Navigator Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance After Departure

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TRAVEL INSURANCE AFTER DEPARTURE

Are you looking for travel insurance but you’ve already left home? It is a condition of most travel insurance policies in the UK that you have to have purchased a policy before you’ve left home, with the start date of your trip needing to match your UK departure. However, there are many circumstances where travellers can find themselves already abroad with no travel insurance, and it can be a real problem to arrange cover when this happens.

The main reason that most travel insurance companies will not issue cover after a departure is that it is quite common for people to not purchase insurance but then encounter a problem on their travels. They will then try to put travel insurance cover in place in an attempt to make a fraudulent claim. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult for those who genuinely find themselves in a situation with no cover and a need to purchase immediate travel insurance.

But, have no fear, as here at Navigator Travel Insurance it is possible to purchase post-departure travel insurance in the UK. For those hoping to learn more about the conditions of buying travel insurance when already travelling, our experts have composed this article and are on hand to talk you through it. 

POLICIES FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE AFTER DEPARTURE

The only already abroad travel insurance sales that we can make after you have left the UK (or EU) are the Single Trip Short Stay and Single Trip Long Stay versions of the Navigator Silver, Navigator Gold, and Navigator Diamond policies. This doesn’t apply to the Annual Multi-Trip option offered on these policies.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PURCHASING POST-DEPARTURE TRAVEL INSURANCE IN THE UK

Whilst we do offer travel insurance for already travelling individuals on our aforementioned policies, several considerations need to be made before choosing the right policy for you:

THERE IS A 25% SUPPLEMENT FOR AFTER-DEPARTURE POLICIES

With our post-departure travel insurance policies, a 25% supplement will be added on top of the usual travel insurance policy fees. This will be applied automatically when you select “After-departure cover” on the options page of our website. We cannot offer cover if you are currently in a country against the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development (FCDO) advice.

In the UK, you must consider the UK’s FCDO advice before you choose to travel to any destination. If the FCDO has travel advice in place which states that it “advises against all or all but essential travel”, our post-departure travel insurance policies are not valid. This same condition applies to many travel insurance policies from other providers.

HOW TO PURCHASE OUR AFTER-DEPARTURE TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICIES

When you’re purchasing our travel insurance policies,  you will be offered a tick box option for “already departed cover”. You must tick this box to gain travel insurance whilst already travelling. When you tick this box, it will automatically increase the cost by 25%, which is the after-departure supplement that we previously mentioned. 

If you are not offered this tick box option for “already departed cover”, you are not buying the right policy and it will be invalid. Navigator Silver, Navigator Gold, and Navigator Diamond Single Trip or Long Stay travel insurance policies are the only policies that will offer you this tick box and therefore offer you cover when you’re already travelling.

ANNUAL MULTI-TRIP POLICIES ARE INVALID IF PURCHASED AFTER DEPARTURE

If you are buying post-departure travel insurance online, you will be offered Annual Multi-Trip, Single Trip, and Long Stay policies to choose from. As previously mentioned, ignore the Annual Multi-Trip policy option as these can’t be purchased after departure. 

Travel insurance policies issued after departure always exclude any claim that arises from any situation such as illness, theft, or otherwise that predates the date of inception of the policy. This seems obvious, but it is emphasised to ensure that it is understood that insurance cannot be arranged retrospectively or backdated in any way, and claims will not be considered if the incident or illness giving rise to the claim predates the policy issue.   

POST DEPARTURE TRAVEL INSURANCE DURATIONS

The already travelling insurance policy that you buy must match the overall duration of the trip that you are on. The Single Trip option is only for trips that do not exceed 62 days from the date that you left home. If your overall trip is going to be longer than 62 days from the date that you left home, you must select our Long Stay policy option, otherwise, the policy will not be valid.

ALREADY DEPARTED TRAVEL INSURANCE COVER: THE CONDITIONS

There are some conditions that you need to be conscious of when booking your post-departure travel insurance policy. When ticking the “already departed cover” box before buying your chosen policy, you are accepting the following special conditions for policies commenced after departure from the UK or your country of residence in the EU/EEA. Please read these conditions very carefully and make sure that you are aware of the implications:

  • Already abroad travel Insurance cannot be assigned a start date that is the same day that you purchased the policy, it must be dated for the next day or later. 
  • If there has been a gap of more than seven days in which you have been uninsured between the expiry of your last policy (if applicable) and the start of your chosen already travelling travel insurance, there will be a 14-day waiting period for the start of your illness cover.  However, this 14-day period starts counting from the day you buy the policy (the issue date). this means that if you can buy it 14 days before you need cover to start, the 14 days will have lapsed by the time you need the medical cover. This delay does not apply to accident or injury cover, but only illness cover. This condition will not apply if there has been no gap between your previous cover and this one, or the gap is not more than seven days. It will also not apply if you only left the UK in the last seven days.
  • Policies started after departure will not cover claims arising from any known situation, including pre-existing medical conditions. There are no exceptions to this condition for our already travelling insurance policies.
  • By purchasing post-departure travel insurance with us, you are agreeing that you are not aware of any circumstances that are likely to give rise to a claim.
  •  The 14-day ‘cooling-off period’ that we offer for our immediate travel insurance does not apply to policies that start after departure. So, once you have purchased this policy it is non-refundable.
  • The Navigator Silver, Navigator Gold, and Navigator Diamond policies are only available to people who are normal residents of the UK or EU. If your normal place of residence is not in the UK or EU, you cannot use these policies.  Residents of some other countries may be able to use our Global Voyager policies as these can also be started after departure with the same conditions, but are available to residents of many more countries.
  • The overall period of your trip outside of your home country must not exceed the policy maximum for your age, including any period of insurance under this policy. In the event of a claim, you will be required to provide evidence of the day you first left your home country. Maximum overall durations for ages are as follows:
  • Ages 18-59: 18 months
  • Ages 60-74 (Anywhere): 62 days
  • Ages 75-84 (Europe): 62 days
  • Ages 75-84 (Worldwide): 31 days
  • Ages 85 or over (Anywhere): 31 days

These are the maximum overall durations from when you left your home country until your return home. We cannot issue cover if your overall duration away from home will be longer than the above limits.

If you are unsure about any of these conditions or the post-departure travel insurance policies that we offer, do not just buy a policy from our website. We are on hand to answer any queries you have, so if in doubt you can always contact us on 0161 973 6435 or by email at [email protected] and we will answer any questions you may have. 

WHY CHOOSE NAVIGATOR TRAVEL INSURANCE

The fact of the matter is that a lot of travel insurance providers will not offer you travel insurance when abroad because of the risk of fraud that this holds. The insurance providers that do offer instant travel insurance, should you need cover last-minute whilst you’re on your travels, are specialist insurers. 

These specialist providers are knowledgeable and reliable, meaning you can trust them should you need to claim in the instance of an accident, loss, or emergency. 

Navigator Travel Insurance is one of these specialist insurance providers, as we offer several post-departure travel insurance policies to our customers. This opens up the opportunity for those who need travel insurance while already abroad to stay protected and have peace of mind while making the most of their trips. 

NAVIGATOR’S ALREADY ABROAD TRAVEL INSURANCE

At Navigator Travel Insurance, we recognise that there are often occasions when a situation can arise in which you will need immediate travel insurance cover and, in many cases, we will be able to help.

Each situation is considered on its merits and there is no hard and fast rule where we can state categorically that we can cover you. But, in an attempt to clarify, we have detailed certain situations below where we may be able to help and others where we will not:

  • If you have been living and/or working overseas for several years and you are arranging travel insurance policies back to back, we cannot help. 
  • If your normal place of residence is now overseas, you cannot use our policies. You need to be paying monthly private health insurance rates in the country where you reside, which are significantly more expensive than travel insurance. In this situation, you are no longer considered to be travelling, you are living abroad.

 If you are a UK or EU resident and need to start a policy from overseas whilst you’re travelling, simply follow the instructions above or contact our specialist team online now and we will consider your circumstances. 

HOW TO EXTEND YOUR EXISTING POLICY

If the travel insurance policy that you left the UK with has lapsed because you forgot to extend it, or because the insurer will not extend durations, we may be able to help. Although, this will depend on how long you have been out of the UK in total.

It is quite common for people to inadvertently take out unsuitable policies. For instance, you may have left the UK on a long-stay trip with an Annual Multi-Trip policy, not realising that the maximum duration for an individual trip on one of these is 31 or 45 days. We can often help in these circumstances.

We often get requests from people who have been working temporarily overseas and are insured by their employer or by organisations such as BUNAC. At the end of their work period, they decide to go off travelling independently before returning to the UK and find that the insurer who has been covering them cannot extend cover once their employment contract is over. We can often help with these situations as the person is clearly and genuinely travelling, not taking up residency abroad.

