uk travel insurance nationwide

Welcome to Nationwide FlexPlus Travel Insurance

If you’re thinking about opening a nationwide flexplus current account but need to know whether your pre-existing medical conditions will be covered and how much this will cost, you’ll be able to find all the information, including a price here., pre-existing conditions upgrade.

The upgrade is valid for 12 months (subject to eligibility) and is designed to cover the costs of cancellation, emergency medical treatment abroad and getting home if any insured person becomes suddenly and unexpectedly ill or injured due to a pre-existing illness, injury or disease.

Undiagnosed symptoms are not covered therefore you don’t need to tell us about them. If you are under investigation, for example waiting for tests or results, or a referral appointment for any undiagnosed health problems or symptoms, you should consider waiting until you have a diagnosis before booking a trip.

You can obtain a quote for pre-existing medical conditions upgrades on the following pages, but please remember: 

• you will not be able to purchase the upgrade until you have opened a Nationwide FlexPlus current account 
• any premium quoted is indicative and remains valid for 30 days from the date you get your quote. After 30 days the quote will expire and you will need to get a new quote for the upgrade that you need

Once you have opened your account, you will be able to register your details with us to accept or amend your quote. 

Single trip cover information

We understand that your needs may change, and there may be times where you may need to increase some of the limits or extend your cover.

Here you’ll be able to get a quote to increase your trip duration limit, increase your cancelling or coming home early limit or extend your cruise cover. You should review each upgrade to understand if you require any of them for your trip.

To ensure you are fully covered, you should consider buying your upgrade at the point of booking the trip.

We’ll provide the insured persons with the cover set out in their terms and conditions for trips up to a maximum of 31 days.

If you’re planning a longer trip we won’t cover any incident which occurs after 31 days unless a longer trip upgrade has been purchased.

We’ll provide the insured persons with the cover set out in their terms and conditions for trips up to a maximum of £5,000 per person. If you or anyone covered by this policy are planning a trip and want to increase this limit you can upgrade to a maximum of either £7,500 or £10,000 per person

This upgrade covers one single trip, you will need to buy this for each trip you need an increased limit for.

If the insured persons have booked a cruise, the cover as set out in their terms and conditions includes claims for cancellation and medical emergency. You can however increase cover under your policy for things such as cancellation of a scheduled port stop.

This upgrade covers one single cruise, you will need to buy this for each cruise you need additional cover for.

By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. If you make a purchase, Which? will receive an affiliate commission , which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion .

Best travel insurance companies and policies 2024

In this article

How do you find the best travel insurance?

Best travel insurance policies, best travel insurance: companies and policies compared.

• What's the best type of travel insurance?
• How can I save money on travel insurance?

How much travel insurance cover do I need?

How to compare travel insurance companies, 'great' cover isn't great if your insurer won't pay out.

The best travel insurance can't stop things going wrong on holiday, but it can prevent problems – medical issues, cancellations, delays or losses – from having a huge impact on your finances.

Our experts compared more than 40 travel insurance companies, scrutinising hundreds of policies, each with more than 60 areas of cover. 

We've assessed information on medical expenses, baggage and valuables cover, flight cancellation, compulsory excesses and many other factors to bring you our Best Buy travel insurance policies.

Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of an insurer before committing to any financial products.

Compare travel insurance deals

Check Which? insurance ratings and compare deals using the service provided by Confused.com

We looked at 44 travel insurers, comparing 129 policies. See our results in the table below.

We rated 18 policies as Best Buys – here are the three highest scoring:

Barclays - Aviva Travel Insurance (Travel Pack)

• 91% policy score - 1st out of 129 policies rated. 

We like: Barclays was the most consistently impressive policy we rated, scoring well in 61 of 66 areas we examined. In addition to high cover levels (for example, £10,000 cover for cancelling your trip), it has comparatively low compulsory excesses of £50. 

We don't like:  The Travel Pack is only available as an annual worldwide policy at a cost of £174 a year, and can only be purchased by Barclays current account customers. You may find cheaper cover that meets your needs more specifically from other providers. 

• Read our full Barclays travel insurance review.

InsureandGo - Black

• 87% policy score - joint 2nd out of 129 policies rated.

We like:  You don't pay excesses if you claim. Missed departure cover for outgoing, connecting and returning flights.

We don't like:  You can't claim if your travel provider or airline goes bust. 

• Read our full InsureandGo insurance review .

Nationwide - FlexPlus Worldwide Travel Insurance

We like:  Nationwide's policy is one of a minority that contains insolvency cover (which you can claim on if either your holiday company or airline goes bankrupt). It also has a high medical expenses claims limit of £10m.

We don't like:  Like Barclays' cover, this policy comes as part of a packaged bank account (costing £156 a year) which might not be the best fit for your needs.  

• Read our full Nationwide insurance review .

Here's the full details of our findings in the tables below – to access each table, use the 'Select a table' dropdown below.

• The 'Best Buys' table shows the policies that meet our exacting Best Buy criteria . When choosing these, we check for key features of cover as well as data on complaints and claims acceptance rates. 
• The 'All policies'  table shows all policies we've rated. Of all policies reviewed, scores ranged from 22% to 91%. To find a specific policy or provider, begin typing its name in the search bar. 

We've also written comprehensive reviews of the best 18 insurers overall – just click on the links in the table to read them.

Best Buy policies 2024

Table note:  All ratings are for policies available to new customers, and the details were gathered in a survey carried out in April 2024. The information should be considered correct to then. We will next update our policy scores in June 2025. See our full methodology .

If a brand isn't listed in the table it means it didn't take part in our survey and hasn't been reviewed.

  What's the best type of travel insurance?

When picking travel insurance consider the number of foreign trips you'll make over the next 12 months, where you'll go and who with.

• Single-trip and multi-trip (annual cover) Single-trip insurance is aimed at people who are making a single, one-off journey. Multi-trip (annual) provides ongoing cover for 12 months. If you take three or more trips per year, multi-trip (annual) is likely to work out cheaper, and you don't have to tell the insurer when or where you're travelling.
• European, worldwide and USA cover European-only cover is usually the cheapest type and worldwide including USA (and often the Caribbean) is the most expensive due to high medical costs. If you have no intention of going to these destinations over the next 12 months, save money by buying cover that excludes them.
• Individual, couple or family cover You'll have the option to choose how many people to cover under a single policy, although if a member of your party needs specialist cover due to age or health, costs may change.
• Specialist insurance options If you have more specific requirements, for example due to age, or type of holiday, we've assessed the best options for you below. Best cruise insurance • Best travel insurance for over 60s • Best travel insurance for medical conditions • Best ski insurance
• Unexpected events cover Your policy may include cover for unexpected events, like bankruptcy of the holiday supplier, strikes, civil unrest and more. We've listed which providers' policies have the best unexpected events cover.

  How can I save money on travel insurance?

While travel insurance premiums haven't gone up as dramatically as car and home cover, costs appear to have risen in recent years.

Take these average prices, shared with us by the comparison site Go.Compare:

Source: Go.Compare, based on average quotes in May 2023 and 1-9 May 2024.

These are averages, and so you're likely to pay:

• Less if just buying cover for yourself
• More if you're older
• More for longer trips or trips to certain destinations (such as the USA)
• More if you have a pre-existing medical condition

Whatever your situation, chances are you can reduce costs by comparing travel insurance. An annual policy may work out cheaper if you travel multiple times a year.

When should you buy travel insurance?

You should buy travel insurance on the same day you book your holiday.

One of the best features of travel insurance is that it covers you if you're unexpectedly forced to cancel the trip and stand to lose money as a result.

If you leave buying your insurance until the last minute, you won't benefit from this protection, even if some providers might make it slightly cheaper.

With this in mind, you should buy your insurance as soon as you book your holiday – unless you already have annual cover in place.

Should you buy travel insurance from the tour operator or airline?

When you buy your holiday, whether that's through a traditional package provider or a budget airline, you're likely to be offered insurance at the same time.

But cover offered as an add-on to your trip is unlikely to be tailored to your needs and could be more expensive. Always check the wider market to see if you can get better cover for less.

If you do buy add-on insurance, make sure it covers any medical conditions that you have.

Do you already have insurance?

Some packaged bank accounts come with travel insurance as a sweetener, so if you have a packaged account, check whether cover is included.

If you do have travel insurance with your bank account, check its terms carefully and make sure it meets your needs. Does it cover you for trips outside Europe? Will it cover your medical conditions?

If it doesn't, call your bank to see if you can add the cover you need or look for a standalone policy that meets your needs.

You might also have some of your insurance needs met if you have personal possessions cover with your home contents insurance . These policies often protect things you carry on your person (such as gadgets or jewellery) around the world, from loss, damage or theft.

Do you need travel insurance if you have an Ehic or Ghic?

Yes, you still need travel insurance. 

A Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) – the replacement for the Ehic – is a medical card that can be used throughout the EU. It entitles you to treatment in state hospitals for the same price paid by the residents of the country you're visiting. If they get free treatment, so do you.

But it won't cover the costs of medical transportation (for example ambulance bills or being flown back to the UK where medically needed), alongside costs of cancelling your holiday or returning early, replacing lost and stolen possessions, and many other things – that's what travel insurance is for.

• Find out more:  The Ehic and Ghic explained  

While it can be tempting to get the cheapest cover you can find, this could prove a false economy. Everyone's specific cover needs will be different, but as a starting point, we recommend looking for policies with these minimum levels of cover:

• Medical expenses:  £5m
• Cancellation cover:  £2,000 – or the full cost of your holiday (which may be higher or lower)
• Personal belongings: £1,500 – or the value of your possessions
• Personal liability cover: £1m

Many sports won't be covered as standard, such as skiing and snowboarding , so you'll need to get cover that includes this, or add it on for a fee.

Cruises require a special type of cruise insurance . If you're considering working abroad, or spending a couple of months abroad, you may need 'backpacker insurance'.

1. Check our tables and reviews

We've assigned each travel insurance policy a policy score, reflecting how comprehensive the cover is overall.

It's important to remember, however, that travel insurance is complex – so even policies with high policy scores won't necessarily cover everything you're looking for. For a more detailed look at some of the larger and higher-scoring providers, see our individual travel insurer reviews.

