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• Travel Insurance - FAQs

Help and support Travel Insurance FAQs

Common questions about our cover and optional add-ons.

• About our travel insurance
• Flight cancellations, delays and missed departures
• Medical Assistance Plus and Flight Delay Assistance Plus
• Gadget Cover optional add-on
• Claims, cancellations, renewals and complaints

Buying travel insurance 

Can i buy travel insurance at my local post office branch.

Yes, you can buy our travel insurance at over 3,800 Post Office branches. If your nearest branch can’t issue travel insurance, you can buy travel cover online . Or call 0330 123 3690 (1)

I don't live in the UK. Can I take out a Post Office Travel Insurance policy?

We’re sorry, but no. Our policies cover UK residents only (including those in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man).

My partner and I live at separate addresses. Can we still buy family cover?

Family cover is available on Post Office Travel Insurance single-trip and annual multi-trip policies.

It covers a person and their husband, wife, civil partner or Common Law Partner (who must be residing with them). It also covers any dependent, adopted or fostered children or grandchildren aged under 18.

Family cover is not available on our backpacker policies.

Is there an age limit for single-trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance policies?

There’s no upper age limit for single-trip policies. For annul multi-trip policies you need to be 75 or under.

Is there an age limit for backpacker travel insurance policies?

Yes, you must be aged between 18 and 60 years of age when your policy starts.

Backpacker policies are only available on our economy level cover.

Covid-19 cover and trip durations

Does post office travel insurance include coronavirus cover.

All new Post Office Travel Insurance policies include a degree of cover against Covid-19 related disruptions, such as cancellation, curtailment and medical costs in some circumstances.

You can find out more about what's covered for coronavirus on our policies on our travel insurance Covid-19 FAQs page.

We also offer a trip disruption cover option that provides protection in other scenarios. These include missed departures or changes in testing and quarantine rules.

How long can I travel for on my Post Office Travel Insurance policy?

It depends on the level of cover.

Policies sold from 31 March 2022 to 27 March 2024

Single-trip travel insurance covers you for trips of up to:

• 365 days (for persons aged up to and including 70 years)
• 90 days (aged 71 to 75)
• 31 days (aged 76 and above).

Annual multi-trip policies cover you for: 

• 17 days per trip (with economy and standard cover levels)
• 31 days per trip (premier cover).

If you pay the appropriate extra premium, this can be extended to:

• 31, 45 or 60 days (economy, standard) 
• 45 or 60 days (premier)

You can take as many trips as you like as long as you’re not away for more than 183 days in the policy year.

Our backpacker travel insurance policy covers you for trips lasting anything from 31 days to 18 months.

Policies sold from 28 March 2024

Trip durations for policies sold from 28 March 2024 are the same as for those sold before that date.

The maximum trip duration annual multi-trip policies will cover is 31 days. This can be extended to 45 or 60 days with optional trip extension upgrades.

How long must a UK trip be to be covered by my travel insurance?

For your Post Office Travel Insurance policy to cover you for trips in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, the following rules apply.

• For multi-trip policies, 1 nights’ pre-booked accommodation must be in place, and can’t be a stay with family or friends, or your stay must be at least 100 miles from your home, or you must have at least 1 sea crossing

For example, if you fly from Scotland to Cornwall to stay with friends and family in their home or second home and your baggage was lost or damaged on the way it wouldn’t be covered. Similarly, if you have a second home of your own this doesn’t class as pre-booked.

This doesn’t apply to trips taken overseas, outside your country of residence.

Having flight problems?

This section covers flight disruptions that are not related to Covid-19. If your question relates to the impact of coronavirus on your trip and whether it’s covered, please check our travel insurance Covid-19 FAQs .

Are flight cancellations covered on my policy?

There’s no cover for flight cancellation on your Post Office Travel Insurance policy if you have not already started your trip. If the airline cancels your flight before you arrive at your departure point you should always discuss this with your airline or travel provider to see what options are available to you.

Regulation EU261

This is a regulation that protects passengers in the event of inconvenience caused by long flight delays or cancellations of European flights. It allows up to £520 compensation per passenger in the event of such disruptions.

Entitlements are only in force if the delay or cancellation is within the airline’s control and has not been deemed an “extraordinary circumstance.”

However, if you’re delayed at the airport on your outbound or inbound journey, several of our cover levels provide cover for the delay, any missed departure it causes and, if the delay is of a longer duration, abandoning your trip if you decide to do so. Please read the answers below for details.

What flight delay scenarios aren’t covered?

We will be unable to process claims for delayed flights if:

• You don’t arrive at your departure point in the recommended time for your scheduled departure
• You claim for delays having already made a claim for missed departure
• You’ve travelled against a non-essential travel advisory from the FCDO – and the cause of the delay is related to that advice
• You claim for a delay less than 4 hours
• You haven’t provided written confirmation from your travel provider of the duration of and reason for the delay
• You were aware of the strike/industrial action (or any other listed peril) prior to buying your travel insurance policy or booking your trip
• You haven’t provided any written confirmation of the vehicle breakdown/traffic delays

While at the airport my departure from the UK was delayed. Is that covered?

If you bought our standard, premier, max or extra cover levels, you’re covered if you arrive at the airport and your flight is delayed due to one of the following – including if this will impact a further connecting flight or flights to your final destination:

• Industrial action
• Bad weather not including anything listed as a natural catastrophe
• Technical fault of transportation including bird strikes
• Shortage of crew

If a flight you’re booked on is delayed for 4 hours or more for one of these reasons and you have a standard, premier, max or extra policy, you can claim for each 4-hour delay, up to a maximum of 12 hours, upon your return to the UK. Please check the policy wording for the delay benefit amount depending on the level of cover chosen.

If it’s a premier policy, you can also make use of Flight Delay Assistance Plus if you’ve registered for it. This means that, upon a delay of 1 hour or more, you can receive either a lounge access voucher or a £25 payment into your PayPal account. (For policies sold from 31 March 2022 to 27 March 2024 the amount was £50.)

All flights must be registered in advance. Please check your emails for confirmation and the link/web address needed to register your flights.

You must plan to leave enough time between arriving at your connection point and departing for the next leg of your journey, which should be at least the minimum time recommended for transfer by your transport provider.

If your flight delay totals 12 or more hours and you abandon your trip you can make a claim – see the question on abandoning your trip below.

What if delayed departure leads to me abandoning my trip?

If you’re a standard, premier, extra or max policy holder, we provide abandonment cover if you arrive at the airport and your flight is delayed by 12 hours or more due to:

If that happens, and you aren’t offered an alternative flight within 12 hours or provided with a refund, and you hold one of the cover levels listed, then cover is provided for your unused travel and accommodation costs.

This policy is designed to provide a refund of your unused travel and accommodation costs, at the point we are satisfied that these expenses cannot be refunded elsewhere. If your trip has been booked or paid for via one or more of the following, you must contact them to discuss a refund before claiming from us: a tour operator; an airline; any other travel, accommodation, or service provider; a credit or debit card provider or other payment providers such as PayPal.

There is no cover for delay or abandonment for trips taken solely within the UK

Am I covered if I miss a departure from the UK?

If you have our Standard, Premier, Extra or Max level cover and are delayed on your way to your departure point in the UK due to one of the following reasons, and this causes you to miss your pre-booked transportation (such as an outbound flight), we’ll cover it:

Delay or cancellation of public transport due to:

• Bad weather not including anything listed as a natural catastrophe 
• The vehicle you are travelling in is involved in an accident, breaks down, or is delayed by an incident that causes traffic jams or road closures
• The flight you are travelling on is diverted 

Please note:  Public transport includes flights

You’ll be covered up to the sum insured for either additional travel and accommodation costs to get you to your destination. Or, if the only reasonable alternative transport means you’ll lose more than 50% of your trip, you can claim for unused travel and accommodation costs.

