Looking for the best value trip insurance without compromising on cover? We’ve reviewed and ranked the top 10 cheapest travel insurance providers in the UK for 2025. This list compares price, customer service, and coverage to help you travel with confidence — even on a budget.
1. Post Office Travel Insurance
Best for: Budget-friendly European holidays
Prices from: £6.95 for single-trip Europe cover
COVID-19 cover: ✅ Included
24/7 emergency assistance: ✅ Available worldwide
Key Features:
- Comprehensive medical cover, including emergency treatment and repatriation
- Flexible single-trip and annual multi-trip policies
- Optional add-ons such as gadget cover, cruise cover, and winter sports protection
- Cover available for a wide range of travellers, including families, couples, and seniors
- Protection for trip cancellations, delays, and lost baggage
🔍 Why we like it:
Post Office Ltd Travel Insurance is a trusted and well-established option in the UK, making it ideal for travellers who want affordable yet dependable cover. It stands out for its competitive pricing on European trips, while still offering strong medical protection, which is often the most critical part of travel insurance.
The policy is also easy to customise, allowing you to add extras based on your travel style—whether you’re taking gadgets, going on a cruise, or planning activities. Combined with round-the-clock emergency assistance, it provides peace of mind without stretching your budget.
2. Coverwise
Best for: Low-cost annual multi-trip travel insurance
Prices from: £17 per year (Europe cover)
Medical cover: Up to £20 million
Customer reviews: ⭐ Excellent ratings on Trustpilot
Key Features:
- Annual multi-trip cover, ideal for frequent travellers taking several holidays per year
- Generous medical emergency cover up to £20m, including hospital treatment and repatriation
- Cover for trip cancellation, curtailment, delays, and missed departures
- Optional add-ons such as winter sports cover and excess waiver (so you don’t pay excess when claiming)
- Protection for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage and personal belongings
- Access to a 24/7 emergency assistance helpline while abroad
🔍 Why we like it:
Coverwise stands out as one of the most cost-effective annual travel insurance options in the UK. For a very low yearly premium, you can cover multiple trips—making it perfect for people who travel frequently for holidays, short breaks, or business.
Despite its low price, it doesn’t compromise on essentials. The £20 million medical cover is particularly impressive at this price point, offering strong protection in case of serious illness or accidents abroad.
Another big plus is its simple and efficient online claims process, which many users highlight in reviews. Combined with high Trustpilot ratings and flexible add-ons, it delivers excellent value for money without sacrificing reliability.
3. InsureandGo
Best for: Highly customisable travel insurance
Prices from: £7.50 (single-trip policies)
Medical cover: Up to unlimited (with top-tier plans)
Family benefits: Kids covered free on family policies
COVID-19 cover: ✅ Includes cancellation and medical cover
Key Features:
- Wide choice of cover levels, including Budget, Silver, Gold, and Black plans
- Option for unlimited medical expenses on premium tiers, offering maximum peace of mind
- Children insured at no extra cost when travelling on family policies
- Cover for cancellation, curtailment, delays, and missed departures
- Protection for baggage, valuables, and personal belongings
- Optional extras such as cruise cover, winter sports, gadget protection, and golf cover
- Access to 24/7 emergency medical assistance worldwide
🔍 Why we like it:
InsureandGo is one of the most flexible travel insurance providers in the UK, making it ideal for travellers with different needs and budgets. Whether you want basic cover for a quick European getaway or premium protection with unlimited medical expenses, there’s a plan that fits.
It’s especially strong for families, as children are included for free—something that can significantly reduce overall travel costs. The inclusion of COVID-19 cancellation cover also adds an extra layer of reassurance when planning trips.
Overall, it’s a great choice if you want tailored protection, strong medical cover options, and the ability to add extras depending on how and where you travel.
4. Staysure
Best for: Seniors and travellers with pre-existing medical conditions
Prices from: £9.80 (age and medical history dependent)
Medical conditions cover: ✅ Available after screening
Age limits: ❌ No upper age limit
Key Features:
- Specialist cover for pre-existing medical conditions, subject to a simple medical screening process
- No upper age limit, making it accessible for older travellers often excluded elsewhere
- High levels of emergency medical cover, including repatriation
- Cover for trip cancellation, curtailment, and travel disruption
- Protection for lost or stolen baggage and personal belongings
- Optional extras such as cruise cover, travel disruption cover, and additional gadget protection
- Access to a 24/7 emergency assistance helpline
🔍 Why we like it:
Staysure is one of the leading providers in the UK for older travellers and those with existing health conditions—groups that can often struggle to find affordable and suitable cover.
Its no upper age limit policy is a major advantage, and the ability to declare and cover medical conditions through a straightforward screening process ensures travellers are properly protected.
This makes it a reliable choice for peace of mind, especially for longer or more complex trips. Combined with flexible add-ons like cruise cover, it’s an excellent option for those who want comprehensive, tailored protection without age restrictions.
