Do I need travel insurance?

If you’re planning a big trip or a weekend getaway, you might be wondering if you need travel insurance. You’re not alone. Almost half of UK holidaymakers say they’ve gone on holiday without it (43%)*. And the main reasons are:

So, do you have to have travel insurance? Well, one thing’s for certain: there are a number of reasons why you might want - or need - to have it.

You might need to have travel insurance for visiting some foreign countries. In fact, you could be asked for proof at border control. To find out about a country you’re planning to visit, check the foreign travel advice at GOV.UK.

You might need to take out travel insurance when booking certain types of holiday through a travel agent. For example, a cruise trip or skiing holiday. To avoid any problems, it’s always best to check the requirements before you book.

Even if you don’t need to have travel insurance, it can help to give you peace of mind, knowing you’ve got some financial protection for you holiday. That’s true if you’re going abroad or staying in the UK. And if your plans change or something does go wrong, you’ll probably be glad you have it.

Travel insurance provides cover in case something goes wrong - before you go on holiday and while you’re away. It can make your trip less stressful because it covers you for things like:

It might also help you get money back if you need to cancel your trip or come home early, for things like family emergencies.

With Tesco Travel Insurance, you can choose from 3 levels of cover - Economy, Standard or Premier. They all provide the same kind of cover, but with different limits.

Here’s an idea of how our holiday cover can help, based on our Premier level of cover.

You’ll be able to claim up to £10,000 for cancelling or cutting short your trip, if your reason for cancelling is covered by the policy.

You can learn more about cancellations in our guide - Will travel insurance cover cancellation and disruptions?

You’ll have unlimited cover for medical expenses and repatriation costs.

Pre-existing medical conditions

If you have a pre-existing condition, you'll need to tell us about it when you get a quote. And you might need to pay more to cover it.

You can learn more about pre-existing conditions in our guide - What medical conditions are covered by travel insurance?

You’ll be covered up to £3,000 if your luggage or belongings are delayed, lost or damaged.

You can learn more about cover for lost luggage in our guide - Lost luggage abroad could cost you £1.5k without travel insurance

You’ll be covered up to £1,000 per day for travel delays. For missed departures, you’ll be covered up to £1,500 per day.

You’ll be covered up to £1,000 for urgent dental treatment while you’re away.

Cover limits, exclusions and excesses apply, so it’s always best to check the policy booklet to see exactly what you’re covered for.

Travel insurance can give you a safety net when you're going on holiday, whether it’s a short break you’re taking or the trip of a lifetime.

If you need medical treatment when you’re abroad, for example, the bill can be a be a lot higher than you might think. At Tesco Travel Insurance, the average claim for broken bones abroad is £3,425**. And that’s around 30% higher than many travellers expect.

"It’s understandable that some travellers want to cut costs where they can. But skipping travel insurance is a false economy. Getting medical treatment abroad can be very expensive. And even treating a relatively minor injury can land you with a bill for thousands.

Taking out travel insurance can help give you peace of mind. If something unexpected happens, you’re protected from the financial impact. And that means you can relax and enjoy your holiday instead of worrying about what could go wrong."

Alex Cross, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Insurance

It’s probably a good idea to buy travel insurance at the same time you book your holiday. That way, you’ll be covered for cancellations before you’re due to leave.

With Tesco Travel Insurance, you can find the right cover based on the type and number of trips you’re taking. You can choose:

Single Trip Travel Insurance - suitable if you’re only planning one trip in the next 12 months.

Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance - suitable if you’re planning to take 2 or more trips in the next 12 months. It covers all your trips for the next year in a single policy, which could make it more convenient. It might also be more cost-effective.

Backpacker Travel Insurance - designed for longer trips abroad, up to 18 months, often to multiple countries. For example, a gap year or career break.

We also have a range of optional extras - like Gadget Cover, Cruise Cover and Winter Sports Cover - so you can get more cover to suit your needs.

To find out more about the different types of travel insurance, see our guide - What type of travel insurance should I get?

If you need holiday cover for the whole family, check out our family travel insurance. It covers children and adults on one policy.

If you’re looking for cover that meets the needs of older travellers, take a look at Tesco Travel Insurance for seniors. It covers you up to age 79.

GHIC and EHIC can help with state provided care in some countries, but they’re not the same as travel insurance. They don’t include things like cancellations, baggage, private medical costs or repatriation. Travel insurance could help to fill those gaps, depending on the policy.

For more info on the GHIC and EHIC, see our guide - Do I need travel insurance if I have the GHIC or EHIC?

If you have Tesco Travel Insurance, find out how to make a claim and what to expect from us when you do.

Tesco Travel Insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by AWP P&C S.A. Gadget Cover is underwritten by AmTrust Specialty Limited (AmTrust).

You'll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.

*An online survey was conducted by WALR between 30 May and 6 June 2025, with a sample of 5,005 UK residents aged 18+. All participants had either:

or

Data was collected in line with MRS (Market Research Society) and ESOMAR guidelines to ensure ethical and accurate data collection.

**Based on Tesco Travel Insurance claims made between September and December 2024.