Am I covered for travel delay outside of the UK?

You are at the airport abroad, and there is a delay in your flight leaving to return to the UK.

On Standard, Premier, Extra and Max policies, there’s cover if you arrive at the airport abroad and your flight back to the UK is delayed or cancelled due to:

• Mechanical fault of transportation including bird strikes

If you’re delayed by at least 24 hours beyond your original return date, there is cover for additional transport costs to return you home when these aren’t paid for by your travel provider, up to the limit for your level of cover.

We’ll pay a delay benefit for each full 4-hour delay up to a maximum of 12 hours for the sum insured for your level of cover.

If your trip has been booked or paid for via one or more of the following, you must contact them to discuss a refund before claiming from us: a tour operator; an airline; any other travel, accommodation, or service provider; a credit or debit card provider or other payment providers such as PayPal.

Am I covered if I miss a departure from outside the UK?

What if you are delayed on your way to the airport abroad and miss your pre-booked return flight home, or you have no travel documents and are delayed in obtaining them, so are unable to make your flight?

If you are delayed on your way to the airport and subsequently miss your return flight home, stranding you abroad, for  Standard, Premier, Extra and Max policy holders, we provide cover for delay or cancellation of public transport due to:

We’ll also cover if you’re delayed travelling home if:

• The vehicle you’re travelling in is involved in an accident, breaks down or is delayed by an incident that causes traffic jams or road closures
• Your flight gets diverted
• Your travel documents are lost or stolen while you’re outside the UK

Please note: Public transport includes flights

You’re also covered if you arrive at the airport and a delay to your flight for one of these reasons will impact a further connecting flight/s to return back home to the UK.

You must have a pre-booked return journey for cover to apply. And you must plan to leave enough time between arriving at your connection point and departing for the next leg of your journey, which should be at least the minimum time recommended for transfer by your transport provider.

Medical Assistance Plus

Does my policy include medical assistance plus.

If you bought your Post Office Travel Insurance on or after 3 July 2023 it includes Medical Assistance Plus.

How much does Medical Assistance Plus cost?

Nothing. Medical Assistance Plus is included in all policies sold from the 3 July 2023, no matter the type or level of Post Office Travel Insurance you’ve purchased. It applies whether you bought your insurance on the Post Office website, in branch, via our contact centre, on the app, or even through a comparison website.

How do I access the Medical Assistance Plus service?

Within 48 hours we'll send you an email with a unique link to launch the service. This has all of your details. Just enter your date or birth to validate and the service will launch for you.

If you’re traveling within 48 hours of purchase you can launch the service directly from our Medical Assistance Plus page on the Post Office website, then choose to continue in browser or open in app on your mobile device.

As an extra reminder, we’ll also send you a reminder SMS message the day before you travel (for single-trip and backpacker insurance) or the day before your start date of your policy (for annual multi-trip insurance). This will include links to launch the Medical Assistance Plus service.

What illnesses and situations can I use Medical Assistance Plus for?

Medical Assistance Plus is for outpatient medical care only. This includes any non-emergency medical services, including:

• GP (general Practitioner)
• Orthopaedist
• Paediatrician
• Gynaecologist

If an online or in-person consultation concludes that in-patient care is required, your medical case will then be handed over to the Emergency Medical team in the UK to be managed for wherever you are.

When shouldn’t I use the Medical Assistance Plus service?

If you require immediate emergency care, you should go directly to a hospital or an emergency clinic.

You can get further support by calling our emergency medical assistance line any time, 24/7.

If your policy number starts with TA or TC call 0208 865 3074 . If you’re calling from abroad dial 44 in place of the first zero.

There is no cover for trips taken within the UK.

Are there any limitations to the service?

This service is not available for trips taken in the UK, only for international travel. The service allows up to 3 separate medical events per person and for each medical event up to 3 appointments per person listed on the policy.

I’m having trouble registering my policy for the service. What should I do?

If you’re having difficulty registering your policy, please check:

• Your policy number is entered correctly
• You’ve entered all the verification details needed

If you’re still having trouble, please go to the “Contact us” section in the app. Here you can get help from our customer care team.

How can I contact Medical Assistance Plus customer support?

The customer care team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year and offers multi-lingual support.

The customer care team can provide assistance via phone, email, WhatsApp, and live chat – available online or via app.

What languages can I receive my medical care in?

The global network has over 20,000 doctors in 75 countries, including the most popular destinations such as the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, China, Japan, Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Thailand, and Nepal.

The doctors in the network speak a wide range of languages, so travellers can find one locally who speaks either their native language or one in which they are comfortable conducting a consultation.

When browsing for doctors in the app, simply filter your search by your preferred language. When scheduling video consultations, you can also select your preferred language when you make the appointment request.

If you’re unable to find a doctor who speaks your preferred language, please head to the “Contact Us” section in the app to get assistance from our customer care team.

Will I have to pay for any support or treatment I receive while I'm away?

No, Medical Assistance Plus is covered by your Post Office Travel Insurance policy. There are no upfront fees or extra payments required. You automatically get access to Medical Assistance Plus, no matter what type or level of insurance you’ve purchased from us. All appointment charges are covered by your travel insurance policy under Medical Assistance Plus. You won’t need to pay any excess fees for this service. For any online appointments or where the appointment was held at your accommodation, where a prescription is issued, you’ll need to pay for any medication and claim upon your return home.

No excess will be applied for any prescription charges. If your appointment takes place at a clinic and they have a dispensing chemist, you won’t need to pay for your prescription and all charges will be covered by your policy at the point of appointment.

If there’s no dispensing chemist at the clinic, you’ll either be given a prescription or the prescription will be sent to a chemist by the treating doctor and you’ll need to pay for any medication and claim upon your return home.

If your medical situation needs to be handed over from an outpatient case to an inpatient case and requires hospital admission, you will be handed over to our emergency medical assistance team in the UK. For any inpatient cases, no excess will apply.

Is my electronic prescription valid anywhere in the world?

You’ll be able to check with your doctor if they can prescribe a valid prescription in your current location. Make sure with the selected doctor before your consultation if they can provide a prescription based on your electronic prescription.

There’s no cover for trips made in the UK and you should see your GP practise you’re registered with in the UK for any appointments or prescriptions.

Flight Delay Assistance Plus

Registering your flights, how do i register a flight.

We'll send you an email with details of how to register for the service online as soon as you buy our premier travel insurance. If you arranged your policy in a Post Office branch or don't have an email address, all the information you need will be in your policy confirmation pack.

To register your flight you’ll need to set up self-service for your account and add your flight details there.

Can all flights be registered?

Flight Delay Assistance Plus is built to track almost all major commercial airline flights, but there are limitations against airlines/airports that do not report data regularly. You can register any flight where the airline accurately reports the announcement to FlightStats. If you try to register a flight that does not meet these conditions, the system will inform you of this and you will not be able to register.

Where the flight is departing from an airport with a lounge that's part of the  LoungeKey network you’ll be offered the choice of a lounge voucher, or PayPal payout in the event of a delay Not every airport has a lounge and if this is the case the PayPal option will be selected for you.

Can I register more than one person?

Yes, you can include up to four additional passengers who are named on your Post Office Travel Insurance policy when you register. Make sure the names you register match exactly those included on your flight booking or boarding passes and travel insurance.

Why has my flight registration failed?

Registering your flights could fail for two reasons:

• You’re attempting to register less than 24 hours before your scheduled departure time
• Not all airlines provide timely and accurate flight tracking data which is necessary for us to trigger compensation and issue your benefit

As such, we restrict registrations for airlines that do not provide reliable tracking data. This is done to ensure the best possible experience for customers.

