Travel insurance guide: your questions answered

Travel insurance can sometimes feel complicated, with different policies offering different levels of cover. This guide explains what travel insurance is, what it covers, and how to choose the right policy, in clear, plain English.

In this guide:

What is travel insurance? ¶

Travel insurance is a type of cover designed to protect you financially if something goes wrong before or during your trip.

At its simplest, it helps cover unexpected costs such as medical treatment abroad, cancelling a holiday, losing your luggage, or getting home early due to illness or an emergency.

Many people think travel insurance only matters once they’ve left the UK. In reality, it can be just as important from the moment you book, helping protect the money you’ve spent if you later need to cancel for an insured reason.

Is travel insurance mandatory? ¶

Travel insurance isn’t legally required for most destinations, but there are important exceptions and practical reasons why it’s still strongly recommended.

Some countries require proof of travel insurance as a condition of entry, including destinations such as Cuba, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Travel insurance that meets minimum medical cover requirements may also be needed when applying for a Schengen visa.

Even where insurance isn’t mandatory, many healthcare systems overseas expect payment upfront - particularly in countries such as the United States, where medical costs can be extremely high.

What does travel insurance cover? ¶

Travel insurance policies are usually divided into different sections, each covering a specific risk. Although the exact naming, cover, and limits vary, most policies include protection across the key areas outlined below.

Medical emergencies and healthcare abroad ¶

Medical cover is one of the most important parts of any travel insurance policy. This is because healthcare costs abroad can be very expensive, particularly outside Europe. Even a short hospital stay or medical flight home can run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Travel insurance policies typically include cover for:

Emergency medical treatment if you become ill or injured
Hospital stays, surgery and medication
Ambulance costs
Getting you home early if medically necessary (repatriation)

Some insurers, including Good to Go, have an additional ‘Hospital Benefit’ section which helps cover the cost of expenses while in hospital, including books, magazines, and telephone calls. 24 Hour Emergency Medical Assistance is also offered as part of standard medical cover.

Read our Medical Expenses Cover Explained guide to learn more about what’s included.

Pre-existing medical conditions

A pre-existing medical condition is usually any illness or condition you’ve had symptoms of, received treatment for, or taken medication for before buying your policy. Examples include long-term conditions such as:

Heart conditions
Diabetes (Type 1 and 2)
Respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD
Cancer (current or past)
Stroke or other neurological conditions
Mental health conditions

To be covered, any conditions must be declared when you take out your policy. Even conditions that feel well-managed or “under control” still need to be declared. If they’re not, your insurer may refuse to pay a claim - even if the condition seems unrelated.

Good to Go specialises in policies for pre-existing medical conditions, which can help travellers who have previously struggled to find suitable cover.

Cancellation and curtailment ¶

Travel insurance can provide valuable financial protection if unexpected events mean your plans have to change. This includes situations where you need to:

Cancel your trip before you travel, or
Cut your trip short once you’re away (curtailment)

Common insured reasons include illness, injury, bereavement, or other serious, unexpected events that make it unsafe or impossible to continue with your trip.

Cancellation cover is one of the main reasons it’s worth buying travel insurance as soon as you book, rather than leaving it until closer to departure.

Read more in our guide to cover for cancellation.

Missed departures and travel delays ¶

Travel doesn’t always run smoothly, and disruptions to your plans can often incur unexpected costs. Your travel insurance policy may include:

A fixed delay benefit if your journey is delayed for a set number of hours
Extra accommodation, food or transport costs
Additional travel expenses if you miss your international departure due to events outside your control, such as public transport delays or breakdowns

Airlines may provide compensation in some cases, but travel insurance can cover additional expenses that aren’t refunded elsewhere.

If a delay is long enough, some policies include an abandonment section, allowing you to leave your trip and claim back unrecoverable costs.

Our guides on delayed and cancelled flights explain this coverage in more detail.

Baggage and personal property

Most travel insurance policies include cover for your personal belongings while you’re away. This typically includes:

Lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal items
Delayed baggage on your outbound journey, with cover for essential replacement items such as clothing and toiletries
Loss or theft of important travel documents, such as your passport or visa, including the reasonable costs of replacement, so you can continue your trip or return home

Limited cover is often included for cash and personal money, though policies usually apply low cash limits. There are usually limits on how much you can claim in total, as well as single-item limits for valuables such as phones, jewellery or laptops.

Mobility aids such as walking sticks, wheelchairs or frames are often covered within personal property, but you may see it listed as a separate section in Good to Go policies. As for other personal items, you should always check limits and exclusions carefully.

Personal liability and accident cover¶

Personal public liability cover protects you if you’re held legally responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property while travelling. Even relatively minor accidents can lead to costly legal claims, particularly overseas, where legal and medical costs are often higher.

