Unlimited medical cover and emergency expensesComprehensive and Signature policies only
Up to £15,000 cancellation cover On Signature policies
Talk to an English-speaking GP via video call with Travel Doctor*
Our Signature and Comprehensive policies are Which? Best Buys.
Excellent 4.7 | 545,461 reviews
We've got more 5-Star reviews on Trustpilot than any other UK travel insurance provider
“An excellent product with a comprehensive range of features and benefits" - Defaqto
Awarded Best Company for Travel Insurance at the British Travel Awards 2016-2025
Travel insurance at a glance
As a UK-based travel insurance provider, Staysure specialises in cover for 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions** and all ages. Our award-winning holiday cover includes emergency medical and repatriation expenses, flexible cancellation protection from £500 to £15,000, baggage cover from £300 to £5,000, and more, with optional add-ons like Cruise Plus, winter sports, Travel Disruption Extension, golf cover and excess waiver. It’s easy to get a quote online or over the phone – simply fill us in on your travel plans, finalise your medical screening, and pick a policy level that fits your plans (subject to acceptance).
Staysure has been specialising in travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions since 2004, and 97% of customers are able to get medical cover with us. Our Signature and Comprehensive policies hold a Defaqto 5-star rating, and we’ve been voted Best Company for Travel Insurance by the British Travel Awards for 9 years in a row (2016-2025).
The British Travel Awards have recognised us as the Best Company for Travel Insurance nine years in a row (2016-2025). This achievement is based on the votes of real customers, showing the trust travellers place in us.
This award is only given to travel companies that provide stellar service to their customers. It shows that we prioritise customer service, round-the-clock support when you need it most, and a reliable and speedy claims process.
What is travel insurance (also known as holiday insurance)?
Half the fun of a holiday is the excitement of planning it. But even the most carefully planned trips can hit a snag. A sprained ankle on a cobbled street, a delayed flight or your luggage venturing off on its own little adventure. Without travel insurance, these holiday hiccups can quickly drain your budget.
GOV.UK highlights that treating a stomach bug in a US hospital can cost upwards of £150,000. That’s a hefty bill to face alone. But with Staysure, you won’t have to.
Fill us in on your travel plans and any pre-existing medical conditions, pick a policy level, and if things go off track before you leave or while you’re abroad, we’ll pick up the bill – so you can keep dreaming big.
What does travel insurance cover?
All our policies include 24/7 emergency support, access to an English-speaking Travel Doctor abroad,* with cover for pre-existing medical conditions, and all ages.
What's covered?
emergency medical treatment abroad – including hospital care, ambulance transport and overnight stays if you fall seriously ill or are injured while away.
getting you home safely – repatriation cover if you’re too unwell to travel as planned, including specialist medical transport if needed.
cancellations due to illness or injury – including if you're too unwell to travel, or experience a bereavement.
cutting your trip short – cover if something serious happens mid-holiday and you need to return early.
lost, stolen or damaged belongings – including your baggage, passport and personal money.
pre-existing conditions – if you’ve told us about them and we’ve accepted them, they can be included in your policy.
Example: You’ve spent months planning your Mediterranean adventure. But three days before you fly, a tumble down the stairs puts your holiday on hold. With our Signature policy covering cancellations up to £15,000, we can help refund your pre-booked holiday expenses.
What isn't covered?
cancelling because you’ve changed your mind – cover only applies to unexpected and insured reasons.
missed flights – unless it’s due to a strike,*** severe weather, or mechanical breakdowns.
undeclared medical conditions – always let us know about any health issues when you get a quote.
unattended items – valuables left alone may not be covered.
activities not listed on your policy – like extreme sports or cruises, unless you’ve added them.
travelling against advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – policies won’t cover destinations where the UK government advises against all travel.
incidents involving alcohol or drugs – claims related to excessive alcohol or controlled substances won’t be accepted.
going against medical advice – for example, flying too soon after an operation or illness.
travelling for the purpose of receiving medical treatment – including consultations, tests, or planned procedures abroad.
