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Best travel insurance UK 2024 guide

compare travel insurance uk

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

icons8-scales-96

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.

Young woman in international airport looking at the flight information board, holding passport in her hand, checking her flight

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.

compare travel insurance uk

  • 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

compare travel insurance uk

  • 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

compare travel insurance uk

  • 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

compare travel insurance uk

  • 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.

Close-up of a person holding a phone taking a picture of a beaut

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).

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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 new profile April 2024

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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compare travel insurance uk

What is travel insurance?

Woman wearing sunglasses

Travel insurance is a policy that can protect you should an accident or loss occur, prior or during your trip in the UK or abroad.

The protection can cover you in case your flight is cancelled, your hotel is unavailable, you fall sick or are injured while you are away. Or your belongings, gadgets or money are lost or stolen. 

You can buy individual, couple or family travel insurance, and you can choose from a single trip to a named destination, or a multi-trip policy which lasts for a year.

You might need to take out a specialist policy or specify if you plan to undertake water sports or skiing, if you're going on a cruise, or if you have any existing medical conditions.

How it works

Enter your details.

Enter your details Tell us a bit about your business – such as name, industry and turnover.

Compare covers

See how much different types of insurance would cost you.

Apply or save

Start your policy straight away, or save your personalised quote for 30 days.

COVID-19 and travel insurance

It's important to get travel insurance to cover a range of risks, and find out how much you insurer will provide for COVID-19 related issues.

If you decide to travel against government advice or to a country that the FCO advises against travelling to, then you will not be covered by a travel insurance policy.

Do I need travel insurance?

Young kids in travel costumes

It's not a legal requirement to have travel insurance, but is a very good idea. Firstly, you will be covered if your holiday is cancelled or your hotel is unavailable.

You will also be covered for medical expenses, which is very important when you are outside the UK as most countries do not offer free healthcare.

If you were to need urgent medical treatment in the US or Europe, you would be charged for your care. That could run into hundreds and maybe thousands of pounds.

What our customers say

Types of travel insurance, single trip travel insurance.

Single trip travel insurance , covers you just for one holiday to one destination and is the cheapest option if you just have one trip arranged.

Annual travel insurance

Annual travel insurance , covers multiple trips abroad during a 12-month period. You will need to specify what countries you are planning to visit. For example, if you are only planning to travel within Europe it will be cheaper than a worldwide policy.

Worldwide policy

If you're travelling outside Europe, you will need to buy a worldwide policy. The price will depend on where you are going to visit. For example, a trip to the US will increase the cost of your travel insurance because medical care there is very expensive.

When to take out travel insurance

When you book a trip it's a good idea to book travel insurance at the same time

Be prepared to change your travel plans and/or cancel

Flexible flights or holiday packages make it easier to make alternations in the future

At this point in time, no one can reliably predict how travel rules and regulations might change this summer.

Although travel insurance can cover you for some risks, it will not cover every possible problem connected with the coronavirus.

What is the best travel insurance to get?

Mother and daughter in pool

The best type of travel insurance is the one that best fits the holiday you are going on.

If you're making a single trip and don’t plan any more holidays this year, a straightforward policy to the country you are visiting will be most suitable.

However, if you're planning a couple of holidays, or have an itinerary with multiple trips, you may be better getting an annual travel insurance policy. 

The whole process should only take a couple of minutes:

put in the details of your party

destination

dates of travel

When you have chosen which cover you would like to buy you can filter the results based on medical cover, cancellation cover, baggage cover or the amount of excess you need to accept.

What cover is there for healthcare post Brexit?

Many people may still have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which entitles UK citizens to healthcare within the EU. It is not a substitute for travel insurance, but it does cover you if you are ill or have an accident in an EU country. The Brexit agreement means that the EHIC cards can still be used until their expiry date. They cover pre-existing medical conditions and there are an estimated 27 million in issue.

Once your EHIC has expired, or if you have never had a EHIC, you will need to apply for a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Unlike the EHIC, the GHIC does not cover medical treatment in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. The GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance as it does not cover repatriation, cancelled flights, or problems with your accommodation.

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance can help cover your costs or reimburse you if:

You fall ill or are injured while you’re away

Your possessions are lost, damaged or stolen

Your trip is cancelled or abandoned for a specified reason

Depending on the type of policy you choose, you could be covered for extras such as delayed baggage, loss of travel documents, missed excursions and many more.

You might need to take out a specialist policy or specify if you plan to undertake any extreme or winter sports, if you are going on a cruise, or if you have any existing medical conditions.

Some policies exclude more dangerous activities such as riding jet skis or scuba diving.

You can take out a travel insurance policy for just yourself, joint cover for you and partner, or insurance for your whole family or group.

Find more details on  what travel insurance covers .

Why would you need travel insurance?

In the UK we are used to having free healthcare and free treatment at hospitals for Accident and Emergency, but this is not the case in the rest of the world.

Many countries ask people to pay for medical treatment and this can end up being very expensive if you need medical help while you are abroad particularly in the United States with some medical bills reaching tens of thousands of pounds. Some private hospitals will refuse to treat you unless you can prove that you will be able to settle your medical bill, or you have travel insurance policy documents to show them.

A travel insurance policy will mean that you can claim back any costs that you incur if you are sick or injured while you are away, as well as the cost of flying you home if you need further treatment in the UK.

A holiday insurance policy also covers you if your flight is cancelled or your hotel is not available, and if you lose valuables or money during your trip. It gives you peace of mind so you can enjoy your holiday

When should I buy travel insurance cover?

It might be tempting to put it off until your suitcases are packed, but it’s advisable to get travel insurance as soon as your holiday is booked.

If you buy travel insurance with cancellation cover, you’ll be covered from the moment you buy the policy, rather than the start of your trip. That means you can claim if your flight or holiday is cancelled due to circumstances beyond your control.

It’s worth checking the policy details as most insurers will lay out specific circumstances in which they will pay out on cancellation cover, for example if you can no longer travel because you fall ill, become unemployed, or have to deal with the death of a family member.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Cover could cost as little as a few pounds for a short trip in Europe, for example, but the cost will vary depending on how comprehensive the policy is and any extras that are included.

The price will depend on many factors including where you are travelling to, your age, and how much cover you need.

You might find it’s more expensive to cover cruises, winter sports and existing medical conditions — but it’s important to weigh up the value of the cover compared to the cost of your holiday. You should also consider the cost of receiving emergency medical care, as this can quickly build up to thousands in the worst case.

You can find out how much travel insurance will cost you by getting a quote below. It takes just a few minutes and you don’t need to provide many details.

How to compare travel insurance

Don’t just choose the cheapest travel insurance. Use our travel insurance comparison tool to look at the options available and select the best travel insurance for you based on where you are going and what cover you will need.

Getting a travel insurance quote

Our travel insurance comparison tool means when you need to compare travel insurance, getting a quote is simple and easy. Firstly, put in where you are going and for how long, then provide details of yourself and the other people in your party. You will need to let us know if anyone has a pre-existing medical condition. Once you have put in all the details, we will give you a quote or a range of quotes. The whole process should only take a couple of minutes. When you have chosen which cover you would like to buy you can filter the results based on medical cover, cancellation cover, baggage cover or the amount of excess you need to accept.

If you have a pre-existing condition, you can still get a quote. These conditions could include cancer, stroke, serious heart, respiratory and terminal conditions.

Some insurers might not cover you if you already have a serious medical condition, or if you have a number of conditions. Others might only offer insurance at a much higher price. If you're unable to find suitable cover, the Money and Pension Service (MaPS) has also set up a directory of insurers willing to cover customers with pre-existing medical conditions.

