK or non-UK Resident

If you have already left the UK or are a non-UK resident, we are not able to provide cover for you on our standard travel insurance policies, please choose one of the options below:

UK Resident: Already Left the UK

Total Travel Protection can offer travel insurance cover to UK residents who have already left the UK:

• No upper age limits
• Cover for pre-existing medical conditions
• Medical & repatriation up to £10 million
• 24-hour emergency medical support

To be eligible for this cover you must have

• Left the UK no more than 14 days ago
• Be returning to the UK within 31 days from the date you purchase cover

Call us now to get covered on 0330 053 3747

To obtain travel insurance cover if you have already left the UK please call us on 0330 053 3747 , we are open Sales:Monday to Friday 9am - 7pm.Saturday and Sunday 9am - 5.30pm.Customer service:Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm..

If you need to obtain cover outside of these hours or wish to buy online, our partner battleface may be able to help. Please visit their website for a quotation:

https://www.battleface.com/?pa...

Non-UK Resident

Travel insurance from Total Travel Protection is designed to cover people who are resident in UK.

You must have resided within the United Kingdom for no less than 6 months, and have not spent more than 6 months abroad in the year prior to purchasing the policy, have a permanent United Kingdom address and be registered with a United Kingdom General Practitioner.

If you are not resident in the UK our partner battleface may be able to offer you travel insurance cover. Please visit their website for a quotation:

Please note: Travel insurance for non-UK residents is arranged and administered by battleface.

battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.

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• Single Trip Travel Insurance

Single-trip travel insurance

No age limit and all medical conditions considered

Kids go free on family policies(1)

Flight Delay Assistance Plus – available on our premier policies

Off on your travels? Pack our single-trip travel insurance

Wherever you’re travelling to and however long you're going for, don't forget about your travel insurance. It might not be the most exciting thing to think about but it's just as important as your passport and travel tickets.

Single-trip travel insurance is suitable cover for you if you're about to go away on just one trip. Any more than that and you may be better off with annual multi-trip travel insurance .

Medical Assistance Plus: 24/7 holiday health support

Have peace of mind when you travel knowing health professionals are just one click away.

Medical Assistance Plus (2), powered by Air Doctor, comes free with all our travel insurance policies. It gives you access to outpatient medical support while you’re away.

Through the service you can book an in-person or video consultation with a doctor. You can also get prescriptions delivered to your nearest pharmacy.

We’ll send you an SMS reminder about the service the day before you travel (for single-trip and backpacker cover) or the day before your policy begins (for annual multi-trip cover).

What’s covered?

Here’s a summary of the cover our single-trip policies provide. For full details check our policy documents. Terms and conditions apply.

Cancellation and cutting short your trip

We'll repay you for any non-refundable, unused travel and accommodation costs if you have to cancel or cut short a trip due to reasons set out in the policy

Emergency medical expenses

We may be able to help if you need emergency medical treatment, return to the UK and more while you’re abroad

Missed departure (3)

We’ll also cover any extra travel and accommodation costs you're charged if you arrive too late to travel on your booked transport. As long as they match the reasons set out in the policy

Items that are usually carried or worn during a trip are covered if they get lost, stolen or damaged

Personal liability and legal costs

You’ll also get protection for any unexpected legal costs you might be charged while you’re away

Sporting activities included

We cover over 100 sports and activities free of charge, but there are some we don’t cover at all. Check your policy wording for the full list and our terms and conditions, as some aren’t covered for personal injury or personal liability

Choose a travel insurance cover level

We can offer you a choice of economy, standard and premier cover levels.

Policy wording

Upgrade your cover with ease

Need cover for your policy that's not included as standard? Just pay a little more to add these upgrades – optional or mandatory depending on the trip type.

This optional extra helps protect you from the impact of airspace disruption, natural catastrophes, terrorist acts or Covid-19 (5)

If you’re happy with the cover offered, but worried about excess fees, you can opt for an excess waiver. For an additional premium, you can add it to any Post Office level of cover for zero excess fees (5)

Insure all your devices with our easy-to-add gadget cover. It’s perfect to protect all your smartphones, tablets, laptops and consoles (5)

Specialist cover is mandatory for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. There’s greater risk of emergency costs. Make sure you’re protected on the pistes (5)

If you're going on a cruise, specialist cover is both important and mandatory. It covers missed departure due to breakdown, falling ill on board, being confined to your cabin, lost baggage and more (5)

Trip extensions are available up to 45 or 60 days, increasing from the standard 31 days (5)

All medical conditions considered

Living with a medical condition shouldn’t stop you seeing the world. And, with the right travel insurance in place, you can enjoy peace of mind on your adventures – just in case something unfortunate happens.

At Post Office, we cover most pre-existing conditions. Contact us for a quote to see if we can cover you. It’s important to declare upfront all your medical conditions and any medication you're taking.

If we can't help and yours is a serious pre-existing medical condition, check the  Money and Pensions Scheme (MaPS) directory. It lists companies that may be able to help you. Or call 0800 138 7777 .

Ready to get a quote?

Let’s find the protection that’s right for your travels. Get a quote for Post Office Travel Insurance

An award-winning provider

Best travel insurance provider.

Post Office won a ‘Best Travel Insurance Provider’ award at the Your Money Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023

Post Office won a “Best Travel Insurance Provider” award at the British Travel Awards in 2023

Defaqto 5-star rated cover

Our travel insurance policies with premier level cover are Defaqto 5-star rated

Common questions

Does single-trip travel insurance cover covid-19.

Policies purchased from the 28 March 2024 onwards provide cover if:

• You test positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of your trip and are required to self-isolate by a medical practitioner, the NHS or any UK government body
• A medical practitioner certifies you as too ill to travel due to Covid-19
• You, someone you’re travelling with, or someone you’re staying with is required to self-isolate by a medical practitioner, UK government body or health authority
• You, an immediate relative (6) or someone you plan to travel or stay with dies or is hospitalised due to Covid-19

If an insured trip has to be cut short, the unused portion of it can be claimed for if:

• You, an immediate relative (6) or someone you’re travelling or staying with dies or is hospitalised due to Covid-19

There’s also cover for medical and repatriation costs if you fall ill with Covid-19 while away. Call our emergency assistance line and we’ll help you seek treatment if needed, we can also arrange to bring you back to the UK.

There’s no other coronavirus cover on our policies but, for extra reassurance, you can add our trip disruption cover upgrade option. This gives you added protection against missed departures and expenses charged due to change of testing or quarantine requirements. Add it to your preferred policy for an extra premium.

If you bought your policy with us between 31 March 2022 and 27 March 2024 , some cover for Covid-19 is included as standard. Please visit our coronavirus FAQs page for the full details.

Should the FCDO advise against all travel to your destination, there is no cover under any section of the policy if you decide to travel.

It’s important to follow FCDO advice on essential travel. If you choose to travel and the trip’s not essential, we’ll only cover a claim if the cause isn’t linked to the reason for the FCDO advice. This limitation applies even if you’ve purchased an optional trip disruption cover upgrade . You may be able to travel with full cover if we authorise, in writing, that your trip’s essential before you travel. To request this, please email  [email protected] .

Please make sure you’re clear what’s covered and what’s not. Check the answers to common questions about coronavirus cover and the full policy wording for more details.

What’s covered with single-trip travel insurance?

With single-trip travel insurance, you’re covered for a range of issues that might happen while you're away. These include medical expenses, cancellation or cutting short your trip, plus the loss of your belongings. But check the policy details before you decide on which cover to get. The amounts and things you're covered for a will depend on the level of cover you take out. Take a look at our policy document to find out which one best suits your needs.

Does single-trip travel insurance cover cancellation?

Yes, your single-trip travel insurance policy will cover you if your trip's cancelled or cut it short, for some situations. These can even include cancelling or shortening a trip due to coronavirus, in some cases. You’ll find full details of what’s covered and what isn’t in the policy wording .

Will I need extra cover with single-trip travel insurance?

It depends on what level of cover you need for your trip. The level of cover you have with a single-trip policy is the level you chose when you applied for the travel insurance.

It’s a good idea to list out the cover you think you might need while you’re away. That makes it easier to compare policies to find the one that’s right for you.

For instance, some policies include cover against the impact of Covid-19. But you might want to add extra protection in case the virus causes you to miss a departure or other delays. Check our new trip disruption cover upgrade for further information on how we can help.

Some activities require mandatory additional cover. If you’re going skiing or on a cruise, you’ll need to take out extra specialist cover. That’s because these types of trips involve a different level of risk for insurers. Please be aware that these covers will add an extra cost to your insurance package.

There are some adventure sports and activities that are covered as standard on our single-trip travel insurance and others that aren’t. It’s important to fully understand your policy document so you don’t become involved in something that you’re not covered for.

What are the advantages of single-trip travel insurance?

If you don't travel too often – perhaps only once or twice a year – then you might want to take out a single-trip policy. If you're taking a single trip of lasting duration (up to 365 days(7)) then a single-trip policy can cover you too. Terms and conditions apply.

If it's likely you'll take more than one trip in a year, Post Office Annual Multi-trip Travel Insurance may be a more cost-effective way for you to get covered.

What different cover levels are there for Post Office single-trip travel insurance?

Post Office offers three levels of travel insurance. These are economy, standard and premier. With our premier policy, there's complimentary airport lounge access if your flight's delayed for one hour or more (8).

When is the best time to start my single-trip travel insurance?

It’s often best to buy single-trip travel insurance as soon as you book any part of your trip. Cover for cancellation won’t begin until you buy it. The start date needs to be the start date of your trip, but by taking it out straight away, should something happen between now and the start of your trip, you can be covered for cancellation in some circumstances. It’s another thing sorted and out of the way, and one less thing to forget as you get nearer to your trip and things get busy.

How much is single-trip travel insurance?

The price you pay for single-trip travel insurance really depends on what you need your policy to cover. When you get a quote from Post Office we’ll ask what level of cover you need for all of the things you might like to protect, or issues you may want to safeguard against, when the time comes to travel. So we’ll work out a competitive price for that cover based on the options you choose.

Is there a discount for students?

Yes, there is. We’ve partnered with Student Beans to offer a student discount. To claim it simply log in with your Student Beans account . If you don’t have one, you’ll need to register for a Student Beans account and verify you’re a student first. You’ll be given a unique code, which you’ll need to enter into the promotion box that appears when getting your travel insurance quote. The discount will be taken off your quote total.

Do you offer a discount for graduates?

Yes, we do. We’ve partnered with Grad Beans to offer a discount to graduates. To claim it, you’ll need to either register for a Grad Beans account (to verify your graduate status) or log in with your existing account . You’ll be given a unique code, which you’ll need to enter in the promotion code box that appears when getting your travel insurance quote. The discount will be taken off your quote total.

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Need some help?

Travel insurance help and support.

For emergency medical assistance, to make a claim, manage your account online, find answers to common questions about our cover or get in touch:  

Visit our travel insurance support page

Register your policy

If you haven’t yet registered your Post Office Travel Insurance policy, enter your details and create a log in so you can access it any time 

Register policy

Travel insurance policy types

Single-trip cover.

• Cover for a one-off trip in the UK or abroad
• Perfect for one-off trips or longer holidays of up to 365 days (7)
• No age limit

Annual multi-trip cover

• Cover for multiple-trips for a 12-month period
• 31-day trip limit, with extensions available up to 45 and 60 days
• Available for everyone aged up to 75 years 

Backpacker cover

• Cover for a one-off trip up to 18 months
• Option to return home for up to 7 days on 3 occasions.
• For people aged 18 – 60 wanting to travel the world for a gap year or career break 

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Policy documents

To access your policy documents, select your cover level then tell us the date you bought your cover. 

Economy, standard and premier

Core, extra and max.

Policy numbers starting with TC

Policies are underwritten by Collinson Insurance:

• Policy wording - purchased on or after the 28 March 2024
• Policy wording - purchased on or after the 31 August 2023
• Policy wording – purchased on or after 17 August 2022
• Policy wording – purchased on or after 31 March 2022

Policy numbers starting with TA

About our travel insurance

Post Office® Travel Insurance is arranged by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited.

Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited are registered in England and Wales. Registered numbers 2154540 and 08459718 respectively. Registered Office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trademarks of Post Office Limited.

The above details can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the Financial Conduct Authority website and searching by Firm Reference Number (FRN).

(1) Kids (under 18s) can be covered at no extra cost on our single-trip and annual multi-trip policies provided they have no medical conditions.

(2) Medical Assistance Plus is not available for trips taken in the UK, only for international travel. The service allows up to 3 separate medical events per person, per policy and for each medical event up to 3 appointments per person listed on the policy. All appointment charges are covered by your travel insurance policy. You will not need to pay any excess fees for this service.

