The Ultimate Voyager Guide to Travel Insurance

Whether you’re jetting off for a quick city break, planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, or escaping winter weather for sunnier shores, there’s one thing every traveller has to consider: travel insurance.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything from what travel insurance actually covers to why it matters, when to buy it, and how to choose a policy that fits the way you travel. This is your go-to blog to help you understand what travel insurance is, how it works, and how to make sure you’re protected before you head to the airport.

Ever wondered what stands between you and a potential travel nightmare? Travel insurance can be your financial safety net, the unsung hero of globetrotting adventures.

At its core, travel insurance is a policy that helps cover unexpected events that might derail your carefully planned journey - whether that's before or during your trip.

From cancelled flights and lost luggage to emergency medical expenses and even trip cancellation due to illness, travel insurance can help cover unexpected costs so you don't have to foot the bill yourself. Without it, you could be left dealing with substantial financial losses.

A good travel insurance policy can cover the big stuff like emergency medical treatment worth thousands, as well as the small annoying stuff like your bag ending up in a different destination without you, and you needing to buy essentials.

Travel insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all safety blanket. Cover varies by travel insurers and policy level, but most UK travel insurance includes protection for the following:

Emergency Medical Expenses Abroad

Nobody plans to get sick on holiday, but sometimes your body has other ideas. A good travel insurance policy doesn't just cover your doctor's visit. It can provide support if things get serious, for instance:

• Covers emergency medical treatment, including hospital stays and doctor's visits, and medically necessary emergency transport where appropriate.
• Includes medically necessary repatriation to your home country if this is considered medically appropriate.
• Can protect you against medical and related costs that can run into hundreds of thousands, and in extreme cases approach seven figures, particularly in countries such as the USA.

Important: The UK's Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is not a substitute for travel insurance and only covers medical care a local would get, so cannot cover private healthcare, where it's appropriate, or repatriation.

Trip Cancellation & Curtailment

Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. Got made redundant? Family emergency? Sudden illness? Instead of kissing goodbye to thousands of non-refundable bookings, you could get reimbursed for those costs.

This coverage helps if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to reasons such as:

• Illness or injury (of yourself or a close relative)
• Bereavement
• Redundancy
• Unexpected events listed in your policy

Important: Travel insurance does not cover ‘disinclination to travel’. Cancellation or curtailment will only be covered where the reason is listed as an insured peril in the policy wording, so always check the terms before you travel.

Baggage, Lost Items & Personal Belongings

We’ve all been there - standing at the baggage carousel, watching everyone else collect their bags while yours is on a mystery tour of its own. Or worse - you discover that your camera or passport has been stolen.

While travel insurance can't prevent things from going wrong, it can help cover the cost of:

• Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage
• Stolen personal items
• Lost passports or travel documents

Many policies have limits on individual items, so if you’re travelling with valuables such as a camera or laptop, it’s important to double-check the policy cover. In many cases, electrical items are covered under a separate gadget section or add-on rather than standard baggage cover, due to the additional cost in replacing them.

Travel Delays & Missed Departures

Flight delayed? Missed connection? Instead of stress-eating overpriced airport sandwiches, your travel insurance may provide limited cover to help with disruption, such as:

• Fixed travel delay benefits, which may contribute towards food and drink if your flight is delayed beyond a set number of hours.
• Contribution towards overnight accommodation costs if a travel delay of more than 24 hours prevents you from reaching your intended destination due to an insured reason.
• Assistance with alternative travel arrangements in certain circumstances.

Personal Liability

Accidents happen. Accidentally knock over an expensive vase in your hotel or injure someone while skiing? Personal liability cover can protect you if you’re found legally liable and a claim is made against you, helping cover legal costs and any damages awarded.

Travel insurance can cover you for:

• Accidentally damaging hotel property
• Causing an injury to a fellow traveller or local
• Accidental harm to others in an activity*

*Please note: personal liability may be excluded for certain activities, please check the policy wording.

This section of cover is especially important for activities like skiing, snowboarding, or participating in adventure sports, where accidents can be more common.

