What to look for in travel insurance: your essential checklist

Planning a trip is the fun, exciting part – it gives you something to look forward to. But a great holiday starts with good travel insurance that protects you from the unexpected.  

No one expects things to go wrong, but life happens on holidays too. Whether you’re sailing in the Med or skiing in the Alps, travel insurance is your safety net. It helps you avoid unnecessary stress and expense if something doesn’t go to plan. 

Finding the right cover can feel overwhelming, but this checklist will help you work out what matters most, so you can travel with confidence. 

A good policy starts with choosing the right type of cover. Are you heading off on one trip, or several? Here’s what to look for: 

Ideal for one-off holidays. With a single trip policy, you’ll be covered for cancellation from the day you buy your policy until the day you return. 

Planning more than one trip this year? Annual cover protects all your getaways for 12 months. It could save you time and money if you travel often. 

You can tailor your policy with optional extras like cruise or golf cover – so you’re only paying for the extras you need. 

Not all policies offer the same level of protection – so it’s important to check what’s included. Some offer essential cover like medical treatment and cancellations, but may come with lower payout limits. Others include higher limits, added benefits like baggage protection, and extra peace of mind when you travel. 

Before buying, compare the different levels of cover available. Look at what's included as standard and what can be added on. That way, you’ll choose a policy that suits your trip – and your budget. 

Every trip is different. That’s why the best travel insurance lets you add extra protection for the things that matter to you. 

Included with our Comprehensive and Signature annual policies, or available as an add-on for single trips. Winter sports insurance, covers you for skiing, snowboarding and more – plus avalanches and piste closures. 

Cruise cover protects you if your trip is disrupted – including cabin confinement or changes to your itinerary caused by bad weather or timetable changes. 

Gadget cover keeps your tech safe. Covers phones, tablets, cameras and more if they’re lost, stolen or damaged while you’re away. 

Heading to the green? Golf cover protects your equipment and green fees if you can’t play due to illness or bad weather.

Want zero excess if you make a claim? Add excess waiver cover to your policy for peace of mind. Good news if you already have a Staysure Signature policy – you're already covered for excess waiver.  

You can upgrade your annual policy to cover trips up to 100 days – perfect for extended holidays or winter escapes.

A good travel insurance policy will cover your pre-existing conditions – as long as you declare them.

With Staysure, you’ll complete a short medical questionnaire when getting a quote. We cover thousands of conditions, from asthma and diabetes to high blood pressure. 

There’s no upper age limit for single or annual policies, and you’ll always have 24/7 medical support while abroad. 

When comparing policies, check these essential cover areas: 

• Cancellation and curtailment – protection if you need to cancel before travelling, or cut your trip short. 

• Emergency medical expenses – cover for treatment abroad, including hospital stays and repatriation. 

• Baggage cover – if your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen. 

• Travel delay and missed departure – compensation if your travel is delayed. 

• Lost passport or money – help with replacement costs while abroad. 

• Repatriation – getting you home for medical reasons, if needed. 

• Hospital benefit – a daily allowance if you’re admitted to hospital overseas. 

Make time to read the policy wording so you know exactly what’s included – and what isn’t. It’s where you’ll find details like: 

• what you are (and aren’t) covered for 

• the excess you’ll pay if you claim 

• how to make a claim if something goes wrong 

A good travel insurance provider will keep things clear and easy to understand. 

It’s important that you know where to turn to if you find yourself needing support abroad. With a Staysure policy, you get 24/7 emergency medical support as standard – wherever you are in the world.

Save the emergency contact details from your policy documents somewhere handy, just in case. 

Over 12 million travellers have trusted Staysure with their travel insurance, since 2005 – and we’re rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot. With five-star Defaqto-rated cover (for our Comprehensive and Signature policies) and no upper age limit, we’re here to help you travel with confidence. 

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