Types of travel insurance, what is covered, how much it costs, pre-existing conditions, the GHIC and how to make a claim.
Travel Insurance Cost Estimator
Get an estimated cost range. Actual quotes will vary — compare on a price comparison site for exact figures.
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Types of UK Travel Insurance
Single Trip
Covers one specific trip from departure to return. Most cost-effective if you travel once or twice per year.
From ~£5 (EU weekend)
Annual Multi-Trip
Covers unlimited trips in a 12-month period (usually max 31–45 days per trip). Best value for frequent travellers.
From ~£60/year (EU family)
Backpacker / Long-Stay
Designed for extended travel, gap years or working holidays. Usually covers 3–18 months of continuous travel.
~£200–£400 (6 months)
Winter Sports Add-On
Standard policies exclude skiing and snowboarding. A winter sports add-on covers on-piste accidents, equipment and piste closure.
+£20–£50 per policy
Cruise Insurance
Specialist cover for cruises including missed departure, cabin confinement due to illness and itinerary changes.
~£40–£100+
Business Travel Insurance
Covers business equipment, business trip cancellation and higher personal liability limits for work-related travel.
From ~£80/year
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
Medical Expenses (Most Important)
Medical cover is the single most important element of travel insurance. Costs abroad can be staggering:
USA/Canada: A broken leg + surgery can cost £50,000–£150,000
Air ambulance repatriation: £20,000–£50,000
Europe (outside EU GHIC countries): Costs still significant
Asia, Middle East: Private hospital bills can reach tens of thousands
Look for minimum £5 million medical cover for US travel and £2 million for Europe.
Cancellation and Curtailment
Covers non-refundable costs if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to covered reasons (illness, bereavement, redundancy). Typical cover: £2,000–£10,000. The reason for cancellation must be specified in your policy.
Baggage and Personal Belongings
Covers lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal items. Check single-item limits carefully — many policies limit individual items to £250–£500. Expensive items (camera, laptop, jewellery) may need to be declared or covered separately on home insurance.
Personal Liability
Covers you if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property abroad. Minimum £1–2 million recommended. Particularly important for activities where accidents can affect others.
Travel Delay and Missed Departure
Compensation for delays over a set threshold (usually 4–12 hours) and for missed connections. Amounts are typically modest (£20–£30 per hour) but can cover accommodation and food costs.
GHIC: What It Does and Does Not Cover
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is free and available to all UK residents from the NHS website. Apply at: www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/
What GHIC Covers
The GHIC gives UK residents access to state-provided healthcare in EU countries at the same cost as local residents. This means you get the same standard of public healthcare a local citizen would receive, which in most EU countries is very good.
What GHIC Does NOT Cover
Private medical treatment (which may be the only option in some areas)
Repatriation to the UK by air ambulance
Cancellation or curtailment of your trip
Baggage, money or personal liability
Travel delays
Any cover outside EU/EEA countries
Never rely on GHIC alone. It is a useful supplement to travel insurance, not a replacement. Always take out a full travel insurance policy when travelling, even within the EU.
Key Travel Insurance Exclusions to Watch
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
This is the most significant exclusion. You must declare all pre-existing conditions when buying travel insurance. If you do not declare a condition and make a medical claim related to it (or even unrelated in some policies), the insurer may refuse to pay. Declared conditions may result in a higher premium, an exclusion for that specific condition, or in some cases a declined application. Specialist insurers cover most conditions at reasonable rates.
Age Limits
Many standard policies have age limits of 70 or 75. Over this age, specialist senior travel insurance is needed and premiums rise significantly. Some policies have no age limit but charge accordingly.
Adventure and Extreme Sports
Standard policies typically exclude or limit cover for adventure activities. Activities that often need a specialist add-on or separate policy:
Skiing and snowboarding (most policies, need winter sports add-on)
Scuba diving below certain depths
Bungee jumping, skydiving, white water rafting
Motorbike riding above a certain engine size
Rock climbing and mountaineering
Alcohol and Drug-Related Incidents
Most policies exclude claims arising from incidents where you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This commonly catches out travellers who have an accident after drinking.
FCDO Travel Advice
If the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to a destination, travel insurance will typically be invalidated for that destination. Always check FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before booking.
Pandemics and Epidemics
Coverage varies widely between insurers. Since COVID-19, more policies now include pandemic cover, but always read the specific wording. Some cover cancellation due to illness from a pandemic; others do not.