2. Get a travel insurance quote

While looking at our reviews, you can get a quote for travel insurance using the service provided by Confused.com.

You might be able to save by using multiple comparison sites. 

Some insurers don't sell through comparison sites, including NFU Mutual and Direct Line , and specialist medical insurers .

Both the government's MoneyHelper website and the British Insurance Brokers Association have directories of such insurers.

An insurance broker can find affordable cover for unusual scenarios that most insurers won't cover.

3. Check the T&Cs

Before you buy, check the policy wording to make sure you understand what your policy covers, and what it doesn't.

If there are specific reasons you've bought the cover, check these sections to make sure they meet your expectations. Also, check the policy's general exclusions and conditions. If anything in the policy is unclear, contact the insurer.

Finally, check what protection your holiday provider offers, because if something goes wrong, you might need to seek compensation from it first before your insurer will accept your claim.

Check you're getting a great deal and search for a new travel insurance policy using the service provided by Confused.com. Get a quote now

Dean Sobers, Which? insurance expert says:

'According to claims data published by industry regulator the Financial Conduct Authority, travel insurers are some of the least likely to pay out. 

Roughly a quarter of claims made on single-trip and annual European policies were declined in 2022 (the latest stats available). With most kinds of insurance, payout rates are above 90%.

Even if a policy appears to be brimming with features and high levels of cover on paper, it may be backed by an insurer that has a less-than-brilliant track record when it comes to honouring these apparent promises. When you claim, insurers can't technically add new exclusions or ignore commitments in their policy wording as they choose – but it's an unfortunate fact that some policies are less straightforward than others, and can prove disappointing when actually tested against the real world.

Our Best Buy endorsement primarily means the policy offers comprehensive levels of cover as written (you'll see a more detailed explanation as to what we mean by this below). 

We also check the latest available data on how often the insurers accept claims and also how regularly they lose when customers bring complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service . We don't award our Best Buy badge to providers shown to be lacking when it comes to these aspects of their service.

The truth is, no policy is perfect and no provider gets it right every time when it comes to claims. But when picking a Best Buy, you get the assurance that we think its cover looks genuinely impressive – and that we haven't seen evidence suggesting it fails to do in practice what it says on the tin.'

Frequently asked travel insurance questions

How much in advance should i get my travel insurance.

The best time to get your travel insurance is the day you book your trip.

This ensures that you're covered from the get-go against any unexpected events that might arise before your departure, like having to cancel, even though the travel insurance doesn't start until the day you go abroad.

While it's possible to purchase insurance even up to the day of your travel, you'll miss out on this cancellation cover and won't necessarily save money.

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights?

This depends on whether you can no longer make your flight or the airline has cancelled it.

If the airline cancels your flight, it is generally their responsibility to find an alternative flight or to give you a full refund.

If you can no longer make your flight, perhaps due to illness or accident, then it is not the airline's responsibility. If you have taken out a travel insurance policy and depending on the reason you can no longer fly, you may be able to claim some of the flight costs back. 

You should also check the airline's conditions of carriage if you are going to miss your flight last-minute to see whether you can be moved to an alternative flight.

Can I buy travel insurance after departure?

Yes you can - but you'll need to get a special type of policy called 'post-departure insurance'.

Unfortunately, you're likely to pay more and get less cover than if you had bought standard travel insurance.

Post-departure insurance won't cover incidents that have already happened, such as a delayed flight on the way out. It generally applies from the day after buying, not the same day.

Even though you'll need to cover fewer days, the specialised nature of post-departure insurance means it's likely to cost more per day and overall.

The best approach is to buy standard travel insurance on the same day you book your holiday. Although the insurance only needs to cover the dates of your holiday, from the moment of buying it you'll be covered if, for instance, you need to cancel your trip.

Can I get travel insurance if I'm pregnant?

You can get travel insurance if you're pregnant, especially if your trip is less than 28 weeks into your pregnancy.

Many insurers still offer cover for trips after that point, but check with them before buying, and bear in mind airlines may request extra details such as a letter from your doctor.

Pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing medical condition so you shouldn't have to tell your insurer or pay more.

Standard travel insurance will cover emergency medical care, but ask insurers if antenatal care after premature births will be covered, or cancellation due to pregnancy-related complications.

In general, travel insurance won't pay out if you cancel a trip simply because you're pregnant - it's worth asking airlines and accommodation providers if you can reschedule.

Do I need travel insurance for the UK?

Potentially, depending on the type of trip you've booked.

Many travel insurers will cover the UK; if you have an annual policy check if it includes UK travel.

The main advantage of travel insurance for the UK is cover if you need to cancel your trip (such as because of illness) or lose baggage.

In general, travel insurance only covers paid-for accommodation, sometimes with a minimum duration. So stays with friends and family wouldn't be covered.

Nor will you need travel insurance for medical cover, due to the NHS - though visitors to the Isle of Man and Channel Islands may need insurance for repatriation to the mainland.

Your home contents insurance may cover personal possessions outside the home, but you may have to pay high excesses.

Do I need travel insurance for Europe?

Yes, travel insurance is essential for European holidays. 

The European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) and Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) only entitle you to public medical care at the price locals pay.

That's only in the EU, Switzerland and a few other countries however, and won't cover associated - and very high - costs such as for rescue from ski slopes or repatriation to the UK.

Nor will the Ehic and Ghic cover cancellations or lost baggage, unlike the best travel insurance policies.

• Find out more: The Ehic and Ghic explained  

Does travel insurance cover cruises?

Some, but not all, policies will offer specialised cover for cruises.

In some cases cruise cover will be an optional add-on.

This includes scenarios such as being ill and confined to your cabin, missing your departure during an excursion, or the intinerary being changed. 

We've listed which policies cover cruises and how good they are in our guide to the best cruise insurance .

Does travel insurance cover skiing?

As with cruises, this depends on your policy.

Winter sports cover may be included as standard within your travel insurance, or as an optional add-on.

It should cover scenarios such as piste closure, avalanche delay and air ambulance rescue from the slopes.

We've listed which policies include or offer winters sports cover, and rate that cover, in our guide to the  best ski insurance .

How do I claim on my travel insurance?

For emergency medical claims, your travel insurer will have a 24/7 phone line. It's worth saving the number if your phone prior to travelling.

To make other claims, you may be able to claim by phone and/or online. Don't leave it more than a couple of weeks to claim, as there may be time limits.

• Find out more: How to claim on your travel insurance   

What medical conditions do you have to declare for travel insurance?

Any current or recent medical conditions that haven't been disclosed to your insurer will almost certainly be automatically excluded from your policy. 

When you declare a condition, you'll go through a medical screening process where you give the insurer information about your medical history. When you buy insurance by itself, this will usually form part of the application process. 

With some providers (for example where the cover is included with a holiday or a bank account), you may need to contact the insurer separately to have the conditions added. If you're uncertain about what needs to be declared, it's best to contact the insurer. 

• Find out more:  Best travel insurance if you have a medical condition  

How else can you protect your holiday?

Travel insurers only expect you to claim with them if you've been unable to recover your money through other channels.

Book with a Which? Recommended holiday provider

If a package holiday firm cancels your holiday, or airlines can't fulfil flights, you're entitled to a refund by law.

• Find out more:  Your legal rights with package holiday companies

Atol protection

If you buy a package holiday that includes flights from an Atol-protected firm, you'll get your money back if it goes bust. You'll also be repatriated if this happens while you're on holiday.

Your credit card provider

If you can, pay for your holiday with a credit card .

If you pay with a credit card for services costing more than £100 and less than £30,000 that aren't provided as advertised, you can claim the money back from your card supplier if the seller (ie the holiday company) won't refund you.

• Find out more:  Section 75

Banks have similar schemes to help you recover money for services that haven't been fulfilled as paid for. These are known as chargeback.

Chargeback can be used to recover debit and prepaid card payments, as well as credit card payments below £100.

Banks aren't legally bound to do this in the same way as credit card providers are under Section 75, so you should always pay for amounts over £100 with a credit card if possible.

How we analyse travel insurance

Our editorial independence means we are able to work on behalf of consumers, not insurers. That means our reviews are fair and there's no hidden agenda.

Policy score

The policy score rates how comprehensive the cover is in a policy – the higher the better.

We've looked at 129 policies, examining 66 elements of cover in each.

Policies are given points for each element of cover, reflecting how competitive their cover is compared with what other policies offer. The policy score shows how well the policy did overall. 

Based on our assessment of which elements are more or less important for customers choosing and using travel insurance, we adjust the impact that points earned in each area has on the overall policy score.

Among the highest-weighted elements are medical expenses cover, cancellation cover and the compulsory excesses on the policy.

How we pick Which? Best Buys

Our 'Best Buy' badge recognises the individual products that stood out as being the most comprehensive in our analysis. 

It doesn't reflect customer service. However, we do look at claims statistics published by the Financial Conduct Authority and complaints data from the Financial Ombudsman Service, where these are available. We won't give a Best Buy badge to providers shown to reject higher-than-average numbers of claims or that have a poor track record when it comes to complaints.

Policies named as Best Buys did well in our analysis of cover, with a policy score of at least 71%.

Additionally, Best Buy policies scored well consistently across different areas of cover. To make the cut, a policy needs to have scored at least three out of five points in two thirds of the features we compare (see 'Policy score' for more).

Lastly, all Best Buy policies must provide – either as standard or as an option – the following levels of cover as a minimum:

• £5m cover for medical expenses – with emergency medical repatriation and some cover for emergency dental treatment
• £2,000 cancellation and travel abandonment cover – including cancellation in the event that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to your destination country because of natural disaster after you've insured your holiday
• Cancellation cover because of the illness, injury or death of a close family member or a person you were planning to stay with 
• Cover for travel delays – including cover for missing your outgoing or returning flight due to delays
• £1,500 cover for baggage
• £2m personal liability cover

Be more money savvy

free newsletter

Get a firmer grip on your finances with the expert tips in our Money newsletter – it's free weekly.