5. Admiral Travel Insurance
6. Moneysupermarket Comparison Tool
Best for: Comparing multiple travel insurance quotes quickly
Access to insurers: 30+ UK travel insurance providers
Cost: ✅ Free to use
Key Features:
- Instantly compare quotes from a wide panel of leading UK insurers
- Advanced filters to tailor results by:
- Trip cancellation cover limits
- COVID-19 protection
- Destination (Europe, worldwide, cruise, etc.)
- Medical cover levels
- Ability to compare single-trip vs annual multi-trip policies
- View customer ratings and reviews side-by-side to assess reliability
- Easy-to-use interface with quick quote generation in minutes
🔍 Why we like it:
MoneySuperMarket makes it incredibly easy to find the best travel insurance deal without spending hours researching. Instead of checking multiple providers individually, you can compare dozens of options in one place and immediately spot the most cost-effective policy.
What stands out is the level of customisation—you can filter policies based on exactly what matters to you, whether that’s high medical cover, strong cancellation protection, or COVID-19 inclusion. The side-by-side reviews also help you avoid choosing purely on price and instead focus on value and reliability.
Overall, it’s one of the fastest and smartest ways to secure the right travel insurance at the best price, especially if you want a policy tailored precisely to your trip.
7. AllClear Travel
Best for: Travellers with high-risk or complex medical conditions
Prices from: £12.50 (based on age, destination, and medical profile)
Medical conditions covered: 1,300+
Medical assistance: ✅ 24/7 emergency support
Key Features:
- Specialist provider covering over 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions, including more serious and complex cases
- Tailored policies based on your personal health profile through a detailed but user-friendly screening process
- High levels of emergency medical cover, including hospital treatment and repatriation
- Cover for trip cancellation, curtailment, and travel disruption
- Protection for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage and personal belongings
- Optional extras such as cruise cover and enhanced cancellation protection
- Dedicated 24/7 medical emergency helpline with experienced support teams
🔍 Why we like it:
AllClear Travel Insurance is one of the few UK providers that genuinely specialises in covering travellers with serious or multiple medical conditions. Where many insurers decline or heavily restrict cover, AllClear offers a more inclusive approach by assessing each case individually.
Its ability to cover a wide range of conditions—combined with custom pricing based on your health profile—means you’re far more likely to get appropriate protection rather than a one-size-fits-all policy.
This makes it an excellent option for travellers who may otherwise struggle to find insurance, offering peace of mind, flexibility, and expert medical support when it matters most.
8. Alpha Travel Insurance
Best for: Students, backpackers, and long-term travellers
Prices from: £5.88 (basic cover)
Trip duration: Up to 24 months abroad
Key Features:
- Extremely low-cost entry-level policies, ideal for budget-conscious travellers
- Designed for long stays, including gap years, volunteering, and working holidays
- Flexible cover options with add-ons for valuables, gadgets, and adventure activities
- Cover for trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and personal belongings
- Options tailored for backpackers travelling across multiple countries
- Access to 24/7 emergency assistance while abroad
🔍 Why we like it:
Alpha Travel Insurance is a standout option for younger travellers looking to explore the world on a budget. Its very low starting price makes it accessible, while still offering the flexibility to build a policy that suits longer and more adventurous trips.
It’s particularly well-suited for gap year students and backpackers, thanks to its ability to cover trips of up to 24 months, something many standard insurers don’t offer.
Overall, it provides a great balance of affordability and flexibility, making it ideal for extended travel without overspending on insurance.
9. Avanti Travel Insurance
Best for: Cruise lovers & travellers aged 50+
Prices from: £8.90 (age and trip dependent)
Customer support: 🇬🇧 UK-based call centres
COVID-19 cover: ✅ Includes travel disruption
Key Features:
- Tailored specifically for over 50s, with no upper age limit on many policies
- Comprehensive cruise cover, including missed port departures and cabin confinement
- Strong levels of emergency medical cover, including repatriation
- Cover for trip cancellation, delays, and travel disruption (including COVID-19-related issues)
- Protection for baggage, valuables, and personal belongings
- Access to UK-based customer service teams, offering more personalised support
- 24/7 emergency assistance helpline while travelling
🔍 Why we like it:
Saga plc Travel Insurance is a top choice for older travellers and cruise enthusiasts, offering policies designed specifically with their needs in mind.
The inclusion of cruise-specific benefits makes it stand out, while the UK-based customer support adds an extra layer of trust and accessibility—especially important if you prefer speaking to someone locally.
With strong Trustpilot reviews and solid all-round cover, it delivers reliability, value, and peace of mind, particularly for those planning more relaxed or luxury-style trips.
