Summer 2026 travel insurance: how to compare cover before you fly
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Peak holiday season pushes travel insurance prices up. Compare medical limits, cancellation cover and pre-existing condition rules — not premium alone — and buy when you book to protect non-refundable costs.
By Money Guide editorial team
Published:
Travel insurance is regulated by the FCA. Comparison panels quote on similar cover levels, but exclusions, excesses and medical screening differ between policies. Summer 2026 demand and higher medical inflation mean premiums can rise sharply close to departure — shopping early helps.
Emergency medical and repatriation is the core section. Europe trips typically need at least £2 million cover; USA and worldwide travel often needs £5 million or more. GHIC gives access to EU state healthcare but does not replace travel insurance for private treatment, repatriation or non-medical losses.
Declare all pre-existing conditions through the insurer's screening questions. Non-disclosure can void claims. If mainstream insurers decline or price high, the FCA maintains a directory of specialist providers for harder medical histories.
Annual multi-trip policies suit two or more holidays a year — but check per-trip duration caps (often 31, 45 or 60 days). Single-trip cover may be cheaper for one long stay or gap-year travel exceeding annual limits.
Buy when you book, not when you fly. Cancellation cover starts from policy inception. See our compare travel insurance guide, GHIC hub and travel insurance directory.