You can contact the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) or you can telephone 0800 138 7777.

Then when you have chosen the right travel insurance cover for you, you can buy online by clicking through. It is that simple!

COVID-19 restrictions

Am i covered for covid-19 by travel insurance.

A travel insurance policy should cover you if you're unable to travel because you have tested positive for COVID-19. You'll likely need to provide proof of this when you make your claim.

However, each insurance policy will be different, therefore, it's important to look at the small print when you are comparing policies.

What if my destination goes into lockdown or won’t admit me?

UK travel insurance companies will most likely follow the advice of the Foreign Office regarding travelling abroad if there's another lockdown.

If the Foreign Office advice is not to travel, your UK travel insurance will probably not cover you for travel. In this event you may be able to rearrange flights for a later date or different destination.

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How do I make a travel insurance claim?

How do I claim on my travel insurance? Find out how to make a successful travel insurance claim if the worst does happen on your holiday.

compare travel insurance uk

Find out if a single trip travel insurance policy is the best choice for you. Your questions on how to get cheap single trip travel insurance answered.

compare travel insurance uk

Find out if annual travel insurance (also known as multi-trip cover) is the best choice for you. All your questions answered, plus tips for getting the best deal.

compare travel insurance uk

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Travel insurance covers you for costs that could occur when you are travelling, find the best travel product for your needs, what is travel insurance.

A travel insurance policy protects you against costs you’d otherwise incur if problems arise when travelling. A good policy will cover you for essentials such as cancellation, lost luggage, delayed flights, stolen property, illness, injury and repatriation.

Sometimes, travel insurance is called “holiday insurance”. You don’t legally need it to travel, but it could prove invaluable if something happens while you were away.

A good policy will cover you for essentials such as cancellation, lost luggage and delayed flights."

Do I need travel insurance?

If you experience problems when travelling, you might have to fork out a lot of money.

For example, if you fall ill overseas, your medical bill can run into tens of thousands of pounds or even more, especially if you must remain in hospital for some time or need to be repatriated. 

Don’t fall into the trap of only getting round to travel insurance when you’re pretty much on your way to the airport. Always search for and buy cover when you book your trip, so you’re protected against cancellations or delays, which could wreck your holiday even before it begins.

The right policy will contain all the elements you need. For example, the personal belongings cover limit should be higher than the cost of replacing any expensive items you’re taking with you.

Worldwide travel insurance 

It’s also worth considering worldwide travel insurance if you are travelling outside of Europe.  Worldwide travel insurance can either include or exclude the USA, Canada and the Caribbean, so read the small print.

Types of travel insurance

Single trip insurance.

This covers you for one trip to just one location (or locations - for example, if you’re travelling to a few destinations) for a specific period of time. The cover ends when you return home.

Multi-trip travel insurance

This covers you for every trip you make during a 12-month period. The best policy will depend on what cover you want and how often you travel. If you’re only going on one or two holidays in the next year, it’s usually a good idea to get single-trip travel insurance.

If you travel more often, annual travel insurance could work out much cheaper in the long run. Here’s how to choose between single-trip travel insurance or annual travel insurance.

How to choose the best travel insurance

Shop around, get the right kind of policy, don’t always get the optional extras, what does travel insurance cover, not covered with some policies, how does pre-existing medical conditions impact travel insurance.

Any pre-existing conditions must be declared when you apply for travel insurance. You’ll need to share information about these when you get your holiday insurance quotes and apply for a policy.

If you don’t declare your medical conditions, you cannot claim on your holiday insurance should you fall ill as a result of your condition. For example, if you don’t tell your insurer about your angina and then suffer a heart attack or stroke while on holiday, your policy probably won’t pay out.

That’s why it’s important to be as open and honest as you can when you sort out travel medical insurance. You might like to find specialist cover for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you don’t declare your medical conditions, you cannot claim on your holiday insurance."

How can I get cheap travel insurance?

It’s important to find the best travel insurance for your needs rather than just searching for cheap travel insurance. That’s because cheap holiday insurance might not cover what you need.

If you just need standard travel insurance, searching on a comparison site will provide you with an ample selection of policies to consider. 

If you have more specific needs, such as a pre-existing medical condition, you may need to speak to a specialist. The Money and Pensions Service and the British Insurance Brokers’ Association should be able to help you find affordable cover.

Do I need extra protection or a specialist policy?

Not all activities are covered on every holiday insurance policy. Depending on what you’ll be doing while you’re away, you might need extra cover for activities that aren’t included as standard.

You can tailor your policy with extras such as:

Extreme and winter sports cover: This is for accidents that happen while you take part in sports such as skiing or snowboarding. You might see this being called ski travel insurance

Business cover: This provides cover if you’re travelling for work purposes

Golf cover: This covers your golfing equipment and other associated costs

You can also get specialist policies, including:

Travel insurance for seniors: This is for older people, who are statistically more likely to make a medical claim

Pre-existing medical conditions: This travel insurance element is for people with diagnosed health conditions

Cruise travel insurance: Cruise insurance covers incidents such as cabin confinement or a missed port

Backpacker travel insurance: If you’re going away for longer than usual periods, such as a gap-year trip, you may wish to consider backpacker insurance policies

Family travel insurance: If you’re travelling as a family, this can be a good way to save on the costs as it covers you all

Do I legally need to have travel insurance?

No, but you should never travel without it because medical treatment abroad can cost tens of thousands of pounds or more.

When should I buy travel insurance?

It’s best to buy travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday. That way, you’ll be covered if something happens that means you can’t go or you’re delayed. This could include illness or weather disruptions – but check your policy carefully to see what you’re covered for. If you’re not insured, you won’t be able to claim.

Remember that with travel insurance, you’ll usually have to pay for any costs yourself, and your insurer will pay you back later when you claim. So don’t forget to keep receipts and bills to prove what you paid for.

When might I not need to buy travel insurance?

While you should always travel with insurance, you might not need to buy a policy if you already have it through another source, such as through work or as part of a packaged bank account .

Can I get travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions?

Yes, but it can be more expensive, and not all insurers will cover you. This guide explains how to find travel insurance with pre-existing conditions .

Will my destination be covered?

Most popular destinations will be, but check your policy and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) because some countries may not be insured if they are deemed dangerous.

How long can I go away for?

It depends on your policy, but most insurers offer maximum single-trip lengths of between 30 and 90 days. 

Some insurers will offer longer lengths of cover, such as up to 120 days, although there may be upper age limit restrictions.

Can I claim for cancellation before my holiday starts?

Yes, you’re covered from the moment you take out your policy. For this reason, it’s best to buy travel insurance when you book your trip.

Do I need travel insurance in Europe if I have a EHIC?

Yes, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) only gives you access to basic state-provided healthcare when in European Union countries and Switzerland. It doesn’t cover ongoing care, medicines or repatriation costs.

Despite Brexit, the cards remain valid until their expiration dates. When your EHIC expires, you can replace it with a EHIC UK or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

Will travel insurance cover me if I travel for business?

Yes, and some policies will offer business cover as an extra to cover gadgets and other devices, including laptops and mobile phones as well as business equipment.

Explore our travel insurance guides

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Best Travel Insurance

Here's our pick of the UK's best travel insurance policies, based on independent research 🏆

Top 10 Travel Insurance 2024

  • Cedartree, Platinum 🥇
  • Avanti, Deluxe – up to 16.8% cashback 🥈
  • Tesco Bank, Premier 🥉
  • Columbus Direct,Gold – up to 20.8% cashback
  • LV=, Premier – up to £12.80 cashback
  • Covered2Go, Platinum
  • AA Travel Insurance, Gold
  • Direct Line, Single Trip & Annual
  • FreeSpirit, Gold
  • Puffin Insurance, Platinum

We also have specific Top 10s for Backpacker / Long Stay Travel Insurance and Pre-existing Medical Conditions Travel Insurance .

