Travel insurance: what you actually need
Cheap travel insurance is easy to find — but the wrong policy can leave you with a huge bill abroad. This guide explains the cover limits that matter, pre-existing conditions, the GHIC, and single vs annual policies.
Emergency medical cover comes first
The single most important part of travel insurance is emergency medical cover. A serious illness or accident abroad — hospital treatment plus repatriation home — can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds. Look for at least £2 million in Europe and £5–£10 million worldwide, especially for the USA where healthcare is extremely expensive. This is the cover you buy travel insurance for; everything else is secondary.
Cancellation, baggage and liability
Cancellation cover should at least match your total prepaid trip cost (flights, hotels, tours) so you're reimbursed if you can't travel for a covered reason. Baggage cover (£1,500–£2,500) replaces lost or stolen belongings, with single-item limits to check for valuables. Personal liability (around £2m) protects you if you injure someone or damage property. Add-ons like gadget, winter-sports or cruise cover suit specific trips.
Pre-existing conditions and the GHIC
You must declare pre-existing medical conditions — failing to can void a claim. Conditions raise the premium but ensure you're actually covered. The free GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card, the successor to the EHIC) gives access to state healthcare in the EU at the same cost as locals, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance — it doesn't cover repatriation, private treatment or non-EU countries. Carry both.
Declare everything
Single trip vs annual multi-trip
A single-trip policy covers one journey and is cheapest for occasional travellers. An annual multi-trip policy covers unlimited trips in a year (each up to a maximum length, often 31 days) and works out cheaper if you travel two or three times or more annually. Buy cover as soon as you book, not just before you fly — cancellation cover only protects you for the period you're insured.
Common mistakes
- Buying on price, not medical limit. A cheap policy with low medical cover is a false economy abroad. Check the medical limit first.
- Not declaring conditions. Non-disclosure voids claims. Declare every pre-existing condition, even managed ones.
- Relying on the GHIC alone. It only covers state care in the EU — no repatriation, no USA, no private treatment.
- Buying too late. Cancellation cover starts when you buy. Insure when you book to protect deposits.