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TRAVEL INSURANCE AFTER DEPARTURE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Whilst the above information we’ve shared about immediate travel insurance policies may have cleared up the main details you need to know, you may still have some questions that need answering before purchasing a post-departure travel insurance policy. We’ve aimed to answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding already travelling insurance to better your understanding:

When Is The Best Time To Buy Travel Insurance?

For any destination around the world, type of trip, and duration of time that you will be travelling for, the best time to purchase a travel insurance policy is as soon as possible after booking your trip, if not at the same time. 

This advice also applies if you purchase your travel insurance when you’re already abroad. The sooner you buy travel insurance when already overseas, the sooner you will have the peace of mind of knowing that you are covered in the event of an injury, accident, or emergency. 

Can I Buy Travel Insurance At The Airport?

Given the terms and conditions of our travel insurance when already abroad policies, it is possible to purchase travel insurance at the airport. If you purchase our policy online or over the phone, you may be able to secure the appropriate cover for you just before you board a flight or after you’ve landed. But, as previously stated, this will depend on specific conditions and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

For other insurance providers, the cut-off points can vary for providing travel insurance to travellers. For example,  if you’ve gone through customs, you may not be able to receive cover for your trip.  

How Long Does It Take To Get Travel Insurance?

It’s possible to get travel insurance last minute to ensure that you receive the cover you need whilst travelling as soon as possible. Although, there’s always a chance that when you purchase your travel insurance policy you may encounter delays in your policy providing you with cover. This applies in the case of our travel insurance whilst already abroad policies, as it can take 14 days to offer you illness cover, as mentioned in this article. 

What Does Last-minute Travel Insurance Cover Me For? 

Much like any travel insurance policy, a plan purchased last-minute will typically protect you in the case of medical emergencies and injuries; unexpected events which cause delay; cancellation;  repatriation; and lost, damaged, or stolen luggage. 

It is possible to purchase travel insurance after departure last minute, and the cover that you will be offered will encompass the aforementioned factors. 

When Does Travel Insurance Start and End?

Normally, you can arrange for the exact date that your travel insurance starts to align with when your trip abroad begins. You can also assign the date for your arrival back home to be the end date of your travel insurance policy. 

However, in the case that you purchase travel insurance when already abroad, your travel insurance will start the day after or further in the future from when you purchased the policy. Certain aspects of your cover, such as medical cover, will apply after your 14-day waiting period, as previously outlined in this article, so this is worth bearing in mind. 

GET IN TOUCH WITH US FOR YOUR AFTER-DEPARTURE TRAVEL INSURANCE NEEDS

Some people simply forget to arrange cover or may have thought someone else had done this on their behalf before their travels. Suddenly, they may realise they have arrived at their destination without a travel insurance policy. Here at Navigator Travel Insurance, we can usually issue cover for you in this situation and are on hand to offer you guidance and support.

You can find out more information about our travel insurance policies on our website . Should you need any additional insight before booking your post-departure travel insurance for your next trip, be sure to contact our team of specialist advisors now who will be happy to help you.

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Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

The Post Office is regarded as the largest retail network in the UK as well as the largest financial services chain that’s been there for more than 370 years. However, apart from that, the company also offers insurance products, one of which is the post office travel insurance.

post travel insurance uk

In this article, we’re going to talk about everything you need to know which regard to this particular travel insurance. But before that, let’s have a look at the achievements of the Post Office regarding insurances.

What is the Post Office?

Post Office has been voted the “Best Travel Insurance Provider” for 9 straight years starting from 2006 to 2015. Apart from that, it also received the Silver award from the British Travel Awards in 2016 and 2017.

As a massive network, the Post Office offers a wide range of options when it comes to their insurance policies. One of them is the rudimentary budget cover through the Super Economy Travel Insurance. There’s also the Premier Plus policy which provides complete coverage.

Primary Insurance Policies Offered

There are three main types of travel insurance policies offered by the Post Office, namely annual multi-trip, backpacker travel cover, and single trip.

Let’s have a breakdown of each of these policies:

Single Trip

The single trip insurance will provide coverage depending on your age when you obtain your insurance policy. The Post Office website states that those who are below 71 will be covered 365 days per trip. Meanwhile, those who are 71-75 will be covered 90 days and individuals 76-85 are only covered for 31 days.

post travel insurance uk

As the name implies, a single trip policy will cover for you if you plan to take a single trip in the near future.

Annual Multi-trip

The multi-trip policy allows you to spread your trip abroad using a voluntary add-on. You can receive coverage of around £10 million for a medical emergency. They also have a 24/7 medical emergency helpline available.

This policy is perfect if you plan to travel several times a year without having to go through the hassles of obtaining concealment every single time.

For the single and multi-trip policies, there are five different levels available.

Here’s a detail detailing these levels alongside other important details:

All of the levels come with a personal liability cover ranging from £1-3 million. However, the Super Economy comes with various extras like death, personal accident, personal money, hospital benefits, and passport cover.

Backpacker Travel

The backpacker travel insurance is designed for backpackers who are price aware. As such, the Post Office provides two coverage options for them: Economy and Super Economy.

post travel insurance uk

The two policies will provide coverage for up to 18 months. Moreover, you can come back home 3 times within a span of seven days. However, you have to keep in mind that the coverage doesn’t apply if you’re in the UK.

This is often the best option if you plan an adventure trip as it covers you from sharks to safaris and more. The policy can be availed of by anyone between 18 and 60 years old. You can also avail of additional cover for business, cruise, golf, and winter sports and add any of them in the above policies but for an extra cost.

Other Policies Offered

Apart from the major insurance policies offered by the Post Office, there are also several other policies which are as follows:

This is perfect for individuals who plan to go on a golfing holiday . Through this policy, you can enjoy the following:

  • Protection in case you can’t play due to injury or poor weather
  • Coverage against injury personal liability cover and while playing
  • Coverage for your golfing equipment against theft

Cruise Cover

If you plan to enjoy the luxury of a cruise, then this policy is for you. It protects you from any unforeseen risks that might come along with cruise holidays. It comes with the following features:

  • Coverage for a delayed transport
  • Coverage for damage or stolen evening dress
  • Replacement of any lost or misplaced damaged

Winter Sports Cover

Winter sports do come with their own risks, but this policy will ensure that you can still have fun despite that. It comes with the following inclusions:

  • 24/7 medical assistance
  • Coverage for sports like ice skating and snowboarding
  • Protection from any injuries
  • Protection for a damaged or stolen equipment

Worldwide Cover

This policy ensures that you won’t suffer from any issues with your insurance when you go traveling around the world. It comes with the following features:

  • Emergency repatriation
  • 24/7 medical emergency helpline
  • Replacement for lost or stolen documents
  • Financial coverage for medical treatment in the event of injury or illness when traveling

Pre-Existing Medical Condition

post travel insurance uk

Post Office’s coverage for a pre-existing medical condition ensures that you can get to have fun and enjoy life despite your condition. It includes the following features:

  • Quick and easy repatriation
  • Treatment monitoring
  • Payment for any medical expenses while you’re traveling

Family Cover

This is the perfect policy if you plan to travel together with your policy. This will allow you to avoid any hassles that come with obtaining individual policies for each of your family members. It includes the following:

  • Maximum of £10 million emergency medical coverage in the event of injury or illness while traveling
  • Assistance during a vehicle breakdown missed departure or delayed public transport

Cost and Coverage

One of the main reasons why the Post Office travel insurance has managed to outdo most of its competitors in the market is its very cheap cost. In fact, it has the cheapest insurance quotes available on the market.

post travel insurance uk

When it comes to coverage, Post Office covers all basic forms of coverage including property damage, comprehensive coverage, and bodily injury liability among others. However, you can also gain access to special kinds of coverages that are exclusive to Post Office travel insurance members.

These special coverages come in the form of emergency road service, rental reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown insurance.

Policy Exclusions

These are the general exclusions that apply to any of Post Office’s travel insurance policies:

  • Claims due to war or act of terrorism
  • Traveling for the purpose of receiving treatment overseas
  • Traveling without heeding the advice of a medical professional
  • Personal injury caused intentionally
  • Taking part in an organized sports competition

Other Important Information about the Post Office Travel Insurance

  • Apart from providing coverage for any personal injury or illness sustained while traveling abroad, the Post Office will also offer guidance, assistance, and advice regarding legal proceedings and obtaining proper compensation.
  • When applying for any of their travel insurance policy, you can also choose to add an Excess Waiver. This will allow you to reduce your excess to zero, thereby removing the need to contribute to the cost of your claims. However, be prepared to spend an additional cost for this.
  • Even though there are only a few travel insurance providers that cover business travel, the Post Office’s policy will provide coverage for business travel that can greatly help professionals abroad. This policy will provide coverage for emergency couriers, employee replacement, equipment hire, computer equipment, and business money. This is only optional.
  • Not all optional cover types can be added to every policy type. Only the Cruise cover is applicable for the Premier and Premier Plus policies. Meanwhile, the Golf and Business cover is only applicable to Standard, Premier, and Premier Plus.
  • Various holiday activities and sports will be covered by the Post Office under the Standard policy. However, riskier activities like sailing and jet skiing won’t be covered for any personal accident claims.