How did we come up with this list?

We used an algorithm to combine independent ratings from Which? and Fairer Finance with Mr. Travel's summaries of customer feedback from reviews websites 🤓  

Top 10 Travel Insurance Reviews

Read on for insights into the policy features of 2023's best travel insurance policies, as well as a summary of what the experts make of them.

Cedartree Travel Insurance: Platinum Policy

Tailored for Specific Needs

Cedartree's Platinum policy offers a range of specialized coverages to address specific requirements. With a 75% Which? policy score and a ranking of 16, Cedartree stands as a reputable provider. The policy includes medical expenses cover (£15,000,000), baggage cover (£3,000), and cancellation cover (£7,500). Cedartree specializes in cover for cruises, but not for medical conditions, travellers over 65, or winter sports activities.

Read the full Cedartree review or get a quote .

Avanti: Deluxe Policy

Unlimited Medical Expenses Cover

Avanti's Deluxe policy boasts unlimited medical expenses cover, setting it apart from other providers. With a Which? policy score of 70% and a ranking of 41, Avanti provides superior Covid Cover and caters to those with medical conditions. The policy also includes baggage cover (£3,000), cancellation cover (£10,000), and no excess payable on medical claims.

Get up to 16.8% cashback on Avanti travel insurance at Quidco, or read the full review .

Tesco: Premier Policy

Cover for Every Occasion

Known for their vast range of products, Tesco offers a comprehensive Premier policy that ranks impressively at number 3 with an 80% Which? policy score. With superior Covid Cover, Tesco's policy delivers an extensive range of coverage. Notably, the policy provides a high medical expenses cover of £20,000,000, baggage cover (£3,000), and cancellation cover (£10,000). Tesco also offers cover for cruises, winter sports activities, and backpackers .

Get notified about cashback on Tesco travel insurance by Quidco, or read the full review .

Columbus Direct: Gold Policy

Competitive Benefits for Explorers

Columbus Direct's Gold policy secures a 67% Which? policy score and ranks 47th, highlighting its competitive benefits. The policy provides medical expenses cover up to £15,000,000 and includes baggage cover (£2,500) and cancellation cover (£50,000). You can also avail specialized coverage for medical conditions, cruises, and winter sports activities.

Read the full review of Columbus Direct Travel Insurance , or head over to Quidco for up to 20.8% cash back .  

LV: Premier Policy

Trusted Protection for All

With a Which? policy score of 77% and ranking at number 11, LV's Premier policy offers comprehensive coverage. The policy includes medical expenses cover (£10,000,000), baggage cover (£3,000), and cancellation cover (£10,000). LV specializes in providing coverage for medical conditions, cruises, and travellers over 65.

You can get up to £8.50 cashback on LV= travel insurance at Quidco – or you can read our full review of LV= Premier here .

Covered2Go: Platinum Policy

A Comprehensive Cover for Everyone

Covered2Go's Platinum policy stands out as a top choice due to its multitude of features. With a policy score of 79% from Which?, it secures a prestigious fifth position among 71 providers, ensuring high-quality coverage. Notably, Covered2Go excels in Covid Cover with its superior rating. Moreover, the policy offers extensive medical expenses cover (£10,000,000), baggage cover (£5,000), and cancellation cover (£7,500). They also specialize in providing coverage for medical conditions, cruises, travellers over 65 , and winter sports enthusiasts.

Check out our complete review of Covered2Go here .

AA: Gold Policy

Trusted and Reliable Assistance

The AA, a renowned name in the UK, brings forth their Gold policy with a solid Which? policy score of 74% and ranks at number 21. Similar to Covered2Go, the AA offers superior Covid Cover . The policy features medical expenses cover up to an impressive £15,000,000, along with comprehensive cover for airline failure and cancellation (£5,000). While they don't specialize in certain areas such as medical conditions and cruises, the AA does provide winter sports coverage.

Looking for an in-depth review of AA Travel Insurance ? We've got you covered!

Free Spirit: Gold Policy

The Saviours for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?

Free Spirit's Gold policy resonates with those who have pre-existing medical conditions, earning a Which? policy score of 72% and ranking 32nd. With specialized coverage for medical conditions and cruises, Free Spirit has tailored its policy to meet the unique needs of these travellers. The policy offers up to £10,000,000 in medical expenses cover, baggage cover (£2,500), and cancellation cover (£5,000).

Read our full review of Free Spirit here .

Direct Line: Direct Line Single Trip & Annual

Simplicity and Convenience in One

Direct Line makes travel insurance simple and convenient with their Single Trip and Annual policies. With a solid Which? policy score of 76% and ranking at number 17, Direct Line ensures complete coverage. The policies provide a medical expenses cover of £10,000,000, and include baggage cover (£1,500) and cancellation cover (£5,000). Direct Line also caters to winter sports enthusiasts.

Read our longer review of Direct Line travel insurance , including customer reviews.

Puffin Insurance: Platinum Policy

An Adventure Awaits

Puffin Insurance's Platinum policy completes our list, with a Which? policy score of 75% and ranking at number 19. The policy offers medical expenses cover of £10,000,000, baggage cover (£2,500), and cancellation cover (£5,000). Puffin Insurance stands out by providing specialized cover for winter sports activities but does not specialize in medical conditions, cruises, or travellers over 65 .

Read the complete review of Puffin Travel Insurance here.

Looking for reviews on the best of the rest?

Did you know, Mr. Travel has reviewed more than 100 travel insurance companies? 🤯

See all the travel insurance reviews here .

Or, read our guides to the hottest topics in travel insurance.

Reviewed: 100+ UK travel insurance providers

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Compare Car Insurance Rates for Free| June 2024

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Drew Gula is a NerdWallet authority on auto insurance. He previously worked as the senior content editor at Soundstripe and as the senior writer in Liberty University's marketing department. Drew is also a published author. He is based in Nashville, Tenn.

Lacie Glover

Lacie Glover spent more than five years covering health care costs and all types of insurance as a NerdWallet writer before becoming an assistant assigning editor in 2019 and later an assigning editor on the insurance team. As a writer, her work was featured in The Associated Press, The Motley Fool and U.S. News & World Report. Lacie is a NerdWallet authority on insurance products and loves data, analytics and solving SEO mysteries.

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Car insurance prices keep climbing nationwide [0] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . Motor vehicle insurance in U.S. city average, all urban consumers, not seasonally adjusted . Accessed May 29, 2024. View all sources . You can minimize the impact on your wallet if you compare car insurance rates with multiple insurers. This is because each company has its own “secret sauce” when it comes to setting rates, and their recipes change with time. That's why comparing rates from two car insurance companies may reveal wildly different results for the same driver.

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See what you could save on car insurance

Why you can trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. Our data analysts take stringent measures to eradicate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, including rates from every location in the country where coverage and data are available, so you can rely on the prices we present. When comparing auto insurance rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing. Read our methodology .

  • Compare car insurance rates by age

It’s hard to determine which factors have the most impact on your car insurance rate because each company weighs those factors differently. We can tell you what most of those ingredients are, but there’s no way to know which is the most important with a particular insurer.

So, to help you find the best price for the insurance you want, we can show you average annual rates for minimum and full coverage car insurance . To narrow it down even further, we've collected average rates for drivers with various driving experiences and credit histories in every state and for every major auto insurance company.