This newsletter delivers free money-related content, along with other information about Which? Group products and services. Unsubscribe whenever you want. Your data will be processed in accordance with our Privacy policy

More questions on travel insurance? Take a look at our guides:

• Best travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
• Best travel insurance for seniors
• Best cruise insurance
• Best ski insurance
• The Ehic and Ghic explained  
• Golf travel insurance explained  
• How to claim on your travel insurance

Compare travel insurance

Find the right policy for your holiday using the service provided by Confused.com

Travel insurance reviews

• All Clear travel insurance review
• Admiral travel insurance review
• Avanti travel insurance review
• Avion travel insurance review
• Aviva travel insurance review
• Barclays travel insurance review
• Share on Facebook
• Share by email

Latest News In Which? Insurance

Travel insurance complaints hit record high - what were most disputes about in 2023-24?

16 Jul 2024

Covid summer wave: what does it mean for travel insurance?

15 Jul 2024

Why travel insurance goes wrong – and what you can do about it

13 Jul 2024

Misfuelling could cost you thousands - can car insurance help?

12 Jul 2024

How to negotiate your car insurance

What you miss with budget travel insurance

06 Jul 2024

What's happening to car insurance premiums?

05 Jul 2024

Insurance firms must do better for their customers, says FCA

04 Jul 2024

What's happening to home insurance premiums?

27 Jun 2024

Will a Best Buy travel insurance policy really cost you more?

26 Jun 2024

How to protect your gadgets and phone at a summer festival

25 Jun 2024

10 most expensive jobs for life insurance premiums

24 Jun 2024

7 questions to ask yourself when buying travel insurance

18 Jun 2024

Home insurance: is it worth paying extra for flood and storm cover?

12 Jun 2024

Do you have enough life insurance cover?

11 Jun 2024

5 tips to insure your wedding

10 Jun 2024

Which? finds rise in insurers causing 'distress and inconvenience'

30 May 2024

Do renters need contents insurance?

29 May 2024

Rise in customers borrowing to pay for insurance

28 May 2024

Private medical insurance perks: what's on offer and are they worth it?

26 May 2024

The Independent’s journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

Best travel insurance UK 2024 guide

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

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.

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

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).

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

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.

• Best home insurance
• Best life insurance
• Best pet insurance
• Car insurance
• Home insurance guide
• Buildings insurance
• Contents insurance
• Home insurance glossary
• Admiral home insurance review
• Aviva home insurance review
• AXA home insurance review
• Churchill home insurance review
• Compare the market review
• Direct Line home insurance review
• Esure home insurance review
• LV home insurance review
• More Than home insurance review
• Policy Expert home insurance review
• Rias home insurance review
• How we cover home insurance companies

The Independent Advisor brand is operated by 3S Media International Limited. 3S Media International Ltd is an introducer appointed representative of Moneysupermarket.com Financial Group Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 303190).

Suggested companies

Staysure travel insurance.

Nationwide Ukitravel   Reviews

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 3.5.

Most relevant

Avoids cover. Be aware

I have this insurance company with my nationwide account. I pay £156 per year for this to access the holiday insurance. I spoke to a lady who was extremely helpful but informed me that I have to exhaust every other possibility of insurance before their holiday insurance will pay out. I did this. My other policy cannot supply a replacement of the same specification. We urgently need a replacement as it is needed daily. UK insurance have a clause that if you can get cover from anywhere else even if it is lesser specification and doesn’t replace the stolen item you have to accept this. So I travel thinking I have the insurance peace of mind advertised but in reality my items are not fully covered. Only partially. I phoned and spoke to Marlon and I was disappointed with his customer service skills which I was surprised about after having so much support in my previous call. He was not as keen to support us in our loss and reported differing views on over eligibility for cover. So be aware if you are travelling abroad and you experience theft or loss UK insurance will try to avoid covering your claim. I’ve had to accept cover for an item from a different insurance policy that is a replacement with a different specification and of less value with a larger excess. I will only receive half the value of the item stolen. UK insurance has refused to cover my claim. I will no longer pay for my Nationwide account to receive travel insurance when it avoids paying out. Be aware you should make sure you have travel insurance that actually covers your items.

Date of experience : 19 June 2024

Do not trust this company to insure you

Our flight was cancelled by the airline whilst we were in Bali and leaving us stranded following the issues in Dubai on 16th April as we were travelling via Dubai on our return on 19th April. NW have refused our claim for reimbursement of the extra costs to get home. Absolutely no point in having insurance if it’s not going to pay up when needed. Have complained and also intend to write to Ombudsman. The screenshot on NW literally says you are covered for such disruptions. The lady on the phone when I complained told me ‘we don’t need to say what we don’t cover’! Absolutely fuming and over 2K down in extra flight costs and additional accommodation whilst trying to get home.

Date of experience : 24 April 2024

Faultless Customer Service

Exemplary service from Emma and Sam last week. I was renewing my age extension policy online and for some reason I was denied access numerous times as my account needed to be open for 72 hours. It was opened 12 months ago. My goodness it was a battle as I am deaf and there’s no dedicated email address. Both ladies left a lasting impression with their patience and efforts. Thank you.

Date of experience : 03 March 2024

Good communication, easy claim

My partner and I are covered, under my policy. He slipped a disc while abroad and we were able to claim back for his medical cover and expenses incurred because he could not fly. We had a few admin hiccups with claiming, but were compensated for the errors. They communicated well - and a lot. Although they kept ringing me (despite telling them many times I had returned to UK and to call my partner who was stuck abroad) these errors were trivial and overall I was impressed and confident that should something more serious happen we would be covered!

Date of experience : 16 May 2023

Impossible to register outside the UK

An age extension is due when we are travelling. After speaking to UK travel before leaving and being unable to pay the age extension as it was more than 30 days before due date I was assured I could pay online when on holiday. How wrong. I have tried many times to register/login since the middle of January and every time I am rejected because I must wait 72 hours after opening our account before being able to access the site. We have been account holders for more than 20 years. The chat bot is useless, just keeps advising to call....

Date of experience : 24 January 2024

Impossible to email or Chat

I have been with Nationwide/FlexDirect/ukitravel for a couple of years and am considering going with a competitor. This is due to the fact that I find it impossible to email them (I never get a reply) or by Chat (someone is supposed to come and help but they don't). I suffer from social anxiety and prefer to write my queries as I have trouble on the phone. I can't understand why such a big company doesn't offer a way to contact them other than by phone or by post. I'm fed up with them.

Date of experience : 07 March 2024

A stellar company

I cannot praise UK Insurance enough. My brother collapsed in Loas due to a major stroke whilst on holiday there. He was airlifted to Bangkok International Hospital, where he spent a month receiving the most amazing 24 hr care. His wife was put up in a 4* hotel close by. He was eventually deemed ‘fit to fly’ and was airlifted back to England, again by air ambulance, his wife following the same day by commercial flight. All of this was covered by the insurance company, who, as the “go between” I found extremely helpful, caring and easy to deal with. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.

Date of experience : 11 June 2023

Flight cancelled on 28th Aug. Declined claim overturned after complaint.

If you have been told that your claim for a cancelled flight on 28th August is declined, read on, I received compensation after complaining. My family and I were at the boarding gate, the flight was delayed, delayed, delayed then cancelled. We were booked on the next flight with the same airline, the following day. Our journey was delayed by over 16 hours. RyanAir's flight cancellation policy excludes causes beyond their control, which is fair. I claimed for expenses from UKi and was told over the phone, after waiting over a month, that my claim did not qualify for delay benefits because the flight was cancelled not delayed. I re-read my policy and complained. Three weeks later, my complaint was upheld and delay compensation paid out.

Date of experience : 20 October 2023

Efficient, accessible and great-value Travel Insurance; especially for oldies!

A “call back” telephone contact system so you don’t have to queue on the phone, and efficient, fast, courteous and sympathetic advisors (today I spoke to A guy called Shab, but all previous staff contacts have been just as excellent). Better still, on the one occasion we had to claim a small sum it was incredibly easy and seamless. I simply rang in and gave the claims advisor the facts and detail of costs; she didn’t even ask me to send in the paperwork or fill in their online form as she realised I was honest! And great value with our Nationwide FlexPlus account; we only have to pay the £65 over 70s Age Extension and the bank account comes with lots of other benefits.

Date of experience : 26 January 2024

I had to cancel my trip with 2 days…

I had to cancel my trip with 2 days notice due to a family member being ill. They we professional/prompt and settled in 3 days. Thoroughly impressed and it alleviated a lot of stress. I had a call to as a few more questions and the agent was friendly and helpful.

Date of experience : 09 February 2024

What a 5* company..absolutely…

What a 5* company..absolutely amazing..cannot song there praises enough.from the word go when I was taken ill in South Africa tje emergency team were amazing,then when I got home the claims team too were amazing…I’ll be sending chocolates and Thankyou card to them Thankyou everyone you’re the best!!!!

Date of experience : 16 January 2024

Prolonged difficult process

Prolonged difficult process. I am insured through NatWest and Nationwide with this company. I have made a claim under both insurances for an aborted journey to India. Having submitted a wealth of documentation after 8 weeks they have only just reviewed the information and have indicated that they want more without telling me what. It is impossible to speak to anyone on the phone or online. So I am left in the dark as to what to do next to recover the 6k I am out of pocket,

Date of experience : 22 May 2023

Excellent service, emergency health cover while abroad

I made a claim for emergency health care while on holiday in Lanzarote for my 17 year old son for tonsillitis. I contacted emergency phone no while waiting on discharge papers after attending a private hospital. The local doctors were phenomenally busy and my son was in great pain and discomfort so made the decision to pay privately in the hope my travel insurance would cover cost. My call was answered promptly and professionally. I thought I would have to pay up front and reclaim on my return home however the female agent I spoke with was phenomenal, experienced and patient. I was provided all relevant info and only paid £50 excess. Surprisingly it was a stress free and easy process during what was an unknown and stressful situation. We have two days left and feel in safe hands should my son’s condition worsen. My experience with insurance companies in recent past for a boiler break down was horrendous, I found the quality and professionalism in most areas disappointing and of poor quality/value for money thus the reason I felt compelled to write this review. I cannot thank Nationwide enough. Great experience!!