10. Cedar Tree
Best for: High cover limits at budget-friendly prices
Prices from: £9.50 (depending on trip and traveller profile)
Medical cover: Up to £15 million
Baggage cover: Up to £3,000
Cancellation cover: Up to £10,000
Key Features:
- Generous medical emergency cover up to £15m, including repatriation
- Higher-than-average cancellation cover (£10,000) compared to many budget policies
- Strong baggage and personal belongings protection up to £3,000
- Cover for trip delays, missed departures, and travel disruption
- Suitable for both single-trip and annual multi-trip policies
- Optional extras such as winter sports and cruise cover
- Access to 24/7 emergency assistance services
🔍 Why we like it:
Cedar Tree Insurance offers an excellent balance between affordability and high levels of cover, making it stand out in the budget travel insurance category.
While many low-cost policies limit payouts, Cedar Tree provides above-average protection, particularly for cancellation and baggage—areas where travellers often face the biggest financial losses.
This makes it a smart choice if you want strong financial protection without paying premium prices, especially for more expensive trips where higher cover limits really matter.
What to Watch Out for in Cheap Policies
Budget travel insurance can be excellent value, but it often comes with hidden limitations that only become clear when you need to make a claim. Before choosing a low-cost policy, it’s important to look beyond the price and check the detail carefully.
⚠️ 1. High excess fees
Cheap policies often keep premiums low by adding higher excess amounts (the amount you pay before the insurer covers the rest).
This means you might only receive a small payout—or none at all—on smaller claims like lost baggage or minor delays.
👉 Example: A £100–£150 excess can quickly reduce the value of a £200 claim.
⚠️ 2. Low policy limits (especially baggage & cancellation)
Many budget policies look attractive but come with tight payout caps for:
- Baggage and personal belongings
- Trip cancellation
- Travel delays
This can leave you underinsured if something major goes wrong.
For example, cancellation cover that seems generous at first may not fully refund an expensive holiday package.
⚠️ 3. Pre-existing medical condition exclusions
One of the biggest risks with cheap travel insurance is not declaring or not being covered for medical conditions.
- Some policies exclude all pre-existing conditions
- Others require full medical screening
- Failure to declare conditions can invalidate your entire policy
Specialist cover is often needed if you have ongoing or past health issues.
⚠️ 4. Short trip duration limits
Very cheap policies may only cover:
- Trips up to 7, 14, or 30 days
- Limited annual travel days on multi-trip plans
This can be a major issue for:
- Long holidays
- Backpacking trips
- Gap years or extended travel
If you exceed the allowed duration, you may be uninsured without realising it.
⚠️ 5. Missing or limited add-ons
Budget cover often excludes or restricts useful extras such as:
- Cruise cover
- Winter sports
- Gadget protection
- Adventure activities
These are usually only available as paid add-ons, increasing the total cost.
🔍 Final tip
Cheap travel insurance isn’t bad—but it’s only good value if it matches your trip exactly. Always compare:
- Medical cover limits
- Cancellation protection
- Excess charges
- Trip length eligibility
A slightly higher premium can sometimes give much stronger protection and fewer surprises when claiming.
Tips to Get the Best Price on Trip Insurance
💡 Tips to Get the Best Price on Travel Insurance
Getting good travel insurance doesn’t just depend on the provider—it also depends on how and when you buy it. A few smart choices can significantly reduce your cost while still keeping you well protected.
🔎 1. Use comparison tools
Start by comparing prices across multiple insurers using platforms like:
- MoneySuperMarket
- Compare the Market
These tools let you quickly:
- Compare dozens of quotes in minutes
- Filter by medical cover, cancellation limits, and COVID protection
- See customer ratings side-by-side
👉 This is often the fastest way to find the cheapest suitable policy for your exact trip.
👨👩👧 2. Travel as a couple or family
If you’re travelling with others, consider a joint or family policy instead of individual cover.
Benefits include:
- Lower combined premiums
- Free cover for children on many policies
- Easier management of one policy instead of several
👉 Family bundles are often significantly cheaper than buying separate policies.
📅 3. Buy early
Don’t leave travel insurance until the last minute.
Buying early helps you:
- Lock in lower prices before demand increases
- Get cancellation cover immediately (useful if your trip is expensive or non-refundable)
- Avoid missing cover due to last-minute medical issues
👉 Many people don’t realise insurance prices can rise closer to departure.
🎯 4. Choose essential cover only
Avoid paying for extras you don’t need.
Ask yourself:
- Do I really need gadget cover?
- Am I doing winter sports or cruises?
- Do I need high-value item protection?
👉 Removing unnecessary add-ons can reduce your premium significantly without weakening core protection like medical cover and cancellation.
🔍 Final tip
The cheapest policy isn’t always the best value. Focus on balancing:
- Price
- Medical cover
- Cancellation protection
- Trip duration
A slightly higher premium can sometimes save you thousands in the event of a claim.