Annual Travel Insurance

If you travel a lot for work or leisure around the UK, you don’t have to take out a new policy for each trip. An annual UK travel insurance policy covers you for multiple trips in a year. You can tailor your policy to cover the areas you travel to, so you don’t overpay for travel insurance. This reduces your administrative load and could potentially save costs too. Comparing multiple quotes could help you find the best annual travel insurance in the UK. A comparison site like ours can simplify the search. 

Travel to Europe has unique risks. If you travel to Europe regularly, whether for work, sport or leisure, you can get a policy specially designed for these geographical locations. Some insurers specifically include winter sports insurance with add-ons for activities like golf or backpacking. You can usually make adjustments to your policy throughout the year as your needs change. Annual European travel insurance is popular for individuals, groups or families travelling together. 

Annual worldwide travel insurance offers protection for travel to any country during the course of a year. You can choose an unlimited countries policy or exclude travel to countries like the USA, Canada, the Caribbean or Mexico. The cost will be adjusted accordingly. Some policies may include cruise protection insurance and adventure sports insurance. There are typically options for families or groups travelling together and you can always include add-ons if your policy doesn’t cover all your risks.  

For families who take multiple trips in a year, this cover can be a cost-effective choice. Generally, policies cover two adults living together and up to eight children under 18. It typically covers cancellations due to end-supplier failure, travel disruptions or delays, medical expenses, and lost or stolen baggage. Trips are typically limited to 31 days, but you can take multiple trips throughout the year.  

Family insurance allows you to travel together or separately, while still being covered, and children can travel with an adult that’s not named on the policy. There may be age restrictions for older family members over the age of 75. Due to higher health risks, these travellers may need a separate over 75s traveller insurance policy that covers pre-existing conditions.  

There are many benefits to choosing annual travel insurance, including convenience and cost-effectiveness. Knowing when to start your travel insurance can be tricky, but annual insurance takes care of the worry. You’ll be covered for the entire year of travel without having to do the admin every time. For frequent travellers, an annual policy can offer convenience, cost savings, and peace of mind. 

Annual policies typically have a higher initial premium than single-trip travel insurance policies, so the upfront costs are higher. Single-trip policies generally allow more flexibility for things like trip duration, geographic location and age restrictions. That’s because it’s easier to customise the policy for each trip.  

For example, if you have a UK-only annual travel policy and you want to take a trip to Paris, you may need an additional European travel insurance policy or add-on. If your travel patterns change a lot or if you develop a medical condition, your annual policy might not be sufficient anymore, leaving you with gaps in your cover. 

Activities like scuba diving, BASE jumping, hang gliding, race car driving, horse riding, bungee jumping, parasailing and off-road driving are considered high-risk. Incidents that occur while participating in these activities will likely not be covered unless potentially included as an add-on. 

If insurers cover incidents that occur while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it is considered a moral hazard. By removing this from coverable incidents, insurers discourage such behaviour, potentially leading to lower claims. This also enables them to keep premiums lower. 

You’ll need specialist cover for any pre-existing medical conditions while travelling. Without this, you won’t be covered for any undeclared conditions, travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner, or failing to take prescribed medication. Travel for medical treatment will not likely be covered either. Pregnancy and childbirth-related incidents are also typically excluded. 

The FCDO gives updated advice to British travellers on the safety of travelling to foreign destinations. If an area is deemed unsafe to travel, insurers will likely not cover you while you’re there. 

Some policies may include cover for cancellations or delays caused by natural disasters or other catastrophes. This could include evacuation and emergency assistance costs. However, some insurers may exclude these risks from your cover especially if you travel to high-risk areas prone to such events.