For any online appointments or where the appointment was held at your accommodation, where a prescription is issued, you will need to pay for any medication and claim upon your return home. No excess will be applied for any prescription charges. If your appointment takes place at a clinic and they have a dispensing chemist, you will not need to pay for your prescription and all charges will be covered by your policy at the point of appointment. If there is no dispensing chemist at the clinic, you will either be given a prescription, or the prescription will be sent to a chemist by the treating doctor, and you will need to pay for any medication and claim upon your return home.

If your medical situation needs to be handed over from an outpatient case to an inpatient case and requires hospital admission, you will be handed over to our emergency medical assistance team in the UK. For any inpatient cases, no excess will be applicable.

(3) Missed departure is available with on our standard and premier cover levels.

(4) Increased to £750 if you bought your foreign currency from Post Office.

(5) Terms and conditions apply.

(6) Immediate relative: your mother, father, sister, brother, spouse, civil partner, fiancé/e, your children (including adopted and fostered), grandparent, grandchild, parent-in-law, daughter-in-law; sister-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, aunt, uncle, cousin, nephew, niece, step-parent, step-child, step-brother, step-sister or legal guardian.

(7) For economy, standard and premier policies, the single-trip policy will cover you for one trip up to: 365 days for those aged up to and including 70 years 90 days for those aged between 71 and 75 31 days for those aged 76 years and above

(8) You need to register your flight online at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time. Your free lounge access or ability for a monetary cash value will become available on the announcement of a minimum one-hour delay, this can either be announced as one single period of delay or reached as a consequence of multiple incremental shorter delays provided that your flight departs from an airport terminal with a lounge that's part of the LoungeKey network.

• Single Trip
• Annual Multi-Trip
• Winter Sports & Ski
• Collision Damage Waiver
• Sport & Leisure
• Medical Conditions

Travel Insurance for Non-UK Residents

• Group Travel Insurance
• Travel Insurance for Couples
• Covid-19 travel insurance
• About Our Travel Insurance
• Holiday Cancellation Insurance
• Emergency Medical Assistance Cover
• Emergency Medical Cover for Travel Insurance
• Repatriation Insurance
• Baggage Cover
• Travel Insurance for Under 18s
• Comprehensive
• What's Covered
• Excluded Vehicles
• Range Rover
• Car Hire Excess Insurance
• Policy Information
• File a Claim
• Insurance Glossary
• Coronavirus - Annual Multi-trip Policy

International health insurance for expatriates

Need help? Call us on: 0371 200 0428

Frequently asked questions, make a claim, policy documents.

• 14 day money back guarantee
• No credit or debit card fees
• UK customer services & claims team
• For travel up to 12 months in advance

Insurance for expatriates, non UK residents and travellers who have already left their home country

World First Travel Insurance have teamed up with, Battleface, Voyager Insurance and IMG Europe to offer an extensive range of International and expatriate travel, health and medical insurance - providing quality cover to individuals, families and groups of any nationality living, travelling or working virtually anywhere in the world. The available products allow our customers to travel between countries, operate from multiple locations, and even seek treatment in countries outside one's place of residence. With service centres in both the United States and Europe, these products are here to help you when you need it most, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Battleface help travellers by arranging robust travel insurance plans that make it possible to travel to conventional tourist destinations as well as the unconventional including those with travel bans in place. Their transparent policies even include cover for baggage, trip cancellation and emergency medical evacuation plus access to 24/7 emergency assistance. It takes just a few moments to get a quote.

Voyager Plus Travel Insurance

For Customer Services call Voyager on 01483 806 680

Designed to meet the needs of UK and Certain EEA Residents (Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland and Spain) looking for travel insurance while travelling outside of their home country (including those who have already travelled).

Travel Insurance for High Risk Countries

Flexible travel insurance for UK residents travelling to high risk countries and areas where the FCDO have advised against 'all travel' or 'all but essential travel' such as war zones, crisis zones and disaster relief zones.

IMG Insurance for residents outside of the European Economic Area

We also offer policies to individuals, families and groups of any nationality living, travelling or working virtually anywhere in the world through our partnership with IMG. These policies allow our customers to travel between countries, operate from multiple locations, and even seek treatment in countries outside their place of residence.

IMG have service centres in Europe and the US and offer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year assistance anywhere in the world. They were founded in 2002 and are FCA regulated and approved.

• 6 Month Travel Insurance

 Instant Policy Delivery

 Secure Online Purchase

 Range of Working Activities

 Six Different Policies

 Option to Extend Duration

 Cover for UK Residents

 Wide Range of Sports

 24 Hr Medical Assistance

6 Month Travel Insurance Policies

Extended holiday insurance for a worldwide or European 180 days 6-month trip abroad doesn’t need to break the bank. Because we specialise in Long Stay travel insurance , we are able to negotiate special rates. Our Backpacker cover for 6 months longstay cover starts at approximately £70 for Europe or from a little over £80 for travelling further afield.

We get asked to quote for 180 days cover for all sort of different trips. Some of the more unusual requests recently have been installing turbines in Mexico, volunteering at a lion sanctuary in South Africa, working in an orphanage in Uganda, motorcycling around Europe. The list is long and varied, so if you’re planning the trip of a lifetime, we invite you to try us for a quote.

If you buy 6 months travel insurance and you think that the long trip could get extended, that’s not a problem, as these policies can be extended after departure. We find that trips of this nature need flexibility and we are usually able to accommodate changes of your plan.

If your long term holiday is reasonably straightforward, you can get a quote online, by selecting “Long Stay” from the policy type options and then entering your details. If the trip is of a more hazardous or adventurous nature, you can email us or call 0161 973 6435 and we will endeavour to get a price for you.

Find out the best possible price for your travel insurance

get a quote 

Annual Multi-Trip

Cover for multiple trips.

• Up to 45 days each trip
• Option to extend to 62 days
• Special deals for couples and families

Long Stay Single Trip

Cover from 2 to 18 months.

• Extended backpacking
• Career breaks
• Volunteering
• Working holidays abroad

Short Stay Single Trip

Cover for up to 45 days.

• Single holiday
• Business trip
• Special rates for families
• Accompanied kids go free

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A Guide to Travel Insurance for UK Travellers + Options to Consider

Last updated: December 15, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 6 Comments

We’re often contacted by readers asking whether or not we think travel insurance is worth it. In our opinion travel insurance is a necessity, not an option. This is particularly the case for the medical cover it provides should you find yourself in difficulty abroad.

The cost of medical bills when you travel can be eye watering, and we don’t think that the small savings you get from skipping insurance is worth the huge potential bills you might be saddled with.

Travel insurance varies though in what it covers, and what it costs. It also varies depending on your country of residence, as well as a range of other factors including your age, trip destination, trip duration, planned activities, and so on.

In this post, we’re going to go over some of the key features of a travel insurance policy, to give you an idea of what to look for. This part of the guide applies to most travellers, regardless of where you are resident.

Then we’re going to look at a range of travel insurance options for travellers who are resident in the UK. Usually they will also require you to be registered with a medical practitioner in the UK as well. I’m from the UK and have purchased a variety of travel insurance policies over the years for my travels.

Some of the policies we include in this guide are available for travellers from other countries, but the majority are for UK residents only. That includes those living in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. They may also cover crown dependencies like the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, but you would need to check.

We’ll cover a range of trip types, from gap year travel insurance policies, to insurance policies for couples and families, to policies for those in different age groups.

Before we start, the inevitable disclaimer. This article should not be constituted as advice, and we are not insurance or financial experts. We have just provided the facts for individual policies to the best of our abilities, to help you make an informed decision on the best travel insurance for you.

Now, let’s get started.

Travel Insurance Policy Features

Before we get into individual travel insurance policies on the market today for British travellers, let’s take a look at what travel insurance typically covers, and different features you can use to compare policies.

What Travel Insurance Typically Covers

I’ll go into more details on some of these sections below, but in general travel insurance can cover the following (subject to exclusions and your specific policy).

• The cost of medical treatment if required on your trip
• Loss of baggage on your trip
• Costs incurred due to delays
• Costs incurred due to cancellations
• Personal liability and legal expenses claims
• Replacement of travel documents

Some travel insurance policies may be more niche or specific, and may only cover specific things like medial costs or trip cancellation costs.

Does Travel Insurance Cover the Coronavirus?

As well as tragic loss of life, the Coronavirus pandemic of 2019/20 caused major disruption to travel and travel plans.

Some existing travel insurance policies covered some but not all of these cancellations and disruptions, depending on the reasons for the cancellation or delay and the policy wording.

If you are taking out a new travel insurance policy, most providers have specific rules in place regarding the coronavirus. Most commonly, insurance providers will not provide cover for a trip to a destination which is on the FCO government list advising against all but essential travel. You can see the specific countries on the FCO website here .

In addition, many providers may have blanket exclusion causes related to the coronavirus. This might mean they won’t cover you for any claims relating to the Coronavirus. These claims might include trip cancellation due to you catching the virus before your trip, medical costs due to you catching the coronavirus when you travel, or your trip being cancelled due to government restrictions.

From our research, nearly every provider has specific information regarding their coronavirus coverage which is easily accessible from their homepage. We highly recommend reading this information before purchasing any particular cover.

We’ve also linked to the specific coronavirus information page for the providers in our list where possible.

Providers which do include Coronavirus insurance for new policies, to at least some extent, include Staysure , Insurefor , and True Traveller . However, do check the exact wording of each policy so you know what you are covered for, as the policies vary.

From our research, currently Staysure would appear to offer the most comprehensive coronavirus travel insurance coverage, but please check as the information changes regularly.

Single or Multi-trip Cover

There are a range of different types of travel insurance on the market, with the two main types being single trip and multi-trip cover.

Single trip insurance is designed to cover you for a specific trip. This type of insurance covers you for a specific number of days to a specific destination or destinations. You can think of it as insurance for one trip. Gap year travel insurance also usually falls into this single trip category.

A multi-trip insurance policy works a little bit differently. These policies usually last for a fixed period, say a year, and cover you for all your travels in that period. Usually there is a limitation on the length of each trip you can take before returning home and starting the next trip.

The price difference between single trip cover and multi-trip cover is often relatively small. Depending on how often you travel and the length of your trips, you can compare single trip policies with multi-trip policies to see which is best for you.

We have an annual multi-trip policy for our travels, as we travel a number of times each year from the UK, and this has worked out to be the best value option for us. However, you will need to decide which kind of cover is best for your specific needs. Those who usually only travel once or less per year will probably want to look at single trip insurance.

Trip Duration

Both single trip and multi-trip travel insurance policies will have a limit to the length of each individual trip you can take. Multi-trip policies may also have a total limit on the number of days they cover over the duration of the policy.

For a single trip policy, you will buy the trip for the number of days you are travelling for.

For a multi-trip policy, usually the length of any individual trip will be specified in the policy. For example, the policy might cover you for any trip lasting up to 30 days. You can take multiple trips over the lifetime of the policy, but to be covered you will have to return to your home country before starting a new trip.

Usually you can pay a fee to extend the duration of trip that the policy covers. So for example, our annual multi-trip cover allows us to take trips of up to 30 days in length, but we were able to contact them and pay a fee to increase that cover to 45 days.

Finally, you might be looking to cover a much longer trip, such as travel insurance for a gap year or insurance for life as a digital nomad. These policies also exist, and are often called gap year insurance or something similar. Business travelers and those being sent to work in another country should check with their company on their insurance coverage while abroad.

People Covered

Travel insurance policies for UK travellers are available for different family units. For example, you can buy travel insurance on an individual basis, or you can buy it as a couple or family.

In our experience we have found that covering more people on a policy usually works out to be less expensive per person than buying individual cover, although of course every situation varies.

When checking the policy for the number of people covered, things to look out for include whether or not the policy still covers you when you are travelling alone. For example, some couple policies allow you to travel together and individually. On the other hand, children insured on a family policy are usually not covered unless they are travelling with the family.

Destinations Covered

Different regions of the world have different risk and cost factors associated with travelling in them, and so the price of insurance policies will vary depending on where you are travelling.

For example, the cost of medical treatment in the USA is generally regarded as quite high. As such, insurance policies which cover travel in the USA are often more expensive.

Other destinations might be considered higher risk for travel for a number of other reasons, ranging from safety issues to infrastructure.

It is important to be aware that where you travel will affect the price of the policy you purchase. So be sure that you include all destinations you plan to visit when applying and are sure that you will be covered in each.

The mode of travel is important – many policies for example may require you to specify if you will be taking a cruise. If so, this may require the purchase of cruise specific cover. Again, you will need to check what is defined as a cruise – an overnight ferry crossing for example is unlikely to be considered a cruise, but this will be policy specific.

In addition, you will want to check if the policy covers you for domestic trips in your home country. Some policies cover travel in your home country and some do not. Normally for those policies that cover you domestically, you need to be away for a certain length (e.g. at least two days) and a certain distance from you home for the coverage to apply (e.g., 300 miles) so you can’t claim for an accident close to home.

