Travel Insurance Basics: What You Actually Need (2026)
Quick answer
Travel insurance mainly exists to cover emergency medical costs and repatriation abroad, with cancellation, delay and baggage cover as useful extras. Buy it as soon as you book so cancellation protection applies, declare any pre-existing conditions honestly, choose single-trip or annual based on how often you travel, and read the exclusions before you assume you’re covered.
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What travel insurance is really for
People often think of travel insurance as cover for lost bags, but the part that matters most is medical. If you fall ill or have an accident abroad, treatment can be extremely expensive, and being flown home for care can cost more still. A good policy handles those bills so a bad day doesn’t become a financial disaster. Everything else — cancellations, delays, belongings — is valuable but secondary to that core protection.
The cover to look for
| Cover type | What it does |
|---|---|
| Emergency medical & repatriation | Treatment abroad and getting you home — the priority |
| Cancellation & curtailment | Refunds costs if you must cancel or cut short for a covered reason |
| Travel delay & missed departure | Helps with costs from long delays or missed connections |
| Baggage & personal belongings | Covers lost, stolen or damaged items up to a limit |
| Personal liability | If you accidentally injure someone or damage property |
Check the limits, not just that a category is listed. A policy that “includes” medical cover with a low ceiling may not be enough for a serious emergency.
Single-trip vs annual multi-trip
Single-trip policies cover one journey between fixed dates and suit occasional travellers. Annual multi-trip policies cover unlimited journeys in a year, up to a maximum number of days per trip. If you take three or more trips annually, the annual option is often cheaper overall — but check the per-trip day cap, because a long holiday can exceed it.
Watch the excess and the exclusions
Two things quietly decide how useful a policy is. The excess is what you pay towards any claim; a cheap premium with a high excess can leave small claims not worth making. The exclusions are what isn’t covered, and they catch people out.
- Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions — always declare them, even if it raises the price.
- Incidents involving alcohol or drugs.
- Belongings left unattended or unsecured.
- Adventure or high-risk activities not added to the policy.
- Travel against official government advice for your destination.
Buy early and match it to your trip
Purchase as soon as you book. Cancellation cover only helps for events between buying the policy and travelling, so waiting until the airport wastes weeks of protection on your deposit. Match the policy to the trip: destination (medical costs vary hugely by region), trip length, the activities you plan, and the value of what you’re carrying. If you have existing cover through a bank account or credit card, read what it actually includes before assuming it’s enough.
Keep the paperwork handy
A policy only helps if you can use it. Save the emergency assistance number and your policy number on your phone and on paper. If you need to claim, keep receipts, reports and any airline documentation about delays or cancellations — insurers usually require evidence. For medical emergencies, contact the assistance line early so treatment is authorised.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need travel insurance?
For most trips, yes — mainly for emergency medical cover and repatriation abroad, which can be very costly. Cancellation and baggage cover are useful extras.
Single-trip or annual?
Single-trip suits one journey; annual multi-trip suits three or more trips a year, subject to a per-trip day limit.
What isn’t covered?
Commonly undeclared pre-existing conditions, alcohol or drug-related incidents, unattended belongings, unlisted high-risk activities, and travel against official advice.
When should I buy it?
As soon as you book, so cancellation cover applies from the moment you pay for the trip.
The bottom line
Travel insurance is really about protecting yourself against big, unpredictable costs — medical care and getting home — with cancellation and baggage cover as sensible extras. Buy early, declare your history honestly, check the excess and exclusions, and match the policy to your trip. Start planning on ScanFlyGo, compare flights, and track your flight live once you’re booked.
Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This article is general information, not financial or insurance advice; always read the policy terms.