This can include incidents such as injuring someone while cycling or skiing, or damaging property in your accommodation or a hire car. Cover can help pay legal expenses, compensation or settlements you might otherwise have to fund yourself.

Some policies also include personal accident cover, which provides a fixed lump-sum payment if you suffer a serious injury, permanent disability or death due to an accident while travelling. This benefit is separate from medical expenses coverage and is intended as additional financial support rather than paying for treatment.

What does travel insurance not cover? ¶

hile travel insurance offers wide protection, it doesn’t cover every situation. All policies have exclusions, and these are usually clearly set out in the policy wording.

Common exclusions often include:

Incidents related to alcohol or drug misuse
Travelling against FCDO advice, such as visiting a destination where travel is advised against
Known events you were already aware of before booking or buying cover
Certain sports or activities, unless you’ve added the appropriate cover

Policies also exclude or limit cover for natural disasters, civil unrest or extreme events, particularly if they were known risks at the time you booked.

What is excess and maximum excess in travel insurance?

The excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim, which is deducted from the insurance payout. For example, if you make a £500 claim with a £100 excess, you’ll receive £400 from the insurance company.

Insurers use excesses to reduce the upfront cost of the policy and discourage very small or unnecessary claims.

Excesses are usually applied per section of cover, which means you may see different excess amounts listed under areas such as Medical Expenses, Cancellation or Personal Property.

A maximum excess is the total amount you could be asked to pay across all claims. When comparing policies, note that a cheaper policy with a high excess could cost more overall if you need to claim, particularly for medical treatment or longer trips.

When should you buy travel insurance? ¶

The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as you book your trip.

Buying early means you’re protected if you need to cancel before you travel for an insured reason, such as illness or a family emergency. Leaving it until the last minute may mean that cancellation cover doesn’t apply, and some benefits are limited or excluded.

Can you buy travel insurance after departure? ¶

In most cases, once you’ve already started your trip, you won’t be able to buy full travel insurance cover. This is because the risk has already begun, so insurers are less able to offer comprehensive protection.

Some specialist or last-minute policies may still be available after departure, but these typically offer limited cover. Cancellation is usually excluded, and medical cover may be restricted or subject to waiting periods.

If you’ve already left home without insurance, our guide on what to do if you’ve left home without travel insurance explains what options may still be available.

Types of travel insurance explained ¶

Different trips suit different types of cover, depending on how often you travel, where you’re going, and how long you’ll be away.

Single-trip travel insurance¶

Single-trip travel insurance is designed to cover one specific holiday, with start and end dates that match your trip. It protects that journey only, including medical expenses, cancellation, and travel disruption.

This is often the simplest option if you travel occasionally, are planning a one-off holiday, or want cover tailored to a particular destination or length of stay.

Annual multi-trip travel insurance¶

Annual multi-trip travel insurance covers multiple trips within a 12-month period, as long as each individual trip stays within the policy’s maximum duration. You don’t need to arrange separate cover every time you travel.

This type of policy can be more convenient and cost-effective if you take several holidays a year, travel regularly to the same region, or prefer the reassurance of being covered throughout the year.

Domestic travel insurance¶

Domestic travel insurance provides cover for UK breaks, including cancellation, lost or stolen belongings, and some emergency-related costs. It can be particularly useful for non-refundable accommodation, events, or pre-paid travel within the UK.

While medical cover works differently at home, domestic policies can still offer valuable protection if your plans change unexpectedly.

Learn more about the benefits in our guide to travel insurance for UK breaks.

An elderly couple jog after their grandchildren on a sandy beach.

Is travel insurance worth it?

For many people, travel insurance is worth the upfront cost, particularly if:

You have pre-existing medical conditions
You’re travelling later in life
You’ve spent a significant amount on flights, accommodation or experiences
You’d struggle to cover unexpected medical or travel disruption costs yourself

With Good to Go, travel insurance isn’t just about financial protection. Our policies include access to 24/7 emergency medical assistance, so if something goes wrong, you’re not left trying to navigate foreign healthcare systems, language barriers or travel arrangements on your own.

For travellers with medical conditions or those travelling later in life, this reassurance can be just as valuable as the cover itself.

If cost is a concern, see our guide on how to keep travel insurance costs as low as possible for some tips on how to avoid paying for features you don’t need.

What travel insurance do I need? ¶

The right travel insurance policy depends on your individual circumstances and the type of trip you’re planning. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all option, so it’s worth considering a few key factors before choosing cover:

Where you’re travelling: Medical costs, healthcare systems and travel risks vary by destination. Trips to countries with expensive healthcare may need higher levels of medical cover, while certain types of holidays, such as cruises or winter sports trips, often require specialist cover designed for those environments.
How often you travel: If you take one holiday a year, single-trip cover may be sufficient. If you travel several times, an annual multi-trip policy could be more convenient and cost-effective.
Your age: Some insurers apply age limits or restrictions. Choosing a policy designed for older travellers can provide more appropriate cover and reassurance.
Your medical history: Any pre-existing medical conditions should be declared to ensure the policy is valid. Specialist policies can often provide cover where standard insurers may not.
What you’ve booked and how much it costs: The more you’ve spent on flights, accommodation or excursions, the more important it is to have adequate cancellation cover in place.