Date of experience : 21 February 2024

Just had claim finalised

Just had claim finalised Nationwide took over when I was taken ill in Tenerife and helped my wife as a result of bring stressed out .recently the claim paid out. This is never as fast as you want or need but other than that they did take control when it happened so no delays in investigation / treatment My reviews usually negative.But this time Thanks due to nationwide to helping me and my wife

Date of experience : 18 July 2023

How all insurance companies should be

We had to cancel our holiday with only 2 days notice due to a family member falling ill. Having never cancelled a holiday before and with a significant amount of money at stake this just added to a very stressful situation. UKitravel made the whole process easy and although getting the medical information from the treating doctor to support the claim took some time they were patient and settled quickly once the information was provided really happy with the service

Date of experience : 16 February 2024

Travel cancellation claim

TC 45696968 They came up trumps. They have now reviewed my claim. Also are looking at adding the price extension question when customers call in with a tour, holiday extension. Happy to give a 5 star rating BEWARE Have used this company for years. Phoned up to add age extension and for a trip extension. 120 days. At no time was I informed that I would need to add increased cover as my trip was more than £5000. I have now been diagnosed with cancer and had to cancel my holiday I am not insured for the total cost of my holiday. Only informed when I made a claim. No real duty of care with this company. I will be complaining to Nationwide. I feel as though I’ve been conned.

Date of experience : 29 January 2024

Pleasant shock of rapid prompt settlement

I am still recovering from the shock of how UK insurance have handled my recent claim for cruise extension risks in the travel insurance via nationwide.ukitravel.com I reported the issue of missed ports of call on Friday 13th October and received settlement on Thursday 19th October. Is this a record for settlement of a travel insurance claim? I didn't even need to send any evidence, presumably a central cruise database had all that was needed for verification. What a positive experience compared to the dreadful experience endured 3 and 4 years ago when medical and theft claims were an absolute nightmare and were never resolved to my satisfaction. Moral of the story, select cruise cover extension , it gets sorted in record time.

Date of experience : 19 October 2023

I had a flight delayed for two days

I had a flight delayed for two days, when trying to make a claim its void because British airways is as usual not contactable & not taking responsibility & Nationwide UKI insurance is no good either, I will be now cancelling my isurance policy with them, I will be a happy customer of AVIVA insurancegoing forward. You have been warned, if you want to loose your money you are more then welcome to be their customer.

Date of experience : 26 September 2023

Extending Travel Insurance

Are there other clients of the above companies experiencing declined applications to extend their existing travel insurance? Reason for rejection - this can only be extended if client is in the UK at time of application! Surely it is known that there are Covid related issues which are restricting return travel. If out of the UK, and unable to return due to Covid restrictions in Europe, how are you meant to extend your insurance? The consequence - major flight, accommodation and transport alterations. After repeated requests still not received a sensible answer.

Date of experience : 10 January 2022

Genuine Site

Despite the the low quality look of this website, this is the place to sign up and manage the travel insurance that comes with a nationwide acct

Date of experience : 22 October 2021

Is this your company?

Claim your profile to access Trustpilot’s free business tools and connect with customers.

United Kingdom Travel Insurance

What should your travel insurance cover for a trip to the united kingdom, how does travel insurance work in the uk, do i need travel insurance for the united kingdom, how much does travel insurance cost for the united kingdom, our suggested axa travel protection plan , traveling with pre-existing medical conditions , does the uk have any covid-19 restrictions for u.s. visitors, do you need car insurance to drive in the uk, are there any other requirements for traveling to the uk.

At a minimum, your travel insurance should cover trip cancellation, trip interruption and emergency medical expenses. When it comes to international travel, the US Department of State outlines key components that should be included in your travel insurance coverage.  AXA Travel Protection plans are designed with these minimum recommended coverages in mind. 

• Medical Coverage   – The top priority is making sure your health is in order. With AXA Travel Protection, you can have access to quality healthcare during your trip overseas in the event of unexpected medical emergencies.    
• Trip Cancellation & Interruptions  – Assistance against unexpected trip disruptions can dampen the mood, AXA Travel Protection offers coverage against unforeseen events.   
• Emergency Evacuations and Repatriation   – In situations where transportation is dire, AXA Travel Protection offers provisions for emergency evacuation and repatriation.   
• Coverage for Personal Belongings  – AXA offers coverage for your belongings with assistance against lost or delayed baggage.   
• Optional Cancel for Any Reason  – For added flexibility, AXA offers optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, allowing you to cancel your trip for non-traditional reasons.  Exclusive to Platinum Plan holders. 

In just a few seconds, you can get a free quote and purchase the best travel insurance for the United Kingdom.

Picture this: You've planned a scenic road trip through the Scottish Highlands, a land of misty glens and ancient castles. You stumble upon the enchanting Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye. Imagine, a misstep on the slippery terrain, and suddenly you've got a sprained ankle, not the souvenir you had in mind. With AXA Travel Protection, you receive access to our 24/7 emergency hotline.  Speak to a licensed multilingual travel assistance agent, they can help assist and direct emergency transportation if necessary to your location. With an AXA Travel Protection plan, we are here to assist and support you whenever and wherever you may be. Here’s the entire list of benefits travelers can have access to with an AXA Travel Protection Plan:

Medical Benefits: 

• Emergency Medical Expenses: Should you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, your policy may offer coverage for medical expenses, including hospital stays and doctor's fees. 
• Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In case of a serious medical emergency, your policy may include provisions for evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation. 
• Non-Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation : In non-medical crises (e.g., political unrest), your policy may cover evacuation or repatriation, subject to policy terms. 

Baggage Benefits: 

• Luggage Delay: If the airline delays your checked baggage, your policy might offer reimbursement for essential items like clothing and toiletries. 
• Lost or Stolen Luggage: In the unfortunate event of permanent loss or theft of your luggage, your policy may offer reimbursement for its value, assisting you in replacing your belongings. 

Pre-Departure Travel Benefits: 

• Trip Cancellation: You may be eligible for reimbursement if you cancel your trip due to a sudden illness or injury. 
• COVID-19 Travel Insurance: Coverage is available for trip cancellation and medical expenses related to COVID-19, subject to policy terms and conditions. 
• Trip Delay: If your flight faces delays due to unforeseen circumstances, you may have coverage for additional expenses such as meals and accommodations. 

Post-Departure Travel Benefits

• Trip Interruption: In case of an unexpected event, you could be eligible for reimbursement for the unused portion of your trip.
• Missed Connection: If you miss a connecting flight due to delays or cancellations, this coverage may help with expenses like rebooking fees and accommodations.

Additional Optional Travel Benefits:  

• Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver): Exclusive to Gold & Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit gives travelers extra coverage on their rental car against damage and theft. 
• Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders; this optional benefit gives travelers more flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason outside of their standard policy. 
• Loss Skier Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate some costs associated with pre-paid ski tickets that you or your traveling companion cannot use due to specified slope closures. 
• Loss Golf Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate the expenses linked to prepaid golf arrangements that you or your travel companion are unable to utilize due to specified golf closures. 

Americans aren't required to purchase domestic or international travel insurance to visit the United Kingdom. But it’s still highly recommended that you have a travel insurance plan before embarking on your next trip. 

Why? There are several reasons:

Medical Emergencies: Your health is a top priority. If you face a sudden illness or injury in New York, travel insurance offers the means to receive prompt and quality medical care.

Lost Baggage: Airlines sometimes mishandle baggage, and the last thing you want is to be without your essentials in an unfamiliar place. Travel insurance offers to cover the cost of replacing necessary items, allowing you to continue on.

Flight Delays: Travel disruptions like flight delays can happen. If you miss a connecting flight or incur additional expenses due to delays, travel insurance can help cover the costs.

In general, travel insurance to the United Kingdom costs about 3 – 10% of your total prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. The cost of travel insurance depends on two factors for AXA Travel Protection plans: 

• Total Trip cost:  The total non-prepaid and non-refundable costs you have already paid for your upcoming trip. This includes prepaid excursions, plane tickets, cruise costs, etc. 
• Age:  Like any other insurance type, the correlation is rooted in increased health risks associated with older individuals. It's important to note that this doesn't make travel insurance unattainable for older individuals. 

With AXA Travel Protection, travelers to the United Kingdom will be offered three tiers of insurance:  Silver,   Gold  and  Platinum . Each provides varying levels of coverage to cater to individual's preferences and travel needs. 

AXA presents travelers with three travel plans – the  Silver Plan ,  Gold Plan , and  Platinum Plan , each offering different levels of coverage to suit individual needs. Given that United Kingdom hospitals often do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare, we genuinely recommend travelers consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.  

The Platinum Plan  is your go-to choice if you're looking for extra coverage aligned with the United Kingdom experience. " Cancel for Any Reason " offers greater flexibility for those unexpected twists in your travel plans and the " Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver) " offers assistance when you're out exploring the United Kingdom's stunning landscapes in a rental car. 

Additionally, part of the Platinum Plan is the " Lost Skier Days " benefit, offering potential reimbursement if ski resorts unexpectedly close due to ever-changing snow conditions. These perks make the Platinum Plan an excellent option for anyone seeking comprehensive protection during their exciting United Kingdom adventures. 

Traveling with pre-existing medical conditions can complicate your plans, but with AXA Travel Protection, we're here to support you during your trip.   Our Gold and Platinum  plans offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.  The Platinum plan, in particular, is our highest-offered choice for travelers who want our highest coverage limits and optional add-ons, 

What does this mean for you? If you've got a medical condition hanging around, you can qualify for coverage under our Gold and Platinum plan with a pre-existing medical condition , so long as it’s within 14 days of placing your initial trip deposit and in our 60-day look-back period. We're here to ensure you travel easily, no matter your health situation. 

American visitors can breathe a sigh of relief that the UK no longer has any COVID-19 restrictions for visitors coming from the United States. You do not need to fret over getting a COVID test or submit proof of vaccination upon arrival in the UK. 

It’s illegal to drive in the UK without vehicle insurance. This also applies to those driving on an international license, even if it’s only for a brief period. If you are renting a car, however, we strongly recommend you purchase rental car insurance. AXA Travel Protection can help you with that by offering Rental Car Insurance (Collision Damage Waiver.)  This coverage provides extra coverage for your rental car against damage and theft.

American citizens are considered non-visa nationals in the UK. Therefore, they neither require a visa (for short-term travel) nor need to fulfill any other conditions to visit and travel across the UK.

UK Travel Insurance FAQs

1. can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight.

It's advisable to purchase travel insurance for your trip as soon as you have made your initial trip deposit (prepaid and non-refundable trip costs.) 

