In the second half of this article, you'll find a practical table on Top City Break Travel Insurance Comparisons, which summarizes a range of travel insurance providers, their various plan options, coverage areas (from Europe to Worldwide), key coverage details like medical expenses, cancellation limits, baggage allowances, and trip delay reimbursement, as well as information on pre-existing condition coverage, CFAR availability, and other valuable benefits offered by each provider to help you better understand the key data at a glance.

travel insurance city breaks comparison

Top City Break Travel Insurance: Compare & Save

Understanding City Break Travel Insurance

Covering one-off excursions to one or more locations, city break travel insurance—also called weekend travel insurance or short break travel insurance—offers protection. While annual multi-trip policies can be more affordable for people making several city breaks yearly, single-trip policies are usually better for occasional travellers. While annual multi-trip plans averaged £60, theidol.com data from August 2024 showed the median single-trip policy cost (£22). Remember to review minimum-night stay policies for UK travel on annual plans.

What City Break Travel Insurance Covers

Typical coverage covers lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal items; emergency medical treatment; repatriation to your home country; and trip cancellation or curtailment owing to unanticipated events (such as illness). Examining the particular policy specifics is vital as coverage differs among insurance companies. Some insurance, for instance, covers particular goods like passports and travel paperwork, while others do not.


Common Exclusions

Standard exclusions include going against government advice (see FCDO standards), participating in extreme sports without particular coverage, undisclosed preexisting medical issues, and cancellous results from just changing your mind. Illegal activities and dangerous behaviour, including drug or alcohol abuse, are also usually excluded.

Optional Add-ons for City Break Travel Insurance

Add optional extras to your policy, including winter sports coverage, adventure activity protection, cruise cover, golf protection, gadget insurance, business travel enhancements covering equipment and replacement employee costs, and travel disturbance cover for events like natural disasters or company insolvency. Although coverage of COVID-19 is now standard, be sure to examine the details on cancellals and medical costs associated with the virus. Typically reimbursing 50% to 75% of nonrefundable charges, some insurers provide "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) coverage. Usually covered with a waiver, preexisting medical issues should be disclosed when getting a quote and checking eligibility criteria.

Finding Cheap City Break Travel Insurance

The easiest way to get reasonably priced coverage is to compare quotes from several internet companies. For couples or families respectively, take into account group or joint policies. Avoid pointless extras like device covers if your house insurance protects personal items. Before you buy a separate policy, find out whether your credit cards or bank accounts already cover this. Changing policy limits and excess values might also affect the premium overall.

top metropolitan break travel insurance

Travel Insurance for Specific Needs

Travellers receiving estimates should declare preexisting medical issues since specific coverage may be needed. Certain insurers offer customized plans for families, groups, youngsters flying alone, and seniors. Business travel insurance covers additional business-related hazards and work tools.

Real-World Travel Insurance Claims Examples

After a severe blood illness, a visitor to Thailand had a £250,000 medical bill, but their insurance covered it. Medical emergencies can be pricey, even on shorter vacations. Rising 26% from the year before, the average medical care claim in 2022 was £1,750 (ABI statistics). Although coverage restrictions caused the compensation to be somewhat less than the increased ticket price, one passenger's claim with Allianz for weather-related flight disruptions was handled rapidly. Emphasizing the need for receipts for claimed expenses, another person successfully claimed a cancelled trip resulting from a covered medical bill with Tin Leg. However, a Rick Steves visitor had a bad encounter with Travel Guard when language problems made it difficult to get medical treatment.

Top City Break Destinations

London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, and Madrid are among Timeout's top European city break spots. Every city presents something different, from historical sites and cultural attractions to energetic nightlife and gastronomic pleasures. Always review local recommendations and current travel advisories.

Essential Considerations When Choosing Travel Insurance

Before you buy, give the policy wording great thought. For annual policies, find out whether UK visits call for minimum-night stays. Know the claims procedure, including deadlines and necessary paperwork. Know exclusions regarding government travel recommendations and dangerous activities. Look up the insurer's consumer service and reputation. Consider getting a preexisting medical condition waiver or CFAR coverage for more flexibility. Save receipts and supporting records for any possible claim.

Tips for a Smooth City Break

Apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to access EU nation-state healthcare. Check credit card offers for possible travel protection. Safely pack priceless objects and necessities. Investigate regional norms and rules about transportation, tipping, and alcohol.