Can I cancel a flight registration?

Yes, you can cancel a flight registration up to two hours before your scheduled departure time. Please do this via the link in your registration confirmation email.

LoungeKey lounge access

What is loungekey.

It's a global network of  over 1,100 airport lounges .

How will I know if free lounge access is available to me?

During your flight registration you’ll be provided with the lounge access option at the "Select Your Benefit" stage. If you have selected this option and a qualifying delay is met, we'll send an SMS text and email message with a PDF voucher attached, so you'll need a mobile device with you that can accept them. These messages are sent if:

• You register the flight online at least 24 hours before its scheduled departure time
• There's an announcement about a minimum one-hour delay (either a single delay or an accumulation of multiple shorter delays amounting to two or more hours)
• You selected lounge as your benefit option

How will I receive free LoungeKey access?

You'll need a mobile device that can receive SMS texts and emails with PDF attachments. If your flight's delayed by one hours or more, we'll automatically send you:

• A text notification, which includes a link to your PDF LoungeKey voucher
• An email with a PDF attachment containing your free LoungeKey voucher
• The SMS and emails will also contain the vouchers for any other passengers you registered

Please see our  terms of use .

How do I find the lounge at the airport?

We'll let you know how to locate your lounge when we email your access information. The voucher itself will also contain a link to the lounge finder and access information.

Other lounge access questions

Are children welcome in the lounges.

Not all lounges are open to younger passengers. You can check out the lounge policies at  your departure airport .

Why can't I gain access to a lounge?

There are a number of reasons why you might not be able to access a lounge, even if you have a valid voucher:

• If the lounge is closed when the delay occurs – during the night, for instance
• If the lounge is at full capacity
• If the passenger names on the boarding passes don't exactly match those on the LoungeKey voucher
• If you or a member of your group doesn't meet the lounge terms and conditions, such as dress code or minimum age

How can I find out about lounge policies and other services?

Although lounges at different airports have their own policies and services, most have free Wi-Fi. Discover more about the lounge at your departure airport.

About PayPal

What is paypal.

PayPal is a payment platform for payments and money transfer. It’s a secure way to send and receive money online.

PayPal allows any individual with an email address to securely send and receive payments online without having to enter your financial details.

You can use PayPal to shop online, or to send money quickly to anyone with an email address or transfer money to your bank account. You can also use PayPal on the high street where the number of shops accepting PayPal is growing.

Once you’ve linked your card or bank account to your PayPal account, you won’t need to provide all of your card details every time you shop online. PayPal remembers all your financial details, so you don’t have to, and they do not share them with sellers.

PayPal is available worldwide and in all major currencies.

How does PayPal work?

If you’ve selected PayPal as your benefit during the registration journey, in the event that you experience a qualifying flight delay, we’ll compensate you with a PayPal payout to use at your leisure.

We’ll pass your email address to PayPal, who will then instantly credit your wallet with your compensation.

If you don’t have a PayPal account linked to the email address you used for registration, PayPal will send you a link to register for an account.

Do I need to have an existing PayPal account?

You don’t need to have an existing PayPal account. A wallet will be credited with your compensation and an email will be sent to you with a link to PayPal to register and create an account. Your PayPal account will need to be linked to the email address you used to register your flight.

How can I get in contact with PayPal?

You can contact PayPal by text, email, on the phone or via the PayPal help page .

About PayPal payouts

How much will i receive.

We’ll provide a compensation payment of £25 per passenger into your PayPal account.

Will additional passengers receive a payout?

All eligible additional passengers that were registered will also receive a PayPal payout, but the payout will be made to the main customer.

Will I be notified before the PayPal payout is sent to me?

Yes, we’ll send you an email and SMS to let you know the PayPal payout has been issued.

What we share with PayPal

When will my information be shared with paypal.

We’ll pass your email address to PayPal when we trigger the PayPal payout request. 

What information will be shared with PayPal?

We’ll send PayPal the email address you used to register your flight. They will use your email address as the account to credit with the payout. PayPal will also send out communications to this address to confirm the payout.

Do you cover mobile or smart phones within a travel insurance policy?

Mobile and smartphones are covered under the personal possessions of our travel insurance policies up to £100.

If you need more cover for your phone, you could add our gadget cover add on for an extra premium and increase the cover up to £1,000 per policy for theft, damage or loss during your trip

Cover for mobile phones is now up to the single-article limit:

Economy: £150

Standard: £250

Premier: £400

If you need more cover for your phone, you could add our gadget cover add on for an extra premium and increase the cover up to £2,000 per person per policy for theft, damage, or loss during your trip.

What gadgets do you cover within the gadget cover extension?

Mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, computers, laptops, smart watches, drones, games (including handheld) consoles, all accessories of these items, plus wearable activity trackers. Cover is up to £1,000 per policy.

Mobile phones, smart phones, laptops (including custom-built), tablets, digital cameras, games consoles, video cameras, camera lenses, Bluetooth headsets and speakers, satellite navigation devices, e-readers, head/earphones, smart watches and wrist-worn health and fitness trackers. Cover is up to £2,000 per person, per policy.

Claims and emergency medical assistance

How do i make a claim on my travel insurance policy.

The easiest way is to make a claim online . It’s secure and available 24/7. There’s a handy checklist of everything you’ll need. And, for some claims, you’ll get a decision straight away. You can also call us 0333 333 9702 (1).

What should I do if I need emergency medical assistance while on a trip my policy covers?

Please call the emergency medical assistance line that’s correct for your policy as soon as possible. It’s open 24/7. The number to call is 0203 865 3074 .

How do I renew or cancel the renewal of my Travel Insurance policy?

When you buy an annual multi-trip policy, it’s your reassurance of continuous cover for all the trips you’ll take in a year. For reassurance that extends beyond that, your policy can be renewed automatically or manually. You can also make sure your policy doesn’t renew if you don’t need it to. Whatever you choose, we’ll write to you around 28 days before your current policy’s end date with details of any changes we’ll make should you wish to renew it and a quote for the next year’s cover.

Automatic renewal: if you buy an annual multi-trip policy, it will be set to renew automatically at the end of its term to keep you covered. If you prefer to opt out of this, you can do so then or any time during the policy. You can also turn auto renewal on later. Just call our contact centre. If you’ve declared medical conditions for anyone listed on the policy, it can’t be set to auto renew.

Manual renewal: if you’ve opted out of auto renewal, you can opt in manually later, such as when we send your renewal reminder or by calling our contact centre to set this up. It’s easy to renew through your online account or by calling our contact centre. If you miss the renewal date, you can still take out a new policy later. You’ll need to start a new quote, as the renewal quote is only valid until your current policy’s expiry date. This may also mean a gap in your cover until the new policy starts.

Turning off auto-renewal: if your policy’s set to renew automatically but you change your mind later, you can turn it off at any point during the life of the policy. You can do this yourself in your online account or call our contact centre team. If you’re within the last 8 days of your policy, you’ll need to call our contact centre to do so. The later you do this the greater the chance a renewal payment will be taken by the bank. If this happens before your renewal cancellation is processed, we’ll make sure your payment is refunded.

What if I have a complaint about my travel insurance?

For complaints about the sales literature or information about your policy, how it was sold to you on the phone or online, or the Medical Screening Service, please call 0330 123 1382 (1), e-mail [email protected] or write to:

Post Office Travel Insurance 67 Hope Street Glasgow G2 3AE

Please head any written correspondence 'COMPLAINT' and include copies of supporting material.

