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.
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.
Provider | Plan Name | Trip Type | Coverage Area | Medical Expenses | Cancellation | Baggage | Trip Delay | Pre-existing Conditions | CFAR | Other Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Columbus Direct | Business Travel Extension | Single Trip or Annual Multi-trip | Europe or Worldwide | Up to £15 million | Up to £5,000 | Up to £2,500 | Up to £300 (12+ hours) / Airport lounge access (1+ hour) | Available, may require additional premium | Not available online | Replacement employee coverage, business equipment protection, 24hr medical assistance |
AIG Travel Guard | Deluxe, Preferred, Essential | Single Trip or Annual | Worldwide (some exclusions) | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Waiver available under certain conditions | Available on some plans | 24/7 assistance, various add-ons |
InsuraTrip | Standard, Extra, Super | Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip | Various (UK, Europe, Worldwide) | £5-£10 million (varies by plan) | £1,000-£3,000 (varies by plan) | £500-£1,500 (varies by plan) | Varies by plan | Available, online screening | Not available online | Sports & activities cover, cruise cover, winter sports option |
Able2Travel | Single Trip | Single Trip | Various (UK, Europe, Worldwide) | Up to £10 million | Up to £3,000 | Up to £1,500 | Varies by plan | Specialist for pre-existing conditions | Not mentioned | Winter sports, cruise cover, sports cover options |
Heymondo | Single Trip, Long Stay, Annual Multi-Trip | Single, Multi-Trip, Long Stay | Worldwide (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 available | App, 24/7 medical chat, adventure activities, electronics cover |
Go.Compare | Single Trip, Annual Multi-trip, Backpacker | Single Trip, Annual Multi-trip, Backpacker | Various | Varies by plan and provider | Varies by plan and provider | Varies by plan and provider | Varies by plan and provider | Available, specialist providers accessible | Available from some providers | Winter sports, business trip, cruise cover options |
Compare the Market | Single Trip, Annual Multi-Trip, Backpacker, etc. | Single Trip, Annual Multi-Trip, Backpacker, Family, Business, Cruise, Winter Sports, etc. | UK, Europe, Worldwide | Varies by plan and provider | Varies by plan and provider | Varies by plan and provider | Varies by plan and provider | Available, specialist providers accessible | Available from some providers | Various add-ons, covers pre-existing conditions |
eSky | Travel, All Risk Cancellation, All Risk Cancellation/Interruption | Single Trip | Domestic, International | Up to €300,000+ | 90% of ticket cost (All Risk), up to €500 for new ticket (Interruption) | Varies by plan | Not specified | Not specified | All Risk plans cover personal reasons | Third-party liability, personal accident, other protections |
AIG Direct | Premier Plus, Premier, Budget | Single Trip | Europe (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 Covered | Not available | 24/7 Emergency Assistance, Home Help and Pet Care (Premier Plus) |
GoSkippy (via Just Travel Cover) | Several, not named | Single Trip, Annual Trip, Specialist | Various | Up to £15 million | Up to £12,500 | Up to £3,000 | Not specified | All considered | Not specified | Smart Luggage, zero excess policies available, Covid-19 cover |
InsureMyTrip | Various, from multiple providers | Single Trip, Annual Multi-Trip | Various | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Optional, varies by plan | Comparison tool, 24/7 assistance, pre-existing condition waivers |
Allianz Global Assistance | OneTrip Basic, OneTrip Prime, OneTrip Premier, OneTrip Emergency Medical, AllTrips Basic, AllTrips Prime, AllTrips Executive, OneTrip Cancellation Plus | Single and Multi-trip | Various | Up to $50,000 (OneTrip Prime) | Up to trip cost (OneTrip Premier) | Varies by plan | Up to $800 (OneTrip Premier) | Covered with waiver under certain conditions | Not available online | 24-hour assistance, rental car collision damage, kids free (some plans) |
battleface | Discovery, Multi-Trip Annual, etc. | Single Trip, Annual Multi-Trip | Various (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 cost | COVID-19 treated like any other illness |