As temperatures plummet and the UK braces for a snowy weekend, there’s never been a better time to plan your next holiday to sunnier shores. But before you grab your passport and book those flights, there’s one essential item you shouldn’t forget: travel insurance.
Whether it’s a city break or a two-week escape to the beach, understanding when to buy, how to find the best deals, and what coverage you need will save you stress and money. Here’s everything you need to know about travel insurance in 2025. The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as you book your trip.
This means you’re covered for any unexpected events that could disrupt plans, such as illness, injury, or unforeseen cancellations. Many policies include trip cancellation coverage, which reimburses you if you need to cancel your holiday for valid reasons.
Buying early also allows you to crunch numbers by comparing policies and choosing the one that best suits your needs, rather than scrambling at the eleventh hour. If you’re booking a last-minute trip, don’t worry — most insurers allow you to purchase a policy right up until your departure date.
Just make sure you’re fully aware of the coverage you’re buying, especially for emergencies like medical expenses or flight cancellations. Yes, travel insurance is highly recommended for Europe in 2025. Since Brexit, the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) has been replaced by the UK GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card) for most travellers — unless they have a right to a UK EHIC under the withdrawal agreement.
