How to buy travel insurance: medical cover, gadgets and annual policies
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Quick answer: Buy travel insurance when you book — or use an annual multi-trip policy if you travel twice a year or more. Declare all medical conditions; undeclared conditions void claims. EHIC/GHIC cards do not replace insurance abroad.
Travel insurance covers emergency medical costs, cancellation, baggage and liability abroad. The cheapest single-trip policy can leave catastrophic gaps on medical limits — especially for USA trips and cruise holidays.
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Read the full insurance guide →Quick answer: Compare travel insurance →Primary source: www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance
Medical declarations
Use the insurer's medical screening tool honestly. Specialist brokers cover conditions standard policies exclude — see our travel insurance directory.
Single trip vs annual
Two holidays a year often makes annual cover cheaper. Check maximum trip length (often 31–45 days per trip on standard annual policies).
Common questions
Am I covered for airline failure?
Scheduled airline failure cover is an optional extra — not included on all policies. Package holidays may have separate ATOL protection.