Travel Insurance Guide UK 2026

Types of UK Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

1. Medical emergency: Call your insurer's 24-hour emergency number immediately. They can pre-authorise treatment and arrange hospital payment, avoiding large upfront bills.
2. Theft or loss: Report to local police within 24 hours and get a crime reference number — this is essential for any claim.
3. Flight delays: Get written confirmation from the airline of the delay and reason.
4. Cancellation: Get evidence of the reason (e.g., doctor's letter, death certificate) and proof of non-refundable costs paid.
5. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides