- The best worldwide travel insurance plans
- What is worldwide travel insurance?
- What is the price of worldwide travel insurance?
- What worldwide travel insurance covers
- What are the conditions of worldwide travel insurance?
- Why take out worldwide travel insurance?
- How to choose the right worldwide travel insurance
- worldwide Travel Insurance Coverage in Your Current Policies
- FAQ
- On the same topic
worldwide travel insurance: key takeaways
1. Definition: Worldwide travel insurance provides global medical and cancellation cover for trips outside the UK, your home country.
2. Price: For a one-week European trip, expect to pay between £10 and £30 for a basic policy.
3. Coverage: It covers medical emergencies and cancellations but often excludes pre-existing conditions and high-risk activities without add-ons.
4. Bank cards and health insurances: Bank cards and the GHIC offer limited protection, often lacking full medical repatriation or cancellation cover.
5. Tips: Always check medical cover limits, especially for the USA, and verify FCDO (Foreign Office) travel advice.
6. Other useful info: The GHIC is not a substitute for insurance; it does not cover private care or repatriation.
Why trust HelloSafe ?
HelloSafe is an international specialist in travel insurance comparison, advising over one million travellers every month. After analysing 41 travel insurance policies available in the UK, our experts share everything you need to know to choose the best worldwide travel insurance.
The best worldwide travel insurance plans
Here is a selection of the best worldwide travel insurance policies available for residents of the UK in 2025. These options are among the best due to their high coverage limits, low deductibles and simplified conditions.
| Contract we recommend | Medical reimbursement | Deductible | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloTravel Premium | £10M | £0 | • Covers pre-existing conditions. • Teleconsultation with UK doctors. • Strong baggage and cancellation protection. • 24/7 multilingual assistance. |
| Cap Assistance 24/24 | £10M | £0 | • Mobile app connects to doctors. • 24/7 free helpline. • Includes hotel and pet care. • No surcharge for age. |
| Tourist Card | £5M | £26, £52 for USA/Canada | • Fast claim payments. • Trip cancellation included. • Legal assistance. • Recognised for digital nomads. |
| World Travel | £7M (USA/Canada), £3M (others) | £43 per claim | • Quarantine hotel cover. • Psychological support. • Lost passport assistance. • Political evacuation included. |
| Globe Partner | £3M | £0 | • Affordable for under-40s. • Online enrolment. • Email-based claims tracking. |
| Globe Traveller | £5M | £0 | • Long trips up to 12 months. • Premium remains stable after 60. • Support in multiple languages. |
• Teleconsultation with UK doctors.
• Strong baggage and cancellation protection.
• 24/7 multilingual assistance.
• 24/7 free helpline.
• Includes hotel and pet care.
• No surcharge for age.
• Trip cancellation included.
• Legal assistance.
• Recognised for digital nomads.
• Psychological support.
• Lost passport assistance.
• Political evacuation included.
• Online enrolment.
• Email-based claims tracking.
• Premium remains stable after 60.
• Support in multiple languages.
The best worldwide travel insurance may vary depending on your needs. Please use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool to find the one that suits you best and subscribe directly online.
Compare the best travel insurance for freeI compareWhat is worldwide travel insurance?
Worldwide travel insurance is a policy that covers unexpected incidents and emergencies occurring while travelling to any country outside the UK.
It provides protection for medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost baggage and personal liability in most international destinations.
This type of insurance is essential for travellers visiting multiple or long-haul countries, ensuring coverage regardless of location.
Unlike regional or European insurance, worldwide travel insurance includes non-European destinations such as the USA or Asia.
It is sometimes called global travel insurance or international travel insurance.
Expert advice
Here are the situations where taking out worldwide travel insurance is especially important if you live in the UK:
- For travel to countries with high medical costs, like the USA.
- When visiting multiple countries or continents on a single journey.
- For any trip to a country where the UK GHIC is not valid.
- If you are planning a long-term trip or a gap year.
- When taking multiple international trips within a single year.
- If your itinerary includes adventure sports or remote area exploration.
What is the price of worldwide travel insurance?
On average, worldwide travel insurance costs between 3% and 7% of the total price of your trip.
| Trip | Trip cost | Indicative price per person |
|---|---|---|
| One week in New York | £1,200 | £35 to £75 |
| Two weeks in Thailand and Vietnam | £2,000 | £70 to £130 |
| Family holiday in Australia (four people, 14 days) | £6,000 | £200 to £370 |
| Three-month round-the-world trip | £5,500 | £180 to £320 |
These prices are provided as an indication and may vary depending on the type of plan chosen (standard or premium) and the specific conditions of each insurer.
The price of your worldwide travel insurance depends on several factors:
- trip duration: the longer your stay, the higher the price.
- destination: places with high medical costs such as the United States or Japan increase premiums.
- traveller’s age: older travellers usually pay higher premiums.
- level of coverage: a premium plan with higher coverage limits and lower excess costs more than a basic one.
- selected options: extra cover for valuable items, risky sports, or the ability to cancel for any reason will increase the cost.
What worldwide travel insurance covers
Worldwide travel insurance is designed to protect you during trips outside your home country, no matter where you travel. It offers the broadest scope of protection for leisure, business, or multi-country travel.
| Covered guarantee | Definition | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Trip cancellation | Key guarantee. Protects pre-paid costs if you cancel before departure for an approved reason. | We recommend £2,000 minimum cover and no more than £50 deductible. Look out for exclusions: pre-existing conditions, visa denial, and voluntary cancellations. |
| 🚫 Missed departure | Pays for extra transport costs if you miss your flight due to events beyond your control. | At least £300 cover is sensible and no deductible should apply. Not covered if you are late yourself or don’t have written proof from your carrier. |
| 🧳 Baggage loss or theft | Key guarantee. Compensates you if your baggage is lost, stolen, or damaged during the trip. | Look for a minimum of £1,500 and avoid more than £50 deductible. Common exclusions: unattended luggage, valuable items over policy limits, and wear or tear. |
| 🕒 Travel delay | Offers a fixed payment for long transport delays. | Choose compensation of at least £100 after 4 hours, no excess. Delays must usually last over 4 hours and need written confirmation from the provider. |
| 🏥 Emergency medical expenses | Key guarantee. Pays for urgent medical treatment in any country you visit. | Always choose at least £1M (preferably £5M–£10M) and accept a maximum £50 deductible. Routine care and undeclared pre-existing conditions are excluded. |
| 🚑 Medical repatriation | Key guarantee. Arranges your return to the UK if medically necessary. | Ensure unlimited cover and that repatriation is organised directly by the insurer. Voluntary or non-urgent transport and refusal to repatriate are excluded. |
| 🦷 Emergency dental care | Covers the cost of emergency dental treatment during your stay. | Look for at least £250 cover, with maximum £30 deductible. Cosmetic dental and routine dental treatments are excluded. |
| 🪪 Personal liability abroad | Key guarantee. Protects against claims for injury or damage you cause to others. | Minimum of £1M is advised and deductibles should stay under £100. Excludes damage to family members, rented property, or deliberate acts. |
| 🧳 Luggage delay | Pays for essentials if your luggage arrives late. | Choose £150+ after 24 hours as reasonable. Delays under 24 hours or without receipts for essentials bought are not reimbursed. |
| ⚖️ Legal assistance abroad | Covers legal fees or bail following an incident abroad. | Look for £5,000 or more and bail cover up to £10,000. No cover for criminal acts, alcohol-related matters, or contractual disputes. |
Look out for exclusions: pre-existing conditions, visa denial, and voluntary cancellations.
Not covered if you are late yourself or don’t have written proof from your carrier.
Common exclusions: unattended luggage, valuable items over policy limits, and wear or tear.
Delays must usually last over 4 hours and need written confirmation from the provider.
Routine care and undeclared pre-existing conditions are excluded.
Voluntary or non-urgent transport and refusal to repatriate are excluded.
Cosmetic dental and routine dental treatments are excluded.
Excludes damage to family members, rented property, or deliberate acts.
Delays under 24 hours or without receipts for essentials bought are not reimbursed.
No cover for criminal acts, alcohol-related matters, or contractual disputes.
Reimbursement limits vary depending on the insurer and the plan selected (eco, standard, premium). They must always be checked in the general terms and conditions.
To find the worldwide travel insurance best suited to your profile and trip, easily compare offers on HelloSafe.
What are the conditions of worldwide travel insurance?
Worldwide travel insurance policies are only valid if certain essential conditions are met.
Here are the main requirements to be aware of:
- Residency requirement: you must be a permanent resident of the UK when applying for cover.
- Timing of purchase: you must purchase your worldwide travel insurance before leaving the UK for your trip.
- Policy start and end dates: your insurance will only cover trips taken within the dates specified by your certificate.
- Trip duration limit: you must not exceed the maximum trip length stated in your policy, often 31, 45, or 90 days.
- No ongoing travel: the policy will not apply if you are already abroad at the time of purchase.
- Destination restrictions: travel is not covered in any country under Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice against travel.
- Incident reporting: you must report incidents such as medical emergencies or theft to your insurer promptly, usually within 24-48 hours.
- Supporting documents: claims require official documentation as proof, such as medical certificates or police reports.
Watch out!
A common mistake is buying insurance last-minute. To be covered for trip cancellation due to illness or unforeseen events before you depart, you must purchase your policy when you book your holiday. Waiting until just before you travel means you lose this crucial pre-trip protection.
Why take out worldwide travel insurance?
While travelling internationally, even minor accidents or illnesses can lead to unexpectedly high expenses, especially outside the UK and Europe.
Here are some examples of healthcare costs abroad:
| Type of treatment | Average cost | Covered by insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Foot sprain (X-ray and consultation) |
| Up to £10,000,000, depending on the plan |
| Stitches after a fall |
| Up to £10,000,000, depending on the plan |
| Consultation and treatment for intestinal infection |
| Up to £10,000,000, depending on the plan |
| Emergency tooth extraction |
| Up to £10,000,000, subject to dental limits |
| Medical repatriation |
| Often up to £10,000,000, if medically necessary |
- Europe: £150-300
- North America: £800-1,200
- Asia: £80-200
- Europe: £200-400
- North America: £1,000-2,000
- Asia: £100-300
- Europe: £100-250
- North America: £500-1,000
- Asia: £50-150
- Europe: £150-350
- North America: £600-1,200
- Asia: £80-250
- Europe: £15,000-25,000
- North America: £50,000-80,000
- Asia: £20,000-35,000
Coverage varies greatly depending on the plan chosen (standard or premium) and the insurer. Refer to the general conditions and always compare with tools like HelloSafe.
Other important guarantees can be included with worldwide insurance, such as trip cancellation, baggage cover, personal liability, emergency assistance and legal expenses that provide added peace of mind for any international journey.
Good to know
An accident abroad can be financially devastating. Medical repatriation alone can cost over £50,000, a sum not covered by your GHIC. A worldwide policy, like those from Mondialcare, provides essential financial protection and 24/7 assistance, ensuring you're never left stranded.