Additional Cover Options with Voyager Plus Travel Insurance

In addition to the core elements of travel insurance, there are optional extras you can add on to your Voyager Plus policy, such as:

• Winter Sports Cover: For skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.
• Cruise Cover: For cruise holidays which cover things like missed ports or cabin confinement.
• Gadget Cover: To protect your electronics, including phones, cameras, and laptops.
• Adventure Activity Cover: For adventurous activities like bungee jumping and scuba
• Sports Equipment Cover: To protect your sporting equipment you own or borrowed during travel.

The key is finding a policy that fits your trip like a glove. These options allow you to tailor your policy to your specific circumstances, ensuring you’re covered based on your needs and holiday plans.

Travel insurance provides cover for common holiday mishaps, but is not a “catch-all” solution. Most policies contain specific exclusions - scenarios where cover is restricted or invalid entirely. Understanding these limitations is essential to ensuring you have the right protection in place.

Travelling Against Official Advice

• The Limitation: Most policies will not pay out for claims arising in these regions, and a change in FCDO advice is generally not a valid reason for cancellation under standard terms. However, if the 'Enhanced Travel or Terrorism Disruption' option has been added to the policy, a sudden change in FCDO advice after you book or while you're away, would be covered under Voyager Plus.
• The Solution: If you need to travel to a high-risk area, you would need specialist cover. Policies like High Risk Voyager are designed to cover destinations with FCDO travel advice that fall outside standard policies.

Undeclared Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, there are some important limitations and requirements you need to be aware of when purchasing travel insurance.

• The Limitation: If you need to make a claim related to a medical condition you didn't disclose, your claim will likely be rejected, and in some cases your policy could become invalid for any subsequent trips you have booked.
• The Solution: To ensure you are covered for your full medical history, you must complete a medical screening when getting a quote. This allows the insurer to assess the risk and, if accepted, provide cover for those conditions.

Alcohol or Substance-Related Incidents

When travelling, it’s important to be aware that travel insurance contains exclusions relating to excessive alcohol consumption or recreational drug use.

• The Limitation: Claims are typically rejected if the incident is a direct result of excessive alcohol consumption or the use of non-prescription drugs.
• The Impact: These exclusions can apply to a wide range of situations. If your judgement is found to be impaired, insurers may deny claims for medical emergencies, personal accidents, and even the theft of your belongings.

Lack of “Reasonable Care”

Travel insurers expect travellers to take basic precautions. If a loss occurs because you were negligent, the policy may not pay out.

• The Limitation: Claims are often rejected if the traveller fails to take basic precautions to protect themselves or their belongings whether they're yours or borrowed.
• Common Pitfalls: Instances of 'negligence' that frequently lead to denied claims include:
  • Leaving valuables unattended in a public place or motor vehicle.
  • Failing to use a hotel safe or something equivalent to store for passports or jewellery.
  • Ignoring posted safety instructions or local warnings.

High-Risk or Extreme Activities

A standard travel policy is designed for general leisure. Engaging in “adventure sports” and getting injured, requiring medical treatment without the correct level of cover is one of the most common reasons for a claim to be declined.

If your planned activity isn’t listed, you will need to purchase a specialist add-on or a dedicated adventure sports policy to ensure you are protected.

• The Limitation: Activities such as bungee jumping and off-piste skiing are generally excluded from standard cover, due to increased risks.
• The Solution: You must check your policy wording before you travel. For Voyager Plus, depending on what activity you're doing you might need to add 'Action', 'Action Plus' or 'Winter Sports' options to your policy.

Not all travel insurance is created equal. Just like you wouldn't wear a winter coat to the beach, you need an insurance policy that fits your specific travel style. Let's break down the options so you can choose the one that best fits your needs, keeping you protected without breaking the bank.

Single Trip Travel Insurance

Perfect for the occasional adventurer. If you're the type who takes one or two holidays a year, this is your go-to option.

Whether it's a quick weekend in Edinburgh or a two-week escape to the Mediterranean, single trip travel insurance covers you for just that specific journey.

Key Benefits:

• Can be cost-effective for infrequent travellers
• Covers the essentials: cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage
• Straightforward protection for your one-off- trip

Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

For those who catch the travel bug frequently, annual multi-trip travel insurance can be a practical option. Designed for business travellers, weekend explorers, and frequent flyers, one policy provides cover for multiple trips within a 12-month period, helping save both time and money.

