With the summer holiday season approaching, many households will already be counting down to flights, hotels, package holidays and long-awaited breaks abroad.
But this year, travellers have another reason to check the small print before they pack.
The Department for Transport has set out plans aimed at reducing the risk of last-minute flight cancellations during the summer holiday period. The move follows concerns that global uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict could cause significant disruption to summer travel1.
The Government said the proposals are intended to give airlines more flexibility to confirm flight schedules earlier, rather than leaving passengers facing avoidable last-minute disruption. It also reminded travellers that, if an airline cancels a flight, passengers are entitled to be re-routed or refunded1.
For holidaymakers, this is an important reminder. Travel disruption is not just about airport queues or a missing suitcase. A cancelled flight, medical emergency, change in travel advice or problem before departure can quickly turn an expensive holiday into a financial headache.
Travel insurance can help, but it is not a magic safety net. What it covers depends on the policy, when you bought it, where you are travelling and why you need to claim.
If your flight is cancelled, go to the airline first
One of the biggest misunderstandings about travel insurance is that it automatically steps in when a flight is cancelled.
In many cases, your first route is the airline.
The Civil Aviation Authority says that if your flight is cancelled, you should be offered a choice between a refund or alternative travel arrangements. In some circumstances, the airline may also have to provide care and assistance, such as meals, refreshments and accommodation where an overnight stay is needed2.
However, compensation is not always payable. If the cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline’s control, such as certain air traffic control restrictions, severe weather or security risks, compensation may not apply2.
This is where travellers can be caught out. You may have rights through the airline, but those rights may not cover every extra cost or inconvenience caused by disruption.
For example, an airline may re-route you, but that does not automatically mean every unused hotel night, onward train ticket, car hire booking or missed excursion will be covered.
So will travel insurance help?
The honest answer is that it depends.
Travel insurance may help with costs linked to cancellation, delays, missed departure, lost or stolen baggage, emergency medical treatment, repatriation or cutting short a trip, depending on the policy.
MoneyHelper says travel insurance can cover a range of situations, including medical expenses, lost or stolen belongings, cancellation, cutting short a trip, travel disruption and legal costs, but the level of protection depends on the policy chosen3 .
That last point matters.
Some policies include travel disruption cover as standard. Others offer it as an optional extra. Some may exclude particular causes of disruption, such as strikes, civil unrest, conflict-related disruption, natural disasters or events that were already known before the policy was bought.
The safest assumption is that travel insurance may help, but only if the reason for the claim is covered in the policy wording.
Do not buy a policy and assume every cancellation, delay or extra cost will be reimbursed.
Buy cover when you book, not when you pack
Many people buy travel insurance just before they leave. That can be a costly mistake.
Travel insurance is not only for the days you are away. One of its most important jobs can be protecting you between booking and departure3.
If you become ill before travelling, suffer a bereavement, have an accident or need to cancel for another insured reason, cancellation cover may help recover non-refundable costs. But this generally only applies if the policy was already in place before the problem happened.
If you wait until a strike has been announced, a severe weather event is forecast, a medical issue has arisen or travel advice has changed, you may find the insurer treats it as a known event.
In practical terms, the best time to arrange travel insurance is usually as soon as you book the holiday.
Check the Foreign Office advice before you travel
Before travelling abroad, you should check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice for your destination.
The FCDO publishes country-specific information on safety and security, entry requirements, health risks and local laws. It also issues warnings where it advises against all travel or all but essential travel to particular destinations or regions4.
This matters because travel insurance companies may refer to FCDO advice in their policy wording. The FCDO says that some policies may not provide cover if you travel to a country where it advises against travel 4.
That does not mean every holiday is at risk. But it does mean travellers should check the latest advice for their destination, and any transit points, before they go.
Do not rely on a GHIC alone
If you are travelling to Europe, it is worth checking whether you have a valid UK Global Health Insurance Card, known as a GHIC, or an older European Health Insurance Card, known as an EHIC, that has not yet expired.
The GHIC is a free NHS-issued card that can help UK residents access necessary state healthcare in some countries on broadly the same basis as someone who lives there.
But it is not a replacement for travel insurance.
The NHS says the UK GHIC has replaced the existing EHIC for most people, although existing EHICs can continue to be used until they expire. It also says the GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance and advises travellers to have private travel and medical insurance for the duration of their trip 5.
The NHS Business Services Authority also states that a UK GHIC or UK EHIC may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs 5.
That is crucial. If you need to be flown back to the UK after a serious illness or injury, a GHIC will not cover that cost.
