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Understanding and approachable offering flexible, efficient and practical solutions. An expert in their field. David Nash, Allianz Legal Protection

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Travel law partner highlights the complexities of ski litigation to Telegraph and Independent readers

Travel law team secures 100% liability judgment in High Court trial for life changing injuries caused to motorcyclist in Germany

The Penningtons Manches Cooper travel law team specialises in providing fast, innovative and effective solutions for travel industry clients in this complex and ever-changing area of law. We represent high-profile travel insurers, underwriters, Lloyds syndicates, intermediaries and assistance companies.

The breadth of our expertise is recognised by various household name insurers for whom we act as the panel solicitors and who regard us as a trusted adviser on a range of legal issues affecting the travel industry. Our insurer clients primarily rely on us to represent their policyholders for compensation claims arising from accidents abroad and to act for the insured in a defendant capacity when necessary.

We recognise the importance of insurance recoveries and have created insurer-focused schemes for travel insurers and assistance companies to reduce leakage. We are also instructed to defend travel insurers against breach of contract claims pursued by their policyholders.

As a member firm of both Multilaw and the European Law Group, we can call upon other member firms around the world for assistance in addition to our established and trusted network of foreign personal injury lawyers.

Our team includes members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), the Travel and Tourism Lawyers’ Association, and the Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers. We are a previous winner of the International Travel Insurance Journal (ITIJ) Award for Legal Services Provider of the Year and have also been named as a finalist in this category twice in the last five years.

When handling travel insurance disputes, we work closely with colleagues across the firm who form part of the wider insurance and reinsurance group. The far-reaching yet focused expertise in our UK offices is replicated throughout our overseas network. From our bases in Spain, France, Greece and Singapore, we are often instructed on insurance issues that have an English law aspect, but also an international dimension. Such issues may be complex because they involve cross-border disputes or issues touching two or more systems of law or regulation.

Our bilingual teams of insurance lawyers in each of our overseas locations are able to give specialist advice in English, thereby enabling UK-based clients to communicate with them directly. As a member firm of both Multilaw and the European Law Group, we can also call upon other member firms and their lawyers around the world for additional assistance to complement the legal expertise in our established offices.

We offer expert advice on:

• legal expenses and personal liability claims
• the recovery of insurance outlays against negligent third parties
• pre-existing non-disclosure and alleged fraud
• contribution and double insurance and declination of cover for medical expenses
• debt recovery claims pursued by foreign hospitals
• coverage and indemnity issues
• cost containment and reinsurance disputes
• cyber security and cyber crime
• regulatory matters including ICOBS, the IMD and IDD, passporting, financial promotion and distribution, and the new Consumer Duty Regulations
• the sale of travel insurance in the EU/US
• General Data Protection Regulation compliance

Recent work highlights

Lloyds syndicate claim linked to music tour.

Defending a claim on behalf of a Lloyds syndicate arising from damage caused to a hotel during a band tour to the US, when a band member activated the hotel sprinkler system. The claim involved coverage, dual insurance and contribution issues.

£14.5 million in damages following French motorway crash

Recovering a travel insurer’s outlay in full and damages of £14.5 million for its insured, who was rendered a tetraplegic following a road traffic accident in France. The claim was initiated in the English High Court and subject to French law.

High value skiing accident claim

Acting for a travel insurer on the defence of a multi-million-pound claim for damages resulting from a ski accident on a school trip. The case involves several insurers and a coverage dispute arising from dual insurance.

Contested US medical expenses

Advising an insurer client on disputes arising from pre-existing non-disclosure, alleged fraud, contribution and double insurance, and declination of cover for medical expenses relating to medical treatment in the US.

How can we help?

• Call us on 0345 365 0071
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Related expertise

• Insurance and reinsurance

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Financial services regulation

• Holiday accident claims

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• London (Head office) +44 (0)20 7457 3000
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Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.

• Practice areas
• Testimonials

Welcome to Travlaw!

We’re glad you found us!

We are 100% committed to serving the travel industry – from tour operators and travel agents to airlines, hotel groups and their insurers, we pride ourselves on being one of the top travel law firms in the UK.

More than that, we operate within and understand the travel industry – and that’s saying something!

“The firm enjoys an unrivalled relationship with the travel and leisure industry, serving UK and international tour operators, travel agents and their insurers as well as many start up enterprises. Travlaw has the largest dedicated travel law team in the UK and holds over 80 year’s combined experience.”  

Chambers uk solicitors.

We are members of the ITLN Find out more

Proud to be working with

• Kennedys IQ
• No preference

Travel and tourism

The travel industry is ever evolving and subject to continuous commercial and regulatory pressures. Our expert legal advice is built on our deep understanding of travel industry issues, strong relationships with industry, government and regulatory authorities, and close contacts with international legal specialists.

Our specialist travel team combines international insurance, liability, health and safety, regulatory and commercial experience.

We also offer a full legal service dedicated to the aviation industry, so we can undertake all matters relating to the wider travel market.

Our clients

We provide clear and straightforward legal advice to:

• Tour operators and agents
• Dynamic package operators
• Insurers and reinsurers.

Our travel-related legal services

We have advised the travel and transport industry for over 20 years on a range of legal issues, including aircraft accidents, cruise claims and coach accidents. Many cases involve skiing accidents, drownings, balcony falls, mountaineering accidents and sickness outbreaks.

We advise on a variety of travel-related issues, with expertise covering:

• Employers’ liability, public liability and motor liability. This includes defending claims for catastrophic injury, coverage advice, jurisdictional issues and handling recoveries in UK and overseas jurisdictions.
• Health and safety issues.
• Regulatory services and inquests.
• Commercial services, such as business start-up, licensing approvals, consumer protection, drafting and negotiating of booking conditions, and charter and sub-charter agreements and commercial contracts.
• 24/7 incident and crisis management.
• We have an alliance with Preverisk, to broaden the range of risk and claims management services that we offer to our travel clients. Preverisk is a leading international provider of health and safety consultancy, auditing and training to the tourism industry. Our combined service gives tour operators and travel agents access to preventative advice – health & safety, terms and conditions, and supplier contract drafting.
• Managing travel insurance claims across jurisdictions

Our network of international offices gives us a clear advantage when providing advice on coverage and indemnity to our insurer clients on travel insurance claims. We have strong links to foreign agents and global insurers, and are well placed to deal with cross-border jurisdictions.

With offices in Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, our travel team speak Spanish, Turkish, French, Italian, Mandarin and Indian dialects.

Where the legal expense cover relates to travel insurance claims, we use our worldwide network to give you estimates of the true cost and time scales involved in bringing claims overseas.

You will always get truly independent and first-class advice from Kennedys’ travel team. They go beyond the call of duty to ensure that their clients get the best support possible from them.

COVID-19: what will it mean for the future of risk?

Key contacts

Claire Mulligan

Partner - London

Aurélia Cadain

Partner - Paris

Graham Duggan

Senior Associate - Dublin

Amanda Wylie

Partner - Belfast

Latest news, thought leadership and events

New positive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment, from deepfake fraud to biodiversity loss – kennedys highlights evolving insurance risk, global forecast 2024: evolving insurance risks, new partner joins kennedys in dubai, market recognition.

Winner - Transport: Firm (Specialism) of the year - 'Travel'

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Travel Solicitors

Tourism Lawyers & Accident Abroad Lawyers & Illness Overseas Solicitors

Summerfield Browne Solicitors are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.  SRA number 598802.

The enjoyment of a package holiday abroad can often be short lived should yourself, or a family member, fall victim to illness, or an injury that was not your fault. Our team of travel and tourism lawyers know that an accident or illness can put a stop to the pleasure of a relaxing holiday, and can be a significant disappointment. That is why our accident abroad lawyers continue to seek justice in order to compensate you for your lost time, enjoyment and money. Our illness overseas lawyers will support you throughout the entire process of bringing a compensation claim.

Enquire Now

Took the time to listen to my specific case and were honest enough to give their opinion on the potential outcome(s).

Our Travel Solicitors provide the following legal advice

In order to reach a compensation settlement that you and your family deserve, our travel and tourism solicitors may utilise various alternative dispute resolution techniques, such as “Without Prejudice” negotiations or Part 36 Offers, to enhance the opportunity of settling the claim as soon as possible, while achieving the best result for you.

Bringing a Claim

The first issue to consider is whether an individual can bring a claim in the UK in connection with a holiday in a foreign country, and this assessment is dependent on a number of factors. Our team of travel and tourism lawyers can offer their substantial expertise in advising you on this matter, whilst providing their honest opinion as to the likelihood of success to your claim.

It is often the case that an illness or injury will be the result of negligent behaviour by another party such as the hotel, or tour operator. A strong claim for any accident or illness sustained abroad is often heavily reliant on evidence e.g. photographs of poor food preparation areas etc. If you suffer an illness or accident whilst abroad then our team of specialist travel and tourism solicitors would urge you to take photographic evidence of where the injury or illness occurred. Also, if you have knowledge of anyone else who suffered similarly to yourself; you should try to obtain their contact details, as this may prove a vital piece of evidence, and strengthen your claim.

Tourism Lawyers

Our travel and tourism lawyers are able to assist on a variety of illnesses and injuries, including:

Serious injuries sustained on your holiday.

Illnesses due to negligent care by your hotel.

Any injuries sustained on the hotel complex, or an excursion operated by the hotel or tour operator.

An accident whilst working abroad.

Cruise related incidents.

Road Traffic Accidents whilst abroad.

Many other types of injury.

Simply call our accident abroad lawyers and explain the injuries or illness that you have sustained, and our team of illness overseas solicitors will be happy to help and advise further.

Why Summerfield Browne?

Our travel and tourism lawyers will aim to reach a compensation settlement on your behalf, that will give you the compensation you need and deserve. Our team of specialist travel and tourism solicitors will robustly negotiate on your behalf, and endeavour to obtain the best settlement for you as soon as possible.

Flight delay Compensation

Do you satisfy the below Criteria

• Was your flight delayed for 3 or more hours?
• Did your flight depart within the last 6 years?
• Was the delay the airline’s reasonability i.e. technical fault and not ‘extraordinary circumstances’ i.e. bad weather?
• Did your flight take off or land in the EU or was the flight with an EU airline?

If you answered YES, then we can help you as you may be entitled to compensation and we can take care of this on your behalf. How much Compensation

The amount of compensation will depend on:

• The length of the delay - how late did you arrive at your destination?
• Whether your flight went to an EU or non-EU destination
• The distance of the flight

Contact one of our lawyers today to begin your claim and leave the rest to us.

Summerfield Browne Solicitors will aim to reach a final settlement, that will give you and your family, the compensation you need and deserve. Our team of specialist lawyers will robustly negotiate on your behalf, and endeavour to obtain the best settlement for you as soon as possible.

Offices & geographic areas

We provide legal services for, get in touch with us today.

Our Clients Include

Summerfield Browne Solicitors

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Travel: Personal Injury

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Travel in London

Blake morgan llp.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Scognamiglio; Ian Skuse

Other key lawyers:

Katherine Ettridge; Ian Jenkins; Isabel Bathurst; Iqval Dale

Testimonials

‘A great team for cross-border work including aviation claims and package travel claims. They are versatile and can cover many different bases. There is solid personnel in the team, with good leadership from the top.’

‘Daniel Scognamiglio is a standout practitioner who is not afraid of taking on difficult cases and running them. He is joined by some super team members in Iqval Dale and Katherine Ettridge.’

‘Blake Morgan’s team has a deep knowledge of the insurance industry.’

‘Daniel Scognamiglio leads the team. His knowledge is of travel law and the insurance industry is outstanding.’

‘A super team with a solid grounding in travel law, unafraid of taking on tricky cases. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone with a travel law issue. Great knowledge base, good leadership.’

‘A friendly and dynamic team offering high quality expertise and service at all levels in this area. They are also a firm ready to fight for consumers at the Court of Appeal.’

‘Isabel Bathurst and Daniel Scognamiglio are both highly personable and experienced travel lawyers. Not many firms have practitioners with such experience in this area.’

‘Ian Jenkins is brilliant, and I thoroughly enjoy working with him.’

Key clients

AXA Insurance/AXA Travel Insurance

MAAF (French Insurer)

ERV (Previously ERGO/Munich Re)

Omega World Travel

Altour International Inc.

Ovation Travel

Ickenham Travel Group plc

Great Canadian Railtour Company (Rocky Mountaineer Railway)

Sunset Travel Limited

Meon Valley Business Travel

Healthy Holidays

Travel Talk Adventures

GlobalStar Travel Management

Work highlights

• Acted for a claimant involved in a road traffic accident in Mexico involving traumatic brain injury; liability was at issue, but the claim was resolved via mediation for approximately £1m.
• Defended a claim brought by a policyholder against an insurer client for incorrectly denying a claim pleaded in excess of £1m, leading to significant ongoing difficulties.
• Acted on behalf of the appellant for alleged breach of contract under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, which gave rise to wider legal issues of general public and legal importance.

Clyde & Co ’s ‘top-notch’ travel personal injury defendant practice is headed up by road traffic accident and public liability-related work specialist Chris Murray , who works from Manchester, alongside London-based ‘experienced and knowledgeable operator’ Matthew Ford ; catastrophic claim-focused Greg MacDougall who is based in Edinburgh; and Manchester-based May 2023-promoted partner Craig Evans , who ‘knows the sector inside-out’.  The practice has such renowned names as Easyjet and Zurich Insurance in its client portfolio, and its workload is often of significant complexity, involving severe injury caused in a wide-range of circumstances abroad. In London, Emily List is noted as having  ‘a good deal of experience and knowledge in this area’ whilst  Sandeep Aujla  is a senior associate to note, with experience handling catastrophic, cross-border matters.

Chris Murray; Matthew Ford; Greg MacDougall; Craig Evans

Emily List; Sandeep Aujla; Calum Murray

‘A top-notch team in the most complex cross-border cases with a loyal following of foreign insurers. They standout for the training and development they provide their trainees and junior associates, bringing them on fast and well.’

‘Craig Evans is a thorough lawyer.’

‘Clyde & Co are a very strong team with excellent fee earners at all levels, from partners to trainees. They fight hard but will also settle when this is best. I rate them very highly.’

EasyJet Holidays

Audley Travel

Leger Holidays

SEGURO CAIXA

Deloitte Legal

The team at Deloitte Legal has a particular focus advising its portfolio of clients, which includes package holiday providers and travel groups, on the technological as well as the commercial aspects of travel. Key team member, Cawston-based director and newly appointed team head Luke Golding has strong expertise in this area and has experience advising on streamlining, overhauling and reviewing the management of related technological processes for key clients. May 2023 marked the departure of the team’s former lead Farina Azam to Fox Williams LLP .

Luke Golding

The Travel Network Group

Travel Leaders Group Inc

Global Travel Collection

Attraction World Limited

Costco Travel Limited

Abercrombie & Kent

Active Travel Group

Tek Travels DMCC

The Thinking Traveller

Sunvil Holidays

DMH Stallard LLP

The ‘stellar’ commercial and regulatory practice at DMH Stallard LLP is headed up by Brighton-based ‘excellent travel specialist lawyer’ Debbie Venn . The team has a strong reputation for its capabilities advising its plethora of clients on matters that range from advising on package holiday travel terms and arrangements, to related privacy policy and data protection advice. Within travel, ‘expert in her field’ Rebecca Thornley-Gibson  and solicitor Abigail Maino both have an employment specialism, their work often featuring overseas worker issues and jurisdictional issues in relation to seasonal work abroad, for example. Helen Mead  and Crawley-based Danos Athanasi  have a focus on the corporate side of the sector, advising on such work as brand sales, restructuring and buy back schemes.

Debbie Venn

Rebecca Thornley-Gibson; Helen Mead; Danos Athanasi; Abigail Maino; Jonathan Compton; Rebecca Leeves

‘DMH Stallard fully understand the external environment and context within which we work and have partnered with us effectively to understand our internal business drivers so they can provide effective advice.’

‘Rebecca Thornley-Gibson is not only an expert in her field but is full of pragmatic advice based on her extensive experience in delivering operational solutions. This team sets an example for other professional firms to follow.’

‘Debbie Venn is competent and available with a strong will to help and assist clients.’

‘They are an outstanding set of individuals who go above and beyond for their clients. They are always commercial and practical in their approach and their travel knowledge is second-to-none.’

‘Debbie Venn is an excellent travel specialist lawyer who responds to clients with sound knowledge and a level-headed approach.’

‘Helen Mead is an outstanding corporate lawyer who understands the nuances of the travel industry when dealing with transactions for clients.’ ‘

‘Jonathan Compton is one of the most accomplished litigators in the field – he applies his legal expertise with empathy and commerciality whilst ensuring he protects his clients every step of the way.’

‘A stellar team all round.’

Specialised Travel Ltd

Airborne Representation Ltd

Hovertravel Ltd

CharterSync Ltd

Themis Advisory Ltd

15below Ltd

The Cruise Line Ltd

• Advising Airborne Representation in relation to its business operations at various UK airports, including provision of flight disruption services and client-facing support roles, media support and customer communications.
• Advising Hovertravel in relation to its customer booking Terms and Conditions, terms on carriage of passengers, goods, cancellation arrangements and finalising terms for use.
• Advising Themis Advisory in relation to a marketing services and digital marketing agreement, including in relation to an agreement for the licensing and use of a widget for assessing and comparing live data.

DWF ‘s travel personal injury offering, noted as being ‘a pleasure to work with’ , has noteworthy abilities in handling high-value work in both national and international contexts, with evident expertise throughout the team in insurance; the team’s plethora of clients in predominantly formed of such well-known insurers as Hastings Direct. It advises on the claimant side of a range of cases, with a particular specialism handling complex road traffic accident matters overseas. ‘Very experienced operator’  Sara-Jane Eaton who focuses on complex and catastrophic injury claims, and ‘exceptionally gifted lawyer in this area’ Claire Bowler co-head the practice. Product liability and reinsurance are also areas the team holds expertise in. Former head of Plexus Law ‘s team Michael Gwilliam  joined the team in July 2023.

Sara-Jane Eaton; Claire Bowler

Michael Gwilliam

‘DWF is an established player in the travel and international personal injury market with a good language range.’

‘Sara-Jane Eaton is a very experienced operator.’

‘A team of real specialists with impressive foreign law experience.’

Accredited Insurance

Hastings Direct

The Markerstudy Group

Mannheimer Versicherung AG

Wuerttembergische Versicherung AG

Ergo Hestia

ERGO Rechtsschutz

Bravonext SA (Lastminute.com)

• Acting for the German insurer Wuerttembergische Versicherung AG in the UK proceedings relating to a catastrophic motor accident, which occurred in Germany.
• Acting for two bereaved families residing in Spain following a very serious road traffic accident in England involving a Portuguese defendant and insurer.
• Acting for the insurer in defence of an Irish citizen on holiday in Malta catastrophically injured by drunk driver.

