Best travel insurance

Travel insurance protects you financially if anything goes wrong while you're travelling. Depending on your policy, travel insurance can cover delayed or missed transportation, medical emergencies or illnesses and lost or damaged belongings.

You buy a policy that covers you before and during your trip. Make sure it includes coverage for any pre-existing health conditions and gadgets you're taking. If you need to make a claim, you'll need to provide as much evidence as possible, so keep hold of medical records, police reports or any other relevant documents so you get reimbursed.

Yes, travel insurance is definitely worth the cost. Medical care can be expensive when travelling abroad, so travel insurance provides much-needed support should something happen while you're away. Even for UK trips, travel insurance can cover you for lost belongings outside the home.

Travel insurance isn't compulsory, but most people agree it's essential. The cost of a policy is small compared with what you could end up paying if something happens and you aren’t covered.

Buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you'll be covered if your transport or accommodation gets cancelled before your trip starts. You can buy travel insurance at the last minute, but make sure your policy covers you from the moment you start travelling until you arrive safely back home.

Single trip travel insurance covers one specific trip. Annual (or multi-trip) travel insurance covers you for unlimited trips within a 12-month period, up to a maximum trip length per journey. If you take more than two or three trips a year, annual cover is usually better value.

Some travel insurance policies cover pre-existing medical conditions, but you typically need to declare them when you apply. Cover may come at an additional cost or with some exclusions. It’s important to disclose all conditions honestly, as failing to do so could invalidate your claim.