Age Limitations

Insurance is basically a gamble. The insurer takes a gamble that you will not require to claim, whilst you take a gamble that you might need to claim.

As with any gamble, the odds vary depending on a number of factors. When it comes to insuring a traveller, one of the main risk factors an insurance provider considers is the age of the traveller.

As this article from the Association of British Insurers makes clear, younger travellers are less likely to make a claim, and the cost to the insurer of those claims is lower than older travellers. The average cost of claims rises as travellers get older, as do the frequency of those claims.

As a result, older travellers tend to have to pay a higher premium for their travel insurance. Some insurers won’t even provide insurance for certain age groups as they deem the risk is too high.

On the other hand, there are specialist insurance providers like Saga who only provide cover for older adults.

Medical Cover

One of the main benefits of travel insurance is the medical cover it provides. If you get sick or injured whilst on a trip, the costs associated with medical bills can be very high.

This is especially the case if you need emergency transport such as a helicopter or flight to a hospital, where you might be looking at tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of costs. You might even need to be flown all the way home – known as repatriation.

Having to spend this amount of money would be a life changing event for most people, and it is for this reason that travel insurance is important. Even if you are not travelling anywhere particularly dangerous, or partaking in risky activities, accidents can and do happen.

It is important that you read exactly what is and what isn’t included with any part of a policy, and medical cover is no exception. For example, most policies only cover non-elective treatment (so immunizations and general checkups won’t be covered), and any prescriptions or medication you usually have to take at home also won’t be covered.

It’s also important to read the procedure you need to follow if the worst should happen and you need to invoke your policy.

Most insurance providers provide a free phone number that can be used from around the world to contact your insurer. They should be able to provide you the advice and information you need. Nearly every provider we know of requires you to get in touch as soon as is possible when it comes to medical treatment, so they can ensure you get the help you need, and so you can claim under the policy.

You want to be sure you have 24/7 year-round access to be able to get in touch with your travel insurer for medical assistance and emergency assistance, and have this number at hand with you as you travel. You should also give this number and your insurance policy number to either a travelling companion, your tour guide, or a trusted contact at home, in case you are incapacitated on your trip. Many of the tours I’ve been on have required this information as a condition of booking.

Finally, be aware that most policies have strict rules around pre-existing medical conditions. You will usually need to let the insurer know about any pre-existing conditions, as this can affect your policy. If you do not let them know about a condition and you have to make a claim, there is a good chance they may reject it, although you will need to check the insurance policy wording to see the exact rules for your policy.

Depending on your pre-existing condition, you may struggle to find insurance. In this case, you might have to find specialist travel insurance that covers your pre-existing condition.

As a traveller from the UK, you also need to be aware that the UK has reciprocal healthcare arrangements in place with a number of countries, such as Australia and New Zealand. This means travellers from these countries are usually eligible for NHS treatment, and travellers from the UK can use health care services in these countries.

Many insurance providers will require you to register for this cover either during or prior to your trip in order for your medical coverage to be valid.

Travellers from the UK visiting other EU countries will also likely need to register for and travel with a European Health Insurance Card , or EHIC. An EHIC gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

Whilst an EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance, many insurance providers will require UK travellers to have one as a condition of insurance.

Possessions Cover

Many travel insurance policies include some kind of possessions cover, which can cover your baggage and personal effects against loss, theft, or even accidental damage.

The exact circumstances that the cover will apply to will vary depending on the policy, and you will need to read the small print to find out what is and what isn’t covered. For example, some policies might cover possessions left in the locked boot of a vehicle overnight, but others might not. Other policies might only cover you if your valuables are locked in a hotel safe.

Another thing to be aware of is that most travel insurance policies have relatively low single item limits. So for example, the policy might have a total possessions cover of £2,000, but a single article limit of £250.So if you have an expensive item like a camera stolen valued at £1000, even though your total cover is £2000, you will only be eligible for the £250.

If you have an item stolen, you may be required to file a local police report to make a claim.

Basically, there are a lot of variables for cover, so always dive down into the details and check what the policy covers compared to what you need it to cover. If you are travelling with expensive items, you may have the option to add them to your policy as named items for an additional fee.

Another option to consider is your home contents insurance policy if you have one. This might be more cost effective for covering your valuables away from the home, rather than relying on that part of your travel insurance policy.

We actually had a laptop stolen whilst on a trip in France, and to make a claim we had to get a police report, as well as proof of the laptop purchase. Unfortunately our travel insurer only had a single item limit of £300, with an excess of £50, so this was all we were able to claim. Since then we have added travel outside the home cover to our home contents insurance, with our valuable items listed individually.

Activity Cover

We go on holiday for different reasons, and to take part in different activities. Obviously, some activities are riskier than others, and as such insurance policies will usually have different levels of activity cover available.

Usually, activities are rated into different categories. Low risk activities might include cycling or golf, whilst more extreme activities like winter sports, mountain climbing, skydiving, or white water rafting will generally be rated as higher risk.

Insurance providers are usually very specific about which activities they cover, and the majority of them allow you to add specific cover which includes more risky activities.Winter sports cover is a very popular addon due to the number of people who go on ski trips.

Make a list of any activities you plan to take part in and make sure they are covered.

Excess Amount

Most insurance policies have some sort of excess in place. The excess is the amount you have to pay when you make a claim.

Some policies have a variable excess depending on which part of the policy you are claiming on, for example £100 towards your medical expenses, but £50 towards a lost luggage claim. Others have a fixed excess that applies to all claims.

The majority of policies will let you adjust the amount of excess you are willing to pay. Usually, a higher excess will result in a cheaper policy, whereas lowering the excess to zero will result in a more expensive policy.

Does it Overlap with Existing Insurance You Own?

Travel insurance is obviously a specific type of insurance designed to cover you while you travel. However, some of the features that travel insurance policies provide are not necessarily unique. You might find that you already have existing cover for some scenarios, in which case you might be able to save money by skipping some of the features on the travel insurance policy.

One example of this is possessions cover. As mentioned previously, most travel insurance policies have relatively low single item limits for your possessions, meaning it can be challenging to cover high value items like cameras, smartphones, video equipment, jewellery, ski equipment, and laptops.

However, home insurance policies often have a feature where you can insure your items outside the home. In some cases, this can be less expensive compared to adding it as a feature on a travel insurance policy.

There are other areas where travel insurance policy features can overlap with existing insurance. For example, some travel insurance policies may allow you to add Collision Damage Waiver protection when you hire a car. However, this might also already be provided through your credit card company or home car insurance policy.

So do check before buying an insurance, or adding features to the policy, that you are not already covered for it with a policy you either already have, or that you can buy separately at a lower cost.

Finally, in the UK there are a couple of additional protections to be aware of. First, there exists a scheme known as ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licensing scheme). Operated by the Civil Aviation Authority, this government backed scheme is designed to protect consumers from the failure of a travel business that sells package holidays, such as a holiday which includes both flights and accommodation.

ATOL is a mandatory scheme which every UK company selling overseas holidays and flights has to be a part of.

Another program to be aware of, although this time voluntary, is ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents). The ABTA scheme is set up to provide protection for non-flight based holidays, such as coach, rail or cruise holidays, as well as linked travel arrangements and monies paid to travel agents.

ABTA is not mandatory, however if you are booking a trip that falls into the above categories, we suggest doing it through an ABTA registered travel agent, and ensuring you get ATOL protection as well.

Business Travel

Whilst most folks think of travel as a leisure activity, a huge amount of travel is actually for business reasons.

If you travel a lot for work, then you might want to check that any policy you purchase also covers business travel. It is likely that your workplace insurance covers you or will reimburse you for your policy, but you will need to check with them.

As with any other feature, naturally business travel cover can come with specific exclusions, which might include the nature of the business. So for example, specific type of manual labour are often excluded, as are other high risk jobs.

So always check the policy wording carefully if cover for business travel is important to you, and if in doubt, always contact the insurer for clarity before taking out the insurance and embarking on the trip.

Specific Features such As Scheduled Airline Failure & Cancel for Any Reason

A common complaint heard about any insurance policy is that when you need to make a claim, it mysteriously doesn’t cover you for the specific circumstances in question.

This is why you need to check what a policy covers you for, and what it does not, before you purchase it. There are some relatively common sense exclusions we cover below in our section on common travel insurance exclusions, but there are some others which are perhaps less well known.

One example of these is Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance, or SAFI. Without this specific inclusion, you are likely not going to be covered if an airline ceases operating and you can no longer take your trip as a result. There are similar insurances for other supplier failures, such as hotel or car hire companies.

Of course, even if the policy includes this failure insurance, read the small print to be sure it covers situations relevant to you. For example, some might only cover failure for products booked before your trip begins.

Another example of an uncommon inclusion is known as Cancel for Any Reason. Normally, something needs to happen for an insurer to pay out if your trip is cancelled. You can’t just decide not to go and claim on your insurance. However, some policies allow you to add this feature for an additional cost if you want this additional peace of mind as it allows you to cancel your trip for almost any reason.

Common Travel Insurance Exclusions

There are usually a list of exclusions on a travel insurance policy, and it is vital that you know what you are not covered for. This is why it is so important to read through the small print, boring though it may be, so you can see exactly what you are and are not covered for.

The exclusions will vary depending on the policy, and many can be added to a policy at an additional cost, but some common exclusions might be:

• If you leave your belongings unattended they will likely not be covered
• Claiming against any pre-existing medical condition
• Travelling to a region or country when government advice has been issued against travel to that region. You can see current UK government advice here .
• Claims arising as a result of partaking in any illegal activity in the destination you visit, such as drink-driving, drug use, or off-road driving
• Travel resumption – if you have to return home for any reason, such as a medical claim, most policies will not cover the cost of resuming your trip at a later date
• One way trips – if you set off on a journey with no return ticket, many policies will not cover this
• If you are already travelling – the majority of travel insurance policies need to be taken out before you start your trip, and cannot be bought once your trip has started
• Cancellation of products booked with reward points such as airline miles

There are also often clauses limiting claims for other reasons, which may include claims arising as a result of terrorism, natural disasters, pandemics, and times of global strife etc,.

Ease of Getting a Quote

This is not necessarily a feature of a travel insurance provider, but we think it is worth mentioning.

Some of the providers on our list make it very easy to get a quote – you just put in your destination, age, and type of policy you are interested in, and you get a quote straight away.

If you have pre-existing conditions, in most cases you need to declare these as well.

Other providers require more personally identifying information, including your full home address, contact phone number, and email before they’ll even give you a quote.

If a provider does require personal information, we advise opting out of any marketing materials when you go through the quote so you don’t end up getting lots of marketing material sent to you.

Travel Insurance If You Are Already on a Trip

The majority of travel insurance providers will only issue you with a travel insurance policy prior to your trip start date. However, if you are already travelling and require insurance, some providers will still allow you to purchase insurance.

For UK travellers, some options include True Traveller and Safety Wing .

Travel Insurance Policies for UK travellers

Below are some providers of travel insurance for UK travellers. Information on these policies is up to date as of April 2020, and we have done our best to ensure it is accurate.

However, please do check the policy wording and information prior to making any purchase. These are not listed in any order of preference.

Note: since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic most new policies will not provide any coverage for coronavirus related issues. In addition, due to a volume of claims some insurance companies have stopped issuing new insurance policies for the time being, or have rules around when policies can start.

Prices and availability of policies may be affected by the current outbreak. Each provider will have specific information on their website.

For those looking for coronavirus related resources, see the UK government advice here and NHS guidance here .

True Traveller Travel Insurance

True Traveller offers a wide range of travel insurance products to travellers aged 65 years and under. They are particularly focused on backpackers and long term travellers, and are also one of the few providers on our list who offer cover even after your trip has started.

They offer gap year, one-way, multi-trip and single trip cover, as well as specific policies for trekking and those going to Canada on an IEC visa.

True Travellers products are very customisable. The base product for example doesn’t include baggage cover, as they recognise this may duplicate an existing home contents insurance policy. This can save you money by skipping insurance you don’t need.

You can also add all sorts of extras, from CDW excess cover, to cover that lets you ride scooters or motorbikes (excluded on many insurance policies), to travel disruption cover that includes natural disasters. Obviously, additions will increase the price of your premium.

You can take out the multi-trip cover for varying durations, unlike many other policies which sell it as an annual policy which lasts for 12 months. So if you are doing a few trips over 6 months, you don’t have to commit to a full year of coverage.

When it comes to their policies they have three packages. The policies vary in terms of what is offered, as well as who can take them out.

The True Value product currently does not include Financial Failure Protection, but the Traveller product does, and this covers you against the failure of service providers including scheduled airlines, hotels, etc.

For multi-trip cover, two of the packages offer individual trip durations up to 30 days, while the more expensive package allows for trips up to 70 days. There’s no limit on the number of days you can travel per year.