For complaints about a claim or assistance you received while travelling, please email [email protected] or write to:

Quality Department Collinson Insurance Services Limited Sussex House Perrymount Road Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 1DN

If you’re still not satisfied or don’t get a final answer from us within eight weeks of us receiving your complaint, you may have the right to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for consideration. You can contact the FOS here:

Financial Ombudsman Service Exchange Tower Harbour Exchange Square London E14 9SR

Call: 0800 0234 567 or 0300 1239 123 (1) Email: [email protected]

• Other sections:

Need more help and support with travel insurance?

If you didn’t find what you need these other pages may help.

For emergency assistance, to make a claim, complaint or manage your policy online: Visit our travel insurance support page

For questions about the coronavirus cover on our policies: Visit our travel insurance Covid-19 FAQs page

(1) Calls to 03 numbers will cost no more than calling a standard geographic number starting with 01 or 02 from your fixed line or mobile and may be included in your call package dependent on your service provider. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and compliance purposes.

Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

The Post Office is regarded as the largest retail network in the UK as well as the largest financial services chain that’s been there for more than 370 years. However, apart from that, the company also offers insurance products, one of which is the post office travel insurance.

In this article, we’re going to talk about everything you need to know which regard to this particular travel insurance. But before that, let’s have a look at the achievements of the Post Office regarding insurances.

What is the Post Office?

Post Office has been voted the “Best Travel Insurance Provider” for 9 straight years starting from 2006 to 2015. Apart from that, it also received the Silver award from the British Travel Awards in 2016 and 2017.

As a massive network, the Post Office offers a wide range of options when it comes to their insurance policies. One of them is the rudimentary budget cover through the Super Economy Travel Insurance. There’s also the Premier Plus policy which provides complete coverage.

Primary Insurance Policies Offered

There are three main types of travel insurance policies offered by the Post Office, namely annual multi-trip, backpacker travel cover, and single trip.

Let’s have a breakdown of each of these policies:

Single Trip

The single trip insurance will provide coverage depending on your age when you obtain your insurance policy. The Post Office website states that those who are below 71 will be covered 365 days per trip. Meanwhile, those who are 71-75 will be covered 90 days and individuals 76-85 are only covered for 31 days.

As the name implies, a single trip policy will cover for you if you plan to take a single trip in the near future.

Annual Multi-trip

The multi-trip policy allows you to spread your trip abroad using a voluntary add-on. You can receive coverage of around £10 million for a medical emergency. They also have a 24/7 medical emergency helpline available.

This policy is perfect if you plan to travel several times a year without having to go through the hassles of obtaining concealment every single time.

For the single and multi-trip policies, there are five different levels available.

Here’s a detail detailing these levels alongside other important details:

All of the levels come with a personal liability cover ranging from £1-3 million. However, the Super Economy comes with various extras like death, personal accident, personal money, hospital benefits, and passport cover.

Backpacker Travel

The backpacker travel insurance is designed for backpackers who are price aware. As such, the Post Office provides two coverage options for them: Economy and Super Economy.

The two policies will provide coverage for up to 18 months. Moreover, you can come back home 3 times within a span of seven days. However, you have to keep in mind that the coverage doesn’t apply if you’re in the UK.

This is often the best option if you plan an adventure trip as it covers you from sharks to safaris and more. The policy can be availed of by anyone between 18 and 60 years old. You can also avail of additional cover for business, cruise, golf, and winter sports and add any of them in the above policies but for an extra cost.

Other Policies Offered

Apart from the major insurance policies offered by the Post Office, there are also several other policies which are as follows:

This is perfect for individuals who plan to go on a golfing holiday . Through this policy, you can enjoy the following:

• Protection in case you can’t play due to injury or poor weather
• Coverage against injury personal liability cover and while playing
• Coverage for your golfing equipment against theft

Cruise Cover

If you plan to enjoy the luxury of a cruise, then this policy is for you. It protects you from any unforeseen risks that might come along with cruise holidays. It comes with the following features:

• Coverage for a delayed transport
• Coverage for damage or stolen evening dress
• Replacement of any lost or misplaced damaged

Winter Sports Cover

Winter sports do come with their own risks, but this policy will ensure that you can still have fun despite that. It comes with the following inclusions:

• 24/7 medical assistance
• Coverage for sports like ice skating and snowboarding
• Protection from any injuries
• Protection for a damaged or stolen equipment

Worldwide Cover

This policy ensures that you won’t suffer from any issues with your insurance when you go traveling around the world. It comes with the following features:

• Emergency repatriation
• 24/7 medical emergency helpline
• Replacement for lost or stolen documents
• Financial coverage for medical treatment in the event of injury or illness when traveling

Pre-Existing Medical Condition

Post Office’s coverage for a pre-existing medical condition ensures that you can get to have fun and enjoy life despite your condition. It includes the following features:

• Quick and easy repatriation
• Treatment monitoring
• Payment for any medical expenses while you’re traveling

Family Cover

This is the perfect policy if you plan to travel together with your policy. This will allow you to avoid any hassles that come with obtaining individual policies for each of your family members. It includes the following:

• Maximum of £10 million emergency medical coverage in the event of injury or illness while traveling
• Assistance during a vehicle breakdown missed departure or delayed public transport

Cost and Coverage

One of the main reasons why the Post Office travel insurance has managed to outdo most of its competitors in the market is its very cheap cost. In fact, it has the cheapest insurance quotes available on the market.

When it comes to coverage, Post Office covers all basic forms of coverage including property damage, comprehensive coverage, and bodily injury liability among others. However, you can also gain access to special kinds of coverages that are exclusive to Post Office travel insurance members.

These special coverages come in the form of emergency road service, rental reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown insurance.

Policy Exclusions

These are the general exclusions that apply to any of Post Office’s travel insurance policies:

• Claims due to war or act of terrorism
• Traveling for the purpose of receiving treatment overseas
• Traveling without heeding the advice of a medical professional
• Personal injury caused intentionally
• Taking part in an organized sports competition

Other Important Information about the Post Office Travel Insurance

• Apart from providing coverage for any personal injury or illness sustained while traveling abroad, the Post Office will also offer guidance, assistance, and advice regarding legal proceedings and obtaining proper compensation.
• When applying for any of their travel insurance policy, you can also choose to add an Excess Waiver. This will allow you to reduce your excess to zero, thereby removing the need to contribute to the cost of your claims. However, be prepared to spend an additional cost for this.
• Even though there are only a few travel insurance providers that cover business travel, the Post Office’s policy will provide coverage for business travel that can greatly help professionals abroad. This policy will provide coverage for emergency couriers, employee replacement, equipment hire, computer equipment, and business money. This is only optional.
• Not all optional cover types can be added to every policy type. Only the Cruise cover is applicable for the Premier and Premier Plus policies. Meanwhile, the Golf and Business cover is only applicable to Standard, Premier, and Premier Plus.
• Various holiday activities and sports will be covered by the Post Office under the Standard policy. However, riskier activities like sailing and jet skiing won’t be covered for any personal accident claims.

Are there any special policy rules for pregnant women who travel?

There are certain limitations for pregnant women who want to travel.

In line with the Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth policy, coverage for pregnant women will only include the following:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Emergency Caesarean sections and medically necessary termination
• Gestational hypertension
• Hydatidiform mole
• Hyperemesis gravidarum
• Placental abruption
• Placenta praevia
• Pre-eclampsia
• Postpartum hemorrhage
• Retained placenta membrane
• Stillbirths and miscarriage
• Premature births more than 8 weeks before the expected delivery date

Will the policy provide cover during a war or terrorist act?

Unfortunately, you won’t be covered for any terrorist act that doesn’t involve the use of chemical agents and nuclear weapons.

How many people are included in a family?

A family can either consist of a couple or a group consisting of up to 8 travelers.

It can also include a person with his/her partner, dependent children, and dependent grandchildren below 18 years of age. Keep in mind that you will have to pay the appropriate premium for this.

