Coronavirus and travel insurance
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated their travel advice. Some countries are now exempt from the advisory notice on non-essential international travel. You can find the list of exempt countries here. If you travel against FCDO advice, you will not be covered by your travel insurance. That includes cancellation costs. Most insurers consider Coronavirus a ‘known event’. Something you, and they, know about before you buy insurance. Some policies exclude known events from parts of their cover. All policies bought through us for exempt countries include cover for emergency medical expenses and repatriation if you get Coronavirus while you’re abroad. Read policy documents before you buy. That way, you’ll know what you’re covered for. If you’re not sure, call the insurer and ask. Read more about Coronavirus and travel insurance in our guide
Why take out travel insurance?
Accidents happen, no matter where you are in the world. Travel insurance covers medical treatment or emergencies, as well as loss of possessions.
Getting ill or injured abroad can be more complicated and expensive than when you’re in the UK. Taking out travel insurance can give you peace of mind should the unexpected happen.
The main benefit is emergency medical cover, which can be very expensive.
Despite the benefits, one in five people say they’ve travelled overseas in the last year without travel insurance, meaning they could’ve been stuck with a large bill if something went wrong.[2]
Travel insurers help one person every three minutes with emergency medical treatment abroad, so it’s important to make sure you get the right cover – just in case.[3]
Policy types to suit your travels
Where you go, and what you do on your trip, makes a difference to the cover you need.
Policies vary and without the right insurance, you could find yourself out of pocket.
Single trip
Covers you for one destination, and usually, for up to 30 days. You can choose from worldwide or European cover, depending on where you're going.
You can bolt-on cover for activities too, things like skiing.
Annual
Insures you for multiple trips over the year. If you travel regularly, it can work out cheaper.
But if you're only doing a couple of trips, it doesn't always. Compare your options to see which'll be better value for money.
Worldwide
There are two types: including and excluding America, Canada and the Carribean.
If you’re not travelling to these destinations, exclude them from your cover. Medical care is expensive in these places, so it’ll push up the price of your cover.
Winter sports
You'll need this extra cover if you plan on skiing or doing any other winter sports.
You'll have to pay extra, depending on what you've got planned, to get the right level of cover.
Families or groups
Cover for the whole family, or a group of friends, under one policy.
It usually works out cheaper - unless someone has a pre-existing medical condition that needs declaring.
Cruise
Tailored for cruises, you'll be covered for issues you won't experience on dry land - things like cabin confinement and missed boats.
Seniors
It's harder, but not impossible, to get affordable cover when you're older.
Some insurers put age limits on their policies, so you'll need to shop around to find good value for money.
Pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a pre-existing condition, you need to let the insurer know. Otherwise, they won't cover you for it.
If it get's worse while you're away, and you haven't declared it, they won't help you with any medical costs or repatriation.
What’s covered:
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Medical expenses
For visits to the doctor or hospital when you’re abroad
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Repatriation
If you need to be brought back to the UK because of injury or for further treatment
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Cancellation or curtailment
If your holiday is cancelled, cut short or delayed you could reclaim any costs
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Lost, stolen or damaged possessions
Cover for your luggage and belongings
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Personal liability
In case you accidentally injure someone or damage their property
What’s not:
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Pre-existing medical conditions
Unless you declare them. You might need specialist insurance and should check with your insurer first
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Dangerous activities
Like adventurous sports, climbing Kilimanjaro or winter sports
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Certain destinations
If you travel to a country that the government suggests you avoid
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Claims due to excessive alcohol
You can't claim for alcohol or drug-related incidents
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Terrorism
Acts of terrorism aren’t a standard part of most policies
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Natural disasters
You might have to pay extra to get cover for travel disruption
In 2018, travel insurers paid out £399 million to UK globetrotters
Association of British Insurers (ABI), 19 August 2019[3]
A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to receive state healthcare within the European Economic Area (EEA) for free or at a reduced rate.
It’s not a like-for-like substitute for travel insurance though. The EHIC won’t cover things like medical repatriation, non-urgent treatment, or any non-medical features like lost/stolen property. You also can’t use it on cruises.
You won't need the medical aspect, because we've got the NHS. But, it’s a good idea to have some cover if you’re having a staycation.
Missed transport and cancellation cover is useful if you’re taking an internal flight. Gadget cover can be worthwhile too, if you’re travelling in the UK with expensive smart devices.
Tips to make your travel insurance cheaper
Here are a few ways to keep your travel insurance premiums down:
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One annual payment
A multi-trip policy could work out cheaper if you’re a regular traveller
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See if you’re already covered
You could already have insurance with your bank or credit card
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Combine cover
Put the whole family on one policy to get a cheaper rate
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Increase your voluntary excess
But keep it affordable, incase you need to claim
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Only cover the destinations you're visiting
Don’t choose an annual worldwide option if you think you’ll only travel in Europe
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Your personal belongings
Check if these are already covered by your home or gadget insurance
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A package holiday
Make sure you’re not already paying for travel insurance extras as part of your package
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Take your EHIC
It can give you access to free, or reduced cost, medical treatment in EU countries
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Shop around
Get a few quotes to find a great price
Frequently asked questions
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Will a policy cover the loss of a passport or other documents?
Most policies will cover some of the costs of getting emergency travel documents. But, the cost of replacing your passport when you get back to the UK usually won’t be covered.
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What’s ‘doubling up’ on travel insurance?
It's where you've got two insurance policies that cross over. For example, you could already have travel insurance through your bank account or credit card. This bolt-on cover tends to have lower levels of cover though, so they might not be best suited to you. Check the terms and conditions to see exactly what’s covered.
If you have existing cover, taking out a stand-alone policy on top can make claims processes complicated. The two insurance providers will have to decide between themselves whether to split the excess and claim amount, or if they expect the other to cover it.
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How much does travel insurance cost?
The average cost of single-trip travel insurance policies was £15.65 for those without medical conditions in 2018. For those with medical conditions, the average cost was higher, at £40.31.[4]
For annual multi-trip cover, the average cost for travellers without medical conditions was £39.72 and £92.90 for people with medical conditions[5]
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What does excess mean in travel insurance?
The excess is what you have to pay towards a claim.
For example, if you make a claim for £1,000 and your excess is £75, the excess amount is deducted from your claim, so your insurer would end up paying you the remaining £925.
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When should I take out my travel insurance policy?
As soon as possible, so you can benefit from its cancellation cover straight away.
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I’ve already started my holiday, can I get covered now?
Yes, you can get last-minute travel insurance. But it won’t include cancellation cover, as you’re already on your holiday.
Travel insurance guides and tools
[1]Gocompare.com introduces customers to theidol.com which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Gocompare.com's relationship with theidol.com is limited to that of a business partnership, no common ownership or control rights exist between us. Please note, we cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites and by using the links stated to access these separate websites you will be subject to the terms of use applying to those sites
[2]ABTA travel insurance survey, May 2019
[3]Association of British Insurers (ABI), 19 August 2019
[4]Average single trip policy price for policies purchased through theidol.com from January to December 2018: £15.65 (ST NON-MED) and £40.31 (ST MED)
[5]Average annual multi-trip policy price for policies purchased through theidol.com from January to December 2018: £39.72 (NON-MED) and £92.90 (MED)
Page last reviewed: 14 September 2020
Next review due: 14 November 2020