For the single trip cover, you can take this out for a period up to 18 months, and you can then extend it for 12 months at a time.

It’s super easy to get a quote from True Traveller, and you don’t need to enter your e-mail address or contact information.

Get a quote from True Traveller here .

Does True Traveller Travel Insurance cover the Coronavirus?

True Traveller does include coronavirus coverage in their insurance policies. You can read here to see exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Staysure Travel Insurance

Staysure offers a range of insurance policies, including single trip, annual, cruise, and golf insurance. They also have specific cover for a range of pre-existing conditions, and they have no age limit on their policies.

They have a number of packages available depending on how much cover you want. For example, for a multi-trip annual policy you can choose between a basic package and a more comprehensive package. The former costs less and covers the essentials like medical expenses and repatriation, but is missing things like end supplier failure.

The more comprehensive package includes supplier failure cover and personal liability, as well as legal protection and winter sports.

You can also add higher value items, wedding rings and sporting equipment to your policies.

The annual multi-trip cover covers up to 183 days of travel in a year, with up to 50 days of consecutive travel per trip for those aged 70 and under, and 35 consecutive days for those aged over 70.

You can get a quote without entering your e-mail address or contact information, although you do need to enter your name and date of birth, as well as disclose any medical conditions.

Get a quote from Staysure here .

Does Staysure Travel Insurance cover the Coronavirus?

Staysure offer fairly comprehensive coronavirus travel insurance for new policies, including cancellation cover, medical cover, and cover in case you are quarantined. You can see what their policy covers in terms of the coronavirus here .

AXA Travel Insurance

AXA are a huge French firm specializing in a range of insurance products, as well as other financial services. When I lived in France, I had a travel insurance policy through AXA.

They also offer travel insurance policies in a whole range of other countries, including the USA, Canada, and of course, the UK, and in fact many travel insurance policies are actually underwritten by AXA.

AXA offer both single and multi-trip policies. Single trip cover is available for trips up to 120 days in length, while multi-trip cover is for 30-40 days depending on the package, and can be extended to cover trips up to 45 days. Policies are also available for those with pre-existing conditions.

Policies are currently available in three tiers of cover, Bronze, Silver and Gold. As far as we can tell all the policies include cover in the event of insolvency of the accommodation provider, transport provider, or their booking agents, but do check the policy wording before purchasing.

In terms of age, for single trip policies which include travel to the USA, Canada or the Caribbean, these are only available for those under 75. Single trip policies to the rest of the world are only available for those under 80. Annual multi-trip policies are available for those under 75, regardless of destination.

From our research, AXA was one of the most price competitive options for travel insurance for UK travellers, although they don’t offer any kind of gap year or long trip cover currently. It also covers domestic trips in the UK that are for at least 2 days in length.

AXA do require some personally identifiable information including your e-mail address and home address, before they will give you a quote.

You can get a travel insurance quote from AXA here .

Does AXA Travel Insurance cover the Coronavirus?

AXA has some coverage for Coronavirus related claims for both new and existing policies. The coverage is primarily for medical and repatriation coverage. New policies do not include cancellation coverage relating to the coronavirus. You can see full information here .

Saga Travel Insurance

Saga specialises in travel insurance for the over 50s. So if you are are under this age bracket, you’ll want to skip Saga as they don’t even provide insurance for the under 50s.

If you do fall into the over 50 age bracket though, then Saga is an option. They offer a range of policies, including single trip and multi-trip cover. Single trips can be up to 120 days per trip, whilst multi-trip cover has a standard duration of 45 days per trip. This can be extended to up to 90 days, depending on where you are travelling.

Based on our research, Saga do charge a bit of a premium compared to other providers. However, their policies are tailored toward a specific age group, and the policies include generous cover for things like trip cancellation and medical expenses. They also include supplier failure including scheduled airline failure.

Saga do require some personally identifiable information including your name and home address, before they will give you a quote.

You can get a travel insurance quote from Saga here .

Does Saga Travel Insurance cover the Coronavirus?

Saga Travel insurance offers some coverage for coronavirus claims, specifically relating to medical coverage and repatriation when travelling. Cancellation is not currently covered. You can read more on their website here .

Insurefor Travel Insurance

Insurefor is a travel insurance provider with a range of policies available, including annual multi-trip cover, family travel insurance policies, and single trip policies.

In terms of policies, they currently offer three levels of cover, standard, premier and Ultimate. The price difference between these level of cover is not too great; however, there are a few key differences around what is covered and what isn’t. For multi-trip annual cover for example, the Ultimate package allows for trips up to 60 days in length, whilst the other two policies allow for trips up to 32 days.

Trips inside the UK of at least two days in length are covered, and if you travel with a number of electronic items, you will be pleased to hear the you can add gadget specific cover for higher value items.

Age wise, currently Insurefor offers annual multi-trip policies for those aged 74 and under, whilst their single trip policies are available for those aged 84 and under.

One obvious omission from Insurefor policies is that they do not currently cover scheduled airline failure or any other losses you might incur as a result of a provider going insolvent. This is definitely something to be aware of and to keep in mind when comparing this insurance with other providers.

Insurefor make it easy to get a quote without needing to enter your personal information. You can get a quote from Insurefor here .

Does Insurefor Travel Insurance cover the Coronavirus?

Insurefor travel insurance includes some coronavirus cover for both new and existing policies. You can see more on their coronavirus page here .

Virgin Money Travel Insurance

Virgin Money offer a range of travel insurance products, including backpacker insurance, annual multi-trip cover, and single trip insurance.

Each policy is available at a range of color coded levels, and as with other insurance policies, these offer varying levels of cover. In addition, Virgin offers a range of optional extras which vary including winter sports and other activities, through to cruise, business, and gadget cover.

Even their most basic “red” cover for single and annual policies includes scheduled airline failure as standard. However, if you want to include the insolvency of other providers, you would need a higher level of cover.

For the multi-trip policy, you can travel for up to 31 days on the red option, 45 days on the silver product, and up to 90 days for the gold and black policies. Note that these limits vary depending on your age.

Speaking of age, the most basic “red” policy for the single and multi-trip products is only available for people aged 65 and older. The other single and multi-trip policies have no upper age limit, however if you are aged between 66 and 75 the maximum single trip duration is limited to 31 days and if aged 76 and over the maximum single trip duration is limited to 17 days.

Virgin also offers a Backpacker specific travel insurance, available for trips from 18 days up to 18 months. This policy is a good option for longer term backpackers, but is only available for travellers age 39 and younger.

InsureandGo Travel Insurance

InsureandGo offer a range of travel insurance products including single trip, annual multi-trip and backpacker insurance. They also offer specific insurance for travellers over 65.

They are also the provider of the Virgin Travel Insurance product, although there are some differences between the two providers, including age limits and what exactly is included, so I have included both providers in this round up.

Product wise, each type of insurance is available at a different level of cover, ranging from a budget product through to a black product. Cover and remuneration varies by product. Trip length is also one of the main variables, the budget product allows for trips up to 31 days, whilst the Gold and Black products allow for trips up to 90 days.

Note that unlike the similar Virgin Travel policy, none of their products include Scheduled Airline Failure insurance, or cover for the failure of any other supplier. As with other providers, you can add valuables, winter sports, and cover for other activities as well as natural disasters.

In terms of age, with the exception of the backpacker policy (66 and under only) there is no upper age limit on InsureandGo policies. The only restriction they have is on trip length – the maximum trip length for those over 65 is 31 days on both single and annual trip policies.

InsureandGo make it very easy to get a quote without having to provide any personally identifiable information.

You can get a quote from InsureandGo here .

AllClear Travel Insurance

AllClear specialises in providing travel insurance to travellers who have pre-existing conditions, and they provide cover for travellers with any of up to 1,300 conditions.

Launched in the year 2,000, AllClear was the first company in the UK to provide this specialist medical travel insurance cover.

They also provide insurance to folks without pre-existing conditions, although their policies are a little more expensive based on our research.

They do offer a wide range of packages though, depending on the cover you need. However, not all packages are available for all ages, so you would need to search based on your specific age and requirements to see if there is a package to suit. In addition, we weren’t able to find a policy which included end supplier failure.

The maximum trip length for single trips is 180 days, so this wouldn’t work for those looking to go on a longer trip like a gap year. For annual multi-trip policies, the standard trip duration is 31 days.

AllClear do require some personally identifiable information including your name and home address, before they will give you a quote. You can get a travel insurance quote from AllClear here .

Allianz Assistance Travel Insurance

Allianz are the world’s largest insurance company, and they offer a huge range of insurance policies for all kinds of things, including travel, in countries around the world.

In the UK, they offer a range of travel insurance policies, including single trip, annual multi-trip, and gap year travel insurance. They also have specific policies for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, travellers over 75 and for families. So hopefully you should be able to find a policy that meets your needs!

Currently, Allianz offer three main tiers of insurance, Bronze, Silver and Gold. These offer varying levels of coverage, and at time of writing only Gold includes end supplier failure coverage.

In terms of trip duration, the multi-trip annual cover policies allow for unlimited trips up to 31 days in length. Single trip cover is available up to 180 days.

The backpacker policy is available as two products, either with skiing or without. It’s available for travellers aged 35 or under, and covers trips up to 365 days in length. It does not include supplier failure insurance.

The standard multi-trip and single trip products are available for travellers up to age 75. However, you should be aware that the multi-trip policy for travellers over the age of 65 is only available for those without pre-existing conditions.

However, Allianz also offer a specific Seniors travel insurance. This is available in both single and multi-trip variants for travellers over the age of 65, and is available for those with pre-existing conditions. Otherwise, the coverage is similar, with three tiers (Bronze, Silver and Gold), with silver and gold including possessions cover, and gold including supplier failure.

Allianz make it very easy to get a quote without having to provide any personally identifiable information. You can get a quote from Allianz here .

Comparison of Quotes and Cover

I wanted to provide a comparison of cover for a range of scenarios, to give you an idea of pricing and features. I’ll use some example trips and applicants of different ages to show you what’s available.

Prices are all valid as of April 2020 when I did the comparison search.

As providers often have a range of packages at different price points, I have tried to include the most comparable products from each provider in terms of coverage.

Where possible, I also tried to pick a package that matched the trip, for example if a provider has a special gap year product, this was chosen for the gap year comparison.

Cover was chosen to include worldwide trips including the USA and Caribbean. If additional features were available these were not added to the cover.

Excess was left at the default amount if available, and the middle amount if a choice had to be made. Some providers have varying excess amounts for different parts of the product, so in these cases the most expensive excess was used in the comparison table.

No pre-existing medical conditions were specified.

One last thing before getting into the individual prices. Please remember that price is not everything. You need to compare the specific inclusions and exclusions for each product, as well as recent customer reviews on websites like TrustPilot . Many providers also have a Defaqto rating , which gives a product a score based on features and benefits.

Ideally you want a policy where it is easy to make a claim and reviews indicate customer service is good.

Now, let’s compare providers to see what they offer, and how much they charge across a range of scenarios. Prices have been rounded to the nearest pound. Please note this information is provided for comparison purposes only. You will always need to do your own research and get your own quote to ensure a product is correct for you prior to purchase.

Example 1: Multi-trip Annual Travel Insurance for a 40 year old Couple

Example 2: multi-trip annual travel insurance for a 75 year old couple, example 3: 1 year gap year travel insurance for a 21 year old.

Notes: True Traveller has an initial 18 month policy duration (24 months for Canada IEC if required), and it can then be extended while you are travelling 12 months at a time.

Example 4: 2 Week Single Trip Travel Insurance for a Family, two parents age 32 and two kids aged 2 and 4

Note: When checking single trip insurance, always check to see what the equivalent annual policy price would be, as this might sometimes work out either cheaper or only slightly more expensive.

For this reason I have included the equivalent price for a similar annual policy for each provider if they offer one. Just be aware that the policy may vary slightly from the single trip policy, so it’s hard to compare it directly.

Does Your Bank or Financial Provider Offer Travel Insurance?

Before you finish your travel insurance search, don’t forget that many bank accounts in the UK offer travel insurance as a benefit. These products are generally known as packaged bank accounts, and may come with a number of benefits including travel insurance, mobile phone insurance, and/or car breakdown cover.

For example, we have a FlexPlus bank account with Nationwide, which offers us a number of benefits including worldwide multi-trip travel insurance.

There is a cost to having this bank account, as there usually is with any packaged bank account like this, however in our case the cost was worth the benefits. We’ve claimed on the travel insurance twice, and had a good experience both times.

As with any insurance product you will of course need to read the terms and conditions to check it meets your specific needs before purchasing.

Further Reading

That’s it for our guide to travel insurance for UK travellers. We hope you found it useful! Before you go, we have a few more guides we think you might find helpful in planning your travels.

