Booking a last-minute holiday? There’s nothing more exciting than a spontaneous getaway. But you might be wondering if there’s still time to buy travel insurance, or if it's too late.
We take a look at what policy you can get and what you’re covered for.
When’s the best time to buy travel insurance?
The best time to buy travel insurance is when you book your holiday, or not long after. That way, you’ll be covered for cancellation before your trip begins.
There are a few situations where it’s definitely better to get it well ahead of time:
- If you or anyone on the policy has pre-existing health conditions – if it isn’t listed in our cover, get in touch with us to see if we can cover you.
- If you'll be doing risky activities while abroad, like bungee jumping or paragliding – you’ll need to speak to us first to see if we can cover it. You might need adventurous sports cover.
You can still buy travel insurance with us on the same day as you leave for your trip. But we always recommend getting your travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked it.
When is it too late to buy travel insurance?
You can buy travel insurance even when you’re at the airport. In fact, you can get travel insurance until you’ve gone through customs at the airport.
You can't get a policy from us if you:
- have passed through departures
- have entered another country
- are already on your trip
When will my cover start?
Your cover usually starts the day you buy your policy, or the start date you choose for multi-trip policies. This might be the same day if you’re buying a last-minute policy.
If you’re going on a last-minute holiday, check when your cover starts. There could be a delay of 24 hours before your policy begins.
Will my policy cover less if I buy it last minute?
It depends on your policy. If you buy your insurance just before you leave, you might not be covered for:
- the first day of your trip
- your pre-existing medical conditions
Check out our guide on travel disruption cover for some other handy tips.
Remember to consider any optional add-ons for your policy, like gadget cover. It’s easy to forget these things when you’re rushing to sort out your insurance.
But if you go on a cruise or winter sports trip without having the right cover, you might not be covered at all.
Will my insurance be more expensive if I buy it last minute?
Travel insurance isn’t always expensive if you buy it last minute.
It always depends on things like:
- where you’re going
- how long you’re going for
- your pre-existing medical conditions
- what you’re going to get up to
Can I use my GHIC/EHIC card?
A Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or an older European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are useful when travelling in Europe. But they don't replace travel insurance.
The GHIC and EHIC can only be used at approved facilities in Europe, and can’t be used outside Europe. You can find out where exactly these cards are valid on the NHS website.
You still need travel insurance to cover you if the worse happens. For example, if you need to be returned to the UK because of a medical emergency, or you have your belongings stolen.
Read our guide on the GHIC and EHIC to learn more about how these cards work.
Can I extend my travel insurance after it’s expired?
Yes, usually you can extend your cover during your trip. Make sure to contact your insurer a few days before your trip ends or your cover expires if you want to extend it.
If you think this could happen before your holiday, talk to your insurer. Ask if you can extend your cover, just in case.
What’s the process for extending my travel insurance?
- Contact your insurer – get in touch with your insurer to ask to extend your cover.
- Check your policy details – make sure your policy details are all still correct and nothing’s changed since you bought your original policy.
- Confirm your new cover date – check when your new cover starts from, and when it will end. Remember, there could be a break in cover, depending on when you ask to extend it.
- Pay your insurance – you'll need to pay for the policy, and then you’re ready to go!
Can I buy last minute insurance for a UK trip?
Not all travel insurers offer UK cover, so make sure you check.
We offer UK travel insurance for trips:
- more than two nights in a row for multi-trip policies or one night for single trip policies
- in commercial accommodation
- more than 25 miles from home
Like travel insurance for holidays abroad, you can also get cover for UK trips last minute.
Just check if it covers travel disruptions and cancellations if you’ve booked your trip last minute!
Find out more about travel insurance for the UK.
Annual travel insurance
People often buy single trip policies last minute for individual trips.
But you could get annual travel insurance if you travel a lot or have two or more trips booked this year.
Our annual insurance covers trips of up to 31 days as standard. But you can extend that to 45 or 60 days, depending on your age and where you’re heading.
An annual travel policy means you won’t have any last-minute panics. Don’t forget, you still need to renew it each year if you want to use it long-term!
If you just want to buy a policy for a one-off holiday, single trip insurance is probably the best option.
Remember, policy limits and exclusions apply.