Key Benefits:

• Unlimited trips within a 12-month period (subject to maximum trip durations)
• Single payment covers all your travel for the year
• Typically more cost-effective for frequent travellers

Long Stay Travel Insurance

Calling all backpackers, gap year travellers, and extended adventure seekers. This isn't your standard holiday cover – long stay travel insurance is designed for those planning to explore the world for months at a time. Think gap years, extended sabbaticals, or working holidays.

Key Benefits:

• Cover for emergency medical expenses for extended periods of travel
• Cover designed for the challenges associated with extended trips abroad
• Flexible coverage for months-long stays (ranging from 2 months to 18 months)

There is also the option to extend your cover up to 24 months. This is available upon referral, so simply get in touch with our team and we'll be happy to look into this for you.

Family & Couples Cover

Why buy individual policies when you can cover everyone under one plan? Family and couples travel insurance is perfect for those who want simplified, cost-effective protection. One policy, multiple travellers – it doesn't get easier than this.

Key Benefits:

• Can be more affordable than individual policies
• Covers multiple travellers under one policy including parents and children up to the age of 20 if they are in full time education
• Family members can travel separately on annual multi-trip policies. However, travellers under 18 must usually be accompanied by an adult.

Additionally, with Voyager Plus travel insurance, our policies include a 24/7 service that lets you speak to an English-speaking GP either by phone or video call.

Expats Travel Insurance

Specialist expat travel insurance is designed for people who live in certain European Economic Area (EEA) countries and need travel insurance when travelling outside their country of residence. It provides cover for travel mishaps when you’re away from home.

Please be aware that travel insurance is not medical cover in the country where you currently live.

Key Benefits:

• Emergency medical cover includes medically necessary repatriation when travelling outside your country of residence
• Access to emergency medical assistance services while travelling
• Designed for people living in the EEA who travel regularly

Already Travelling Travel Insurance

Forgot insurance? Missed the window? Don’t panic. Already travelling travel insurance is a last-minute option that ensures you're covered even after you've started your journey.

Key Benefits:

• Coverage can be purchased mid-trip
• Protects for remaining travel duration
• Fills insurance gaps for spontaneous travellers

Please Note: If you're already abroad, restrictions apply to 'Already Departed' cover. Make sure you read the full policy wording to understand exactly what is and isn't included

Travel insurance isn't just for when you are away - it provides vital protection before you even leave home. To get the most value, you should ideally purchase your policy the moment you book your trip.

• Cancellation Cover Starts Straight Away: On single trip policies, cancellation cover begins from the date you purchase your policy. This means you would have cover if you have to cancel your trip due to unforeseen illness, redundancy, or family emergency.
• Protection Before You Travel: If you wait until the day before your trip to buy travel insurance, you lose the 'pre-departure' window. Any incident that occurs before you buy the policy (such as a sudden injury that prevents you from travelling) will not be covered.

If you leave arranging travel insurance until the day before you travel, you may miss out on valuable cover.

Important: On Voyager Plus Annual Multi-Trip policies, cancellation cover starts from whichever is later: your policy start date or the date the trip is booked.

Many travellers question if insurance is necessary for closer-to-home destinations where some level of public healthcare exists. However, significant gaps often remain.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Europe?

Yes - even with a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), you are still likely to need travel insurance. GHICs do not replace travel insurance, and they certainly don’t cover costs for necessary private medical treatment, repatriation or baggage.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Domestic (UK) Trips?

Domestic travel isn't immune to unexpected challenges. Even a UK-based holiday can benefit from travel insurance.

It depends on your plans. Travel insurance can still protect you against:

• Cancellation due to insured reasons
• Loss or theft of personal belongings
• Additional accommodation costs following insured events, such as illness or travel disruption

It's important to know if you have an annual multi trip policy, for domestic trips, there would typically need to be a minimum of 2 nights away from home using pre-booked, pre-paid accommodation or transport.

Once you purchase a policy, you're protected for certain insured events.