• We have a guide for how much it costs to travel in the USA
• We have a guide to choosing the best VPN for travel
• Our guide to the  best travel routers  for improving your WiFi signal, both when travelling and at home
• Our guide to  how to get online when travelling  away from home
• You’re going to need to power all your devices when you travel – see our guide to the  best travel adapters
• If you are heading out onto the road and looking for a laptop to get some work done, see our guide to the  best laptops for photo editing
• Thinking of buying a new camera? See our guide to the  best cameras for travel
• Looking to improve your photography? See our detailed online travel photography course here

And that’s it! As always, we hope you found this guide useful. If you have any thoughts on the policies above, or experiences with a travel insurance provider you’d like to share, just pop them in the comments section below.

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There are 6 comments on this post

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18th June 2023 at 9:26 am

Thank you, Laurence! What helpful information. I’m trying to research travel insurance options for my son, who is a UK resident and a US citizen. The main concern is to find a way that he can have medical emergency insurance when visiting the US (which he does for about one month per year). The policies you have researched look like they offer high maximums for medical emergencies, but we wonder if people actually succeed in getting their claims approved should they get a high bill from a US medical provider in case, for instance, someone is involved in an auto accident. US medical bills are so high, as is the cost of medical insurance in the US. So, it makes us wonder if a policy that costs only £153 per year would give someone reliable coverage for emergency medical costs in the hundreds of thousands. It wouldn’t be very surprising to pay the £153 only to discover that the insurance company has found a pretext to deny payment of large hospital bills, even though the patient (or the patient’s companion) had called the insurance company as soon as possible after the emergency. I guess it boils down to a company’s reputation for actually covering emergency medical claims when they are large, and we don’t really know where to look for such information. If you have any ideas, we’d really appreciate your insights. Thanks again! Cindy

Laurence Norah says

18th June 2023 at 10:11 am

This is a great question and one that is really important. After all there is no point having insurance if they don’t pay out! Unfortunately it’s a hard question to answer definitively. I’d recommend reading the small print for any policy to see if there are any exclusions (which can be incredibly tedious I know, I read a lot of them when putting this article together!). From a personal perspective, we’ve thankfully never had to claim for a large sum from our provider when travelling in the US, although we have had no problems with smaller sums for things like getting ill and needing to see a Doctor.

I think the best option would be to read the small print for the policy, contact the provider directly if you have further questions, go with a provider that has been around for a while, and one that has good recent reviews from a site like TrustPilot. Of course, review sites can often skew towards the negative as people are more likely to report on a bad experience, but you can normally get a good feel for what sort of overall experience people are having.

I’m sorry I can’t give you a more definitive answer, but I do hope you find a provider that you can put your faith into.

All the best

Lynn Glenn says

22nd January 2022 at 1:33 am

Hi Laurence, Thank you for such a comprehensive review of the insurance covers out there. My daughter and I are travelling to the UK in May 2022 from the US. Does this information also apply in reverse with entry into the UK and return to the US? I will continue to do my research, you certainly gave me a headstart. My biggest concern is that the trip will be cancelled [again, due to Coronavirus], I do not want to be stuck with the cost of the airfare. Is this a cover that is offered by a travel insurance policy? I will definitely read the small print in any cover that I do purchase,

Best Regards, Lynn Glenn

25th January 2022 at 11:34 am

It’s my pleasure! So the first part of this guide will be applicable in terms of evaluating the options. However, not all the insurance providers I link to will be applicable, as some of them are aimed at UK residents. So you would need one that works for US residents. There are some on the list like World Nomads and Staysure I think that would cover you, but obviously I’d advise checking a few and seeing what they cover / cost. It’s also worth checking annual policies vs coverage specifically for your trip, as the price can be similar.

For covid cover, this is something where you definitely need to check exactly what they cover. Some policies are good in terms of what they cover, but there are always exceptions. Normally if a flight or something is cancelled, the airline normally has to refund you. However this isn’t always that easy to do We always recommend trying to find flights and accommodation options which have free cancellation from your side so you can always cancel yourself if you need to. We also always suggest booking things on a credit card as the credit card companies can often help get money back if a supplier cancels on you.

I hope this helps. I also hope your trip goes ahead! Do be sure to read up on the latest testing requirements before you travel as they tend to change quickly.

Have a great time in the UK!

Kate M. says

14th June 2020 at 3:14 pm

Hello there – thoughts on what insurance options might be best for a married couple in their 40’s (42, 46) with one child (age 8), no major preexisting medical conditions. We would like a plan we can just buy for the year and then forget it when travelling. We usually take two holidays a year abroad in Europe for about 1 week each, and then travel within the UK a bit during school holidays although not so much this year with COVID-19. Also wondering how the coronavirus affects insurance and if we’d be protected if we got sick for that? Thanks!

14th June 2020 at 3:35 pm

So before I respond I have to say I’m not a qualified insurance expert, and I can only provide you my opinion rather than advice.

Personally, I have found that the travel insurance with Nationwide’s bank account is very competitive. As well as the travel insurance, which will cover your families needs, you also get European wide breakdown cover and mobile phone cover. We’ve used it for a number of years, and have made three claims to date (one medical, one lost item, one car breakdown), and had excellent service. It costs £13 a month, which puts it in the middle of the options on the list for worldwide cover. You can read more about it here .

However, the Flexplus insurance product from Nationwide includes worldwide travel, and you have said you are only travelling in Europe. So you would be able to save by picking a product which is for Europe only, as long as you do not plan to do trips further afield. In this case, I would try getting quotes from AXA and Allianz , as well as any of the other providers in the list who offer plans to meet your needs.

For the Coronavirus, it will depend very much on the insurer, and the policy wording they have. Currently, most insurers will not cover you for cancellation as a result of the coronavirus at this point. Some still cover you if you get sick from the virus though, as long as you are not travelling to an area where the UK foreign office has not advised against travel (this is the case for most insurance policies, if the foreign office advises you don’t travel somewhere, most policies won’t apply if you do).

I hope this helps, and that your travels are safe 🙂

All the best,

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Voyager Plus Travel Insurance for Non-UK Residents

Voyager Plus Travel Insurance for Expats and Non-UK Residents

Great travel insurance cover from just £24.12*.

• Up to £10 million - Emergency Medical Expenses Cover
• Up to £5,000 - Cancellation Cover
• Up to £3,500 - Baggage Cover
• Kids go free – even better value for families
• Free 24/7 Access to an NHS Trained Doctor
• Holiday financial protection – keeping your money safe
• 24/7 emergency assistance – helping you through the most difficult times
• 100s of activities and medical conditions - covered as standard

*based on short stay individual aged 18-49 cover to Area 2 for 7 days Get A Travel Insurance Quote

Short Stay Travel Insurance

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Long Stay Travel Insurance

• Family Travel Insurance
• Already Departed Travel Insurance
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Non-UK Residents Travel Insurance

• UK Expatriate Travel Insurance
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Great Travel Insurance for Non-UK residents at a great price - For peace of mind when travelling.

At Voyager Plus, we offer Travel Insurance for EEA residents

Our Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policies are not just available for UK residents, there are several Eligible EEA Countries whose residents can also purchase one of our policies.

Residents of Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, and Spain would be considered Eligible EEA Countries and would therefore be able to purchase a Voyager Plus Travel Insurance Policy.

Voyager Plus’s Non-UK residents Travel Insurance will provide you with the same great benefits, which includes:

• Emergency Medical Expenses (including repatriation) – up to £10,000,000
• Cancellation cover – up to £10,000
• Baggage Cover – up to £3,500
• 100s of activities covered as standard
• 4 levels of cover to suit a range or budgets and needs
• Option to purchase in £ or €
• Cover for 100s of pre-existing medical conditions
• And so much more!

If you are residing in an Eligible EEA Country, Travel Insurance is available to you no matter where you are travelling to so long as your trip starts and ends in your home country.

Please note – Short Stays can be a maximum of 62 days (unless aged over 75 where the maximum stay is 31 days) but there is no age restriction on purchasing one of these policies. Equally the maximum age you can be to take out a Long-Stay policy is 59 and for an Annual Travel Insurance for Non-UK Residents policy , the maximum age is 74.

And if you suddenly feel unwell on your holiday, you may be wondering how to see a doctor when away from home, especially if you’re abroad. Our Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance policy now includes a service where you can speak to a 24/7 doctor while abroad as standard* . To find out more about this service, click here .

To buy Non-UK Residents Travel Insurance from Voyager Plus, click the Get a Quote button today.

Get a Non-UK Residents Travel Insurance Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Non-UK Residents Travel Insurance?

Our Non-UK Residents Travel Insurance is designed to provide financial protection for non-UK citizens currently living in eligible EEA countries when travelling. This includes cover for emergency medical treatment on holiday, baggage lost in transit, and much more while on your travels.

2. What destinations are covered under Voyager Plus Travel Insurance for Non-UK Residents?

Our Voyager Plus Non-UK Residents Travel Insurance can cover trips to the following areas:

• Area 1: The United Kingdom, Including Northern Ireland
• Area 2: Includes all countries in Area 1 and additionally the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, the continent of Western Europe, any country with a Mediterranean coastline (excluding Algeria, Libya, Syria & Israel), the Canary Islands, Madeira and Iceland
• Area 3: Includes all countries in Areas 1 & 2 and additionally Worldwide (excluding North America, the USA, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, the Bahamas & Bermuda)
• Area 4: Includes all countries in Areas 1, 2 & 3, and additionally North America, the USA, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, The Bahamas & Bermuda

3. What EEA countries can you provide Non-UK Resident Travel Insurance for?

At Voyager, we can offer cover for residents of the following EEA countries: Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, and Spain.

4. Can I get cover for pre-existing medical conditions with Non-UK Residents Travel Insurance?

Yes, Voyager Plus can provide cover for 100s of pre-existing medical conditions. Make sure you declare these conditions when asked to when purchasing your policy to ensure you have the correct cover in place.

If you fail to declare your conditions and require treatment whilst abroad then you may not be covered, and your insurer may deny your claim.

5. Are there any difference between Non-UK Residents Travel Insurance and Standard Travel Insurance?

Voyager Plus’s policies for UK and Non-UK residents provide the same extensive coverage. There are some minor differences in contact details but please check your policy documents for these.

You also have the ability to pay for your policy in Euros if you wish.

Policy Summary:

Medical Expenses - Up to £10 million Personal Liability - Up to £3 million Cancellation - Up to £10,000 Abandonment - Up to £10,000 Personal Possessions - Up to £3,500 Financial Protection - Up to £3,000 Disruption - Up to £1,000

8 Options available including: Action Activities Cover, Cruise Travel Insurance Option, Business Travel Insurance – Business Plus Option, Enhanced Travel or Terrorism Disruption Cover... see all

Non-UK Residents Travel Insurance Options

This Travel Insurance product offers a range of different options.

Gadget Insurance Option

Action activities cover, winter sports cover, cruise travel insurance option, sports equipment and cycle insurance cover, golf travel insurance, business travel insurance – business plus option, enhanced travel or terrorism disruption cover.

Add Travel Gadget Insurance to your Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policy to cover up to 4 gadgets per policy including, mobile phones, smart phones, smart watches, tablets, laptops, games consoles, headphones and much more!

Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policies include 100+ sports and hazardous activities at no additional cost. You can upgrade to include more adventurous activities and sports such as glacier walking (over 2000m), white water canoeing/rafting (up to grade 4) and more.

Winter Sports Cover will provide protection for lost, damaged or stolen ski equipment, unused, lost or stolen ski packs and piste closure as well as extended cover for Emergency Medical Expenses for costs associated with winter sports activities.

Going on a cruise? Make sure you add our Cruise Insurance option to your Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policy so that you are covered on your cruise. Enjoy all the standard cover such as Cancellation and Emergency Medical Expenses specifically for your cruise as well as including extra cruise specific cover to Re-join your Cruise, Missed Port Departure cover, Cabin/Stateroom Confinement cover, Itinerary Change cover, Unused Excursion cover and Cruise Interruption cover.

Add Sports Equipment and Cycle Insurance Option to your Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policy if you are planning to hire or take sports equipment or a bicycle with you on your trip.

Add Golf Insurance to your Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policy to get cover for golf clubs and other golf equipment. As well as cover for the cost to hire replacement equipment, if yours is lost, stolen or damaged

Add Business Plus Insurance option to your Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policy to protect your business equipment, money, staff replacement costs and more.

Add Enhanced Travel or Terrorism Disruption cover option to your Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policy to cover you against travel disruptions due to acts of terror, changes in FCDO/ WHO Travel Advice Restrictions and other circumstances such as volcanic ash clouds.

GP on Demand Remote Service

Going abroad on your holiday should be an unforgettable experience for all the right reasons. However, what happens if you suddenly feel ill and want to speak to an English-speaking GP while abroad?

The good news that all Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policies now include the “GP on Demand” service as standard, giving you access to medical help whenever you need it 24/7, during your period of insurance, for greater peace of mind.