Enable Law ‘s Southampton and Taunton-based team is headed up by Eleanor Armstrong , with support from Robert Antrobus and Alison McClure . It is experienced advising its claimant clients on matters from head injuries, bone breaks, fractures and whiplash incidents to fatalities, resulting from a variety of circumstances abroad, including during RTAs, adventurous activity-related accidents and hotel negligence-related incidents. Experienced senior associate Sophie Hamilton and her team joined from Ince & Co ‘s Bristol office in April 2023.

Eleanor Armstrong; Robert Antrobus; Alison McClure

Charlotte Morgan; Sophie Hamilton

‘The team does very good work and takes a caring approach to clients.’

‘Eleanor Armstrong is a careful, thoughtful practitioner with lots of experience of this type of work. Clients really like her because she is always on top of their cases and explains everything to them in straightforward and understandable terms.’

‘Eleanor Armstrong is a highly experienced international PI lawyer with considerable knowledge of cross-border litigation.’

‘Eleanor Armstrong is highly organised in her management of cases and has experience of litigating both liability and quantum under foreign law before the courts of England and Wales. Eleanor is unflappable and clear in her advice, she provides strong moral support to clients.’

‘Eleanor Armstrong is a very experienced travel lawyer – calm, personable and excellent with clients.’

Fox Williams LLP

Rhys Griffiths

Lucy England; Jessica Howard; Phyllis Acheampong; Farina Azam

‘The team has a specialist knowledge of the regulatory framework for the travel sector combined with a deep knowledge of the travel industry. They are highly attuned to the needs of their clients and strong in achieving successful outcomes to difficult problems.’

‘Rhys Griffiths is the go-to lawyer for travel regulatory disputes – a specialist in the field who is able to provide practical solutions in times of difficulty. His work in respect of the effects of Covid-19 on the travel industry was outstanding. Phyllis Acheampong is a great talent in this sector, with a deep understanding of the regulatory framework who provides strong support to her clients.’

‘Possibly the leading team in the travel sector. Their network of travel lawyers and experience is of huge benefit in cross-border cases.’

‘Lucy England and Rhys Griffiths are both extremely approachable, knowledgeable and fun to work with. They know their stuff, and are practical and pragmatic.’

‘Their experience across UK travel regulation, ATOL and PTRs are the base for connecting the remaining travel industry “dots”.’

‘The team has a complete understanding of the commercial realities travel companies, both large and small, face – they provide a huge dose of calm analytical advice and attention-to-detail.’

‘Everything complex and high-risk we have goes to Fox Williams.’

‘The team has a wider understanding of the issues whilst being at the forefront of the current and ever-changing challenges in the sector.’

Booking.com

On The Beach

Loveholidays.com

lastminute.com

Virgin Voyages

Secret Escapes

Yourgolfholidays.com

Spabreaks.com

Travel Network Group

Direct Ferries

Flight Centre

Intrepid Travel

TrustedHousesitters

Priceline.com

• Acting for On the Beach in High Court proceedings against Ryanair for flight refunds.
• Advising one of the world’s largest travel companies on all its travel regulatory matters in the UK and Europe.
• Advising various travel companies on UK or EU launches.

Hextalls LTD

The team at Hextalls LTD  has a strong reputation in ‘the tour operator and cross-border accident field’  and a niche focus acting for defendants in related disputes. It has strong capabilities acting for well-known UK tour operators in claims involving serious injuries and fatalities, in complex and often cross-jurisdictional matters. The team is based in offices in both London and Bishop’s Stortford. The ‘very loyal and committed’ team lead Alex Padfield is vastly experienced in the travel law sector.

Alex Padfield

Natalie Greenwood

‘Hextalls provide a tailored service and a personal touch which is often missing with other solicitors – their advice is normally clear and to the point but, more importantly, takes into account economics.’

‘A niche firm which has remained and consolidated its position at the very top of the travel sector for many years. The firm goes from strength to strength under Alex’s leadership.’

‘A model firm – while they fight their clients’ corner, they do not take silly points. They are collaborative when it is sensible and in the best interests of all parties to be so.’

Saga Cruises Ltd

Tokio Marine HCC Insurance Company

Mapfre Compania de Seguros Y Reaseguros S.A.

Riviera Travel

Saga Travel Group (UK) Ltd

• Acted for Mapfre in relation to personal injury cases brought in England but where Spanish law applies, dealing particularly with the issue of Spanish penalty interest, which is being pursued in the Court of Appeal.
• Acted for Saga in relation to an inquest arising out of a death on the quayside in Barbados, including obtaining evidence from abroad to establish the sequence of events that led to the incident in question.
• Acted for TMHCC and its insured in a claim brought by the parents of an 18-year old who was killed crossing a motorway on the way to a festival in Croatia and successfully defended the claim at trial.

Elinor Dautlick; Zohar Zik

Claire Womersley; William MacLachlan; Paul Dean; Kirsten Wright

‘A very experienced team with a range of expertise which spans multiple disciplines.’

‘The team stands out for its knowledge, experience and provision of timely responses.’

‘HFW has a dedicated and expert travel practice, with a particular focus on cases relating to ships, cruises and package tours. That focus ties in extremely well with HFW’s pre-eminence in shipping litigation and arbitration more generally.’

‘HFW’s team is extremely knowledgeable, commercial and a delight to work with.’

‘Paul Dean, Claire Womersley and Kirsten Wright bring a calm, measured and very commercial approach to all their cases, ensuring that the client’s commercial objectives in litigation, are kept firmly in mind.’

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB

KiwiRail Ltd

• Acted on the charter and purchase of a €13m ferry by KiwiRail Ltd for freight transport between New Zealand’s North and South Islands.
• Acted for Skandinavska Enskilda Banken AB as documentation agent in the refinancing of Stena AB Group’s main credit facility, consisting of €515m revolving multicurrency credit facility.
• Advised an Asian budget airline in connection with Russian sanctions which affected our client’s ability to make payments to the lessor of a commercial aircraft tainted by sanctions against Russia.

Hill Dickinson LLP

Hill Dickinson LLP ‘s personal injury practice has strong capabilities handling significant injury work in cross-jurisdictional contexts. John Caddies  heads up the team and leads across the full range of matters it handles, which range from significant injuries to fatal accidents. Legal director Sarah Barnes  is a name to note and is experienced acting in defence of major tour operators, hotels, and cruise and ferry lines, whilst consultant Javed Ali  has a specialism advising on the commercial and regulatory side of travel.

John Caddies

Javed Ali; Sarah Barnes; Laura Wilson

‘The team’s knowledge and commerciality is notable.’

‘The team at Hill Dickinson are very experienced and fully capable of meeting the needs of both big and small clients. There is strength-in-depth at Hill Dickinson, and a level of pragmatism when dealing with claims that is sometimes lacking in other firms.’

‘Individuals in the team will often go the extra mile – nothing is too much trouble for them, and they will always make themselves available. Javed Ali and Sarah Barnes are noteworthy team members.’

Royal Air Maroc

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

Hudgell Solicitors

Hudgell Solicitors ‘  ‘highly experienced and extremely competent’ travel PI team has strong capabilities acting for claimants on significant personal injury matters wherein incidents have occurred internationally. The practice is experienced in handling complex claims wherein an initial seemingly minor injury has led to a life-changing issue. ‘Exceptional practitioner’ Paul McClorry  heads up the firm’s national travel litigation team and is noted as being ‘reassuring in the discussion of sensitive matters’. Associate Tracy Stansfield  has experience handling matters ranging matters involving injuries ranging from minor to life-changing.

Paul McClorry

Tracy Stansfield

‘A highly experienced and extremely competent team of sector specialists delivering efficient advice across the sector.’

‘Paul McClorry has excellent experience on both sides of the court and is adept at providing down-to-earth and well-judged advice to his clients. Paul has enormous experience at the highest levels within the sector.’

‘Paul McClorry is a very good partner with an outstanding knowledge of the area.’

‘Strong commercial approach to niche issues, with good breadth and depth of knowledge.’

‘Paul McClorry is an exceptional practitioner with many years experience in this area. He is focused, incisive and has excellent client-handling skills.’

‘Paul is reassuring in the discussion of sensitive matters – he puts clients at ease – he is so helpful, understanding and so approachable. I would most certainly recommend him and the team.’

‘At Hudgell you are treated as a person not a number; the team is very knowledgeable in this sector and firm but caring when explaining complex issues that arise, with empathy.’

‘Paul McClorry is very experienced and takes the time to explain complex concepts.’

• Acting for a claimant who sustained a significant head injury in a motorbike accident, which was exacerbated during his time in an English hospital; it was settled through mediation.
• Acting for an 18 year old girl who was catastrophically injured in a ski accident in Italy on a school ski trip; she is now fully wheelchair dependant.
• Acting for the claimant who was born with cerebral palsy in a hospital in Spain, considering whether there was any medical negligence on the part of the Spanish doctors.

Katherine Allen; Mark Harvey

Rebecca Gilmore; Aidan Lloyd

‘A very well-regarded team, known for its abilities dealing with complex and technical questions.’

‘Katherine Allen is exceptionally well-regarded in the sector with client care skills that are second-to-none. She has impressive technical knowledge and is conscientious in her case preparation. Rebecca Gilmore is also highly experienced and commercially-minded. ’

‘A very strong team.’

‘Mark Harvey and Aidan Lloyd are prepared to take on challenging cross-border litigation and see it through to a successful conclusion.’

‘A great knowledge of travel law with top client service provided in a down-to-earth manner.’

‘Rebecca Gilmore is knowledgeable, compassionate and determined. She is very reliable, and knows the sector very well.’

‘Katherine Allen is a hugely experienced partner and really is one of the leading lights of the claimant travel law scene. She knows the area like the back of her hand, and has a fantastic sense of a cases and what needs to be done.’

‘Katherine Allen and Rebecca Gilmore are noteworthy individuals.’

Irwin Mitchell

Tracey Storey

Demetrius Danas; Philip Banks; Cheryl Palmer-Hughes; Jennifer Lund; Nick Cerezo; James Riley; Simon O’Loughlin; Jayne Murphy; Kylie Hutchison; Jatinder Paul; Leane Shanks

‘Philip Banks is a a consumer champion in that he is experienced litigating cases which have a meaningful impact in enhancing consumer rights; Cheryl Palmer-Hughes is known for her expertise in overseas medical negligence cases, particularly in the cosmetic surgery sector; and Nick Cerezo manages cases with skill and expertise in advance of his years.’

‘Philip Banks is among the most highly-regarded cross-border personal injury specialists working in the UK. James Riley is fast developing a reputation as one of the brightest young travel personal injury lawyers in the country; he has a real enthusiasm for the work.’

‘There are no weak links in this team. Philip Banks is an exceptional partner and knows everything there is to know in this area, Jatinder Paul is outstanding, as are Simon O’Loughlin and Jayne Murphy.’

‘The travel team at Irwin Mitchell is a market leader on a national scale.’

‘Jatinder Paul is a genuine expert and star individual in travel law with a great knowledge of group litigation. Philip Banks has huge experience in dealing with accidents abroad. The team is supported by some outstanding junior colleagues including Jayne Murphy, a robust litigator who has been working in the field for years.’

‘Philip Banks has super legal skills and he has the experience to deal with the most complex matters; James Riley is a rising star who takes a very practical approach, always aimed at finding a solution for his clients; Cheryl Palmer-Hughes is also a magnificent performer.’

‘This team is undoubtedly top tier – the London Team are brilliant at what they do, have a superb reputation in the market and excellent strength-in-depth and resources.’

‘Star practitioners are Demetrius Danas for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the field, Philip Banks for his phenomenal attention-to-detail and sound judgement, Jatinder Paul for his total dedication to achieving the best he can for his clients, and Leane Shanks for her meticulous approach to her cases and superb client skills.’

• Represented the families of 22 British citizens who were killed during the Tunisian terror attack in 2015, as well as over 60 injured victims in legal action against TUI UK Ltd.
• Represented 16 clients, being families that lost their loved ones, against The Boeing Company in the USA following the crash of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by Ethiopian Airlines.
• Acting for a Dutch foundation representing over 100k claimants against Trafigura Beheer B.V and Trafigura Limited for PI and consequential losses sustained as a result of their dumping of toxic waste in 2006.

JMW Solicitors LLP

The  ‘very capable team of highly experienced litigators’  at JMW Solicitors LLP , based in Manchester, is experienced handling a broad-range of litigation matters for claimants, including package travel-related, direct right of action, and cross-border workplace accident claims, which are often of a sensitive and complex nature. Its caseload ranges from sexual assault claims, to less severe injuries, to fatal accidents. Team lead Joanne Brine  has expertise in cross-border and international work and is noted as being ‘adored by clients for her empathy and always-sound judgement’. 

Joanne Brine

Natasha Ross

‘A very capable team of highly experienced litigators with particular expertise in maritime cases.’

‘Joanne Brine is a very experienced litigator with a comprehensive knowledge of the sector, excellent client care skills and particular expertise in dealing with vulnerable clients. Natasha Ross is a highly experienced litigator, down-to-earth, an excellent communicator and well-regarded by lay clients.’

‘A dedicated claimant personal injury practice with excellent leadership and a superb market product at the intersection of leisure industry and cross-border claims work.’

‘Joanne Brine has understated, but highly effective leadership skills honed through years of experience at the highest level; she is adored by clients for her empathy and always-sound judgement. She knows what works and she achieves results.’

‘Joanne Brine is a very talented lawyer with deep knowledge of the travel law business.’

‘The team has many experienced practitioners who are well-versed in all jurisdiction with links with foreign lawyers and medics, which ensures that their cases run smoothly.’

‘Joanne Brine is exceptional in her approach to cases and in her knowledge of the industry.’

‘The practice is very professional and accessible.’

• Representing the parents of a child who tragically drowned in a hotel pool during a family holiday to Greece in their allegations of failure to provide lifeguards to the area.
• Acting for a Dutch national injured during a beach horse hack in Wales who is claiming against a dog owner and stables; he now has incomplete paraplegia as a consequence of a buck, which occurred because of a loose dog on the beach which chased the horse.
• Represented the claimant who contracted Salmonella food poisoning on a package holiday to the Dominican Republic which led to the rare development of a knee issue requiring a replacement, which left him severely disabled; a £750k settlement was reached.

The  ‘first-class defendant focused team’  at Kennedys is led by Claire Mulligan , well regarded for her  ‘great leadership’ . It has significant experience advising namely well-known tour operators and their insurers in high-value and complex travel-related disputes and crises of the utmost sensitivity. Standout team member  Justin Collins is particularly adept at handling high-profile matters for such key clients as TUI UK Limited. The team’s workload is formed in the main of defending on matters which are fatal or catastrophic in nature, often with multiple claimants; Gareth Thomas ‘ area of expertise is in handling such work. Senior associate Kiran Birdi , noted for his ‘extensive experience’  in the sector, has a particular specialism handling claims resulting from activity excursions and holidays, sickness outbreaks, sexual assaults and fatal accidents, whilst senior associate Zoe Hurley  ably advises high-profile clients in severe and catastrophic injury, as well as crisis investigation cases.

Claire Mulligan

Justin Collins; Gareth Thomas; Zoe Hurley; Kiran Birdi; Milena Iyer; Louise Law

‘A first-class defendant-focused team serving many leading tour operators and their insurers. Great lawyers at all levels offer a huge depth of specialist knowledge and experience.’

‘The team are highly supportive and understanding of our needs and objectives as a client. They are industry leaders in the tourism sector and have valuable resources to draw upon as and when needed.’

‘Claire Mulligan is a valuable asset and we value the support that she and the team provide.’

TUI UK Limited

Touchstone Underwriting

Balkan Holidays Limited

Mark Warner Holidays

Royal Caribbean

Saga Holidays/AXA Corporate Solutions

Virgin Holidays

Chubb/Hilton International Hotels

Virgin Limited Edition

easyJet Holidays

Disney France

HB Education

Outward Bound Group

Select School Travel

AVIVA Insurance

• Advising a hotel following the death of two Thomas Cook customers in August 2018, a husband and wife who died in mysterious circumstances.
• Advising BEIS and the Government as to how a compensation scheme for Thomas Cook customers who have suffered significant injury whilst on holiday and lost the right to bring a claim against their insurers, should be compensated.
• Advising TUI UK Limited in relation to the inquest into the deaths of 30 British nationals as a result of the Tunisian beach massacre in June 2015 – the largest UK terrorist atrocity overseas.

Keystone Law

James Healy-Pratt; Owen Hanna; Trevor Sears

The Manchester-based personal injury offering at Leigh Day , formed of  ‘tenacious lawyers’,  is highly regarded for its abilities handling complex travel litigation matters on behalf of claimants. The team is adept in advising noteworthy clients on high-profile travel claims, which are consistently cross-border in nature and of catastrophic or serious nature. Senior associates Colin Murphy   and Joseph Dawson  are noted as being an ‘outstanding practitioners’ , whilst team lead and experienced personal injury specialist Clare Campbell is regarded as ‘a sensitive and supportive presence for clients’ in sensitive matters.

Clare Campbell

Joseph Dawson; Colin Murphy; Caitlin Dunn; Jill Paterson

‘Clare Campbell leads an impressive team of experienced travel lawyers. She is at the cutting-edge of litigation, acting on high-profile matters.’

‘Clare Campbell is an innovative lawyer with a real compassion for clients.’

‘The team is committed, enthusiastic and utterly dedicated to their clients. The team brings a campaigning edge and a particular zeal to their cross-border personal injury claims.’

‘Clare Campbell is one of the most experienced solicitors in the sector – a brilliant leader and excellent judge of what will work in court. Jill Paterson brings sound judgement and inspires confidence in those she acts for. Joseph Dawson is sound, savvy and has an excellent court-sense. Colin Murphy is clever, confident and undoubtedly a real star in the making.’

‘Clare Campbell has a wealth of experience in this area and is a sensitive and supportive presence for clients. Joseph Dawson and Colin Murphy are both outstanding practitioners. All are tenacious lawyers and advocates for clients.’

‘This firm continues to break ground in pursuing difficult, complex cases, such as group actions or those involving foreign-based workers. They have great diversity and always adopt a collaborative approach to working with foreign lawyers.’

‘Colin Murphy is an excellent, intelligent, commercially minded lawyer. Clare Campbell is a highly experienced partner with unrivalled knowledge across a broad range of issues.’

‘The team goes above and beyond to get solutions, always keep you informed on where the case is and are responsive to queries.’