Are there any special policy rules for pregnant women who travel?

There are certain limitations for pregnant women who want to travel.

post travel insurance uk

In line with the Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth policy, coverage for pregnant women will only include the following:

  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Emergency Caesarean sections and medically necessary termination
  • Gestational hypertension
  • Hydatidiform mole
  • Hyperemesis gravidarum
  • Placental abruption
  • Placenta praevia
  • Pre-eclampsia
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Retained placenta membrane
  • Stillbirths and miscarriage
  • Premature births more than 8 weeks before the expected delivery date

Will the policy provide cover during a war or terrorist act?

Unfortunately, you won’t be covered for any terrorist act that doesn’t involve the use of chemical agents and nuclear weapons.

How many people are included in a family?

A family can either consist of a couple or a group consisting of up to 8 travelers.

post travel insurance uk

It can also include a person with his/her partner, dependent children, and dependent grandchildren below 18 years of age. Keep in mind that you will have to pay the appropriate premium for this.

Wrapping Things Up

Post Office is one of the leading health insurance companies in the UK. With their wide range of travel insurance policies, you will be able to enjoy peace of mind as you go traveling into other countries.

post travel insurance uk

The best part is, the policies offered by the Post Office are one of the most affordable options currently on the market.

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Best travel insurance UK 2024 guide

post travel insurance uk

We all deserve a break now and then. And the last thing you want to think of when booking your holiday is something going wrong. But it’s better to be prepared than caught off guard. That’s why you should always consider travel insurance when going on a trip.

But how can you find the best travel insurance policy for your needs? Read our guide below to find out more.

Why do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance protects you financially if your trip away doesn’t go as planned and you incur unexpected expenses for delays, losses or medical treatment.

All travellers can benefit from travel insurance. But travel insurance is particularly important if you are going on an independent trip without a tour operator, because if something goes wrong, you will have no other help.

There are three main types of travel insurance:

  • Single-trip cover: this is the most typical form of travel insurance, covering you for a one-off trip or holiday. There will be a time limit on the cover that can range anywhere between one month and 365 days
  • Annual multi-trip cover: this allows you to make multiple trips, or have multiple holidays, in a 12-month period, all under the same travel insurance policy. There may be a cap on how long each individual trip can be
  • Long stay, or backpacker, cover: this is normally used for around the world trips, gap years, and longer cruises, and can last for up to 18 months

To find the best UK travel insurance, compare policies before you go to ensure you get the right coverage for you and the specific trip you’re planning.

How to find the best travel insurance policy

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When comparing policies to find the best travel insurance for your trip, you should consider: 

  • Type of cover you need
  • Excess (how much you’ll be expected to pay out yourself before the policy will cover you)
  • Amount of medical coverage, and why pre-existing conditions aren’t included
  • Limit on baggage claims
  • Coverage for specific sports and activities
  • Any potential rewards and discounts
  • Add-ons, such as gadget insurance

Best travel insurance deals and discounts

Looking for the best travel insurance deals from the best travel insurance companies? In most cases, the easiest way to find the best travel insurance deals is to use a comparison website. Travel insurance comparison websites let you compare costs and coverage side by side to find the best UK travel insurance.

The four main comparison websites – Moneysupermarket, Comparethemarket, Confused.com and GoCompare – also often have certain deals and discounts when you buy travel insurance from them, offering some of the best travel insurance deals on the market.

Moneysupermarket : Find the same deal for less, and it will price match and give you a choice of a £20 gift card. Only on annual travel insurance.

Comparethemarket : Two for one cinema tickets with Meerkat Movies and savings at restaurants when you dine out or order pizza in with Meerkat Meals, as well as 25 per cent off coffee and pastries at Caffè Nero every day of the week through the Meerkat app.

(In November 2023, Confused.com and GoCompare had no deals or discounts for travel insurance).

Price is obviously a big consideration when you are looking for the best travel insurance – you’ve probably already spent a lot on your holiday. But you may be able to get much better coverage for just a few pounds extra, so it’s worth scrolling down the comparison site’s list of providers before buying.

Medical costs abroad will undoubtedly be the biggest expense you face if you fall ill abroad, so don’t scrimp on those.

Then think about your next biggest expense (probably cancellation/interruption of your trip) and make sure that you have high-value coverage for that.

If you find you can get much higher coverage (the maximum amount you can claim per type of claim, such as medical or baggage) for not very much more money, go for the slightly more expensive option.

Going direct

Comparison sites won’t always find you the cheapest deals, however. For example, Direct Line offers some of the best travel insurance with Covid cover and is not on comparison websites.

Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer discounts for buying directly from them, as follows:

Bundled coverage options

When looking for the best travel insurance for your holiday, it can make sense to buy a bundle of coverage under one policy.

Comparison websites will often offer add-on gadget cover, winter sports cover or cruise cover all under the one policy. If you need that extra cover, it is typically cheaper to buy your travel insurance this way rather than as separate policies.

What is covered by travel insurance?

The best travel insurance companies will offer you comprehensive coverage across all types of claims. It’s easy to compare the best travel insurance deals using a comparison website.

Medical coverage

This covers you for medical expenses you incur if you become ill or have an accident while away. The best UK travel insurance will have a high level of medical coverage.

For example, medical coverage will pay for any necessary treatment if you come down with severe food poisoning or you fall through a window and have to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.

  • Avoid hefty bills or debt for medical assistance outside the UK
  • Access better treatment – for example, at private vs public hospitals
  • Often, as long as you declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests, you are covered if you fall ill during your trip (check policy exclusions)
  • Even the best travel insurance companies will likely charge you more if you have a pre-existing medical condition
  • You might have to pay part or all your medical expenses first, then claim on the policy afterwards
  • Even the best travel insurance companies do not cover events that happen after you have consumed alcohol excessively or taken recreational drugs or other substances

Trip cancellation/interruption

This insurance pays out the cost of your missed trip if you have to cancel or cut your holiday short due to unforeseen circumstances.

Young woman in international airport looking at the flight information board, holding passport in her hand, checking her flight

For example, cancellation insurance would normally pay out if you broke your leg just before you were due to travel and had to cancel your trip.

Interruption insurance would cover you if you had to come home early for certain reasons beyond your control – for example, if the area you were staying in was engulfed in wildfires.

  • Money you would have lost on pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses is paid to you under the policy
  • It can be especially valuable if the trip you are planning is very expensive, as this is money you would lose if you couldn’t go
  • You’ll usually only be covered if your trip is cancelled or cut short for specific reasons listed in your policy
  • You usually won’t be covered if you miss your flight because you are held by customs or cancel because of a work issue or a pre-existing medical condition that is not covered

Baggage cover

This insurance covers the cost of replacing your luggage if it is lost or stolen.

For example, if an airline loses your luggage in transit or your suitcase is stolen from your hostel while you’re away, you can make a claim for the cost of replacing its contents.

You may also be able to claim for costs related to baggage delay if the airline temporarily misplaced your baggage.

  • You can claim for the actual cash value of your belongings or the cost of replacing them (whichever is less)
  • High-value items, such as jewellery or sports equipment, can be very expensive to replace without travel insurance
  • Standard policies usually place per item and total limits on claims.
  • If you are taking very expensive items away, check your policy carefully to ensure that you’re covered (and potentially get a separate policy)
  • Some items could be covered by your home insurance policy, so check your policy carefully to see what is any isn’t. It’s also important to note that, should a lost item be covered by both policies, you can only claim once; an attempt to claim twice would be considered fraud

Personal liability

This insurance covers you if you are held responsible for harming another person or damaging their property.

For example, it covers you in situations where you cause serious damage to your holiday accommodation or accidentally stumble into someone else, causing them to need medical treatment.

  • The cost of defending yourself in a legal case or repairing/replacing damage could be extremely costly without travel insurance
  • Your travel insurance company will take over dealing with a foreign legal system
  • You’re covered for the cost of any compensation (up to certain limits)

Limits: 

  • Not all travel insurance provides personal liability as standard
  • Policies may exclude personal liability while you partake in adventure activities
  • Claims related to you committing a crime or damage by wilful negligence won’t be covered
  • You likely will not be covered if you admit liability or make an offer to pay before talking to your insurer

Finding the best travel insurance with Covid cover

Looking for the best travel insurance with Covid cover? Many travel insurance policies now include cancellation cover for reasons related to Covid. This often applies within two weeks of being due to travel, according to the Association of British Insurers, but individual policies can vary.

To make a claim, insurers often require proof in the form of a medically approved positive Covid test. A lateral flow test or self-diagnosis is usually not accepted.