AXA Travel Protection offers coverage as soon as you purchase your protection plan. We can give coverage against unforeseen events before you leave for your trip. Additionally, our policies offer coverage for preexisting medical conditions and Cancel for Any Reason if you purchase your protection within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit.

2. Do Americans need travel insurance for the UK?

UK law doesn’t require U.S. citizens visiting the UK for a short time (up to six months) to carry travel insurance. However, carrying international travel insurance for the United Kingdom for unforeseen events is a good idea.

3. What is needed to visit the United Kingdom from the USA?

U.S. citizens only need a passport and a ticket to travel to the UK. The passport must have at least one empty page and validity for the duration of your trip.

4. What happens if a tourist gets sick in the United Kingdom?

The UK has a National Health System (NHS) that provides medical care nationwide.  If a tourist gets sick in the UK, they can get medical care from an NHS center.  However, it’s important to note that while the NHS services are free for the locals, tourists are charged about 150 percent of the cost of their treatment.

Disclaimer: It is important to note that Destination articles are for editorial purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. Specifics of travel coverage for your destination will depend on the plan selected, the date of purchase, and the state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy. Contact AXA Travel Insurance if you have any questions.  AXA Assistance USA, Inc.© 2023 All Rights Reserved.  

AXA already looks after millions of people around the world

With our travel insurance we can take great care of you too

Get AXA Travel Insurance and travel worry free!

Travel Assistance Wherever, Whenever

Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip.

• Resources for agents
• E&S/Specialty partners
• Financial professionals
• Enterprise partners
• Career seekers

Vehicle products

• Classic car
• Personal watercraft
• Business auto
• Auto & home

Related tasks

• Start an auto claim
• Find an agent
• Get insurance card
• Vehicle insurance FAQ
• Vehicle loans
• All insurance

Property products

• Business property
• Home & auto
• Renters insurance FAQ
• Property insurance FAQ
• Home financing
• Renters discounts

Personal Products

• Life insurance
• Pet insurance
• Identity theft

Related links

• Pet insurance FAQ
• Travel insurance FAQ
• Personal loans

Business products

• Businessowners policy (BOP)
• General liability
• Workers’ compensation
• Farm & ranch
• Commercial agribusiness
• See products ...
• Excess & surplus
• Management liability & specialty
• Surety bonds

Employee Benefits

• Employee retirement plans
• Group benefits
• Key person benefits
• Medical stop loss
• MedPair supplemental health

By business type

• Auto service & repair
• Contractors
• Food service
• Professional offices
• Retail stores & services
• Wholesalers & distributors

Related Tasks

• Find a farm agent
• Business claims FAQ

Investment products

• Personal retirement plans
• Mutual funds
• Exchange-traded funds
• Find a financial professional
• Personal finance FAQ
• Investing & retirement FAQ
• Nationwide Financial
• The Advisor Advocate® blog

Insurance Resources

• Small business
• Powersports
• Personal finance
• Investments
• Emergency planning
• Farm & agribusiness
• Cyber resource center
• Investing FAQ
• Now from Nationwide®
• Agency Forward®

Travel insurance

We'll match you with the right plan at a price you can afford.

Nationwide recognized as a top travel insurance company Nationwide has been named the 2023 best cruise travel insurance company by money.com.

Despite your best efforts to avoid them, unexpected incidents can turn your vacation adventures upside down. Accidents, illnesses, injuries, cancelled flights, lost luggage and bad weather can derail even the most carefully laid travel plan.

Travel insurance plans

Cruise insurance plans.

Our cruise insurance plans provide coverage for a single trip and also protect you for certain events that happen when traveling by ship, such as itinerary changes, mechanical breakdown, or other events that suspend ship services.

Single-trip travel plans

Our single-trip plans provide coverage for events that happen before and during a specific leisure trip, including cancellation. These policies can be a significant source of relief when planning big, meaningful trips, such as a honeymoon, or vacations out of the country.

Annual (Multi-trip) travel plans

Travel often? If you spend significant amounts of time traveling, a multi-trip travel insurance plan is likely a good investment. Flexible plans start at $59 and cover travel delays, lost luggage, medical expenses and travel assistance for your leisure trips throughout the year. Customize your plan by adding just the right amount of trip cancellation coverage for how you travel.

Nationwide & UStiA℠

We’re a member of the US Travel Insurance Association. Just like them, we’re dedicated to promoting travel protection for U.S. travelers.

Related topics & resources

Insurance terms, definitions and explanations are intended for informational purposes only and do not in any way replace or modify the definitions and information contained in individual insurance contracts, policies or declaration pages, which are controlling. Such terms and availability may vary by state and exclusions may apply. Discounts may not be applied to all policy coverages.

Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

B uying travel insurance coverage can protect you from unexpected expenses incurred during a trip. These include needing to cancel or interrupt your travel plans, lost luggage, emergency medical expenses and travel delays.

Nationwide travel insurance is among our top picks for the best travel insurance companies . It offers multi-trip plans, dedicated cruise travel coverage, pre-existing condition waivers and round-the-clock travel assistance.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review to learn about the pros and cons of doing business with this well-known travel insurer and decide if it’s the best option for you.

Best for cruise travel insurance

Nationwide is the best company we’ve found for cruise insurance. It offers dedicated cruise travel insurance plans covering unforeseen scenarios you may encounter during a cruise vacation, including itinerary changes and mechanical breakdowns.

Nationwide travel insurance pros and cons

Pre-existing conditions waiver available with most plans

24-hour travel assistance available

Offers cruise-specific plans

Cancel for any reason coverage is only available with premium plans

Offers few add-ons compared to other insurers

Travel insurance covers medical emergencies and other potentially expensive issues while you’re abroad. While it isn’t required for most destinations, like the best travel credit cards , it can provide peace of mind for a fraction of your total trip cost.

Here’s what you can expect from your Nationwide Travel Insurance plan.

Pros explained

Pre-existing conditions are a common travel insurance exclusion. If you developed symptoms of, were treated for or were diagnosed with a condition before purchasing coverage and then suffered a relapse during your trip, travel insurance will cover treatment for it only if you qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver upon purchasing the plan.

According to travel insurance broker Squaremouth, Nationwide offers pre-existing condition waivers on several of its plans. Travelers who purchase the Essential or Primer plans within 20 days of the initial trip deposit may qualify for the waiver, as are those who purchase the Choice Cruise or Luxury Cruise plans within 14 days of the initial deposit.

Note, however, that you must meet certain conditions for the waiver to be valid (including being medically approved to travel). And this benefit is not available on the Universal Cruise Plan.

Nationwide’s travel insurance plans offer comprehensive 24-hour emergency services, including emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, transportation post-stabilization and repatriation of mortal remains.

The company also provides travel support services, including medical monitoring, interpretation services and assistance with making emergency travel arrangements or replacing lost or stolen items such as medication or medical devices.

Compared to other travel insurance companies, Nationwide provides more expansive and customizable cruise insurance coverage. The company offers three plans tailored specifically for cruises: Choice, Universal and Luxury. Each covers cruise-specific travel-related setbacks such as medical evacuations, itinerary changes and missed connections.

Cruise-specific coverage includes:

• Cancellations due to weather or social unrest in an itinerary country
• Missed connections while you’re off the cruise ship
• Reimbursement for canceled prepaid excursions due to itinerary changes

Cons explained

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage allows policyholders to cancel their trip for reasons other than those listed as covered in their policy details. Standard canceling policies don’t include coverage for situations where travelers simply change their minds about their trip or have personal reasons for canceling. With CFAR coverage, however, they can cancel their trip for any reason whatsoever.

With Nationwide, CFAR Coverage is only available with the Prime and Luxury Cruise plans. If you opt for a lower plan tier, your customization options will be limited to rental car coverage.

Nationwide offers few options for policy customization beyond CFAR and rental car coverage. By contrast, other insurers provide coverage for pets, adventure sports and accidental death and dismemberment.

Nationwide travel insurance plans

Choosing the right travel insurance plan for your trip is crucial. Like the best travel rewards credit cards , the right plan can help you save money on your trip. However, the wrong plan could be an unnecessary expense.

Nationwide offers several travel insurance plans and some level of customization through standard add-ons. You can learn more about the details of each plan and get a quote on Nationwide’s website.

Below is a brief overview of the different travel insurance plans Nationwide offers.

Single-trip plans

You can buy single-trip insurance for a flat price and get coverage for the extent of your trip, whether a few days or a month. Nationwide offers two single-trip plans:

CFAR coverage is only available with Prime. This option costs extra and will cover 75% of non-refundable trip costs, provided you purchase it within 21 days of your initial trip payment and meet other specific requirements.

Multi-trip (annual) plan

Annual plans, also known as multi-trip travel insurance, are designed to cover multiple trips per year and are paid on an annual or monthly basis.

Nationwide’s Annual Travel Pro Plan has several trip cancellation benefit options from $1,250 to $10,000. Trip interruption coverage will depend on whatever tip cancellation option you select. Baggage and personal effects coverage is $500 per person/trip with a $200 per article limit and a $400 maximum for valuable goods.

As for medical coverage, the annual plan provides the following:

• $10,000 per person/trip (secondary) for emergency medical expenses
• $750 per person/trip for emergency dental expenses (included in medical coverage)
• $50,000 per person/trip for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains

This plan does not include CFAR coverage or a waiver of pre-existing conditions

Cruise plans

Nationwide’s cruise insurance differentiates the company from others in the industry. Cruise insurance covers every destination country, plus robust medical evacuation coverage. Nationwide offers three cruise insurance plans.

All three cruise plans offer a benefit that allows policyholders to cancel their travel plans due to work reasons. Additionally, the Choice and Luxury plans include a pre-existing condition waiver, provided you purchase insurance within 14 days of the initial trip deposit and meet certain conditions.

CFAR coverage is exclusively available with the Luxury plan. This option covers 75% of non-refundable trip costs. Please note that CFAR entails an additional cost and requires purchasing coverage within 14 days of the initial trip payment, along with meeting other conditions.

