UK: what are the best travel insurance options in 2025?

The ACS Globe Partner Travel Insurance policy provides a comprehensive set of benefits designed to ensure security and financial coverage for travelers. A significant feature of this insurance is the excess, which is set at £100 per claim and per file across various benefits, including legal liability, medical expenses, and luggage claims. This ensures that policyholders bear a minimal out-of-pocket cost before the insurance coverage takes effect. The presence of a fixed excess amount simplifies the claims process, allowing travelers to anticipate their potential costs in case of an incident.

The maximum amount for essential medical costs covered under this policy is £300,000 per person per year, which includes expenses related to hospitalization, surgery, consultations, pharmacy needs, and paramedical care. The insurance covers 100% of actual costs for hospitalization and surgery, ensuring that policyholders do not have to worry about medical expenses exceeding their coverage limit. Additionally, emergency dental treatment is covered up to £300, while dental treatment following an accident extends up to £600, providing a sufficient level of protection for dental emergencies. Notably, students benefit from extended emergency medical coverage of up to £15,000 in their country of residence during school holidays, making this an attractive option for young travelers studying abroad.

The maximum trip duration for this insurance is structured in a way that allows flexibility for travelers. The policy can be subscribed to for a fixed term of up to 12 months and can be renewed twice, allowing for extended coverage up to a total of three years. However, renewal is contingent on maintaining continuous coverage without interruption. The insurance is specifically designed for travelers under the age of 40, which means it is particularly suitable for students, young professionals, and long-term travelers who require consistent coverage during their stays abroad.

The flight delay and cancellation compensation ensures travelers are not left out of pocket due to unforeseen travel disruptions. The insurance provides early return benefits if a policyholder must return home due to the death of an immediate family member, covering actual transport costs. In the event of hospitalization exceeding seven days, a relative or friend can be flown in, with expenses for transportation and accommodation covered up to £80 per night for a maximum of 8 nights. If travelers need to extend their stay due to medical reasons, the policy covers additional accommodation costs of £80 per night for up to 15 nights, ensuring financial security during unexpected health-related disruptions. Furthermore, medical repatriation and transport costs are fully covered, guaranteeing policyholders access to appropriate medical facilities when necessary.

The luggage cover provides compensation for personal belongings lost, stolen, or damaged during transit, with a maximum benefit of £1,150 per claim. This coverage applies specifically to luggage during the outward and return journey and includes reimbursement for theft, total or partial destruction, or loss during transport by a carrier. However, specific exclusions apply, including jewelry, electronic devices, professional equipment, musical instruments, food, and high-value items. The claim process requires supporting documents such as a police report, transport company loss statement, and purchase receipts. Compensation is calculated based on the replacement value with depreciation applied, ensuring a fair valuation for lost or damaged items.

Beyond these primary features, the policy offers several additional benefits that enhance its attractiveness. Legal liability coverage is provided, with £4.5 million for personal injury claims and £450,000 for property damage, ensuring strong protection against third-party claims during the trip. Coverage extends to objects entrusted to the policyholder during a traineeship or internship, with a compensation limit of £11,500, making this an appealing option for young professionals or students engaged in work placements abroad. Search and rescue costs are covered up to £3,000, providing security for those engaging in outdoor or adventure activities.

The policy includes legal assistance up to £3,000, and bail bond advances up to £7,000, offering financial support in case of legal troubles while traveling. Additionally, an advance of funds up to £700 is available in the event of theft or loss of payment methods, ensuring policyholders have access to emergency cash when needed. Funeral costs in the event of death are covered up to £1,500, while full repatriation of the body is covered at actual costs, providing peace of mind for loved ones.

In summary, the ACS Globe Partner Travel Insurance offers a well-balanced and comprehensive coverage plan tailored for young travelers, students, and professionals abroad. With reasonable excess fees, strong medical expense limits, generous trip duration allowances, extensive repatriation and assistance benefits, and reliable luggage protection, it provides solid protection in various travel scenarios. The addition of legal liability coverage, emergency fund advances, and search and rescue costs further enhances its appeal, making it a strong contender for travelers seeking dependable and extensive travel insurance coverage.

Heymondo’s International Travel Insurance offers travelers a comprehensive and customizable coverage plan, ensuring peace of mind during both international and domestic journeys. One of the standout features of this policy is the absence of any deductible or excess, meaning that policyholders are not required to pay any out-of-pocket expenses before the insurance coverage takes effect. This feature simplifies the claims process and provides immediate financial relief in case of unforeseen events.