What Covid-related cover to look for

The best travel insurance with Covid cover should include the following:

  • Cover if you can’t start your trip because you tested positive for Covid before travelling
  • Cover if you or family members cannot return home because you/they test positive for Covid during the holiday
  • Cover for additional costs, such as alternative flights, accommodation and Covid tests
  • Cover if you cannot reach your final destination during transit due to Covid-19

Travel insurance providers with comprehensive Covid cover

Looking for the best travel insurance providers with Covid cover? Most travel insurance policies now offer some kind of Covid cover, but Churchill, Direct Line, M&S and Aviva have some of the most comprehensive offerings, with cover for cancellations and expenses related to Covid.

post travel insurance uk

  • Covid covered as standard on travel insurance policies
  • Cover for trip cancellations if you, a close relative or a travelling companion is diagnosed with Covid-19 or another pandemic disease
  • Cover if you or a person you’re planning to stay with must quarantine (abroad or in the UK)
  • Cover if you can’t use pre-booked and pre-paid accommodation affected by Covid-19
  • Cover for quarantine or where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel within 28 days of departure
  • Cover for emergency medical expenses abroad due to Covid-19

Direct Line

post travel insurance uk

  • Cover for travel to a destination where the FCDO is advising against all but essential travel 
  • Cover for medical expenses if you catch Covid-19 while you’re away 
  • Cover for additional accommodation and transport if you have to quarantine due to Covid
  • Cover for cancellation costs if you or a close relative get Covid-19 before you go
  • Cover for quarantine or if the FCDO changes its advice after you book your trip
  • Cover if you have to cut your trip short if the FCDO changes its country advice unexpectedly

post travel insurance uk

  • Cover for emergency medical expenses if you catch Covid-19 during your trip
  • Cover for unrecoverable costs up to £6,000 if you must cancel your trip or return early, including if you have to self-isolate or quarantine before you travel due to Covid-19
  • Cover for if you need to cancel your trip due to a positive Covid-19 test or if the FCDO advise against travel to your destination in the 31 days leading up to your trip
  • Providing you haven’t travelled against FCDO advice, you’ll also be covered if you catch Covid-19 while abroad

post travel insurance uk

  • Coverage of up to £5,000 per person if you must cancel your trip due to getting Covid (you’ll need to provide confirmation and evidence of a positive test result)
  • Cover for Covid-related emergency medical treatment and expenses while away
  • Cover if you unexpectedly need to quarantine, including extra travel and accommodation costs to get home (provided a return trip was booked) 
  • Cover for costs for any accommodation and excursions unused due to getting Covid where the costs can’t be recovered elsewhere
  • No cover you if you travel against FCDO advice*
  • No cover if you can’t travel because you don’t meet the entry requirements of a country (such as having had Covid vaccinations)*

* It’s worth noting that these clauses are not unusual and the majority of providers will have something similar

Tips for selecting the best UK travel insurance packages

Need some help picking the best UK travel insurance packages to make sure that you get the best travel insurance deals? Here are some tips for picking the best policy features for you.

Coverage limits

When looking for the best travel insurance companies to go with, check coverage limits. These are the maximum amounts your travel insurer will pay if you need to claim. You’ll see when you compare travel insurance policies that coverage limits vary for each type of claim and between policies.

The government-backed MoneyHelper website recommends that the best UK travel insurance should have the following minimum coverage for each type of claim:

  • Medical: £1m or more for travel to Europe and £2m or more for the US
  • Cancellation/interruption: £2,000 or more
  • Missed departure: £500 or more
  • Delay: £200 or more
  • Baggage cover: £1,500 or more
  • Personal liability cover: £2 million or more

Deductibles/excess

Deductibles, also known as the excess, is the amount you have to pay out of your own pocket before your travel insurance will start paying for your claim.

You have to make a trade-off when it comes to choosing the excess and the best travel insurance policy for you.

The lower the excess on a travel insurance policy, the better for you if you have to claim because you will have less to pay from your own pocket (or, more often, deducted from your claim).

But lower excess travel insurance policies are more expensive because the insurer knows it has more to pay out if you claim. Higher excess policies are cheaper, but you’ll have more deducted from your claim.

An exclusion on a travel insurance policy is an event the policy will not cover you for.

Common exclusions on a standard travel insurance policy may not be obvious. According to the ABTA – The Travel Association, these include:

  • Incidents that occur after drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs
  • Theft of unattended possessions
  • Sports, extreme sports and activities such as skiing, white water rafting and bungee jumping
  • Medical treatment resulting from existing medical conditions you have not declared or conditions preventable by vaccine or advisable medication, such as antimalarials
  • Medical costs if you stay abroad after your doctor says you are fit to return to the UK
  • Strikes and industrial action if it was known when you booked your trip
  • Rescheduled flights where the airline has cancelled and then rescheduled your flight
  • Travel to destinations where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel

To get the best travel insurance deals, one way around some of these exclusions is to buy add-ons for adventure activities. In addition, make sure to declare all pre-existing conditions and keep an eye out for any travel disruptions before you book.

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions are illnesses or medical conditions you have and are aware of before you travel.

Travel insurance companies will ask you to disclose any pre-existing conditions. If you use a comparison website, it will be among the first questions you’re asked before it shows you quotes. It’s important to be honest.

Some travel insurance companies, but not all, will offer cover for pre-existing medical conditions, while others will offer cover but exclude any claims arising from that medical condition. This will depend on the person being covered and the medical condition.

Most price comparison websites include an option to show insurers who do offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, so that would be a good place to start.

The following are likely to be considered pre-existing conditions you should disclose, according to the government-backed MoneyHelper website:

  • A condition where you are on a list for an operation
  • A condition where you are waiting for test results
  • Anything you have been to the doctor about in the last year, including minor things
  • Any serious conditions you’ve ever had – for example, cancer, heart trouble, respiratory problems or a mental health breakdown

A good tip for everyone, but especially if you have a pre-existing condition, is to buy your travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday. If your condition gets worse and forces you to cancel your plans, you’ll be covered from the day the policy starts.

On family group policies, the cost will be determined based on the riskiest traveller (according to insurers), which could be someone with a pre-existing condition or an older individual. In this case, it is often cheaper for the group for that person to get a separate policy.

Add-on options

Add-ons are extras you can purchase in addition to a standard travel insurance policy. They cost a bit more, but you may find you’re not covered without them. 

Gadget insurance

This covers things that a standard policy may not, such as your mobile phone or laptop. If these items are covered, you may find the claim limits are far less than the cost of replacing them.

Close-up of a person holding a phone taking a picture of a beaut

Before you add this option to your travel insurance, check your home insurance policy, because you may already be covered.

Winter sports/adventure activities

Riskier activities, such as skiing or white water rafting, often require extra holiday insurance because insurers think that you are more likely to need to make a claim doing these things.

Winter sports/adventure activities cover is worth getting, or you may find you are not covered for medical expenses if something goes wrong.

Standard travel insurance is generally meant for land-based holidays so you’ll need to opt for a specialist cruise policy if your holiday is a cruise.

European FCDO travel advice extension

Most standard travel insurance policies are invalid if you travel when the FCDO advises against “all but essential travel”.

This add-on allows you to travel to Europe with a valid travel insurance policy, even if the FCDO has advised against it.

This can be an expensive add-on, but if you really must travel to a risky area, you will need this extension in order to make sure you have cover.

Best holiday insurance summary

Choosing the right travel insurance is an essential part of enjoying peace of mind while you are on holiday.

When looking for the best travel insurance deals, don’t just pick the cheapest policy. Instead, look for the cover limits that match your requirements. For example, baggage cover of £5,000 isn’t worth having if your baggage is worth £1,000; cancellation cover up to £10,000 isn’t worth having if your holiday cost you £2,000.

The easiest way to compare the best travel insurance is usually by using a travel insurance comparison website.

Think about the sort of activities you’ll be doing while you’re away. You may need extra holiday insurance for things such as winter sports or scuba diving or if you are going on a cruise.

Be honest about any pre-existing conditions when buying your travel insurance, or you won’t be covered if you have to claim.

The best travel insurance is a safety net for you and your family to enjoy your trip away stress-free, knowing that you’re covered for everything from medical expenses to cancellations if things go wrong.

Frequently asked questions about the best travel insurance UK packages

Is travel insurance necessary for domestic travel within the uk.

Even where medical costs in the UK are covered by the NHS, a sudden illness could lead to other expenses, forcing you to cancel your trip, the costs of which travel insurance would cover.

Lost or stolen luggage and broken gadgets or other claims for damage can just as easily occur in the UK as abroad.

What is annual travel insurance, and is it a good option for frequent travellers?

Annual travel insurance is a policy that covers you for multiple trips away within any 12-month period. It is often cheaper than buying a separate policy for each trip if you are planning to go away multiple times in one year.