• Acting for the Stade De France Group claimants, being over 1k football fans injured through kettling, crushing, assaults and indiscriminate tear gassing during the course of the UEFA Champions League Final 2022 at the Stade de France in Paris.
• Acted successfully for a claimant individual who fell from a jetty whilst on holiday with his partner, suffering a fracture dislocation and spinal cord injury, requiring surgical reconstruction.
• Successfully acted for an individual claimant in a trial against a Spanish Hotel’s insurer following a serious ankle and knee fracture which occurred during the individual’s stay, which required surgical fixation.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

The personal injury practice at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is headed up by Mark Lee , who is noted for his ‘vast experience’ across the travel space. The team’s workload consists in significant part of acting for claimants in international transport-related incidents which lead to serious or catastrophic injury; road traffic accident-related cases are a particular area of specialism across the team. It also frequently acts against hotels.  ‘Fantastic’  associate Joanna Wylie is experienced handling both claimant and defendant-side foreign accident claims. Consultant John Strange  is also noteworthy for his marine-related work.

Joanne Wylie; John Strange; Warren Collins

‘Penningtons have a solid team with decades of travel law experience and a strong reputation.’

‘Mark Lee has vast experience in dealing with travel law matters and Joanne Wylie is fantastic too.’

• Acted on behalf of a motorcyclist who suffered life-changing injuries in Germany, securing a 100% liability judgment at a 5 day liability trial in the English High Court.
• Recovered damages for a professional motorcycle racer who suffered catastrophic injuries to his spinal cord, brain and lower-limb injuries while participating in the Isle of Man TT races.

Slater and Gordon

Senior associate Stephen Goodman leads the travel Manchester-based PI offering at Slater and Gordon with support from Madeline Seibert . The team’s workload is formed of claimant representation in matters involving accidents abroad which often lead to life-changing injuries; the circumstances range from road traffic accidents to issues with overseas cosmetic surgeries. Team changes include the departure of former team lead Kelly Williams in 2022 as well as the departure of senior associate Stephanie Osborne  to Express Solicitors Ltd  in August 2022.

Madeleine Seibert; Stephen Goodman

Onyinye Ebizie; Andrew Tarling; Hannah Crosby

‘A large and long-established team, well-known for its bulk and group litigation work.’

‘Stephen Goodman has long-standing experience in the sector and has developed a number of the frameworks for group litigation in the area. He achieves strong results across the board.’

‘A diverse team of practitioners which continues to break ground in a highly competitive field. They work hard for their clients and get good results.’

‘Onyinye Ebizie is an excellent lawyer and a rising star in this area of the law who is highly committed to, and understands the full details of, every case.’

• Representing a young boy who was only six years old at the time of an accident abroad resulting in life-changing injuries and a six-figure settlement.
• Representing a claimant who was seriously injured during an accident whilst on holiday in Italy in a seven-figure settlement.
• Representing a claimant who sustained life-changing injuries during a Road Traffic Accident in Norway, in a six-figure settlement.

Stewarts Law LLP

Julian Chamberlayne

Christopher Deacon; Scott Rigby; Sarah Stewart; Peter Neenan; Rebecca Smith; Rebecca Huxford; James Griffin

‘Rebecca Smith is exceptional and goes above and beyond to bring the claim to a successful outcome. She has a wealth of knowledge and expertise, is professional, understanding, kind, and has a knack of making you feel at ease in any situation. She is truly someone you would want on your team and I will never forget her.’

‘Stewarts delivers a service above and beyond expectations. Christopher Deacon checks in on me regularly and provide updates and plenty of notice to make some of the most complicated jobs stress-free.’

‘Christopher Deacon is a brilliant lawyer with a meticulous and measured approach to his work. He has an incredible depth of knowledge and experience in personal injury and leaves no stone unturned – from our first meeting he has been incredibly helpful, supportive and made me feel comfortable with all aspects of the case.’

‘I honestly couldn’t ask for more and feel incredibly grateful to be working with such a bright and incredible team.’

‘Stewarts’ travel team are leaders in their field.’

‘Christopher Deacon is an outstanding lawyer who combines an encyclopaedic knowledge of cross-border law with a calm pragmatism as a litigator. Scott Rigby is highly experienced and the go-to litigator for specialist Channel Islands litigation. Rebecca Huxford is able to handle the most challenging cross-border litigation with ease. Julian Chamberlayne is a legend, responsible for developing this outstanding team.’

‘The créme de la créme of the travel and international law personal injury market.’

‘Scott Rigby has the ability to unpick complex jurisdictional issues while providing calm, unwavering support to clients. Christopher Deacon is is meticulous in his approach and has an eye for detail.’

• Representing the families of ground victims killed in the Shoreham Airshow disaster, which resulted in an unlawful killing verdict in December 2022.
• Acting for a high-profile F2 driver who sustained life-changing injuries in a crash at the Belgian Grand Prix on 31 August 2019.
• Acted for a dual US-UK national and product designer in his claim for damages following the catastrophic injuries he sustained in January 2019 while riding in the bucket of a Caterpillar telehandler.

Thompsons Solicitors LLP

The personal injury travel practice at Thompsons Solicitors LLP , which is based in Manchester, has Martyn Gwyther  at its head, who is noted for his ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of travel law’.  The team has expertise handling serious injury and multi-track cross-border claims, which are senior associate Neil Richards ‘ exclusive areas of focus. The team advises claimants on a broad range of issues which have resulted from an array of circumstances, including RTAs, workplace incidents ranging from accidents to modern slavery-related issues, and unsatisfactory medical procedures.

Martyn Gwyther

Neil Richards; Michael Dale; Nick Taylor

‘Neil Richards shows very good understanding in complex cases and is always approachable.’

‘Martyn Gwyther has an encyclopaedic knowledge of travel law and is commercially astute. Michael Dale is a very well-regarded associate and a thorough and conscientious litigator with an unmatched record of success at trial.’

‘Thompsons’ cross-border injury department is highly skilled in handling workplace accident claims with a cross-border dimension. They are excellent in cases involving aircraft crew, maritime and offshore industry workers in particular.’

‘Thompsons’ travel law team are used to dealing with all types of cross-border claims, which helps them solve matters in the best way for their clients.’

‘Thompsons are very impressive. They prioritise their clients’ interests in a way few firms can match and provide unrivalled client care throughout the claims. A real class act.’

‘Martin Gwyther is top-notch. He has extensive experience handling foreign claims in various jurisdictions. He marries an understated approach with a willingness to fight. Top- drawer.’

‘Martyn Gwyther has an excellent reputation in this field and is very diligent.’

• Advised a German national who suffered severely traumatic brain injury as a result of a road traffic accident that occurred in Leicester and achieved a multi-million pound settlement.
• Advised a British national who suffered moderately severe traumatic brain injury as a result of a road traffic accident that took place in England, which involved a Romanian motorist and insurer.
• Represented a flight attendant in her claim against her employers after she was injured by a heavy oxygen cannister that fell out of an overhead locker; she received £250k.

Leeds-based ‘unique boutique firm’   Travlaw is highly regarded for its capabilities supporting travel agents, tour operators and travel industry workers in both regulatory and litigation contexts; key team member Nick Parkinson who was promoted to partnership in April 2023 – has significant experience in litigation. Krystene Bousfield  and ‘doyen of the travel world’ Stephen Mason , co-lead the travel PI offering, which represents well-known clients such as On the Beach in high-stakes claims involving catastrophic injuries abroad. The ‘particularly excellent’ Bousfield is also at the helm of the commercial and regulatory travel team, alongside employment specialist practitioner  Ami Naru , with former co-lead Matt Gatenby  having transferred internally in June 2022 from the travel team to the commercial team.

Krystene Bousfield; Stephen Mason; Ami Naru

Nick Parkinson

‘TravLaw are a unique boutique firm supporting travel agents and tour operators and all those working in the travel industry, offering advice spanning regulatory advice to litigated cases. They provide a full-service to their clients and display a deep understanding of the industry.’

‘Stephen Mason is the doyen of the travel law world; Krystene Bousfield is a highly intelligent and experienced operator; and Nick Parkinson and Matt Gatenby are both outstanding individuals with enormous knowledge, experience and acumen.’

‘The team is expert in the field of travel law. They have an approachable, user-friendly style which is not formal, stuffy or pretentious and they deliver advice in a concise and pragmatic way. They are also responsive and turn around work very quickly. Overall, they make our life easier and take the pain out of litigation.’

On The Beach Limited

We Love Holidays

Southall Travel

G Adventures

Dnata / Gold Medal

Travel Counsellors

LoveHolidays

Tokio Marine HCC

Red Sea Holidays

Hurtigruten

Noble Caledonia

AIG of Canada

Quintessentially Travel

Reader Offers

Solmar Villas

Midcounties Cooperative

Great Rail Journeys Ltd

Awaze (t/a Cottages.com, Hoseasons & James Villas)

Cyplon Travel t/a the Travel Philpsophy

Brooklyn Travel Group

The Portman Travel Group

• Acting for On the Beach Limited defending a multi-million pound PI claim arising from a catastrophic, near-drowning incident in Spain; a matter which involves significant cross-border litigation.
• Acted for a package holiday provider in defence of a potential legal claim brought against them following catastrophic injuries including brain injury, facial fractures, fractured vertebrae and fractured wrists endured by a traveller abroad in Cyprus from falling over a wall outside his villa.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Trowers & Hamlins LLP ‘s Exeter-based personal injury travel team, noted as  ‘helpful and honest’ , is adept at handling cross-jurisdictional matters of significant value for claimants who have been injured abroad, which is Ian Brown ‘s area of focus; its caseload varies from falls leading to minor injuries, to RTAs leading to complex head injuries. Additionally, it also ably advises defendants in litigation; Bronwen Courtenay-Stamp , who, per clients, ‘knows everything about the insurance industry’ , leads the practice.

Bronwen Courtenay-Stamp

Ian Brown; Tom Sampford

‘This firm has ample experience handling claims, some of which are very emotionally heavy, which oftentimes raise difficult legal questions. They have a good deal of experience and knowledge and obtain some exceptional results.’

‘Bronwen Courtenay-Stamp knows everything about the insurance industry and is a well-known personality in the industry.’

‘Ian Brown is a meticulous and tenacious litigator; and Tom Sampford is highly effective. The associates in the team also offer great support.’

‘The team focuses on its relationships with its clients. The work they do ranges from full representation and case management to more straightforward advice that we can pass on to our customers or use in determining the best course of action.’

‘In our experience they are prepared to go the extra mile for us, which is something we don’t often see.’

‘The team has excellent knowledge and understanding of our sector, as well as the challenges facing MGAs and claims handlers. We appreciate the presentation of choices, which are accompanied by pros, cons and financial implications.’

‘The team are very efficient, quick to respond, ever so helpful and honest. It feels as a client that they take pride in their provision of a good service.’

‘Bronwen Courtenay-Stamp and Ian Brown are both very prompt in their responses, knowledgeable in their field and always have the time to speak to us. They are also clear in their advice, which we really appreciate.’

ARC Legal Assistance Ltd

Collinson Group

Millstream Underwriting Limited

Allianz Insurance

Avid Insurance Services Limited

Claims Settlement Agencies

Whitehorse Insurance Services

Great Lakes Insurance SE

• Achieved an approximate £500k settlement for a cyclist injured in a serious road collision in France.
• Defending an approximate £2m damages claim brought by the estate of a deceased arising out of a ski collision in France.
• Pursuing a cross-border clinical negligence claim for a minor who suffered significant injuries during his birth at a hospital in Australia.

Weightmans ‘ personal injury practice has strong expertise acting for the defence of non-UK insurers in the main, in cross-border matters, namely involving motor incidents which have occurred abroad. Additionally, it is experienced in handling claims involving plastic surgeries which have been undertaken in foreign countries. Team lead Nicholas Richards is noted as willing to  ‘go the extra mile’  for clients. In September the firm secured a major boost with the acquisition of Pierre Thomas Law , taking on an eight-strong team in London.

Nicholas Richards

Simon Ball; Maud Lepez; Belinda Normandale; Virginie Medard

‘Weightmans provides an excellent service for high-value work, which is key for success in the cross-border market.’

‘Nicholas Richards’ expertise in this area is considerable, he is also very responsive and tries to go the extra mile on matters.’

‘Pierre Thomas has a fantastic team with expertise in European jurisdictions, particularly French law.’

‘Maud Lepez is smart, hardworking and achieves the best results for her clients.’

‘Pierre Thomas sorted everything for me in my case following my injury abroad. They helped me every step of the way. I was so relieved and it all took a lot of pressure of my family and I, we were pleased we had found a team with great experience.’

‘Maud Lepez is wonderful and informative. She is very reassuring in legal situations that can be intimidating; a true professional.’

‘Maud Lepez is fantastic. She knows her field very well, which is impressive, particularly in matters which span both UK and French law. She uses her wealth of knowledge to leverage cases to a pleasing and satisfactory resolution.’

‘Simon Ball is the best of the best – a true asset in assisting foreign insurers in defending any claim. Belinda Normandale is an excellent negotiator and Maud Lepez has extensive experience.’

AIG Europe Assurances

Ageas Insurance

Dekra Claims Services

InterEurope AG

Zurich Insurance

Lancashire Syndicate

Global Aerospace Underwriting

CV Starr / Starr Underwriting

• Representing a Polish plastic surgeon and his clinic in Poland in a claim arising for the death of a patient who had attended his clinic for breast reduction surgery.
• Representing an insurance company in a claims sought to challenge the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales to hear the claim.

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Disputes with travel companies

How das law can help you.

Our experienced team of dispute resolution lawyers can provide you with practical legal advice and representation in the event of a dispute with a travel company.

These are some of the outcomes we can achieve for you:

• Compensation for loss of enjoyment of your holiday because of building works etc.
• Compensation for the holiday being cancelled or changed last minute.
• Compensation for injury caused by the hotel or operator.

Important things to consider

Here are some important things you should be aware of regarding your legal problem:

• The Package Travel Regulations only apply to a package holiday which is defined as a pre-arranged combination of at least two of; transport, accommodation, and other significant tourist services.
• The Regulations make the UK operator liable for any breach of contract by any provider of the holiday, such as a hotel, irrespective of whether the provider is based here or abroad, meaning a claim can be brought in the UK Courts even though the holiday was overseas.
• The Regulations, with a few minor exceptions, prevent the operator from increasing the price once the holiday has been booked.

How much will it cost?

If you would like DAS Law to help you with your legal dispute with a travel agency, there are a number of ways to fund your legal costs.

Legal expenses insurance (LEI)

If you have a commercial insurance policy this may include LEI cover. If so, your legal costs may be covered by that policy, subject to its terms and conditions. If you are unsure if your insurance policy includes LEI cover, we will check this with you.

"> Personal LEI

No legal expenses insurance

Unfortunately we are unable to take on private instructions at the moment, and can only work with customers who have legal expenses insurance.

What should I do next?

If you have legal expenses insurance with DAS, please call us on the number listed in your policy.

Senior Associate, Solicitor

Legislation known as the Package Travel Regulations gives protection to people purchasing package holidays. So if your trip qualifies as one of these, you could be entitled to compensation if your holiday didn’t turn out as planned.

William Ellerton, Dispute Management

Read more helpful information on the DAS Law blog

If you have your luggage damaged or lost altogether, you may be able to claim compensation from the airline or through your travel insurance provider.

Are passengers eligible for compensation and under which circumstances can they make a claim? Anthony Di Palma, Solicitor at DAS Law, has the answers.

Elisa Ribeiro has guidance on how you can avoid bad valet parking practices when you book your summer holiday.

Molly-Ellen Turecek from DAS Law explains the circumstances that permit an absence during term time and the penalties parents can face if they are found not to have complied with the law.

Ashlee Robinson, Associate and Thomas Pertaia, Legal Adviser, explain what you need to know around your cancellation rights.

Whilst we try and navigate the ‘new normal’ there are a number of consumer issues which are causing concern. Simon Roberts looks at everything from shopping to holidays.

Nicole Rogers from DAS Law explains what you need to know about claiming on your insurance or taking legal action if you get sick on holiday.

How can you avoid becoming a victim of a holiday scam? And what if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel a holiday that has already been paid for in advance?

Here’s what you can do if unforeseen problems spoil your package holiday.

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Blake Morgan acts for tour operators, travel agents, airlines, intermediaries and destination management companies in all aspects of the leisure travel sector. Our solicitors advise on commercial, corporate and regulatory matters in a complex, highly regulated market.

Our specialist commercial services in the leisure travel sector are backed up by a team of specialist travel litigation lawyers able to resolve disputes and claims from clients, partners and regulators. The leisure travel sector work reflects the high regard in which Blake Morgan is held in the market.

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We advise on compliance with the PTR and LTA Regulations, ATOL, GDPR, digital marketing, and the drafting of commercial contracts with suppliers and business partners, agency agreements, terms of business, distribution and indemnity.

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We have a wealth of experience in the incorporation and set up of new businesses in the sector, including procurement of trading licences such as ATOL and trade memberships including ABTA. We are experienced in drafting agreements with suppliers, travel agents and business partners.

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Our expert travel team have substantial experience in the purchase or sale of leisure travel businesses including due diligence and regulatory compliance.

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Operating via a network of recognised law firms, our expert lawyers offer travel sector advice in all jurisdictions.

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Our tour operator specialists are experienced in managing all types of dispute in the sector. We are able to offer specialist advice and solutions for all sizes of dispute.

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Tour operators hold a wealth of personal data on their customers. We advise on compliance and drafting new documents to comply with GDPR. This includes drafting indemnities for recoveries with multiple sub-processors operating in the sector.

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Our solicitors have engaged with the leisure travel sector for over 30 years. We are members of ABTA and the Institute for Travel & Tourism. We are recognised as leaders in this area by Chambers and Legal 500.

Involved in campaigning against fraudulent illness claims. Acting for a leading hotel chain in Spain and the Balearics in revising commercial indemnities requiring hotels to refund tour operators for litigation claims and settlements where a fraudulent claim is made.


Acting for a worldwide Sales Agent following insolvency of a cruise line and seeking the recovery of substantial losses from the bond held by ABTA.


Acting in the aftermath of a coach fire in Turkey, including dealing with a liability insurer and seeking early settlement of a volume of claims to avoid reputational damage.


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Travel flyer, our experts, stojan essex, michelle davenport, legal director, awards and accolades.

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Best travel insurance companies and policies 2024

In this article

How do you find the best travel insurance?

Best travel insurance policies, best travel insurance: companies and policies compared.

• What's the best type of travel insurance?
• How can I save money on travel insurance?

How much travel insurance cover do I need?

