Get cheap single trip travel insurance quotes now

Single trip travel insurance: Compare cheap quotes online

Single trip travel insurance is often surprisingly cheap, but even a relatively cheap policy could prove invaluable if your flight is cancelled, your luggage is stolen or you suffer an accident or illness while abroad.

Of course, just because this type of travel insurance policy is usually very cost effective doesn’t mean you should take the first quote you’re offered. It pays to shop around and compare travel insurance quotes from a range of different providers, which is where we come in.

Compare single trip travel insurance quotes now

What is single-trip travel insurance?

It’s a type of travel insurance policy that covers you for one holiday or business trip. It’s often the most cost-effective type of holiday insurance you can buy and with some insurers under 18s could be covered for free.

While you can take out a single-trip travel insurance policy each time you fly (or sail), if you go away several times each year you may well find annual or multi-trip travel insurance better value in the long run.

What does the best single trip travel insurance include?

A good travel insurance policy should cover you for most or all of the following:

• Medical expenses – covers the cost of any medical treatment you might need while you’re overseas.
• Repatriation – pays to bring you back to the UK in a medical emergency.
• Cancellation or curtailment – compensates you if you’re forced to cancel or cut short your holiday through no fault of your own.
• Missed or delayed departure – covers expenses if flights are delayed or if you miss it because of circumstances that are out of your control.
• Lost luggage – pays to replace any accidently lost, stolen or damaged luggage.
• Personal liability – covers legal fees and compensation if someone blames you for accidental injury or damage to their property.

It’s worth pointing out that standard single-trip travel insurance policies rarely include cover for activities like windsurfing, kayaking or skiing, so if you plan to do any of these activities while you’re away it’s important to let your insurer know. You should be able to add cover for winter sports or extreme sports for small fee.

I have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); do I still need travel insurance?

An EHIC means you’re entitled to the same level of healthcare as locals in that country, but it’s not a replacement for travel insurance.

While popular holiday destinations like Spain do offer free emergency treatment, you may be expected to pay for private care after the initial emergency has been dealt with.

It’s vital not to underestimate the cost of medical care abroad. According to the latest research from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the cost of treatment and care after a road accident in Spain came to £78,000. A valid travel insurance policy should cover these costs but without protection, you’d be expected to pay for this out of your own pocket.

Do I really need travel insurance for a single trip?

If you’re only going away on a short one-off trip it might be tempting to take the risk and go without travel insurance. But if you don’t have holiday insurance it could mean having to fork out for costly items such as lost luggage, cancelled flights and medical treatment.

So, while you don’t need travel insurance by law, it is strongly recommended by the Foreign Office and holiday providers – afterall, accidents can happen anywhere, at any time.

How long does single trip travel insurance cover me for?

Single trip holiday insurance will cover you for one holiday but travel insurance providers set limits on the amount of time you can be away for – typically this is 30 or 31 days.

If you’re planning to be away for a little bit longer you should let your insurer know as they’ll usually be able to increase the length of your policy to cover you.

If you’re taking extended leave, or going on a gap year, a backpacker insurance policy is likely to be your best option. These policies will give you continuous cover for at least 12 months and allow you to travel from country to country.

Can I buy family travel insurance for a single trip?

Yes, you can buy a policy to cover everyone in your family, and some insurers will even cover children under 18 for free.

You’ll need to bear in mind any terms and conditions set out by your insurer though. For example, some will need you to name every family member (even if they’re under 18) while others will specify that you must all live at the same address. If you’re going away with family but you live at different addresses, let your insurer know.

Can I buy single trip travel insurance for Europe and worldwide travel?

You can buy single trip cover for either European or international travel – just make sure the policy you buy covers you for the country you’re visiting. While that sounds obvious, insurers set their own rules about which regions countries fall into.

A good example is Egypt, which is very often classed as ‘Europe’ even though the country is on the continent of Africa, as is Morocco. Turkey is often classed as ‘Europe’ too for travel insurance purposes, even though 95% of that country is in Asia.

Worldwide travel insurance policies are also usually split to either include or exclude the USA and Canada, so always double check the small print to avoid disappointment.

Do I need UK single trip travel insurance for a UK ‘staycation’?

While you won’t need to worry about medical costs, it’s still a good idea to have travel insurance if you’re holidaying in the UK.

Policies can cover you for delayed internal flights, stolen or damaged luggage and can even pay to have you moved to a hospital closer to home if you do have an accident.

Some UK travel insurance policies will also include cover for sports and activities like trekking and horse riding as standard.

As with any other travel insurance policy, check the terms and conditions carefully. Some insurers will need you to be a certain number of miles from home before your trip is classed as a holiday (for example you must be at least 25 miles away from home).

Is single trip travel insurance for over 65s available?

Insurers set their own upper age limits, which means you may not be able to buy cover from them if you’re over that age.

However, you can buy specialist cover that is specifically aimed at over 60s, over 75s and over 80s. Policies from these providers often have additional benefits such as 24-hour advice lines, and they may also cover several pre-existing medical conditions as standard.

How much is single trip travel insurance?

The cost of cover will be based on your personal details, including your age and medical history, as well as where you’re travelling, how long you’re going for and what you’ll be doing while you’re there. That’s why it’s crucial that you let your insurer know what you’ll be doing and whether or not you have any health conditions.

If you don’t tell your insurer about a pre-existing health condition, or you take part in an activity that you’re not covered for, your insurance could be invalidated and your insurer might refuse to pay out.