Travel Insurance Cost Guide 2026
Trip Type
Who
Approx Cost
UK weekend break (domestic)
Solo
£5–£12
Europe 1-week holiday
Solo adult
£10–£25
Europe 1-week holiday
Family
£25–£60
Annual multi-trip, Europe
Solo
£35–£70
Annual multi-trip, Europe
Family
£60–£120
Annual multi-trip, Worldwide
Solo
£60–£130
Annual multi-trip, Worldwide
Family
£80–£200
USA 2-week holiday
Couple
£60–£120
Backpacker 6-months worldwide
Solo
£200–£400
Winter sports add-on (1 week)
Solo
£15–£30
Cruise 7-night Mediterranean
Couple
£40–£90
Over-70s Europe 1-week
Solo
£30–£80+
Prices are indicative 2026 estimates. Always compare on a price comparison site for accurate personalised quotes.
When to Buy and How to Make a Claim
Buy at the Time of Booking
The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as you book your trip, not just before you travel. Buying early means you are covered for cancellation from day one. If you develop an illness or if something goes wrong in the weeks before departure, you are covered if your insurance is already in place. If you wait until the day before, you only have cover from that point.
How to Make a Travel Insurance Claim
Medical emergency: Call your insurer's 24-hour emergency number immediately. They can pre-authorise treatment and arrange hospital payment, avoiding large upfront bills.
Theft or loss: Report to local police within 24 hours and get a crime reference number — this is essential for any claim.
Flight delays: Get written confirmation from the airline of the delay and reason.
Cancellation: Get evidence of the reason (e.g., doctor's letter, death certificate) and proof of non-refundable costs paid.
Keep all receipts for emergency purchases (clothing, toiletries if baggage delayed).
FCDO Travel Advice: Always Check
Before booking any overseas trip, check the FCDO travel advice page for your destination at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. If the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel to a destination, travel insurance is typically invalid and you should not book or should cancel your trip.
Top tip: Taking an annual multi-trip policy rather than single trip insurance is more economical if you take three or more trips per year, and it removes the inconvenience of remembering to arrange insurance each time you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need travel insurance for Europe if I have a GHIC?
Yes, absolutely. The GHIC gives access to state healthcare in EU countries at local rates, but it does not cover private treatment, repatriation, trip cancellation, baggage loss, travel delay or personal liability. Always buy a full travel insurance policy even when you carry a GHIC. The GHIC is a useful supplement, not a replacement for travel insurance.
How much does travel insurance cost in the UK?
Travel insurance costs range from around £5–15 for a short European single trip to £200–400 for 6-month backpacker cover. A typical annual multi-trip European family policy costs £60–120 per year. US travel insurance is much more expensive (£60–120 for a 2-week couple's trip) due to the very high cost of medical care in America.
Do I need to declare pre-existing medical conditions for travel insurance?
Yes, and this is critical. You must declare all pre-existing medical conditions honestly. Failure to declare can invalidate your entire policy. A declared condition may result in a higher premium, an exclusion for that condition, or a declined application (for very high-risk conditions). Specialist providers cover most conditions, often at reasonable rates.
When should I buy travel insurance?
Buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. This protects you against cancellation from the moment of purchase. If you only buy just before you travel, you miss weeks or months of cancellation cover. If you fall ill or there is an incident after you book but before you take out insurance, you will not be covered.
What is the difference between single trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance?
Single trip covers one specific journey from your home to your destination and back. Annual multi-trip covers unlimited trips within a 12-month period, usually with a maximum trip length of 31 or 45 days per trip. Annual policies are usually better value if you travel two or more times a year and save the inconvenience of re-arranging insurance each time.
What does travel insurance NOT cover?
Common exclusions include: undeclared pre-existing medical conditions, alcohol or drug-related incidents, adventure sports not covered under your policy tier, travel to FCDO-advised 'do not travel' destinations, incidents from illegal activities, losses above single item limits, and (for some policies) COVID-19 or pandemic-related cancellation. Always read the policy wording carefully before buying.
Is travel insurance worth it for a European holiday?
Yes, without question. A week's European family policy costs as little as £25–60 — a trivial sum compared to a £2,000–5,000 holiday that could be cancelled, or a medical bill that could reach tens of thousands even within Europe. The GHIC helps with basic public healthcare, but does not cover repatriation, private treatment, cancellation or baggage claims. Travel insurance is essential, not optional.
MB
Mustafa Bilgic
Financial content writer at UK Calculator. Covers insurance, travel finance and personal finance topics. Updated 20 February 2026.