How to buy travel insurance: medical cover, gadgets and annual policies
Links marked * are commercial or go to our partner sites, which share our operator. Third-party companies may pay us commission. How we make money.
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.
Before you start: Skip this if you only need a live premium. GHIC is not a substitute. Cruise, winter-sports and USA trips need extra checks this page flags — still buy through an FCA-authorised UK insurer.
Content updated: 2 min read
Primary source: www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance
When should I buy travel insurance?
Buy as soon as you book. Cancellation cover starts from policy inception — waiting until the airport leaves you exposed if you must cancel before departure.
If you already hold packaged-account cover, read the booklet for age, medical and trip-duration limits before you assume it is enough.
How do I declare medical conditions?
Use the insurer's medical screening tool honestly. Specialist brokers cover conditions standard policies exclude — see our travel insurance directory and TravelShifu's pre-existing conditions* briefing.
Should I buy single-trip or annual cover?
Two holidays a year often makes annual cover cheaper. Check maximum trip length (often 31–45 days per trip on standard annual policies).
One long stay, a cruise, or a gap year that exceeds the annual cap usually needs specialist single-trip cover instead.
What extra cover do cruises, winter sports and USA trips need?
USA medical bills can exceed £100,000 quickly — verify a high or unlimited medical limit and that repatriation sits inside it.
Winter sports and cruise itineraries usually need add-ons: missed port, evacuation, and missed-connection cover are the common gaps. TravelShifu's cruise travel insurance* guide covers those extras from a trip-planning angle — still buy through an FCA-authorised UK insurer.
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. Delayed flights that still operate are a UK261 claim, not an insurance claim — see flight delay compensation.
Does GHIC replace travel insurance?
No. GHIC is EU state healthcare access only. It does not cover private treatment, repatriation, cancellation or the USA. TravelShifu: GHIC vs travel insurance*.