Example: Your arthritis is so well managed that you don't even consider it a medical condition anymore. But even if it never stops you from exploring, we still need to know. If you don't declare it when getting a travel insurance quote, we won't be able to cover the medical costs if you have a flare-up abroad.
Beth Craig
Travel insurance expert
Why do I need travel insurance if my EHIC or GHIC card covers me for medical expenses abroad?
What our expert says…
“If you need to see a doctor or visit a hospital abroad, your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you access state-provided healthcare at local rates in most European countries. But that’s where the cover ends. It won’t cover trip cancellations, missing luggage, or the tens of thousands it can cost to fly you home if you're too ill to fly commercially. Take a trip outside the EU, and it offers no protection. Travel insurance can help to cover these costs.
”
Why choose Staysure?
Up to unlimited medical emergency expenses
Generous cancellation cover up to £15,000
We’ve given over 12m people peace of mind
Most pre-existing medical conditions covered
Easy to access and amend your policy online
Specialist travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
Having a pre-existing medical condition shouldn’t stop you from seeing the world. As a medical travel insurance specialist since 2004, we cover over 1,300 medical conditions,** and all ages.
We’ve put years into making our screening process as simple and quick as possible, our underwriters are highly experienced in complex cases, and our claims team understand the realities of travelling with a health condition. In fact, 97% of customers are able to get medical cover with us.
By being open about your medical history and your current health conditions, we can make sure your policy gives you all the support you need when you’re abroad.
Medical conditions we regularly cover
We cover a vast number of medical conditions, including:
If you can’t find your condition here, don’t fret. You can browse more medical conditions on our website or contact our team for support.
Proud to be a part of BIBA's medical directory
For people who have trouble finding travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has a directory of specialist insurers, like us!
To find out more, or if on the odd occasion we are unable to provide the cover you need, contact BIBA on 0370 950 1790. You can also search BIBA's medical directory online.
Free English-speaking medical help abroad
Travel Doctor, our new online service, connects you with an English-speaking doctor if you need medical support while you are abroad.* It lets you book a video-based consultation to discuss your health needs with a doctor right from your sun lounger.
You can choose a slot that works for you, go through your symptoms, get your prescription and even use Travel Doctor to find your nearest pharmacy, so you can get your meds and get on with enjoying your holiday.
Holiday insurance options for every trip
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a first-timer, our travel insurance protects most trips, big or small, with cover for pre-existing medical conditions, and all ages.
Optional extras to customise your holiday insurance
No two bucket lists are alike and some trips need a little extra protection. With our optional add-ons, you can tailor your policy so you have everything you need for your next adventure.
You can add extra cover for:
gadgets – protect your tech, like your phone, tablet and more while you’re abroad
winter sports – cover your winter activities, like skiing, snowboarding and more (included as standard on Signature and Comprehensive annual multi-trip policies)
golf holidays – protect your golf gear, green fees and more
cruise holidays – cover your cruises against cabin confinement, itinerary changes, and more
excess waiver – lower your out-of-pocket expenses if you need to make a claim
travel disruption – cover your holidays against trip curtailments or cancellations caused by unexpected events, like natural disasters, a food poisoning outbreak at your hotel, a terrorist event, war or conflict
You’ll be able to add our optional extras when you get a travel insurance quote.
“Our Travel Disruption Extension is an extra layer of protection that’s included on our Signature policies and available as an add-on. It covers trip curtailments, cancellations and extra travel expenses if a war or conflict situation breaks out after you’ve bought your travel insurance. However, it only covers unexpected situations – if an event is already happening or expected to happen by the time you buy, it won’t be covered, which is why it’s best to buy your policy as soon as you’ve paid your first trip deposit.
”
How to buy travel insurance
Whether you prefer getting a quick online quote or speaking to a real human over the phone, we make buying travel insurance both easy and effortless.
1. Run us through your travel plans
To get your quote started, you’ll need to fill us in on your upcoming adventure. Tell us who’s travelling, where you’re going, how long you’ll be away, and if you’d like a single trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance policy.
If a cruise is on the agenda, you’ll need to include all the destinations on your itinerary and any flights to and from your port.
2. Tell us about your medical history
After we’ve got your travel details sorted, we’ll go through a quick medical screening to tailor your cover to your needs. This is the time to mention any health concerns that required medication, medical advice, or treatment during the past two years.
