Before you buy, check ten things: the medical limit, evacuation and repatriation, the excess, pre-existing conditions, cancellation reasons, baggage and per-item limits, delay thresholds, covered activities, where you’re covered, and who can buy.
The ten checks
- The overall medical limit.
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation.
- The excess (deductible).
- How pre-existing conditions are treated.
- The covered reasons for cancelling.
- Baggage limits, including per item and valuables.
- The delay threshold before delay cover starts.
- Covered activities and their limits.
- The countries covered, and any excluded.
- Who can buy: residence, age, and buying after departure.
Read the policy wording before you buy: what’s covered, the limits, the excess and the exclusions.
The words, explained
Each check has a word behind it. The policy words explain the excess, sub-limits, the schedule of cover and the rest, with a sample of how each one reads in a policy.
The three insurers
We earn a commission if you buy after following these links. It never changes what this page says, and we don’t give advice. Who each insurer is.
Questions
What is the most important part of travel insurance?
That’s your call; many travellers start with medical and evacuation cover. We don’t give advice.
What is an excess on travel insurance?
The amount you pay towards a claim before the insurer pays.
Where can I compare travel insurance?
Each insurer’s own site shows its plans, terms and prices. We link you to three of them.
Keep reading
Updated 2026-10-24.