The policy provides substantial coverage for essential medical costs, with limits reaching up to $10,000,000 USD. This extensive coverage encompasses medical expenses incurred abroad due to sudden illness or accidental injury, including hospitalization, prescription medications, and inpatient physical therapy. Emergency dental treatments aimed at alleviating acute and sudden pain are also covered. Additionally, the insurance includes medical transportation and repatriation services, ensuring that policyholders can be safely returned to their home country if necessary. In cases where hospitalization extends beyond seven days, the policy covers travel and lodging expenses for a family member to accompany the insured, providing emotional support during challenging times.

Regarding trip duration, Heymondo’s policy is designed to accommodate various travel plans. For frequent travelers, the Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance covers all trips taken within a year, provided each trip does not exceed 60 days. This flexibility is ideal for individuals embarking on multiple journeys throughout the year, whether for leisure or business purposes. For those planning extended stays, the Long Stay Travel Insurance offers coverage for trips longer than 90 days, catering to long-term travelers, digital nomads, and individuals on assignments abroad.

In the event of travel disruptions, the policy offers compensation for flight delays and cancellations. If a trip is canceled due to covered reasons, such as a positive COVID-19 test or the serious illness or death of a close relative, the policy reimburses up to $7,000 USD for pre-paid, non-refundable expenses. This coverage must be purchased within seven days of the initial trip booking to be valid. For delays caused by public transport issues, the policy reimburses accommodation, meals, and refreshments, ensuring travelers are not left out-of-pocket due to unforeseen delays. Additionally, if a missed connection occurs due to the late arrival of an incoming flight, the insurance covers essential expenses, including the purchase of an alternative flight ticket if necessary.

The luggage coverage under this policy is designed to protect personal belongings against theft, loss, or damage. Policyholders are entitled to compensation of up to $2,500 USD in such events. In cases where checked baggage is delayed or misdirected by the carrier, the policy reimburses the purchase of necessary personal effects, ensuring travelers have access to essential items while awaiting their luggage. Furthermore, if official documents such as passports or visas are lost or stolen, the insurance covers the administrative expenses incurred for their replacement, alleviating the stress associated with such incidents.

Beyond these core features, Heymondo’s International Travel Insurance includes several additional coverages that enhance its appeal. Personal liability coverage of up to $2,000,000 USD protects against claims for bodily injury or property damage to third parties, including legal costs and expenses. The policy also offers compensation of up to $60,000 USD for accidental death or permanent disability resulting from incidents during the trip. For those planning to engage in adventure sports, an optional add-on extends coverage to activities such as white-water rafting, diving up to 20 meters, and bungee jumping, ensuring thrill-seekers are adequately protected. Additionally, coverage for electronic equipment is available, safeguarding valuable items like laptops, tablets, and cameras against theft or damage. The policy also addresses unforeseen events such as natural disasters, covering additional accommodation and transportation costs incurred during the trip due to events like floods, earthquakes, or hurricanes. For travelers renting vehicles, the insurance provides coverage for rental car excess up to $500 USD, offering financial protection against potential damages or theft of the rented vehicle.

To further enhance user experience, Heymondo offers a Travel Assistance App, providing 24/7 medical chat support, free online assistance calls, and efficient claims management, all accessible from the convenience of a mobile device. This app ensures that help is readily available, streamlining the process of seeking assistance and managing claims.

In summary, Heymondo’s International Travel Insurance stands out for its comprehensive coverage, absence of deductibles, and flexibility in accommodating various travel durations. The inclusion of extensive medical coverage, robust trip interruption benefits, generous luggage protection, and a suite of additional coverages makes it a compelling choice for travelers seeking reliable and extensive insurance protection. The user-friendly Travel Assistance App further enhances the policy’s attractiveness, ensuring that support is always within reach, no matter where the journey leads.

The Chapka Cap Assistance 24/24 Travel Insurance offers a well-rounded and extensive package designed to provide financial security for travelers in various situations. A fundamental aspect of this insurance is the excess, which applies to specific claims, ensuring that policyholders share a portion of the costs before receiving compensation. Although the exact amount of the excess is not explicitly detailed in every section, the policy states that for medical expenses abroad, the insured must first use any available national healthcare coverage before additional expenses are reimbursed. This ensures that policyholders maximize existing benefits before claiming through the travel insurance, making it a practical option for those who already have partial coverage. In the event of a claim, prior authorization from the assistance center is required, which helps manage costs and streamline the reimbursement process.

A key feature of this policy is the coverage for essential medical costs, which varies depending on the geographical region. In Zone 1 (Europe, Israel, Morocco, Tunisia), coverage extends up to £100,000 per insured person. In Zone 2 (Worldwide excluding specific high-risk countries), the limit increases significantly to £500,000 per insured person, while for Zone 3 (including high-cost countries like the USA, Canada, Thailand, Mexico, India, and Indonesia), the maximum coverage reaches £1,000,000 per insured person. This coverage includes hospitalization, surgery, paramedical care, consultations, and emergency prescriptions, ensuring that travelers have financial security in case of unexpected medical events. Additional benefits include emergency dental care up to £300 per person, along with search and rescue costs up to £10,000 per person and £30,000 per event, which can be particularly useful for travelers engaging in adventure or outdoor activities.

