08/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/02/2024 08:28
If you're travelling abroad, you should take out appropriate travel insurance before you go.
If you travel internationally you should buy appropriate travel insurance before you go, covering you for existing physical or mental health conditions (including those currently under investigation) and any activities you will be doing whilst you are away.
If you do not have appropriate insurance before you travel, you could be liable for emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which may cost thousands of pounds. For example:
Example | Cost to you without travel insurance |
Fall and break your leg in Spain , you will need hospital treatment and possibly medical evacuation/repatriation | £25,000+ |
Quad bike accident in Greece, and you need surgery and medical evacuation/repatriation | £80,000+ |
Stomach bug or infection treated in a hospital in the USA and possibly medical evacuation/repatriation | £150,000+ |
You should buy your travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your trip. Read the small print and familiarise yourself with any exclusion clauses for the policy.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) represents over 300 insurance and long-term savings firms. Read the ABI's advice on travel insurance, and their guide on choosing the right travel insurance policy. In addition, see the MoneyHelper travel insurance directory for further information.
In addition to making sure you have appropriate insurance, you should also check Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice and sign up to alerts for your destination. If you travel to a destination where FCDO advises against all but essential travel or all travel, your insurance may be invalidated.
When you travel, make sure you take your insurance policy details with you, including the policy number and your insurer's emergency assistance telephone number. Share your policy details with people you're travelling with and friends or family at home, in case they need to contact your insurance company on your behalf.
Check whether your policy covers:
Check also whether:
If you are going on a cruise, check the booking conditions of the operator you plan to sail with as cruises generally require an additional level of cover because it is more difficult to get to hospital for treatment.
If you have a serious medical condition, you may need a specialist insurance provider or policy. The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has a Travel Medical Directory which has a list of specialist providers who cover serious medical conditions.
A Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to access state-provided medically necessary healthcare within the EU, Switzerland and some other countries on the same terms as residents of these countries.
EHIC and GHIC are not alternatives to travel insurance as they do not cover any private medical healthcare costs, repatriation or additional costs such as mountain rescue in ski resorts.
Some insurers may waive any excess on medical treatment if you use an EHIC or GHIC. Check the terms of your policy or contact your insurer to see if this is the case.
Find out more about the EHIC and GHIC, including how to apply for one free of charge.
Check how or whether an insurance policy covers:
'Long-stay' travel insurance can cover extended periods of continuous travel. Check carefully the maximum duration allowed in any policy you consider buying to ensure that it meets your needs.
Make sure that the entire policy meets your needs, including specific activities and work (paid or unpaid) you may undertake.
Travel insurance is not intended for permanent residence abroad. If you live overseas, or you're planning to move to a different country to live, work or study, you should consider your insurance needs carefully.
Read the healthcare guidance in the Living in country guides for the country where you live to ensure you have the right healthcare arrangements for your circumstances.
You can buy private medical insurance for UK expatriates. Local law may require you to have medical insurance, including as part of a visa application.
You can buy insurance from local providers abroad. You should always check policies carefully, including seeing whether you could transfer medical cover if you re-locate to other countries in the future.
Support for British nationals abroad explains how the FCDO can provide support to British nationals if things go wrong abroad.
Guidance fully reviewed and updated, including updated costs of emergency treatment. New 'Specialist health and medical insurance' section added.
Reviewed and updated guidance in full.
Updated guidance on using an EHIC or GHIC to access healthcare in Switzerland.
Updated to reflect new rules for travelling to amber list countries.
Updated COVID-19 section on new rules for international travel from 17 May.
Updated to reflect current COVID-19 travel guidance
New link to the declaration form for international travel (for England), from 8 March.
Edited grey box at top of page to provide further information on requirements coming into affect from 15 February
From 15 February you will need to quarantine in a government-approved hotel if you arrive in the UK from countries on the travel ban list.
Updated with new requirements coming into effect from 4am on 18 January 2021.
Updated with information on pre-departure testing for everyone travelling into England and Scotland.
Updated to reflect latest UK COVID-19 restrictions.
Updated the section on travel to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, to reflect changes from 1 January 2021.
Updated 'Travel to the EU' section to reflect that UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will still be accepted in EU countries, with different guidance for people travelling to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland from 1 January 2021.
Updated COVID-19 travel guidance
Updated to reflect the latest Tier-based COVID-19 rules for England
Updated to reflect the 5 November national restrictions for England relating to travel
Updated EU travel section with information on EHIC validity
New information on making sure your travel insurance covers you for coronavirus-related events
Update to contents including addition of new segments; travel insurance after starting travel or changing your plans, making a travel insurance claim, other financial protection and if you're not covered.
Added information on financial protection of package holidays.
Information on the use of European Health Insurance cards (EHIC) in the event of a no deal added to the EU Exit update section
EU Exit update with advice on checking insurance coverage when travelling to Europe after the UK leaves the EU.
Content and format changes
Inclusion of Association of Travel Insurance Intermediaries (ATII) information.
Updated information on travel insurance
First published.