Travel insurance is one of the most commonly skipped but most financially important purchases before any trip. A medical emergency abroad can run into tens of thousands of pounds. In the US, a week in hospital can cost £100,000 or more. The right policy costs £10–£15 for a short European trip — and the wrong choice (or no insurance at all) can be catastrophic.
Here is how to compare travel insurance and find the best deal for your trip.
Annual vs Single Trip — Which Should You Buy?
| Annual multi-trip | Single trip | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £50–£200/year | £10–£80 per trip |
| Number of trips | Unlimited in 12 months | One trip only |
| Max trip length | Usually 31–45 days per trip | Policy period |
| Best for | 2+ trips per year | One-off holiday |
| Risk of forgetting cover | None — always covered | High — must buy before each trip |
Rule of thumb: if you travel twice or more per year, annual cover almost always works out cheaper and is simpler.
What Cover Levels to Compare
| Cover type | Recommended minimum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Medical expenses | £2m Europe / £5m worldwide | US hospital costs alone can exceed £50k per week |
| Emergency repatriation | Included in medical | Getting you home can cost £30k+ |
| Cancellation/curtailment | £5,000+ | Covers prepaid trip cost if you cannot travel |
| Baggage and personal effects | £2,000+ (single item limit matters) | Laptops, cameras, jewellery have item sub-limits |
| Travel delay | £200+ after 12 hours | Compensation for significant delays |
| Personal liability | £2m | If you accidentally injure someone abroad |
| Missed departure | Included | If you miss a connection due to transport failure |
Provider Comparison — Key Attributes
| Provider | Strength | Pre-existing conditions | Annual policy (typical) | Medical limit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXA Travel Insurance | Broad cover, good claims | Covered for extra premium | £60–£120 Europe | £10m | Most travellers; reliable claims |
| Aviva | Strong financial rating | Declare and cover available | £70–£140 Europe | £15m | Comprehensive cover seekers |
| Admiral | Competitive pricing | Standard exclusions apply | £50–£100 Europe | £10m | Value-conscious travellers |
| LV= | High customer ratings | Covered for extra premium | £65–£130 Europe | £10m | Good all-rounder |
| Staysure | Specialist over-50s | Specialist coverage | £80–£200 Europe | £10m | Older travellers; medical conditions |
| Saga | Over-50s specialist | Comprehensive condition cover | £90–£250 Europe | £10m | Retirees and over-50s |
| World Nomads | Backpackers; adventure sports | Standard exclusions | £100–£200/month | £10m | Long-stay travel; gap years |
| Coverwise | Budget option | Standard exclusions | £40–£80 Europe | £10m | Cost-focused; simple trips |
Annual policy costs are indicative for a 40-year-old with no pre-existing conditions; Europe-wide cover.
Worked Example — Annual Policy vs Three Single Trips
Sarah, 38, plans three European holidays in 2026:
- 1 week in Spain (July)
- Long weekend in Amsterdam (September)
- 1 week skiing in Austria (January 2027)
| Option | Cost | Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Three single-trip policies | £45 + £20 + £65 = £130 | Purchased separately; risk of forgetting |
| Annual Europe policy | £80–£100 | All trips covered including any unplanned travel |
Annual cover saves £30–£50 and includes the skiing trip automatically (check the policy includes winter sports — some require an add-on).
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions — Critical Rules
- Always declare all conditions — non-disclosure voids any related claim
- Declare anything you have had in the past, not just current conditions — a resolved cancer diagnosis 10 years ago still needs declaring
- Get quotes from specialist providers if mainstream quotes are too expensive or conditions are excluded
- Check the definition of “stable” — many policies cover conditions that have been stable for 1–2 years; make sure you meet that definition
Specialist providers for medical conditions: Staysure, Fit2Travel, Free Spirit, AllClear, Medical Travel Compared (comparison site specifically for medical conditions).
Reducing the Cost of Travel Insurance
- Annual policy — buy once for the year rather than per trip
- Higher excess — accepting a higher excess (e.g. £150 instead of £50) reduces the premium
- Comparison sites — use multiple comparison tools; prices vary significantly
- Group/family policies — often cheaper per person than individual policies
- Buy early — purchasing immediately after booking a trip provides cancellation cover from that date
The GHIC Card — Use It Alongside, Not Instead of, Insurance
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) provides access to state healthcare in EU/EEA countries at the local rate. It is free and available from the NHS website. However, it does not cover:
- Private medical treatment
- Repatriation back to the UK
- Cancellation or delay
- Lost luggage
- Any non-EU destination
Always carry your GHIC card in addition to travel insurance — it can cover some costs within EU countries that reduce claims on your policy.
For more on what travel insurance covers and the key terms explained, see our travel insurance guide.