Regarding maximum trip duration, this insurance policy covers trips lasting up to 90 consecutive days. This limitation ensures that the policy is best suited for short- to medium-term travelers rather than those planning long-term stays abroad. Any trip exceeding 90 days is not covered, meaning policyholders looking for extended coverage beyond this period would need to explore alternative long-term insurance options. This makes the policy ideal for frequent travelers, digital nomads on short-term stays, and students or professionals on temporary assignments abroad.

The flight delay and cancellation compensation provided under this policy is structured to offer financial relief in cases of significant travel disruptions. For flight delays, compensation of up to £250 per insured person is available if a scheduled flight is delayed by more than four hours (for standard flights) or six hours (for charter flights). In the case of a missed flight, policyholders are reimbursed 80% of the total cost of the original ticket, up to a maximum of £8,000 per person. Additionally, for a missed connection due to a delay of more than six hours, the insurance covers accommodation, meals, and transfer costs up to £100 per insured person, ensuring that travelers are not left stranded due to circumstances beyond their control.

The luggage cover ensures protection against theft, total or partial destruction, or loss during transport by an airline or transport company, with compensation reaching a maximum of £3,000 per insured person. This is particularly valuable for those carrying expensive items, as it provides significant reimbursement in case of loss or damage. Precious objects, including electronics and jewelry, are covered up to 50% of the total luggage cover, meaning a maximum of £1,500 per insured person. In addition, compensation for delayed baggage is available, offering up to £300 per insured person for essential purchases in the event of a delay. Further financial protection is offered through the reimbursement of travel document restoration costs, up to £150 per insured person, providing peace of mind in the event of passport or ID loss.

Beyond these core features, the policy includes a range of additional benefits that further enhance its value. Personal liability insurance abroad is covered up to £4.5 million per event for bodily injury and £300,000 per event for property damage, ensuring strong protection against third-party claims. Legal expenses abroad are covered up to £20,000 per litigation case, offering travelers financial support in legal disputes that may arise during their trip. Trip interruption coverage provides reimbursement of unused ground services, up to £7,500 per person and £35,000 per event, ensuring that unforeseen situations requiring an early return do not result in substantial financial losses.

For those traveling with pets, the policy offers return ticket reimbursement of up to £250 per event, covering expenses related to bringing pets home in case of repatriation. Additionally, sports equipment protection ensures reimbursement of up to £300 per event for stolen or damaged equipment, making it a suitable option for travelers engaged in sports activities. Home assistance coverage is also available in case of incidents at home while traveling, including emergency accommodation costs up to £80 per night for up to five nights.

In conclusion, the Chapka Cap Assistance 24/24 Travel Insurance offers well-balanced and extensive coverage for short- to medium-term travelers, providing strong medical expense benefits, flexible trip duration options, robust travel disruption compensation, and generous luggage protection. The inclusion of high personal liability coverage, legal assistance, trip interruption compensation, and additional covers for pets and sports equipment further strengthens its appeal. While the 90-day trip duration limit may not be ideal for long-term travelers, this policy remains an excellent choice for holidaymakers, business travelers, students, and digital nomads looking for extensive and reliable insurance coverage during their trips.

This policy offers comprehensive coverage for travelers seeking financial protection and assistance for various travel-related risks. One of the fundamental aspects of this policy is the excess, which varies depending on the level of coverage selected. The Bronze plan has an excess of £100 (£150 for personal liability claims), while the Silver plan reduces it to £75, and the Gold plan further lowers it to £50. The excess applies to each insured person, per section, and per claim, which means that multiple claims during a single trip could lead to multiple excess deductions. This ensures that policyholders contribute a minimal amount toward claim costs, helping to keep premiums lower while still providing substantial coverage.

A standout feature of this policy is its emergency medical and associated expenses coverage, which offers substantial financial protection in case of illness, injury, or accidents while traveling. The Bronze plan covers up to £2 million, while the Silver plan increases this limit to £5 million, and the Gold plan provides the most extensive coverage at £10 million. This covers hospital treatment, surgery, repatriation, and other necessary medical expenses. Additionally, inpatient benefits are included, offering £10 per day (up to £200) under the Bronze plan, £20 per day (up to £200) under Silver, and £20 per day (up to £500) under Gold, providing financial relief for extended hospital stays. Emergency dental treatment is covered up to £350 for Bronze and Silver and £500 for Gold, ensuring that travelers receive proper care for urgent dental issues. Furthermore, funeral expenses are covered up to £1,500 in Bronze and Silver and £5,000 in Gold, while search and rescue services are fully covered when deemed medically necessary.