» MORE: Get free car insurance quotes

Your age can have a big impact on your car insurance rate. For example, you might already know teen drivers have some of the highest car insurance rates on average, but they aren’t the only ones. Although your rates will likely decrease once you hit your thirties, most drivers tend to see higher rates once they reach their 70s.

Below are the average costs of full and minimum coverage, by age, for drivers with good credit and a clean driving history, according to our June 2024 analysis.

Compare insurance rates for 20-year-olds

Drivers around the age of 20 typically get higher car insurance rates because they are more likely to get into accidents than older drivers, on average. NerdWallet recommends comparing car insurance quotes to find the cheapest option available, even if it may not be as affordable as other age groups.

To get more insight into how your age affects your car insurance, we compiled average annual rates from nine of the 10 largest private passenger auto insurers in the country based on market share data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Data for Liberty Mutual wasn't available.

Average annual rate for 20-year-olds, by company

Rates vary from company to company. For example, full coverage from Geico for a 20-year-old costs $2,454 a year, on average, while the average price from Farmers is $6,030 .

Dive deeper below by comparing annual rates for 20-year-olds by state. Rates are averaged across the country separately for full and minimum coverage.

*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.

Average annual rate for 20-year-olds, by state

Average car insurance rates for a 20-year-old driver vary significantly from state to state. Some states, like Hawaii and North Carolina , have average annual rates of $1,911 or less for full coverage. In other states, such as Louisiana and Rhode Island , car insurance costs $6,301 or more per year, on average, for the same driver.

See how your state stacks up below.

Compare car insurance rates for 35-year-olds

Because drivers around the age of 35 get in fewer accidents than younger drivers, they typically can get lower car insurance rates than 20-somethings.

Average annual rate for 35-year-olds, by company

Aside from USAA (which is only available to military, veterans and their families), American Family provides the lowest price for full coverage for 35-year-olds, at $1,279 , on average.

Farmers comes in the highest at $2,578 , on average.

The table below compares national average annual car insurance rates for 35-year-olds by company. Keep in mind that not all car insurance companies are available in every state.

Average annual rate for 35-year-olds, by state

While average car insurance rates fluctuate by state, 35-year-olds in several states — including Wyoming , Vermont and New Hampshire — can pay $1,119 or less per year, on average, for full coverage policies. Similar drivers in Louisiana and Texas could pay $2,567 or more a year for full coverage, on average.

Florida is the only state with median rates as high as $3,067 a year for 35-year-old drivers with full coverage car insurance.

  • Compare insurance rates by driver history

Car insurance companies pay close attention to a variety of factors when determining rates. We’ve analyzed rates for a few of the most common driver "profiles" to give you an idea of how much insurance might cost for each one.

Use these links when comparing auto insurance rates for specific driver histories:

Average rates for drivers with a DUI .

Average rates for drivers with poor credit .

Average rates for drivers with a recent accident .

Compare car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI

After a DUI, your auto insurance rate will go up — in some cases, it could even double. But one thing you can control is your choice of insurance company. A DUI can affect car insurance rates for three to 10 years, so it’s a good idea to shop around for the best rates after getting a DUI.

If you have a DUI, you may be required to submit an SR-22 form , depending on your state’s requirements. Insurers can typically file an SR-22 form for you. However, some car insurance companies drop drivers who have a recent DUI or other serious offense.

Average annual rate for drivers with a DUI, by company

Below you can compare average car insurance rates from different companies for 35-year-olds before and after a DUI. Keep in mind that not all of these options are available in every state.

Average annual rate for drivers with a DUI, by state

In Florida , the average insurance cost for drivers with a recent DUI is 38% higher, on average, than for similar drivers with no incidents — $1,192 more a year. However, in our analysis, a DUI in North Carolina added $5,629 to the annual cost of full coverage car insurance for 35-year-old drivers.

See below for how your state measures up.

While your car insurance rate will almost always increase after a DUI, it’s clear that the amount it increases will depend partially on where you live.

Compare auto insurance rates for drivers with poor credit

Your credit history is one of the largest factors affecting your car insurance rate. ( California, Hawaii and Massachusetts don't allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates. ) Carriers use credit history to determine how likely you are to file a claim.

Average annual rate for drivers with poor credit, by company

While rates may double for some drivers with poor credit, know that every company considers credit differently. An insurance company may evaluate your credit differently depending on which state you live in.

Drivers with poor credit insured by Nationwide could pay about 41% more a year, on average, compared with similar drivers with good credit. Meanwhile, the average price for full coverage from State Farm or Farmers rises 94% or more for drivers with poor credit compared with those with good credit.

Below you can compare average full coverage rates for 35-year-old drivers with poor credit by company.

Average annual rate for drivers with poor credit, by state

Certain states prohibit the use of credit in setting car insurance rates, and how insurers treat credit differs from state to state. For example, state regulators in one state may allow more wiggle room for credit-based pricing than others, which leads to variations by state as well as by company.

Our analysis revealed that:

In North Carolina , a driver with poor credit pays about 15% more than one with good credit, on average.

Having poor credit in either North Dakota or New Mexico raises the average insurance rate 62% or more compared with drivers with good credit.

Average rates for those with poor credit in Wyoming or Vermont were at least 97% higher than average rates for drivers with good credit.

Below you can compare average full coverage rates for 35-year-old drivers with poor credit by state.

*Credit is not used to price rates in this state.

California, Hawaii and Massachusetts don't allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates. In Washington, the legal code around this issue is being debated.

Compare insurance rates for drivers with an accident

Your driving history can affect auto insurance rates in different ways from one company to another. It’s a good idea to compare how each insurer’s car insurance rates stack up against the rest if you have a recent accident.

If you have an on-record accident, make sure to compare auto insurance rates one, three and five years after the date of the incident to continue to get the best and cheapest rate possible.

Average annual rate for drivers with an accident, by company

Comparing auto insurance rates after a crash shows how differently insurers treat accidents. For example, rates for car insurance from State Farm are 28% higher on average for drivers with an at-fault accident compared with a driver with a clean record. Meanwhile, our data shows rates for Geico and American Family are higher by 69% or more, on average, for drivers with a recent crash compared with our base profile.

Below you can compare average full coverage rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent at-fault accident by company.

Average annual rate for drivers with an accident, by state

State regulators set limits on how much a company can increase your car insurance rates after a crash . Let’s say you caused an accident that resulted in $10,000 worth of damage. In some states, that could cause average annual rates to spike by 68% or more, while in other states the increase is far less.

For example, drivers in Rhode Island with full coverage policies and one recent at-fault accident paid $86 more per year, on average, than drivers with no accidents, which is just a 3% increase. Meanwhile, drivers in California paid $1,347 more per year, on average, after causing an accident than incident-free drivers, which is a 82% increase.

Here are the average full coverage rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent at-fault accident by state:

Your rates will probably increase after an at-fault accident, so be sure to include the accident when you compare car insurance rates.

  • How to compare car insurance rates

First, every car insurance quote you receive should be free — whether it’s from Geico, Farmers or a small insurer you’ve never heard of. Some auto insurers require a down payment to start your policy, but whether you’re comparing car insurance rates online or with an agent, a simple estimate should always be free of charge.

You’ll likely see the terms “quote,” “rate” and “premium” used to describe how much you’ll pay for car insurance.

A quote is an estimated price based on information you provide, like your age and driving history; you can get them online, over the phone or through an agent.

A rate is the adjusted price you get after an insurer uses their top-secret pricing model to personalize your policy.

A premium is the actual price you’ll pay for a policy.

1. Gather your information

To quickly and easily compare insurance online, you should have the following on hand:

Personal information , which includes the address, date of birth, occupation, driver’s license and marital status of everyone you want included on the policy.

