Minimum cover levels by destination
Europe
Medical: £2 million minimum
Cancellation: £1,500 minimum
Baggage: £1,000 minimum
Repatriation: included
Personal liability: £1 million
USA and Canada
Medical: £10 million minimum
Cancellation: £5,000 minimum
Baggage: £2,000 minimum
Repatriation: unlimited
Personal liability: £2 million
Africa and long-haul
Medical: £5 million minimum
Cancellation: £3,000 minimum
Baggage: £1,500 minimum
Repatriation: unlimited
Emergency evacuation: included
Reasons claims are most commonly rejected
1.Travelling against official government advice. Your policy is void if your government advises against travel to your destination
2.Pre-existing conditions not declared. Always disclose every medical condition, even if it seems irrelevant or is well controlled
3.Activity exclusions: standard policies exclude skiing, scuba diving, motorbike riding and many adventure sports
4.Unattended baggage: most policies will not pay for theft if your bag was left unattended, even briefly
5.No police report: theft claims require a police report filed within 24 hours in most cases
6.Alcohol-related incidents: many policies exclude incidents where the claimant was under the influence
Common questions
When should I buy travel insurance?
Buy insurance as soon as you make any non-refundable booking, not just before you travel. Cancellation cover only protects bookings made after the policy was purchased. If you book flights in January and take out insurance in June, your January flights are not covered for cancellation. Buy the policy on the day you make your first booking.
Is travel insurance required for a Schengen visa?
Yes. Travel insurance with a minimum of 30,000 euros medical cover is a mandatory requirement for Schengen visa applications. Most standard travel insurance policies meet or exceed this. You must provide proof of insurance as part of your visa application, and the policy must cover the entire Schengen area for the full duration of your stay.
Does my bank account include travel insurance?
Many packaged current accounts include annual travel insurance as a benefit. Check your account terms before buying separately as you may already be covered. However, always read the policy carefully: bank account travel insurance sometimes has lower limits, stricter pre-existing condition exclusions and specific activation requirements.
What is the difference between single trip and annual travel insurance?
Single trip insurance covers one specific journey and is generally better value if you travel once or twice a year. Annual multi-trip insurance covers unlimited trips within a 12-month period (usually up to 30 or 45 days per trip) and typically becomes better value from three or more trips per year. Annual policies also remove the risk of forgetting to buy insurance for a spontaneous trip.
Do I need travel insurance if I have a GHIC card?
Yes. The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) gives UK travellers access to state healthcare in European countries at the same cost as local residents. It does not cover private treatment, repatriation home, trip cancellation, lost baggage, or any of the other risks travel insurance covers. Think of the GHIC as a supplement to travel insurance, not a replacement for it.