3. Get your personalised quote
That’s it! Once we’ve gathered all your details, we’ll share your personalised quote online or over the phone.
You can tailor your policy by choosing your cover level and adding handy extras like Cruise Plus or winter sports cover. Need a little time to decide? No problem – we can always email your travel insurance quote over to you, so you go over it in your own time.
The big-ticket costs travel insurance can help with
From October 2024 to October 2025, emergency medical expenses were our most common claim, and for good reason. Hospitalisation for a stomach bug in the USA with medical repatriation back to the UK could set you back £150,000+, according to the UK government.
In reality, the biggest claims are often more costly. While the average emergency medical claim on our worldwide policies was about £3000, the highest we paid was closer to an eye-watering £350,000.^
Over the same period, our second most common claim on worldwide policies was cancellation. If you need to pull the plug on your holiday, we can help you recover the prepaid costs – with the average cancellation claim on our worldwide policies coming in at around £2000, and the highest reaching more than £50,000.
How much does travel insurance cost?
There’s no one-size-fits-all figure for travel insurance. We build your premium around you, so you can get the best possible cover at a fair price.
Several factors come into play to calculate your final quote:
Your age: As we get older, the chances of needing medical help, and the cost of that help, tend to increase. We’ll make sure your policy has the right level of financial protection built in, just in case.
Your medical history: Any pre-existing medical conditions you declare will allow us to step in if a health ailment flares up or causes complications while you’re abroad.
The destination: Medical costs and risks vary around the world. We’ll make sure your policy is robust enough, wherever your bucket list takes you.
How long you’re away: The longer your adventure, the more time there is for something unexpected to happen. A month-long holiday carries a different level of risk compared to a quick weekend break.
The cover level you choose: This is where you’re in the driver's seat. We offer different levels of cover across our Basic, Comprehensive, and Signature policies with varying limits for things like medical emergencies, repatriation, cancellation, baggage, and more. For example, a Signature policy will give you more protection but will also add to your premium.
Optional extras: We offer additional protection through our optional add-ons, like gadget, winter sports, or cruise cover. Your choices here will help shape the final price of your policy.
Every holiday and every holidaymaker is different. That’s why we’ve worked hard to ensure fair pricing and plenty of flexible options when it comes to cover levels and optional add-ons. For many, the reassurance of robust cover is well worth it, especially when travelling with medical conditions or booking a higher-cost trip.
How to get cheaper holiday insurance
Do you want to save on your travel insurance while still getting the most out of your policy? Here are some top tips to consider before you purchase:
Get covered early – taking out travel insurance after paying your first trip deposit can keep you covered if you need to cancel before you travel.
Choose a policy with a higher excess – you can lower your premium by increasing your excess, but be sure to choose an amount you’re comfortable paying if needed.
Only get the cover you need – you can cut costs by not adding optional add-ons, like cruise or winter sports cover, if you don’t need them.
Be honest about your health – when you declare your full medical history, we have everything we need to tailor your cover, so you are protected when you need it most.
Combine travellers on one policy – you can save on cover costs by making sure all your travel companions are on the same policy, such as our family travel insurance or group travel insurance.
Keep your baggage light – by taking only what you need, you might be able to choose a policy with a lower baggage limit and bring your premium down.
Find a discount – be sure to check out our discounts page before you buy so you can save on your premium.
Refer a friend and get rewarded
Dreaming big with your nearest and dearest has never been more rewarding. Refer a friend, and we'll give them 20% off.† If they buy, you'll earn a £10 Love2Shop gift card.‡
with more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than any other provider.^^
Great customer service
Took out a travel insurance policy with Neil .Would just like to thank him for his helpfulness and patience .He explained everything thoroughly and answered all our questions in detail .Nothing appeared too much trouble
The price was higher than we would of liked but as this is a highly recommended company ,we are just hoping that if ever we do need to make a claim ,it all goes through without a hitch. Then it will be money well spent
Patricia Hayes,
The best telephone experience I’ve had…
The best telephone experience I’ve had in years, what a treat from the usual long-winded business.