Nationwide travel insurance pricing

With Nationwide, travel insurance costs vary depending on the plan you select and factors such as:

• The number of travelers in your group
• Your age and the ages of your travel companions
• The total cost of your trip
• Add-ons and additional coverage you purchase

To get an accurate estimate of what you might pay for travel insurance with Nationwide, request a quick online quote on the company’s website or contact its 24/7 customer service helpline.

Nationwide financial stability

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company is an established insurer with an A+ (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best. This rating indicates the company’s strong ability to meet its financial obligations, particularly in terms of paying out claims.

Nationwide accessibility

Because Nationwide is such a large company, its insurance plans are widely available. The company also takes steps to be as accessible as possible.

Availability

Nationwide Travel Insurance is available in all 50 states. However, policies can vary from state to state. Coverage for itinerary changes, for example, may include those caused by fires, mechanical issues, illnesses and more, depending on the state where you buy your plan.

Contact information

Nationwide allows policyholders to get a quote and file a claim online. The company also offers a 24/7 worldwide travel assistance line: 1-877-970-9059.

You can call the helpline to ask about your coverage or get help finding a network provider. If you want to pay for your Nationwide travel insurance, you can do it through your account or as a guest online.

Nationwide Travel Insurance doesn’t have a public email address, but you can fill out a form on the contact page of Nationwide’s website to send an email.

User experience

Most Nationwide Travel Insurance reviews report an intuitive user experience. The website is easy to navigate and provides clear directions to compare plans, file a claim or make payments. Customer reviews report quick response times and helpful customer service agents.

Nationwide travel insurance customer satisfaction

While Nationwide gets mixed reviews on third-party review platforms, consumers should remember it’s a large insurance company, and most public customer complaints aren’t specific to its travel insurance plans.

Nationwide is rated 1.15/5 stars on BBB.org. Again, that score doesn’t necessarily reflect the experience of Nationwide’s travel insurance customers. However, some customers have reported difficulty filing claims for other insurance products.

Nationwide travel insurance FAQs

How can travelers file a travel insurance claim with nationwide, does nationwide offer a "cancel for any reason" upgrade, is nationwide travel insurance worth it, how we evaluated nationwide travel insurance.

We evaluated Nationwide Travel Insurance for this review by comparing it to other top insurance providers. Some critical features we considered include:

• Variety of plans offered
• Add-on coverage options
• Accessibility
• Customer reviews and complaints
• Coverage limits
• Inclusion of pre-existing condition waivers

Summary of Money’s Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

If you’ve booked an expensive trip and covered non-refundable trip expenses ahead of time, travel insurance could give you peace of mind knowing you can be reimbursed for cancellations and other unforeseen events.

Nationwide offers comprehensive coverage through single-trip, multi-trip and cruise plans. The company might be the best insurance provider for you if you want multiple options for cruise insurance. With the right coverage, you can be protected against cruise-specific setbacks such as itinerary changes and non-emergency evacuations.

© Copyright 2024 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

Money blog: Nando's and Five Guys drinks policy could be banned in part of UK

Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Leave a comment with your thoughts below - or submit a Money Problem or consumer dispute, remembering to leave a contact number or email.

Monday 15 July 2024 20:41, UK

• Nando's and Five Guys drinks policy could be banned in part of UK
• Mars admits Celebrations have been shrunk ahead of Christmas
• Bank launches £175 switching bonus - but there's a catch
• Fake olive oil worth more than £757,000 seized

Essential reads

• Money Problem : 'A £16 phone bill debt has put a default on my credit record and now I can't get a mortgage - what can I do?'
• Risks from your child's first smartphone - and how to tackle them
• Holiday money - where to buy it, how to avoid fees, and one thing you must not do as pound reaches highs
• Best wines for the summer under £10 a bottle
• Best make-up dupes for a summer glow
• Best deals on school uniform ahead of new academic year

Ask a question or make a comment

Spotfiy has discreetly introduced a cheaper plan that can save users up to £24 a year.

Its new "Basic" plan costs £1-£2 less a month than other subscriptions.

Users will need to forgo audiobooks, while still enjoying ad-free listening, downloads, high-quality audio and podcasts.

Most of Spotify's Premium plans (not including Student) currently include 15 hours of audiobook listening.

Current Spotify Premium members were all moved onto these plans automatically after price increases in April 2024.

The prices of these plans are: Individual Premium (£11.99 per month), Family Premium (£19.99 per month) and Duo (£16.99 per month).

The new Basic plan - only available to existing Premium subscribers - includes all the regular perks, but without the 15 hours of audiobooks.

The prices of these plans are: Individual Basic (£10.99 per month), Family Basic (£17.99 per month) and Duo Basic (£14.99 per month).

Student plans remain at £5.99 per month, and there is no Basic Student available currently.

To switch plans, log into Spotify via a browser (you can't use the app). Go to your Profile , then Account , Subscription and Available plans .

Find Basic option, select your plan and click Update subscription .

By James Sillars , business reporter 

A strong US stock market rally today is being described as a "Trump bounce".

Market commentators credited the prospect of a big sympathy vote for the former president-turned presidential hopeful after the failed assassination attempt at the weekend.

As such, investors were pricing in a greater chance of him winning a second term in November.

The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both hit new record highs as hopes grew for investor-friendly policies ahead, such as extended tax cuts and looser regulation.

Trump Media & Technology Group was one of the most actively traded shares.

They were up 34%.

On this side of the Atlantic, the FTSE 100 was on course to close about 0.8% down.

Burberry was the biggest faller, down 16%, following a weak trading update that prompted the luxury brand to cancel is dividend.

The Welsh government is considering restricting free refills of sugary soft drinks in restaurants - potentially impacting fans of Nando's, Five Guys, Pizza Hut and Popeyes.

It has launched a consultation in an attempt to encourage people to make "healthier choices".

Eluned Morgan, Labour cabinet secretary for health and social care, said more than 60% of the population is "living with obesity or overweight".

She is proposing a "package of measures to improve the health of our food environments across Wales".

It is proposed that retailers be prohibited from placing HFSS products (high in fat, salt and sugar), in areas such as aisle ends and checkout/queueing areas.

There could also be restrictions on promotions.

Restaurants would be exempt from price and location promotions, "except in the case of free refills of sugar-sweetened beverages".

It is being proposed that "failure to comply with an improvement notice" could result in the "option of issuing a fixed monetary penalty of £2,500".

Grandparents in Sweden are eligible for paid parental leave under a new law aimed at extending childcare benefits beyond children's immediate family.

The programme, launched at the start of this month, allows parents to transfer a portion of their parental leave days to other caretakers, including grandparents. 

The law enables single parents to transfer up to 90 days of paid leave to other caregivers and a parental couple to transfer up to 45 days, according to the Swedish government's Social Insurance Agency.  

This comes 50 years after the country became the first ever nation to introduce paid parental leave that could be split between both parents - and many countries, including the UK, copied.

Dozens of tonnes of fake olive oil worth more than €900,000 (£757,000) have been seized in Italy.

Authorities confiscated a total of 71 tonnes of the "oily substance", with 42 tonnes of it boxed and ready to be sold as Italian extra virgin olive oil, one of Italy's biggest national police forces said. 

Seven people were allegedly behind the counterfeit goods, with the Carabinieri accusing them of criminal conspiracy, adulteration of food substances intended for marketing, fraud in public military supplies and adulteration of food for export.

"During the operations, several boxes and warehouses used by the suspects were searched, seizing 71 tonnes of oily substance, contained in plastic tubs and cans of various sizes," it said . 

Equipment used for packaging and distribution, including 1,145 customs excise duty stamps and labels claiming the oil was "extra virgin", have also been taken by officers. 

The investigation comes as the price of olive oil continues to soar in the UK - the cost of a 500ml bottle has risen from £6.16 in May 2023 to £8.60, according to the latest data.

The Money team has previously found a bacterial disease, criminal gangs, changing weather patterns and Brexit have all played a part in the increases. 

You can read more about our olive oil investigation from earlier this year below...

By  Brad Young  and  Katie Williams , from the Money team

As we reported in our markets update below, the pound has held its recent gains against the dollar, with one pound buying $1.2982. It's also at a near two-year high against the euro - £1 equals €1.1912.

So, this could be the perfect time to buy your holiday money.

Recently, we spoke with three travel experts to find out when, where and how to pay abroad in order to make the most of your pound.

CREDIT CARD

"The  cheapest way to spend overseas is often on plastic , if you've got the right plastic," said James Jones, head of consumer affairs at Experian.

"Using credit and debit cards can be a great way to get the very best exchange rates."

He said rates offered by currency exchange shops are usually "much less attractive" than those offered on some cards, which were much closer to the rates the banks use themselves.

Fees could wipe out any gains

But it's essential to be aware of things like non-sterling transaction fees, cash withdrawal fees and credit card interest.

So shop around for a card with travel rewards, Mr Jones said - and do this before your trip.  

"You probably need to give yourself, ideally, six weeks."

Extra protection

When you book a trip between £100 and £30,000, try and pay for some of it on a credit card to get "extra protection" under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, said Mr Jones.

That means the card provider is jointly responsible with the retailer if something goes wrong, such as arriving at a hotel only to find it has closed down.

If you are using a credit card, make sure you are can pay it off in full to avoid interest charges, said Sean Tipton from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

One trap you must not falling into

An increasingly common trap when paying with card (credit or debit) is being presented with the option to pay in the local currency or in pounds, said Mr Jones and Mr Tipton.

While paying in sterling might "seem like a wonderful convenience" you will ultimately be paying "quite a bit more for the purchase", Mr Jones said.

If you pay in pounds, the local retailer's bank sets the exchange rate, but if you pay in the local currency, your UK bank sets the rate.

DEBIT CARDS

"Some service providers don't apply fees for overseas use on their regular UK debit cards," says Moneyfacts - but you must always check as some incur big fees.

Alternatively, "some service providers offer specialist travel debit cards that don't impose non-sterling transaction fees and cash withdrawal fees".

PREPAID TRAVEL CARDS

If you're looking to avoid a credit check, prepaid cards can be loaded with multiple currencies and work like a debit card, without being connected to your bank.

"Typically, prepaid travel cards will offer competitive or even no charges for foreign usage, which can make them a cheaper alternative to using a normal credit or debit card while on holiday," says MoneyFacts.

One of the most popular prepaid cards, Revolut, uses its own exchange rates, which might not always be the best you can find - and while it is fee free on weekdays, there are charges at weekends, so do your research.