Nor will it normally help if your trip is cancelled, your bags are lost, your passport is stolen or your airline changes your plans.
Declare medical conditions properly
Medical cover is often the most important part of travel insurance.
Emergency treatment abroad can be expensive, particularly if hospital care, specialist treatment or repatriation is needed.
If you or anyone covered by the policy has a pre-existing medical condition, it should be declared when arranging cover. This may include recent illnesses, ongoing treatment, medication, hospital appointments or conditions that are being monitored.
It can be tempting to leave something out if it feels minor or because you are worried the premium will rise. But failing to disclose relevant medical information can lead to a claim being rejected.
If you are unsure whether something needs to be declared, ask the insurer before you buy the policy and keep a record of the answer.
Watch out for activities and excursions
Many summer holidays involve more than a flight and a hotel.
You may be planning water sports, cycling, hiking, diving, boat trips, theme parks, golf, excursions or activities booked locally after you arrive.
Not every policy covers every activity automatically.
Some activities may require extra cover, while others may be excluded altogether. There may also be conditions, such as using a qualified instructor, wearing safety equipment or avoiding alcohol before taking part.
If you know you will be doing more than sitting by the pool, check the activity section of the policy carefully.
Valuables and luggage: check the limits
Baggage cover is another area where travellers can be caught out.
Policies often include an overall baggage limit, a single-item limit and separate rules for valuables such as phones, jewellery, watches, laptops and cameras3.
There may also be exclusions if valuables are left unattended, placed in checked-in luggage, stored in an unlocked room or not kept securely.
If you are taking expensive items away, check whether the limits are enough. If not, you may need extra cover or a different policy.
It is also sensible to keep receipts, photographs or other proof of ownership where possible, as these may be needed if you make a claim.
What should you check before buying cover?
The cheapest travel insurance policy may not be the most suitable.
Before buying, check whether the policy includes:
Cancellation cover from the date you buy the policy.
Emergency medical treatment.
Repatriation to the UK.
Travel delay and missed departure cover.
Travel disruption cover.
Lost, stolen or damaged baggage.
Cover for valuables and single items.
Personal liability.
Supplier failure, where available.
Cruise, winter sports or activity cover if relevant.
Cover for pre-existing medical conditions, where declared and accepted.
You should also check the excess, exclusions, claim limits and whether disruption caused by strikes, severe weather, civil unrest, conflict-related issues or known events is included.
What if you already have travel insurance through a bank account?
Some packaged bank accounts, credit cards or memberships include travel insurance.
This can be useful, but it still needs to be checked.
A policy that was suitable for a short European city break may not be enough for a long-haul family holiday, a cruise or a trip involving expensive excursions.
Check who is covered, whether there are age limits, what medical conditions are included, what the cancellation limit is and whether disruption cover is strong enough for the trip you are taking.
Do not assume free cover is suitable just because it exists.
The bottom line
Travel insurance should not be an afterthought.
This summer, with the Government taking steps to reduce the risk of last-minute flight cancellations and travel advice continuing to change for some destinations, holidaymakers should check their cover before they go.
If an airline cancels your flight, your first route is usually the airline. You may be entitled to a refund or re-routing, and in some cases care and assistance.
But travel insurance may help with other costs, depending on the policy. It can also be essential if you need medical treatment abroad, have to cancel before departure, lose your belongings or need to return home unexpectedly.
The key is to buy cover early, read the wording, declare medical conditions and check the Foreign Office advice for your destination.
If you are unsure what level of cover you need, speak to your travel insurance provider or an authorised insurance adviser before you travel.
References
- Department for Transport (2026). Government sets out plans to protect summer holidays from disruption. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-plans-to-protect-summer-holidaysfrom-disruption [Accessed 26 May 2026].
- Civil Aviation Authority (2026). Consumer travel advice – Summer 2026 | UK Civil Aviation Authority. [online] Available at: https://www.caa.co.uk/newsroom/news/consumer-travel-advice-summer-2026/ [Accessed 26 May 2026].
- MoneyHelper. (2026). What is travel insurance? | MoneyHelper. [online] Available at: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/what-is-travel-insurance [Accessed 26 May 2026]
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026). Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice [Accessed 26 May 2026].
- NHS (2021). Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC). [online] nhs.uk. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/ [Accessed 26 May 2026].
There may be a fee for advice. The precise amount of the fee will depend on your circumstances.
All the information in this article is correct as of the publish date 28th May 2026. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.
Please be aware that by clicking on to any of the above links you are leaving our website. Please note that neither we nor HLPartnership Limited are responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.