Annual travel insurance is also useful if you are planning a long trip visiting several countries, as often insurers require you to buy travel insurance before you leave the UK rather than abroad mid-trip.

Are there any travel insurance companies that specialise in certain types of trips or travellers?

Specialist travel insurers cater to specific groups of people. It can make sense to seek out travel insurers that cover your needs.

Adventures Insurance, Sports Cover Direct and Snowcard tailor their travel insurance to those who enjoy activity holidays and extreme sports, for example.

Senior travellers are the focus of policies from All Clear, Avanti, Co-op Insurance Services, Free Spirit Flex, Good 2 Go Extra, Goodtogo Insurance, Saga, Staysure and Total Travel Protection.

Insurers offering business trip cover include Allianz, Direct Line, Coverwise and Insure & Go.

How do I make a claim with my travel insurance company?

To claim on your travel insurance while you are away, make sure that you take your policy number with you and the emergency number for your insurer. If you are travelling abroad, take any international numbers too.

Call your insurer as soon as you realise you need to make a claim. Keep all receipts and medical expense forms. If you are travelling with other people, make them aware of your policy details and the insurer’s phone number in case they need to call on your behalf.

To make a claim when you return home, check the following:

  • You haven’t left it too late to make a claim
  • What you’re claiming for is covered
  • The excess is not more than the value of your claim (if so, it’s not worth claiming)

Notify your insurer as soon as possible for a claim form, send it back fast and keep a copy of it. You should also include copies of paperwork to support your claim, such as receipts or medical certificates (keep copies of the originals in case your claim is queried or refused).

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Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a freelance journalist, editor, and producer. She has a wealth of consumer finance experience, having written about money matters and business for over 15 years.

During her tenure as a freelance writer, she has worked for ITN, Wired, and The Sunday Times, as well as financial institutions such as Aegon, the Chartered Insurance Institute, and Pension Bee, where she’s presenter of the Pension Confident Podcast.

Laura has previously held roles at The Times, where she was the Acting Editor of Times Money Mentor, The Telegraph as a senior finance reporter and was the co-host of the It’s Your Money Podcast, which was renowned for making complex finance issues accessible, and The Financial Times, where she worked as a News Editor. Laura has also worked at CNN, Politics.co.uk, and as a producer at Radio 5 Live.

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Connor Campbell

Connor Campbell is an experienced personal and business finance writer who has been producing online content for almost a decade. 

Connor is the personal finance expert for Independent Advisor, guiding readers through everything they need to know about car insurance and home insurance. From how much it costs to the best insurance providers in the UK, he’s here to help you find the right policy for your needs. 

In his capacity as writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet , Connor explored a number of topics close to his heart, such as the impact of our increasingly cashless society, and the hardships and heroics of British entrepreneurs. His commentary was featured in sites such as The Mirror , the Daily Express and Business Insider . 

At financial trading firm Spreadex, meanwhile, his market commentary was featured in outlets such as The Guardian , BBC , Reuters and the Evening Standard . 

Connor is a voracious reader with an MA in English, and is dedicated to making life’s financial decisions a little bit easier by doing away with jargon and needless complexity.

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Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Departure? [Costs, Coverage, and More]

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Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Departure? [Costs, Coverage, and More]

Limitations of Post-Departure Travel Insurance

Costs of post-departure travel insurance, medical-only travel insurance after departure, pros of buying travel insurance after departure, cons of buying travel insurance after departure, when is it too late to buy travel insurance, final thoughts.

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The best time to buy travel insurance is shortly after you book your travel, but it’s still a good idea to buy travel insurance even if you’ve already started your trip.

While your coverage and policy options will be more limited than they would have been if you’d purchased travel insurance at — or soon after — booking, you can still get great travel insurance coverage when you’re already abroad.

Let’s explore your travel insurance options after departure and what’s covered.

How To Get Travel Insurance When You’re Already Abroad

You can buy travel insurance after departure. The trick is finding a travel insurance company that offers a post-departure policy . Most travel insurance companies only allow travel insurance purchases up to the day before departure. 

Still, some reputable travel insurance companies, such as Allianz Global Assistance and World Nomads , issue travel insurance after departure. If you’re simply looking for travel health insurance, Genki or SafetyWing are options, too.

When you purchase travel insurance after departure, your coverage is limited. You should expect waiting periods, fewer policy choices, and less overall coverage than with travel insurance you buy at or shortly after booking.

Generally, post-departure travel insurance coverage focuses on medical emergencies , not trip cancellation or interruption benefits. And you’re not likely to get coverage for preexisting conditions, as most travel insurance companies only cover preexisting conditions if you buy coverage shortly after you start booking your trip.

How much you’ll pay for post-departure travel insurance depends on the travel insurance company, policy, coverages, and risk factors such as your age and destination. Expect to pay about $45 for a month of travel health insurance and $100 or more for a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes trip interruption, emergency medical, and other travel insurance benefits.

Options for Post-Departure Travel Insurance

Patient paying for medical visit

Comprehensive post-departure travel insurance plans are hard to come by, but you can generally get medical emergency travel insurance after your trip departure. Consider these post-departure travel insurance options:

The only comprehensive post-departure travel insurance plan we could find is with World Nomads. With a World Nomads Explorer or Standard plan, you can get coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, emergency medical treatment or evacuation, baggage delay or loss, rental car damage, a 24-hour travel assistance hotline , and more.

While World Nomads offers comprehensive post-departure travel insurance, some benefits have a waiting period. For example, you may have to wait up to 24 hours for your trip cancellation benefit to become effective. However, you’re usually covered right away for medical benefits.

Allianz Global Assistance, in comparison, offers the OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan , which doesn’t insure the cost of your trip but offers emergency medical expense benefits and other post-departure coverages. Additional coverage benefits include trip delays, missed connections, baggage delays, and 24-hour emergency assistance.

Once you’ve reached your destination, you may be less concerned about trip cancellation but still want coverage for medical emergencies. You can get post-departure travel health insurance from providers including Genki and SafetyWing.

Genki’s travel health insurance is a monthly insurance subscription for up to 2 years designed for frequent travelers . With no citizenship or residency requirements, all travelers up to age 69 can get a Genki Explorer travel health insurance policy — even if you’re already traveling.

A Genki Explorer plan offers coverage for medical treatment, including emergency medical transportation and sports injuries, and limited dental and mental health treatment. However, there are exclusions : preexisting conditions, dangerous activities, professional sports, consequences of drug or excessive alcohol consumption, active participation in war, and medical tourism. There is no coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, flight delays, lost luggage, or other common travel insurance benefits beyond medical coverage.

Similar to Genki Explorer, SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance is good for 28 days at a time and is available for travelers up to 69 years old. You can buy it whether you’re at home or already traveling. You’re covered for medical costs anywhere outside of your home country except for sanctioned areas or countries.

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance covers unexpected illnesses or injuries, including eligible expenses for hospitals, doctors, and prescription drugs. It doesn’t cover routine checkups or preventive care, but it offers emergency travel-related benefits such as evacuation from local unrest, unplanned overnight stays, and lost checked luggage. 

Check your credit card’s travel insurance benefits. While credit card travel insurance generally offers limited coverage benefits when compared to comprehensive travel insurance plans, your credit card’s travel protection benefits may be competitive with post-departure travel insurance options.

Why It Might Make Sense To Buy Travel Insurance After Departure

Though it’s best to buy travel insurance soon after you book, and ideally before your trip starts, you can still get a lot of value from post-departure travel insurance. 

One of the most valuable aspects of travel insurance is coverage for medical emergencies , a benefit you’ll get with post-departure travel insurance. You can also take advantage of the insurance policy’s emergency medical evacuation benefit if you need it. And your post-departure travel insurance policy may offer additional benefits such as lost or delayed baggage coverage and 24-hour emergency assistance.

  • You can still get valuable travel insurance coverage
  • Costly emergency medical expenses are covered
  • Some benefits are immediately active
  • Waiting periods before some coverages become effective
  • No pre-departure benefits, including trip cancellation coverage
  • No time-sensitive benefits such as a preexisting condition waiver or cancel for any reason coverage

As long as you’re on your trip, you can benefit from buying travel insurance. For example, if you’ve reached your destination, you might not benefit from trip cancellation coverage anymore, but you can still use your emergency medical benefits.

If you’re already on your trip and start to feel ill, then yes, it’s probably too late to get travel insurance that covers medical expenses for your illness. Or if you’re in the last few days of traveling and nearly home, you might decide it’s not worth having coverage for a short period — especially if insurance waiting periods limit how much time you’ll have active coverage.

Buying travel insurance soon after you book your travel gives you the most policy options, comprehensive coverage, and time-sensitive benefits. But if you’re already traveling and want to add travel insurance coverage, you still have worthy options, especially for emergency medical expenses.

