Why it matters even on short trips
It is tempting to skip insurance for a weekend in a nearby country. But a medical emergency, a cancelled trip or a stolen phone can be expensive and stressful anywhere. Travel insurance exists to cover these less likely but costly situations. Within the EU, a European Health Insurance Card can give access to state healthcare, but it does not cover everything, such as private treatment, repatriation home or cancellation costs.
Think of insurance less as a box to tick and more as a safety net matched to your trip. The right level of cover for a two-night city break with hand luggage is different from what you need for a fortnight of hiking, diving or skiing, and it is worth taking a few minutes to compare.
The main types of cover
Medical cover pays for emergency treatment abroad and, if needed, getting you home. This is the most important part of any policy. Cancellation and curtailment cover can reimburse prepaid costs if you have to cancel or cut short your trip for a reason the policy accepts, such as illness. Baggage and personal belongings cover pays out for lost, stolen or damaged items, usually up to set limits.
Other common sections include travel delay, missed departure, personal liability and legal expenses. Some policies offer optional extras for activities such as skiing or for higher-value gadgets.
Read the small print
Pay close attention to the excess, the amount you pay towards each claim, and to the limits for single items, valuables and cash. Check the exclusions: many policies do not cover incidents linked to alcohol, undeclared pre-existing medical conditions, or valuables left unattended or in checked luggage.
If you have a medical condition, declare it honestly when buying, even if it is well controlled. Not doing so can invalidate your cover. Also check that the policy covers all the countries you are visiting; some European policies define Europe differently.
Single trip, annual or included
If you travel more than a couple of times a year, an annual multi-trip policy can work out better value than buying separate policies. Some bank accounts and credit cards include travel cover, but it may be basic or have conditions, so check what you already have before buying more.
Buy insurance as soon as you book, not just before you leave. Cancellation cover only protects you from the date the policy starts. Keep your policy number and the emergency assistance line saved on your phone and written down.
Good to know
- Buy cover when you book so cancellation protection starts straight away.
- Declare any medical conditions honestly.
- Check whether your bank account or card already includes cover.