How to compare travel insurance companies, why there are so few best buy policies.

The best travel insurance can't stop things going wrong on holiday, but it can prevent problems – medical issues, cancellations, delays or losses – from having a huge impact on your finances.

Our experts compared over 50 travel insurance companies, scrutinising hundreds of policies, each with more than 60 areas of cover. 

We've assessed information on medical expenses, Covid cover, flight cancellation, compulsory excesses and many other factors to bring you our Best Buy travel insurance policies.

Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of an insurer before committing to any financial products.

Compare travel insurance deals

Check Which? insurance ratings and compare deals using the service provided by Confused.com

We looked at 56 travel insurers, comparing more than 160 policies. See our results in the table below.

We rated six policies as Best Buys – here are the three highest scoring:

NFU Mutual - Home and Lifestyle

• 81% policy score - 2nd out of 161 policies rated. 

We like: NFU Mutual was one of a minority of providers that will pay out if your holiday supplier or airline goes bankrupt. It is one of only two providers that applies its excess (£50) once per claim (rather than per person) – which could save hundreds if you're travelling as part of a group. 

We don't like:  NFU Mutual's travel insurance policies are only available to customers who also hold NFU Mutual home insurance . 

• Read our full NFU Mutual travel insurance review.

All Clear travel insurance - Platinum

• 79% policy score -  joint 7th out of 161 policies rated. 

We like: All Clear was the highest-scoring medical specialist insurer in our analysis. Its policy covers outbound, connecting and returning flights that you miss because of delays. Missed flights cover was available in more than 90% of policies we checked – but only half of policies covered the full round trip.

We don't like:  If your holiday company or airline goes bankrupt and you have to cancel the holiday, you won't be able to claim on the insurance for lost costs. 

• Read our full All Clear travel insurance review.  

Insure and Go - Black

• 77% policy score - joint 10th out of 161 policies rated.

We like:  If you're covering a very expensive trip, the Black policy has one of the highest cover limits for costs if you have to cancel – £10,000. You also don't pay excesses.

We don't like:  If you have a dental emergency while travelling, you can only claim up to £250. As with All Clear's policies, you can't claim if your travel company or airline goes bust.

• Read our full Insure and Go insurance review .

Here's the full details of our findings in the tables below – to access each table, use the 'Select a table' dropdown below.

• The 'Best Buys' table shows the policies that meet our exacting Best Buy criteria . When choosing these, we check for key features of cover as well as data on complaints and claims acceptance rates. 
• The other tables show the top-scoring policy from every provider we've rated. Of all policies reviewed, scores ranged from 83% to 29%.

We've also written comprehensive reviews of the best 16 insurers overall – just click on the links in the table to read them.

Best Buy policies

Table note:  All ratings are for policies available to new customers, and the details were gathered in a survey carried out in April 2023. The information should be considered correct to then. We will next update our policy scores in June 2024. See our full methodology .

For insurers outside our 'Best Buys' list, we've only included the provider's best scoring policy. However, they might offer other policies with fewer features, often at a lower price. We've still scored these policies: find the scores in our individual travel insurer reviews, which cover the biggest and best brands.

If a brand isn't listed in the table it means it didn't take part in our survey and hasn't been reviewed.

  What's the best type of travel insurance?

When picking travel insurance consider the number of foreign trips you'll make over the next 12 months, where you'll go and who with.

• Single-trip and multi-trip (annual cover) Single-trip insurance is aimed at people who are making a single, one-off journey. Multi-trip (annual) provides ongoing cover for 12 months. If you take 3 or more trips per year, multi-trip (annual) is likely to work out cheaper, and you don't have to tell the insurer when or where you're travelling.
• European, worldwide and USA cover European-only cover is usually the cheapest type and worldwide including USA (and often the Caribbean) is the most expensive due to high medical costs. If you've no intention of going to these destinations over the next 12 months, save money by buying worldwide cover that excludes them.
• Individual, couple or family cover You'll have the option to choose how many people to cover under a single policy, although if a member of your party needs specialist cover due to age or health, costs may change.
• Specialist insurance options If you have more specific requirements, for example due to age, or type of holiday, we've assessed the best options for you below. Best cruise insurance • Best travel insurance for over 60s • Best travel insurance for medical conditions • Best ski insurance
• Unexpected events cover Your policy  may include cover for unexpected events, like bankruptcy of the holiday supplier, strikes, civil unrest and more. We've listed which providers' policies have the best unexpected events cover providers.

  How can I save money on travel insurance?

What you'll pay for travel insurance varies hugely by where you're going and for how long.

Take these average quotes, collected for us by Confused.com , for a couple of 50-year-olds with a joint policy:

Source: Confused.com, based on average quotes from 1 January 2023 to 20 November 2023

These are averages, and so you're likely to pay:

• Less if just buying cover for yourself
• Less if you're younger than 50, or more if you're older than 50
• More if you have a pre-existing medical condition

Whatever your situation, chances are you can reduce costs by comparing travel insurance. An annual policy may work out cheaper if you travel multiple times a year.

When should you buy travel insurance?

You should buy travel insurance on the same day you book your holiday.

One of the best features of travel insurance is that it covers you if you're unexpectedly forced to cancel the trip and stand to lose money as a result.

If you leave buying your insurance until the last minute, you won't benefit from this protection, even if some providers might make it slightly cheaper.

With this in mind, you should buy your insurance as soon as you book your holiday – unless you already have annual cover in place.

Should you buy travel insurance from the tour operator or airline?

When you buy your holiday, whether that's through a traditional package provider or a budget airline, you're likely to be offered insurance at the same time.

But cover offered as an add-on to your trip is unlikely to be tailored to your needs and could be more expensive. Always check the wider market to see if you can get better cover for less.

If you do buy add-on insurance, make sure it covers any medical conditions that you have.

Do you already have insurance?

Some packaged bank accounts come with travel insurance as a sweetener, so if you have a packaged account, check whether cover is included.

If you do have travel insurance with your bank account, check its terms carefully and make sure it meets your needs. Does it cover you for trips outside Europe? Will it cover your medical conditions?

If it doesn't, call your bank to see if you can add the cover you need or look for a standalone policy that meets your needs.

You might also have some of your insurance needs met if you have personal possessions cover with your home contents insurance . These policies often protect things you carry on your person (such as gadgets or jewellery) around the world, from loss, damage or theft.

Do you need travel insurance if you have an Ehic or Ghic?

Yes, you still need travel insurance. A Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) – the replacement for the Ehic – is a medical card that can be used throughout the EU. It entitles you to treatment in state hospitals for the same price paid by the residents of the country you're visiting. If they get free treatment, so do you.

But it won't cover the costs of medical transportation (for example ambulance bills or being flown back to the UK where medically needed), alongside costs of cancelling your holiday or returning early, replacing lost and stolen possessions, and many other things - that's what travel insurance is for.

• Find out more:  The Ehic and Ghic explained  

While it can be tempting to get the cheapest cover you can find, this could prove a false economy. Everyone's specific cover needs will be different, but as a starting point, we recommend looking for policies with these minimum levels of cover:

• Medical expenses:  £5 million
• Cancellation cover:  £2,000 – or the full cost of your holiday (which may be higher or lower)
• Personal belongings: £1,500 – or the value of your possessions
• Personal liability cover: £1 million.

Many sports won't be covered as standard, such as skiing and snowboarding , so you'll need to get cover that includes this, or add it on for a fee.

Cruises requre a special type of cruise insurance. If you're considering working abroad, or spending a couple of months abroad, you may need 'backpacker insurance'.

1. Check our tables and reviews

Our experts have assigned each travel insurance policy a policy score, reflecting how comprehensive, overall, the cover is.

It's important to remember, however, that travel insurance is complex – so even providers with high policy scores won't necessarily cover everything you're looking for. For a more detailed look at some of the larger and higher-scoring providers, see our individual travel insurer reviews.

2. Get a travel insurance quote

While looking at our reviews, you can get a quote for travel insurance using the service provided by Confused.com.

You might be able to save by using multiple comparison sites. 

Some insurers don't sell through comparison sites, including NFU Mutual and Direct Line , and specialist medical insurers .

Both the government's MoneyHelper website and the British Insurance Brokers Association have directories of such insurers.

An insurance broker can find affordable cover for unusual scenarios that most insurers won't cover.

3. Check the T&Cs

Before you buy, check the policy wording to make sure you understand what your policy covers, and what it doesn't.

If there are specific reasons you've bought the cover, check these sections to make sure they meet your expectations. Also check the policy's general exclusions and conditions. If anything in the policy is unclear, contact the insurer.

Finally, check what protection your holiday provider offers, because if something goes wrong, you might need to seek compensation from it first before your insurer will accept your claim.

Check you're getting a great deal and search for a new travel insurance policy using the service provided by Confused.com. Get a quote now

Dean Sobers, Which? insurance expert says:

'In our tables, you'll see dozens of products brimming with features and high levels of cover – but just six Best Buys. 

'Unfortunately, it comes down to the difference between what a policy promises on paper, and the depressing reality that we see in the claims statistics. Roughly a quarter of claims made on single-trip and annual European policies were declined by travel insurers in 2022 (the latest stats available). With most kinds of insurance, payout rates are above 90%.

'Not all travel insurers are the same: some – including our Best Buys – were markedly better in this data than others. But a large number of candidates clearing all other hurdles in our analysis fell flat when we reviewed their claims acceptance rates and the numbers of their claimants who'd lodged complaints.

'We'd love to be able to recommend a much wider selection of policies, as we all have different requirements and budgets when shopping around for travel insurance. Hopefully, we'll see insurers do better in future. In the meantime, the best way to avoid disappointment is to be reasonably familiar with the policy's T&Cs when you buy it, as policy exclusions are the most common single reason claims get turned down .

'Each section of a policy wording document (for example, cancellation or delay cover) will include its own exclusions. You'll also need to check the policy's section that details 'general' exclusions and conditions that apply across the policy.'

Frequently asked travel insurance questions

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights.

This depends on whether you can no longer make your flight or the airline has cancelled it.

If the airline cancels your flight, it is generally their responsibility to find an alternative flight or to give you a full refund.

If you can no longer make your flight, perhaps due to illness or accident, then it is not the airline's responsibility. If you have taken out a travel insurance policy and depending on the reason you can no longer fly, you may be able to claim some of the flight costs back. 

You should also check the airline's conditions of carriage if you are going to miss your flight last-minute to see whether you can be moved to an alternative flight.

Can I buy travel insurance after departure?

Yes you can - but you'll need to get a special type of policy called 'post-departure insurance'.

Unfortunately, you're likely to pay more and get less cover than if you had bought standard travel insurance.

Post-departure insurance won't cover incidents that have already happened, such as a delayed flight on the way out. It generally applies from the day after buying, not the same day.

Even though you'll need to cover fewer days, the specialised nature of post-departure insurance means it's likely to cost more per day and overall.

The best approach is to buy standard travel insurance on the same day you book your holiday. Although the insurance only needs to cover the dates of your holiday, from the moment of buying it you'll be covered if, for instance, you need to cancel your trip.

Can I get travel insurance if I'm pregnant?

You can get travel insurance if you're pregnant, especially if your trip is less than 28 weeks into your pregnancy.

Many insurers still offer cover for trips after that point, but check with them before buying, and bear in mind airlines may request extra details such as a letter from your doctor.

Pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing medical condition so you shouldn't have to tell your insurer or pay more.

Standard travel insurance will cover emergency medical care, but ask insurers if antenatal care after premature births will be covered, or cancellation due to pregnancy-related complications.

In general, travel insurance won't pay out if you cancel a trip simply because you're pregnant - it's worth asking airlines and accommodation providers if you can reschedule.

Do I need travel insurance for the UK?

Potentially, depending on the type of trip you've booked.

Many travel insurers will cover the UK; if you have an annual policy check if it includes UK travel.

The main advantage of travel insurance for the UK is cover if you need to cancel your trip (such as because of illness) or lose baggage.

In general, travel insurance only covers paid-for accommodation, sometimes with a minimum duration. So stays with friends and family wouldn't be covered.

Nor will you need travel insurance for medical cover, due to the NHS - though visitors to the Isle of Man and Channel Islands may need insurance for repatriation to the mainland.

Your home contents insurance may cover personal possessions outside the home, but you may have to pay high excesses.

Do I need travel insurance for Europe?

Yes, travel insurance is essential for European holidays. 

The European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) and Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) only entitle you to public medical care at the price locals pay.

That's only in the EU, Switzerland and a few other countries however, and won't cover associated - and very high - costs such as for rescue from ski slopes or repatriation to the UK.

Nor will the Ehic and Ghic cover cancellations or lost baggage, unlike the best travel insurance policies.

• Find out more: The Ehic and Ghic explained  

Does travel insurance cover cruises?

Some, but not all, policies will offer specialised cover for cruises.

In some cases cruise cover will be an optional add-on.

This includes scenarios such as being ill and confined to your cabin, missing your departure during an excursion, or the intinerary being changed. 

We've listed which policies cover cruises and how good they are in our guide to the best cruise insurance .

Does travel insurance cover skiing?

As with cruises, this depends on your policy.

Winter sports cover may be included as standard within your travel insurance, or as an optional add-on.

It should cover scenarios such as piste closure, avalanche delay and air ambulance rescue from the slopes.

We've listed which policies include or offer winters sports cover, and rate that cover, in our guide to the  best ski insurance .

Are you covered for Covid?

Covid isn't the menace to travel that it was a year or two ago, but it's still around and retains the potential to scupper your plans.

Fortunately, all policies we examined provide at least a basic level of Covid cover - covering you if you get ill while travelling and require emergency medical care or medical repatriation to the UK.

Some 98% of those we checked also cover cancellation costs if you can't travel because you're ill with the virus.

From here, the degree of Covid cover varies significantly between policies - meaning you can't make assumptions about what's covered and should check very carefully if Covid cover is a priority for you. 

Of the policies we analysed, fewer than one in ten will pay if your hotel closes because of Covid and you can't get your money back. 

And only a handful of providers cover you if you choose to cancel your plans because the FCDO advises against travel to your destination due to Covid. At the time of our analysis in April 2023, these were:

• Direct Line
• M&S Bank
• Nationwide Building Society

How do I claim on my travel insurance?

For emergency medical claims, your travel insurer will have a 24/7 phone line. It's worth saving the number if your phone prior to travelling.

To make other claims, you may be able to claim by phone and/or online. Don't leave it more than a couple of weeks to claim, as there may be time limits.

• Find out more: How to claim on your travel insurance   

What medical conditions do you have to declare for travel insurance?

Any current or recent medical conditions that haven't been disclosed to your insurer will almost certainly be automatically excluded from your policy. 

In recent Which? research, we found that pre-existing medical conditions were the second most common reason for claims being turned down.

When you declare a condition, you'll go through a medical screening process where you give the insurer information about your medical history. When you buy insurance by itself, this will usually form part of the application process. 

With some providers (for example where the cover is included with a holiday or a bank account), you'll need to contact the insurer separately to have the conditions added. If you're uncertain about what needs to be declared, it's best to contact the insurer. 

• Find out more:  Best travel insurance if you have a medical condition  

How else can you protect your holiday?

Travel insurers only expect you to claim with them if you've been unable to recover your money through other channels.

Book with a Which? Recommended holiday provider

If a package holiday firm cancels your holiday, or airlines can't fulfil flights, you're entitled to a refund by law.

Unfortunately, in the wake of Covid, not all travel providers fulfilled their legal obligations. For peace of mind, opt for one of our Which? Recommended Providers .

• Find out more:  Your legal rights with package holiday companies

Atol protection

If you buy a package holiday that includes flights from an Atol-protected firm, you'll get your money back if it goes bust. You'll also be repatriated if this happens while you're on holiday.

• Find out more:  how do I know if my holiday is Atol protected?

Your credit card provider

If you can, pay for your holiday with a credit card .

If you pay with a credit card for services costing more than £100 and less than £30,000 that aren't provided as advertised, you can claim the money back from your card supplier if the seller (ie the holiday company) won't refund you.

• Find out more:  Section 75

Banks have similar schemes to help you recover money for services that haven't been fulfilled as paid for. These are known as chargeback.

Chargeback can be used to recover debit and prepaid card payments, as well as credit card payments below £100.

Banks aren't legally bound to do this in the same way as credit card providers are under Section 75, so you should always pay for amounts over £100 with a credit card if possible.

How we analyse travel insurance

Our editorial independence means we are able to work on behalf of consumers, not insurers. That means our reviews are fair and there's no hidden agenda.

Policy score

The policy score rates how comprehensive the cover is in a policy – the higher the better.

We've looked at 161 policies, examining 67 elements of cover in each.

Policies are given points for each element of cover, reflecting how competitive their cover is compared with what other policies offer. The policy score shows how well the policy did overall. 

Based on our assessment of which elements are more or less important for customers choosing and using travel insurance, we adjust the impact that points earned in each area has on the overall policy score.

Among the highest-weighted elements are medical expenses cover, cancellation cover and the compulsory excesses on the policy.

How we pick Which? Best Buys

Our 'Best Buy' badge recognises the individual products that stood out as being the most comprehensive in our analysis. 

It doesn't reflect customer service. However, we do look at claims statistics published by the Financial Conduct Authority and complaints data from the Financial Ombudsman Service, where these are available. We won't give a Best Buy badge to providers shown to reject higher than average numbers of claims or that have a poor track record when it comes to complaints.

Policies named as Best Buys did well in our analysis of cover, with a policy score of at least 66%.

Additionally, Best Buy policies scored well consistently across different areas of cover. To make the cut, a policy needs to have scored at least three out of five points in two thirds of the features we compare (see 'Policy score' for more).

Lastly, all Best Buy policies must provide - either as standard or as an option - the following levels of cover as a minimum:

• £5m cover for medical expenses - with emergency medical repatriation and some cover for emergency dental treatment
• £2,000 cancellation and travel abandonment cover - including cancellation in the event that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to your destination country because of civil unrest, war, terrorism or natural disaster after you've insured your holiday
• Cancellation cover because of the illness, injury or death of a close family member or a person you were planning to stay with; cover for travel delays - including cover for missing your outgoing or returning flight due to delays
• £1,500 cover for baggage
• £2m personal liability cover

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More questions on travel insurance? Take a look at our guides:

• Best travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
• Best travel insurance for seniors
• Best cruise insurance
• Best ski insurance
• The Ehic and Ghic explained  
• Golf travel insurance explained  
• How to claim on your travel insurance

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United Kingdom Travel Insurance

What should your travel insurance cover for a trip to the united kingdom, how does travel insurance work in the uk, do i need travel insurance for the united kingdom, how much does travel insurance cost for the united kingdom, our suggested axa travel protection plan , traveling with pre-existing medical conditions , does the uk have any covid-19 restrictions for u.s. visitors, do you need car insurance to drive in the uk, are there any other requirements for traveling to the uk.