Vehicle information , including the mileage, date of purchase and vehicle identification number (VIN) for each car. If you haven’t purchased the car yet, have mileage, make, model and year handy.

Driving history , including all claims, violations and tickets you’ve had over the past five years, plus any completed driving courses.

Current or previous insurer’s name for anyone on the policy or in your household. Some insurers won’t cover you without some coverage history, and if you want to exclude anyone living with you from the policy, you’ll need to prove they’re covered elsewhere.

2. Choose the right liability car insurance coverage levels

Auto insurance is financial protection, not just for the investment you made when you bought or leased your car. After a really serious accident, bills for property damage and injuries can easily reach into hundreds of thousands of dollars. [0] National Safety Council . Costs of Motor-Vehicle Injuries . Accessed Dec 18, 2023. View all sources If you happen to cause this kind of wreck, the victims could sue you. And in that situation, assets such as your savings and even your home could be seized.

Liability auto insurance protects you from that worst-case scenario by providing a cushion between your assets and the amount you’re on the hook for. That’s why choosing the right liability limits is the most important part of a car insurance quote comparison. NerdWallet typically recommends having at least as much liability coverage as your net worth.

You may not know your net worth off the top of your head, and that's actually pretty common. NerdWallet's net worth calculator can help you figure it out.

But liability coverage levels come in threes — you’ll probably see something like 50/100/50 or 250/500/250 included in most policies. You can think of these limits as individual injuries/total injuries/property damage. (Insurers are a little more technical with the names, calling them bodily injury liability/total bodily injury liability/physical damage liability.)

Liability insurance comes in thousand-dollar increments, so when you choose an auto insurance policy with 100/300/100 limits, you’ll be choosing:

$100,000 for bodily injuries per person in a crash that you caused.

$300,000 total for all bodily injuries in a crash that you caused.

$100,000 for damage to any property in a crash that you caused, including cars, buildings and objects like mailboxes and lampposts.

When choosing liability car insurance coverage, make sure the middle number is equal to or greater than the value of your net worth. This should also be the highest number in your policy’s coverage limits.

Understand car insurance requirements in your state

Any car insurance comparison tool you use should have your state’s minimum car insurance requirements pre-loaded into its options. In certain states, you may be required to have a car insurance policy that includes personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments coverage (MedPay) or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage — or two of the three. If you have MedPay you don’t need PIP, and vice versa.

States requiring PIP or MedPay are generally referred to as “no-fault” states. This means that when injuries occur, each driver in a crash makes a claim with their own insurance company to pay for them. Then, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance will kick in to cover any expenses beyond the PIP or MedPay limit.

3. Decide if you need full coverage car insurance

Liability coverage doesn’t pay for your car or injuries — or for any injuries your passengers sustain — if you cause a wreck. This is why you may want “full coverage” car insurance, especially if your car isn’t paid off.

However, full coverage insurance isn’t actually a type of coverage. It typically refers to policies that include liability coverage plus comprehensive and collision coverage .

In other words, you can’t just click a “full coverage” button when comparing car insurance quotes online or buy something called a full coverage auto insurance policy. You’ll need to add collision and comprehensive coverage in the amounts you want, which will also increase the amount you’ll pay.

If you add collision or comprehensive coverage to your policy, you’ll choose deductible amounts for each. These deductibles are amounts you will pay out of pocket for each claim you make, similar to a deductible when you go to a doctor’s office or pick up a pharmacy prescription. (The difference is they tend to be significantly higher than either of those examples.)

Collision insurance pays for:

Damage to your car in an accident you cause.

Damage to your car if you hit an object such as a fence or pole.

Damage to your car if someone else hits you. Another option in this case is to make a claim against the other driver’s liability insurance.

Comprehensive insurance pays for the value of your car if it’s stolen and not recovered, and damage from:

Weather such as tornadoes or hail.

Falling objects.

Explosions.

Crashes with an animal, such as striking a deer.

Riots and civil disturbances.

Learn more about the different types of car insurance:

4. Collect and compare car insurance quotes

You’ll want to get car insurance quotes from at least two or three companies. And if you want to be sure you’re getting a good deal, you may want to compare car insurance quotes from regional companies as well as the big companies such as Allstate, Progressive and State Farm.

To make sure you’re able to accurately compare auto insurance quotes, each one should include:

The same levels of liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.

The same deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage, if you’re buying them.

The same drivers and cars.

All discounts you’re eligible for (most insurers list discounts on their websites).

No matter what coverage you choose, compare the same types and amounts of coverage from each company so you can find the best rates for the auto insurance you need.

  • How to choose an insurance company

Let’s assume you've compared rates and found the cheapest car insurance companies for you. But before you buy a policy, you'll want to consider a few other factors besides price.

The best car insurance companies offer more than just affordable rates. They also provide reliable and helpful customer service as well as a simple way to update your policy or file a claim.

Here are a few things to check before you buy a vehicle insurance policy:

Confirm your insurer has any extras you're looking for, like a mobile app or accident forgiveness.

Check a company’s financial strength to ensure it can pay out your claim if you need to file one. You can find a carrier’s financial strength using a rating firm like AM Best.

Look at customer complaint records on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' site .

Compare car insurance companies

You can use NerdWallet's reviews to compare car insurance companies and find the best fit for you. NerdWallet has researched policy options, consumer complaint data, customer satisfaction ratings, financial stability and other key factors for all of the country's top auto insurance companies. We also researched many smaller, regional insurers.

Methodology

NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in all of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.

In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” and “poor” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.

These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.

Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:

$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.

$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.

$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.

$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.

$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.

Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.

Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.

In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:

For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect only the minimum coverage required by law in the state.

We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit. In states where credit isn’t taken into account, we only used rates for “good credit.”

For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.

For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.

For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.

We used a 2021 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for drivers of the following ages: 20, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60 and 70.

These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.

On This Page . . .

  • SoFi Checking and Savings
  • Chime Checking Account
  • Ally Bank Spending Account
  • Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking
  • Navy Federal Credit Union Free EveryDay Checking
  • What are bad credit loans?
  • Debt consolidation loans: NerdWallet’s guide
  • What are debt consolidation loans and how do they work?
  • Personal loans for bad credit: Pros and cons
  • How to compare bad credit loans
  • Credit card debt consolidation loans vs. credit card refinancing
  • Are debt consolidation loans a good idea?
  • Frequently asked questions about debt consolidation
  • Frequently asked questions about bad credit loans
  • Do debt consolidation loans hurt your credit?
  • What is bad credit?
  • How to qualify for a debt consolidation loan
  • Bad credit loan rates and fees
  • Debt consolidation loans for bad credit
  • How to get a debt consolidation loan
  • How to get a personal loan for bad credit
  • Alternatives to debt consolidation loans
  • Where to get a personal loan for bad credit
  • Types of bad credit loans
  • Alternatives to personal loans for bad credit
  • AIG Travel Guard Overview
  • AIG Travel Guard Plans

AIG Travel Guard Cost

How to file a claim with aig travel guard, compare aig travel guard, aig travel guard frequently asked questions.

  • Why You Should Trust Us

AIG Travel Guard Insurance Review 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

AIG Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits. If you're looking for travel insurance, consider Travel Guard .

AIG Travel Guard

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

  • Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
  • Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
  • Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
  • Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance Review

AIG Travel Guard is among the best travel insurance companies with impressive coverage limits, even with its basic plan, Travel Guard Essential. It's emergency medical evacuation coverage is particularly high, making Travel Guard a good choice for insuring cruises, as sea to land evacuations are often expensive. 

