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What travel insurance actually covers

Policies vary, but most travel insurance covers four broad categories.

Medical treatment abroad. This is the main reason to buy it. Emergency treatment, hospital stays, and where necessary repatriation home. A single hospital admission overseas can cost more than the entire trip.

Trip cancellation and curtailment. If you have to cancel or cut short your trip for a covered reason — illness, injury, bereavement — the policy reimburses non-refundable costs.

Baggage and belongings. Cover for lost, stolen or delayed luggage, usually up to a stated limit per item and per trip.

Travel disruption. Delayed departures, missed connections, and in some policies the cost of an overnight stay when a flight is cancelled.

When you need travel insurance

Some situations make it close to essential:

• Schengen visa applications. Cover of at least €30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation is a formal requirement, and your application will be refused without it.
• Travelling outside your home healthcare system. Treatment costs abroad are rarely covered by domestic health insurance.
• Expensive or non-refundable trips. The more you’ve paid upfront, the more you stand to lose.
• Long-haul or multi-country travel. More flights and more connections mean more opportunities for something to go wrong.

For a short trip within your own country on a fully refundable ticket, the case is weaker. Everywhere else, the cost of a policy is small next to what it protects against.

What to check before you buy

Insurance is one of those purchases where the cheapest option is not always the right one. Before you commit, check these:

The medical limit. Look at the maximum payout for emergency treatment, not just the headline price. For Schengen applications this must be at least €30,000.

The excess. This is what you pay before the insurer contributes. A very cheap policy often has a high excess, which makes small claims not worth filing.

Pre-existing conditions. Most standard policies exclude them unless declared and accepted. If you have an ongoing condition, declare it — an undeclared condition can void the entire policy, not just that claim.

Activities and sports. Skiing, diving, motorcycling and hiking above certain altitudes are commonly excluded from standard cover. If your trip involves any of them, check whether you need an add-on.

Your destinations. Some policies price the United States and Canada separately because medical costs there are so much higher. Make sure every country on your itinerary is covered.

When cover starts. Cancellation cover usually begins the day you buy the policy, not the day you travel. Buying early protects you for longer.

What travel insurance usually doesn’t cover

Reading the exclusions matters more than reading the benefits. Common ones include:

• Incidents involving alcohol or drugs
• Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
• Travel against official government advice for that country
• Valuables left unattended or in checked baggage
• Cancellation because you changed your mind
• Extreme sports or activities not listed on the policy

Always read the policy wording before you buy. If something is unclear, ask the provider directly and keep their answer in writing.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need travel insurance for a Schengen visa?

Yes. Schengen applications require proof of cover including at least €30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation, valid across all Schengen states for the full duration of your stay.

When should I buy travel insurance?

As soon as you book your trip. Cancellation cover typically starts from the purchase date, so buying early means you’re protected for longer at no extra cost.

Does travel insurance cover flight cancellations?

Most policies cover disruption caused by the airline, though the level varies. Note that compensation for delays and cancellations on EU flights is a separate legal entitlement you can claim from the airline directly, independently of any insurance.

Can I buy travel insurance after I’ve already left?

Some providers offer policies for travellers already abroad, but cover is usually more limited and cancellation benefits generally won’t apply. Buying before departure is always better.

Does it cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Only if you declare them and the insurer accepts them, sometimes for an additional premium. An undeclared condition can invalidate the whole policy, so declare anything relevant.