Our Pick Of The Best Covid Travel Insurance Policies Of 2024 (2024)

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We used data from our quotation journey to review single trip travel insurance policies for a family of four (two adults, both aged in their 40s, and two teenagers) travelling to Spain for seven nights in June 2024.

We identified the least expensive policies that met these credentials. Where premium prices are similar, we’ve factored in coverage limits and excesses. On this basis, we awarded each a Forbes Advisor star rating out of five.

All policies include at least £2 million in medical and repatriation cover, £2,000 in cancellation cover, and £1,500 in baggage and belongings cover. The excess listed applies to each person on the policy and to each accepted claim, unless otherwise stated.

We’ve assumed no members of the family have any pre-existing medical conditions.

While most of the insurers we work with offer cover for Covid-related medical costs, cancellation and curtailment of your trip, check with each provider to ensure you know exactly what you’re getting.

Popular British holiday destinations including France, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Egypt and Greece, have all dropped all Covid-related entry restrictions. This means they no longer require proof of vaccinations or a negative Covid test for arriving travellers.

In terms of returning to the UK, all Covid-related restrictions were dropped in 2022. The latest information and guidance on all aspects of travel can be found at our travel blog, and any official updates via the Government website.

Even unvaccinated travellers can now enter almost every country in the world without the requirement to produce a negative Covid test.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) issues advice on which destinations are safe to visit based on a range of factors, including those related to Covid. So, Covid aside, it’s important to check the FCDO’s advice for changes before purchasing a holiday and travel insurance, and again before departing.

Travelling against FCDO advice can render a travel insurance policy invalid unless it was bought from a specialist insurer which specified that cover would be provided in the chosen destination.

Take out travel insurance when booking the trip

It’s good practice to buy travel insurance at the same time as booking a holiday. This will ensure that cancellation cover starts straight away. In Covid terms, this might include:

• cancellation cover for testing positive within 14 days of departure date
• cancellation cover if a loved one dies of Covid ahead of the departure date.

However, the ‘key features’ section of a policy document usually lists cover for specific Covid-related risks.

Check the FCDO’s travel guidelines

A travel insurer is unlikely to cover trip cancellation if the FCDO changes its advice on travel to the holiday destination, if an airline or travel company postpones the trip without offering a refund, or if a local or national lockdown prevents the holiday from going ahead.

And it won’t be possible to claim for cancellation if you simply don’t want to travel (known as ‘disinclination to travel’).

If a flight is cancelled the airline should offer a full refund or an alternative departure date. If it offers vouchers instead of a refund, some travel insurers will not pay out.

In addition to cover for medical treatment and Covid-related risks, there’s also the standard offerings under travel insurance.

• Baggage and possessions: Covers lost, stolen or damaged baggage or any other possessions
• Scheduled airline failure insurance (SAFI): Reimburses flight costs if the airline should go bust
• Personal liability: Covers compensation claims made against the policyholder if they are found responsible for causing injury, death or damage
• Personal accident: If the policyholder is permanently disabled or killed in an accident, the policy will make a payment to them or to their estate
• Legal expenses: The insurer will help cover legal costs to pursue compensation or damages following personal injury or other disputed loss while abroad
• Excess: Most insurance policies require a contribution of a certain amount towards any claim made. This is known as the excess. This sum will be deducted from the claim pay-out.