Archive Website of the UK government

Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.

Public services all in one place

Main menu

Wednesday, 3 October 2023

Page menu

Browse by subject

Browse by people

Travel and transport

Travel insurance

Taking out travel insurance can help you get financial and practical help if something goes wrong on your trip. Unfortunately, illness, theft or accidents can happen anywhere. Find out what to look for in a travel insurance policy.

The basics

Travel insurance can vary widely on price and levels of cover. If your trip involves particular sports or activities that are considered a risk, check that your insurer offers extra cover. If not, you may need to call a specialist insurer. Get several quotations before you choose your travel insurance and check carefully what each offers.

Policy checklist

You may want to check the following to make sure the insurance you take out matches your needs:

emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation (being returned to the UK)
24-hour emergency assistance – some insurance companies offer an around-the-clock helpline in case you have a serious problem
personal liability – if someone is injured or their property is damaged by you or something belonging to you, they could make a claim against you
you having to cut short or cancel your trip, as you may be liable to pay the full cost or part of the cost if you cancel
the replacement cost of your personal possessions, including money and documents – your policy will specify limits
scheduled airline failure insurance (SAFI) – useful if you're travelling independently and are concerned about extra costs you could face if your airline went bust

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website offers detailed information on travel insurance.

There is more information on SAFI in 'Your rights if an airline or travel company goes bust'.