Accidents happen, no matter where you are in the world. Travel insurance can cover 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 on home ground. 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.
Make sure you understand what you’re covered for, as different policies will cover different things. You can do this by checking the T&Cs before you choose a policy.
Where you go, and what you get up to on your trip will make a difference to the cover you need.
Policies vary a lot and without the right insurance, you could find yourself out of pocket.
Will insure you for multiple trips in one year - this may work out cheaper if you're a regular traveller.
Find out more >A good idea if you're going on a skiing trip or taking part in any other winter sports.
Find out more >Will cover the whole family under one policy and could help you save on your insurance.
Find out more >Insurance specifically for cruise holidays that'll cover issues like cabin confinement.
Find out more >May be needed if standard travel insurance won't cover your condition.
Find out more >In 2017, travel insurers paid out £385 million to UK globetrottersAccording to the ABI in July 2018[†]
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) currently 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.
It's a good idea to have some sort of cover if you're having a staycation.
Missed transport and cancellation cover can come in handy if you're taking an internal flight. Gadget cover can be a real lifesaver too, if you're travelling with expensive smart devices.
Even if it’s a price you’re willing to pay, there are always little ways to keep your premiums down:
An annual multi-trip policy could work out cheaper if you're a regular traveller
You may already have insurance with your bank or credit card
Put the whole family on one policy to get a cheaper rate
... but make sure you have enough money to pay up, if you need to
Don't choose an annual worldwide option if you think you'll only travel in Europe
Check if these are already covered by your home or gadget insurance
Make sure you're not already paying for travel insurance extras as part of your package
It can give you access to free or reduced cost medical treatment in selected countries
It's always worth getting a few different quotes to get a great price
Many policies cover some of the costs associated with obtaining emergency travel documents when abroad, but you're unlikely to have the cost of replacing your passport when you get back to the UK covered.
You might already have travel insurance through another financial product such as a packaged bank account or premium credit card, but you should remember that such policies may not have cover suited to your circumstances. It's always best to check the terms and conditions and any exclusions to see what is covered.
If you have existing cover, taking out a stand-alone policy could lead to you paying twice for the same thing, which can cause additional problems.
Find the answers in our travel insurance guides.