Wrapping Things Up

Post Office is one of the leading health insurance companies in the UK. With their wide range of travel insurance policies, you will be able to enjoy peace of mind as you go traveling into other countries.

The best part is, the policies offered by the Post Office are one of the most affordable options currently on the market.

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The best travel insurance providers.

Updated March 26, 2024

In this guide

If you’re looking to escape the UK winter, or if you’re saving your holiday for the height of summer, you may wish to consider travel insurance. We explain what travel insurance is and some of the best policies on the market for your holiday.

In 2022, UK residents made 71 million visits abroad. This was over three times the amount made in 2021, when COVID restrictions kept many people at home. 

So if you’re part of a growing number of people spending time abroad, have you considered travel insurance? By taking out one of these policies you could be protected for lost baggage, delayed flights, and medical emergencies abroad among other unforeseen events.  

In this article we explain:

• What is travel insurance

What does travel insurance cover?

The best travel insurance.

• Travel insurance and medical conditions

Read more: Passport renewal costs and waiting times

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance covers the cost of unforeseen events and mishaps that either stop you from going on holiday or affect you while you’re away.

Depending on the policy, travel insurance might cover you for:

• Medical bills if you suffer illness or have an accident while you’re away
• Cancellation of your trip for reasons outside of your control
• Lost or stolen baggage

Policies are usually relatively inexpensive and can give you the peace of mind that your costs will be covered if something bad happens while you are on holiday.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), a trade body, the average claim on travel insurance in 2022 was a little over £970. So while travel insurance won’t stop bad things from happening, but it can prevent you from having to find the money to pay for unexpected costs even after you return from your holiday.

Read more: Ten budget travel tips

Many people opt to take out travel insurance to cover potential medical care while away.

Every week, 3,000 Brits need emergency medical treatment while abroad, according to the ABI. But travel insurance isn’t just about covering medical costs. It can protect you against a range of unplanned events:

• Cancellation or trip interruption for reasons outside your control
• Missed transport or delayed departure for reasons outside your control
• Personal injury and death, including medical evacuation
• Lost, stolen or damaged items, including baggage, passports and money – check if your home contents insurance covers you
• Accidental damage or injury caused by you

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights?

Most travel insurers provide a basic level of cover for cancelled flights. Aviva’s travel insurance, for example, will pay out if your flight is cancelled due to an airport shutdown.

If your airline cancels your flight then you should claim a refund directly with them, so your travel insurance could cover other costs such as hotel bookings, vehicle rentals, and other possible excursions.

What are my rights during strike action?

If your flights are cancelled because air staff are striking, which they have over last summer, you might be entitled to compensation from the airline. But for this to apply, customers must have been given less than 14 days’ notice.

It also depends on whether the airline was at fault or not: so if it’s the airline’s staff who are striking, you should be entitled to compensation.

If you’re worried that your flights might be delayed or cancelled, you should also check your travel insurance policy.

Some policies cover you for a cancelled or delayed flight, provided you took out the policy before the strikes were announced.

But if you haven’t yet bought your insurance, you may be out of luck. This is because most insurers won’t cover you for strikes which were already known about.

Read how travel insurance could catch you out.

Below we’ve listed some of the best travel insurance providers on the market, all of which were nominated in Times Money Mentor awards 2023.

Times Money Mentor award winning cover

Best for over-50s

Post Office

Best for those with pre-existing medical conditions

Best for those wanting substantial medical cover  

Best for a range of unique add-ons

Looking for a new holiday destination?

Make sure to visit Times Travel for your holiday inspiration this year. From palm beaches in Fiji to the beautiful Italian coastline, Times Travel caters to all different tastes. Unlike other parts of the site, you also don’t need a subscription to enjoy their high-quality content.

Another notable provider

Despite not winning a nomination at the Times Money Mentor awards, this provider also offers a decent level of cover:

Switched On

The best travel insurance for cruises.

If you’re thinking about taking a cruise, it’s important to take out special additional cover such as a cruise insurance to protect you.

Cruise insurance is normally offered as an add-on to travel policies, and protects you if you:

• Miss connections to reach the departure
• Fail to get back on board after planned stops
• End up being confined to your cabin

Though if you want a dedicated travel insurance policy for a cruise, here’s an option to consider:

Just Travel Cover*

Best for cruise holidays

The best winter sports cover

If you’re planning a skiing and snowboarding trip then it’s important you have insurance that will cover you if you’re involved in an accident on the slopes.

Most travel insurers will offer winter sports cover as an optional add-on to their regular cover and will protect you if you:

• Need to be airlifted off the slopes or rescued and need medical treatment
• Turn up and there’s no snow
• Can’t start skiing and snowboarding because of avalanche risk
• Find out your equipment – such as skis, snowboard and boots – has been stolen

It’s difficult to predict what the next ski season will look like. But if you’re booking now and want cover for the essentials, here’s a policy to factor into your calculations.

InsureandGo*

Best for winter sports

What should a basic travel policy cover?

When shopping for travel insurance, you should ensure your policy comes with the following seven things as standard:

1. Medical expenses

This covers the costs of any emergency medical and surgical treatment while you’re away.

It usually costs more for cover in the US as medical bills can run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Any treatment that can wait until you get home is not usually included.

Most policies offer cover of £1 million for medical costs in Europe. This is usually £2 million in the US.

2. Repatriation

This is where you might need to be evacuated from the country you’re visiting.

Repatriation usually happens when you need to get back home to the UK in the event of a medical emergency and is usually covered as standard in most travel insurance policies.

3. Cancellation/curtailment

This covers any travel and accommodation costs you have paid for and can’t use or claim back.

You need a good reason to cancel your trip, so make sure you double check the terms and conditions of your policy.

4. Missed departure

This covers your extra accommodation costs and travel expenses should you miss your departure due to situations outside your control.

It usually includes your car breaking down or being involved in an accident. Leaving home at the last minute won’t count.

This covers you for delays to your travel plans, such as severe weather conditions.

Delays known about before (such as strikes) won’t be covered.

6. Baggage cover

This should cover you if your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.

You might need extra cover for gadgets or valuable possessions as there are usually limits on separate items.

Losses need to be reported within a certain time frame and you must have a written report from your airline if it loses your baggage.

7. Personal liability cover

This should cover you if you are liable to pay damages due to:

• Accidental bodily injury to someone
• Or for loss or damage to someone else’s property
• Claims made by family members or employees won’t be covered

Choose a smooth private healthcare journey with Saga Insurance

• Easy access to a specialist

• Fast tests, scans and treatment

• Comfortable hospital stay

Get a Saga Health Insurance quote

For people over 50. Saga Health Insurance is a unique product designed by us specifically for our customers, and it’s only available through us. Together with our underwriter, Bupa Insurance Limited, we are committed to providing high standards of quality and service. 

What extra cover can you buy?

To provide a peace of mind you might be able to add the following onto your policy too:

• Wedding cover – If you’re travelling abroad for a wedding, some providers might include an add-on which covers damage to your possessions. If you think you need something more comprehensive, then consider a separate wedding insurance policy
• Gadget insurance – While you’re abroad you may wish to cover your laptop, phone, or tablet from theft or damage
• Golf equipment cover – Planning to tee off abroad? Then consider cover for moving your clubs overseas. This type of add on includes cover for your equipment if it is lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged

Read more: Is credit card travel insurance any good?

What is not covered by travel insurance?

Travel insurance won’t cover you for a risk that is known about.

For example, if you have a long-standing medical condition that means you can’t go on holiday, your insurer might not cover you for the cancellation costs.

Insurers also won’t cover you if you have to cancel your trip for reasons within your control. For example, if you miss your flight because you woke up late, your claim is likely to be rejected.

