Why You Need Travel Insurance
Travel insurance protects you against unexpected events that could ruin your trip or leave you with significant expenses. Medical treatment abroad can be extremely costly, with a hospital stay in the US potentially costing tens of thousands of pounds. Since the UK left the EU, the EHIC has been replaced by the GHIC for European travel, which only covers state-provided treatment and doesn't include repatriation. Trip cancellation cover is equally important, protecting your investment if you need to cancel due to illness, family emergency, or other covered reasons.
What to Look For in a Policy
Medical cover is the most important element of any travel policy. Look for at least five million pounds of medical cover for European trips and ten million for worldwide travel, including emergency repatriation. Cancellation cover should match the total cost of your trip. Check the baggage cover limits and whether individual item limits are sufficient for your valuables. If you plan to do any activities like skiing, scuba diving, or adventure sports, make sure these are included or available as add-ons, as standard policies often exclude them.
Single Trip vs Annual Multi-Trip
If you only travel once or twice a year, a single trip policy covering each specific holiday may be the most economical choice. However, if you take three or more trips per year, an annual multi-trip policy almost always offers better value and means you're automatically covered for every trip without having to remember to buy a new policy each time. Annual policies typically have a maximum trip duration (often 31 days), so if you're planning an extended trip, check this limit carefully.