When should I buy holiday insurance?

It is generally suggested to buy holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip, so cancellation cover is in place from the date of booking. Always check when each section of cover starts and ends.

Does holiday insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Many policies cover pre-existing medical conditions only if you declare them and the insurer agrees to provide cover. If a condition is not declared accurately, a claim may be refused. Specialist providers focus on medical travel cover.

Is the cheapest holiday insurance always the best choice?

Not necessarily. A low premium can mean lower cover limits, higher excesses or important exclusions. Compare the policy wording, not just the price.

UK Holiday Insurance Guidance

Holiday insurance, made clearer.

Q: Does GHIC replace travel insurance?

No. A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) can help with some state-provided medical treatment in the EU, but it does not replace travel insurance and does not cover repatriation, cancellation or private treatment.

Compare holiday insurance options and understand what cover to check before you travel - from medical conditions and age-based cover to cruises, family holidays and long-haul trips.

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Where would you like to start?

Seven plain-English entry points covering the most common UK holiday insurance questions.

Holiday Insurance Blog

News, seasonal guides and answers to the questions UK travellers ask about holiday insurance.

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Medical & Age

Guidance for medical conditions and age-based cover.

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Trip Types

Find cover that matches how and when you travel.

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Destinations

Cover considerations for popular UK travel destinations.

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Compare Holiday Insurance

Compare cover types, costs and policy features.

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Guides

Plain English guides to holiday insurance.

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Providers

Neutral guides to popular UK travel insurance providers.

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Cruise & Activities

Specialist cover for cruises, ski, sports and adventures.

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Age-based cover

Holiday insurance by age

All age guides

50+

Over 50s

55+

Over 55s

60+

Over 60s

65+

Over 65s

70+

Over 70s

75+

Over 75s

80+

Over 80s

85+

Over 85s

Medical & screening

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All medical guides

Pre-existing conditions Diabetes Heart condition Cancer Asthma High blood pressure COPD Stroke

Trip types

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All trip types

Single trip

Cover designed for this kind of trip

Annual / multi-trip

Cover designed for this kind of trip

Family

Cover designed for this kind of trip

Couples

Cover designed for this kind of trip

Cruise

Cover designed for this kind of trip

Worldwide

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Destinations

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All destinations

Spain USA Europe Australia Turkey France Greece Italy Thailand Dubai Tenerife Maldives

Specialist cover

Cruise & activity cover

Cruise holidays and active trips often need extra cover - missed port departure, cabin confinement, ski, golf or scuba. Check what's standard and what isn't.

Cruise Cruise · Over 70s Ski Golf Winter sports Scuba

What does it cover?

Single trip vs annual

One trip a year? Single trip is usually cheaper. Two or more trips? Annual (multi-trip) cover is often better value - and can include long weekends in the UK.

Single trip Annual Multi-trip Compare both What's covered

Plain English

Cheap holiday insurance, honestly

Cheap holiday insurance can be useful, but the lowest price is not always the right choice. Before buying, check the cancellation limit, emergency medical cover, excess, baggage cover, optional extras and exclusions. Read the policy wording - it's where the real differences live.

See our cheap holiday insurance guide →

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