Additionally, Travel Guard's Premium and Deluxe plans offer coverage that many of its competitors don't, such as its travel inconvenience coverage and ancillary evacuation coverage.  

That said, Travel Guard is on the pricey side, compared with its competitors. While age is often a factor in your insurance premiums, Travel Guard tends to quote older travelers higher rates than its competitors. However, you often get what you pay for. In Travel Guard's case, you'll find that its coverage justifies its higher rates. 

While great coverage is important, it's also crucial that an insurance company has a smooth claims process, which Travel Guard lacks, according to its customer reviews. Across 135 reviews on its Trustpilot page, AIG Travel Guard received an average of 1.2 stars, with 95% of reviewers giving the company one star. Surprisingly, AIG Travel Guard fares even worse with the Better Business Bureau, receiving an average of 1.08 stars out of five across 301 reviews. 

Coverage Options Offered by AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard offers three primary plans: Travel Guard Essential, Travel Guard Preferred, and Travel Guard Deluxe. Each plan has different coverage limits and various types of protection.

Here's a look at what you'll get with each plan:

Depending on the policy you select, additional coverages may be included at no extra charge, such as a pre-existing conditions waiver , single occupancy fee coverage, worldwide travel and medical assistance services, and more. Be sure to check each policy closely to see what is and isn't covered.

Each of these plans also includes coverage for one child under 17 as long as their travel costs are equal to or under the adult's cost. Additional coverage does not apply to the child.

AIG Travel Guard Pack N' Go Plan

In addition to these three primary plans, Travel Guard offers the Pack N' Go policy along with an Annual plan. This policy is for last-minute travelers who don't need trip cancellation coverage.

This plan includes:

  • Trip interruption and trip delay ($200 per day maximum) up to $1,000
  • Missed connection up to $500
  • Baggage delay up to $200 and baggage coverage up to $1,000
  • Medical expenses up to $25,000 and dental expenses up to $500
  • Emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains up to $500,000.

AIG Travel Guard Annual Plan

Taking multiple trips throughout the year? Consider the Travel Guard Annual plan instead of purchasing a new policy for each adventure. This plan comes with coverage for: 

  • Trip interruption coverage  up to $2,500
  • Trip delay coverag e up to $1,500 ($150 per day maximum)
  • Missed connection coverag e up to $500
  • Baggage delay coverage up to $1,000 and lost/damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500
  • Medical expenses coverage up to $50,000 and dental expenses up to $500
  • Emergency evacuation coverage and repatriation of remains up to $500,000
  • Accidental death and dismemberment coverage up to $50,000 and security evacuation up to $100,000

Additional Coverage Options from AIG Travel Guard

Like many other travel insurance providers, Travel Guard offers add-ons for an additional cost. These can be selected while you're purchasing your policy.

The availability of these add-ons depends on the policy you're buying. Note also that some are already included in the Preferred and Deluxe plans. 

  • Medical bundle — Increases coverage amounts for medical expenses and evacuation and adds hospital of choice and additional evacuation benefits.  
  • Security bundle — Provides various coverages for trip interruption or cancellation due to riot or civil disorder.  
  • Rental vehicle damage coverage — Reimburses a predetermined amount for physical damage to a rental car in the policyholder's name. 
  • Cancel for Any Reason Insurance (CFAR) — This is just what it sounds like. Cancel for any reason coverage will reimburse 75% of nonrefundable expenses when you cancel your trip for any reason, up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure. CFAR coverage is only available for Travel Guard's Deluxe and Preferred plans. 
  • Inconvenience bundle — Offers reimbursement for inconveniences like closed attractions, credit/debit card cancellation, hotel construction, and more.
  • Pet bundle coverage — Daily travel benefit for boarding and medical expense coverage for illness or injury of dog or cat. Includes trip cancellation or interruption coverage if the pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days before the departure date.
  • Adventure sports bundle — Removes the exclusions for adventure and extreme activities.
  • Baggage bundle — Your baggage coverage with AIG becomes primary with increased coverage and baggage delay benefits. 
  • Wedding bundle — Provides trip cancellation coverage due to wedding cancellation (brides and grooms not covered).
  • Name a family member bundle — One person can be named as a Family Member for the purpose of family member-related unforeseen event coverage.

How to Purchase and Manage Your AIG Policy

Getting a quote from AIG Travel Guard is quick and easy. Head to the AIG website and enter basic information about the trip you're looking to cover. You'll get an instant quote for the insurance plans available for your trip, so it's easy to compare each option. Be prepared to provide information including:

  • Your state of residence
  • Date of birth
  • The cost of your trip
  • Travel dates
  • Destination
  • Method of travel

We ran a few simulations to offer examples of how much a Travel Guard policy might cost. You'll see that costs usually fall within 5-7% of the total trip cost, depending on the policy tier you choose.

As of April 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a weeklong, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following  Travel Guard travel insurance quotes:

  • Travel Guard Essential: $86.96
  • Travel Guard Preferred: $152.01
  • Travel Guard Deluxe: $188.59

Premiums for Travel Guard's various single trip plans are between 2.8% and 6.3%, well within, and even below, the average cost of travel insurance .

A 30-year-old traveler from California is heading to Japan for two weeks, costing $4,000. The Travel Guard travel insurance quotes are:

  • Travel Guard Essential: $198.77
  • Travel Guard Preferred: $240.39
  • Travel Guard Deluxe: $305.04

Premiums for Travel Guard's various single trip plans are between 5% and 7.6%, within the average cost of travel insurance.

A couple of 65-year-olds looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following Travel Guard quotes:

  • Travel Guard Essential: $471.10
  • Travel Guard Preferred: $618.22
  • Travel Guard Deluxe: $834.78

Premiums for Travel Guard's various single trip plans range between 7.9% and 13.9%, which is significantly higher than the average cost. That said, travel insurance is often more expensive as you get older. 

AIG Travel Guard Annual Plan Cost

Getting a quote for the annual plan requires much less information, only asking for the intended policy start date, your state of residence, and how many people you plan to insure. Quotes from AIG remained at $259 per traveler, regardless of state of residence and number of travelers.

Filing a claim with Travel Guard is a straightforward process. You'll need your policy number and can either go to travelguard.com or call Travel Guard at 866-478-8222 to start the claim. Once submitted, you can check the status of your claim at claims.travelguard.com/status.

See how AIG Travel Guard stacks up against the competition and find the right travel insurance policy for you. 

AIG Travel Guard vs. Nationwide Travel Insurance

Nationwide is a household name when it comes to insurance providers and one of the largest and most recognized insurance providers in the US. Similarly to Travel Guard , Nationwide makes it easy to find coverage by offering just two single-trip plans: the Essential and Prime plan.  

In addition, Nationwide offers plans specifically designed for cruises along with annual trip insurance for those who travel a lot throughout the year.  

The Nationwide Essential Plan comes with trip cancellation coverage of up to $10,000, up to $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation, up to $150 per day reimbursement for travel delays of 6+ hours, and coverage for delayed or lost baggage.

In comparison, the Travel Guard Essential plan covers trip cancellations with up to $100,0000 in coverage, up to $150,000 in emergency medical evacuation expenses, up to $100 per day ($500 total) for trip delays of 12+ hours, along with lost or delayed baggage coverage. 

The high-tier Prime Plan from Nationwide offers even more coverage, including trip cancellation up to $30,000, trip interruption coverage up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000), missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each, $250 per day for trip delays of 6+ hours, and up to $1 million in coverage for emergency medical evacuation

AIG's highest-tier Deluxe plan comes with trip cancellation coverage of up to $150,000, up to $1,000,000 in emergency medical evacuation, up to $200 per day ($1,000 maximum) reimbursement for travel delays of 12+ hours, and coverage for delayed or lost baggage.

