Do I need travel insurance?

When you start making plans for a quick weekend getaway, or that summer trip abroad, the question of travel insurance usually pops up. If the unexpected happens, having travel insurance may prove just as important as making sure your passport is up to date.

It’s not a legal requirement to take out a policy before you set off on your trip, so you may be trying to work out if this extra expense is really necessary, and if it's worth the cost. Here are the ins and outs of what travel insurance is, what it covers and why it might be handy to have it.

Travel insurance provides cover in case something goes wrong before or during a trip. This could be something as simple as a suitcase going missing, or a something more serious like a medical emergency.

It may also help you get money back if you need to cancel your trip or come home early, for example if there's a family emergency.

At its most basic, travel insurance is there to cover out of pocket expenses that may be caused by cancellations, medical treatment or other unexpected issues before or during your trip. Sometimes things happen that are completely out of our control when travelling – flight cancellations, sudden illness, baggage delays, loss or damage to your belongings. It could even cover dental fees in case you manage to lose a filling while tucking into a tasty local delicacy.

The costs that these kinds of things might incur can quickly mount up. By having a policy in place, and depending on your level cover, you may be able to claim some of your money back.

Put simply, travel insurance is designed to give you peace of mind just in case the unexpected happens.

It might not be the most glamorous pre-holiday purchase, but travel insurance is worth considering.

Buying a policy is up to you, but why take the risk? You just never know what's going to happen. Having cover in place to help with the costs of delays or lost baggage would be helpful, but it could be invaluable if you find yourself with a medical bill you didn’t see coming.

Some destinations may require visitors have travel insurance as part of their entry requirements, so it might be handy to check the latest government advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Having a travel insurance policy as early as possible could mean that if there’s a cancellation prior to your departure, you should already be covered. This is especially important if it's going to have knock-on effects for the rest of your trip, like having to cancel or rebook accommodation, excursions and connecting flights.

Depending on the policy you choose, Tesco Insurance also offer optional extras and add-ons for an additional cost:

Find out more about Tesco Travel Insurance and the different levels of cover available to choose from.

Monetary limits, excesses and exclusions apply. For full details please see the policy documents online.

Tesco Travel Insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by AWP P&C S.A.

The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to the subject matter but does not constitute expert financial advice specific to your own situation. All facts and figures were correct at time of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.