Norma, my advisor was extremely efficient, clear and friendly. I was renewing my policy with her. I can’t praise her highly enough.
Vanessa Maundrell.,
Brilliant service ..Explained what my…
Brilliant service ..Explained what my travel schedule was for the next 12 months and was advised which policy best met my needs .
MRS J BISHOP,
What our customers say
Over 12 million travellers have trusted Staysure to protect their adventures since 2005. Take a look at what some of them have to say:
Sunil Thomas, 4 August 2026
I’m genuinely impressed with Staysure
I’m genuinely impressed with Staysure Travel Insurance. During our recent trip to India, my family’s baggage was delayed, and we had to submit a claim. Staysure handled everything smoothly, quickly, and without any stress. The claim was paid out promptly, and the whole process was far easier than we expected.
It’s rare these days to find an insurance company that delivers exactly what it promises, but Staysure truly did. Their communication was clear, the steps were simple, and we felt supported throughout.
We highly recommend Staysure Travel Insurance — reliable, efficient, and absolutely worth it for peace of mind when travelling
I have been with Staysure for about 3 years now. The staff, I have always found them helpful and listen to what you are saying and advise you to the product that suits your needs. Also, I have had to put in a claim in for a holiday I was unable to take. Again very helpful and paid out swiftly. My yearly payments have not risen too high, in fact hardly anything.
Excellent company to deal with. Very competitive price but the real test of an insurance company is when you have to submit a claim.
Staysure were excellent when we had to cut our holiday short by a week in the south of France and rush home for a family emergency.
We contacted Staysure from France and told them what happened. The advisor could not have been more helpful and told us to get home by whatever means we could.
When we got home to the worst possible outcome, Staysure were unbelievably helpful in dealing with our lost holiday claim and the additional expenses we incurred. The claim was paid within a week.
We have recently renewed our policy with Staysure. 11/10 for help and guidance at what was a very difficult time.
Our new TV ad is about embracing life and being bold – whatever your age.
Watch the ad now
Other travellers ask...
Yes, holiday insurance and travel insurance are the same thing. Whichever name you prefer to use, both are designed to protect you from unexpected expenses if something goes wrong before you leave or while you are away. This includes cover for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, repatriation, travel delays, lost baggage, and more.
Staysure’s award-winning travel insurance also covers 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions,** so you can explore with confidence.
Think of travel insurance as your safety net. It’s designed to shield you from unexpected costs if your travels don’t go to plan.
To set up your travel insurance, you’ll need to let an insurer (like us) know what adventures you have in the pipeline. We’ll start with the basics, like your destination, how long you’ll be away, who is tagging along, and whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
You will have a wealth of choices when exploring our cover options. We cover everything from spur-of-the-moment holidays to multiple trips over the course of a year. We also make it easy to tailor your policy with optional add-ons, such as Cruise Plus or winter sports cover, so you can do what you love most, wherever your bucket list takes you.
From the minute your insurance kicks in, you’ll be covered for all the potential holiday hiccups outlined in your policy documents.
This means if something unexpected crops up, such as a medical emergency, trip cancellation, missing luggage, or you need to head home earlier than planned because of an insured reason, you should be able to submit a claim. Simply supply the necessary evidence of the event, and we will cover you up to the limits agreed in your policy.
Holiday insurance for travelling does much more than just cover unexpected bills. A great policy provides hands-on practical support when you need it most. Our 24/7 emergency medical helpline is there to co-ordinate your care abroad or help you locate a pharmacy that stocks the medication you need. Should you become too unwell to fly home on a commercial flight, we can arrange specialist medical transport to bring you and a companion home safely.
Buying travel insurance before you go on holiday isn’t legally mandated in the UK. However, some countries won’t let you cross their borders without it, like Cuba, Tanzania and Qatar.
To be safe, go through the entry requirements of the destinations you want to visit on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website before you book your next adventure, and also before you travel.
If you’re travelling to Europe, it’s also worth knowing about the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), a biometric border process for UK travellers entering the Schengen area.