Getting travel insurance post-departure is still a good idea because it can protect you during unexpected emergencies. But coverage limitations and waiting periods may apply, so be sure to read the fine print to understand what’s covered or not. And if you primarily seek emergency medical coverage, post-departure travel insurance can be valuable.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is it too late to buy travel insurance.

For some travel insurance providers, it’s too late to buy travel insurance once your trip has started, as many only allow you to purchase travel insurance up to a day before departure. However, some travel insurance companies do offer post-departure policies.

When should you buy travel insurance?

Buying travel insurance immediately after booking your trip is best, as you’ll have the most coverage options and can maximize your trip cancellation benefits the sooner your trip is covered.

Is it best to buy travel insurance before or after you book?

Buying travel insurance after booking is best, as most travel insurance companies ask about your first trip deposit when you get a travel insurance policy quote. You’ll need to know or at least be able to estimate your total travel costs to get coverage, and it’s easier to do so after you’ve booked travel.

Is travel insurance valid if obtained after departure?

Travel insurance obtained after departure is valid but usually limited compared to comprehensive travel insurance policies available prior to departure. Generally, post-departure travel insurance is limited to medical emergencies and related expenses rather than trip cancellation benefits.

How late can I buy travel insurance for a cruise?

Most travel insurance companies only offer policies up to the day before your cruise departure. However, some travel insurance companies offer post-departure policies subject to limitations and waiting periods.

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About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

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Metro Bank will axe approximately 1,000 jobs and stop opening branches seven days a week. 

From 29 March, all 76 stores will no longer open on Sundays or bank holidays and opening hours will be cut.

Details of the overhaul came as it reported a £16.9m underlying loss for 2023, narrowed from losses of £50.6m in 2022.

The UK's competition watchdog has released 500 homes from "problematic" leaseholds which saw the ground rent they paid double every ten to 15 years.

Such onerous terms can trap people in houses they find difficult to sell and if they fall behind on payments, it even puts their right to keep their homes at risk.

The Competition and Markets Authority said the households would see their ground rent returned to where it was when their homes were first sold.

The governor of the Bank of England says  the UK jobs market is near full employment.

The country is experiencing an "unusual" pattern of falling inflation without significant unemployment, Andrew Bailey said, adding: "This is tentatively good news."

Usually, higher interest rates result in companies cutting jobs because borrowing and investing become more expensive.

A secondary school headteacher has criticised "completely unacceptable" meals served to pupils at his own school, demanding to know "how difficult is it to bake a potato?".

Jason Ashley, head of Redbridge Community School in  Southampton , sent a letter to parents complaining about canteen lunches on 12 March.

In it, he wrote: "I can no longer keep this from you. You'll often hear me say 'if it's good enough for my own children, it has to be good enough for yours'.

"Frankly the food that is served in the canteen is completely unacceptable, so much so, that if my own children's school served this I would be exceptionally unhappy."

He explained the school had "no control" over what the contracted catering company, Chartwell's, decided to serve.

Read the full story here ...

Pret A Manger is changing the way its £30 subscription works in what appears to be a crackdown on people sharing benefits with their friends.

The Club Pret subscription gets people five drinks a day plus 20% off food.

But it seems - and we definitely wouldn't know anything about this - some people who don't want all five drinks every day have been sharing their QR codes with friends, as they can be added to Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

This is against the terms and conditions and Pret now seems to be closing the loophole.

Subscribers will now have to log in through its app every time they claim the offer.

The new rules kick in from 18 March.

A Pret spokesperson said: "We're updating how Club Pret subscribers access their QR codes as we continue to invest in our digital offer for customers. Live QR codes will be reissued to all subscribers."

 Nine in 10 households have admitted to having at least one bad energy habit, according to Uswitch. 

But did you know, they can add up to £205 a year to your bills? 

Some of the most costly habits are the most common, including bringing things to the boil on the hob without a lid on the saucepan and boiling more water than necessary in a kettle. 

Three fifths of households said they fill the kettle with more water than they need, potentially adding nearly £40 to the average £84-a-year cost of tea-making if they overfill by half every time. 

Uswitch also found two thirds of households set their washing machine at more than 40C, potentially costing nearly £20 a year more than washing at 30C. 

Meanwhile, almost half run it when it's not full, with an extra weekly wash adding £8 to yearly bills. 

Leaving the hot tap running while doing the washing up was found to be another expensive habit - it can waste 100 litres in just 10 minutes. 

Households that do this once a week could run up an additional £12 a year. 

The first big lender has dropped its mortgage rates as swap rates begin to fall. 

Swap rates dictate how much it costs lenders to lend - and some mild turbulence in this market has led to hikes in mortgage deals over the last six weeks - as this chart illustrates...

Swap rates are now on the way down and Coventry Building Society has responded this morning by announcing cuts to most of its rates.

"This is news that will resonate positively with borrowers as Coventry becomes the first lender to react positively to the recent easing in swap rates." Andrew Montlake, managing director of Coreco, told Newspage. 

He added that he expects other lenders to cut their rates over the coming days, as application levels also begin to ease.

Riz Malik, a director at R3 Mortgages, praised Coventry Building Society for being the first to react to the falling swap rates. 

"It does not surprise me that Coventry is leading the rate cuts as other lenders realise they may have been too quick to hike rates," he said. 

"As lenders fight for what business is out there, others will follow within the week." 

Markets forecast a first base rate cut - from a 16-year high of 5.25% to 5% - this summer.

Borrowers will be hoping Coventry's move is the start of a steady decline in high street rates until then.

Was that it then? 

Only a few weeks after we learnt that the UK had slipped into a recession, today we heard that we may already be out of it.

It's still too early to be sure - after all, the formal definition of a recession hinges, for some reason no-one can quite put their finger on, on whether the economy is growing or shrinking each quarter. 

Two successive quarters of contraction constitutes a recession; a quarter of growth means you're out.

Today's data only covers a single month: January. 

But in that month the Office for National Statistics reckons our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - the most comprehensive measure of economic activity - grew by 0.2%.

That was more or less in line with what economists expected and, given they also expect another month or two of growth, that means there's a decent chance that the quarter will be positive, and hence that the recession is over.

This will obviously be feted as good news, which of course it is. But the bigger picture is more complex. 

The recession we've been through was barely a recession.

Usually they're slumps characterised not merely by falls (and for that matter big falls) in GDP but sharp rises in unemployment and insolvencies. 

They also typically go on for quite a while.

This recession was shallow - probably the shallowest in modern history. 

There is still a very decent chance it gets revised away entirely (remember these GDP numbers are only a first draft of economic history and are subject to dramatic revisions as subsequent data comes in). 

Unemployment, while trending up, is still low.

It's more accurate, really, to characterise the economy as just about flatlining. 

There was a bit of growth in the past month but a little bit of contraction the previous month. 

Look at the data over a longer period and you see a long, ever-so-slightly bumpy line which is barely struggling to lift off.

And that is the broader problem for the UK: a distinct lack of impetus. 

The question is whether that changes this year. 

The Bank of England and Office for Budget Responsibility expect relatively slow growth - and the fact that interest rates are still up at 5.25% is part of the explanation. 

But those rates are expected to come down later this year (especially when inflation drops towards the Bank's 2% target).

The government's tax cuts may also boost consumer spending.

In other words, things might be looking up for the economy. 

A bit. 

But in much the same way as this recession was a bit underwhelming, there's a decent chance that the growth in the coming quarters might just be a little bit underwhelming too. 

By  Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

News the economy grew in January was welcomed by UK-listed stock. 

The Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 index of most valuable companies was up 0.08% this morning after it closed at the highest level in more than nine months yesterday afternoon. 

The FTSE 250 also enjoyed gains of 0.2% in the morning. Pushing the index up was infrastructure company and HS2 builder Balfour Beatty whose share price was up 7.4% and on track for its biggest one-day rise since August 2022 after it reported better than expected revenue for last year. 

No major change was seen on the currency markets with one pound equal to $1.2788, virtually unchanged from yesterday. Against the euro, sterling also saw little change, as £1 buys €1.1704. 

This highlights that, while the data on gross domestic product (GDP) was good news and of comfort to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, it was nothing to write home about. 

The benchmark Brent crude oil is still going for around $82 at $82.75 a barrel.

Some Waitrose customers have hit out at the supermarket for quietly making changes to its loyalty programme.

Under the myWaitrose membership scheme, shoppers would previously be offered two money-off vouchers each week based on their shopping habits.

But a change to the terms and conditions of the scheme - which were updated on 14 February - means the vouchers may now arrive from "time-to-time" and could take several weeks to appear in customers' accounts.

In the voucher FAQ section, Waitrose says: "New vouchers are usually offered each week, but there will be times when some customers won't have vouchers available for short periods. Don't worry - this is only temporary and you'll see your vouchers again after a few weeks."

The supermarket is competing with Marks & Spencer at the top end of the market - with M&S recently voted the nation's favourite for in-store experience in a Which? survey.

