Arrangement of travel insurance
This advice applies to England. See councils for See councils for Northern Ireland, See councils for Scotland, See councils 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 are planning a trip away.
It’s especially important to get travel insurance if you’re traveling independently, as you could find yourself stranded with no way to get home and no one to help you with your vacation problem.
Find out more about what to think about before buying travel insurance on this page.
The best tips
travel insurance is essential, especially if you are traveling alone
choose the policy that covers your needs
compare policies for the coverage 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 issues:
cancellation or shortening of the 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 luggage, passports and money
accidental damage or injury caused by you.
If you don’t have travel insurance, you’ll have to pay out of pocket to fix the problem while you’re away. Or you could lose money if you have to cancel your trip and can’t get your money back. This could cost you thousands of pounds.
Older travelers
If an insurer or broker cannot offer you cover because of your age, most will refer you to an alternative insurer or provide details of a signposting service such as the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) ‘Find a Broker’ service. . You can use this service to find specialist insurers who can offer specific types of insurance based on factors such as age and health.
BIBA’s ‘Find a Broker’ service can be found on 0870 950 1790 or on its website www.biba.org.uk.
Where Can You Buy Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is widely available. You can buy it from:
insurance companies
banks
retailers and supermarkets
travel agencies
online comparison sites
holiday companies.
Sometimes travel insurance may be included as an additional service offered through your bank account or credit card. You should check how much you are paying for it and what cover it offers. For example, coverage may be limited to your spouse or partner. It might be better to buy a separate policy.
Your travel agent can offer you travel insurance as part of your tour. You can opt for it if you want, but you don’t have to buy this insurance. A travel agent is breaking the law if they try to get you to take it or charge you more for a holiday because you refuse to take it. If this happens, you should seek advice.
Before you buy holiday insurance
It is important to get the right type of cover for your needs. Think about:
where are you travelling. For example, if you are traveling to the United States, you will need additional health insurance
how old are you. Travel insurance may cost more if you are over 65. There are special conditions for older travelers that are worth considering
how often do you travel If you travel several times a year, it may be better to buy an annual travel policy than several one-off policies
what will you do when you’re gone You may need additional cover if you participate in dangerous sports such as skiing or diving
whether you are traveling alone or on holiday. Package holidays usually offer you more protection if something goes wrong with your transport or accommodation, so you may not need to make a travel insurance claim.
how do you travel Cruises and low-cost airline flights may not be covered by some insurance policies.
What Coverage Should Travel Insurance Include?
Your travel insurance should always include the following coverage:
medical expenses and travel home cover if you are injured or become ill while abroad
personal injury and cover for accidents or damage you cause
cover for lost or damaged items
cover for lost or delayed baggage
cover for cancellation or missed departure.
How much you pay for insurance depends on the amount of coverage you’re likely to need. You should never under-insure just to save money. However, you may be able to keep costs low.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you are 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 do not have an EHIC or it has expired, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) on the NHS website. With GHIC, you can get health care in EU countries at a reduced price or sometimes for free. You should still take out travel insurance before you travel – even if you have an EHIC or GHIC.
Household Insurance
Check whether your home insurance covers you for things you take away from home. If so, you can choose a higher deductible on your travel insurance. An excess is the amount your insurer won’t pay for a claim and is usually between £50 and £100. If you choose a higher deductible, your travel insurance may cost less.
More about home insurance
Choosing the right insurance company
The cheapest policy may not offer the best value for money, so it’s important to check what the policy covers and how much it costs.
Use an online comparison site to check what different policies offer and how much they cost. However, comparison sites usually only offer general coverage. If you have special needs, it may be better to find an insurer that offers specialist cover.
Next steps
Applying for travel insurance
Problems with claiming travel insurance
If you need further assistance
Other useful information
Getting medical treatment when traveling in Europe www.gov.uk
Information about 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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