Couples’ travel insurance
Couples' travel insurance covers both you and your partner while you’re travelling abroad and can be cheaper than two separate policies.
What is couples travel insurance?
Travel insurance policy for couples covers both you and your partner while you’re travelling abroad.
To get couples travel insurance, you must be in a relationship, over 18 and living together.
Aside from that, a travel insurance policy for a couple is the same as for a single person or family - it’s just one policy that covers two people, rather than two separate policies for each person.
Key points
- Couples’ travel insurance is designed for two people living at the same address, but honeymoon travel insurance will protect you if you’re newly married and still living in different places
- If you want to start your trip separately, or part ways mid-trip, a couples’ policy might accommodate you, but read the terms and conditions before you buy
- It could be cheaper to buy two individual travel insurance policies if one of you has a pre-existing medical condition
- As with any travel insurance policy, it’s best to take cover out as soon as you’ve booked your break, so you’re covered for cancellation immediately.
What does it cover?
Couples’ travel insurance usually includes:
- Medical treatment, repatriation and associated expenses
- Your belongings and baggage
- Cancellation and curtailment
- Disruption and delays on your journey
Exclusions on couples policies
Every policy varies, but it’s common for travel insurance to exclude winter sports and certain high-risk activities.
If you’re planning on doing any adventurous sports, or you’re off on a skiing break, you’ll need to find a policy that includes the activities you've got planned so you're covered.
Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions are excluded from cover, so make sure you properly disclose any health conditions you or your partner have.
You should also check what limitations the policy has, like a limit on the value of claims for single items and how much cash is covered.
For example, you might find that a policy for an individual person offers £1,000 of baggage cover, while couples insurance only offers you £500 of cover per person, as the £1,000 is split between the both of you.
You might not be able to get cover for certain destinations, especially if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised against travel there.
Is couples travel insurance cheaper?
Travel insurance for a couple might be cheaper, but individual policies might offer better cover, especially when it comes to adventurous sports.
If you or your partner have a pre-existing medical condition, it could be cheaper to get separate policies. The added risk of a condition could push the price of premiums up for both of you, rather than just one of you.
The most important thing is getting the right cover - price is secondary.
Can you travel alone on couples travel insurance?
Many couples insurance policies allow you to travel separately, but it’s best to check the details of your cover to make sure.
Insurance for couples living at different addresses
To get couples travel insurance, you must be living at the same address, but you might be able to get honeymoon insurance or a group policy, which don’t require you to live with your partner.
Honeymoon insurance
This is a specialist insurance policy that covers couples going on their honeymoon. It should cover:
- Cancellation
- Missed connections, journey delays and disruptions
- Medical treatment
- Trip interruption
- Adventurous or winter sports (if you plan on doing any)
You should get your honeymoon cover as soon as you’ve booked your holiday - preferably just after you’ve made your first payment towards it, or paid the deposit.
Group travel insurance
Does what it says on the tin - it's cover for you and a number of people travelling with you. Like honeymoon insurance, you don't need to be living together to take out group travel insurance.
You'll be covered for all the standard things a travel insurance policy offers. Some insurers package in more cover for activities than standard, helpful if you've got specific things planned for your break.
Sometimes there are upper age limits on group travel insurance policies, which can be as young as 45, so keep an eye out for these.
As with couples insurance, you'll need to check details if you plan to separate halfway through your trip, or are departing from a different airport.