Update: 11th June 2022

Travel insurance can be easily forgotten, but it’s essential for the times you find yourself in trouble. These are my usual go to sites where I usually find the best cover and prices.

This year I have gone with holidaysafe.co.uk. They were the best quote I found for worldwide travel for the year covering gadgets up to £2000, with only £60 excess. I always try and make sure my gadgets are covered as many insurances only cover up to £500 which wouldn’t even cover the cost of my camera let alone my phone and other bits.

Also check out:

insureandgo.com

alphatravelinsurance.co.uk

coverwise.co.uk

If you know you’re going to travel at least twice in a 12-month period, consider an annual policy instead of single trip cover. This is because annual cover often works out cheaper than buying two single trip policies. But always do the calculations.

Of course, this varies depending on where you’re travelling and for how long, but if you get an annual policy you also have the added comfort of knowing that if you do have a third trip within that 12-month period, your already covered.

I usually always go with the annual worldwide cover Inc USA as this covers you for multiple trips a year, anywhere in the world. The difference of including/excluding the USA really is minimal and usually only £1 – £5, so I just include it as you never know a good deal may come up that just can’t be missed. If your really confident you won’t be going, then you can save yourself a couple quid.

Watch those excesses you may find what you think is bargain cover, but often you’ll see the excess is £250 and when your electricals are covered for £300, you’ll only be getting £50 of that £300. Try and keep the policy excess below £100 if you can.

Not all policies cover everything as standard

Gadgets – If your going to be carrying some expensive electrical equipment like your phone and camera, then you may want to add gadget cover as extra. Most standard policies only cover £100-300, which with the prices of some gadgets this won’t be enough to replace them.

Winter Sports –  If you’re going skiing or snowboarding, make sure you add winter sports cover.

Cruise Cover – If your holiday includes a cruise this will cover pre-paid shore excursion that you are unable to participate in due to injury or illness and for cancelled port visits due to adverse weather or timetable constrictions.

Remember it’s important to check the policy wording for further details as this outlines everything your policy covers you for and will vary by product.

Update: 16 Nov 2021

• GHIC replaces EHIC

The UK has left the EU following Brexit, which means the old European Health Insurance Card will no longer be renewed once expired to UK travellers. You will need to get yourself the free Global Health Insurance Card instead. My old European Health Insurance card expired recently so it was time to order the new Global Health Insurance Card. This is easy to do, just make sure you go to the correct NHS website as this is a free card, you do not pay for it. Despite being called a Global Health Insurance Card, it actually only works in EU countries. Find out more here. Remember It is not a substitute for travel insurance!

EHIC is free and gets free or discounted medical care in all 28 EU countries, plus others. The free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles the holder to free or discounted medical treatment at state-run hospitals and GPs in any European Union country, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. It replaced the old E111 form in 2005. You get treated the same way as a citizen of that country. If they get free medical treatment then you do too – if they pay, you pay the same rates. Apply for a card here.

If you’re going away for more than 60 consecutive days then standard travel insurance is unlikely to cover you. You’ll therefore need specialist backpacker insurance – sometimes called gap year or extended leave insurance. These policies can protect you for up to 18 months as standard in most cases, and can even be extended.