How to choose the right worldwide travel insurance
Coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions can vary significantly between worldwide travel insurance plans. It is important to compare based on your destination, activities, and personal needs to avoid being underinsured or paying for guarantees you do not need.
| Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|
| 💶 Reimbursement limits | Maximum amount paid for medical or travel claims, especially important outside Europe. | Look for at least £1,000,000 for medical costs, and higher if visiting the USA or Canada. |
| 📉 Deductible | Determines what you pay out of pocket when making a claim. | Choose the lowest possible deductible for medical and repatriation expenses. |
| 📋 Policy conditions | Policies may not cover pre-existing conditions, certain situations, or late bookings. | Check conditions before purchase and declare any health issues in advance. |
| 👵 Traveller’s age | Older travellers may pay more or face restrictions. | Ensure there are no age limits or major exclusions for travellers aged 65 and above. |
| 👨👩👧 Traveller profile | Family, group, solo and frequent travellers have different needs and coverage options. | Select a family plan if you travel with children, or a tailored cover for solo trips. |
| 📆 Trip duration | Most plans limit trip durations to 31 or 45 days. Exceeding may cancel coverage. | For extended journeys, use a plan designed for long-term or gap year travel. |
| 🌍 Geographic area | Some policies exclude certain countries with higher risks or limited healthcare. | Double-check coverage includes all destinations, especially if visiting remote countries. |
| 🛡️ Existing coverage | Bank cards or private health insurance may already offer partial cover. | Review your existing cover to avoid overlapping guarantees and unnecessary extra costs. |
| 🧗 Planned activities | Activities like skiing, scuba diving, or hiking may be excluded or limited. | Declare all planned sports and request options for adventurous or hazardous activities. |
worldwide Travel Insurance Coverage in Your Current Policies
It is legitimate to wonder if your current insurances, such as credit card insurances or the public health system, can offer you a worldwide travel insurance, but unfortunately it is often not enough.
Here is a summary table to help you review your current insurance and what it covers.
| Type of insurance | Worldwide travel insurance included? | What it covers | Why Travel Insurance is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS (National Health Service) | Never | Covers emergency healthcare within the UK and via the GHIC in Europe, free or limited to state healthcare in the EU. No cover for private healthcare, repatriation, trip cancellation, lost luggage, or emergency transport outside the UK. | Travel insurance covers up to £10,000,000 for medical and repatriation, baggage, and cancellations globally. |
| European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) / Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) | Almost Never | Entitles access to free or reduced-cost emergency national healthcare in EEA/Switzerland. No repatriation, private healthcare, travel delay, private ambulance, loss of luggage, or cancellation coverage at all. | Travel insurance covers medical, repatriation, loss, delay, personal liability—limits up to £10,000,000. |
| Private health insurance (Bupa UK, AXA PPP Healthcare) | Almost Never | Emergency medical treatment is sometimes included, up to £1,000,000, but excludes cancellation, luggage or travel disruptions. No cover for trip cancellation, missed flights, baggage loss, or worldwide personal liability. | Travel insurance covers medical up to £10,000,000, plus trip delay, cancellation, and baggage globally. |
| Classic credit card (Barclaycard, Santander) | Never | Sometimes covers purchase protection or very basic travel insurance with medical up to £250,000. No cover for cancellation, repatriation, extended medical, liability, or adventure sports. | Travel insurance covers emergency medical, repatriation, baggage, cancellation—limits up to £10,000,000. |
| Premium credit card (HSBC Premier, NatWest Black) | Limited coverage | May include limited medical cover, trip cancellation, or baggage, with caps of £5,000-£10,000. No guaranteed cover for high costs, lost documents, legal expenses, business interruption, or adventure activities abroad. | Travel insurance has high limits for medical, repatriation, personal liability, cancellation, up to £10,000,000 or more. |
No cover for private healthcare, repatriation, trip cancellation, lost luggage, or emergency transport outside the UK.
No repatriation, private healthcare, travel delay, private ambulance, loss of luggage, or cancellation coverage at all.
No cover for trip cancellation, missed flights, baggage loss, or worldwide personal liability.
No cover for cancellation, repatriation, extended medical, liability, or adventure sports.
No guaranteed cover for high costs, lost documents, legal expenses, business interruption, or adventure activities abroad.
Expert advice
Bank card and health insurance policies often exclude trip curtailment for a relative’s illness or death. Read the conditions carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises abroad. In all cases, it is safer and more reassuring to subscribe a dedicated travel insurance tailored to the trip.
