Top Travel Insurance Providers: Compare, Save & Travel Worry-Free!
If you plan to travel internationally this year, having travel insurance can protect you from costly unforeseen events. Below, we outline key factors to consider when selecting a policy and highlight some of the top travel insurance providers available.
Whether you’re heading overseas for a brief city escape or an extended beach vacation, it’s wise to think about purchasing travel insurance. This coverage can ensure your safe return home if your flight is canceled due to adverse weather conditions or cover additional hotel stays while you wait for conditions to improve. Beyond that, it also offers protection for lost baggage, medical expenses, and various other potential issues.
In this article we explain:
What is travel insurance?
What does travel insurance cover?
Do I need travel insurance?
How to buy travel insurance
The best travel insurance
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance provides financial protection for unexpected events or accidents that may occur before or during your trip. The specific coverage can vary depending on the policy, but it often includes:
- Medical expenses if you fall ill or get injured while traveling
- Trip cancellation due to circumstances beyond your control
- Loss, theft, or damage to your luggage
There are two primary types of travel insurance policies to consider:
- Single trip insurance : This covers you for a specific journey with defined duration.
- Annual multi-trip insurance : This offers coverage for all your travels over a year, which might be more cost-effective if you travel frequently compared to purchasing multiple single-trip policies.
It’s crucial to ensure your insurance is valid in the destination you’re visiting. In the UK, insurers typically offer:
- Coverage for Europe only
- Worldwide coverage, which tends to be more expensive and may either include or exclude the US
In 2023, British travelers filed 574,000 travel insurance claims, with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reporting an average payout of £890 per claim. While travel insurance can’t prevent mishaps, it can alleviate the financial burden of unforeseen expenses that may arise even after your trip concludes.
What does travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance is a popular choice for many individuals to ensure they are covered for possible medical expenses while traveling. According to the ABI, approximately 3,000 British travelers require emergency medical treatment each week while abroad. In 2023, the average medical claim amounted to £1,724, though some claims were significantly higher. For instance, one insurer paid £25,000 for repatriation and medical costs after a traveler was injured in a forest fire.
However, travel insurance isn’t solely about medical coverage; it also provides protection against various unexpected situations:
- Cancellation or interruption of your trip due to circumstances beyond your control
- Missed transportation or delayed departures for reasons out of your hands
- Personal injury or death, including medical evacuation if necessary
- Loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings such as baggage, passports, and money (note that some items might also be covered under home contents insurance)
- Accidental damage or injury caused by you to others or their property
This comprehensive coverage helps safeguard travelers from a wide range of unforeseen events that could otherwise result in significant financial burdens.
What is not covered by travel insurance?
Travel insurance does not provide coverage for risks that are already known. For instance, if a pre-existing medical condition prevents you from going on vacation, your insurer may not reimburse cancellation costs. Additionally, insurers will not cover cancellations due to reasons within your control, such as missing a flight because you overslept, as such claims are typically rejected.
You also won’t be covered if you act irresponsibly. This includes leaving valuables in checked luggage or making claims related to alcohol or drug use. Most standard policies also exclude risky activities like horse riding, mountain climbing, or skiing. However, you can often add coverage for these activities, such as purchasing winter sports coverage for skiing, but it’s essential to verify this with your provider.
Each policy has its own exclusions, which can differ based on the insurer. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions to understand what is not covered.
Do I need travel insurance?
While travel insurance is not legally required like car insurance, it offers numerous advantages, such as protection against medical emergencies abroad. The expenses associated with overseas medical care can escalate quickly, particularly when repatriation to the UK is necessary. In 2022, for example, a traveler in Thailand developed a severe blood infection requiring intensive treatment, resulting in a total bill of £250,000—fully covered by their travel insurance provider, according to the ABI.
It’s also important to consider the potential costs of replacing lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal belongings. Additionally, if your holiday company were to go out of business before your trip, you could face significant financial losses. Travel insurance can provide coverage for all these scenarios, offering peace of mind and financial protection.
How to buy travel insurance
You can purchase a travel insurance policy either directly from an insurer or via a comparison website. Using a comparison site can be more convenient, as it allows you to quickly review multiple policy options at once.