Travel insurance is also unlikely to cover you if you have been irresponsible. For example, if you leave your valuables in your hold luggage then your policy won’t cover you if these items are damaged.

Each travel insurance policy will have specific things it won’t cover and this will vary depending on the provider. So it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully.

What types of travel insurance can you buy?

There are two main options to choose from when taking out a travel insurance policy:

• Single trip — covers you for one trip of a specified length only
• Annual multi-trip — covers you for all your trips for one year (if you travel a lot this can work out cheaper than lots of single policies)

You need to make sure that either option of travel insurance covers you for where you are going, such as:

• Europe only
• Or the more expensive, worldwide policies (these either include or exclude the US)

But check first which exact countries providers include in their policies. For example, some policies include Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt in their Europe insurance.

There is also specific travel insurance for backpackers, which offers extra cover for those who are likely to be away for an extended period of time or travelling to multiple destinations.

Also bear in mind that if you are doing any extreme sports like skiing or going on a cruise then you might need to buy an add-on.

When should I take out travel insurance?

It’s usually best to take out travel insurance as soon as you have booked your trip.

While many people think of travel insurance as something that covers problems while they are away, some policies cover you for issues, accidents and illnesses that stop you from being able to travel.

Cancellation is one of the main reasons that people claim on a travel insurance policy. If the cancellation happens before you have bought insurance then you wouldn’t be able to claim.

How much should I pay for travel insurance?

Your travel insurance premium will depend on a range of factors such as your age, health, type of policy, and destination. This is why an average travel insurance premium will likely be meaningless, so make sure to do your research and get a quote from several different providers before deciding on a policy.

Do I need travel insurance?

Unlike car insurance, travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement. However, it does come with a host of benefits such as cover for medical expenses.

We’ve already listed the benefits of having protection for unexpected medical costs above, and it remains pertinent if you’re travelling abroad and won’t have access to the NHS. According to the ABI, there is one recorded case in 2022 when a traveller in Thailand contracted a serious blood infection which needed intensive medical treatment. The bill eventually came up to £250,000 which was paid in full by their travel insurance provider.

Also consider that some visa applications require you to have a suitable travel insurance policy in place before you apply. If you’re applying for a Schengen visa to travel Europe you’ll need a policy in place which covers medical expenses up to €30,000 during your trip.

FAQs: Travel insurance and medical conditions

Many people solely take out travel insurance to protect themselves from medical expenses. According to the ABI, the average medical claim on travel cover is more than £1,300. Notoriously in the US, these figures run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds.

So below we’ve answered some of the most common medical related questions on travel insurance:

Q. Does travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Some insurers do provide cover for pre-existing conditions. However, it is vital that youflag these conditions during the application stage. If you don’t it could invalidate your policy.  

Q. Do you need to tell your travel insurance provider if you have a new medical condition?

If there is a significant change to your personal health then you’ll need to inform your travel insurance provider. This includes being diagnosed with a new long-term illness.

Failure to do so could invalidate your policy.

Q. Can you get travel insurance if you’re over 75 with medical conditions?

Yes. In fact, there are some providers on the market which tailor their policies towards an older demographic. For example, Saga has dedicated policies for over 50s and 70s.

* All products, brands or properties mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback, and are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. This article contains links from which we can earn revenue. This revenue helps us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. For more, see  How we make our money  and  Editorial promise

Important information

Some of the products promoted are from our affiliate partners from whom we receive compensation. While we aim to feature some of the best products available, we cannot review every product on the market.

What is travel insurance and is it worth it?

A technical issue with UK air traffic control systems left thousands of travellers facing long delays on one of the busiest days of the year in August. You have travel rights, so is it worth having travel insurance? Hundreds of flights were delayed and cancelled on bank holiday Monday due to the fault. The incident […]

Am I entitled to flight delay compensation?

In September, hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed due to a “technical issue” with UK air traffic control systems. It left hundreds of passengers stranded. Here we explain your rights when it comes to flight compensation. Air traffic control faults are classified as “extraordinary circumstances” and therefore airlines do not have to give you […]

Is credit card travel insurance any good?

We explain how travel insurance on credit card works and look at the pros and cons of using it. Some rewards credit cards offer travel insurance. However, your credit card is unlikely to give you all the cover you need as full medical insurance is not included. This article will cover: Related content: What are […]

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Best travel insurance UK 2024 guide

We all deserve a break now and then. And the last thing you want to think of when booking your holiday is something going wrong. But it’s better to be prepared than caught off guard. That’s why you should always consider travel insurance when going on a trip.

But how can you find the best travel insurance policy for your needs? Read our guide below to find out more.

Why do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance protects you financially if your trip away doesn’t go as planned and you incur unexpected expenses for delays, losses or medical treatment.

All travellers can benefit from travel insurance. But travel insurance is particularly important if you are going on an independent trip without a tour operator, because if something goes wrong, you will have no other help.

There are three main types of travel insurance:

• Single-trip cover: this is the most typical form of travel insurance, covering you for a one-off trip or holiday. There will be a time limit on the cover that can range anywhere between one month and 365 days
• Annual multi-trip cover: this allows you to make multiple trips, or have multiple holidays, in a 12-month period, all under the same travel insurance policy. There may be a cap on how long each individual trip can be
• Long stay, or backpacker, cover: this is normally used for around the world trips, gap years, and longer cruises, and can last for up to 18 months

To find the best UK travel insurance, compare policies before you go to ensure you get the right coverage for you and the specific trip you’re planning.

How to find the best travel insurance policy

When comparing policies to find the best travel insurance for your trip, you should consider: 

• Type of cover you need
• Excess (how much you’ll be expected to pay out yourself before the policy will cover you)
• Amount of medical coverage, and why pre-existing conditions aren’t included
• Limit on baggage claims
• Coverage for specific sports and activities
• Any potential rewards and discounts
• Add-ons, such as gadget insurance

Best travel insurance deals and discounts

Looking for the best travel insurance deals from the best travel insurance companies? In most cases, the easiest way to find the best travel insurance deals is to use a comparison website. Travel insurance comparison websites let you compare costs and coverage side by side to find the best UK travel insurance.

The four main comparison websites – Moneysupermarket, Comparethemarket, Confused.com and GoCompare – also often have certain deals and discounts when you buy travel insurance from them, offering some of the best travel insurance deals on the market.

Moneysupermarket : Find the same deal for less, and it will price match and give you a choice of a £20 gift card. Only on annual travel insurance.

Comparethemarket : Two for one cinema tickets with Meerkat Movies and savings at restaurants when you dine out or order pizza in with Meerkat Meals, as well as 25 per cent off coffee and pastries at Caffè Nero every day of the week through the Meerkat app.

(In November 2023, Confused.com and GoCompare had no deals or discounts for travel insurance).

Price is obviously a big consideration when you are looking for the best travel insurance – you’ve probably already spent a lot on your holiday. But you may be able to get much better coverage for just a few pounds extra, so it’s worth scrolling down the comparison site’s list of providers before buying.

Medical costs abroad will undoubtedly be the biggest expense you face if you fall ill abroad, so don’t scrimp on those.

Then think about your next biggest expense (probably cancellation/interruption of your trip) and make sure that you have high-value coverage for that.

If you find you can get much higher coverage (the maximum amount you can claim per type of claim, such as medical or baggage) for not very much more money, go for the slightly more expensive option.

Going direct

Comparison sites won’t always find you the cheapest deals, however. For example, Direct Line offers some of the best travel insurance with Covid cover and is not on comparison websites.

Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer discounts for buying directly from them, as follows:

Bundled coverage options

When looking for the best travel insurance for your holiday, it can make sense to buy a bundle of coverage under one policy.