FAQ
Is worldwide travel insurance mandatory?
Worldwide travel insurance is not mandatory for all countries, but some destinations require proof of insurance for entry, such as for certain visas or Schengen countries. Even when not required, it is strongly recommended. For example, travelling to the USA without insurance can result in extremely high out-of-pocket medical expenses.
When is it recommended to purchase worldwide travel insurance?
It is best to purchase worldwide travel insurance immediately after booking your trip. This ensures you are protected from the moment you pay for flights or accommodation, including against cancellations due to illness or unforeseen events. Waiting may mean missing out on valuable pre-departure coverage.
How do I purchase worldwide travel insurance?
Start by comparing providers using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform. Review the specific guarantees and exclusions for worldwide coverage. Purchase your chosen policy online, and you will receive an insurance certificate by email, ensuring immediate documentation for your travels.
Can I purchase worldwide travel insurance after booking my trip?
Yes, you can purchase worldwide travel insurance after booking your trip, but it is best to do so as soon as possible. Early purchase offers broader protection, such as cancellation cover for events that might happen before departure. Policies bought last-minute may offer less pre-trip coverage.
How do I make a claim on my worldwide travel insurance?
If a problem occurs, contact your insurer’s emergency assistance number immediately. You will typically need to provide supporting documents such as receipts, medical reports, or police reports. Most UK insurers allow claims to be submitted online for faster processing and offer 24/7 support.
Does worldwide travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Some policies may cover stable pre-existing conditions if declared during application and accepted by the insurer, often with an additional premium. Always declare your medical history in full. Failure to disclose conditions may result in claims being denied for related incidents abroad.
Are adventure sports included in worldwide travel insurance policies?
Many standard worldwide travel insurance policies exclude high-risk activities by default. If you plan to ski, dive, or participate in activities like trekking or surfing, check that your policy includes cover for these or offers a specific adventure sports add-on. Always confirm activities in writing.
Is worldwide travel insurance mandatory?
Worldwide travel insurance is not mandatory for all countries, but some destinations require proof of insurance for entry, such as for certain visas or Schengen countries. Even when not required, it is strongly recommended. For example, travelling to the USA without insurance can result in extremely high out-of-pocket medical expenses.
When is it recommended to purchase worldwide travel insurance?
It is best to purchase worldwide travel insurance immediately after booking your trip. This ensures you are protected from the moment you pay for flights or accommodation, including against cancellations due to illness or unforeseen events. Waiting may mean missing out on valuable pre-departure coverage.
How do I purchase worldwide travel insurance?
Start by comparing providers using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform. Review the specific guarantees and exclusions for worldwide coverage. Purchase your chosen policy online, and you will receive an insurance certificate by email, ensuring immediate documentation for your travels.
Can I purchase worldwide travel insurance after booking my trip?
Yes, you can purchase worldwide travel insurance after booking your trip, but it is best to do so as soon as possible. Early purchase offers broader protection, such as cancellation cover for events that might happen before departure. Policies bought last-minute may offer less pre-trip coverage.
How do I make a claim on my worldwide travel insurance?
If a problem occurs, contact your insurer’s emergency assistance number immediately. You will typically need to provide supporting documents such as receipts, medical reports, or police reports. Most UK insurers allow claims to be submitted online for faster processing and offer 24/7 support.
Does worldwide travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Some policies may cover stable pre-existing conditions if declared during application and accepted by the insurer, often with an additional premium. Always declare your medical history in full. Failure to disclose conditions may result in claims being denied for related incidents abroad.
Are adventure sports included in worldwide travel insurance policies?
Many standard worldwide travel insurance policies exclude high-risk activities by default. If you plan to ski, dive, or participate in activities like trekking or surfing, check that your policy includes cover for these or offers a specific adventure sports add-on. Always confirm activities in writing.
On the same topic
