Compare travel insurance

Many insurers now offer some level of COVID-19 cover – however, this can vary quite a lot. Examples of what may be covered include:

• Emergency medical expenses: Including repatriation (getting you home), and additional expenses (quarantine hotels, etc) if you fall ill with COVID-19.
• Cancellation: If you test positive (or a close relative passes away due to COVID-19) prior to your holiday and are unable to travel.
• Curtailment: If you test positive for COVID-19 pre-departure, upon arrival at your destination, or while on holiday. Additionally, look for a policy that offers curtailment cover in the event a close relative passes away from COVID-19 during your holiday.

In general, travel insurance covers everything from medical expenses and cancellation to travel delays and theft, loss or damage of baggage.

The amount of cover you’ll receive for each claim area will depend on your policy – so when it comes to comparing quotes, cheapest is not always best.

A good policy could include the following amounts of cover:

• Medical expenses: £5,000,000
• Personal liability: £1,000,000
• Cancellation: £3,000 (or amount equal to total holiday cost)
• Delay cover: The amount can vary, but should be included
• Missed departure: £500
• Loss, damage or theft of baggage: £1,500
• Policy excess: Under £100
• Holiday cash: £250-£500
• Emergency assistance: 24/7 support

You may also wish to include cover for ‘end supplier failure’ for any non-refundable element of your travel, as it’s not always included as standard. This will provide cover if, for example, your airline or hotel ceases trading before or during your holiday.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may not be covered by a standard travel insurance policy. With icelolly.com, you can compare specialist holiday insurance to cover any existing medical issue you currently suffer with or have suffered with in the past.

If you're struggling to find adequate cover, the Money and Pension Service (MaPs) can provide you with a list of specialist insurers through the MaPs directory website. Alternatively, you can call the British Insurance Brokers Association on 0370 950 1790.

Purchasing a travel insurance policy is more than a pre-travel box to tick. You’re protecting your hard-earned cash, after all, and a few extra pounds now can save you in the long run if something goes awry while you’re away.

That said, you can find the best prices by comparing with us at icelolly.com. We put policies from more than 20 trusted travel insurance providers side by side so you can see exactly what you’re getting for your money.

To get the most out of your travel insurance, consider purchasing your holiday insurance policy as soon as you book your holiday. This way, you’ll be protected if anything goes wrong in the lead up to your holiday, as well as while you’re away.

In addition to understanding adequate levels of cover looks like, there’s a little legalese that’s worth wrapping your head around – as well as a number of exclusions to keep in mind.

First off, your travel insurance excess. This is the amount of money you will pay if you need to make a claim, and it will be deducted from whatever pay out you receive from your insurer. For example, on a £1,500 claim with a policy excess of £200, the insurer would only pay out £1,300.

Understanding your excess can play a big part in deciding which policies are the best value for money. You may want to pay a little bit more on a policy with a lower or no excess fee in order to get a better return on your pay out should you need to make a claim.

It’s also important to be aware of common exclusions on travel insurance policies. ‘Scheduled airline failure’ or ‘end supplier failure’ don’t come as standard, so consider if this is something you’ll want in your policy. Cover for gadgets, cruises, winter sports or other adventurous activities and natural catastrophes and terrorism, are also add-ons for most policies. Though these additions generally raise your premium, you’ll likely come out on top in the long run if you need to make a claim.

The type of travel insurance you need depends on a number of factors. At icelolly.com, we compare policies for single trips, annual multi-trips, pre-existing medical conditions and gadgets.

• Single trip insurance: One-off plans for single holidays. Ideal for people who only take one to two trips a year.
• Annual multi-trip insurance: Year-long plans for regular travellers. Offers cover for unlimited trips within a 365-day period.
• Pre-existing medical conditions: Specialist health insurance for travellers with pre-existing health issues, such as heart, respiratory, or psychological conditions.
• Gadget insurance: Extra cover for expensive gadgets, such as smart phones, laptops, tablets, and cameras.

To make a travel insurance claim while you are on holiday, you should call the hotline provided to you by your insurer – you’ll find the number in your policy documents. You should keep these documents to hand either as a paper copy, in an email or saved direct to your smartphone.

You’ll also need evidence to support your claim. This can include police reports, medical receipts, doctor notes and prescriptions, and proof of purchase.

Always check the claims process of your insurer before you travel.

Who regulates us?

The icelolly.com travel insurance comparison site is operated by CYTI Limited. Registered in England (company number: 07368288). CYTI Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (firm reference number: 594298).

Do I need travel insurance?

It is not a legal requirement to have a travel insurance policy in place before you travel. That said, we strongly recommend taking out a policy as soon as you book your holiday – it will give you peace of mind that your money is protected should something go wrong before or during your trip.

How much is travel insurance?

You can find travel insurance policies from as little as £6.29* for a single trip. If you take more than one or two holidays a year, an annual multi-trip policy may be better value. These start at £12.00†.

*Based on an individual aged 30 taking single trip cover for 8 days to Spain. Cover starts on 11th December 2021 and ends on 18th December 2021. Prices correct as of 10th December 2021.

†Annual cover from £12.00 based on an individual aged 25 with no pre-existing conditions taking annual cover for travel in Europe. Cover starts on 11th December 2021 and ends on 10th December 2022. Prices correct as of 10th December 2021.

Do I still need travel insurance if I have a GHIC or EHIC?

Yes, you still need travel insurance even if you have a GHIC/EHIC card. These cards do not cover certain medical issues, repatriation, or private emergency care.

When should I get travel insurance?

We recommend that you purchase your holiday insurance as soon as you book your travel. This means you’ll be protected in the lead up to your holiday, as well as while you’re away.

Do I still need travel insurance for a UK holiday?

If you’re taking a holiday at home in the UK, you will already have medical cover through the NHS and your possessions may be already covered through your home insurance. That said, a policy can provide extra cover for cancellation, delays and hospital transfers, as well as additional possession protection if you need it.

Will travel insurance cover the loss of a passport?

Your travel insurance policy will generally offer some financial cover if you lose your passport. It’ll help you cover your expenses if you lose your passport abroad and need an emergency travel document from the British Embassy.

However, you will generally not be covered if you lose your passport at home before your trip, nor will you be covered for the costs of any cancelled or rebooked travel if you must stay abroad while you organise a new travel document.

Keep in mind that you may need a police report to make a claim on a lost or stolen passport. Read your policy documents.

Can I get travel insurance if I’m under 18?

Yes, under 18s can be covered by a family travel insurance policy (if you’re travelling together) or an individual travel insurance policy if they are travelling alone or on a school trip. Look for the same levels of cover as you would on any other policy.

Can I get travel insurance if I’m pregnant?

Yes, you can get travel insurance if you are pregnant. This is not considered a pre-existing condition and most insurers will cover you with a standard holiday insurance policy.

Do I need to declare pre-existing medical conditions?

Yes, by declaring all pre-existing medical conditions before you buy an insurance policy, you can ensure a pay-out should you need to make a claim.