As you can see, it's hard to compare apples to apples when comparing the two different insurance providers. But it helps to know the specifics of the coverages that matter most to you.

Read our Nationwide travel insurance review here.

AIG Travel Guard vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

With Allianz Travel Insurance , you can choose from 10 different insurance plans to find one that suits your needs. Like Travel Guard , it offers one-off policies for specific trips and an annual travel insurance plan for those who take multiple trips a year. Similar to AIG, too, the different plans offer varying levels of coverage. 

Allianz's most popular single-trip option is the OneTrip Prime plan. This plan offers trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000, trip interruption coverage up to $150,000, emergency medical coverage for $50,000, coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $1,000, and up to $800 in travel delay coverage.

The most similar plan from Travel Guard is the mid-tier Travel Guard Preferred plan, which which you'll get up to $150,000 in trip cancellation coverage, trip interruption coverage up to $225,000, $50,000 in emergency medical coverage, coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $1,000, and travel delay coverage of up to $800.

A variety of factors will determine the final cost of any of these travel insurance policies. However, when comparing quotes with the same factors, Allianz tends to be cheaper. Additionally, Travel Guard seems to be more sensitive to the traveler's age. However, it's best to compare quotes using your specific personal and trip details to determine which policy is the best for you.

Read our Allianz travel insurance review here.

AIG Travel Guard vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Before purchasing a travel insurance plan, take a look at the coverage offered through your travel rewards credit cards. Some of the basic coverages you're looking for, like rental car insurance, may already be available through credit card travel protection . 

The coverage you have on your credit card couple be sufficient if, for example, you're taking a road trip by car and you don't have any non-refundable trip expenses. It could also be enough if your health insurance covers you while you travel and you aren't overly worried about incurring additional medical expenses during your trip.

It's also worth remembering that credit card coverage is usually secondary versus the primary coverage you'd get with a travel insurance policy. Meaning you'll have to file a claim with the other applicable insurance (like through the airline travel provider) before filing a claim with your credit card company.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

Depending on the single trip plan you choose, AIG Travel Guard offers $15,000-$100,000 in emergency medical expense coverage.

All three of Travel Guard's single trip policies offer pre-existing condition waivers as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Travel Guard is the name used for AIG's travel insurance products, but AIG also offers other insurance products, like AIG Life Insurance .

Your coverage depends on the policy you buy, but all policies will cover (up to a specified limit) trip cancellation, interruption, delay, emergency medical expenses, lost and delayed baggage, and emergency evacuation. 

Yes, Travel Guard plans cover trip cancellation and interruption due to illness, injury, or death of a family member. If your trip is delayed or canceled due to inclement weather, that's covered too. AIG Travel Guard's is also among the best CFAR travel insurance companies.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed AIG Travel Guard

The policy that's best for you will be the one that offers the right amount and type of coverage, fits your budget, and is easy to use if you ever need it.

In reviewing Travel Guard , we looked at the company's travel insurance offerings and compared them to plans offered by the top travel insurance companies in the space. Factors considered included things like coverage options, claim limits, what's covered, available add-ons, and typical insurance policy costs. We also considered buyer preferences.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance providers .

compare travel insurance uk

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

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  • Main content

Money blog: Popular fashion retailer deactivates customers for making too many returns - days after introducing fee

Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and advice. Let us know your thoughts on any of the topics we're covering using the comments box below.

Tuesday 25 June 2024 06:38, UK

  • PrettyLittleThing deactivating customers' accounts for making too many returns
  • Barclays reducing fixed rate deals - and more lenders could follow
  • Barcelona to ban all holiday apartment rentals by 2028
  • What are your rights if your flight is cancelled?

Essential reads

  • Money Problem : 'I bought a new car but it's been back to dealership six times with same fault - what can I do?'
  • The mortgage chokehold facing old-age Britons
  • Women in Business : 'How I went from mum with no qualifications to owner of big law firm'
  • Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

PrettyLittleThing has started deactivating customers' accounts for returning too many items. 

The online fashion giant sent out emails over the weekend, telling customers they had been banned from placing orders due to their "unusual high returns activity". 

It comes just days after the company introduced a £1.99 fee for every item sent back. 

Several angry customers posted screenshots of the email online. 

Many complained they had already paid £9.99 for PrettyLittleThing's royalty service, which gives them unlimited next day delivery for a year. 

Others hit out at the brand, saying it should improve the quality and sizing of its clothing. 

"Maybe if your clothes weren't so s***, people wouldn't have to send them back," one person said. 

"If your clothes sizing were actually what you stated, then surely you wouldn't be getting so many returns. Don't even get me started on the quality of some items," said another. 

Social media marketing specialist Katy said she didn't remember sending back any items so far this year. 

Some customers pointed out that PrettyLittleThing doesn't have physical stores, so people can't try items on.

Sky News has contacted PrettyLittleThing for comment.

Taylor Swift fans have taken to social media to complain at paying hundreds on tickets for her Wembley shows only to end up with a restricted view. 

While the reviews of the show have been glowing, many were less than impressed with ticket sellers failing to say whether certain seats had "restricted" views - which usually makes a ticket a bit cheaper. 

One said...

Another fumed at the blocked view despite the £200 price...

It comes after a fan who saw Swift in Glasgow at the start of the month complained after parting with £680 only to have "a lovely view of a tent"...

Betting tips scrapped on flagship BBC show

BBC Radio 4's Today programme has scrapped its daily horse race betting tips, its host has announced.

Amol Rajan said the "break in tradition" would not affect major race days, with the broadcaster still set to offer tips for the biggest events in the calendar. 

"We will very much continue to cover horse racing, as we do so many other sports, not least through interviews with leading lights in the racing world," Mr Rajan said.

"And we will sometimes continue to broadcast from the big ticket events like the Grand National festival, or Cheltenham Gold Cup week."

Want to earn triple Nectar points?

Sainsbury's is offering the incentive for customers with electric vehicles who choose to charge up with them via their new "Smart Charge" bays. 

From today until 31 August, Sainsbury's customers can collect 3x Nectar points on Smart Charge transactions when they add their Nectar account number before purchase.

To do so, customers need to scan the QR code on the Smart Charge charging unit after they pay and add their Nectar card number on the web page provided. Points will be added to customers' accounts once they have paid.

Getir shareholders back break-up of food delivery group

Investors in Getir, the food delivery group that is abandoning its UK operations, have approved a break-up of the company that will trigger a fresh capital injection of up to $250m (£197.5m).

Sky News has learnt that Getir, which is based in Turkey, held an extraordinary general meeting yesterday at which shareholders backed plans to split it into two independent companies.

Read more of our city editor Mark Kleinman 's exclusive here ... 

Restaurants, cafes and hotels have been told to immediately withdraw meat products dubbed "unsafe" by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Hospitality operators in London and South East England were issued the food safety alert for meat supplied by a cutting plant in Swanley, Kent.

"We have alerted Environmental Health, Trading Standards Services and Official Veterinarians to take action to remove meat and meat products manufactured by Block and Cleaver from the market," the FSA said in a statement.

"These products... may not have been produced in accordance with GB food law requirements and therefore may be unsafe."

These products may have incorrect use by dates, are subject to traceability breaches and should not be eaten as they were not prepared in line with food safety and hygiene legislative requirements. 

All of the following products should be withdrawn immediately:

Over the weekend, hundreds of flights from Manchester Airport were cancelled due to a major power cut. 