As part of the broader checks involved in EES registration, border officials may ask about your travel plans, including your travel insurance. Having your policy details close by ensures a smooth and stress-free start to your holiday, allowing you to breeze through the airport and get straight to enjoying your adventure.
At Staysure, we believe that age shouldn't be a barrier to adventure, which is why we specialise in travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, and all ages. Our policies are designed to provide the tailored protection you need to travel with confidence at any stage of life, whether you’re young or simply young at heart.
You can explore our age-specific travel insurance pages here:
Some packaged bank accounts include free or discounted travel insurance, but these policies often have strict age limits. In many cases, cover stops at 70 or 75, meaning people in their late 70s or 80s aren’t eligible at all. Even where higher ages are accepted, the policy might not cover pre-existing medical conditions, cruises, or certain activities without paying extra.
Our Don’t Bank On It report found that one in four Brits rely on bank-provided travel insurance, yet claims made on these policies are 9% more likely to be rejected than those made to a specialist provider. Age limits are a common reason, alongside undisclosed medical conditions or activities not included in the policy.
It also showed that most people don’t read the full terms. Three in four skip the small print, which is often where these limits are explained. That leaves many older travellers assuming they’re covered, only to find out they’re not when it comes to making a claim.
If you’re in your 70s or 80s, it’s worth checking exactly what your bank’s policy includes before relying on it. With Staysure, we cover all ages, and you can get cover that reflects your health, trip type and plans.
Planning on sailing the seven seas? If you let us know about your sea voyage when buying your policy, we’ll be able to cover your ocean adventures
Just tell us which destinations your cruise will include, and we’ll make sure all the standard benefits you normally get on land follow you out to sea, like cover for cancellations, medical emergencies and lost or stolen baggage.
For more protection, our Cruise Plus add-on can cover both your ocean and river adventures against:
missed port departure – a cruise is the only holiday where your bedroom is always moving, so it’s important you have insurance that covers this.
cabin confinement – if you’re advised to stay in your cabin due to illness, we’ll pay up to £75 for every full 24 hours you are confined after the first 48 hours, up to a total of £1000.
unused excursions due to cabin confinement – if you’ve booked and paid for an excursion but can’t attend because you’re confined to your cabin, you won’t lose out.
changes to your itinerary – if your cruise schedule changes and you miss planned stops, you can be compensated for the disruption.
cruise interruptions – if your trip is disrupted and you need to leave early, we might be able to help with additional costs.
Cruise Plus is available with our Comprehensive and Signature policies.
Our policies cover over 100 fun-filled activities as standard, so you can make the most of your next adventure.
From ziplining and fishing to surfing, banana boat rides, hiking below altitudes of 2,500 metres, cycling, jet skiing, water polo, safari (must be organised in the UK), archery, whale and dolphin watching, Yoga, and waterpark adventures, with some exceptions when it comes to personal accident and liability cover.
Teeing off while on holiday? Golf is included in all our policies, but we also provide extra golf cover, which can help protect your equipment and non-refundable golfing fees.
A few activities, like professional or competitive sports and motorised racing, fall outside of what our policies protect. You can find the full list of included activities in our policy documents.
According to the trade association for UK travel agents (ABTA)’s Holiday Habits 2025 – 2026 report, only 54% of UK travellers think getting travel insurance is essential to feeling protected when going on holiday.
But plans can change at the drop of a hat, and not having travel insurance means you will have to cover the costs should anything go wrong. By taking out a travel insurance policy as soon as you book, you can rest easy knowing you will have financial support to fall back on if you have to cancel or cut your holiday short because of an insured reason.
Staysure covers more than 1,300 medical conditions.** In fact, 97% of customers are able to get medical cover with us.
When you go through our screening process, we’ll ask you to declare any pre-existing medical conditions. For holiday insurance, this includes any health-related ailment over the last two years that led to:
Symptoms
Treatment and/or medication
Investigations and/or surgery
Medical appointments
To offer you a policy that reflects the cover you might need, you’ll be asked about your current health rather than just the name of your condition.
Based on your answers, we’ll let you know what we can cover, at what level and at what price. Some conditions might affect your premium, but others, like pregnancy (as long as there are no complications) and menopause, won’t add to the cost. We’ll always be transparent about what your policy includes before you commit to anything.
