Christmas travel issues and what your insurance can – and can’t – cover

• Christmas travel insurance can help if your flight is delayed, cancelled because of snow, or your baggage and gifts go missing. 
• You’re usually covered for illness, cancellations, travel delays and emergency medical treatment – as long as you bought cover before problems started. 
• You won’t be covered if you ignore airline strike warnings, travel against government advice, or fail to declare any pre-existing medical conditions you’ve seen a doctor or medical professional for. 
• Consider buying insurance as soon as you book your Christmas break, declare all health conditions and allow extra time at the airport. 
• Winter sports, cruises and Christmas market trips may need optional extras like winter sports or gadget cover. 

Christmas and New Year are magical times to get away – whether you’re flying off to see family, chasing winter sun, or heading to a snowy chalet. But alongside festive excitement comes a greater chance of travel hiccups. Busy airports, unpredictable weather and lost baggage can quickly turn plans upside down. 

That’s where travel insurance steps in. While it can’t prevent disruption, it can support you when things don’t go to plan – from flight delays to missing suitcases filled with carefully chosen gifts. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through common Christmas travel issues, how your insurance can help, and what to check before you set off. 

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year to travel, and with more people moving around, there’s a higher chance of things going awry. Some of the most common issues include: 

• weather-related delays or cancellations – snow, ice or heavy fog can ground flights and disrupt road and rail travel 
• airport strikes or staff shortages – industrial action or reduced staffing levels may cause cancellations or lengthy queues 
• lost, delayed or damaged baggage – with airports handling higher volumes of baggage, bags sometimes go missing, and Christmas gifts can disappear with them 
• illness just before travelling – winter brings colds, flu and seasonal bugs, which could mean you’re unable to travel 
• crowded airports and longer queues – more travellers mean more time spent queuing at security, check-in and passport control, increasing the risk of missed flights 

If something does go wrong, the right travel insurance can help soften the blow. Here’s how: 

• Trip cancellations 
  If unexpected illness or injury affects you or a close relative before your holiday, travel insurance can help take some of the worry away. You may be able to claim back non-refundable costs like flights and accommodation, so you can focus on what matters instead of losing out. 
• Travel delays 
  If your flight is delayed for 12 hours or more, your policy may offer compensation to help with meals and refreshments while you wait. 
• Missed departures 
  If snow or unexpected travel issues make you late for your flight or ferry, you may be covered for extra travel or accommodation costs to help you continue your trip. 
• Baggage and lost gifts 
  If your baggage goes missing, is damaged or delayed, your insurance can help replace essential items and any gifts you were planning to take. Try to keep receipts where you can. 
• Emergency medical treatment abroad 
  If you fall ill or get injured while you’re away, travel insurance can help with medical costs. This is especially useful if you’re skiing, snowboarding or visiting colder destinations where slips and seasonal illnesses are more likely. 

Travel insurance is there to help make your Christmas trips feel that bit more secure – but there are a few limits to keep in mind. Knowing these upfront can help you avoid any unwelcome surprises: 

• Travelling after an airline has issued a public strike warning 
  If a strike has already been announced when you book or choose to go ahead with your trip, you may not be covered for any disruption it causes. 
• Choosing not to travel because of bad weather forecasts 
  If flights are still operating and you cancel based on a weather warning, it’s usually classed as ‘disinclination to travel’ and isn’t covered. 
• Not declaring medical conditions 
  If you don’t let your insurer know about an existing medical condition and later need treatment, your claim may not be accepted. 
• Leaving bags unattended or valuables in checked baggage 
  Claims can be turned down if belongings are left unattended, or if valuables like jewellery or gadgets are packed in checked-in baggage instead of your hand luggage. 
• Travelling against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice 
  If you travel to a destination the FCDO advises against, your policy is likely to be invalid. 

A little planning can make festive journeys feel much smoother – here’s how to get ahead this Christmas: 

• Consider buying your travel insurance as soon as you book 
  This means you’re covered straight away for cancellations, rather than waiting until just before you go. When you buy an annual policy, you’re covered from the date you choose.  
• Check destination requirements 
  Make sure your passport is valid, apply for any visas you need and take your GHIC if you’re heading to Europe. Some countries may also ask for vaccination proof or travel forms. 
• Declare all medical conditions 
  This keeps your cover valid and ensures you’ll get the right support if you need treatment while you’re away. 
• Pack gifts in your hand luggage if you can 
  To help keep presents safe, keep fragile or valuable gifts with you. Leave them unwrapped, as airport security may need to take a look. 
• Allow extra time for travel 
  Roads and airports can be much busier at Christmas, so give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, check in, clear security and reach your gate. 

Many Christmas trips involve snow, slopes and twinkling markets – and some of these need extra protection. 

If you’re heading off for skiing, snowboarding or even a bit of festive ice skating, you’ll need a winter sports add-on. This usually includes: 

• cover if the pistes are closed 
• lost, stolen or damaged ski equipment 
• emergency medical treatment on the slopes 
• mountain rescue and repatriation if needed 

European Christmas markets are wonderfully festive but can get busy. Keep an eye on your belongings and take care on chilly, slippery streets. Travel insurance can help if something is stolen or if you need medical support after a bout of winter flu or a fall. 

At Staysure, we know Christmas trips are all about creating special moments with the people you care about. While we can’t control airport queues or guarantee your suitcase comes out first, we can give you the confidence of knowing support is there when you need it. 

• 24-hour emergency medical assistance 
  If something happens while you’re away, our team is always on hand to help. 
• Helpful claims team 
  If you need to make a claim, our specialists will guide you through each step. 
• Clear policy wording 
  We keep things straightforward, so you understand your cover before you travel. 
• Optional extras 
  Shape your policy to suit your trip – from winter sports and cruise cover to gadget cover and more. 

Christmas should be filled with festive plans, not worries about delays or lost baggage. Travel insurance helps protect the cost of your holiday, covers you if you fall ill before you set off and supports you if things go wrong while you’re away. 

Heading off this Christmas?
Sort your travel insurance before you go – it only takes a few minutes to get a quote, and you’ll know exactly what you’re covered for if the unexpected happens. 

Get a quote and travel prepared. 

Yes, if your flight is cancelled due to bad weather or airline issues and it’s not your fault, your policy may cover accommodation, new flights or unused travel costs. Check your policy for delay time limits and exclusions like travelling after strike warnings. 

A GHIC helps with state medical care, but it doesn’t cover cancellations, lost bagagge or medical repatriation. Travel insurance is still important for Christmas trips from the UK.

If you’re too unwell to travel and have to cancel, you may be covered for non-refundable costs – as long as the illness is unexpected and you had insurance in place when you booked.