The two chains command 3.8% of the market each - with M&S having caught up from last year.

Some customers have voiced their chagrin about the loyalty scheme change on X. One shopper called the updated scheme "disgusting" and vowed to shop elsewhere.

Waitrose told the Money blog: "We haven't changed the frequency of our vouchers; customers still receive these weekly - alongside benefits like daily free hot drinks and exclusive member-only discounts.

"Just like all other supermarkets, our T&Cs simply reflect the fact that there may be brief windows when vouchers don't update.  These are very infrequent and only ever impact a very small number of customers, whose vouchers will return very soon."

By Jess Sharp, Money team

From AI to the latest self-checkout technology, industry leaders revealed the secrets of what's next in their business at yesterday's Retail LIVE 2024 event in London.

We were there and here are three things we learnt...

Self-checkouts are already outdated

With autonomous stores (like Amazon Go) popping up across the country, one of the topics discussed was the use of self-checkouts – and if they'll soon be gone as we know them.

Anna Maraga, the head of research and development at Mira, told the tech and digital stage that customers were frustrated with the technology, and dealing with glitches every time they shop.

She said 23% of unknown store losses were related to self-checkouts, and 15% of customers have admitted to stealing items while using them.

Mira used the event to showcase its solution to the problem, a self-checkout that uses visual checks instead of scanning a barcode.

The company says it takes away the hassle of dealing with glitch messages, tackles crime and allows staff to manage two check-outs at a time.

Google's new way to search the internet

One of the big speakers at the event was Sophie Neary, the managing director of retail and fast moving consumer goods at Google.

Despite only being in the job for nine weeks, she had a lot to say about the company and its use of AI.

The most interesting point of her speech was a sneak peek at what is coming to the search engine in the future – Google Generative AI.

The function builds on existing tech like large language models (which are trained on huge amounts of text and learn to predict the next word in a sentence) and creates new text, images, videos and audio.

Users will also be able to add questions to the engine as results appear, rather than starting a whole new Google search.

'Watch this space' - Amazon to start drone deliveries by the end of the year 

Amazon will introduce drone deliveries in the UK later this year, the company's UK country manager said. 

John Boumphrey told the crowd to "watch this space" for their arrival.

He said the use of advanced robotics had expanded within Amazon, with more than 500,000 robots already added to their company's fleet.

GDP grew by 0.2% in January, official data shows - suggesting the UK may already be out of recession.

This is the first Office for National Statistics data since it was revealed the UK was in recession following two consecutive quarters of the economy contracting.

It's monthly data - and it could yet be revised - so we need to wait for February and March's figures before we can say the country is no longer in recession.

Data and economics editor Ed Conway said 0.2% was "relatively decent" for monthly figures.

"This suggests that we may now be out of recession... it may well be one of the shallowest and shortest recessions in modern history."

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Travel Insurance How to make a claim

If you need to claim on your travel insurance the last thing you want is hassle. With Post Office and underwriters Collinson, you can submit a claim online any time, 24/7, or do it on the phone.

Please check your full  policy wording  before you make a claim.

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Making a claim online

The quickest and easiest way to make a claim on your Post Office Travel Insurance is online.

Claim any time

Submit a claim online any time 24/7. Enter your details, select who was involved, and tell us what happened and when

Upload your documents

No need to send or wait for documents in the post. Just upload them or take a photo on your device and upload that

Save your progress

Don’t have everything you need? You can save where you’re up to and come back to complete your claim later

Get an instant decision

We’ll check your claim and share our decision. Many customers have their claim resolved and payments made the same day

It’s easy to claim online

Start your claim online, save your progress and continue when you have everything you need. This video gives an overview of what to expect.

Holidays are a great chance to relax and recharge. But, when something goes wrong, submitting an insurance claim is the last thing you want to do. That’s why we’ve made it quick and easy to do online.

Simply enter your details, select who was involved and tell us what happened and when. You can also upload any supporting documents there too; we’ll let you know which ones we need. If you’ve not got them to hand, that’s not a problem: you can return to the claim anytime, day or night. And if you’re using a mobile phone, you can even take a photo of your documents and upload them instantly.

Best of all, many of our customers have their claim resolved, with settlement into their bank account, the same day – leaving you with more time to focus on the important things in life.

Making a claim by phone

If you’d rather talk to one of our team about your claim, give us a call.

Call our claims line

We’re here on 0333 333 9702 * from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. We’ll talk you through the first steps and answer your questions 

Complete a claims form

We’ll post a claims form for you to complete and return. Make sure you keep a copy for your own records too

We’ll confirm our decision

We’ll check your claim and reply to you with our decision. If your claim’s successful, we’ll confirm when and how it will be paid

*Calls to 03 numbers will cost no more than calling a standard geographic number starting with 01 or 02 from your fixed line or mobile and may be included in your call package dependent on your service provider. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and compliance purposes.

Check you’re covered before you claim

To access your policy documents, select your cover level then tell us the date you bought your cover.

Economy, Standard and Premier

Core, extra and max.

Policy numbers starting with TC

Policies are underwritten by Collinson Insurance: 

  • Policy wording - purchased on or after the 31 August 2023
  • Policy wording – purchased on or after 17 August 2022 
  • Policy wording – purchased on or after 31 March 2022  

Policies underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK Branch, and administered by Collinson Insurance Services Limited:

  • Policy wording – purchased on or after 01 January 2021  

Policy numbers starting with TA

Policies are underwritten by Collinson Insurance:

  • Policy wording – purchased on or after 17 August 2022
  • Policy wording – purchased on or after 31 March 2022

Need help with your online claim ?

This video takes you step by step through what’s needed to register an initial claim online.

Choose between a new or existing claim

Enter your personal data

Select that you agree to the automated process

Enter your travel details

Write down your claim number

Enter the event information

Enter your bank details

Attach the required documents

Your request has been registered

How to make sure you’re calling the right team

We’ve different numbers to call for help in medical emergencies or to make non-emergency claims

In a medical emergency

Call our emergency medical support team 0208 865 3074 *

Available 24/7

To make a claim

Call our claims team on: 0333 333 9702 *

Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm

Closed Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays

Common questions about how to claim

What can i do to help my claim run smoothly.

To help make your claim run quickly and smoothly, it’s important to take precautions while you’re away.

Make sure you take a copy of all your travel insurance documents away with you – printed and/or on your digital device like a smartphone or tablet – in case you need to call on it while you’re there. Take all possible precautions to ensure your belongings stay safe on your trip.

In the event something happens you may need to claim for, gather all the relevant documentation that’s likely to be needed during the claims process. You might need to collect some of this while you’re away. It will help to validate cover and the circumstances of the loss, making it more likely your claim will be paid. You can find a full list of required documentation in the policy wording .

You should also keep all evidence of purchases such as receipts and accounts, as these are also likely to be needed when you claim.

Report any lost, stolen or damaged belongings to the police within 24 hours of the incident. You should obtain a written report from them to help support your claim. If you’re faced with a delay on your travels that you may need to claim for – whether it’s for a flight, ferry crossing, coach journey or train ride, always obtain written confirmation from the operator.

What details do I need if I call to make a claim on the phone?

If you’re phoning our team to make a claim, please have the following information to hand when you first speak to us:

  • Claiming for a travel delay: your original booking invoice and a written confirmation of the delay’s length from your airline/transport operator and if you need to abandon the trip, any receipts for the cost of additional transport
  • Emergency medical assistance: your original booking invoice, medical report and receipts for any medical expenses, please refer to the policy wording for the full list of requirements

When should I call the emergency medical assistance line?

You should call the emergency medical assistance line immediately in the event of a death or accidental injury, illness or dental issues while away that’s likely to need hospitalisation, repatriation to the UK, changes to your travel plans and/or other medical costs. Call our team any time 24/7 on +44 (0) 208 865 3074 * who are ready to help you.

What support will you provide if I need emergency medical assistance?

As soon as you know you’ll be in a medical facility for at least 24 hours while you’re away, call our emergency medical assistance line on +44 (0) 208 865 3074 *. Our team can help by:

  • liaising with hospitals and medical facilities for you about your treatment and their costs
  • arranging transportation for you back to the UK (repatriation) if needed
  • arranging transfers by ambulance once you’ve returned to the UK
  • arranging travel for immediate relatives or others in your travel party

Remember to keep all receipts and medical reports so that you can use them to support your claim when back in the UK. Please note that it may be easier for you to pay minor medical costs yourself in some instances.

How long will my claim take to process?

For some online claims, depending on their nature, you may receive an instant decision. If you’re making a claim on the phone for a travel delay or emergency medical expenses claims up to £350 (after any excess that applies), you may receive a decision over the phone. We aim to assess your claim within five working days of receiving your completed claim form, either online or in the post. If we need you to provide more information to support your claim, we’ll assess what you send within five working days too. In some cases a loss adjuster may be appointed to discuss your claim in person.

