Types of travel insurance, what is covered, how much it costs, pre-existing conditions, the GHIC and how to make a claim.
Get an estimated cost range. Actual quotes will vary — compare on a price comparison site for exact figures.
Covers one specific trip from departure to return. Most cost-effective if you travel once or twice per year.
Covers unlimited trips in a 12-month period (usually max 31–45 days per trip). Best value for frequent travellers.
Designed for extended travel, gap years or working holidays. Usually covers 3–18 months of continuous travel.
Standard policies exclude skiing and snowboarding. A winter sports add-on covers on-piste accidents, equipment and piste closure.
Specialist cover for cruises including missed departure, cabin confinement due to illness and itinerary changes.
Covers business equipment, business trip cancellation and higher personal liability limits for work-related travel.
Medical cover is the single most important element of travel insurance. Costs abroad can be staggering:
Look for minimum £5 million medical cover for US travel and £2 million for Europe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Standard policies typically exclude or limit cover for adventure activities. Activities that often need a specialist add-on or separate policy:
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.
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.
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.
| 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.
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.
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.
This calculator provides estimates for UK travellers using current rates, exchange rates, and travel regulations. Whether you are planning a holiday, business trip, or gap year, understanding costs upfront helps you budget accurately and avoid unexpected expenses abroad.
UK passport holders benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries, though requirements changed after Brexit for EU travel. Always check the latest entry requirements on the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) website before booking.
UK passport renewal costs £82.50 (online) or £93 (postal). The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) provides free or reduced-cost medical treatment in EU countries. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, with comprehensive cover typically costing £30-80 for a European trip and £60-150 for worldwide cover. Duty-free allowances from non-EU countries: 200 cigarettes, 1 litre spirits, £390 of goods.
A family holiday to Spain for 2 adults and 2 children: flights approximately £800, accommodation £1,200 (7 nights), travel insurance £80, spending money £700, airport transfers £120. Total estimated cost: £2,900. Using a fee-free travel card instead of bureau de change saves approximately 3-5% on currency exchange, worth £35-50 on this trip.
Source: Based on current travel costs and FCDO guidance. Last updated March 2026.
Data verified against official UK government sources. Last checked April 2026.