When to buy travel insurance – Martin Lewis explains

Before you start packing your dream holiday wardrobe, searching for the ultimate rooftop bar in Santorini, or hunting down the tastiest gelato in Rome, there's one essential thing you need to tick off your list first – travel insurance. It’s the smartest move you’ll make before takeoff.  

 In March 2025, Martin Lewis, the UK’s leading money-saving expert, issued a serious warning to holidaymakers on his MoneySavingExpert site: take action now. It might not sound exciting, but it could save you hundreds, or even thousands of pounds. And no, don’t wait until the last minute, get your travel insurance as soon as you book your trip.  

Martin Lewis coined the term ASAB – As Soon As You Book – to emphasise one simple rule: travel insurance should be in place from the moment you book your holiday.  

Why? Because your journey should feel protected from the moment you book. Travel insurance isn’t just about covering lost luggage or delayed flights. It’s also designed to protect you before your trip even kicks off, stepping in if something unexpected crops up and you need to alter your plans. 

You can’t really avoid unexpected things happening while you travel. According to the MoneySavingExpert himself, thousands of travellers every year face unforeseen circumstances because they delayed getting travel insurance. Just to give you an idea, here are some scenarios your travel insurance could cover:  

• You fall ill or get injured and can’t travel. 

• A close family member becomes seriously unwell. 

• You're made redundant and can no longer afford the trip. 

• Your travel provider goes bust before you even take off. 

Without insurance protecting you from the moment you book, you risk paying out of pocket for a holiday you never get to take. 

Martin Lewis urges holidaymakers to think of travel insurance as more than just a safety net for while you’re away. 

"Travel insurance is not just to cover you while you're away. It's also very important to cover you in case something happens before you go that stops you going," he explains. 

His advice is simple: 

"I have a rule: you should get your travel insurance as soon as you book. ASAB..." 

If you’ve already spent thousands on flights, accommodation, or tours, not having insurance is a huge gamble. 

Once you've committed to buying early, it's worth taking a closer look at what's actually included in your cover. Keep an eye out for:  

• cancellation cover - if something serious comes up, whether it’s an illness, a family emergency or a last-minute issue at home, cancellation cover helps you get your money back 

• repatriation cost - falling ill while travelling abroad isn’t just stressful, it can also be pricey. A solid travel insurance plan should have you covered for hospital care and any costs needed to get you back home safely 

• lost or damaged luggage - if your suitcase goes missing or your belongings get damaged or stolen, this cover ensures you won’t be left out of pocket 

• cutting your trip short - if you need to cut your trip short due to an emergency, like losing a close family member, your insurance can help with the costs 

• travel disruptions -  depending on your destination, it’s worth checking if your policy covers unexpected events like strikes and natural disasters. 

While there are different kinds of holiday insurance to suit various needs, they vary based on the policy duration, who it covers, and where you’re travelling. Once you know what to look for in a policy, the next step is picking the right type of cover based on your travel plans. 

Single trip insurance is ideal if you’re heading off on a one-time holiday. It provides cover from the moment you book, right up until you return home from your trip.  

If you’re going away more than once this year, consider annual multi-trip insurance. It could save you money and spare you the hassle of organising cover every time you travel. Just remember to start your policy from the time you book the holiday, not your departure date.  That’s the ASAB way to keep you covered from day one. 

Getting travel insurance as soon as you book is non-negotiable, according to Martin Lewis and top travel experts. With a small upfront cost, you’re securing peace of mind for your trip, protecting your money, and staying prepared for those unexpected moments from day one.  

"Half the point of the cover is to protect you if things happen before then that stop you going, so please get it ASAB (As Soon As You've Booked)", says Lewis.

Next time you're planning a holiday, don’t forget to make getting a travel insurance quote your very next step.