If you have a pre-existing health condition, plan to engage in activities not covered by a standard policy, or are 65 years of age or older, you might need a specialist insurer. A list of such insurers is available on the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) website.
The cost of your premium will vary based on several factors, including your age, health status, type of policy, and travel destination. Because of these variables, an average premium figure may not be relevant to your situation. Therefore, it’s important to conduct thorough research and obtain quotes from multiple providers before selecting a policy.
What are my rights during strike action or travel disruption?
What are my rights during a strike?
If your flight is canceled due to strike action, you may be eligible for compensation from the airline, but this only applies if passengers received less than 14 days’ notice. Additionally, whether you receive compensation depends on who is at fault—if the strike involves the airline’s own staff, you are generally entitled to compensation.
If you’re concerned about potential flight delays or cancellations, it’s a good idea to review your travel insurance policy. Some policies cover delayed or canceled flights, as long as the policy was purchased before the strikes were announced. However, if you haven’t yet bought travel insurance, you might not be covered, as most insurers do not provide coverage for strikes that were already publicized at the time of purchase.
The best travel insurance
Below, we have highlighted some of the top travel insurance providers available, all of which were recognized in the Times Money Mentor awards 2024.
You can either click on “Go to provider site” to learn more or purchase a policy from one of our recommended providers, or select “Compare travel insurance” to explore a comprehensive comparison of quotes tailored to your needs.
If you’re searching for a travel insurance policy customized to your specific trip, Santander offers additional options that allow you to create a unique plan. You can include extras like winter sports coverage, excess car insurance, or cruise protection to suit your needs.
Additionally, if you hold a World Elite Mastercard (a credit card available only to selected customers), you’ll enjoy a 40% discount on your insurance premium.
RAC is well-known for its breakdown cover, but its travel insurance also receives high praise. The most basic plan, called Orange cover, offers up to £3,000 for trip cancellation and provides up to £10 million for medical expenses. On the other hand, the priciest option, Black cover, includes unlimited coverage for medical claims.
There are also some specialized features worth mentioning. You can add optional extras to your policy, such as gadget insurance, and there are tailored options available for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.
Additionally, if you already have a breakdown policy with RAC, you may be eligible for a 25% discount on your travel insurance premium.
If you opt for Beneden Health, you can choose from three coverage levels: Gold, Gold +, and Platinum. Unlike other insurance providers, all options offer the same core benefits. The main reason to upgrade to a higher-tier plan is to increase coverage limits or eliminate excess payments when making a claim.
For instance, the Gold plan offers up to £10 million annually for medical expenses, while the Platinum plan provides unlimited coverage in this area.
Staysure offers tiered travel insurance options, making it a suitable choice for travelers with different budget requirements.
The basic plan provides coverage for medical emergencies up to £5 million, a £129 excess, and £300 for travel delays. By choosing the next tier, called Comprehensive, these benefits are enhanced to include unlimited medical emergency cover, a reduced excess of £99, and £1,500 for travel delays.
It’s worth noting upfront that this insurance is exclusively available to Coutts & Co current account holders. Given that the provider focuses on private banking clients, this offering is limited to a select group of individuals.
If you are eligible, the policy includes several key benefits, such as unlimited medical coverage, up to £1,000 for single-trip baggage compensation, and cancellation coverage of up to £15,000.
For Coutts & Co customers with over £1 million in savings, the insurance is provided free of charge. However, other eligible clients must pay an annual fee of £400 to access the coverage.
Other noteworthy providers
Although they didn’t receive a nomination in the Times Money Mentor awards, these providers still offer solid travel insurance policies worth considering.
Faye travel insurance is exclusively available to US-based readers and provides extensive global coverage. The policies are customized to suit the specifics of your trip, whether it’s for domestic travel, international visits, or cruises.
For international trips, the coverage includes up to $250,000 for medical expenses, $500,000 for medical evacuations, and coverage for certain pre-existing medical conditions.
Additionally, there are various optional add-ons available, such as coverage for veterinary bills if you travel with a pet and protection for extreme sports activities.
