If you are looking for travel insurance in London, the right policy is the one that matches your trip, destination, medical history and the activities you plan to do, not simply the cheapest option.
Travel insurance is designed to protect you against unexpected costs, including cancellation, medical emergencies abroad, and loss or theft of belongings, subject to policy terms.
This checklist explains what to look for before you buy, plus FAQs you can reuse on your Travel Insurance London hub page.
What to check before you buy
Buying travel insurance is about understanding what is covered, what is excluded, and what conditions you must follow for a claim to be paid.
1) Cancellation cover
Cancellation cover can help reimburse pre-paid travel costs if you need to cancel for an insured reason, subject to the policy wording and limits.
Many travellers arrange travel insurance as soon as they book so cancellation protection can apply from the policy start date, depending on the wording.
Checklist:
- Confirm the cancellation limit matches the total cost of your trip, not just flights.
- Check what evidence is required for a cancellation claim, such as documentation from your travel provider or a medical note.
2) Emergency medical expenses and repatriation
Government guidance highlights travel insurance as important protection for medical costs abroad, including emergency treatment and getting you home if needed.
Check the medical expenses limit, and save the emergency assistance number so it is accessible while travelling.
Checklist:
- Confirm the policy includes emergency medical expenses and repatriation for the region you are visiting.
- Keep your insurer’s emergency contact details with you and share them with a travel companion.
3) Pre-existing medical conditions
Most travel insurance relies on accurate disclosure of medical conditions, and guidance stresses you should declare conditions, including anything that develops or changes between purchase and departure.
If you have a condition that makes travel insurance more complex, you may need specialist cover and in some cases firms must point you to a medical directory route that meets FCA criteria, such as BIBA’s Travel Medical Insurance Directory.
Checklist:
- Declare all pre-existing medical conditions during screening and notify your insurer if anything changes before you travel.
- If you are declined or offered terms that do not meet your needs, ask about specialist markets and medical-directory options.
4) Where you are travelling (and stopovers)
Government guidance recommends ensuring your policy covers all places you intend to visit, including transit locations, because an emergency can happen during a stopover.
If your destination changes, you should update your insurer so the correct region is covered.
Checklist:
- Confirm every destination and any stopovers are included in your cover.
- Double-check your policy dates match the full duration of your trip, including early departures or late returns.
5) Activities and sports
Many policies exclude certain sports or hazardous activities unless they are declared and covered under the correct category or extension.
BIBA guidance encourages checking what you are covered for if your trip includes activities beyond standard sightseeing.
Checklist:
- Write down every activity you expect to do and confirm it is listed as covered in your policy.
- If you are skiing, diving, or doing adventure activities, confirm you have the right specialist extension.
6) Baggage, valuables and personal belongings
Baggage cover can help with loss, theft or damage, but limits and security requirements vary widely between insurers.
BIBA guidance also notes that many policies do not cover valuables in the aircraft hold and often require valuables to be kept under your custody and control.
Checklist:
- Check the baggage limit and the single-item limit, especially for phones, laptops, watches and jewellery.
- Keep valuables with you and follow security conditions to avoid claim disputes.
7) Policy excesses and benefit limits
The Financial Ombudsman Service explains that an excess is an amount you pay towards a claim, and it should be clear in the policy documentation.
It is also important to understand benefit limits and any sub-limits, as they can cap what you receive even if your claim is valid.
Checklist:
- Read the benefits table and note the excess for medical, baggage and cancellation sections.
- Consider whether an excess waiver is available and whether it is good value for your circumstances.
8) FCDO travel advice and insurance validity
Government guidance notes your insurance may be invalidated if you travel to a destination where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel or advises against all travel.
Checking FCDO advice before booking and again before departure helps reduce the risk of buying cover you cannot rely on.
Checklist:
- Check FCDO travel advice for your destination and monitor updates close to departure.
- If advice changes, speak to your insurer or broker before you travel.
Why use a broker for Travel Insurance London?
Many travel policies are bought online without advice, which can make it easy to miss medical disclosures, activity exclusions or limits that are too low for your trip cost.
A broker can help you match cover to your destination, trip type and medical needs, and explain the key terms like excesses and sub-limits before you commit.
Barts Insurance Brokers offers travel insurance support from its London area base, with help available by phone or email for clients across London and the UK.
FAQs (10)
- What does Travel Insurance London cover?
Travel insurance commonly covers cancellation or curtailment, emergency medical expenses including repatriation, baggage or personal belongings, and personal liability, subject to limits and exclusions. - When should I buy travel insurance?
Government guidance recommends having travel insurance in place before you travel, and many people buy when they book so cancellation cover can start earlier, depending on the policy. - Do I need to declare medical conditions?
Yes, and guidance stresses that medical conditions should be declared, including anything that develops or changes between taking out the policy and your departure date. - What if I am declined cover due to a medical condition?
In certain situations, firms must point consumers to a specialist medical directory route that meets FCA criteria, such as BIBA’s Travel Medical Insurance Directory. - Does travel insurance cover sports and activities?
It depends, and hazardous activities may be excluded unless you declare them and arrange the correct cover. - Are valuables covered in checked baggage?
BIBA guidance notes many policies do not cover valuables in the aircraft hold and often require valuables to be kept under your custody and control. - What is a travel insurance excess?
The Financial Ombudsman Service explains an excess is the amount you pay towards a claim, and it should be clear in your policy documents. - Do I need to list every country I’m visiting, including stopovers?
Government guidance recommends ensuring your policy covers all places you intend to visit, including transit locations, in case you need emergency care during a stopover. - Can travel advice affect my cover?
Government guidance notes your insurance may be invalidated if you travel to a destination where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel or all travel. - Why use a broker for travel insurance in London?
A broker can help you select suitable limits and ensure medical conditions and activities are correctly declared, reducing the risk of problems at claim stage.
For help arranging Travel Insurance London with clear advice, suitable limits and dependable support, speak to Barts Insurance Brokers for a free, no-obligation review.
Call: 020 8206 0088 | Email: enquiries@bartsinsurance.co.uk