At a minimum, your travel insurance should cover trip cancellation, trip interruption and emergency medical expenses. When it comes to international travel, the US Department of State outlines key components that should be included in your travel insurance coverage.  AXA Travel Protection plans are designed with these minimum recommended coverages in mind. 

• Medical Coverage   – The top priority is making sure your health is in order. With AXA Travel Protection, you can have access to quality healthcare during your trip overseas in the event of unexpected medical emergencies.    
• Trip Cancellation & Interruptions  – Assistance against unexpected trip disruptions can dampen the mood, AXA Travel Protection offers coverage against unforeseen events.   
• Emergency Evacuations and Repatriation   – In situations where transportation is dire, AXA Travel Protection offers provisions for emergency evacuation and repatriation.   
• Coverage for Personal Belongings  – AXA offers coverage for your belongings with assistance against lost or delayed baggage.   
• Optional Cancel for Any Reason  – For added flexibility, AXA offers optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, allowing you to cancel your trip for non-traditional reasons.  Exclusive to Platinum Plan holders. 

In just a few seconds, you can get a free quote and purchase the best travel insurance for the United Kingdom.

Picture this: You've planned a scenic road trip through the Scottish Highlands, a land of misty glens and ancient castles. You stumble upon the enchanting Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye. Imagine, a misstep on the slippery terrain, and suddenly you've got a sprained ankle, not the souvenir you had in mind. With AXA Travel Protection, you receive access to our 24/7 emergency hotline.  Speak to a licensed multilingual travel assistance agent, they can help assist and direct emergency transportation if necessary to your location. With an AXA Travel Protection plan, we are here to assist and support you whenever and wherever you may be. Here’s the entire list of benefits travelers can have access to with an AXA Travel Protection Plan:

Medical Benefits: 

• Emergency Medical Expenses: Should you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, your policy may offer coverage for medical expenses, including hospital stays and doctor's fees. 
• Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In case of a serious medical emergency, your policy may include provisions for evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation. 
• Non-Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation : In non-medical crises (e.g., political unrest), your policy may cover evacuation or repatriation, subject to policy terms. 

Baggage Benefits: 

• Luggage Delay: If the airline delays your checked baggage, your policy might offer reimbursement for essential items like clothing and toiletries. 
• Lost or Stolen Luggage: In the unfortunate event of permanent loss or theft of your luggage, your policy may offer reimbursement for its value, assisting you in replacing your belongings. 

Pre-Departure Travel Benefits: 

• Trip Cancellation: You may be eligible for reimbursement if you cancel your trip due to a sudden illness or injury. 
• COVID-19 Travel Insurance: Coverage is available for trip cancellation and medical expenses related to COVID-19, subject to policy terms and conditions. 
• Trip Delay: If your flight faces delays due to unforeseen circumstances, you may have coverage for additional expenses such as meals and accommodations. 

Post-Departure Travel Benefits

• Trip Interruption: In case of an unexpected event, you could be eligible for reimbursement for the unused portion of your trip.
• Missed Connection: If you miss a connecting flight due to delays or cancellations, this coverage may help with expenses like rebooking fees and accommodations.

Additional Optional Travel Benefits:  

• Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver): Exclusive to Gold & Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit gives travelers extra coverage on their rental car against damage and theft. 
• Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders; this optional benefit gives travelers more flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason outside of their standard policy. 
• Loss Skier Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate some costs associated with pre-paid ski tickets that you or your traveling companion cannot use due to specified slope closures. 
• Loss Golf Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate the expenses linked to prepaid golf arrangements that you or your travel companion are unable to utilize due to specified golf closures. 

Americans aren't required to purchase domestic or international travel insurance to visit the United Kingdom. But it’s still highly recommended that you have a travel insurance plan before embarking on your next trip. 

Why? There are several reasons:

Medical Emergencies: Your health is a top priority. If you face a sudden illness or injury in New York, travel insurance offers the means to receive prompt and quality medical care.

Lost Baggage: Airlines sometimes mishandle baggage, and the last thing you want is to be without your essentials in an unfamiliar place. Travel insurance offers to cover the cost of replacing necessary items, allowing you to continue on.

Flight Delays: Travel disruptions like flight delays can happen. If you miss a connecting flight or incur additional expenses due to delays, travel insurance can help cover the costs.

In general, travel insurance to the United Kingdom costs about 3 – 10% of your total prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. The cost of travel insurance depends on two factors for AXA Travel Protection plans: 

• Total Trip cost:  The total non-prepaid and non-refundable costs you have already paid for your upcoming trip. This includes prepaid excursions, plane tickets, cruise costs, etc. 
• Age:  Like any other insurance type, the correlation is rooted in increased health risks associated with older individuals. It's important to note that this doesn't make travel insurance unattainable for older individuals. 

With AXA Travel Protection, travelers to the United Kingdom will be offered three tiers of insurance:  Silver,   Gold  and  Platinum . Each provides varying levels of coverage to cater to individual's preferences and travel needs. 

AXA presents travelers with three travel plans – the  Silver Plan ,  Gold Plan , and  Platinum Plan , each offering different levels of coverage to suit individual needs. Given that United Kingdom hospitals often do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare, we genuinely recommend travelers consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.  

The Platinum Plan  is your go-to choice if you're looking for extra coverage aligned with the United Kingdom experience. " Cancel for Any Reason " offers greater flexibility for those unexpected twists in your travel plans and the " Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver) " offers assistance when you're out exploring the United Kingdom's stunning landscapes in a rental car. 

Additionally, part of the Platinum Plan is the " Lost Skier Days " benefit, offering potential reimbursement if ski resorts unexpectedly close due to ever-changing snow conditions. These perks make the Platinum Plan an excellent option for anyone seeking comprehensive protection during their exciting United Kingdom adventures. 

Traveling with pre-existing medical conditions can complicate your plans, but with AXA Travel Protection, we're here to support you during your trip.   Our Gold and Platinum  plans offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.  The Platinum plan, in particular, is our highest-offered choice for travelers who want our highest coverage limits and optional add-ons, 

What does this mean for you? If you've got a medical condition hanging around, you can qualify for coverage under our Gold and Platinum plan with a pre-existing medical condition , so long as it’s within 14 days of placing your initial trip deposit and in our 60-day look-back period. We're here to ensure you travel easily, no matter your health situation. 

American visitors can breathe a sigh of relief that the UK no longer has any COVID-19 restrictions for visitors coming from the United States. You do not need to fret over getting a COVID test or submit proof of vaccination upon arrival in the UK. 

It’s illegal to drive in the UK without vehicle insurance. This also applies to those driving on an international license, even if it’s only for a brief period. If you are renting a car, however, we strongly recommend you purchase rental car insurance. AXA Travel Protection can help you with that by offering Rental Car Insurance (Collision Damage Waiver.)  This coverage provides extra coverage for your rental car against damage and theft.

American citizens are considered non-visa nationals in the UK. Therefore, they neither require a visa (for short-term travel) nor need to fulfill any other conditions to visit and travel across the UK.

UK Travel Insurance FAQs

1. can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight.

It's advisable to purchase travel insurance for your trip as soon as you have made your initial trip deposit (prepaid and non-refundable trip costs.) 

AXA Travel Protection offers coverage as soon as you purchase your protection plan. We can give coverage against unforeseen events before you leave for your trip. Additionally, our policies offer coverage for preexisting medical conditions and Cancel for Any Reason if you purchase your protection within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit.

2. Do Americans need travel insurance for the UK?

UK law doesn’t require U.S. citizens visiting the UK for a short time (up to six months) to carry travel insurance. However, carrying international travel insurance for the United Kingdom for unforeseen events is a good idea.

3. What is needed to visit the United Kingdom from the USA?

U.S. citizens only need a passport and a ticket to travel to the UK. The passport must have at least one empty page and validity for the duration of your trip.

4. What happens if a tourist gets sick in the United Kingdom?

The UK has a National Health System (NHS) that provides medical care nationwide.  If a tourist gets sick in the UK, they can get medical care from an NHS center.  However, it’s important to note that while the NHS services are free for the locals, tourists are charged about 150 percent of the cost of their treatment.

Disclaimer: It is important to note that Destination articles are for editorial purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. Specifics of travel coverage for your destination will depend on the plan selected, the date of purchase, and the state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy. Contact AXA Travel Insurance if you have any questions.  AXA Assistance USA, Inc.© 2023 All Rights Reserved.  

AXA already looks after millions of people around the world

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Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip.

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Foreign travel insurance

If you’re travelling abroad, it's important to take out appropriate travel insurance before you go.

If you travel internationally you should buy appropriate travel insurance before you go. If you already have a travel insurance policy, check what cover it provides for coronavirus-related events, including medical treatment and travel disruption, and any planned activities such as adventure sports. If you are choosing a new policy, make sure you check how it covers these issues.

If you do not have appropriate insurance before you travel, you could be liable for emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which may cost thousands of pounds.

For example:

You should buy your travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your trip. Read the small print, and familiarise yourself with any exclusion clauses for the policy.

When you travel, make sure you take your insurance policy details with you, including the policy number and your insurer’s emergency assistance telephone number. Share your policy details with people you’re travelling with and friends or family at home, in case they need to contact your insurance company on your behalf.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) represents over 200 insurance companies. Read ABI’s advice on travel insurance , including how COVID-19 can affect it, and their guide on choosing the right travel insurance policy .

In addition to making sure you have appropriate insurance, you should check and sign up to travel advice for your destination.

What to consider when you buy travel insurance for you and your family

• emergency treatment and hospital bills can be expensive. Check whether your policy covers treatment in public or private hospitals
• emergency transport, such as an ambulance, is often charged separately to other medical expenses, and emergency travel home on medical grounds can also be expensive
• pre-existing medical conditions: declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests so that you are covered if anyone gets ill during your trip. Failing to declare something may invalidate your travel insurance
• all activities you may undertake on holiday, such as sports or adventure tourism (you may need specialist insurance for some activities). Also consider all the places you intend to visit, even if you are in transit, in case anyone needs emergency treatment in another country
• cruises generally require an additional level of cover because it is more difficult to get to hospital for treatment. Check the booking conditions of the operator you plan to sail with
• repatriation costs if you or a family member die abroad
• getting home after medical treatment if you cannot use your original ticket
• reasonable costs for a family member or friend to stay with you, or travel out to accompany you home, if required
• 24-hour assistance helplines to offer support and advice about appropriate treatment
• COVID 19 cover for if you or family members cannot return home because you/they test positive for COVID during your travel. Check your insurance covers additional costs such as alternative flights, accommodation and COVID tests. You should also check your insurance provides cover if you cannot reach your final destination during transit due to COVID-19
• within Europe, some insurers may waive any excess on medical treatment if you use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Check the terms of your policy or contact your insurer to see if this is the case. EHIC and GHIC allow you to access state-provided medically necessary healthcare within the EU and Switzerland on the same terms as residents of these countries. Note that EHIC and GHIC are not alternatives to travel insurance as they do not cover any private medical healthcare costs, repatriation or additional costs such as mountain rescue in ski resorts. Find out more about the EHIC and GHIC, including how to apply for one free of charge
• ATOL is a consumer protection scheme for air holidays and flights, managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) . Some insurance policies do not provide cover for when airlines or suppliers go out of business. Choose an ATOL-protected holiday or a travel insurance policy that includes airline or supplier failure cover

Policy exclusions

Check how an insurance policy covers:

• alcohol and drugs: most travel insurance policies do not cover events that happen after you have drunk excessive alcohol or taken recreational drugs or other substances
• high risk destinations: many travel insurance policies will not cover travel to a high risk destination where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel or all travel. Check your policy wording and the relevant country travel advice pages before booking your trip and buying insurance
• mental health conditions: some policies may exclude cover for treatment related to a pre-existing mental health condition. For more guidance see foreign travel advice for people with mental health issues
• age restrictions: check whether there are any age-related restrictions if you are buying an annual policy. The Money Advice Service provides guidance on how to choose the right level of cover, get the best deal, and make a travel insurance claim. It also has specific guidance for travellers over the age of 65 or with pre-existing medical conditions
• sports such as bungee jumping, jet skiing, winter sports or skydiving: these are not usually included in standard policies. Use of quad bikes and hire of mopeds is also usually not covered
• driving overseas: check Driving abroad . If you’re hiring a car, check what cover the hire company provides. If you are driving your own vehicle, check your motor insurance policy to see what it covers
• terrorist acts: most policies offer only limited cover for terrorist acts. As a minimum, make sure your policy covers you for emergency medical expenses and travel home if you are caught up in a terrorist attack. Some travel insurers offer policy add-ons to provide additional cover if there is a terrorist attack in your destination. This may include cancellation cover, if your destination is affected by a terrorist attack before your trip and you decide you no longer wish to travel
• other incidents: some policies only offer limited cover for claims related to or caused by a natural disaster (such as an earthquake or tropical cyclone) or civil unrest. You may also not be covered for some claims that arise from an incident (such as strikes or other industrial action) that was known publicly when you booked your trip and/or bought your travel insurance policy

Insurance for extended periods of travel

‘Long-stay’ travel insurance can cover extended periods of continuous travel. Check carefully the maximum duration allowed in any policy you consider buying to ensure that it meets your needs.

Make sure that the entire policy meets your needs, including specific activities and work (paid or unpaid) you may undertake.

Insurance if you live abroad or go for work or study

Travel insurance is not intended for permanent residence abroad. If you live overseas, or you’re planning to move to a different country to live, work or study, you should consider your insurance needs carefully. Local law may require you to have medical insurance, including as part of a visa application.

Read the healthcare guidance in the Living in guide for the country where you live to ensure you have the right healthcare arrangements for your circumstances.

You can buy private medical insurance for UK expatriates. You can also buy insurance from local providers overseas. You should always check policies carefully, including seeing whether you could transfer medical cover if you re-locate to other countries in future.

Support for British nationals abroad

Support for British Nationals Abroad explains how the FCDO can provide support to British nationals if things go wrong abroad.

Reviewed and updated guidance in full.

Updated guidance on using an EHIC or GHIC to access healthcare in Switzerland.

Updated to reflect new rules for travelling to amber list countries.

Updated COVID-19 section on new rules for international travel from 17 May.

Updated to reflect current COVID-19 travel guidance

New link to the declaration form for international travel (for England), from 8 March.

Edited grey box at top of page to provide further information on requirements coming into affect from 15 February

From 15 February you will need to quarantine in a government-approved hotel if you arrive in the UK from countries on the travel ban list.

Updated with new requirements coming into effect from 4am on 18 January 2021.

Updated with information on pre-departure testing for everyone travelling into England and Scotland.

Updated to reflect latest UK COVID-19 restrictions.

Updated the section on travel to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, to reflect changes from 1 January 2021.

Updated ‘Travel to the EU’ section to reflect that UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will still be accepted in EU countries, with different guidance for people travelling to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland from 1 January 2021.

Updated COVID-19 travel guidance

Updated to reflect the latest Tier-based COVID-19 rules for England

Updated to reflect the 5 November national restrictions for England relating to travel

Updated EU travel section with information on EHIC validity

New information on making sure your travel insurance covers you for coronavirus-related events

Update to contents including addition of new segments; travel insurance after starting travel or changing your plans, making a travel insurance claim, other financial protection and if you’re not covered.

Added information on financial protection of package holidays.

Information on the use of European Health Insurance cards (EHIC) in the event of a no deal added to the EU Exit update section

EU Exit update with advice on checking insurance coverage when travelling to Europe after the UK leaves the EU.

Content and format changes

Inclusion of Association of Travel Insurance Intermediaries (ATII) information.

Updated information on travel insurance

First published.

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Insurance Disputes

We offer expert legal service on resolving insurance disputes to client at a cost effective rate.

Our Insurance Claim Fees | Insurance Claim FAQs

Freeman Harris have developed a speciality in dealing with insurance disputes. We have settled complex cases overlooking a range of insurance issues from building insurance claims to flood and fire insurance disputes.

Assessing legal recourse against insurer

We can directly assist you in identifying if you have a legal recourse if your insurer is refusing to meet your claim. This can be a difficult and often time consuming process, however, due to our experience, we have learned how to make the process efficient.

Once we understand the strength of your case, we can devise a strategy that helps you achieve the intended results.

We work in the following areas of insurance claims.

• Building insurance
• Life insurance
• Fire insurance
• Flood insurance
• Vehicle insurance

How Freeman Harris Solicitors can help insurance disputes?

If you have an insurance dispute, and you would like to find out if you can make a claim against the insurers, please  contact us  to discuss your dispute. We will outline the costs and process after we have a discussion with you on your insurance dispute matter.

Contract Team

Ian has a great understanding of contract drafting especially for commercial purposes, and can assist SME’s with their legal needs.

Abdul carries out a broad range of legal work which includes resolving breaches of contract.

Talha has been working with commercial matters for a number of years overlooking commercial breach of contracts, and resolving them accordingly.

What our clients say?

Common Insurance Claim Questions

When an insurance claim is refused, your insurers will provide you with a reason for the refusal.

There are many reasons why a claim is rejected and some common reasons include:

• Incorrect information being provided to the insurers at any stage.
• Lack of due care or negligence on your part, which resulted in the incident you are trying to claim for.
• You didn’t take truthfully or accurately answer the questions on the insurance application.

Your insurers will provide a reason for the refusal, and if you don’t agree with it, you have to provide your argument against their decision. This can be done through:

• Review your policy documents and learn if all the information you provided was accurate.
• Identify the relevant clauses in the policy documents, which states that you are covered.
• If the policy is ambiguous or poorly constructed, you need to make a note of it.

If you had any further correspondence with your insurers, which highlighted a change in your circumstances, you would want to discuss it with your insurers.

The aim of your argument would be to gather evidence that refutes the claim being made by the insurers.

Insurance disputes can vary in time based on the value and complexity of the claim.

Not all insurance disputes are the same, which is why we need to assess a case before informing your on how long the matter can take.

We have a large number of experience in dealing with insurance disputes. The matters were complex and required specialist knowledge, which is why we would be ideal to work on your claim.

You can contact us to discuss our historic claims, and enquire about our knowledge in this niche area of law.

Person A vs. Building Insurer

Person A, the claimant, is a young enterprising Londoner. He bought a derelict Victorian building in a town on the Essex coast with a view to converting it into several self-contained flats. He went to his usual insurance broker and purchased a building cover whilst he renovated the building. The building was not occupied during the renovation stage, and he travelled to supervise the builders from his London home. The renovation was going well, and 2 flats on the upper floors were completed. One day he received a call from one of his contacts that a local TV channel was covering a fire at his property. The local fire brigade attended quenched the fire, but the building was completely destroyed.