When something goes wrong while you're travelling, what you do next depends on the situation. For medical emergencies (where you're able to), you should contact the Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible. They can help to support you during an emergency, and liaise with medical providers so you can get the medical treatment you need for your illness or injury.

For non-medical issues, such as lost belongings or travel disruption, you'll usually need to submit a claim after the event. Documentation is key - keep receipts, medical reports, and police statements where relevant.

The claims process typically involves submitting a detailed claim form with supporting documents. The nominated claims handler for a travel insurance provider will assess the claim, verifying it meets policy terms and conditions. Approved claims are then reimbursed, either directly to service providers or to you, depending on the situation.

Choosing a travel insurance policy involves considering a number of factors based on your individual circumstances. The information below is designed to help you understand what to look out for, so you can decide which policy and level of cover best suits your needs.

1. Your Destination or Geographic Area

The country or region you're travelling to significantly impacts your insurance needs. Medical costs can vary significantly depending on the country you're visiting, so it's crucial to select a policy that offers adequate coverage for the specific destination.

• The USA & Caribbean: Medical care in countries like the USA or some Caribbean islands can be extremely expensive. If you're heading to these places, you'll need a policy with higher medical limits and wider levels of cover.
• Europe: European countries tend to be more affordable for medical treatment, especially if travelling within countries that are part of the European Union (EU). However, some countries in Europe (e.g., Switzerland, Norway) still have high healthcare costs, so it's important to choose a policy that covers both medical treatment and repatriation.
• Asia & Africa: While medical care in Asian and African countries is generally affordable, the availability and standard of medical facilities can vary between destinations.

Always check that your insurance covers the correct region.

2. Your Medical History

Your medical history plays an important role in travel insurance. When purchasing a policy, you’ll be asked a series of medical questions to determine whether any conditions need to be declared.

Travel insurers may have different requirements regarding which pre-existing medical conditions need to be declared. If you’re unsure what to disclose, you can contact the customer service team for further guidance.

Ultimately, it’s important to answer the medical questions honestly and accurately, as failing to disclose relevant information could result in a claim being declined.

3. Value of Your Belongings

Travelling with valuable items like expensive tech, cameras, or jewellery? Ensure your policy provides adequate coverage for these items. Check the specific limits and conditions for personal belongings.

If you’ll be travelling with multiple gadgets, it might be worth considering adding Gadget Cover to your Voyager Plus policy. This option covers up to 4 gadgets per person, including protection if your devices are accidentally damaged or stolen while abroad.

4. Excess Amounts

Excess is the amount you'll need to pay out of pocket as part of your claim. Policies with lower excesses usually have higher premiums, while policies with higher excesses often have lower premiums. Here's what to consider:

• Higher Excess = Lower Premium: If you're comfortable taking on a larger financial risk, you can opt for a higher excess and pay a lower premium. This means that if you make a claim, you'll need to pay a larger amount out of pocket, but your overall insurance cost will be reduced.
• Lower Excess = Higher Premium: If you want to minimise the amount you need to pay in case of a claim, you can select a policy with a lower excess, though this will usually mean a higher premium.

Consider your risk tolerance and travel frequency when choosing an excess. Frequent travellers might prefer lower excesses for peace of mind.

Some policies will have the option to waive the excess, whereby for an additional premium the excess is reduced to zero.

For more detailed information on how excesses work, see our blog here: Understanding Your Excess

Travel insurance works in the same way as most retail insurance, i.e. on a shared risk model. Everyone who buys a policy pays a premium into what’s known as a ‘common pool’, which is then used to pay eligible claims. If claims increase across a particular group of travellers, premiums for people with a similar risk profile may also rise - even if you haven’t made a claim yourself, hence why the cost of travel insurance can rise.

The overall cost of travel insurance can be influenced by several factors, including age, destination, length of trip, and level of cover. Medical costs abroad play a particularly significant role. In some countries, especially the USA, the cost of emergency treatment, hospital stays, and repatriation can be extremely high, and these costs are reflected in premiums.

As claims become more frequent or more expensive for certain destinations or traveller groups, travel insurers may need to increase prices to ensure there are sufficient funds available to meet future claims.