On the rare occasion we aren’t able to cover you, we’ll either put you in touch with one of our condition-specific partners, or direct you to the BIBA medical directory.
The best travel insurance is the one that caters to your unique needs. Here are some key things to consider when comparing your options.
Robust medical cover – by getting a policy with cover for pre-existing medical conditions and medical emergencies, you will have financial support when you need it most.
Generous cancellation limits – the total amount you are able to claim needs to be high enough to fully cover the cost of all your non-refundable holiday bookings.
High-quality customer service – you should be able to speak to a real human when you have questions or need to make a claim.
24/7 emergency medical assistance – travel insurance with round-the-clock medical support is worth its weight in gold when you need urgent care.
If you are helping to plan a trip for someone else, you will be glad to know you can easily set up travel insurance for them, whether they are your child, a parent, or a dear friend.
There are just a handful of things to remember when you take the reins. The biggest thing is getting their consent, which just means making sure they know you’re taking out a policy in their name.
It is equally important to make sure their policy details are accurate. For instance, if you are organising cover for an older family member, you need to know their complete medical history. We will need to be filled in on their current medications, any recent doctor’s appointments, diagnoses or symptoms.
Even the smallest accidental error with their health details could affect whether their policy fully covers them while they are away.
To make sure nothing is missed, we always recommend getting together and filling out the application as a team. Our hands-on team is just a phone call away if you need a bit of extra guidance.
Our claims process is designed to be simple and fair – we’re here to support you from start to finish.
UK-based claims team – here to help you every step of the way.
Quick and fair assessments – with fast payouts on approved claims.
Clear guidance – we’ll let you know exactly what information we need.
If you need to make a claim:
Contact Staysure as soon as possible – our UK-based claims team are ready to help.
Who says paradise needs a passport? If you’re planning on rediscovering the UK, our award-winning holiday travel insurance can step in if your staycation doesn’t go to plan.
While the NHS sorts your medical care, Staysure UK travel insurance can cover:
trip cancellations or curtailments
missing, stolen or delayed baggage
travel delays and missed departures
personal liability
lost travel documents
up to £10,000 for extra transport and accommodation if you can't continue your trip for medical reasons
Our UK cover only applies if you book and pay for at least two consecutive nights of accommodation in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
Yes, Staysure travel insurance can protect you against flight cancellations, provided your trip is cancelled for an insured reason. This could be anything from severe weather conditions and mechanical failures to an unexpected illness or injury. When these unpredictable moments happen, you may be able to claim back the costs of your unused travel and accommodation.
Other travel hiccups, such as airline strikes,*** weather delays, or breakdowns on the way to the airport, may also be covered under the travel delay, missed departure, or missed connection sections of your policy, depending on your level of cover.
Just remember to allow plenty of time for your journey. Your claim will not be valid if you did not leave enough time to get to your departure point, or if you booked connecting flights with less than a two-hour window between them.
You can check your policy documents to get the full scope of what’s included.
Stay in control of your account with My Staysure
You can make changes to your policy, online and in your own time with My Staysure.
It’s quick and easy to make changes to your policy online. If you need to make simple changes such as updating traveller details or renewing a policy that’s details are staying the same, just visit your My Staysure account.
*Travel Doctor is powered by Air Doctor. Up to 3 appointments per insured person, per policy. Geographical restrictions and T&Cs apply.
**Subject to screening. See our policy documents for full details of what’s included.
***As long as strike action wasn’t common knowledge at the time of booking your trip or taking out your policy – whichever came later.
†Excludes medical screening costs and add-ons. New policies only. Full T&Cs apply.
‡The referrer is offered a £10 Love2Shop gift card for each friend who buys for the first time. We will send you up to 10 rewards for a maximum of 75 successful referrals within any 24-hour period. You'll be able to earn up to 75 rewards in any rolling 12-month period or up to £1,000 of reward value within the last 12 months. By accepting this offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions. Our referral campaign is run by Mention Me.
^Based on Staysure sales data.
^^UK’s favourite based on more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than any other provider.
Unlimited medical cover and emergency expensesComprehensive and Signature policies only
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