He reported the incident to his building insurers who appointed their own investigators known in the industry as loss assessors. He in turn appointed his own advisors which in the industry are known as loss adjusters. The investigation and negotiations between the two appointed agents continued leading to the insurers to refuse his claim under the contract of insurance on the grounds that he was in breach of the terms of the contract and had failed to report material fact when the policy was purchased.

As in many cases Person A did not consult lawyers in the hope that loss adjusters would be able to settle his claim. Once the claim was rejected Person A instructed Abdul Hafezi to take over the claim from loss adjusters and deal with the insurers and their lawyers.

We agreed to deal with his claim under the no win no fee regime. Insurers continued to deny liability and alleged that apart from material non-disclosure the fire had been caused by defective electrical installation. We attended the premises, took photographs and appointed an electrical contractor to attend the damaged building and prepare a report on the state of the electric installation before the fire. We took detailed statement from Person A, insurance broker Person A’s brother who was managing the project and number of other tradesmen who had worked on the building before the fire. We arranged for purchase of an insurance cover known in the industry as legal expense cover. There is a premium for this policy but only to be paid by Person A if the claim was successful.

The precaution negotiation did not go well. We instructed a senior/junior barrister also on no win no fee basis and instigated proceeding in the Central London County Court. Two years into the litigation and under an obligation imposed by the civil procedure rules the clam was mediated by an independent mediator appointed by the parties. As often happens after whole day at mediation the claim was settled by the insurers together with MA’s legal costs.

It should be noted that since 2013 one cannot recover the extra fee we charge known as success fee and the insurance premium from the insurers and these were deducted from the damages recovered by MA.

Note; insurance policies are often bought via a broker and more than not on the net by completing a proposal form. At the end of the form is a declaration which one would sign. It stats that you have an obligation to disclose all facts leaving it to the insurers to decide if it/they are material to the policy sought. There is a principal known as Good faith in insurance contracts. The onus is on you the proposer to act in good faith and disclose all facts to unable the under writer to assess the risk and determine the premium. Insurers always looks at this point whenever a claim is made and it is thus important to set out comprehensive history on the proposal form to avoid the heartache of rejection.

Generally, we provide an initial assessment for free. If you would like for us to review your policy documents, we will provide you with a fixed fee quotation.

The quotation will cover a review of your policy and a consultation with you where we try to identify the merits of your claim. If we feel you have a case worth fighting for, we can offer you a number of appropriate arrangements.

Copy Right Law Fees

Contact us to resolve your insurance dispute.

Discuss your matter with us.

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Best travel insurance UK 2024 guide

We all deserve a break now and then. And the last thing you want to think of when booking your holiday is something going wrong. But it’s better to be prepared than caught off guard. That’s why you should always consider travel insurance when going on a trip.

But how can you find the best travel insurance policy for your needs? Read our guide below to find out more.

Why do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance protects you financially if your trip away doesn’t go as planned and you incur unexpected expenses for delays, losses or medical treatment.

All travellers can benefit from travel insurance. But travel insurance is particularly important if you are going on an independent trip without a tour operator, because if something goes wrong, you will have no other help.

There are three main types of travel insurance:

• Single-trip cover: this is the most typical form of travel insurance, covering you for a one-off trip or holiday. There will be a time limit on the cover that can range anywhere between one month and 365 days
• Annual multi-trip cover: this allows you to make multiple trips, or have multiple holidays, in a 12-month period, all under the same travel insurance policy. There may be a cap on how long each individual trip can be
• Long stay, or backpacker, cover: this is normally used for around the world trips, gap years, and longer cruises, and can last for up to 18 months

To find the best UK travel insurance, compare policies before you go to ensure you get the right coverage for you and the specific trip you’re planning.

How to find the best travel insurance policy

When comparing policies to find the best travel insurance for your trip, you should consider: 

• Type of cover you need
• Excess (how much you’ll be expected to pay out yourself before the policy will cover you)
• Amount of medical coverage, and why pre-existing conditions aren’t included
• Limit on baggage claims
• Coverage for specific sports and activities
• Any potential rewards and discounts
• Add-ons, such as gadget insurance

Best travel insurance deals and discounts

Looking for the best travel insurance deals from the best travel insurance companies? In most cases, the easiest way to find the best travel insurance deals is to use a comparison website. Travel insurance comparison websites let you compare costs and coverage side by side to find the best UK travel insurance.

The four main comparison websites – Moneysupermarket, Comparethemarket, Confused.com and GoCompare – also often have certain deals and discounts when you buy travel insurance from them, offering some of the best travel insurance deals on the market.

Moneysupermarket : Find the same deal for less, and it will price match and give you a choice of a £20 gift card. Only on annual travel insurance.

Comparethemarket : Two for one cinema tickets with Meerkat Movies and savings at restaurants when you dine out or order pizza in with Meerkat Meals, as well as 25 per cent off coffee and pastries at Caffè Nero every day of the week through the Meerkat app.

(In November 2023, Confused.com and GoCompare had no deals or discounts for travel insurance).

Price is obviously a big consideration when you are looking for the best travel insurance – you’ve probably already spent a lot on your holiday. But you may be able to get much better coverage for just a few pounds extra, so it’s worth scrolling down the comparison site’s list of providers before buying.

Medical costs abroad will undoubtedly be the biggest expense you face if you fall ill abroad, so don’t scrimp on those.

Then think about your next biggest expense (probably cancellation/interruption of your trip) and make sure that you have high-value coverage for that.

If you find you can get much higher coverage (the maximum amount you can claim per type of claim, such as medical or baggage) for not very much more money, go for the slightly more expensive option.

Going direct

Comparison sites won’t always find you the cheapest deals, however. For example, Direct Line offers some of the best travel insurance with Covid cover and is not on comparison websites.

Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer discounts for buying directly from them, as follows:

Bundled coverage options

When looking for the best travel insurance for your holiday, it can make sense to buy a bundle of coverage under one policy.

Comparison websites will often offer add-on gadget cover, winter sports cover or cruise cover all under the one policy. If you need that extra cover, it is typically cheaper to buy your travel insurance this way rather than as separate policies.

What is covered by travel insurance?

The best travel insurance companies will offer you comprehensive coverage across all types of claims. It’s easy to compare the best travel insurance deals using a comparison website.

Medical coverage

This covers you for medical expenses you incur if you become ill or have an accident while away. The best UK travel insurance will have a high level of medical coverage.

For example, medical coverage will pay for any necessary treatment if you come down with severe food poisoning or you fall through a window and have to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.

• Avoid hefty bills or debt for medical assistance outside the UK
• Access better treatment – for example, at private vs public hospitals
• Often, as long as you declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests, you are covered if you fall ill during your trip (check policy exclusions)
• Even the best travel insurance companies will likely charge you more if you have a pre-existing medical condition
• You might have to pay part or all your medical expenses first, then claim on the policy afterwards
• Even the best travel insurance companies do not cover events that happen after you have consumed alcohol excessively or taken recreational drugs or other substances

Trip cancellation/interruption

This insurance pays out the cost of your missed trip if you have to cancel or cut your holiday short due to unforeseen circumstances.

For example, cancellation insurance would normally pay out if you broke your leg just before you were due to travel and had to cancel your trip.

Interruption insurance would cover you if you had to come home early for certain reasons beyond your control – for example, if the area you were staying in was engulfed in wildfires.

• Money you would have lost on pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses is paid to you under the policy
• It can be especially valuable if the trip you are planning is very expensive, as this is money you would lose if you couldn’t go
• You’ll usually only be covered if your trip is cancelled or cut short for specific reasons listed in your policy
• You usually won’t be covered if you miss your flight because you are held by customs or cancel because of a work issue or a pre-existing medical condition that is not covered

Baggage cover

This insurance covers the cost of replacing your luggage if it is lost or stolen.

For example, if an airline loses your luggage in transit or your suitcase is stolen from your hostel while you’re away, you can make a claim for the cost of replacing its contents.

You may also be able to claim for costs related to baggage delay if the airline temporarily misplaced your baggage.

• You can claim for the actual cash value of your belongings or the cost of replacing them (whichever is less)
• High-value items, such as jewellery or sports equipment, can be very expensive to replace without travel insurance
• Standard policies usually place per item and total limits on claims.
• If you are taking very expensive items away, check your policy carefully to ensure that you’re covered (and potentially get a separate policy)
• Some items could be covered by your home insurance policy, so check your policy carefully to see what is any isn’t. It’s also important to note that, should a lost item be covered by both policies, you can only claim once; an attempt to claim twice would be considered fraud

Personal liability

This insurance covers you if you are held responsible for harming another person or damaging their property.

For example, it covers you in situations where you cause serious damage to your holiday accommodation or accidentally stumble into someone else, causing them to need medical treatment.

• The cost of defending yourself in a legal case or repairing/replacing damage could be extremely costly without travel insurance
• Your travel insurance company will take over dealing with a foreign legal system
• You’re covered for the cost of any compensation (up to certain limits)

Limits: 

• Not all travel insurance provides personal liability as standard
• Policies may exclude personal liability while you partake in adventure activities
• Claims related to you committing a crime or damage by wilful negligence won’t be covered
• You likely will not be covered if you admit liability or make an offer to pay before talking to your insurer

Finding the best travel insurance with Covid cover

Looking for the best travel insurance with Covid cover? Many travel insurance policies now include cancellation cover for reasons related to Covid. This often applies within two weeks of being due to travel, according to the Association of British Insurers, but individual policies can vary.

To make a claim, insurers often require proof in the form of a medically approved positive Covid test. A lateral flow test or self-diagnosis is usually not accepted.

What Covid-related cover to look for

The best travel insurance with Covid cover should include the following:

• Cover if you can’t start your trip because you tested positive for Covid before travelling
• Cover if you or family members cannot return home because you/they test positive for Covid during the holiday
• Cover for additional costs, such as alternative flights, accommodation and Covid tests
• Cover if you cannot reach your final destination during transit due to Covid-19

Travel insurance providers with comprehensive Covid cover

Looking for the best travel insurance providers with Covid cover? Most travel insurance policies now offer some kind of Covid cover, but Churchill, Direct Line, M&S and Aviva have some of the most comprehensive offerings, with cover for cancellations and expenses related to Covid.

• Covid covered as standard on travel insurance policies
• Cover for trip cancellations if you, a close relative or a travelling companion is diagnosed with Covid-19 or another pandemic disease
• Cover if you or a person you’re planning to stay with must quarantine (abroad or in the UK)
• Cover if you can’t use pre-booked and pre-paid accommodation affected by Covid-19
• Cover for quarantine or where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel within 28 days of departure
• Cover for emergency medical expenses abroad due to Covid-19

Direct Line

• Cover for travel to a destination where the FCDO is advising against all but essential travel 
• Cover for medical expenses if you catch Covid-19 while you’re away 
• Cover for additional accommodation and transport if you have to quarantine due to Covid
• Cover for cancellation costs if you or a close relative get Covid-19 before you go
• Cover for quarantine or if the FCDO changes its advice after you book your trip
• Cover if you have to cut your trip short if the FCDO changes its country advice unexpectedly

• Cover for emergency medical expenses if you catch Covid-19 during your trip
• Cover for unrecoverable costs up to £6,000 if you must cancel your trip or return early, including if you have to self-isolate or quarantine before you travel due to Covid-19
• Cover for if you need to cancel your trip due to a positive Covid-19 test or if the FCDO advise against travel to your destination in the 31 days leading up to your trip
• Providing you haven’t travelled against FCDO advice, you’ll also be covered if you catch Covid-19 while abroad

• Coverage of up to £5,000 per person if you must cancel your trip due to getting Covid (you’ll need to provide confirmation and evidence of a positive test result)
• Cover for Covid-related emergency medical treatment and expenses while away
• Cover if you unexpectedly need to quarantine, including extra travel and accommodation costs to get home (provided a return trip was booked) 
• Cover for costs for any accommodation and excursions unused due to getting Covid where the costs can’t be recovered elsewhere
• No cover you if you travel against FCDO advice*
• No cover if you can’t travel because you don’t meet the entry requirements of a country (such as having had Covid vaccinations)*

* It’s worth noting that these clauses are not unusual and the majority of providers will have something similar

Tips for selecting the best UK travel insurance packages

Need some help picking the best UK travel insurance packages to make sure that you get the best travel insurance deals? Here are some tips for picking the best policy features for you.

Coverage limits

When looking for the best travel insurance companies to go with, check coverage limits. These are the maximum amounts your travel insurer will pay if you need to claim. You’ll see when you compare travel insurance policies that coverage limits vary for each type of claim and between policies.

The government-backed MoneyHelper website recommends that the best UK travel insurance should have the following minimum coverage for each type of claim:

• Medical: £1m or more for travel to Europe and £2m or more for the US
• Cancellation/interruption: £2,000 or more
• Missed departure: £500 or more
• Delay: £200 or more
• Baggage cover: £1,500 or more
• Personal liability cover: £2 million or more

Deductibles/excess

Deductibles, also known as the excess, is the amount you have to pay out of your own pocket before your travel insurance will start paying for your claim.

You have to make a trade-off when it comes to choosing the excess and the best travel insurance policy for you.

The lower the excess on a travel insurance policy, the better for you if you have to claim because you will have less to pay from your own pocket (or, more often, deducted from your claim).

But lower excess travel insurance policies are more expensive because the insurer knows it has more to pay out if you claim. Higher excess policies are cheaper, but you’ll have more deducted from your claim.

An exclusion on a travel insurance policy is an event the policy will not cover you for.

Common exclusions on a standard travel insurance policy may not be obvious. According to the ABTA – The Travel Association, these include:

• Incidents that occur after drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs
• Theft of unattended possessions
• Sports, extreme sports and activities such as skiing, white water rafting and bungee jumping
• Medical treatment resulting from existing medical conditions you have not declared or conditions preventable by vaccine or advisable medication, such as antimalarials
• Medical costs if you stay abroad after your doctor says you are fit to return to the UK
• Strikes and industrial action if it was known when you booked your trip
• Rescheduled flights where the airline has cancelled and then rescheduled your flight
• Travel to destinations where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel

To get the best travel insurance deals, one way around some of these exclusions is to buy add-ons for adventure activities. In addition, make sure to declare all pre-existing conditions and keep an eye out for any travel disruptions before you book.

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions are illnesses or medical conditions you have and are aware of before you travel.

Travel insurance companies will ask you to disclose any pre-existing conditions. If you use a comparison website, it will be among the first questions you’re asked before it shows you quotes. It’s important to be honest.

Some travel insurance companies, but not all, will offer cover for pre-existing medical conditions, while others will offer cover but exclude any claims arising from that medical condition. This will depend on the person being covered and the medical condition.

Most price comparison websites include an option to show insurers who do offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, so that would be a good place to start.

The following are likely to be considered pre-existing conditions you should disclose, according to the government-backed MoneyHelper website:

• A condition where you are on a list for an operation
• A condition where you are waiting for test results
• Anything you have been to the doctor about in the last year, including minor things
• Any serious conditions you’ve ever had – for example, cancer, heart trouble, respiratory problems or a mental health breakdown

A good tip for everyone, but especially if you have a pre-existing condition, is to buy your travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday. If your condition gets worse and forces you to cancel your plans, you’ll be covered from the day the policy starts.

On family group policies, the cost will be determined based on the riskiest traveller (according to insurers), which could be someone with a pre-existing condition or an older individual. In this case, it is often cheaper for the group for that person to get a separate policy.

Add-on options

Add-ons are extras you can purchase in addition to a standard travel insurance policy. They cost a bit more, but you may find you’re not covered without them. 

Gadget insurance

This covers things that a standard policy may not, such as your mobile phone or laptop. If these items are covered, you may find the claim limits are far less than the cost of replacing them.

Before you add this option to your travel insurance, check your home insurance policy, because you may already be covered.

Winter sports/adventure activities

Riskier activities, such as skiing or white water rafting, often require extra holiday insurance because insurers think that you are more likely to need to make a claim doing these things.

Winter sports/adventure activities cover is worth getting, or you may find you are not covered for medical expenses if something goes wrong.

Standard travel insurance is generally meant for land-based holidays so you’ll need to opt for a specialist cruise policy if your holiday is a cruise.

European FCDO travel advice extension

Most standard travel insurance policies are invalid if you travel when the FCDO advises against “all but essential travel”.

This add-on allows you to travel to Europe with a valid travel insurance policy, even if the FCDO has advised against it.

This can be an expensive add-on, but if you really must travel to a risky area, you will need this extension in order to make sure you have cover.

Best holiday insurance summary

Choosing the right travel insurance is an essential part of enjoying peace of mind while you are on holiday.

When looking for the best travel insurance deals, don’t just pick the cheapest policy. Instead, look for the cover limits that match your requirements. For example, baggage cover of £5,000 isn’t worth having if your baggage is worth £1,000; cancellation cover up to £10,000 isn’t worth having if your holiday cost you £2,000.

The easiest way to compare the best travel insurance is usually by using a travel insurance comparison website.

Think about the sort of activities you’ll be doing while you’re away. You may need extra holiday insurance for things such as winter sports or scuba diving or if you are going on a cruise.

Be honest about any pre-existing conditions when buying your travel insurance, or you won’t be covered if you have to claim.

The best travel insurance is a safety net for you and your family to enjoy your trip away stress-free, knowing that you’re covered for everything from medical expenses to cancellations if things go wrong.

Frequently asked questions about the best travel insurance UK packages

Is travel insurance necessary for domestic travel within the uk.

Even where medical costs in the UK are covered by the NHS, a sudden illness could lead to other expenses, forcing you to cancel your trip, the costs of which travel insurance would cover.

Lost or stolen luggage and broken gadgets or other claims for damage can just as easily occur in the UK as abroad.

What is annual travel insurance, and is it a good option for frequent travellers?

Annual travel insurance is a policy that covers you for multiple trips away within any 12-month period. It is often cheaper than buying a separate policy for each trip if you are planning to go away multiple times in one year.

Annual travel insurance is also useful if you are planning a long trip visiting several countries, as often insurers require you to buy travel insurance before you leave the UK rather than abroad mid-trip.

Are there any travel insurance companies that specialise in certain types of trips or travellers?

Specialist travel insurers cater to specific groups of people. It can make sense to seek out travel insurers that cover your needs.

Adventures Insurance, Sports Cover Direct and Snowcard tailor their travel insurance to those who enjoy activity holidays and extreme sports, for example.