Getting travel insurance is straightforward and can be done in just a few simple steps. Here's how to protect your trip with the right coverage:

1. Get a Quote Online

Start by entering a few details about your trip. You'll typically need to provide:

• Destination
• Travel dates
• Number of travellers
• Basic personal information

2. Complete Medical Screening (If Needed)

If you have pre-existing medical conditions, it’s important that you declare them at the medical screening stage. This crucial step ensures you get the right cover for your health needs and potential risks.

Be honest and thorough during this process. Accurate information helps prevent issues with future claims.

3. Choose Your Cover Level

Voyager Plus provides four distinct levels of cover designed to suit different budgets and trip requirements: Standard, Enhanced, Prime, and Supreme. When selecting the level, consider the total value of your trip and the potential cost of your belongings.

When comparing these tiers, keep the following factors in mind:

• Match Your Cancellation Limit to Your Trip Cost: Ensure the cancellation limit of your chosen tier covers the full non-refundable cost of your holiday per person. If your trip costs £3,000 but your 'Standard' policy covers up to £1,000, you will be significantly out of pocket if you have to cancel.
• Check for Exclusive Sections for Cover: Not all features are available on every cover level. For example, some sections of cover - such as 'Holiday Financial Protection' isn't available on the Standard levels of Voyager Plus Travel Insurance.
• Consider Your Excess: Higher levels of cover, like our Supreme level of cover, often come with lower policy excesses (the amount you pay toward a claim). While a Standard policy may have a lower upfront premium, you may have to pay more at the point of a claim.

4. Tailor Your Policy with Add-Ons

Customise your policy to match your specific travel plans. Common add-ons include:

• Winter Sports Cover - for skiing and snowboarding holidays.
• Cruise Cover - for cruises, covering missed port departures, cabin confinement, and more.
• Adventure Activities Cover- for adventurous trips involving activities like canoeing, scuba diving, or bungee jumping.

Ready to Protect Your Next Trip?

Travel insurance is an essential part of any trip, providing peace of mind that you’re covered if things don’t go as planned. Whether you’re heading off on a family holiday, a romantic cruise, or an action-packed skiing trip, having the right travel insurance can protect you from unexpected costs and help you enjoy your travels with confidence.

Get Peace of Mind with Voyager Plus Travel Insurance

Voyager Plus policies offer four levels of cover, including Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance options, access to GP on Demand, and include cover for the following:.

Click here to find out more about our Voyager Plus Travel Insurance.

Does travel insurance cover lost passports?

Most travel insurance policies provide assistance if your passport is lost or stolen while you’re abroad. This usually includes help with the costs associated with obtaining emergency documents to enable you to continue your journey or return home. This doesn’t mean the cost of a new passport is covered as you would need to get one regardless, if you ever wanted to go on holiday again.

Does travel insurance cover flight cancellation?

Travel insurance can cover flight cancellations, depending on the reason. Common reasons such as illness, severe weather, or unexpected emergencies are usually covered, but you should verify the policy’s terms for specific coverage details.

What is the most common travel insurance claim?

Trip cancellation, medical expenses and lost baggage are among the most common reasons travellers make a claim on their insurance. These unexpected events can easily disrupt holiday plans, result in additional costs, or throw your trip off course before you’ve even left the runway.

What happens if I don’t get travel insurance?

If you don’t get travel insurance, you’re responsible for any unexpected expenses like medical bills, lost luggage, trip cancellations, or delays. Without insurance, these costs can add up quickly, leaving you financially vulnerable.

Is it ok to fly without travel insurance?

It’s legal to fly without travel insurance, but it’s risky. Without insurance, you may have to cover any unforeseen costs out-of-pocket, such as medical emergencies, cancellations, or lost belongings.

What is the difference between travel insurance and holiday insurance

Travel insurance and holiday insurance are essentially the same, with "holiday insurance" typically referring to coverage for vacations, while "travel insurance" can apply to a broader range of trips, including business and long-term travel. Both phrases tend to be used interchangeably.

This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute advice in any way. The information provided here is correct at the time of writing however please check the latest policy wording for the latest terms, conditions, and exclusions.