Comparison websites will often offer add-on gadget cover, winter sports cover or cruise cover all under the one policy. If you need that extra cover, it is typically cheaper to buy your travel insurance this way rather than as separate policies.

What is covered by travel insurance?

The best travel insurance companies will offer you comprehensive coverage across all types of claims. It’s easy to compare the best travel insurance deals using a comparison website.

Medical coverage

This covers you for medical expenses you incur if you become ill or have an accident while away. The best UK travel insurance will have a high level of medical coverage.

For example, medical coverage will pay for any necessary treatment if you come down with severe food poisoning or you fall through a window and have to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.

• Avoid hefty bills or debt for medical assistance outside the UK
• Access better treatment – for example, at private vs public hospitals
• Often, as long as you declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests, you are covered if you fall ill during your trip (check policy exclusions)
• Even the best travel insurance companies will likely charge you more if you have a pre-existing medical condition
• You might have to pay part or all your medical expenses first, then claim on the policy afterwards
• Even the best travel insurance companies do not cover events that happen after you have consumed alcohol excessively or taken recreational drugs or other substances

Trip cancellation/interruption

This insurance pays out the cost of your missed trip if you have to cancel or cut your holiday short due to unforeseen circumstances.

For example, cancellation insurance would normally pay out if you broke your leg just before you were due to travel and had to cancel your trip.

Interruption insurance would cover you if you had to come home early for certain reasons beyond your control – for example, if the area you were staying in was engulfed in wildfires.

• Money you would have lost on pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses is paid to you under the policy
• It can be especially valuable if the trip you are planning is very expensive, as this is money you would lose if you couldn’t go
• You’ll usually only be covered if your trip is cancelled or cut short for specific reasons listed in your policy
• You usually won’t be covered if you miss your flight because you are held by customs or cancel because of a work issue or a pre-existing medical condition that is not covered

Baggage cover

This insurance covers the cost of replacing your luggage if it is lost or stolen.

For example, if an airline loses your luggage in transit or your suitcase is stolen from your hostel while you’re away, you can make a claim for the cost of replacing its contents.

You may also be able to claim for costs related to baggage delay if the airline temporarily misplaced your baggage.

• You can claim for the actual cash value of your belongings or the cost of replacing them (whichever is less)
• High-value items, such as jewellery or sports equipment, can be very expensive to replace without travel insurance
• Standard policies usually place per item and total limits on claims.
• If you are taking very expensive items away, check your policy carefully to ensure that you’re covered (and potentially get a separate policy)
• Some items could be covered by your home insurance policy, so check your policy carefully to see what is any isn’t. It’s also important to note that, should a lost item be covered by both policies, you can only claim once; an attempt to claim twice would be considered fraud

Personal liability

This insurance covers you if you are held responsible for harming another person or damaging their property.

For example, it covers you in situations where you cause serious damage to your holiday accommodation or accidentally stumble into someone else, causing them to need medical treatment.

• The cost of defending yourself in a legal case or repairing/replacing damage could be extremely costly without travel insurance
• Your travel insurance company will take over dealing with a foreign legal system
• You’re covered for the cost of any compensation (up to certain limits)

Limits: 

• Not all travel insurance provides personal liability as standard
• Policies may exclude personal liability while you partake in adventure activities
• Claims related to you committing a crime or damage by wilful negligence won’t be covered
• You likely will not be covered if you admit liability or make an offer to pay before talking to your insurer

Finding the best travel insurance with Covid cover

Looking for the best travel insurance with Covid cover? Many travel insurance policies now include cancellation cover for reasons related to Covid. This often applies within two weeks of being due to travel, according to the Association of British Insurers, but individual policies can vary.

To make a claim, insurers often require proof in the form of a medically approved positive Covid test. A lateral flow test or self-diagnosis is usually not accepted.

What Covid-related cover to look for

The best travel insurance with Covid cover should include the following:

• Cover if you can’t start your trip because you tested positive for Covid before travelling
• Cover if you or family members cannot return home because you/they test positive for Covid during the holiday
• Cover for additional costs, such as alternative flights, accommodation and Covid tests
• Cover if you cannot reach your final destination during transit due to Covid-19

Travel insurance providers with comprehensive Covid cover

Looking for the best travel insurance providers with Covid cover? Most travel insurance policies now offer some kind of Covid cover, but Churchill, Direct Line, M&S and Aviva have some of the most comprehensive offerings, with cover for cancellations and expenses related to Covid.

• Covid covered as standard on travel insurance policies
• Cover for trip cancellations if you, a close relative or a travelling companion is diagnosed with Covid-19 or another pandemic disease
• Cover if you or a person you’re planning to stay with must quarantine (abroad or in the UK)
• Cover if you can’t use pre-booked and pre-paid accommodation affected by Covid-19
• Cover for quarantine or where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel within 28 days of departure
• Cover for emergency medical expenses abroad due to Covid-19

Direct Line

• Cover for travel to a destination where the FCDO is advising against all but essential travel 
• Cover for medical expenses if you catch Covid-19 while you’re away 
• Cover for additional accommodation and transport if you have to quarantine due to Covid
• Cover for cancellation costs if you or a close relative get Covid-19 before you go
• Cover for quarantine or if the FCDO changes its advice after you book your trip
• Cover if you have to cut your trip short if the FCDO changes its country advice unexpectedly

• Cover for emergency medical expenses if you catch Covid-19 during your trip
• Cover for unrecoverable costs up to £6,000 if you must cancel your trip or return early, including if you have to self-isolate or quarantine before you travel due to Covid-19
• Cover for if you need to cancel your trip due to a positive Covid-19 test or if the FCDO advise against travel to your destination in the 31 days leading up to your trip
• Providing you haven’t travelled against FCDO advice, you’ll also be covered if you catch Covid-19 while abroad

• Coverage of up to £5,000 per person if you must cancel your trip due to getting Covid (you’ll need to provide confirmation and evidence of a positive test result)
• Cover for Covid-related emergency medical treatment and expenses while away
• Cover if you unexpectedly need to quarantine, including extra travel and accommodation costs to get home (provided a return trip was booked) 
• Cover for costs for any accommodation and excursions unused due to getting Covid where the costs can’t be recovered elsewhere
• No cover you if you travel against FCDO advice*
• No cover if you can’t travel because you don’t meet the entry requirements of a country (such as having had Covid vaccinations)*

* It’s worth noting that these clauses are not unusual and the majority of providers will have something similar

Tips for selecting the best UK travel insurance packages

Need some help picking the best UK travel insurance packages to make sure that you get the best travel insurance deals? Here are some tips for picking the best policy features for you.

Coverage limits

When looking for the best travel insurance companies to go with, check coverage limits. These are the maximum amounts your travel insurer will pay if you need to claim. You’ll see when you compare travel insurance policies that coverage limits vary for each type of claim and between policies.

The government-backed MoneyHelper website recommends that the best UK travel insurance should have the following minimum coverage for each type of claim:

• Medical: £1m or more for travel to Europe and £2m or more for the US
• Cancellation/interruption: £2,000 or more
• Missed departure: £500 or more
• Delay: £200 or more
• Baggage cover: £1,500 or more
• Personal liability cover: £2 million or more

Deductibles/excess

Deductibles, also known as the excess, is the amount you have to pay out of your own pocket before your travel insurance will start paying for your claim.

You have to make a trade-off when it comes to choosing the excess and the best travel insurance policy for you.

The lower the excess on a travel insurance policy, the better for you if you have to claim because you will have less to pay from your own pocket (or, more often, deducted from your claim).

But lower excess travel insurance policies are more expensive because the insurer knows it has more to pay out if you claim. Higher excess policies are cheaper, but you’ll have more deducted from your claim.