What is GP on Demand and What Service Does it Provide?

Once registered with the service online, “GP on Demand” gives you access to unlimited virtual appointments, either by telephone or video-call* with a UK-based, NHS qualified GP 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, helping you to get professional advice when you need it most.

The medical practitioners on this service are able cover a wide range of subjects including:

• Advice for managing chronic conditions, minor illness, and acute symptoms of serious clinical conditions
• Answer general questions about prescriptions, travel, and lifestyle

Once you've booked an appointment through the GP on Demand app, you'll receive a call back from a GP within 15 minutes of the appointed time.

For more information about our GP on Demand, please visit our Voyager Plus Policy Wording page to download our “Voyager Plus 24/7 UK GP Access with GP on Demand” Booklet.

* Video appointments are available 7 days a week, between 8am and 10pm

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What is Travel Insurance and What Does it Cover?

While going on holiday should be a fun and enjoyable experience, sometimes the unexpected can unfortunately happen. Voyager Plus Travel Insurance is designed to give you financial peace of mind that you are covered should something unexpected happen, so you are not left out of pocket, in the event of a valid claim.

Travel Insurance Benefits

The following summary of Travel Insurance benefits are just some of the areas of cover included as standard across all levels of cover on our Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policy. Please read the policy wording here for the full cover available under the policy.

Cancellation or Curtailment

A Cancellation is where you are unable to start your trip, due to an insured reason. A Curtailment is where you have to end your trip earlier than expected, due to an insured reason.

This section provides cover for any unused and non-refundable travel and accommodation costs (including unused pre-booked excursions and course fees) that have been paid, or where there is a contract to pay, if it is necessary to cancel or curtail the planned trip because of any of the events specified in the policy wording .

Emergency Medical Expenses

Medical treatment in other countries can be very expensive. This section covers the cost of emergency medical treatment, outside your home country if you’re injured or suffer unexpected illness including with symptoms of or testing positive for COVID-19 during your trip, in line with the policy terms, conditions and exclusions. Cover also includes the cost of repatriation back to your home country if medically necessary.

Please Note : If you have pre-existing medical conditions and would like cover in case you need emergency medical treatment related to them, you will need to complete a medical screening to see if cover is available and pay the appropriate additional premium.

Covers the loss, theft or damage to your baggage, meaning: personal belongings, including clothing worn, and personal luggage owned or borrowed by you that you take with you on your trip, as well as your valuables as defined in the policy wording .

Please Note : Your gadgets may not fall under the Baggage definition in the policy wording and you may need to also purchase the gadget cover Option to cover them.

Personal Accident

In the event of a serious accident from which you suffer life changing injuries during your trip the policy will provide cover in the event of your death or permanent disablement because of the accident. Please refer to the policy wording for full details on this area of cover.

Please Note : Any immediate injuries you suffer from such an incident would be dealt with under the Emergency Medical Expenses section.

Travel Delay

No one likes to be delayed when travelling!

So with Voyager Plus Travel Insurance cover is available if the public transport (meaning any aeroplane, ship, train or coach) that you are booked to travel on is delayed by at least 12 hours. If your departure from your home country is delayed for more than 12 hours and you choose to abandon your trip, instead of a payment for delay, you are covered for the cost of the trip under the Cancellation or Curtailment section of cover.

Missed Departure / Journey Disruption

Cover for additional travel and accommodation expenses in the event you miss the departure of your public transport for your trip, due to a specified reason as defined in the policy wording .

This section also covers, in the event of a Catastrophe (as defined in the policy wording ), if you are forced to move from your pre-booked accommodation to allow you to continue your trip.

These are a few of the reasons why getting travel insurance is a good idea before you travel so that you are not left out of pocket should the unexpected happen. Furthermore, Voyager Plus Travel Insurance has a wide range of features and benefits, which are just not available on cheaper products, see the policy wording for full details.

Important Information for Customers with Serious Medical Conditions - For UK Residents Only

MoneyHelper has developed a directory of specialist travel insurance to ensure customers with pre-existing medical conditions are easily able to obtain access to affordable travel insurance. If we are unable to help you and you are struggling to find medical cover that suits your needs, due to a serious medical condition, you may find a company that can help you through the MoneyHelper travel insurance directory www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/travel-insurance-directory  or by calling 0800 138 7777 - Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm. 

If you have a specific holiday of up to 62 days duration in mind, a short stay Voyager Plus Travel Insurance policy will give you the peace of mind that you are protected financially if something should go wrong.

A Voyager Plus long stay policy can provide cover for trips up to 18 months (extendable to 24 months upon referral) so it is perfect for backpacking, gap years and other longer trips such as sabbaticals.

Annual Multi Trip Insurance

If you are planning on having several holidays this year then a Voyager Plus Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance policy may be for you.

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Travel insurance

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Scotland , See advice for Wales

Travel insurance can give you extra protection if your holiday doesn't go as planned. So you should make sure you have cover if you're planning a trip away.

It's particularly important to take out travel insurance if you are travelling independently because you may find yourself stranded with no way to get home and no-one to help sort out your holiday problem.

Read this page for more information on what you need to think about before you take out a travel insurance policy.

travel insurance is essential, particularly if you are travelling independently

choose a policy that covers your needs

compare policies on the cover they offer as well as the cost

check if you have other insurance that will cover you away from home

Why take out travel insurance?

Travel insurance can protect you against the following things going wrong:

cancelling or cutting short your trip for reasons beyond your control

missed transport or delayed departure for reasons beyond your control

medical and other emergencies

personal injury and death

lost, stolen or damaged items, including baggage, passports and money

accidental damage or injury caused by you.

If you don't have travel insurance you will have to pay out of your own pocket to deal with a problem while you're away. Or you may lose money if you have to cancel a trip and can't get your money back. This could cost you thousands of pounds.

Older travellers

If an insurer or broker can’t offer you insurance because of your age, most of them will refer you to an alternative insurer or give details of a signposting service such as the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s (BIBA’s) ‘Find a Broker’ service. You can use this service to find specialist insurers who can offer specific types of cover based on factors such as age and medical condition.

You can find the BIBA’s ‘Find a Broker’ service by phoning their helpline on 0870 950 1790 or by going to their website at www.biba.org.uk .

Where can you buy travel insurance?

Travel insurance is widely available. You can buy it from:

insurance companies

retailers and supermarkets

travel agents

online comparison websites

holiday companies.

Sometimes, travel insurance might be included as an extra service offered through your bank account or credit card. You should check how much you're paying for this and what kind of cover it offers. For example, cover may be limited for your spouse or partner. It might be better to buy a stand alone policy.

Your travel agent may offer you travel insurance as part of a package holiday. You can opt for this if you want to  but you don't have to buy this insurance. The travel agent is breaking the law if they try to make you take it out or charge you more for your holiday because you refuse to accept it. If this happens, you should get advice.

Before you buy holiday insurance

It's important to get the right type of cover for your needs. Think about:

where you're travelling to. For example, if you're travelling to the United States you will need extra medical cover

how old you are. Travel insurance can cost more if you're over 65. There are special policies for older travellers which may be worth looking at

how often you travel. If you go away several times a year, it may be better to buy an annual travel policy rather than several single-trip policies

what you'll be doing while you're away. You may need extra cover if you're taking part in dangerous sports, such as skiing or scuba diving

whether you're travelling independently or on a package holiday. Package holidays usually offer you greater protection if things go wrong with transport or accommodation so you may not need to make a claim on your travel insurance

how you're travelling. Cruises and budget airline flights may not be covered by some insurance policies.

What cover should travel insurance include?

Your travel insurance should always include the following cover:

medical expenses and cover for getting you home if you're injured or fall ill abroad

personal injury and cover for accidents or damage caused by you

cover for lost or damaged items

cover for lost or delayed baggage

cover for cancellation or missed departure.

How much you pay for your insurance depends on the amount of cover you're likely to need. You should never under-insure yourself just to save money. However, you may be able to keep costs down.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you're a UK resident and have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can still use it to get healthcare in EU countries until it expires.

If you don't have an EHIC or it has expired, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) on the NHS website. You can use a GHIC to get healthcare in EU countries at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. You should still get travel insurance before your trip - even if you have an EHIC or GHIC.

Home contents insurance

Check if your household contents insurance policy covers you for items you take away from home. If it does, you could choose a larger excess on your travel insurance policy. The excess is the amount that your insurer won't pay out for the claim and is typically between £50 and £100. If you choose a higher excess, your travel insurance may cost less.

More about household contents insurance

Choosing the right insurer

The cheapest policy may not offer best value for money, so it's important to check what the policy includes as well as how much it costs.

You can check what different policies offer and how much they cost by using an online comparison website. However, comparison websites usually only offer general cover. If you have particular needs, it may be better to find an insurer that offers specialist cover.

Making a claim on your travel insurance policy

Problems with making a claim on your travel insurance policy

If you need more help

Other useful information

Getting medical treatment while travelling in Europe  www.gov.uk

Information on travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition or disability at www.moneyhelper.org.uk

Information on travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions from Tourismforall at www.tourismforall.org.uk

Getting travel insurance if you have cancer from Macmillan Cancer Support at www.macmillan.org.uk

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Page last reviewed on 20 February 2020

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Best travel insurance UK 2024 guide

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

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

Why do I need travel insurance?

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

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

There are three main types of travel insurance:

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

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

How to find the best travel insurance policy

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

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

Best travel insurance deals and discounts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Going direct

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

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

Bundled coverage options

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

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

What is covered by travel insurance?

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

Medical coverage

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

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

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

Trip cancellation/interruption

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

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

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

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

Baggage cover

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

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

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

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

Personal liability

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

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

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

Limits: 

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

Finding the best travel insurance with Covid cover

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

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

What Covid-related cover to look for

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

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

Travel insurance providers with comprehensive Covid cover

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

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

Direct Line

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

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

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

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

Tips for selecting the best UK travel insurance packages

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

Coverage limits

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

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

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

Deductibles/excess

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pre-existing conditions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Add-on options

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

Gadget insurance

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

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

Winter sports/adventure activities

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

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

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

European FCDO travel advice extension

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

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

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

Best holiday insurance summary

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently asked questions about the best travel insurance UK packages

Is travel insurance necessary for domestic travel within the uk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Laura Miller

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

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

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

Connor Campbell

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

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

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

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

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

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UK Travel Health Insurance

If you’re planning on visiting the UK, you are advised to take out travel health insurance in order to cover potential healthcare costs during your stay.

For more information about your visit to the UK, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our trusted legal advisors today on  0333 305 9375 , or contact us  online .

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Who Needs Travel Health Insurance When Visiting the UK?

If you’re planning to visit the UK from a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for less than 6 months, it is recommended that you take out valid travel insurance cover for the whole duration of your stay to help pay for medical care.

If you’re visiting from the EEA, you are entitled to free healthcare with a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) or S2 form.

However, it is also advised that you take out travel health insurance in case of other unexpected expenses and incidents that may occur during your visit, such as repatriation costs or lost or stolen property.

If you’re staying in the UK for more than 6 months, you will have to pay the  Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)  unless exempt. You will normally have to pay the fee for the IHS when submitting your visa application for your stay.

Paying the IHS allows you to access NHS services. However, it may still be advisable to take out private health insurance on top of that for other services not covered by the IHS during your stay in the UK.

Why Should I Take Out Travel Health Insurance When Visiting the UK?

Travel insurance is an important part of any trip, especially if you end up requiring unexpected medical care during your stay.

If you are visiting the UK from a non-EEA country, you will be charged at 150% of the standard NHS rate if you have not arranged insurance. As a result, it’s essential that you purchase travel insurance with medical cover before travelling to the UK so you can reclaim any healthcare costs you are required to pay from your insurer.

Travel insurance is also important as your pre-existing health insurance policy may not cover you outside of your home country, or its international coverage may be limited.

In addition, there is also the possibility of falling ill unexpectedly, suffering accidents, illness, or needing medical care because of pre-existing conditions.

Travel health insurance may also help to cover costs if your travel or accommodation plans change unexpectedly or if you misplace important documents such as your passport or airline tickets. Many insurance policies will provide you with assistance with these matters as well as reimburse you if there will be any financial costs incurred.

What Should My Travel Health Insurance Cover?

Your travel health insurance to the UK should cover most of the following:

• Emergency medical expenses, including ambulance, medication and hospital fees
• Medical treatment for pre-existing medical conditions
• Personal injury  and accidents
• Repatriation costs
• Reimbursement for any unused travel and accommodation costs should your trip be cut short
• Cover for lost or damaged items, including luggage, passports, credit cards, money or airline documents
• Emergency legal aid and translation services
• Assistance in finding suitable medical facilities in the UK

It’s important to check that the travel insurance cover necessary travel and healthcare needs to make sure you can get the treatment and medical care abroad during the period of your visit.