Senior travellers are the focus of policies from All Clear, Avanti, Co-op Insurance Services, Free Spirit Flex, Good 2 Go Extra, Goodtogo Insurance, Saga, Staysure and Total Travel Protection.

Insurers offering business trip cover include Allianz, Direct Line, Coverwise and Insure & Go.

How do I make a claim with my travel insurance company?

To claim on your travel insurance while you are away, make sure that you take your policy number with you and the emergency number for your insurer. If you are travelling abroad, take any international numbers too.

Call your insurer as soon as you realise you need to make a claim. Keep all receipts and medical expense forms. If you are travelling with other people, make them aware of your policy details and the insurer’s phone number in case they need to call on your behalf.

To make a claim when you return home, check the following:

• You haven’t left it too late to make a claim
• What you’re claiming for is covered
• The excess is not more than the value of your claim (if so, it’s not worth claiming)

Notify your insurer as soon as possible for a claim form, send it back fast and keep a copy of it. You should also include copies of paperwork to support your claim, such as receipts or medical certificates (keep copies of the originals in case your claim is queried or refused).

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a freelance journalist, editor, and producer. She has a wealth of consumer finance experience, having written about money matters and business for over 15 years.

During her tenure as a freelance writer, she has worked for ITN, Wired, and The Sunday Times, as well as financial institutions such as Aegon, the Chartered Insurance Institute, and Pension Bee, where she’s presenter of the Pension Confident Podcast.

Laura has previously held roles at The Times, where she was the Acting Editor of Times Money Mentor, The Telegraph as a senior finance reporter and was the co-host of the It’s Your Money Podcast, which was renowned for making complex finance issues accessible, and The Financial Times, where she worked as a News Editor. Laura has also worked at CNN, Politics.co.uk, and as a producer at Radio 5 Live.

Connor Campbell

Connor Campbell is an experienced personal and business finance writer who has been producing online content for almost a decade. 

Connor is the personal finance expert for Independent Advisor, guiding readers through everything they need to know about car insurance and home insurance. From how much it costs to the best insurance providers in the UK, he’s here to help you find the right policy for your needs. 

In his capacity as writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet , Connor explored a number of topics close to his heart, such as the impact of our increasingly cashless society, and the hardships and heroics of British entrepreneurs. His commentary was featured in sites such as The Mirror , the Daily Express and Business Insider . 

At financial trading firm Spreadex, meanwhile, his market commentary was featured in outlets such as The Guardian , BBC , Reuters and the Evening Standard . 

Connor is a voracious reader with an MA in English, and is dedicated to making life’s financial decisions a little bit easier by doing away with jargon and needless complexity.

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Travel Insurance

Updated April 2024

How to apply for cover

The University has a block travel insurance policy which will provide cover to students and University staff travelling on University business.  All travel insurance applications are made through an online applicati on  process: once submitted, applications are automatically routed for departmental authorisation.  If you do not wish to apply for University travel insurance, the system can also be used to register travel details so that in the event of any crisis the University can provide support. The University will not reimburse the cost incurred by individuals if they chose to take out their own, alternative insurance.

Supervisors

The on-line system asks for the name of a supervisor.  For graduate students this must be the main supervisor named on GSS; for research staff this should be either the PI, supervisor or centre director, as applicable; and for undergraduates on their year abroad this will be the IECL Administrator.  The supervisor will be sent a system-generated e-mail asking them to approve the travel, before the application then comes back to the Faculty Office to be processed as normal. 

Application and Approval Process

Insurance cover will only be effective if the application has been approved by the Faculty Office prior to the date of outward travel . If insurance applications are not received prior to travel, staff will not be insured and will be personally liable for the costs of any loss, injury or delay which occurs while they are abroad.  If booking flights, it is recommended that you apply for insurance at the time you make the booking and in all cases at least two weeks before the proposed date of travel to allow time for the application to be processed and approved. For high risk travel requiring Saftery Office approval please apply at least four weeks before the proposed date of travel .

The application process can be accessed through the University travel insurance website . You will be required to enter your personal traveller details the first time you use the system: these will be stored and need only be reviewed /amended as necessary for future applications. You will then need to add trip information and attach supporting documentation by file upload where applicable: this will include risk assessments.

The University’s policy will cover reasonable personal time (e.g. weekends off at the end of a full working week), but if you have considerable personal time booked then you are advised to arrange your own cover for that period.  To be eligible for insurance, staff and students must be travelling on business for the University of Oxford, and must be members of staff or students in the Faculty of Law.  Any queries about this should be forwarded to  Tarquin Holmes  in the first instance.

Risk Assessments

In accordance with University policies on  fieldwork  and  overseas travel   a suitable and sufficient risk assessment is required for all international travel on University business, as well as all fieldwork.  Click below to download the template.

Academic postholders : must complete the whole risk assessment if they are undertaking fieldwork, but need not complete it for low risk travel, because low level risk is managed through the online insurance system. 

Students and researchers : must always complete the first stage of the risk assessment for all travel, and must complete the whole risk assessment for fieldwork and/or medium or high risk travel, and in all cases this must be signed by their PI or Supervisor. 

Fieldwork and Travel Risk Assessment Template

See also: assessing risk for fieldwork and travel

A completed risk assessment must be uploaded to the insurance application prior to submission: your application cannot be progressed without it. Where travel includes any destination which is the subject of a Foreign and Commonwealth Office warning then referral will be needed to the insurers and the template must be submitted at least six weeks prior to planned departure in order for the Faculty to ensure that insurance cover can be obtained.  In all cases the Dean or her authorised deputy must authorise travel requests.

High Risk Travel

High risk travel is travel to countries / regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ( FCDO ) have advised against all travel or all but essential travel, including any ‘red list’ countries.

The University Safety Office must review and advise on the suitability of risk assessments for high risk travel. The Faculty will review your risk asessment in the first instance and it will then go to the Safety Office for review and sign-off. This may involve requests for additional information and corrections so your timetable must allow at least two weeks from submission for the Safety Office to review and respond.

In addition to Safety Office sign-off, the Dean of the Law Faculty must approve high risk travel, which must be academically essential. Full details, including information on what constitutes academically essential travel, are provided in the  International travel approval framework for HIGH RISK travel .

Ethics approval

If your research involves human participants, for example interviewing, participant observation, or archival research where the researcher can trace information back to an individual, you may need ethics approval before you undertake your fieldwork. Please refer to the further information about research ethics .

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What Should I Do if I Have a Problem With My Travel Insurance Claim?

Posted on January 26, 2022

Experienced travelers understand the importance of buying travel insurance. Travel insurance coverage can include a cancellation policy as well as adverse events that might take place during the trip. Yet, even if you have a paid policy in place, it can still be challenging to make claims and receive what you are rightfully owed. With all the policy options and fine print, it can be hard to know what is included. In other cases, the company might be holding back on paying a legitimate claim. If you are having problems with an insurance claim, you may want to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

What Does My Travel Insurance Policy Cover?

With some travel bookings, you need to make all of the payments up front. In other cases, you will make a substantial deposit and make the final payment on a set date. Depending on the insurance company, a travel policy can protect you if you have to cancel the trip or if it interrupted or delayed. Usually, your benefits will be more limited the closer you get to the travel date. A comprehensive policy might also cover emergency medical evacuation costs, costs to replace missing or disappeared baggage, and medical expenses incurred from injuries or accidents experienced on the trip. Most travel policies have many different options to choose from, and like all insurance contracts, you will have to pay more for extra coverage.

If you have to cancel your trip ahead of time and need to make a claim to get reimbursed, the reason will have to be covered in the policy. Legitimate reasons might be your own injury or illness, a job loss, severe weather, family emergency, or military deployment. During the trip, policies may also cover lost or stolen cash, hospital stays, alternative transport expenses, and other covered items.

How Do I File a Travel Insurance Claim?

Before you initiate a travel insurance claim, read over your policy as best as you can. There will be caps on the reimbursable amounts, so you cannot expect to be paid anything over and above those. Also, hold on to any receipts for out-of- pocket expenses due to having to make new travel arrangements related to delays, cancellations, and other problems that were out of your control.

Your travel insurance policy should include a 24/7 customer assistance line that can help you with questions, making claims, and emergency assistance. These phone lines are often busy, so know in advance that you might need to wait until you can reach a person. This person should be able to tell you what you need to do. If you are traveling and experience any problems, that number should be the first one you call.

They should be able to help with locating medical facilities and arranging alternate transportation if you experience problems when you are away. If you are far away from home and there is an accident requiring medical care, you will want to make sure that the facilities you use are covered by your plan. This includes urgent cares, hospitals, and pharmacies.

How Will I Be Reimbursed?

When trips are cancelled, travel insurance companies only reimburse policy holders for prepaid and nonrefundable money that is lost. They will need to see documentation before anything is paid out, too. For emergency situations while traveling, the provider will ask intake questions about what happened and where the customer was treated.

The provider’s customer service representative can let you know how to make a claim, and it will most likely involve considerable paperwork. In many cases, there are delays and you might not see the money for a long period of time. It is also not unusual for claims to be denied. Reasons might include cancellation for the outbreak of a disease, the provider not agreeing that the bad weather conditions were severe enough to delay a trip, and the policy owner not completing the paperwork properly, or failing to provide adequate documentation.

Tips for Buying Travel Insurance

Traveling can be very expensive, and this is why so many people neglect to purchase insurance. Even when they do, the policy can be so long that purchasers do not read it in full. Some policies offer cancellation for any reason; these can be more costly but provide blanket coverage.

Here are some guidelines for travel insurance policies:

• You need to be covered for the trip’s full duration, from the time you walk out of your house until you get back home.
• Make sure to cover all of the items you will be bringing, including that expensive laptop, jewelry, and anything else of value. Some policies may not be able to cover these.
• If you have pre-existing medical conditions, let the insurer know about them. Otherwise, they may attempt to sue you for fraud.
• Do you plan to engage in a dangerous activity, such as skiing? This may not be covered.
• Ask if the provider has a pandemic insurance plan.
• Travel agents can be helpful when it comes to recommended travel insurance plans. Seek out their opinions if you are booking through them.
• Many of these policies offer free look periods. You can buy a policy and then take that time to read everything over and ask questions. If you are unsatisfied with the offerings, shop for a better policy.
• Understand the exclusions and limits, and keep them in mind when making your final travel plans. You might want to leave that expensive laptop at home.

Warren Insurance Lawyers at Herold Law Can Help You if Your Travel Insurance Provider Has Unjustly Denied Your Claim

Insurance policies often put up roadblocks when customers try to make claims, and many times, those barriers are against the law. If you are dealing with this dilemma, get in touch with one of our Warren insurance lawyers at Herold Law , P.A. For an initial consultation, call us at 908-647-1022 or complete our online form . Located in Warren, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas, including Plainfield.

• Category: Insurance Law

Contact Our Law Firm for All Your Legal Needs

Herold Law, P.A., provides a full range of legal services for businesses in New Jersey, New York, and Florida. To speak with a legal professional experienced in your area of need, call 908-679-5011 or complete our simple intake form on our website to schedule a consultation. While located in Warren, New Jersey for the convenience of our New Jersey clients, we also serve clients in New York and Florida. © 2024 Herold Law, P.A. - All Rights Reserved.

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Understanding Travel Insurance

(This may not be the same place you live)

  What is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance reimburses an individual for the costs related to unexpected events which may arise during their trip. Travel insurance is designed to cover the individuals who chose to purchase the coverage for certain financial implications which may arise during their trip.

Travel insurance coverage may include costs incurred prior to the trip, such as a non-refundable event ticket or a hotel stay and during the trip, which may include medical expenses and travel interruptions. If purchased, the five main categories travel insurance would cover includes:

• Trip cancellation;
• Travel medical;
• Major medical;
• Emergency medical evacuation; and
• Accidental death or flight accident.

Trip insurance is a type of insurance which is similar to travel insurance. Coverage for trip insurance usually provides for:

• Trip delays;
• Trip interruptions;
• Trip cancellations; and
• Other related issues.

There are numerous unanticipated issues which may arise while an individual is on a trip. For these reasons, trip insurance may provide some financial protections in the event that a trip must be canceled due to:

One additional benefit of trip insurance is that it also acts as a form of emergency financial assistance for the duration of the trip. There are many variations of trip insurance plans which may be available that provide coverage for:

• Vacation and trip cancellation;
• Travel interruption, delays, and cancellations;
• Missed connections;
• medical emergencies;
• dental emergencies; and
• other health related expenses;
• Expenses resulting from lost or delayed luggage; or
• Accidental death or dismemberment.

It is important to be aware that the trip insurance does not cover events which are known to the individual on the date that they purchase the insurance. If something that was expected actually causes a claim, that claim will not be covered by the trip insurance.

Trip insurance plans provide individuals with a Description of Coverage. If a specific peril or incident is not listed in the Description of Coverage or if a specific incident or peril is specifically excluded from the Description of Coverage, it will not be covered.

For example, if an individual purchases specific pre-existing medical condition coverage, in order for that coverage to be in effect, the pre-existing medical condition must “take a turn for the worse” while on the trip.

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

What is trip cancellation insurance, what is trip interruption insurance, what is typically excluded from trip insurance coverage, is trip insurance necessary, do i need a lawyer for my travel insurance issue.

In most cases, an individual’s existing homeowner’s insurance or health insurance policies will cover an individual’s medical costs or lost property, both at home and while on vacation. In addition, an individual’s life insurance should also cover them and their family while they are traveling.

Airlines are required to reimburse an individual if they lose their luggage. An individual may want to purchase additional trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance to cover any losses which are not covered by their existing homeowner’s insurance or health insurance plans.

Reasons why travel insurance may be worth purchasing include, but are not limited to:

• Protect the cost of the trip if the individual has a travel delay or needs to cancel the trip;
• delayed; or
• damaged luggage and/or
• Protect from costly medical bills in case an individual is injured or becomes sick while traveling abroad.

Trip cancellation insurance covers an individual for the period of time prior to departing on their trip but not during their trip. If an individual is forced to cancel their trip because of an unforeseen event which affects them, a close family member, or their traveling companion, trip cancellation insurance will reimburse them for any pre-paid, non-refundable expenses that they cannot use, such as airline tickets or hotel rooms.

Trip cancellation insurance will cover cancellation or interruption of a trip for the following reasons:

• Sudden business conflicts;
• Change of mind in going on trip;
• Delay in getting your visa or passport;
• Illness or injury; and
• Weather-related issues.

Trip interruption insurance covers an individual during their travels and will reimburse them for any costs they incur in the event that an injury or illness forces them to interrupt their trip. Trip interruption insurance will cover an individual’s costs for returning home early and will often cover medical evacuation costs.

If an individual is merely delayed during their trip, this form of insurance may cover the expenses caused by that delay as well as any additional costs which are incurred to return the individual to their original itinerary.

As previously noted, an individual’s trip insurance provider should provide them with a Description of Coverage, which will outline what is and what is not covered by that specific insurance plan.

There are, however, some common circumstances that are excluded from coverage, including:

• Cancellation due to war;
• Cancellation due to terrorism, except when a location is only recently experiencing terrorist attacks;
• Cancellation for inclement weather weather, unless the weather is deemed extremely threatening; or
• Cancellation resulting from the outbreak of a disease.

Trip cancellation insurance is a separate form of insurance that covers an individual for the period of time before their departure but not during their travels. Therefore, if an individual is forced to cancel their trip because of unforeseen circumstances, the trip cancellation insurance will reimburse them for any costs which were prepaid and are non-refundable.

This may extend to situations which affect:

• The individual;
• The individual’s close family member; or
• The individual’s traveling companion.
• The expense must be unusable, for example, hotel rooms or airline tickets.

No, it is not necessary to purchase trip insurance prior to traveling. As noted above, it is likely that an individual’s existing homeowner’s insurance or health insurance policies will cover their medical costs or lost property, both at home and while traveling.

In addition, an individual’s life insurance policy should cover the individual and their family members while traveling. It may, however, be a good idea to purchase additional trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance in order for an individual to cover any losses which are not covered by an individual’s existing insurance plan.

Trip insurance may also be worth the cost because it will protect the cost of the trip if an individual finds themself needed to cancel their trip or if there is a travel delay. For example, it may offset an additional expense, such as those incurred due to travel delays or due to delayed, lost, or damaged luggage if the airline fails to provide fully for these circumstances.

In addition, trip insurance may protect an individual from costly medical bills which they may incur from being injured or sick while traveling. Traveling, especially abroad, is often costly even when no issues arise.

Trip insurance, in its various forms, can be a worthwhile additional expense in order for an individual to avoid more costly situations. An emergency medical evacuation or an accidental death or flight accident are some of the more extreme examples of what trip insurance may cover if it is purchased.

The language used in travel insurance policies may be complex and ambiguous. For example, you may have a different interpretation than your insurance company as to what is an unforeseen event or who qualifies as a close family member.

If you have any issues, questions, or concerns related to travel or trip insurance, an insurance attorney can assist you. Your attorney can review the policy prior to purchasing it and explain the benefits and reimbursements that may be provided.

If you have already purchased a policy, your attorney can explain the benefits of the policy and whether it may be possible for you to cancel the purchase, if you wish to do so.

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Money latest: The parents paying their kids hundreds of pounds for good grades - and what psychologists think

As exam season approaches, some parents are putting hundreds of pounds aside to reward their children for certain grades - and we've asked experts if they think it's a good idea. Share your thoughts on anything we cover in the form below, and we'll be back on Monday with live updates.

Saturday 20 April 2024 14:39, UK

Weekend Money

• Should you offer kids cash rewards for good grades? The psychologist's view  
• Amex hikes, inflation and child-free pubs: What our readers said this week
• Money news of week: Inflation falls, wages grow and fuel warning for drivers

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Ask a question or make a comment

By Brad Young, Money team

As exam season approaches, some parents are putting hundreds of pounds aside to reward their children if they achieve certain grades. 

While some parents lambasted the idea as "absolute potatoes", others told Sky News they saw their children's focus increase after offering up to £250 for the top results.

Among them was Sarah Cook, 45, from Dorset, who said cash incentives had improved her eldest daughter's concentration at GCSEs and she promised her youngest, Merryn, the same offer: £100 for a 9, 8 or 7 (A*/A in old money), £50 for a 6 or 5 (B) or £20 for a 4 (C). 

"We were definitely all for it and happy to pay up based on achievement. I think it reflects real life as well - if you do well in your job, you tend to get paid more," Ms Cook said. 

Merryn, 13, added: "I think it is better for the motivation and for that extra encouragement to get the highest you possibly can and to push yourself more."

Robert Gidney, from Norfolk, said his 14-year-old son's results had improved by a grade since the family decided on reward money: £250 for a grade 9, reduced by £50 for each lower grade, with no reward for grades below 5.

