Travel insurance usually covers emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, trip cancellation for a listed reason, lost baggage and personal liability. It usually does not cover routine check-ups, pre-existing conditions you did not declare, high-risk activities or losses that follow from ignoring official advice. The policy wording decides, not the name of the plan, so the useful skill is reading exclusions rather than comparing prices alone.
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What a standard policy usually covers
Most travel policies sold to leisure travellers follow a similar shape, though the limits and conditions are set by each insurer and the rules differ by country of sale.
- Emergency medical treatment and hospital stays abroad, up to a stated limit.
- Medical evacuation or repatriation when local care is not adequate.
- Trip cancellation, delay or interruption for reasons the policy lists.
- Lost, stolen or delayed baggage, usually with a per-item cap.
- Personal liability if you accidentally injure someone or damage property.
- Some policies add cover for personal accident or legal expenses.
Insurance is regulated at national level, and in many countries the regulator publishes consumer guidance on what a policy must do. Whichever market you buy in, the same warning applies: the schedule of benefits is a summary, while the full policy wording is the contract that will actually be applied to a claim. Government travel advice also sets out the kind of protection authorities expect travellers to arrange: gov.uk
What usually falls outside cover
Exclusions matter more than the headline limit, because a large limit with a wide exclusion list covers very little.
- Pre-existing medical conditions that were not disclosed or accepted at purchase.
- Routine or elective treatment, and treatment you travelled abroad specifically to receive.
- Adventure activities such as trekking at altitude, diving, skiing or motorcycling, unless added on.
- Losses caused by alcohol, drugs or reckless behaviour.
- Travel against the advice of your own government or a health authority.
- Losses from leaving valuables unattended, or from undocumented claims without receipts and police reports.
Baggage claims are a common disappointment for a simple reason: policies typically exclude unattended items, so a laptop left on a beach or in a locked car may not be covered.
Check the destination’s own requirements too
Before buying anything, check the government travel advice for your destination and your own country’s pre-departure checklist. Many governments publish checklists that cover documents, health preparation and insurance: gov.uk
For health preparation, and for understanding which risks are actually elevated at your destination, the World Health Organization’s travel and health material is a useful neutral starting point: who.int
If you have a health condition or take medication
Declare it, in writing, and keep the insurer’s written response. Expect a higher premium or a specific exclusion, and know exactly which of your conditions is left out. Carry medication in original packaging with a copy of the prescription, and check the destination’s rules on controlled medicines, because these differ sharply between countries.
Keep the paperwork that claims depend on
Most refused claims fail on documentation rather than on wording. Keep receipts for prepaid bookings, a police report for theft, and written confirmation of any delay from the carrier. Photograph everything and store the images somewhere you can reach without your phone.
Bottom line
Buy for the risk you cannot absorb on your own, which for most travellers means emergency medical care and evacuation. Then read the exclusions line by line, declare anything relevant, and keep all documentation, because undocumentable claims are the ones that get refused.