Insurance is particularly important for those with pre-existing medical conditions. You must tell your insurance company about any pre-existing medical conditions you have to make sure you can get the cover you need. In some cases, you may have to take out specialist cover rather than standard cover for this.

It’s advised to speak to your doctor for advice before you travel and make plans for how to care for your condition when you are in the UK. You should also bring your health condition identification or a letter saying what medication you are taking.

What Isn’t Covered By Travel Health Insurance?

Travel health insurance policies often have exclusions, which are specific situations or circumstances that will not be covered by the insurance policy.

For example, not declaring your pre-existing medical condition to your insurer will mean that you won’t be able to claim for medical care related to your condition during your trip.

In addition, you likely won’t be able to claim back costs if you do any of the following:

• Travel against government advice, such as if the country you’re travelling from places an active travel warning on the UK
• Travel despite known events, such as natural disasters or pandemics
• Incur losses due to carelessness or lack of reasonable safety measures, such as leaving your belongings unattended in a public place
• Engage in reckless behaviour, such as ignoring safety protocols, safety instructions, or if you injured yourself under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Break the law, such as violating local traffic laws

In addition to these, if you cancel or change your plans for any reason not listed in your base plan, you won’t be able to claim the costs on your insurance.

However, most insurance providers will provide an optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage to your policy that will allow you to change or cancel plans for any reason and claim back some or all of the money.

It’s essential that you familiarise yourself with the details of your insurance policy carefully before setting off on your trip to the UK. Many travel health insurance policies have strict guidelines on what they do and do not cover, so it’s important to know what these are in order to prevent unexpected costs during your trip.

What Else Should I Look For When Taking Out an Insurance Policy?

As previously mentioned, it’s essential that your insurance policy covers any essential travel and medical expenses that may be incurred during your visit to the UK, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

In addition to this, you should also consider the following:

Who You’re Travelling With

If you’re travelling with other people, it may be cheaper and more convenient to get a single insurance policy that covers the whole party rather than individual policies for each person.

For example, many insurance providers offer travel health insurance for couples, families, or groups of friends.

Note that if a person in your party has a pre-existing medical condition, they may require their own individual specialist cover separate from the rest of the group due to differences in coverage plans.

You may find travel health insurance more expensive if you’re over the age of 65. As a result, you may have to look for specialist policies for older travellers to ensure that you have the coverage you need.

Sports or Recreational Activities

If you plan to take part in sports or recreational activities, you will need to ensure that your travel health insurance covers these. This is especially the case if they’re considered to be high-risk activities, such as surfing, BMX, scuba diving, or winter sports.

Method of Travel

It’s worth noting that some methods of travel such as cruises or budget airlines may be excluded from certain travel insurance policies. You should always make sure that your method of travel is covered by your policy, in case of unexpected delays, cancellations or complications.

Add-ons and Extensions

You may wish to purchase additional add-ons or extensions to your travel health policy. For example, if you’re bringing a lot of expensive gadgets or equipment with you to the UK, you may want to purchase extra gadget cover as part of your insurance policy.

Additionally, you may want to add on additional Cancel For Any Reason cover if you want greater freedom and flexibility in being able to change or cancel your travel plans for reasons not covered by your base policy.

Do I Need Single Trip Cover or Annual Multi-Trip Cover for my Trip?

You can buy either single trip cover or annual multi-trip cover before your departure.

Single trip cover only grants you insurance coverage for a single holiday. Your coverage can start either as soon as you book the holiday or the date of your departure, and will end as soon as you come home.

Meanwhile, annual multi-trip insurance grants you coverage for every single trip you take within a 12 month period. The trips you take during this time may be limited to a certain length of time – for example, 31 days.

It may be cheaper to get annual multi-trip cover if you’re planning to go on several trips in a 12 month period. However, if you’re not planning on making many other trips other than your single trip to the UK, it may be cheaper to stick to single trip cover.

If you’re unsure about how many trips you might take in the next 12 months, it may be cheaper and easier to take out an annual multi-trip policy so you know you are covered if you do decide to go abroad.

It’s always best to carefully examine your own circumstances and plans to see which specific type of cover will be more cost-effective and suitable for you.

When Should I Buy Travel Health Insurance?

It’s usually recommended to buy travel health insurance as soon as you’ve booked your trip, or as soon as you’ve made a financial commitment towards it.

This is because it’s best to be covered in the event of your trip being cancelled prior to your departure. Having a valid travel insurance policy will protect you in case any of the following happens:

• Your trip is cancelled due to weather, or other uncontrollable circumstances
• You have to cancel your trip due to personal reasons, such as a bereavement
• You become too ill to travel
• You’re made redundant before your trip

If any of these happen, it may be the case that your insurer could cover some or all of the costs of your trip.

If you’ve left it late to buy travel health insurance before your visit to the UK, it’s still worth looking for insurance providers who will be able to provide you with quick and immediate cover. You just need to ensure that you’ve not yet left home for your trip and that the insurance policy covers everything you need for your visit.

How Much Does Travel Health Insurance Cost?

How much you will have to pay for travel health insurance depends greatly on a number of factors, such as your age, your health, the length of your trip and the complexity of the cover you need.

The specific figures you’ll pay for your insurance will vary based on your country of residence and the insurance company you choose.

Note that the information below uses British travellers buying insurance for trips away from the UK as an example.

The difference between a single trip and annual multi-trip insurance can be reasonably small. For example, British travellers travelling to Europe may pay around £9 for single trip cover but around £12 for annual multi-trip cover.

The average price for older travellers is also much higher. The average price of a single trip cover for British adults travelling to Europe in their 30s, 40s or 50s maybe around £11. However, this figure jumps up to around £30 for people in their 70s, and over £100 for people in their 80s.

How comprehensive your insurance coverage is will also affect the price. A policy that offers higher levels of coverage will cost more than a policy with basic level coverage, as well as offering lower levels of excess.

For British travellers taking our multi-trip cover to Europe, a cover with £1,000 worth of cancellation cover will cost around $17. For £2,000 cancellation cover, this price rises to around £24. For £3,000, it rises again to around £32.

These prices also rise in a similar way when buying couples, group or family travel health insurance cover.

You will also have to pay additional costs on your insurance policy if you have a pre-existing medical condition or choose to add optional extra cover such as for gadgets, winter sports and Cancel For Any Reason coverage.

Which NHS Services Are Free for Visitors?

When you visit the UK, you will be able to take advantage of certain NHS services that you don’t have to claim for on your travel health insurance.

As a result, you will not need to claim on your insurance if you take advantage of these services during your visit. These include:

• A&E services (not including emergency medical treatment if admitted to hospital)
• Family planning services (not including abortions or infertility treatment)
• Treatment for most infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Treatment required for a physical or mental condition caused by torture, female genital mutilation (FGM), domestic violence or sexual violence (does not apply if you have come to the UK to seek this treatment)

In addition, if you’re visiting the UK and need to see a GP, you can register as a temporary patient with a local GP practice.

You will need to be in the area for more than 24 hours but less than 3 months in order to do this.

However, it will be up to the GP practice whether to accept new patients, even if you’re only looking to become a temporary patient.

Other NHS services, such as hospital treatments and prescription medicines, are not free without a valid EHIC, PRC or S2 form or if you’re from a non-EEA country. You should consider travel insurance packages that provide cover for such medical costs and others outside the NHS services.

For assistance with with your visit to the UK, contact us today.

How Can IAS Help?

If you’re planning to travel to the UK, it’s essential to ensure that you have the right coverage to help assist you in the event of accidents, injury or unexpected incidents.

If you have any questions about your trip to the UK, including what type of insurance you need, what type of healthcare you’re entitled to, or what to do in the event of an emergency, IAS is here to help.

We are specialists and immigration lawyers who specialise in advising visitors to the UK as well as assisting them to obtain the right permits and visas and travelling to the UK. We can help advise you on how to get the right insurance cover for your trip, as well as any other concerns you may have about your visit to the UK.

For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our trusted legal advisors on  0333 305 9375 , or contact us through our form  online .

We can help you if you need help with your visit to the UK.

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Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

• Perfect for travel more than once a year
• Cruise Cover INCLUDED
• Available for people aged up to 79
• 17 days Winter Sports cover FREE with 45+ day trip durations
• Geographical limits

What is Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance?

Annual Multi-trip Travel Insurance is designed for people (from £ ), Couples or Families (from £ per Family) who undertake two or more trips within a 12 month period. Multi trip travel insurance allows you to take as many trips as you like and stay covered all year long. It means that you're sorted in one go for the next year and lock in todays price for the next 12 months. You can then focus on organising your trips.

Can I buy Annual Travel Insurance Now?

We know that right now you need to select your destinations carefully based on your own Government advice and that of your chosen location, but it's important to stay protected with travel insurance if you have any booked trips. Buying annual policy will keep you protected against cancellation risks even before you travel - like illness (including catching Covid within 14 days of travel, or while you are away), accidents, death, jury service, redundancy. We recommend that you select an immediate start date for your yearly travel insurance if you have any booked holidays to protect.

Top Tip: Choosing annual multi trip travel insurance also means you don't need to worry about amending your travel insurance if your trip dates change - as long as they fall within the policy cover period and your geographical area hasn't changed and your trip length doesn't exceed your chosen policy maximum duration.

Can I buy now for a future Date?

Unlike most other Travel Insurance providers, you can buy a Globelink Annual Trip Insurance policy up 4 months in advance! Most other major companies only allow you to buy up to one or two months ahead of time.

What's the benefit? You lock in todays price and avoid any future price increases. You buy now and can set your start date up to 4 months in advance when you are likely to be travelling more than you can now (just as long as you know that you won't get the benefit of Cancellation protection until your policy starts).

SPECIAL OFFER

* Kids go free on all our Annual Multi-trip policies. Up to 4 kids aged 17 or under, plus infants under 2yrs old - all go free!

* Couples get an automatic discount when you buy an annual travel policy.

What About Covid Cover?

ALL our annual policies provide Emergency Medical, Repatriation and Cancellation & Curtailment cover if you contract Coronavirus, provided your Government legally permits you to travel. You are not covered if you travel against a compulsory/legal ban imposed by your Government (unless you have a permitted reason to travel).

Should you travel to a country that your own Government advises against travel for reasons either directly or indirectly due to Coronavirus, you can still buy insurance and your cover will remain valid for all insured events that are NOT Covid related. So if you need to cancel or curtail your trip, or have a medical emergency that is NOT Covid related - you have peace of mind that cover remains in place. You wont be covered for claim costs associated with Coronavirus where your Government advises against travel to your destination - such as FCDO 'Amber' and 'Red' locations for UK residents (unless you have a legally permitted reason to travel). Always check your Government restrictions and those of the location you plan to visit before booking and travel.

Please note, Claims related to a Positive Covid-19 test result can only be considered when certified by an independent authority. Examples of this are: a private Covid testing provider’s official certificate, or the medical report of a Doctor’s administered Covid-19 test result. The written confirmation must include the name of the person for whom the test relates to, the date of the test and the test result. The insurer will not accept photographs of a Lateral Flow test taken at home unless it has been independently verified.

Globelink Covid Cover Includes:

• COVID-19 Cancellation Cover (positive test within 14 days of travel)
• COVID-19 Curtailment Cover (positive test on your trip)
• Additional accommodation and travel costs where authorised by the 24 hr Assistance Service
• Emergency Medical Costs and Medical Repatriation where authorised by the 24 hr Assistance Service
• Compulsory Quarantine Cover (as a result of your personal medical condition on Dr's advice - not area restrictions ).

What is covered with Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance?

Our annual multi-trip policies provide Comprehensive cover and unlike some of our competitors - we don't expect you to pay extra for certain benefits like Cruise Cover and Covid Protection. We also offer individual trip durations up to 120 days (under 65's). We don't set any maximum days abroad like our competitors - so you can travel as many times as you like, as long as each trip stays within your chosen trip destination.

Our annual policies cover :

• 10 Million Medical and Repatriation Expenses
• up to 120 day trip durations
• Free Cruise Cover
• Cancellation and Cutting your trip short
• Personal Liability Cover up to 2 Million
• 17 days Winter Sports cover Free with 45 day + trip durations
• End Supplier Failure Cover
• Personal Accident Cover up to £25,000 (conditions apply)

Government Advice

Travel advice changes rapidly, so keep aware of current information. For EU residents you will need to check your local Government advice. For UK residents it's the FCDO advice - check here for full details . The FCDO have announced a new traffic light system for categorising international travel risk and rules and each red, amber and green list are separately listed. Green is deemed the lowest risk. Check here  for details. Before you travel, check your Government advice and that of the location you are travelling to and follow the rules.

The cheapest annual policy is £ (based on 1 adult aged up to 50 travelling in Europe for up to 17 days per trip).

Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance Key Benefits

• Annual policy available up to age 79!
• Individual Trip durations up to 120 days at a time up to age 65
• Couples Discount and children aged 17 or under go free (up to 4 kids, plus infants under 2yrs per Policy)
• over 100 Adventure Activities covered for free
• 50 Pre-existing Medical Conditions covered as standard
• 24-hour Emergency Assistance
• Available if you live in the UK, EU or EEA
• End Supplier Insolvency Insurance and Force Majeure Cover
• Add Extras like Adventure Activities or Golf Cover
• Take as many trips as you like in a year and you'll always be covered

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) / Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) provides some emergency healthcare within the EU, but it does not cover Repatriation costs, or a doctor or nurse escort home; nor lost or stolen property. You need Travel Insurance for that.

We recommend that you select an immediate start date for your yearly travel insurance as this will ensure that you are covered for Cancellation costs of any pre-booked holiday if the cancellation reason is covered - such as illness, death, jury service, redundancy. If you select a future start date - such as the departure date of your first holiday - you wont be covered for Cancellation before your departure.

Annual Policy Age up to 65

Unlimited number of trips during a 12 month period with each trip duration of up to 120 days.

This Annual Travel Insurance plan is suitable for most Individuals, Couples or Families who undertake several trips of up to 120 days within a 12 months period.

• Cancellation or Curtailment - up to £6,000 in total; (excess - £75)
• Emergency Medical Expenses - up to £10,000,000 in total; (excess - £75)
• Baggage - up to £3,000 in total; (excess - £50)

Annual Policy Age 66 to 70

Unlimited number of trips during a 12 month period with each trip duration of up to 60 days.

This Annual Travel Insurance plan has been designed for Individuals or Couples aged 66 to 70 who undertake several trips of up to 60 days within a 12 months period.

• Cancellation or Curtailment - up to £6,000 in total; (excess - £100)
• Emergency Medical Expenses - up to £10,000,000 in total; (excess - £100)
• Baggage - up to £3,000 in total; (excess - £50)

Annual Policy Age 71 to 74

Unlimited number of trips during a 12 month period with each trip duration of up to 60 days Worldwide.

This Annual Travel Insurance plan has been designed for Individuals or Couples aged 71 to 74 who undertake several trips of up to 60 days duration within a 12 months period.

• Cancellation or Curtailment - up to £6,000 in total; (excess - £250)
• Emergency Medical Expenses - up to £10,000,000 in total; (excess - £250)

Annual Policy Age 75 to 79

Unlimited number of trips during a 12 month period with each trip duration of up to 60 days in Europe or 31 days Worldwide.

This Annual Travel Insurance Policy has been designed for Individuals or Couples aged 75 to 79 who undertake several trips of up to 60 days trip duration in a 12 month period (depending on where you are travelling).

Tailor the Policy to Your Needs

Standard policy can be easily complemented with one of travel insurance extras

Arrange cover for your laptop, mobile phones, iPads, cameras or video cameras. Avoid stress due to lost valuables getting their current value reimbursement.

Excess Waiver

Remove Excess deduction from your claim settlement should you have any. The higher the excess level of your policy is the less risks are covered by it.

Return Home Option

Anything may happen during your long-term trip abroad and you may need to return home earlier and resume a trip afterwards. Make sure your original cover does not expire due to the return.

Golfer’s Cover

Protect your own or hired expensive golf equipment and stay insured for your golf course closure. Golf pack and Hole-in-One cover are also insured.

Event Cancellation

If your trip is arranged to attend a special event, make sure you're insured in case the event is cancelled.

Thrilled to try cave diving or parachuting? These and many more activities can be easily added to your standard policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is annual multi-trip travel insurance.

This policy is tailored for people who travel twice or more a year. It allows you to take as many holidays as you like and stay covered all year long.

How does Annual Travel Insurance work?

If you buy Annual Multi Trip travel insurance, you'll be covered all year long, during all your trips and won't need to buy travel insurance every time when you travel.

Which year-long policy is the best?

You need to compare annual policy options and select the one that suits your trip needs. Globelink offer Annual policies with varying trip lengths so make sure you choose the best one to suits the number of days you will be away for all of your trips.

How much does Annual Multi-Trip Insurance cost?

It depends on the number of travellers, your age, where you go and your trip duration. The cheapest annual policy is £ (based on 1 adult aged up to 50 travelling in Europe for up to 17 days per trip).

When should I start Annual Travel Insurance?

You can choose the date that your policy commences by selecting a future Start Date, but Note: if you select a future Start Date you will NOT be covered for Cancellation Benefits for any pre-booked trips you have until the Start Date you select.

Why is Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance cheaper than Single one?

Annual Trip Insurance can be cheaper than Single travel insurance because an annual policy designed for those, who have many trips in a year of up to 120 days each trip. What's more, if you buy Annual Multi Trip policy taking the 45 days or above option, you get 17 days free Winter Sports cover as standard.

Where to buy Annual Travel Insurance?

You can select one of Globelink year long travel insurance options and specify an area of travel, the start date and duration of your trips and extra options based your needs in the online travel insurance quotation engine.

See also: expat travel insurance , gap year travel insurance , international travel insurance , student travel insurance , cruise travel insurance , best travel insurance , best value travel insurance , budget travel insurance , business travel insurance , camping insurance , cheap European travel insurance , cheap holiday insurance for over 65 , cheap travel insurance couples travel insurance , Easter travel insurance , essential travel insurance , extended travel insurance , extreme sports insurance , family travel insurance , fco travel advice , global travel insurance , group travel insurance , holiday travel insurance , last minute travel insurance , long stay travel insurance , long term travel insurance , one way travel insurance , worldwide travel insurance , yearly travel insurance , quick quote travel insurance , travel insurance for children , travel insurance for Europe , travel insurance for non UK residents , travel insurance for working abroad , travel insurance to America , travel insurance for UK residents , Annual Travel Insurance to Europe , Travel Insurance Policy Options , Coronavirus travel insurance

Still have questions?

Globelink team will assist solving any of your questions over the phone 00 44 (0) 1353 699082.

Travel Insurance

Please read your Policy Wording carefully to ensure that it meets with your precise requirements. View and download the relevant Policy Wording* from the links below. If you purchased a Globelink policy previously while you were an EU RESIDENT, or you need to view the Policy Wording we issue to EU Residents, please click here to visit our Globelink EU site.

*If you purchased your Travel Insurance policy prior to Jan 2022, you can view your policy wording by reviewing your Globelink Travel Insurance Documents Purchase email, or obtain a copy by contacting [email protected] with your name and address details.

*if you purchased a STAYCATION Policy please see the *last PDF at the bottom of this page – for the Staycation Policy Wording

Policy Wording for Policies issued to UK residents (Living in the UK only) from from 29th November onwards .

Policy wording for policies issued to uk residents (living in the uk only) from 1st october 2023 to 28th november ., policy wording for policies issued to uk residents (living in the uk only) from 1st june 2022 to 30th september 2023 ., policy wording for policies issued to uk residents (living in the uk only) from 1st feb 2022 to 31st may 2022., policy wording for policies issued to uk residents (living in the uk only) from 30th dec 2020 to 31st january 2022, policy wording for policies issued to uk residents (living in the uk only) from 29th oct - 29th dec 2020, policy wording for policies issued to uk residents (living in the uk only) from 1st oct - 28th oct 2020, policy wording for policies issued to uk residents (living in the uk only) from 1st feb – 10th august 2020.

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Turned down for travel cover as I spend less than half the year in the UK

I have an unusual problem in that I can’t get travel insurance. I live in the UK and own my house, paying council tax and income tax; I am registered with a GP, and have pensions and investments which are all paid into my UK bank accounts. I also have a home in Luxor, Egypt, where I spend most of the time, but I travel a lot from Egypt to other countries. I do not work as I am retired.

I estimate that during the past year I have lived 18% in the UK, 21% visiting other countries, and 61% in Egypt.

I have never had a problem getting travel insurance – until last month. It seems that all travel insurance companies are now asking “Have you been resident in the UK for at least six months during the past year?”.

Because I cannot say that I have physically been in the UK for the required six months, I have been declined travel insurance. Nomad insurance (World Nomads) did offer me cover because it defines “resident” as having a home and being registered with a GP in the UK – but sadly it offers insurance only to those age under 60, and I am 67.

I have tried seven insurance companies and five brokers without success. Even the Brokers Association could not give me the name of a broker who could get me insurance. Any ideas? LS, Hove, East Sussex

We had not heard of this change either, but suggested that LS called his bank to ask about cover provided by a packaged bank account. This did the trick and LS now has cover. We asked the Association of British Insurers about this change, and it said the six-month rule was not a new requirement, but suggested that insurers may be making this clearer at the point of sale.

An ABI spokeswoman says: “UK travel insurance policies are generally suitable for customers who are permanent residents of the UK, registered with a medical practitioner in the UK, and travelling and returning to the UK (although many policies will cover some non-UK departure points, such as Ireland).

“Some specialist providers will offer cover to ex-pats, but an international health insurance policy may be more appropriate for customers who spend long periods in another country.”

We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at [email protected] or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number

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For a lot of people, buying car insurance is like buying sliced bread. It’s not the most exciting purchase, and the options all seem similar. So thrifty shoppers might simply reach for the cheapest thing on the shelf. But like cheap bread, cheap car insurance may leave you wishing you spent a little more on quality.

“The cheapest is not always the best,” warns Jessica McNally, an agency owner with Goosehead Insurance in Dallas. That’s because there are lots of factors that make up a car insurance company. And while price is one of them, it’s best to look at the bigger picture.

Here’s what to look for when picking the best car insurance company.

1. Choose a financially stable company

The best car insurance companies have plenty of money on hand to pay for customers’ claims. It’s important to check an insurer’s financial stability before buying a policy, especially if it’s a smaller insurer you’ve never heard of.

There are several independent agencies that evaluate the financial strength of insurance companies. One example is A.M. Best. You can use its online search tool to find an insurer’s financial strength rating. Companies with a rating of A or higher are considered to have an excellent ability to pay out customer claims.

2. Check customer satisfaction ratings and reviews

Not every insurer is customer-first. That’s why it’s important to research the customer satisfaction of insurers you’re considering.

You can turn to surveys from companies like J.D. Power to find insurers with the best customer satisfaction scores [0] J.D. Power . Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources . Or, if you don’t mind doing a little detective work, you can compare customer complaints against insurers by using the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ website . But take other people’s emotionally charged comments about companies or agents you might read online with a grain of salt, McNally advises.

3. Look for convenience

A great auto insurer should offer multiple ways to manage a policy. For example, some insurers allow customers to use a mobile app to file and track claims. But it’s hard to tell how simple it’ll be to file a claim or perform other essential tasks, like paying your premium, before becoming a customer.

Some telltale signs that an insurer will be easy to work with are high mobile app ratings, flexible customer service hours and an easy-to-use website with helpful content. Consider asking a company representative to walk you through the claims process to learn what you’ll need to do if you have to file a claim. And pay attention to how the company communicates with you. "If they don't properly communicate, well, that's a warning sign," says Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate for the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America.

4. Pick an affordable company

Car insurance premiums are stretching to record-breaking heights [0] U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS . Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources , and almost half of U.S. consumers shopped for a new car insurance policy in the past year, according to an April 2024 report by J.D. Power [0] J.D. Power . Half of Auto Insurance Customers Currently Shopping for New Policies, J.D. Power Finds . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources . The best car insurance companies offer competitive rates and a variety of potential discounts.

It’s not hard to get car insurance quotes online from many companies. Make sure you compare the same coverage options throughout the quote-gathering process. And don’t forget to look for car insurance discounts, like breaks for being a good driver, paying your premium in full or driving a new car.

More tips to find the best car insurance

When shopping for the best car insurance, keep the following tips in mind.

Assess your needs. Before buying car insurance, take a moment to reflect on what’s important to you and your family. For example, maybe you prioritize affordability and a well-polished mobile app, but don’t need accident forgiveness .  

Consider small insurers. There are lots of small insurance companies you’ve probably never heard of. These regional insurers may provide lower rates and better customer service than the big companies you see advertised on TV.

Work with an independent agent. While it may be easy to get quotes yourself, independent car insurance agents and brokers can streamline the process. These experts vet companies and compile quotes from small and large insurers on your behalf. Independent agents and brokers can especially come in handy if you have a less-than-perfect driving record and can’t find insurance on your own.

Do your research. Search online for recent mentions of a company in the news before buying a policy, recommends DeLong. If you find a company has lots of recent lawsuits against it, you may want to think twice about signing on the dotted line. “And if they've had to pay out settlements, that's an even bigger red flag,” DeLong says.

Shop around once a year. Make a practice of shopping for car insurance every year — especially if price is important to you. Insurers adjust car insurance rates regularly, so what might have been the most affordable option last year may no longer be a bargain.

On a similar note...

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Instantly compare top auto insurance companies.