What should I do if a public liability claim is made against me?

In the event of an incident for which you may need to claim against your policy’s public liability provision, such as accidental damage to property or injury to a third party, do not discuss, agree or pay any potential claim against you. Please contact our team on 0333 333 9702 * to discuss your next steps.

I can’t complete my online claim right now. What should I do?

If you’re only partway through making a claim online and need to come back to it later, eg to add documents you don’t have to hand now, you can save your progress and come back. You’ll be given a claim number and can use this to resume and complete your claim later when you have everything you need.

Is there a time limit on travel insurance claims?

You should notify us of a claim as soon as possible, either online or by calling call 0333 333 9702 *. All claims, however you make them, should be submitted within 60 days of returning from your trip.

The exception is when you need 24-hour emergency medical assistance. For this, you must call the dedicated emergency medical assistance number +44 (0) 208 865 3074 * as soon as you know you’ll be spending at least 24 hours in a hospital or other medical facility.

Can I claim on two travel insurance policies?

No, you can’t claim from two different travel insurance providers. If you have two travel insurance policies, each provider will pay only their share of the claim.

Having two insurance policies can also make the claims process more complicated. For instance, one insurer may need to check with the other what they are or aren’t prepared to cover, which can slow things down.

What’s more, you’d effectively have to make two claims for the same likely outcome as if you had just one policy.

Should I keep any damaged items I’m claiming for?

Yes, keep any damaged items that you plan to claim for as they may be needed later, either to salvage or for assessment purposes. Don’t throw them away at least until your claim has been concluded.

  • Read all Travel Insurance FAQs

Need some help?

Travel insurance help and support.

For emergency medical assistance, to make a claim, find answers to common questions about our cover or get in touch:

Visit our travel insurance support page

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About our travel insurance

Post Office® Travel Insurance is arranged by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited.

Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited are registered in England and Wales. Registered numbers 2154540 and 08459718 respectively. Registered Office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trademarks of Post Office Limited.

The above details can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the Financial Conduct Authority website and searching by Firm Reference Number (FRN).

IMAGES

  1. Reviewed: Post Office travel insurance

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  2. Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

    post travel insurance uk

  3. Post Office restores travel insurance offering

    post travel insurance uk

  4. Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

    post travel insurance uk

  5. Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

    post travel insurance uk

  6. Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

    post travel insurance uk

COMMENTS

  1. Travel Insurance

    Post Office Travel Insurance covers most pre-existing medical conditions. Get a quote today to see if we can cover you. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition we're unable to cover you for, check the Money and Pensions Scheme (MaPS) directory of companies that may be able to help you. Or call 0800 138 7777.

  2. Compare Travel Insurance

    Compare the three main types of Post Office Travel Insurance. Single-trip Travel Insurance: This is a policy covering you for one, uninterrupted trip that begins and ends in the UK. The maximum trip duration can range from 31 days to 365 days dependant on your age. Annual Multi-trip Travel Insurance:

  3. Post Office Travel Insurance Review

    However, the Post Office is a trusted brand with a transparent travel insurance offering and gets a star rating of 4.5/5 in Forbes Advisor's Best Single Trip Travel Insurance. The Post Office ...

  4. Post Office travel insurance review

    The latest data from the Financial Conduct Authority show that Post Office's underwriter - Astrenska - paid out 85-90% of claims made on annual European policies in 2022. This was above the average rate of 76%. It accepted 85-90% of claims made on annual worldwide policies - above the average of 82%. It paid 80-85% of claims made on single trip ...

  5. Post Office travel insurance review

    Post Office travel insurance customer reviews. The Post Office travel insurance has a rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars from just 105 reviews on the customer review site Trustpilot. Customers detailed problems with claims being paid and refunds for policy cancellations. As with all travel insurance policies, it is important to do your research and ...

  6. Compare Post Office Travel Insurance

    Post-office travel insurance provides: Three levels of cover available: Economy, Standard and Premier. Single, multi-trip or backpacker policies. Cover for most pre-existing conditions - always check whether yours is included before purchasing. Upgrade your policy to include cover for things like gadgets, winter sports and trip disruption.

  7. Best travel insurance UK 2024: companies and polices rated

    All Clear travel insurance - Platinum. 79% policy score - joint 7th out of 161 policies rated. We like: All Clear was the highest-scoring medical specialist insurer in our analysis. Its policy covers outbound, connecting and returning flights that you miss because of delays.

  8. Travel Insurance After Departure

    IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PURCHASING POST-DEPARTURE TRAVEL INSURANCE IN THE UK. Whilst we do offer travel insurance for already travelling individuals on our aforementioned policies, several considerations need to be made before choosing the right policy for you: THERE IS A 25% SUPPLEMENT FOR AFTER-DEPARTURE POLICIES

  9. Last Minute Travel Insurance

    Last-minute travel insurance policies generally offer similar coverage as policies purchased in advance. However, it's essential to carefully review the policy terms and conditions to understand any potential limitations or exclusions that may apply. Certain pre-existing medical conditions or high-risk activities may have restricted coverage.

  10. Travel Insurance

    Call our emergency medical assistance line any time, 24/7. If your policy number starts with TA or TC call 0208 865 3074. If your policy number starts with TE, the number to call depends on where in the world you're calling from. From anywhere except the USA, Canada or Mexico call +44 (0) 1403 163.

  11. Compare Our Best Travel Insurance Quotes

    Compare Travel Insurance Quotes. Compare from our range of over 100 policies. Choose from single-trip or annual policies. Find the best deal for you. Get A Quote.

  12. Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

    The single trip insurance will provide coverage depending on your age when you obtain your insurance policy. The Post Office website states that those who are below 71 will be covered 365 days per trip. Meanwhile, those who are 71-75 will be covered 90 days and individuals 76-85 are only covered for 31 days. As the name implies, a single trip ...

  13. Post-Departure Travel Insurance

    The OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan, Allianz Global Assistance's post-departure travel insurance plan, is designed for international travelers who don't need to cover the cost of their pre-paid travel expenses. Here are a few examples. A travel agent living in Miami is taking a free, week-long Caribbean cruise, compliments of the cruise line.

  14. The best travel insurance providers in the UK in 2024

    CoverForYou travel insurance review. Direct Line travel insurance review. Holiday Extras travel insurance review. LV= travel insurance review. Post Office travel insurance review. (Quotes correct as of 09/01/24) ^limits may apply ^^includes baggage cover.

  15. Best travel insurance UK 2024 guide

    Get 20 per cent off annual European travel insurance for your first policy, and 10 per cent off if you have another insurance policy with the provider. LV. 15 per cent discount when you buy travel ...

  16. Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Departure? [Costs and Coverage]

    The only comprehensive post-departure travel insurance plan we could find is with World Nomads. With a World Nomads Explorer or Standard plan, you can get coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, emergency medical treatment or evacuation, baggage delay or loss, rental car damage, a 24-hour travel assistance hotline, and more.. While World Nomads offers comprehensive post-departure ...

  17. Worldwide Travel Insurance

    Our worldwide travel insurance can protect you in over 150 countries. Whether you take out Single Trip, Annual Multi-Trip or Backpacker Travel Insurance, we can cover you almost anywhere on the globe you happen to be. If you need to confirm that we are providing cover for where you are travelling, call our helpline on 0330 123 3690.

  18. Compare Cheap Travel Insurance from £2.25

    When comparing travel insurance with Compare the Market, you could get cheap travel insurance for a week away from £5.49 [1]. However, it depends on the level of cover you choose, how long you're away and where you're travelling to. The best value travel insurance isn't necessarily the cheapest or the most expensive - what matters is ...

  19. Travel insurance for UK holidays

    UK holiday insurance is travel insurance for trips that you make in, you've guessed it, the UK. However, you may think that travel insurance for a UK holiday is a tad unnecessary. After all, the NHS provides free medical treatment to all. But medical emergencies aren't the only thing a travel insurance policy is useful for.

  20. Travel Insurance For U.K. Trips

    The nominal cost of a travel insurance policy safeguards you and your travel companions in many ways. Squaremouth recommends at least $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage in case you require a ...

  21. Travel Insurance

    Buying travel insurance. Can I buy travel insurance at my local Post Office branch? Yes, you can buy our Travel Insurance at over 3,700 Post Office branches. If your nearest branch can't issue travel insurance, you can buy travel cover online or by calling 0330 123 3690*. I don't live in the UK.

  22. Money blog: Pret A Manger cracks down on 'free' coffee loophole

    Pret A Manger is changing the way its £30 subscription works in what appears to be a crackdown on friends sharing benefits. Read this and all the latest consumer and economic news in the Money ...

  23. Make A Claim

    How to make a claim. If you need to claim on your travel insurance the last thing you want is hassle. With Post Office and underwriters Collinson, you can submit a claim online any time, 24/7, or do it on the phone. Please check your full policy wording before you make a claim.