Top City Break Travel Insurance Comparison
ProviderPlan NameTrip TypeCoverage AreaMedical ExpensesCancellationBaggageTrip DelayPre-existing ConditionsCFAROther Benefits
Columbus DirectBusiness Travel ExtensionSingle Trip or Annual Multi-tripEurope or WorldwideUp to £15 millionUp to £5,000Up to £2,500Up to £300 (12+ hours) / Airport lounge access (1+ hour)Available, may require additional premiumNot available onlineReplacement employee coverage, business equipment protection, 24hr medical assistance
AIG Travel GuardDeluxe, Preferred, EssentialSingle Trip or AnnualWorldwide (some exclusions)Varies by planVaries by planVaries by planVaries by planWaiver available under certain conditionsAvailable on some plans24/7 assistance, various add-ons
InsuraTripStandard, Extra, SuperSingle Trip or Annual Multi-TripVarious (UK, Europe, Worldwide)£5-£10 million (varies by plan)£1,000-£3,000 (varies by plan)£500-£1,500 (varies by plan)Varies by planAvailable, online screeningNot available onlineSports & activities cover, cruise cover, winter sports option
Able2TravelSingle TripSingle TripVarious (UK, Europe, Worldwide)Up to £10 millionUp to £3,000Up to £1,500Varies by planSpecialist for pre-existing conditionsNot mentionedWinter sports, cruise cover, sports cover options
HeymondoSingle Trip, Long Stay, Annual Multi-TripSingle, Multi-Trip, Long StayWorldwide (excluding US option)Up to $10,000,000 (Single Trip Premium)Up to $7,000 (Single Trip Premium)Up to $2,500 (Single Trip Premium)Up to $1,500 (Single Trip Premium)Not Covered (except for medical emergencies)Not availableApp, 24/7 medical chat, adventure activities, electronics cover
Go.CompareSingle Trip, Annual Multi-trip, BackpackerSingle Trip, Annual Multi-trip, BackpackerVariousVaries by plan and providerVaries by plan and providerVaries by plan and providerVaries by plan and providerAvailable, specialist providers accessibleAvailable from some providersWinter sports, business trip, cruise cover options
Compare the MarketSingle Trip, Annual Multi-Trip, Backpacker, etc.Single Trip, Annual Multi-Trip, Backpacker, Family, Business, Cruise, Winter Sports, etc.UK, Europe, WorldwideVaries by plan and providerVaries by plan and providerVaries by plan and providerVaries by plan and providerAvailable, specialist providers accessibleAvailable from some providersVarious add-ons, covers pre-existing conditions
eSkyTravel, All Risk Cancellation, All Risk Cancellation/InterruptionSingle TripDomestic, InternationalUp to €300,000+90% of ticket cost (All Risk), up to €500 for new ticket (Interruption)Varies by planNot specifiedNot specifiedAll Risk plans cover personal reasonsThird-party liability, personal accident, other protections
AIG DirectPremier Plus, Premier, BudgetSingle TripEurope (Budget plan available)Up to Unlimited (Premier Plus), €5m (Premier), €2m (Budget)Up to final cost (Premier Plus), €5,000 (Premier), €1,000 (Budget)Up to €2,500 (Premier Plus), €2,000 (Premier), €500 (Budget)Up to €500 (Premier Plus, Premier), €300 (Budget)Not CoveredNot available24/7 Emergency Assistance, Home Help and Pet Care (Premier Plus)
GoSkippy (via Just Travel Cover)Several, not namedSingle Trip, Annual Trip, SpecialistVariousUp to £15 millionUp to £12,500Up to £3,000Not specifiedAll consideredNot specifiedSmart Luggage, zero excess policies available, Covid-19 cover
InsureMyTripVarious, from multiple providersSingle Trip, Annual Multi-TripVariousVariesVariesVariesVariesVariesOptional, varies by planComparison tool, 24/7 assistance, pre-existing condition waivers
Allianz Global AssistanceOneTrip Basic, OneTrip Prime, OneTrip Premier, OneTrip Emergency Medical, AllTrips Basic, AllTrips Prime, AllTrips Executive, OneTrip Cancellation PlusSingle and Multi-tripVariousUp to $50,000 (OneTrip Prime)Up to trip cost (OneTrip Premier)Varies by planUp to $800 (OneTrip Premier)Covered with waiver under certain conditionsNot available online24-hour assistance, rental car collision damage, kids free (some plans)
battlefaceDiscovery, Multi-Trip Annual, etc.Single Trip, Annual Multi-TripVarious (US, Europe, Worldwide, etc.)Up to $100,000 (Discovery Plan)Up to $20,000 (Discovery Plan), Varies by plan (Annual Multi-Trip)Up to $2,500 (Discovery Plan), $2,000 (Annual Multi-Trip)Up to $2,500 (Discovery Plan), $1,000 (Annual Multi-Trip)Waiver available (Discovery, if purchased within 15 days), Covered after 60 days (Annual Multi-Trip)75% of prepaid trip costCOVID-19 treated like any other illness