Admiral provides three tiers of travel insurance: Admiral, Admiral Gold, and Admiral Platinum, which is rated five stars by Defaqto.
You can opt for Single Trip Insurance, covering trips of up to 365 days, or Annual Multi-Trip Insurance, allowing unlimited trips with a maximum duration of 31 days per trip.
All policies offer access to a 24/7 emergency medical helpline for added reassurance. The Platinum tier includes emergency medical and repatriation coverage up to £20 million, along with a personal belongings limit of £2,500. Each coverage level comes with varying limits to suit your requirements, and you can enhance your policy with optional add-ons like Gadget Cover and Excess Waiver for additional peace of mind.
Please note that limits and exclusions apply.
Switched On provides three coverage options: standard, premium, and ultimate. The ultimate plan is the most costly, offering the highest coverage limits and the lowest mandatory excess. However, apart from these differences, there are no significant additional features compared to the standard plan.
One reason we appreciate Switched On is that all its holiday insurance policies include Gadget cover as a standard feature. Additionally, the insurer evaluates all medical conditions and offers a 24/7 emergency helpline for policyholders.
LATEST OFFER: Save £75 per person per week* when you book an all-inclusive holiday with Saga using the promo code SAVE75.
Saga’s Hosted Holidays provide complete packages that include flights, meals, a dedicated Saga host during your stay, and optional travel insurance. By applying the code SAVE75 at checkout, you can enjoy a discount of £75 per person per week on these holidays.
About Saga: Saga Travel Insurance is specifically designed for individuals aged 50 and over, with no upper age restriction. It offers coverage for most pre-existing medical conditions, up to £20,000 for trip cancellation, and up to £20 million for emergency medical expenses.
*The £75 per person per week discount applies to all Saga Hosted Holidays departing between 1 February and 31 July 2025. This offer is valid for new bookings only, made between 1-28 February 2025, and cannot be combined with other promotions or applied retrospectively. To take advantage of this deal, book by 28 February 2025 and use the promo code SAVE75 when booking online.
Battleface provides three types of insurance: single-trip coverage, annual travel insurance, and corporate travel insurance.
The corporate option is particularly suitable for small businesses traveling internationally, as it offers customized policies based on the nature of the trip. For example, a non-profit organization offering aid in a foreign country would receive a different policy compared to a company traveling for a business meeting in a city.
Additionally, Battleface’s personal travel insurance has been awarded five stars by Defaqto, highlighting its quality and comprehensiveness.
LATEST OFFER: Get a 5% discount on your premium! Use the code CFU5AMT at checkout when purchasing an annual multi-trip policy to receive this discount.
About Cover for You: Cover for You is an award-winning insurance provider offering single-trip, multi-trip, and backpacker insurance. Unlike some providers that restrict coverage to Europe, Cover for You offers global coverage, excluding only Afghanistan, Cuba, Liberia, and Sudan.
After signing up, you’ll gain access to Cover for You’s members’ club, where you can enjoy exclusive discounts with popular retailers like Tesco and Apple.
Expert travel advice and inspiration
Get expert travel guidance and inspiration to plan your next adventure. With insights from our award-winning travel writers, make well-informed choices for your upcoming trips. Whether you’re considering city getaways, beach vacations, cruises, or safaris, discover new ways to experience the world.
The best travel insurance for cruises
If you’re planning a cruise, it’s essential to consider taking out specialized additional coverage, such as cruise insurance, for protection. Cruise insurance is typically available as an add-on to standard travel policies and covers situations like missing connections to board the ship, failing to return on time after shore excursions, or being confined to your cabin during the trip.
If you prefer a dedicated travel insurance policy specifically for your cruise, here’s a potential option to explore.
Why we recommend it: Just Travel Cover acts as a broker providing travel insurance policies from various insurers. Their Unity Gold plan offers exceptional coverage for cruise travelers. Notably, the cabin confinement coverage provides £150 per day, with a maximum of £1,500, surpassing most other options. It has earned a five-star rating in our cruise cover evaluations, and Just Travel Cover also boasts a silver customer experience rating.
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