Best UK Travel Insurance 2026/27 — Cedar Tree & Explorer

PF

Pennywise Finance Editorial

UK personal finance team — researchers and editors covering savings, ISAs, investing, mortgages and retirement.

Fact-checked
Reviewed August 2026

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★ Editorial pick — Cedar Tree Travel Insurance

Specialist UK travel insurance including cover for pre-existing medical conditions and less-common trip types.

Visit Cedar Tree Travel Insurance →

Top UK travel insurance picks

Best for	Provider	Why
Pre-existing medical conditions	Cedar Tree Travel Insurance	Specialist underwriting for conditions many mainstream insurers exclude
Multi-trip annual + winter sports	Explorer Insurance	Adventure and winter-sports friendly
Whole-market comparison	HelloSafe	Multi-provider one-search

What good UK travel insurance covers

Emergency medical (£10m+ recommended for USA; £2m+ elsewhere)
Medical repatriation to the UK
Cancellation (up to trip cost)
Curtailment (having to come home early)
Baggage and personal money
Personal liability (£1-2m minimum)
Travel delay compensation

Cedar Tree — for pre-existing conditions

Mainstream insurers routinely exclude common conditions like asthma, blood pressure, and past cancer. Cedar Tree specialises in underwriting travellers with pre-existing conditions — meaning cover exists where the mainstream declines. Not always the cheapest, but often the only option.

Visit Cedar Tree →

★ Editorial pick

For multi-trip annual cover including winter sports, backpacker and longer-duration trips.

Visit Explorer Insurance →

Explorer Insurance — for multi-trip and adventure

Explorer covers backpackers, long-duration trips, and adventurous activities that mainstream insurers commonly exclude. Annual multi-trip cover works best for anyone taking 3+ trips per year.

Visit Explorer Insurance →

Decision framework

Have pre-existing conditions? → Cedar Tree first.
Take 3+ trips per year including any adventurous activities? → Explorer annual multi-trip.
Standard European short breaks, no conditions? → Compare on HelloSafe.
Travelling to USA/Canada? → Confirm medical limit at least £5m; £10m preferable.

Common travel insurance mistakes

Buying only at the point of departure — you're uncovered for pre-trip cancellation.
Under-declaring medical conditions to lower the price — voids cover at claim time.
Assuming EHIC/GHIC replaces travel insurance — it doesn't.
Ignoring excess levels — low headline price often means £500+ excess.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need travel insurance for Europe post-Brexit?

Yes. The GHIC replaces some medical cover but doesn't include repatriation, cancellation, baggage or personal liability. Full travel insurance is still needed.

How much travel insurance cover do I need?

Medical £2m+ for Europe, £5m+ for worldwide (£10m for USA). Cancellation up to the total trip cost. Baggage £1,500-£3,000. Personal liability £1-2m.

Can I insure a trip I've already booked?

Yes — most policies cover cancellation from the purchase date. Buying as soon as you book maximises cover.

What voids travel insurance?

Under-declaring medical conditions, being under the influence of alcohol/drugs when the incident happened, not following FCDO travel advice, undeclared adventurous activities.

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