Passengers flying from Terminals 1 and 2 were told not to go to the airport, while those already inside faced huge delays.

Flights finally started departing this morning, but what are your rights if yours has been cancelled? 

Watch: Travel disruption after Manchester Airport power cut

Here's what you need to know

Your flight is covered by UK law if it departs from a UK airport, arrives at a UK airport on a UK or EU airline, or arrives at an EU airport on a UK airline.

Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, the airline must either give you a refund or book you on an alternative flight - either with them or a rival airline.

It is up to you whether you still want to travel at that time - or reschedule your holiday for a later date.

If another airline is flying "significantly sooner" than yours is able to offer, you may have the right to be booked onto a rival flight, but this has to be negotiated with the company.

What are the airline's policies?

As well as being covered under UK aviation law, each airline has its own cancellation policy for customers.

EasyJet allows customers to either switch to another flight for free, choose a voucher for the full value of the booking, or request a refund.

Ryanair passengers can either claim a full refund or change to an alternative flight, while TUI passengers with cancelled flights should receive a full refund within 14 days - and you may also be entitled to compensation.

British Airways passengers are offered a full refund, while Wizz Air allows passengers to request a refund or rebook onto the next available flight.

If you have booked through a tour operator or travel agent, they will have their own policies.

What if you've booked a package holiday?

If your flight is cancelled, and you've booked a package holiday, you have the same rights as any other passenger, according to trade association ABTA. 

You also have additional rights regarding the rest of your holiday.

Typically, your travel company will contact you in advance to re-arrange your flights. 

But, if you're at the airport when the flight is cancelled, you should contact your travel company to talk through your options, ABTA said. 

If your flight can't be rearranged and your holiday has to be cancelled, or new arrangements are made that result in a significant change to your holiday, then the travel company must offer an alternative holiday if they can. 

If not, they must offer a refund of the full package price, not just the flight part.

Generally, a change of more than 12 hours on a 14-night holiday is considered a significant change. 

Barclays has announced rate reductions across a number of its mortgage deals, with brokers suggesting more lenders could follow suit in the coming days. 

The high street bank said the new rates will be available from tomorrow. 

Here are some of the deals:

  • Two-year fixed deal with 90% LTV and no product fee will go from 5.76% to 5.48%
  • Two-year fixed deal with 60% LTV and no product fee will be reduced from 5.13% to 4.88%
  • Five-year fixed deal with 90% and a £999 product fee will decrease from 4.90% to 4.85%

Broker and director of R3 Mortgages Riz Malik said borrowers should expect further reductions from other high street lender this week thanks to improving market pricing. 

"Barclays is the first lender of the week to improve selected mortgage products but my suspicion is that it won't be the last," he told Newspage. 

Simon Bridgland, director at Release Freedom, said the deals were "sizzling hot" - and he thinks more lenders will follow this week. 

"Things look set to heat up not just in our skies but in mortgage rates, too. Expect more lower fixed rates to continue to appear in the days ahead," he added. 

Justin Moy, managing director at EHF Mortgages, said the positive move was thanks to Barclays passing on swap rate improvements to customers. 

Edit : A couple of hours after Barclays' move, MPowered Mortgages also announced cuts across its product range.

If you're wondering what swap rates are, you can read our explainer here...

Barcelona will ban holiday apartment rentals by 2028 in a drastic move to tackle soaring housing costs. 

Mayor Jaume Collboni said he will scrap the licences of the 10,101 flats currently approved for short-term rentals, and the properties will go on the market for residents to rent or buy. 

"We are confronting what we believe is Barcelona's largest problem," he said.

The boom in short-term rentals in Spain's most visited city has caused rents to rise by 68% and house prices to increase by 28% in the past 10 years, Mr Collboni added. 

While the move aims to help locals, hotels could also stand to benefit.

The opening of new hotels in the city's most popular areas was banned by a far-left party governing Barcelona between 2015 and 2023, but Mr Collboni has signalled he could relax the restriction. 

The move comes after Madrid announced an immediate ban on new holiday rentals in a bid to tackle over-tourism 

The Spanish capital decided to stop granting holiday rental licences temporarily, with the suspension expected to last until 2025.

Similar restrictions have already been enforced across the Canary Islands, Lisbon and Berlin.

Princess Diana's family home has gone on the market for the first time in 22 years - but interested buyers should note it comes with a £10.95m price tag. 

The four-story property in Mayfair, London, has a reception hall, a drawing room, a library, two bedroom suits with walk-in wardrobes and ensuite bathrooms, and private underground parking. 

If you're worried about the stairs inside such a tall house, don't be -  it also comes with a lift connecting all levels. 

The top floor is a self-contained suite, with a bedroom, sitting room, terrace, dressing room and bathroom. 

There's also two bedrooms on the lower ground floor, accompanied by two bathrooms, another dressing room and a kitchen. 

The house is where Princess Diana was first introduced to the al Fayed family at a lunch party in 1996. 

Her stepmother, Raine Spencer, had encouraged her to get to know the family, including Dodi al Fayed, who she had a brief relationship with until they died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. 

Mrs Spencer was at 24 Farm Street when she was told about Diana's death. 

Since the early 2000s, the house has belonged to the founders of Pyms Gallery in Mayfair, Alan and Mary Hobart. 

But after Mr Hobart's death in 2021 and Mrs Hobart's death earlier this year, it is now being sold on the instructions of their executors. 

"With its aristocratic and royal connections, we anticipate significant interest in this house from discerning buyers around the world. It is a trophy home with an illustrious history," said Danish Arif, head of Mayfair sales at estate agents Chestertons.

By James Sillars , business news reporter  

Let's start the new week by looking at the prospects for oil prices.

They're up by around 14% since 4 June - by 3% since last week alone - and standing at levels last seen in April.

It has left Brent crude at $85 a barrel.

If sustained, this level could prompt small rises at the fuel pumps in the coming weeks. 

The outlook for Brent is currently coloured by a multitude of factors.

In support is the wealth of global hostilities, such as the war in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas. 

Worries about demand, particularly in China, are providing some kind of check.

We'll have a clearer idea of the path for oil later this week, with analysts noting that it could go either way.

The FTSE 100 is starting the week on the back foot after a 0.4% decline on Friday.

It is trading at 8,234 - down three points.

Some of the negative sentiment has been linked to continuing worries about a delayed US interest rate cut and the snap parliamentary election in France.

The latest polls give the National Rally party of Marine Le Pen a clear lead ahead of the first round of voting on Sunday.

Upwards pressure on the FTSE is coming from consumer-facing stocks amid evidence that spending is picking up after a spring dominated by foul weather.

Typical first-time buyers are paying around £400 more per month for their mortgage than five years ago, Rightmove has found. 

The average mortgage payment for those who have just stepped on the property ladder has risen by 61% since 2019, from £667 to £1,075 per month. 

The property website calculated the monthly amount based on first-time buyers having a 20% deposit, a 25-year mortgage term and five-year fixed deal at an average rate, which by its calculation is currently about 5.04%.

Asking prices for a typical first home, with two bedrooms or fewer, has also increased to £227,757 - 19% more than 2019. 

The North West had seen the biggest jump at 33% since 2019, while London has seen the smallest percentage rise of just 6%, Rightmove found. 

"As rates have increased over the last five years, the amount that a typical first-time buyer is paying each month on a mortgage has outstripped the pace of earning growth," said Tim Bannister, Rightmove's property expert. 

"Some first-time buyers are looking at extending their mortgage terms to 30 or 35 years to lower monthly payments, or looking at cheaper homes for sale so that they need to borrow less." 

Our Money team reporter Katie Williams  explored this issue last week. You can read her piece below...

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