1. MoneySavingExpert.com
  2. Insurance
Skip to content of guide

In this guide

MSE weekly email

FREE weekly MoneySaving email

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!

FAQs Privacy Past Emails Unsubscribe

Annual travel insurance

Learn how to save on your travel insurance costs with an annual policy

Matt Finn
Matt Finn | Edited by Gary Caffell
5 July 2024

Travel insurance is vital for anyone heading abroad. If you're a frequent flyer, annual travel insurance could work out cheapest, protecting you for multiple trips over the course of a year. Here we break down exactly what this type of policy covers, whether it's right for you, and how to get cheap annual travel insurance. 

Skip to content of guide

In this guide

Who's this guide for? This guide is for anybody going on multiple holidays, or trips, in the next year. To learn more about travel insurance generally, read the following guides:

What is annual multi-trip travel insurance?

Unlike single trip travel insurance, which protects you for just one specified trip away, annual travel insurance can cover you for multiple holidays over a year.

If you go away two or more times a year, annual multi-trip policies usually work out best value as it covers all a year's trips up to a set length per trip (which can range from 17 to 30 days per trip). Use our Cheap Travel Insurance Finder tool to find the cheapest no-frills policies. 

You'll be able to pick either a European or worldwide annual travel insurance policy, with most insurers also letting you use the policy for domestic trips. This is provided you've got accommodation pre-booked for at least two nights in a row. 

Like any kind of travel insurance policy, annual travel insurance provides vital cover for unforeseen setbacks that can impact your trip, such as theft of your luggage, or an illness or injury that requires medical attention. You'll also be protected if you need to cancel your trip before you go or return early because of an emergency. 

So DON'T DELAY buying annual travel insurance. For regular travellers it's a MoneySaving must, alongside getting a specialist travel credit or debit card and/or the best exchange rates on your cash. 

When's the best time to buy annual travel insurance?

You should always buy travel insurance ASAB – As Soon As you Book a trip. Half of the cover's value is protecting you BEFORE you go, in case anything happens before you travel that means you have to cancel, for instance due to illness or a death in the family. 

With an annual policy, getting it ASAB means you have an active policy in place covering all the time leading up to the holiday (to cover you if you need to cancel), as well as the holiday itself (to cover you while you're away).

So for a first-time policy, if you've booked, have today as the start date. If you've not yet booked, you need the start date to be the date you book your holiday (best to buy it straight after you book a flight or hotel).

If you've already got annual cover, but your holiday is after that cover ends, get another policy to start as soon as the current one ends (most policies, including all the ones we list, will cover you if something happens while it's live that stops you going on a holiday booked after it ends - though do check).

MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis explains why you should be getting travel insurance ASAB...

"Each year, heartbreakingly, without fail, in the run-up to summer, someone who's been diagnosed with cancer or another serious condition that needs long-term treatment tells me they won't be able to go on their holiday, but the airline/hotel won't refund them (which is within their rights as the ticket is not faulty).

"I say 'that's what travel insurance is for'... yet they then tell me they haven't got round to getting it yet. My heart sinks.

"Half the point of the cover is to protect you if things happen before then that stop you going, so please get it ASAB (As Soon As you've Booked)."

What does annual travel insurance cover?

So, now you know what annual travel insurance is, here's a closer look at what it does and doesn't cover.

What annual travel insurance does and doesn't cover you for

What you CAN claim for

 What you CAN'T claim for
Medical expenses. Any healthcare or emergency treatment costs. You'll need to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, however – learn more below. Changing your mind. You won't be covered if you simply choose not to go on a trip.
Emergency repatriation. If you need to cut your trip short and fly home because of illness, injury or somebody's death. Travelling against government advice. Your claim will likely be rejected if you've travelled to somewhere on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO's) 'Do not travel' list.
Personal liability. This pays for the legal and/or repair costs of injuring somebody or damaging their property abroad, excluding injury or damage caused when riding/driving a motor vehicle. Natural disasters. Claims arising from natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes or tsunamis.
Cancellation if you can't travel. If you have an illness, suffer a bereavement, or have a home emergency that means you need to cancel a trip. Claims after being under the influence. Accidents that happen under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs.
Lost or delayed luggage. You'll be compensated if any items are lost or held up in transit (though there are often limits). Illegal acts. Any claims arising from illegal acts will probably be rejected.
Theft. Stolen items such as gadgets, money or travel documents will be covered, although do bear in mind that your home contents policy may already cover this. Being unvaccinated for a tropical disease. If you contract a tropical disease you didn't get vaccinated or inoculated for.
Covid cover. You may be covered if you can't fly because you've contracted the virus.  Winter and extreme sports. While certain activities will probably be covered, more dangerous ones – such as winter and extreme sports – may not be. You might be able to get this cover added on, however.

Use our Cheap Travel Insurance Finder tool for annual cover

Use our Cheap Travel Insurance Finder tool to help you find the best annual travel insurance policy for your needs. 

The tool features cheap no-frills policies that meet or exceed our minimum cover levels for travellers aged 65 and under with no pre-existing medical conditions. See our Pre-existing conditions and Over 65s' travel insurance guides for more in those scenarios.

Seeing as we judge insurers purely on price, NOT reviews, these options are for those looking to cut costs who don't mind a basic level of cover (and claim limits). That said, you'll also find a few high-end policies listed.

Is a multi-trip annual travel insurance policy right for me?

