Do I need travel insurance?
23 April 2026
4 minute read
Travel insurance can protect you financially against problems you might have on holiday. It can pay out if you face unexpected costs from events such as medical emergencies or lost items, or if you have to cancel your trip.
Although it’s usually not mandatory to have travel insurance, it’s often recommended. It’s also best to take out a policy as soon as you book your holiday, rather than waiting until just before you leave.
What does travel insurance cover?
There are different levels of travel insurance, which cover different scenarios. Most policies will pay out something in the event of the following:
- Medical emergencies
- Repatriation (getting you home) – if there’s an emergency or you die
- Delays or cancellations – if it’s not your fault or you need to cancel
- Lost, stolen, or damaged items
More expensive travel insurance is likely to protect against a wider range of circumstances than this – for example, injury from adventure sports.
When choosing a policy, make sure it covers everything you need it to. This also includes checking the cover limits (the maximum amount the insurer would pay out) for each scenario.
If it’s not quite right for you, consider a different policy with a higher or lower level of cover.
Does travel insurance cover cancellation?
Many travel insurance policies will pay out if you have to cancel your trip, and also if you have to cut it short (known as curtailment). This could be for the following reasons:
- Illness or injury – affecting you, a travel companion, or a close relative
- Bereavement
- Home emergencies – such as a fire or flood
- Unexpected obligations – such as jury duty or military service
- Destinations becoming unsafe
However, you’re unlikely to be covered if you cancel simply because you don’t want to go. Other reasons for cancellation that won’t pay out include undeclared medical conditions, events known to you at the time of booking (such as strikes), and anti-social behaviour.
With cancellation cover, you should be able to claim money back for things like unused transport, accommodation, and activities.
Remember though that every policy is different, and you should check what is and isn’t covered before you buy.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
It’s not usually a legal requirement to have travel insurance, but there are some exceptions. A handful of countries include it as part of their entry requirements, and may ask for proof at border control.
The government provides up-to-date travel advice for every country. It’s a good idea to check this before booking to understand what travel insurance you might need, as well as other entry requirements.
You can also find out which countries and regions the government advises against travel – this is important to know as your policy is likely to be invalid in these places.
In addition, some companies you book with may require you to have travel insurance in place – particularly if your holiday involves skiing or a cruise. Cover for these activities usually has to be bought as an add-on to a standard policy.
Do I need travel insurance?
The government recommends travel insurance for holidays abroad. It can also be sensible for trips in the UK, where you may experience cancellations or lost items. However, there are a small number of cases where a policy may not be needed.
For instance, some financial products – such as packaged bank accounts and premium credit cards – include travel insurance as a benefit. If you have one of these, you don’t need to buy another policy – as long as the existing cover meets your needs. This may also be something your employer provides.
Travel insurance might not be needed if you’re taking a ‘low-risk’ trip in the UK. This could involve only going a short distance, staying with relatives for free, and not taking valuable items.
Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
Like all international trips, travel insurance is recommended if you’re heading anywhere in Europe.
In addition to a policy, you should get a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). This is a free card provided by the government that allows you to access healthcare in most European countries – for no cost or whatever a resident would pay. You can find out more and apply for a GHIC on the NHS website.
Remember though that a GHIC only covers healthcare in some countries, and shouldn’t be a replacement for travel insurance.
What travel insurance do I need?
Travel insurance policies can differ significantly, so it’s important to pick one that’s right for you. As mentioned, what scenarios are covered and how much would be paid out are two important considerations. But there are also different types of policy to choose between based on your holiday plans.
How long: If you intend to take only one holiday in the foreseeable future, you can buy a single-trip policy that’ll cover you until the day you come back. However, if you expect to travel a number of times across a year, an annual multi-trip policy may be better value. There are also ‘backpacker’ policies that cover a single trip lasting for a long time.
Where: If you take out an annual multi-trip policy, you often have to choose the regions you want cover for: the UK only, Europe, worldwide excluding North America, or worldwide including North America. The more widely you intend to travel, the more expensive it’s likely to be.
Who: Policies aren’t limited to just one individual. You can also buy cover for a couple, family, or group (a mix of individuals travelling together).
When should I buy travel insurance?
It’s sensible to buy travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday, rather than waiting until closer to your departure date. This means you have cancellation cover for events that happen beforehand, such as illness or injury.
A single-trip policy should cover you from the moment of purchase. An annual multi-trip policy usually requires you to select a start date, so make sure that coincides with when you make the booking.
Next steps
If you’re planning to go away but don’t yet have cover, why not consider SunLife travel insurance? And if you’re looking for holiday inspiration, check out some of our other articles:
Not all destinations you might visit or activities you might do are included in a SunLife travel insurance policy. Be sure to read the policy details carefully to see if your destination and planned activities are covered.
The thoughts and opinions expressed in the page are those of the authors, intended to be informative, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SunLife. See our Terms of Use for more info.