Travel insurance buying guide – essential info and FAQs

Travel insurance is a policy that helps protect you financially if something unexpected affects your trip – such as illness, cancellations, lost belongings or travel disruption. 

 
It isn’t legally required for most destinations, but without it you would usually need to cover costs like medical treatment, cancellations or delays yourself. 

Buying travel insurance doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right information, you can choose a policy that fits your plans so you can Dream Big and travel with confidence. In this guide, you’ll learn: 

• What travel insurance is and how it works  
• What travel insurance covers – and what it doesn’t  
• How to choose the right policy for your trip

Travel insurance helps protect you from unexpected costs before or during your trip. 

This can include things like medical treatment abroad, cancellations, lost luggage or travel delays. It’s designed to give you financial protection and reassurance while you travel.  

Travel insurance isn’t legally required for most destinations, but it can be one of the most important things you take with you. Without it, you may need to cover costs yourself if something goes wrong – from medical treatment abroad to cancelled trips or lost belongings. 

Many travellers choose travel insurance so they can relax, knowing support is in place if the unexpected happens. 

 
Learn more about what travel insurance covers, when it matters most, and why it's a good idea to buy it as soon as you book your trip. 

Travel insurance can cover a range of situations, depending on the policy you choose. This may include: 

• Emergency medical treatment abroad  
• Cancelling your trip unexpectedly  
• Cutting your trip short  
• Lost, stolen or delayed luggage  
• Travel delays or missed departures  
• Personal liability  

If you become ill while travelling and need hospital treatment, your policy may help cover the cost – which can be significant in some countries.

Travel insurance won’t cover every situation. Common exclusions may include: 

• Known events (like announced strikes or weather warnings)  
• Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions  
• Incidents involving alcohol or drugs  
• Travelling against government advice  

Always check your policy wording so you understand what is and isn’t included.

Travel insurance works as a safety net if something unexpected affects your trip. 

You pay a premium when you buy your policy. If something goes wrong and is covered, you can make a claim to recover some or all of your costs.

It’s a good idea to buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way, you’re covered if something unexpected happens before you travel, such as needing to cancel your holiday. Buying early means you can plan ahead with confidence.

You book a holiday to Spain in January for a June departure and take out travel insurance at the same time. In April, you’re advised not to travel due to a medical issue.

Because you bought your insurance early, you may be able to claim back the cost of your trip. But if you had waited until May to buy your insurance, you likely wouldn’t be covered. 

The cost of travel insurance depends on several factors, including: 

• Your age  
• Your destination  
• The length of your trip  
• Your medical history  
• The level of cover you choose  

Choosing the right balance between cost and cover can help you feel confident you’re protected. Get a personalised quote now. 

A short European trip may cost less to insure than a longer trip to the USA due to higher medical costs.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, this may affect the cost of your policy, as your cover is tailored to your needs.

The right policy depends on your travel plans. You should consider: 

• How often you travel (single trip or annual cover)  
• Where you’re travelling to  
• The value of your trip  
• Whether you have any medical conditions  

If you travel multiple times a year, an annual multi-trip policy may be more cost-effective than buying single trip cover each time. 
 

• Single trip: Covers one holiday – allowing you to travel for up to 104 days abroad 
• Annual policy: Covers multiple trips in a year – with up to 183 days of travel in total 

Medical cover is one of the most important parts of travel insurance. 

Healthcare costs can vary widely around the world – and in some countries, they can be very high. So it’s important to choose a policy with enough cover for your destination. 

In some countries, even minor treatment can cost hundreds or thousands of pounds. Having the right level of cover can help protect you from these costs.

No, travel insurance and health insurance are not the same. 

Travel insurance covers a wider range of travel-related risks, including cancellations, delays and lost belongings, as well as medical emergencies abroad. Health insurance usually focuses only on medical treatment.

Some travel insurance terms might feel unfamiliar at first. But understanding them can make choosing a policy much clearer. Here are a few common ones: 

• Excess – the amount you pay towards a claim  
• Curtailment – cutting your trip short and returning home early  
• Repatriation – being transported home for medical reasons 

You can buy travel insurance online in just a few steps.  

You can compare policies, choose the level of cover that suits your trip and buy your policy online. Once you’ve purchased your policy, you’ll receive your documents with full details of your cover. 

Ready to buy your travel insurance policy? Get a quote now. 

Before you travel, it’s important to have access to your policy documents. You may need: 

• Your policy number  
• Emergency contact details  
• Copies of your documents (digital or printed)  
• Keeping these handy means you can quickly access support if you need it.

Before choosing your policy, take a moment to check: 

• The level of medical cover  
• Cancellation limits  
• What’s included and excluded  
• Whether pre-existing medical conditions are covered  
• Any excess you may need to pay  

Understanding these details helps you choose a policy that fits your plans.

• Buy travel insurance as soon as you book  
• Check what your policy covers and excludes  
• Make sure medical cover reflects your needs 
• Declare any pre-existing medical conditions 

It’s the time of your life to have the time of your life. With the right travel insurance in place, you can focus on enjoying your trip, knowing you’re prepared for the unexpected. 

At Staysure, we specialise in providing travel insurance for over 50s and medical travel insurance too. So, whatever your travel dreams, we’re right behind you.  

 
Get your quote now – and start looking forward to your next adventure.