Compare Travel Insurance
Don't travel without cover. Compare travel insurance from leading UK providers — single trip, annual multi-trip and family policies.
A medical emergency abroad without insurance can be financially devastating. Hospital bills in the US regularly run into six figures, and even a broken leg in Europe can cost thousands. Travel insurance covers emergency medical treatment, trip cancellation, lost luggage and more — and it typically costs less than a single airport coffee per day of travel. Comparing policies ensures you get the right cover without overpaying.
Single Trip Cover
Cover for one holiday or trip abroad. Choose your destination, travel dates and level of cover. Ideal if you travel once or twice a year.
Annual Multi-Trip
One policy that covers every trip you take in a 12-month period. Usually cheaper than buying multiple single-trip policies if you travel twice or more.
Family Cover
Cover the whole family under one policy. Typically covers two adults and up to four children, working out significantly cheaper than individual policies.
Travel insurance explained: what to look for
The most important part of any travel insurance policy is the medical cover. Look for a policy offering at least £5 million of emergency medical cover for European trips and £10 million for worldwide travel (especially the US, where healthcare costs are astronomical). This should include emergency repatriation — the cost of an air ambulance back to the UK can exceed £50,000.
Cancellation cover reimburses you if you have to cancel your trip due to illness, injury, bereavement or other insured reasons. Most standard policies offer £1,000–£5,000 of cancellation cover. If your holiday costs more than this, look for a policy with higher limits or upgrade your cover level. Curtailment cover does the same if you have to cut your trip short and come home early.
Baggage and personal belongings cover protects you if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged. Standard policies typically cover £1,500–£2,500 with a single-item limit of £200–£300. If you're travelling with expensive items like cameras, laptops or jewellery, check whether you need to declare them separately or take out additional cover.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you must declare it when buying your policy. Failing to do so could void your entire policy, not just claims related to that condition. Many standard insurers cover common conditions like controlled asthma, treated high blood pressure and well-managed diabetes at little or no extra cost. For more complex conditions, specialist travel insurers can provide tailored cover.
Since Brexit, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) provides access to state healthcare in EU countries on the same terms as local residents. However, it doesn't cover everything — repatriation, private treatment, cancellation and lost luggage are not included. The GHIC is a useful supplement but not a replacement for proper travel insurance.
Buy your travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, not the day before you fly. This way you're covered for cancellation from the moment you book. If something happens between booking and departing — illness, redundancy, a family emergency — you can claim back your costs.
Compare cover from providers including
Aviva Direct Line Post Office Allianz AXAThree steps to travel cover
Why travel cover matters
Average single-trip cost
A standard European single-trip policy costs around £35. That's less than a single round of airport drinks for vital protection.
Travel without cover
Around 15% of UK holidaymakers travel abroad without any insurance, risking potentially life-changing medical bills.
Average medical claim
The average travel insurance medical claim is around £1,300. In the US, a single hospital visit can exceed £30,000.
Time to compare
Getting travel insurance quotes takes just minutes. Buy as soon as you book for maximum cancellation protection.
Travel insurance FAQs
If you travel abroad two or more times a year, an annual multi-trip policy is almost always cheaper than buying separate single-trip policies. A typical annual policy costs £40–80, while a single-trip European policy costs £15–30 each time. Annual policies also mean you're always covered if you book a spontaneous trip. If you only travel once a year, a single-trip policy is the more economical choice.
A standard policy covers emergency medical treatment abroad (typically £5–10 million), cancellation and curtailment of your trip, lost or stolen baggage and personal belongings, travel delays, missed departures and personal liability. Some policies also include gadget cover, winter sports cover and legal expenses. Always check the policy details for exclusions and limits.
Yes, travel insurance is strongly recommended. While the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you access to state-provided healthcare in EU countries, it only covers treatment you'd get free as a local resident. It won't cover repatriation flights home, private treatment, cancellation, lost luggage or other trip problems. The GHIC is a supplement to travel insurance, not a replacement.
Yes, but you must declare all pre-existing medical conditions when you buy your policy. Failing to disclose a condition could void your entire policy. Many mainstream insurers cover common conditions like asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure at little or no extra cost. For more complex conditions, specialist providers offer tailored cover. Comparing is especially important as premiums vary significantly.