Choosing a cover that matches both your trip and your personal circumstances helps ensure you’re properly protected, without paying for features you don’t need.

Insurance for older travellers¶

Many standard insurers restrict cover based on age or medical history. Good to Go offers senior travel insurance with no upper age limits and specialist medical underwriting, designed to support travellers later in life.

Get a quote for senior travel insurance today.

How to find the best value travel insurance online

The best value travel insurance isn’t always the cheapest. It’s the policy that offers the right protection for your trip at a fair price.

When comparing quotes online:

Compare the cover as well as the cost: Check medical and cancellation limits, excess amounts, and what’s excluded. A slightly higher premium may offer much stronger protection.

Declare medical conditions accurately: If you have pre-existing conditions, make sure they’re fully declared. Failing to do so could invalidate a claim.

Check what’s included: Look for benefits such as end supplier failure, catastrophe cover, personal accident or 24-hour emergency medical assistance. Some policies include these as standard, others charge extra.

Review the excess: A cheaper policy may have a higher excess, meaning you’ll pay more if you claim.

Consider how often you travel: If you take multiple trips a year, an annual multi-trip policy may offer better value than separate single-trip policies.

Buy early: Purchasing insurance as soon as you book protects your cancellation costs straight away.

Comparison websites can be helpful, but they don’t always include specialist providers. If you have medical conditions or need specific cover, it’s worth checking providers, such as ourselves at Goodtogo, directly as well.

Good value insurance means choosing cover that fits your trip and circumstances, without paying for features you don’t need.

Frequently asked questions ¶

What medical expenses are covered by travel insurance?¶

Travel insurance usually covers emergency medical treatment if you become ill or injured abroad. This can include hospital stays, surgery, medication, ambulance costs and, if needed, repatriation back to the UK. Cover levels vary by policy, so it’s important to check limits and declare any pre-existing medical conditions to ensure they’re included.

Are dental expenses covered by travel insurance?¶

Travel insurance may cover emergency dental treatment needed to relieve sudden pain or infection while you’re abroad. Routine or ongoing dental care is not usually covered.

Policies typically have low limits for dental claims, so it’s worth checking what’s included and how much you can claim before you travel.

Does travel insurance cover natural disasters?¶

Some travel insurance policies provide cover for natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes or floods, although this isn’t always included as standard.

In Good to Go policies, this protection may appear under Catastrophe cover. It’s designed to help with additional accommodation or travel costs if you’re forced to move from your pre-booked accommodation or return home early because of a major event beyond your control.

Cover often depends on timing. If a natural disaster was known or had already occurred before you booked your trip or bought insurance, claims may be excluded. It’s also important to follow FCDO travel advice, as travelling against official guidance can affect your cover.

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights?¶

Travel insurance can cover cancelled flights in certain situations, such as illness, bereavement or other insured reasons that prevent you from travelling. However, airlines are usually responsible for cancellations they cause. Travel insurance often helps with additional costs that airlines don’t cover, like accommodation or alternative transport.

Does travel insurance cover airline bankruptcy?¶

Some travel insurance policies include end supplier failure cover, which can protect you if an airline goes out of business and can’t honour your booking. This cover is more common for flights booked independently rather than as part of a package, but it isn’t included in every policy, so it’s important to check.

Can travel insurance be cancelled or refunded?¶

Most travel insurance policies include a cooling-off period, usually around 14 days, as long as you haven’t travelled or made a claim. During this time, you can cancel and receive a refund, minus any admin fees. After this period, refunds are less likely unless your insurer agrees.

Can travel insurance be extended?¶

Some travel insurance policies can be extended before they expire, depending on your insurer, destination and medical circumstances. Extensions usually need to be arranged before your policy ends and may involve an additional premium. If you’ve already started your trip, extension options can be more limited.

Do travel insurance companies actually pay out? ¶

Yes, travel insurance providers do pay out when claims meet the policy terms. Claims are most successful when information is declared accurately, supporting evidence is provided, and exclusions are understood in advance. Reading the policy wording and declaring medical conditions honestly makes a big difference to successful claims.

Get a travel insurance quote for your next holiday ¶

Travel insurance isn’t about expecting something to go wrong. It’s about knowing that if it does, you’re not dealing with it alone.

It should only take a few minutes to get a travel insurance quote and we can issue cover immediately. Simply tell us your destination, travel dates and declare your medical history.

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