An exclusion on a travel insurance policy is an event the policy will not cover you for.

Common exclusions on a standard travel insurance policy may not be obvious. According to the ABTA – The Travel Association, these include:

• Incidents that occur after drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs
• Theft of unattended possessions
• Sports, extreme sports and activities such as skiing, white water rafting and bungee jumping
• Medical treatment resulting from existing medical conditions you have not declared or conditions preventable by vaccine or advisable medication, such as antimalarials
• Medical costs if you stay abroad after your doctor says you are fit to return to the UK
• Strikes and industrial action if it was known when you booked your trip
• Rescheduled flights where the airline has cancelled and then rescheduled your flight
• Travel to destinations where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel

To get the best travel insurance deals, one way around some of these exclusions is to buy add-ons for adventure activities. In addition, make sure to declare all pre-existing conditions and keep an eye out for any travel disruptions before you book.

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions are illnesses or medical conditions you have and are aware of before you travel.

Travel insurance companies will ask you to disclose any pre-existing conditions. If you use a comparison website, it will be among the first questions you’re asked before it shows you quotes. It’s important to be honest.

Some travel insurance companies, but not all, will offer cover for pre-existing medical conditions, while others will offer cover but exclude any claims arising from that medical condition. This will depend on the person being covered and the medical condition.

Most price comparison websites include an option to show insurers who do offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, so that would be a good place to start.

The following are likely to be considered pre-existing conditions you should disclose, according to the government-backed MoneyHelper website:

• A condition where you are on a list for an operation
• A condition where you are waiting for test results
• Anything you have been to the doctor about in the last year, including minor things
• Any serious conditions you’ve ever had – for example, cancer, heart trouble, respiratory problems or a mental health breakdown

A good tip for everyone, but especially if you have a pre-existing condition, is to buy your travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday. If your condition gets worse and forces you to cancel your plans, you’ll be covered from the day the policy starts.

On family group policies, the cost will be determined based on the riskiest traveller (according to insurers), which could be someone with a pre-existing condition or an older individual. In this case, it is often cheaper for the group for that person to get a separate policy.

Add-on options

Add-ons are extras you can purchase in addition to a standard travel insurance policy. They cost a bit more, but you may find you’re not covered without them. 

Gadget insurance

This covers things that a standard policy may not, such as your mobile phone or laptop. If these items are covered, you may find the claim limits are far less than the cost of replacing them.

Before you add this option to your travel insurance, check your home insurance policy, because you may already be covered.

Winter sports/adventure activities

Riskier activities, such as skiing or white water rafting, often require extra holiday insurance because insurers think that you are more likely to need to make a claim doing these things.

Winter sports/adventure activities cover is worth getting, or you may find you are not covered for medical expenses if something goes wrong.

Standard travel insurance is generally meant for land-based holidays so you’ll need to opt for a specialist cruise policy if your holiday is a cruise.

European FCDO travel advice extension

Most standard travel insurance policies are invalid if you travel when the FCDO advises against “all but essential travel”.

This add-on allows you to travel to Europe with a valid travel insurance policy, even if the FCDO has advised against it.

This can be an expensive add-on, but if you really must travel to a risky area, you will need this extension in order to make sure you have cover.

Best holiday insurance summary

Choosing the right travel insurance is an essential part of enjoying peace of mind while you are on holiday.

When looking for the best travel insurance deals, don’t just pick the cheapest policy. Instead, look for the cover limits that match your requirements. For example, baggage cover of £5,000 isn’t worth having if your baggage is worth £1,000; cancellation cover up to £10,000 isn’t worth having if your holiday cost you £2,000.

The easiest way to compare the best travel insurance is usually by using a travel insurance comparison website.

Think about the sort of activities you’ll be doing while you’re away. You may need extra holiday insurance for things such as winter sports or scuba diving or if you are going on a cruise.

Be honest about any pre-existing conditions when buying your travel insurance, or you won’t be covered if you have to claim.

The best travel insurance is a safety net for you and your family to enjoy your trip away stress-free, knowing that you’re covered for everything from medical expenses to cancellations if things go wrong.

Frequently asked questions about the best travel insurance UK packages

Is travel insurance necessary for domestic travel within the uk.

Even where medical costs in the UK are covered by the NHS, a sudden illness could lead to other expenses, forcing you to cancel your trip, the costs of which travel insurance would cover.

Lost or stolen luggage and broken gadgets or other claims for damage can just as easily occur in the UK as abroad.

What is annual travel insurance, and is it a good option for frequent travellers?

Annual travel insurance is a policy that covers you for multiple trips away within any 12-month period. It is often cheaper than buying a separate policy for each trip if you are planning to go away multiple times in one year.

Annual travel insurance is also useful if you are planning a long trip visiting several countries, as often insurers require you to buy travel insurance before you leave the UK rather than abroad mid-trip.

Are there any travel insurance companies that specialise in certain types of trips or travellers?

Specialist travel insurers cater to specific groups of people. It can make sense to seek out travel insurers that cover your needs.

Adventures Insurance, Sports Cover Direct and Snowcard tailor their travel insurance to those who enjoy activity holidays and extreme sports, for example.

Senior travellers are the focus of policies from All Clear, Avanti, Co-op Insurance Services, Free Spirit Flex, Good 2 Go Extra, Goodtogo Insurance, Saga, Staysure and Total Travel Protection.

Insurers offering business trip cover include Allianz, Direct Line, Coverwise and Insure & Go.

How do I make a claim with my travel insurance company?

To claim on your travel insurance while you are away, make sure that you take your policy number with you and the emergency number for your insurer. If you are travelling abroad, take any international numbers too.

Call your insurer as soon as you realise you need to make a claim. Keep all receipts and medical expense forms. If you are travelling with other people, make them aware of your policy details and the insurer’s phone number in case they need to call on your behalf.

To make a claim when you return home, check the following:

• You haven’t left it too late to make a claim
• What you’re claiming for is covered
• The excess is not more than the value of your claim (if so, it’s not worth claiming)

Notify your insurer as soon as possible for a claim form, send it back fast and keep a copy of it. You should also include copies of paperwork to support your claim, such as receipts or medical certificates (keep copies of the originals in case your claim is queried or refused).

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a freelance journalist, editor, and producer. She has a wealth of consumer finance experience, having written about money matters and business for over 15 years.

During her tenure as a freelance writer, she has worked for ITN, Wired, and The Sunday Times, as well as financial institutions such as Aegon, the Chartered Insurance Institute, and Pension Bee, where she’s presenter of the Pension Confident Podcast.

Laura has previously held roles at The Times, where she was the Acting Editor of Times Money Mentor, The Telegraph as a senior finance reporter and was the co-host of the It’s Your Money Podcast, which was renowned for making complex finance issues accessible, and The Financial Times, where she worked as a News Editor. Laura has also worked at CNN, Politics.co.uk, and as a producer at Radio 5 Live.

Connor Campbell

Connor Campbell is an experienced personal and business finance writer who has been producing online content for almost a decade. 

Connor is the personal finance expert for Independent Advisor, guiding readers through everything they need to know about car insurance and home insurance. From how much it costs to the best insurance providers in the UK, he’s here to help you find the right policy for your needs. 

In his capacity as writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet , Connor explored a number of topics close to his heart, such as the impact of our increasingly cashless society, and the hardships and heroics of British entrepreneurs. His commentary was featured in sites such as The Mirror , the Daily Express and Business Insider . 

At financial trading firm Spreadex, meanwhile, his market commentary was featured in outlets such as The Guardian , BBC , Reuters and the Evening Standard . 

Connor is a voracious reader with an MA in English, and is dedicated to making life’s financial decisions a little bit easier by doing away with jargon and needless complexity.

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