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.
What your travel insurance should cover
Check whether your policy covers:
- the full length of your trip (many policies have a maximum trip length and/or an annual limit on how much time in total you can spend outside the UK)
- treatment in state or private hospitals (emergency treatment and hospital bills can be enormously expensive)
- emergency transport, such as an ambulance: this is often charged separately to other medical expenses and emergency travel home on medical grounds can be very expensive
- pre-existing medical conditions: declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests so that you are covered if there are related complications during your trip; failing to declare something may invalidate your travel insurance
- all activities you may undertake on holiday, such as sports or adventure tourism (you may need specialist insurance or an add-on for some activities)
- all the places you intend to visit, even if only in transit, in case anyone needs emergency treatment in a transit country
- repatriation costs if you or a family member die abroad
- getting home after medical treatment if you cannot use your original ticket
- reasonable costs for a family member or friend to stay with you, or travel out to accompany you home if required
Check also whether:
- the insurance provider has 24-hour assistance helplines to offer support and advice about appropriate treatment
- the insurance policy provides cover if an airline or travel agent goes out of business – typically this is not covered. ATOL is a consumer protection scheme for air holidays and flights, managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Choose an ATOL-protected holiday or a travel insurance policy that includes airline or supplier failure cover
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.
Specialist health and medical insurance
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.
Policy exclusions to look out for
Check how or whether an insurance policy covers:
- alcohol and drugs: most travel insurance policies do not cover events that happen after you have drunk excessive alcohol or taken recreational drugs or other substances
- high risk destinations: many travel insurance policies will not cover travel to a high risk destination where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel or all travel. Check your policy wording and the relevant country travel advice pages before booking your trip and buying insurance
- mental health conditions: you must declare mental health conditions or risk invalidating your policy. Be aware that some may exclude cover for treatment related to a pre-existing mental health condition. See foreign travel advice for people with mental health issues for more guidance
- age restrictions, particularly if you are buying an annual policy: read the Money Advice Service and the ABI guidance on insurance for older people (PDF, 411 KB) for advice on how to choose the right level of cover, get the best deal, make a travel insurance claim and guidance for travellers over the age of 65 or with pre-existing medical conditions
- sports such as bungee jumping, jet skiing, winter sports or skydiving: these are not usually included in standard policies
- use/hire of quad bikes or mopeds: they are not usually covered
- driving overseas: if you’re hiring a car, check what you’re covered for with the hire company; if you are driving your own vehicle, check your motor insurance policy to see what it covers; check our advice on driving abroad
- terrorist acts: most travel insurers offer only limited cover for terrorist acts but some offer policy add-ons to provide additional cover if there is a terrorist attack in your destination; this may include cancellation cover, if your destination is affected by a terrorist attack before your trip and you no longer wish to travel; as a minimum, make sure your policy covers you for emergency medical expenses and travel home if you are caught up in an attack
- natural disasters (such as an earthquake or tropical cyclone): some policies only offer limited cover for claims related to or caused by a natural disaster
- civil unrest, strikes or other industrial action: you may not be covered for some claims that arise from these kinds of incidents, especially if they were known publicly when you booked your trip and/or bought your travel insurance policy
Insurance for extended periods of travel
‘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.
Insurance if you live abroad or go for work or study
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
Support for British nationals abroad explains how the FCDO can provide support to British nationals if things go wrong abroad.