The maximum trip duration varies depending on the coverage level and is designed to accommodate different travel patterns. This policy is specifically for short trips, covering travel periods of 31 days or less per trip across all plans. It is essential to note that there is no coverage for trips exceeding 31 days, even for the initial 31-day period, making this policy more suitable for frequent travelers who take multiple shorter trips rather than extended vacations. This restriction ensures that the policy remains tailored for typical holidaymakers and business travelers rather than long-term travelers or expatriates.

When it comes to flight delay and cancellation compensation, the policy provides substantial protection for disruptions that may impact travel plans. For delayed departure, the Bronze plan offers £10 for every 12-hour delay, up to £100, while the Silver plan increases this to £20 for the first 12 hours and £10 for each additional 12 hours, up to £250. The Gold plan provides the highest compensation, offering £30 for the first 12 hours and £15 for each additional 12 hours, up to £300. If a delay extends beyond 24 hours, travelers can claim trip abandonment compensation, covering £1,000 (Bronze), £2,500 (Silver), and £5,000 (Gold) for non-refundable expenses. Additionally, missed departure coverage is provided, with £500 (Bronze), £1,000 (Silver), and £1,500 (Gold) to cover alternative transportation and accommodation costs due to unavoidable delays.

The luggage cover ensures financial protection for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings. Under the Bronze plan, there is no personal possessions coverage, while the Silver plan provides up to £1,500 and the Gold plan increases this to £2,000. Single-item limits apply, capping coverage at £300 per item, while valuables (such as jewelry, watches, and electronics) are limited to £400 in both Silver and Gold plans. Additionally, compensation for delayed personal possessions is included, offering £50 (Bronze), £150 (Silver), and £200 (Gold) if baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours. Personal money coverage is also available, providing £500 coverage with a cash limit of £250 in both Silver and Gold plans. Loss of passport coverage ensures reimbursement for additional costs associated with replacing a lost or stolen passport, with £150 covered under Silver and £250 under Gold.

Beyond these primary benefits, the policy includes a range of additional features that make it highly competitive. Personal accident coverage provides financial compensation in case of severe injuries, offering £5,000 (Bronze), £15,000 (Silver), and £20,000 (Gold) for accidental death, loss of limbs, or permanent disability. Personal liability protection ensures that travelers are covered against third-party claims for bodily injury or property damage, with limits of £1 million (Bronze), £1.5 million (Silver), and £2 million (Gold). Legal expenses coverage further enhances protection, offering £5,000 (Bronze), £15,000 (Silver), and £25,000 (Gold) to assist with legal claims arising during travel. For travelers concerned about supplier insolvency, end-supplier failure protection is included exclusively in the Gold plan, covering up to £1,500 if a travel provider ceases operations.

Additional optional covers enhance the flexibility of this policy, making it suitable for different travel needs. Winter sports cover is available for an extra premium, providing compensation for ski equipment (£300 for owned, £300 for hired, with a £400 single-item limit), ski hire (£300), piste closure (£20 per day up to £200), and avalanche delays (£25 per day up to £250). Business travelers can opt for business cover, which includes replacement business associate cover (£750 in Silver and £1,000 in Gold) and business equipment protection (£300 in Silver and £500 in Gold).

Overall, the Allianz Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance policy provides a well-balanced and competitive travel insurance solution, offering strong medical coverage, essential travel disruption benefits, reliable luggage protection, and a wide range of additional covers. The flexible excess options, high medical expense limits, and comprehensive cancellation and baggage coverage make it a solid choice for frequent travelers who take multiple short trips per year. The inclusion of legal and liability protection, personal accident benefits, and supplier failure coverage in higher tiers enhances its appeal, ensuring that travelers have access to comprehensive and adaptable travel insurance protection tailored to various needs.

Aviva’s travel insurance policy exhibits several significant shortcomings that may concern discerning travelers. While the policy boasts a substantial medical coverage limit of £10 million, this benefit is overshadowed by a high excess of £100 per claim, which can lead to considerable out-of-pocket expenses for policyholders. Additionally, the coverage for personal belongings is notably limited, with a maximum of £1,500 per person and a restrictive single article limit of £400, which may not suffice for travelers carrying valuable items. Furthermore, certain essential services, such as coverage for adventure sports, are only available as optional add-ons, necessitating additional costs for comprehensive protection. On a positive note, Aviva provides a user-friendly mobile application, MyAviva, which facilitates easy policy management and claims processing. However, considering the policy’s high excess, limited coverage for valuables, and additional costs for comprehensive coverage, we do not recommend Aviva’s travel insurance for those seeking robust and cost-effective travel protection.