Why Travel Insurance Matters From the Moment You Book

When booking a holiday, most people focus on the exciting parts first.

Choosing a destination. Finding the perfect hotel. Planning excursions. Counting down the days until departure.

Travel Insurance is often something that’s arranged later, with many travellers waiting until weeks or even days before they leave. However, some of the biggest risks to a holiday can arise long before you reach the airport.

Travel Insurance Isn’t Just For When You’re Abroad

When people think about Travel Insurance, they often picture medical emergencies overseas, lost luggage or delayed flights.

Those are all important reasons to have cover. But depending on the policy purchased, Travel Insurance can also provide protection before your trip begins.

Cancellation cover may help if an unforeseen insured event means you’re unable to travel. That’s why many travel experts recommend arranging Travel Insurance as soon as a holiday is booked.

Life Doesn’t Stop Because You Have A Holiday Planned

Most holidays are booked months in advance, and a lot can happen between booking and departure.

You could become ill or injured, a travelling companion may no longer be able to travel, or a close family member could become seriously ill. Unexpected events can quickly turn an eagerly anticipated trip into a difficult decision.

These situations aren’t unusual. They’re part of everyday life and are often completely beyond your control.

The Claims We See Tell An Important Story

Analysis of more than 2,000 Just Travel Cover claims found that cancellation and curtailment claims accounted for 43% of all claims received.

While travel disruption often attracts the most attention in the media, it represented only a small proportion of cancellation claim costs. Instead, illness, injury, family illness and bereavement accounted for almost nine in ten cancellation claim costs.

The findings highlight an important point: the events most likely to affect a holiday aren’t always the ones making the headlines.

Real-Life Reasons Holidays Get Cancelled

The reasons people need to cancel a trip are often surprisingly ordinary.

One family had to cancel their holiday after their child contracted chickenpox shortly before departure. Another traveller was unable to travel after requiring emergency surgery in the weeks leading up to their trip. In another case, a family holiday had to be cancelled when their daughter was admitted to hospital.

We also regularly see situations where a travelling companion becomes unable to travel due to illness or injury, forcing plans to change at the last minute.

These aren’t extraordinary events. They’re the kinds of situations that can affect almost any family.

It’s Not Always About The Policyholder

One of the most common misconceptions about cancellation cover is that it only matters if the policyholder becomes ill.

In reality, many claims involve someone close to the traveller. A travelling companion may be advised not to fly, a parent could become seriously ill, a close relative may require urgent care, or a bereavement could mean travel plans need to change immediately.

When family circumstances change, holidays understandably become less important. Cancellation cover can provide valuable protection when travellers have little choice but to postpone or cancel their plans.

Cancellation Cover Is Only Part Of The Picture

While cancellation cover can be valuable before departure, Travel Insurance continues to provide protection throughout your trip.

Medical emergencies abroad remain one of the biggest financial risks travellers face. Our claims analysis found that medical claims accounted for 56% of all claim costs, with some individual claims exceeding £50,000.

Hospital treatment overseas, specialist care, extended stays and medical repatriation can be extremely expensive. That’s why comprehensive Travel Insurance remains such an important part of travelling.

When Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

Many travellers assume Travel Insurance is something to arrange closer to departure.

However, some of its most valuable benefits can begin much earlier. By arranging cover when you book your holiday, you may be protected against unexpected events that could prevent your trip from going ahead in the first place.

Because Travel Insurance isn’t just about what happens when you’re abroad.

Sometimes it’s about protecting everything you’ve already invested before you get there.

Travel Insurance cover, benefits and exclusions vary between policies. Always read your policy wording carefully and ensure the cover meets your needs.