"He seems to be concentrating a lot more on it. He has been studying a lot more and putting a lot more effort in."

He admitted the practice might not be for everyone - something mother of two Sarah Paterson, 57, from Cheshire, would agree with. 

"Never in a million years," she said, recalling how her children, now aged 26 and 37, would protest that their friends were being offered cash rewards. 

"It's absolute potatoes. What are you setting you kids up for there? 

"If they are going to academic, they are going to be academic. Life is about self-motivation."

What the psychologists say

External motivators like money can help children focus in the short term, but they "eventually kill off intrinsic motivation", said Dr Cath Lowther, general secretary of the Association of Educational Psychologists. 

She said all children were intrinsically interested in learning, but regular external incentives "erode the engines of motivation" that cause them to find joy in learning or set and achieve their own goals. 

It could also cause conflict and jealousy in some schools, with "children in that classroom who can't afford breakfast". 

There is already too much pressure on children, said Dr Emma Citron, consultant clinical psychologist and chartered member of the British Psychological Society. 

They are already trying to catch up after the pandemic and taking exams that could determine if they get a university place, she said. 

"I just think that it's sending all the wrong messages as parents. You're adding to their pressure and actually, more importantly, changing the dynamic between you and your children. 

"You're making it conditional on outcome, on reward, rather than what we know to be good, which is unconditional approval and validation."

Parents ought to be "quietly supportive" and act in a pastoral capacity, she said. 

Teachers split on the practice

Charlotte, a biology teacher at a private school, who did not wish to give her last name, said approximately 20% of a given year group were offered cash incentives by their parents. 

The educator of 30 years said those children often found academia harder, misbehaved or hadn't put in much work before exam season. 

"It's not that much fun, revising, it's pretty dull, so I think anything that is an incentive is probably a good thing."

She said her children, now adults, were not offered cash, adding they had dyslexia and dyspraxia. 

"They knew that what we required was just for them to do their best," she said.

A 26-year-old teacher at a state school in Reading said she hadn't found cash incentives were common during her four years as a teacher, but she was offered money by her parents when she took exams. 

"I think sometimes it could be effective, but it could put more pressure on the pupil and I don't know if it's healthy," said the teacher, who did not wish to be named. 

"They are going to feel disappointed if they don't get the grades no matter what."

Dr Lowther said cash incentives spoke to a wider problem with the British schooling system, where external motivators are built in from the start, rather than practices that foster intrinsic motivators like autonomy and connection to others.

From gold stars at reception to narrow choices in the national curriculum, schools focus on extrinsic incentives, she said.

"It would be great if there could be some real thinking about the curriculum and getting science behind how it's developed and how it's implemented," she said. 

Each week hundreds of our readers share their thoughts on the things we've been covering in the Money blog.

This week's comments have been dominated by these topics...

• Our feature on renting your home out to celebrities;
• Wednesday's inflation announcement; 
• Changes to American Express cards;
• The prospect of child-free pubs. 

We learnt on Wednesday that inflation had eased to 3.2% from 3.4% in March.

Many readers said they felt no difference in their wallets after the announcement, with these two comments summing up the general mood...

It definitely does not feel like inflation is coming down. And isn't that what really matters, especially with elections coming up. These figures will feel like fake news to the majority of people. oellph

We're told inflation had fallen however the prices at the tills still remain unchanged. A pint is sold at £6-7, the weekly shop has reduced somewhat but only slightly, petrol and diesel prices are back on the rise and everyone is struggling to pay their bills and save money. Reggie

Others looked towards the summer's expected interest rate drop... 

A double-edged sword here. As interest rates go down, so will the value of sterling. So up go the costs of imports. kinlochdavid

Big money rentals for the stars

We got dozens of comments last weekend from hopeful readers with properties they thought would be perfect for a film set after our feature...

I live in Wales... I have a small two-bed, with a mountain and woods behind. Any good? Marc

I'm happy to let stars use my house for filming Pardeep ahluwalia

I have a beautiful period property full of antique furniture. I don’t live in part of it and a film crew could use it for filming and change it as they wished Margo

How would I go about letting my house out to film crews? Mia Foster

As our feature set out, parking, easy-going neighbours and having one large room for equipment help make your house an attractive prospect for filming.

Much of the industry is based in London but, between them, the three agencies contacted by the Money team for the feature have organised filming in Manchester, Birmingham, the Midlands, the Home Counties and coastal areas.

Others were less keen on the idea...

I wouldn't let them anywhere near my house I've seen the state they leave them in Gary pledger

Child-free pubs

Another talking point this week was whether kids should be allowed into pubs - after one unnamed boozer went viral online for a sign declaring it was "dog friendly" and "child-free". 

Lots of social media users were upset by the idea...

But many of our readers agreed:

Kids should NOT be allowed in pubs. It's an adult pass time. If I go for a drink, I expect peace and quiet, not people's brats running riot. Linda

All pubs used to be child-free. What's the problem? Wilco

There should be more child-free pubs, only places like a Beefeater or a Toby Carvery should be allowed children in. We have pubs/working men's clubs in our village where there is nothing for children to do or play with. These types of pubs are not places for children. Claire

American Express changes  

From November, the amount BA Amex and BA Amex Premium Plus cardholders will need to spend every year to get "two-for-one" companion vouchers will rise to £15,000.

American Express is also increasing the annual fee for its Amex Premium Plus card from £250 to £300 - an inflation-busting 20% increase.

It's safe to say the change went down badly with some of our readers... 

Does anyone really think paying over £600 per year for an American Express Platinum card is good value? They must be absolutely nuts!!!! Big Daddy Smooth

These increases from Amex are outrageous and totally unacceptable. I will be cutting up my card and sending it back. OutragedAmex

A spokesman for Amex said the companion voucher "remains an industry-leading credit card benefit", while both cards "continue to provide great value for customers".

On Wednesday, we found out that inflation has eased to 3.2%  from 3.4% when the Office for National Statistics released the latest data.

Economists had predicted the figure, which covers the month of March, would fall to 3.1%. 

It's important to remember that this doesn't mean prices are coming down - they are just rising slower. 

All eyes will now turn to decision-makers at the Bank of England as they prepare to consider cutting interests rates next month. 

You can read more on that here ...

A day earlier, the ONS released its latest data on wage growth. 

Wages excluding bonuses grew by 6% in the three months to the end of February, compared with the same period a year ago. 

A Reuters poll of economists had predicted wage growth would slow to 5.8% from 6.1% in November to January. 

The figures, while welcome on the face of it for struggling households, made for worrying reading at the Bank of England, which is assessing the timing for a long-awaited interest rate cut in its battle against inflation.

We also got a warning from the RAC and AA after government data showed petrol prices had risen by 8p since the start of the year. 

The two companies said the price at the pump could go well above 150p a litre . 

During this week alone, the cost has gone up by 1.6p - there has not been a sharper weekly rise since August 2023.

Average pump prices for diesel have also increased to 157.5p, the highest since November 2023.

"With increased tensions in the Middle East, the cost of oil is only likely to go up, which could push petrol well above 150p a litre," RAC fuel price spokesman Simon Williams said. 

This was echoed by AA fuel price spokesman Luke Bosdet, who said pump prices were climbing towards the point "drivers fear". 

"It is a psychological shock that shouts out from the price boards each time motorists drive past," he said.

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

Tesla has recalled more than 3,800 of its Cybertruck models following complaints that the accelerator pedal is at risk of getting stuck, US regulators have announced.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had contacted the carmaker, founded and run by Elon Musk, about the issue earlier in the week.

That was after a video came to light, on the billionaire entrepreneur's X platform and TikTok, showing how a rubber cover attached to the accelerator could come loose, pinning the pedal down.

It has since been watched millions of times on both platforms.

Meta's AI has told a Facebook user it has a disabled child that was part of a New York gifted and talented programme.

An anonymous parent posted in a private parenting group, asking for advice on which New York education programme would suit their child.

They described the child as '2e' which stands for twice-exceptional and means they have exceptional ability and also a disability.

"Does anyone here have experience with a '2e' child in any of the NYC G&T [Gifted & Talented] programs?" the user asked.

"Would love to hear your experience, good or bad or anything in between."

Instead of getting a response from another parent, Meta's AI replied.

"I have a child who is also 2e and has been part of the NYC G&T program," it began.

Read more on this story here ...

People who are fit to work but do not accept job offers will have their benefits taken away after 12 months, the prime minister has pledged.

Outlining his plans to reform the welfare system if the Conservatives win the next general election, Rishi Sunak said "unemployment support should be a safety net, never a choice" as he promised to "make sure that hard work is always rewarded".

Mr Sunak said his government would be "more ambitious about helping people back to work and more honest about the risk of over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life" by introducing a raft of measures in the next parliament.

You can read more about what they include here ...

Building society reforms - backed by MPs - could help people trying to get on to the property ladder.

The Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill is closer to becoming law after its third reading was unopposed in the Commons.

The idea is to expand societies' lending capacity via modernisation.

Tory MP Peter Gibson the bill would help with "cutting red tape" and removing "outdated bureaucratic governance systems not faced by the big banks". 

It follows a government consultation which looked at how to allow building societies to "compete on a more level playing field with banks".

The bill is government-backed and Labour is behind it too, saying the changes will support "more working people to become homeowners".

Labour's Julie Elliott, the bill's sponsor, said: "It is important to acknowledge that whilst the housing sector has recovered significantly since the record low mortgage approvals during the COVID pandemic, approvals currently are still below that which we saw before the pandemic. 

"That is why I think a bill like this, which gives more choice to the building society sector to operate in the interests of its members, is a good thing."

Treasury minister Gareth Davies offered the government's support and said the bill would help ensure the "future growth and success" of the building society sector. 

Labour's shadow Treasury minister Darren Jones said building societies "direct a significant proportion of their lending to first-time buyers" and the bill "could unlock significant additional lending capacity".

The bill will undergo further scrutiny in the House of Lords.

By  James Sillars , business reporter

There was a worse than expected performance for retail sales last month, defying predictions of a consumer-led pick up from recession for the UK economy.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported sales volumes were flat in March, following an upwardly revised figure of 0.1% for the previous month.

It said sales at non-food stores helped offset declines at supermarkets.

Sales of fuel rose by 3.2%.

ONS senior statistician Heather Bovill said of the overall picture: "Retail sales registered no growth in March.

"Hardware stores, furniture shops, petrol stations and clothing stores all reported a rise in sales.

"However, these gains were offset by falling food sales and in department stores where retailers say higher prices hit trading.

"Looking at the longer-term picture, across the latest three months retail sales increased after a poor Christmas."

While the performance will not damage the  expected exit from recession  during the first quarter of the year, it suggests that consumers are still carefully managing their spending.

While the  cost of living crisis  - exacerbated by the  Bank of England's interest rate rises  to push  inflation  down - has severely damaged budgets, wage growth has been rising at a faster pace than prices since last summer.

Separate ONS data this week has shown the annual rate of inflation at 3.2% - with wages growing at a rate of 6% when the effects of bonuses are stripped out.

Economists widely believe consumer spending power will win through as the year progresses, despite borrowing costs remaining at elevated levels.

"Misleading" labelling in some supermarkets means shoppers may not know where their food comes from, Which? has said.

Loose cauliflowers, red cabbage, courgettes and onions at Sainsbury's, peppers, melons and mangoes at Asda, and spring onions at Aldi had no visible origin labelling on the shelf or the products themselves, the consumer organisation found during research.

Only 51% of people find origin information on groceries helpful, a survey found.

Two thirds (64%) said they would be more likely to buy a product labelled "British" than one that was not. 

Almost three quarters (72%) said it was important to know where fresh meat comes from, while 51% said they wanted to know where processed and tinned meat comes from.

Under current rules, meat, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, honey and wine should be labelled with the country or place of origin.

"Research has uncovered a surprising amount of inconsistent and misleading food labelling, suggesting that - even when the rules are properly adhered to - consumers aren't getting all the information they want about their food's origin," said Which? retail editor Ele Clark.

"Supermarkets should particularly focus on labelling loose fruit and vegetables more clearly."

An Aldi spokeswoman said: "We understand that our shoppers want to know where the food they buy comes from, and we work hard to ensure that all our labelling complies with the rules.

"When it comes to fresh fruit and veg, we are proud to support British farmers and aim to stock British produce whenever it's available. Customers understand that at this time of year that isn't always possible, but we remain firmly committed to supporting the British farming community."

Asda said: "We have stringent processes in place to ensure country of origin is clearly displayed at the shelf edge and on products themselves where applicable, at all our stores.

"We have reminded our colleagues at this particular store of these processes so that customers are able to clearly see the country of origin."

A spokesman for Iceland said: "At Iceland our products are great quality and value for customers and we follow UK government guidance on food labelling, including country of origin."

A Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: "We have processes in place to make sure country of origin information is clearly displayed on the product or shelf and we carry out regular checks working closely with our regulator, the Animal and Plant Health Agency."

By Jess Sharp , Money team 

Barclays has been criticised for making the "ludicrous" decision to limit how much cash its customers can deposit in a year. 

Ron Delnevo from the Payment Choice Alliance said the move was a "disgrace" and accused the bank of trying to force businesses to stop accepting cash. 

From July, the change will mean Barclays customers can only deposit up to £20,000 per calendar year into their personal accounts. 

The limit will reset every January. 

It comes after Natwest made a similar decision last year, capping deposits to £3,000 a day, or £24,000 in any 12-month period. 

"The decision by Barclays is ludicrous. This is plainly an anti-cash move," Mr Delnevo told Sky News. 

"It is trying to take free choice from people. It's like it is saying, 'if you are using cash, then we think you are a criminal'.

"It's a disgrace quite frankly and there is no excuse for it. It's just wrong." 

Asked if he was concerned other banks could follow suit, he said: "Definitely." 

He gave the example of someone selling a car for cash. "How would you deposit the money into your account?" he asked.

Barclays said the change was being made to help it identify "suspicious activity". 

"We take financial crime and our responsibility to prevent money laundering seriously," a spokesperson said. 

"We have contacted customers to let them know that from July we are making some changes to the amount of cash customers can deposit into their Barclays accounts.

"We have set the limit at an amount that will allow us to better identify suspicious activity, while still ensuring our customers have access to cash."

The UK's estimated 23 million pet owners are at risk of a new kind of scam, one that took nearly £240m in the first six months of last year. 

Scammers are now targeting the most vulnerable owners – those who’ve lost their pets. 

Fraudsters are turning to lost pet forums and websites to claim they've found missing pets, demanding a ransom payment for their return.

Figures from UK Finance reveal this type of fraud – known as Authorised Push Payment (APP), when a victim is tricked into sending money directly to a criminal’s account - cost British consumers £239.3m in the first six months of 2023.

James Jones, head of consumer affairs at Experian, has some tips on how to avoid the scam...

• Never pay the ransom – If someone is demanding a large sum of money in exchange for your pet's safe return, call the police immediately. Never pay the money upfront, as it will most likely be a scam. Be sure to take a step back and analyse the situation.
• Examine the photos - is it a fake? – In an era where the use of artificial intelligence to fabricate photos is becoming increasingly commonplace, spotting a fake is becoming more challenging. But if you do receive a suspicious photo, make sure to take a closer look to determine whether it is in fact your pet. To do this, check if the photo has been taken from your social media profile and reframed to pass as a recent photo. You should also check for any signs of photoshopping. This could be the way the image has been cut, or the lack of shadows. It is also always helpful to get a second opinion – what you might miss, another person could spot.
• Spotting fabricated stories – Scammers may share specific personality traits you recognise about your pet to convince you they legitimately have it in their possession. However, they may be getting this information from adverts you’ve shared on missing pet websites, or even details shared about your pet on your social media profiles. Be extra cautious and question their authenticity.
• Be careful not to overshare on social media – While sharing information of pets on social media channels is commonplace, this can make them a goldmine for fraudsters. Always be careful about posting personal details, such as your address, pet’s name, or your location in real time. This is all information a fraudster could use to their benefit. Even if you have a private account, you still need to be cautious, as fraudsters have sophisticated methods for obtaining personal information.
• Avoid using your pet’s name as your password – The easiest password to remember is your pet’s name, but unfortunately fraudsters know this too. Of course, you need to be able to remember your passwords, but it’s vital not to make them too simple. The ideal password should contain a minimum of 10 characters using a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. As a rule of thumb, it’s also best to ensure you are using muti-factor authentication, when possible.

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UK weather-related insurance claims reach record £573m

Flood and frozen pipe damage caused by series of storms, says Association of British Insurers

Storms and heavy rain pushed up weather-related home insurance claims in the UK by more than a third last year to a record £573m, according to industry data.

The repair bill for storm damage and other extreme weather during 2023 was £150m more than in 2022, the Association of British Insurers said, contributing to an overall 10% rise in residential property claims settled last year.

The increase was fuelled by a succession of storms including Babet, Ciaran and Debi, according to the ABI. The weather total includes flood damage as well as burst pipes in freezing temperatures, which accounted for £153m, mainly at the beginning of 2023 at the tail end of a cold winter.

The average weather-related payout was approaching £5,000 in 2023 compared with a little over £3,000 in 2022.

The ABI data only goes back to 2017, and in real terms, taking inflation into account, British weather damage claims in the past may have rivalled the 2023 record, especially during the winter floods of 2015-16 , and the summer floods of 2007

Nonetheless, the weather trend appears unlikely to have reversed in 2024, with continuing wet weather and a succession of winter storms. Storm Henk triggered almost £150m in claims in the first week of January alone, according to PwC estimates. This January was the wettest on record for 250 years, although a mild winter, including the warmest-ever February , may have reduced burst pipe claims.

Louise Clark, policy adviser at the ABI, said: “Extreme weather events may not feel so rare as they used to as we grapple with a changing climate.

“Insurers continue to be there for affected homeowners, with payouts hitting record levels after a particularly difficult autumn and winter, with seemingly countless storms, from Agnes onwards, leading to significant flooding. While insurance will continue to protect homeowners and businesses, we can’t afford to lose momentum on our flood defence programme.”

High temperatures have also prompted other insurance claims, with 2022’s summer heatwave reportedly contributing to a 45% rise in subsidence cases that year.

The ABI said total property payouts across homeowners and businesses reached £4.9bn in 2023, just over half for residential claims, or around £13m a day on average.

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While the total number of claims remained fairly level, the average claim paid to businesses and homeowners rose to £6,235, an 11% increase compared with 2022.

Despite rising premiums in 2023, the ABI said that, adjusted for inflation, the average cost of combined buildings and contents cover for a home has fallen by 13% since 2017.

• Insurance industry
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