Also be aware - prepaid cards do not offer purchase protection like a credit card and aren't regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

"Don't rely solely on a card - it can backfire on you if you do," said Mr Tipton.

Some taxis only take cash, leaving you to face hefty charges withdrawing from an ATM.

In some countries, like Argentina, it can be difficult to get money out of ATMs without a local bank account, Mr Tipton said.

Mr Jones added: "If you're in a very remote part of the world that actually doesn’t have many ATMs and maybe where cash is king, then that might dictate what you need to do."

Where and when to get cash

"I'd strongly recommend [to] get some cash out in the UK," said Mr Tipton.

It can be difficult to find a bureau de change in some developing nations, and ATMs have "started introducing quite hefty charges" across the board, he said.

The exceptions are countries with really high inflation rates, where it may make more sense to get cash out when you arrive, he added.

When to exchange currency really depends on the destination, said Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office.

"Exchange rates change frequently, so if you have time, do your homework and lock in a rate when it is good."

What is a good exchange rate for Europe?

Some 80% of British holidays abroad take place in the Eurozone, said Mr Tipton.

The rate has remained "fairly stable", but if you see the pound increasing in value that may be the time to buy a larger amount of Euros for a couple of years in advance, he added.

Mr Tipton said 1.2 to the pound is a "pretty healthy" time to buy, but "it is a bit of a lottery".

Every year the pound gets stronger against the South African rand, and the same in Argentina, where the peso is "unbelievably weak", Mr Tipton suggested.

In store or online?

"Most online suppliers will insist on a minimum order value that might be too high for some people, and you'll have to make sure that you're home for when it's delivered," said Ms Plunkett.

"But typically, rates are better online if that's an option for you."

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter 

Burberry has ousted its chief executive and announced the appointment of a new CEO this morning. 

The move came as the luxury British fashion brand scrapped shareholder payments and reported a "disappointing" financial performance and a "more challenging than expected" business transition.

The company said it expected to make a loss in the first half of the year if current trends persist, as previously identified weakness had "deepened".

Taking up the reins is former Michael Kors boss Joshua Schulman.

Following the update, Burberry's share price was down 12.5%. 

The index Burberry is a constituent of, the FTSE 100, was down 0.4%, as was the larger FTSE 250 which comprises more UK companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. 

The price of oil, as measured by a barrel of Brent crude, is slightly lower than it has been for most of the past four weeks at $84.79 a barrel, but it is still above May and June prices. 

The pound has held its gains against the dollar, with one pound buying $1.2982. It's also at a near two-year high against the euro - £1 equals €1.1912.

After the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, the cryptocurrency Bitcoin enjoyed another steep rise, though is still below the all-time high reached in March.

A box of Celebrations has been quietly shrunk.

It doesn't quite mean Christmas is cancelled - but there may be even more bickering than usual as there'll be on average five fewer sweets to choose from.

We mentioned that the shrinkage had been implemented quietly - firms don't usually advertise these things and instead we got wind of the 600g box becoming 550g via a warehouse worker who posted this on X...

The Money team contacted Mars Wrigley for comment - we haven't heard back but when approached by The Grocer , a spokeswoman said the business had "been actively trying to find ways to absorb the rising costs of raw materials and operations".

"Unfortunately, the growing pressures mean more needs to be done.

"Reducing the size of our products is not a decision we have taken lightly but it is necessary for shoppers to still be able to enjoy their favourite Celebrations treats without compromising on quality or taste," she added.

Mars Wrigley has also shrunk the tub itself, she said, "to reduce the plastic used in the packaging by 17%."

On whether the cost of a box would come down, the spokeswoman said: "Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer."

It would seem fairly pointless to shrink the product because of rising costs and then also reduce the price - but let's see.

The Grocer has pointed out that Mars Wrigley has shrinkflation form in recent years - impacting Twix, Maltesers, Galaxy bars and Starburst.

Barclays has launched a £175 incentive for new customers to bank with them.

The cash can be claimed by switching to a Barclays Bank Account or Premier Current Account by 30 August.

But the majority of switchers will have to pay a £5 monthly fee to be eligible.

In order to qualify for the free cash with a Barclays Bank Account, customers must pay for a Blue Rewards subscription in the Barclays app.

The recently revamped Blue Rewards comes with Apple TV+, a Major League Soccer season pass and cashback incentives.

Still interested? Then you need to use the current account switch service, pay in at least £800 and move over at least two direct debits.

The alternative is to open a Premier Current Account, which is only available to those with an income of £75,000 or at least £100,000 in savings or investments with Barclays.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

The Best Car and Home Insurance Bundles for 2024

Sarah Schlichter is a NerdWallet authority on homeowners, renters and pet insurance. Prior to joining NerdWallet, she spent more than 15 years in digital media as a writer, editor and spokesperson. Sarah enjoys delving into complicated topics and helping readers understand the ins and outs of their insurance coverage. She lives in the Washington, D.C., metro area.

Caitlin Constantine is an assigning editor at NerdWallet, focusing on homeowners, renters and pet insurance. She has more than 15 years of experience in digital media, including as the deputy managing editor at The Penny Hoarder and as a digital producer for a 24/7 news station based in the Tampa Bay area. Caitlin enjoys exploring the ways technology can help people become better informed about the world. She currently lives outside Asheville, North Carolina.

Ben Moore is an assistant assigning editor and spokesperson who joined NerdWallet as a writer in 2020. An auto insurance authority, his past work has been featured in The Associated Press, The Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. Ben has been quoted in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine, and he has appeared on local broadcast television. He is based in Nashville, Tennessee.

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 .

Key takeaways

Amica, State Farm and USAA offer some of the best auto and home insurance bundles.

Bundling could save you up to 30%, but it isn’t always the cheapest option.

Shop around for quotes with and without a bundle to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Bundling your home and auto insurance is a great way to save money, with some insurers advertising discounts up to 30%. But don’t just go with the first insurance company you come across that offers a bundling discount. Choose an insurer with strong customer service, plenty of perks and coverage options, plus other discounts.

Here are NerdWallet’s picks for the best auto and home insurance bundles.

See what you could save on car insurance

American family.

Wide range of coverage and discounts.

Few consumer complaints.

Diminishing Deductibles available for home and car insurance.

Not available in all states.

Bundling discount: Up to 23%.

Why we picked it: If you live in one of the states American Family serves, its bundled policies are worth considering. The company says policyholders can save up to 23% when they bundle home and car insurance. The company offers strong customer service too, drawing fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size.

Coverage: In addition to standard car insurance coverage, you can also add Diminishing Deductibles to your policy. With this feature, American Family will reduce your deductible — the amount of a claim you’re responsible for — by $100 for each year you drive safely.

Diminishing Deductibles are also available for homeowners insurance, along with a variety of other add-ons. For example, you can buy coverage for water damage from backed-up sewers and drains, or for major appliances that break down.

Discounts: Aside from a bundling discount, you may be eligible for savings if you:

Install certain smart devices in your home.

Own a house that’s less than 15 years old.

Have renovated your home recently.

Insure more than one vehicle with American Family.

Drive fewer than 7,500 miles per year.

Sign up for autopay.

Check out our American Family auto insurance and American Family home insurance reviews to learn more.

Online claims filing and tracking available.

Few consumer complaints for home and auto insurance.

Upgraded coverage packages available.

Home insurance not available in Alaska or Hawaii.

Auto insurance not available in Hawaii.

Bundling discount: Up to 30%.

Why we picked it: Excellent customer satisfaction and low consumer complaints make Amica a great choice for people looking to bundle their home and auto policies. Amica’s website states that policyholders can save up to 30% if they bundle their home and auto insurance.

Coverage: Homeowners who want additional coverage on top of Amica’s standard home policy can buy the Platinum Choice package, which includes extended dwelling coverage and increased liability limits. Meanwhile, drivers can purchase extras like full glass coverage or prestige rental coverage, which covers up to $5,000 for a comparable rental car if your vehicle is in an accident.

Discounts: Bundling isn’t the only discount Amica offers. Depending on your state, you could also save money by:

Being insured by any home or auto insurer for at least two years.

Insuring more than one car.

Equipping your car with anti-theft devices like car alarms or GPS tracking systems.

Going without an auto or home insurance claim for at least three years.

Insuring a new or remodeled home.

Signing up for paperless billing or autopay.

Read more in our Amica auto insurance and Amica home insurance reviews.

» MORE: The best home insurance companies

Auto-Owners

Lots of extra coverage options and discounts.

Fewer consumer complaints than expected.

No online quotes.

Bundling discount: Varies.

Why we picked it: If you're open to working with an independent agent to get coverage, Auto-Owners has a variety of good options. The company sells home and auto insurance through local agents in about half of U.S. states. One nice feature of having both policies with Auto-Owners is that if an event such as a storm damages both your home and car, the company will reduce your auto deductible by the amount of your homeowners deductible.

Coverage: You can tailor your homeowners policy with a variety of extras, such as coverage for identity theft , water backup or inland flooding. For peace of mind, you may want to consider guaranteed replacement cost coverage for the structure of your home, which will pay enough to rebuild after a total loss even if your dwelling limit isn’t high enough.

Additional options you can get for your auto policy include gap insurance , which protects you financially if you total a car that’s worth less than what you owe on it. You can also opt for accident forgiveness to avoid surcharges after a crash.

Discounts: Besides a bundling discount, you could also save money by:

Paying your policy in full and on time.

Having antilock brakes, airbags or anti-theft devices in your car.

Signing up for paperless billing.

Having no mortgage on your home.

Not filing any recent homeowners insurance claims.

Installing smoke detectors, deadbolt locks or other protective devices in your home.

Read more in our Auto-Owners car insurance review and Auto-Owners home insurance review .

Country Financial

Many discounts available.

Far fewer consumer complaints than expected.

Policies not available in all states.

You can start a quote online but have to finish with an agent.

Why we picked it: Country Financial is a solid choice for customers who want a variety of coverage options. The company has strong customer satisfaction, with far fewer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.

Coverage: Country Financial offers a range of home insurance coverage options depending on the policy you choose. Some policies cover issues like bleach stains on your couch or a power surge that damages electronics. You may also be able to add guaranteed replacement cost coverage, which has no limits on how much it will pay for new construction materials and labor to rebuild your home.

