Every year a significant number of brits take the risk and travel uninsured. Whilst at the moment this can seem like a way to save money if the unexpected happens, travel insurance could save you on having to pay expensive costs and medical bills. 

Travel insurance can give you extra protection if your holiday doesn’t go quite to plan. So the question should never be why do you need travel insurance, instead, it should be what travel insurance do I need? 

We never expect the worst things to happen whilst we travel abroad, however it is never a guarantee. When you have spent money on a holiday it makes sense to protect yourself against unpredictable events that could ruin your trip entirely. 

In 2019 it was reported by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) that 471,000 claims were made with a total cost of £377 million. Overseas medical bills can be painfully expensive, even within Europe where you may have access to state-provided healthcare. Without travel insurance you could face large bills, especially if you were to need emergency flights back. 

Whilst travel insurance can’t prevent any unforeseen circumstances it can offer protection against a range of accidents that could potentially happen whilst you’re away. 

What can travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance can offer protection against many different things including:

• Your trip being cancelled or cut short for a reason out of your control
• Missing transport or flights being delayed for a reason that wasn’t your fault 
• Medical and other emergencies
• Personal injury 
• Your luggage being lost, stolen or damaged

If you do not arrange travel insurance before you travel you will have to pay for any of these circumstances yourself meaning you could lose a lot of money which you won’t be able to get back. To find out more about what you can receive cover for visit our travel insurance page. 

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Europe? 

Even when travelling in Europe, insurance is always a good idea. Although a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will give you access to state healthcare it should not be seen as an alternative to travel cover. It is recommended to have a separate travel insurance policy as well as a GHIC/EHIC when travelling to Europe. This is because the GHIC card does not offer cover for any private medical treatment you need and won’t cover you when needing to return back to the UK in the event of a medical emergency. 

How much travel insurance do I need?

Depending on your personal circumstances and your reason for travel. Before you begin the process of comparing insurance policies it may be beneficial to estimate how much cover you will need. 

Medical costs: This will be determined by the healthcare costs of where you are travelling too. If you are travelling to the USA then you will need more medical cover than a holiday to France. The cost of medical cover can also be affected by your age and any pre-existing health conditions. 

Baggage cover: Calculate roughly how much it would cost to replace your personal belongings if they were to be lost, stolen or damaged whilst you are away on holiday. 

Cancelation cover: Similarly to luggage, calculate how much you will be paying up front for flights, accommodation and excursions so that you will be covered in case you need to cancel your trip for a reason covered by your policy. 

Sports cover: if you are travelling for an action packed holiday then you will need to make sure any activities planned are covered in your travel insurance. You may need to pay for extra cover if you need to take any equipment with you such as ski gear 

Where can I compare travel insurance?

At Compare For Cancer we have made finding the best travel insurance policy for you as quick and easy as possible. You compare policies from over 25 insurance providers in just minutes, helping you to save money and find the right cover to suit your holiday needs. 

Simply complete the quick questionnaire and we will find you a selection of travel insurance providers to choose from.