If you go away two or more times a year, annual travel insurance is usually a winner. So for regular travellers, for example, if you love a spontaneous trip, enjoy frequent weekends away or travel often for work (although your employer may already have cover in place for you), annual insurance would likely be better for you than buying single trip insurance each time you go.  

However, if you know you will only go on one holiday in the year, paying more for a year's cover on an annual policy wouldn't be worth it and you'll be better of with a single trip travel policy. 

MSE weekly email

FREE weekly MoneySaving email

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!

FAQs Privacy Past Emails Unsubscribe

How to get cheap annual travel insurance

  • Compare policies. Use our  Cheap Travel Insurance Finder tool to easily compare prices from different providers. 

  • Buy cover ASAB. Get travel insurance As Soon As you've Booked for greater protection, and to get the most value out of the cover. 

  • Check if buying a group annual travel insurance policy is best for you. Getting a group policy makes sense if you often travel with the same people, whether that's your family or friends. This can be much cheaper than each buying a policy individually. 

  • Limit your extras. Don't buy optional extras you don't need – for example, mobile phone insurance if your home insurance already covers this or extreme sports cover for a business trip. 

  • Check if you're already insured. See if you already have travel insurance in place, for instance, through a packaged bank account. These accounts often come with range of covers that can offer good value. 

  • Get a single trip policy instead. If you've only got one trip on the horizon and are unlikely to book more, you're probably best off getting a single trip travel policy, which will be cheaper.  

Can I get annual cover with a pre-existing medical condition?

One passport, with the text at the top reading: "British Passport" and the text at the bottom reading: "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".

For people with pre-existing medical conditions, the cover works exactly the same way as insurance for typical travellers. The only difference is that it also covers the cost of care for any medical condition you may have had in the past or you suffer from currently – though this is likely to make the cost of cover more expensive.

Don't let this deter you from buying cover though – read our Travel insurance for pre-existing conditions guide to learn how to find affordable cover. 

And remember, ALWAYS let your provider know about any conditions you have or you won't be covered in the event of a claim. 

Annual travel insurance FAQs

  • How many times can I go away on an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy?

    Generally speaking, you'll be able to travel as many times as you like on an annual travel insurance policy, provided each trip doesn't exceed the duration limit.

    That said, it's always a good idea to double-check your policy to make sure it covers the country you are visiting, and any activities you may be planning, such as winter sports, as insurer policies do vary.  

  • How many days can each holiday be for?

    Most annual travel insurance policies state that each individual trip within the year of a policy can't exceed a certain number of days. This is usually 17 or 31 days, but 60 and 90 day limits aren't uncommon.

    Again though, check your own policy if you're not sure.

  • Will my policy cover me for trips within the UK?

    Most annual policies cover you for domestic trips if it involves spending at least two consecutive nights in booked accommodation. Some insurers also specify that you must be abroad or at least 25 miles from home to be covered.

    Although you don't need to worry about emergency medical costs because of the NHS, you'll still want to be protected for scenarios such as theft, cancellations or holiday curtailment.

    Read more in our UK travel insurance guide.   

  • Can family members travel independently on an annual multi-trip policy?

    Most policies allow each adult named on a family annual travel insurance policy to holiday independently and still be covered. As such, you generally don't need to travel together to be protected. Children are also usually able to travel with others NOT named on the policy, provided they're accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.  

    Not all family annual travel insurance policies are the same, however, so check yours before assuming anything. 

  • How many times can you claim on an annual policy?

    You'll be protected on every trip with an annual travel policy. This means that you can theoretically make a claim during each holiday, no matter how many claims you've made before or how many trips you've made.  

    Of course, the chances of making multiple claims are pretty slim, so don't worry too much about this.  

  • Will I need an annual travel insurance policy if I have the EHIC/GHIC card?

    EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) and GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) are free cards entitling holders to medical coverage within the EU and certain other European countries for the same price as locals. So it's free for them, it'd be free for you. The EHIC is currently being phased out, however, and replaced with the GHIC (same card, new name). Learn more, including how to get a GHIC, on our Free GHIC and EHIC page.   

    However, even if you have a EHIC or GHIC, you'll still want annual travel insurance for several reasons: 

    • Lack of coverage. EHIC and GHIC are only for necessary medical treatment at state-run hospitals and clinics. They won't cover you for any other costs incurred during an emergency either, such as mountain rescue costs. 

    • No repatriation coverage. EHIC and GHIC WON'T cover the costs of repatriation if you need to fly home, which can be extremely expensive. 

    • No non-medical coverage. Travel insurance gives you financial protection for various issues that EHIC and GHIC don't, including lost or stolen luggage, trip cancellations or interruptions, flight delays, and personal liability.   

    • Not usable worldwide. EHIC and GHIC can only be used European countries and territories, so you won't get medical cover elsewhere without worldwide annual travel insurance. 

    • No additional services. These cards don't offer the additional services that travel insurance coverage does, such as 24/7 emergency help hotlines, support for lost or stolen passports, and assistance finding medical care. 

Share this guide

Spotted out of date info/broken links? Email: brokenlink@moneysavingexpert.com

MSE tools & calculators

Clever ways to calculate your finances 

Credit Card Eligibility

See which cards are likely to accept you

Tool

Loans Eligibility

See which loans you've the best chance of getting

Tool

MSE App

Get MSE on your Apple or Android phone

Tool

Broadband Unbundled

Compare broadband deals & save

Tool

Mortgage best buys

Compares thousands of mortgages

Tool

Mortgage Calculator

Eight calcs for all your mortgage sums

Tool
Tools and calculators