How to Get Travel Insurance from the UK
Travel insurance from the UK covers what your GHIC does not. This includes repatriation, cancellation, and theft. The main rule is simple. Tell the insurer about every medical condition honestly. If you do not declare a condition, the insurer can void your medical cover. Medical cover is the whole point of the policy.
At a glance
- Cost:
- £10–£60 single trip; £25–£150 annual multi-trip
- Total time:
- 1 hour
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- gov.uk
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UK sources(October 2026).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go 15 min
Check what you already have
Many packaged bank accounts include travel insurance. These are usually the £10–£25/month tiers. Check before you buy. Some home contents policies cover your possessions when you are away from home. Some credit cards also include travel cover as a yearly benefit. Cover you already have rarely covers medical conditions without screening. So the checks in the next step still apply.
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- Before You Go 20 min
Declare your medical conditions properly
This is the #1 reason insurers reject claims. Every insurer asks you medical screening questions online or by phone. Answer them fully. Include conditions that are under control. Include your medication. This raises the premium. But it keeps your cover valid. Comparison sites like MoneySupermarket handle pre-existing conditions well. Specialist brokers do too, such as AllClear and Staysure for older travellers.
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- Before You Go 10 min
Know GHIC vs travel insurance
The GHIC, and the older EHIC, gets you state healthcare in the EEA and Switzerland. You pay the same cost as locals. It also works in Montenegro, Australia, Jersey/Guernsey/Isle of Man, and St Helena/Tristan/Ascension. It is free. But it is NOT insurance. It does not cover repatriation to the UK. Air ambulances cost £10k–£80k. It does not cover cancellation or baggage. It does not work in most of the rest of the world. Travel insurance covers all of that. Carry both. Also check the FCDO travel advice for your destination. Do not travel against FCDO advice. It commonly voids policies.
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- Fill / Prepare 10 min
Decide single-trip vs annual multi-trip
As a rule of thumb, two or more trips a year makes annual cover cheaper. It is typically £25–£150 for most people. Check the longest trip length on annual policies. It is usually 31 days. You can extend it for long trips. Make sure winter sports, cruises, or gadget cover are included or added. They are standard exclusions.
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- Fill / Prepare 20 min
Compare the policy wording, not just the price
Look at these key numbers. Medical cover: aim for £2m+ and include repatriation. Cancellation: match it to your trip cost. Baggage: check the limit for a single item. Laptops are often capped at £300–£500 per item. Also check the excess for each section. Rules about alcohol routinely void claims after drinking. Read them. Gadget cover is often cheaper as a separate specialist policy.
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- Submit & Pay 15 min
Buy as soon as you book the trip
Cancellation cover only works from the date your policy starts. If you buy a week before you fly, a cancellation before that is not covered. Buy on the same day you pay for flights and hotels. Keep all booking confirmations in one folder, in case you need to claim.
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- Follow Up —
Claiming: report fast, document everything
For theft or loss, get a police report within 24 hours. Most policies require it. For medical help, call the 24-hour assistance line of the insurer first if you can. Do this before you pay big costs. Keep receipts, boarding passes, and medical reports. You must usually file claims within 28–31 days of returning.
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Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Hiding a medical condition from the screening. This is the number one reason insurers reject claims. Declare every condition, including ones that are under control, and all your medication. It raises the premium, but it keeps your cover valid. When you claim, the insurer asks for your medical records and rejects claims linked to a condition you did not declare.
Relying on the GHIC alone. The GHIC gets you state healthcare in the EEA and Switzerland and a handful of other places, but it is not insurance. It does not cover repatriation to the UK, and air ambulances cost £10k to £80k. It does not cover cancellation or baggage, and it does not work in most of the rest of the world. Carry both.
Buying cover late. Cancellation cover only works from the date your policy starts. If you buy a week before you fly, a cancellation before that is not covered. Buy on the same day you pay for flights and hotels.
Travelling against FCDO advice. Check the FCDO travel advice for your destination before you go. Travelling against FCDO advice commonly voids policies.
Waiting too long to report a loss or claim. For theft or loss, get a police report within 24 hours, because most policies require it. For medical help, call the insurer 24-hour assistance line first if you can, before you pay big costs. You must usually file claims within 28 to 31 days of returning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need travel insurance if I have a GHIC?
Yes. The GHIC only lowers state healthcare costs in the EEA and Switzerland. It also works in a handful of other places. These are Montenegro, Australia, Jersey/Guernsey/Isle of Man, and St Helena/Tristan/Ascension. It never covers repatriation, cancellation, or baggage. It also stops outside those countries entirely. Travel insurance is what brings you home if you break a leg in Bali.
Can I get travel insurance with a pre-existing condition?
Yes. Declare it through the medical screening of the insurer. Pay any extra premium. Specialist insurers (Staysure, AllClear, Free Spirit) cover most conditions. This includes cancer and heart disease. Do not skip the declaration. When you claim, the insurer asks for your medical records. They reject claims linked to a condition you did not declare.
I am a foreign national living in the UK. Can I buy UK travel insurance?
Yes. UK residents can buy UK policies whatever their nationality. But check the repatriation clause. Some policies repatriate you to your "country of residence." So check that the policy returns you to the UK. Or check that it accepts your stated home country. Do not just assume.
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