Auto insurance coverage options include new car replacement , which can pay for a new vehicle after an accident if yours is totaled. You can also add vehicle rental and trip interruption, which reimburses up to $800 for a rental car if you’re in an accident while away from home. It also covers some transportation, lodging and meal expenses if you’re in an accident more than 100 miles away from home.

Discounts: The company offers a variety of discounts. Depending on your state, savings may be available for things like:

Installing smoke detectors and automatic sprinkler systems in your home.

Having certain smart-home devices.

Getting a quote before your policy expires.

Insuring a car with an alarm or anti-theft device.

Going without tickets or accidents for at least three years.

Working as a teacher, firefighter, police officer, emergency medical technician or paramedic.

Read more in our Country Financial auto insurance review and Country Financial home insurance review .

» MORE: The best car insurance companies

The Hanover

Offers two packages specifically for home/auto bundlers.

Extensive menu of coverage options.

Available in fewer than half of U.S. states.

Why we picked it: The Hanover caters to home/auto policyholders with two customizable packages, Platinum and Prestige. Each includes a bundling discount.

Coverage: Platinum is the standard bundle, which includes a variety of customizable coverage options. For example, you can add guaranteed replacement cost coverage to your homeowners policy to make sure you always have enough money to rebuild your home after a disaster, even if your dwelling coverage limit is too low. 

If a single event affects both your home and your vehicle, you’ll need to pay only one deductible, not both. For example, that might include a fire that destroys both your house and your car in the garage.

Prestige is designed for higher-value homes and cars, offering flexible and generous coverage limits. The Prestige homeowners policy includes up to $100,000 for fine art or other valuables, plus unlimited loss of use coverage if you need to live elsewhere while your home is repaired. The Prestige auto policy comes with high limits for rental car coverage, plus travel expenses if your car breaks down.

Discounts: In addition to bundling savings, you could get a discount or credit for: 

Having a newly built home.

Being a nonsmoker.

Installing safety or security devices in your home.

Paying your premium in full, upfront.

Having safety features on your car such as antilock brakes.

Insuring multiple vehicles.

For more information, see our Hanover auto insurance and Hanover home insurance reviews.

Generous dwelling coverage for your home.

Free smart-home device to help prevent house fires.

Drive Safe & Save program offers discounts up to 30%.

Advertises relatively few home insurance discounts.

Doesn’t offer gap insurance.

Bundling discount: State Farm doesn't specify a percentage but claims policyholders could save up to $1,273 per year by bundling.

Why we picked it: Robust coverage options make bundles from the country's largest home and auto insurer worth considering. As America’s largest property and casualty insurer, State Farm also covers boats, RVs, farms or small businesses, among other things.

Coverage: State Farm’s auto insurance includes all of the basics, but you can add extras such as rideshare insurance (useful if you drive for services like Uber or Lyft). Safe drivers willing to let State Farm track their driving habits can earn discounts through the Drive Safe & Save program.

State Farm offers a long list of home insurance coverage options to choose from, though some require speaking with an agent to add to your policy. Home insurance policyholders in most states can get a free Ting smart device, which tracks problems in your electrical system that could lead to fires.

Discounts: Depending on where you live, State Farm may offer discounts for:

Insuring more than one car with State Farm.

Having an anti-theft device in your vehicle.

Taking a defensive driving course.

Having a hail-resistant roof.

Installing burglar alarms, smoke detectors or other protective devices.

Learn more in our State Farm auto insurance and State Farm home insurance reviews.

Various coverage options for home and auto insurance.

Discount available for eco-friendly homes.

Accident forgiveness available.

Rideshare coverage isn’t available in all states.

Why we picked it: Travelers is a great pick for eco-friendly homeowners who want a wide range of coverage options and discounts. The company draws few consumer complaints to state regulators for an insurer of its size.

Coverage: Homeowners can upgrade to contents replacement cost coverage, which pays for new items if your belongings are damaged or lost in a covered disaster. If you choose Green Home coverage, Travelers may cover extra costs for using environmentally friendly construction materials when rebuilding your home after a covered claim.

Travelers’ auto insurance also offers useful add-ons. Its Responsible Driver Plan forgives one accident or minor violation over a specified period. The Premier Responsible Driver Plan does the same but also includes a decreasing deductible — $50 off for every six months of good driving, up to $500 off your deductible.

Discounts: Besides a home and auto bundling discount, you may qualify for savings by:

Driving safely.

Insuring a vehicle less than 3 years old.

Driving a hybrid or electric vehicle.

Installing protective devices in your home, like smoke detectors, fire alarms or security systems .

Having your house certified as a “green home” by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, rating system.

Learn more in our Travelers auto insurance and Travelers home insurance reviews.

Fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.

Home insurance includes useful perks.

One-stop shop for insurance as well as banking and investing products.

Available only to active military, veterans and their families.

Bundling discount: Up to 10%.

Why we picked it: USAA policyholders can save up to 10% by bundling home and auto policies, the company says on its website. However, USAA’s insurance isn’t available to everyone. Only active military, veterans and their families are eligible to become USAA members and buy the company’s policies.

Coverage: Homeowners can take advantage of included perks like replacement cost coverage for their belongings, which pays enough to buy new items if your stuff is damaged or destroyed in a covered claim. USAA also covers military uniforms with no deductible.

In some states, you may be able to save money on your auto insurance by enrolling in the company’s SafePilot program, which uses an app to track your driving habits. If you avoid risky behaviors such as hard braking and using your phone while driving, you could get a discount.

Discounts: Depending on where you live, you may also get a discount for: 

Living on a military base.

Insuring more than one vehicle.

Setting up autopay.

Installing smart-home technology in your home.

Insuring your home with USAA for at least 3 years.

Learn more in our USAA auto insurance and USAA home insurance reviews.

The benefits of an auto and home insurance bundle

If you bundle car and homeowners insurance, you may get benefits like:

Lower premiums. A multipolicy discount could save you as much as 30%, according to some insurer websites, depending on the company and where you live.

Simplified policy management. It's easier to manage multiple policies when they come from the same company.

Insurance security. If you’ve made auto insurance claims or gotten tickets, having other policies with the same company can make it less likely the insurer will drop you because of those incidents.

» MORE: What is full coverage car insurance?

The drawbacks of an auto and home insurance bundle

Bundling policies encourages a "set it and forget it” mentality, but automatically renewing year after year with the same company could come at a cost. You're less likely to check out competitors’ rates if you have to switch two policies instead of one, especially if one is paid automatically through a mortgage escrow account .

Prices tend to increase at policy renewal time, and they can inch up well beyond what you would pay with another company if you don’t check rates online or by phone.

Of course, not all insurance companies increase premiums until their customers are overpaying, and rates are bound to increase over time with any product. But if you don’t shop around every so often, you’ll never know whether you’re getting the fairest price.

Should you bundle car and home insurance?

Bundling home and car insurance will often save you money, but not always. To decide if bundling makes sense for you, compare the quotes for separate home and auto policies to quotes for bundled policies. If separate policies are cheaper than a bundled rate, there’s no reason to buy them together.

Insurance pricing is highly individual, and much depends on where you live, your credit history (in most states) and the value of the items you’re insuring. Say your situation translates to a very expensive auto policy — maybe you drive a sports car or had a recent at-fault accident — but your house is modest and requires little coverage. If your carrier provides you with the cheapest car insurance possible, even if the homeowners rate isn’t as low as it could be, you’re probably still saving with the bundle.

But the script is flipped if your carrier’s auto insurance is pricey compared with other options in your area. A discount on an inexpensive homeowners policy could pale in comparison to the bigger savings you would get by breaking the bundle and choosing the cheapest auto insurance. After shopping and comparing rates for both, you might want to keep your home policy the same, but get your auto insurance elsewhere.

» MORE: 8 ways to get the cheapest car insurance possible

Bundling tips

If bundling auto and homeowners insurance makes sense for you, take these steps to maximize your savings.

Compare bundles from different insurers , either online or with an agent. An independent insurance agent can get prices from multiple companies to help you find the best rate.

Check for third parties. Ask if the insurer uses a third-party insurance company (sometimes called an affiliate) for either policy you want to bundle. Although you may still save money, you’ll lose convenience because you won’t be dealing with just one insurance company.

Shop for quotes regularly because the cost of home insurance and the cost of auto insurance can change from year to year. It’s particularly important to shop around when you have a major life change (such as moving or getting married) or when you have a larger-than-usual rate increase at renewal.

You may also want to get new quotes if your credit has gotten significantly better or worse. In most states, having poor credit can have a bigger impact on your premiums than filing a claim. Learn more about how credit affects home insurance rates .

» MORE: Compare car insurance rates

How we chose the best home and auto insurance bundles

Our editorial team chose insurance companies with NerdWallet ratings of at least 4.5 stars for their home and auto insurance products. All companies selected offer a discount for bundling home and auto insurance policies. We excluded insurers with products available in fewer than 10 states.

NerdWallet analyzed rates data from four of the largest home and auto insurance companies to find their median discounts for bundling home and car insurance. For this story, NerdWallet calculated averages using the median, which is the midpoint of the rates we examined.

For companies where rates data wasn't available, we used information on bundling discounts from the insurers' websites.

Bundling policies can usually get you a discount . But because it’s so convenient, it can also discourage price shopping. In other words, if you don’t know what other companies charge, you may not realize you’re overpaying.

Some "bundled" policies aren't really bundled. Auto insurers may set you up with a partner company for home insurance, and in that case, you may not be able to manage your bills in one place.

Not necessarily. If you have traffic violations , your credit is poor or you live in a state with high insurance rates, it may actually be cheaper to shop for separate policies than to bundle them. See our guides to the cheapest car insurance and cheapest homeowners insurance to shop for separate policies.

Yes, many companies offer bundles with renters insurance or other policies like condo insurance, life insurance and others. Check with your carrier (or shop around with other insurance providers) to find bundling options that will meet your needs.

Bundling policies can usually get you a

. But because it’s so convenient, it can also discourage price shopping. In other words, if you don’t know what other companies charge, you may not realize you’re overpaying.

Not necessarily. If you have

traffic violations

, your credit is poor or you live in a state with high insurance rates, it may actually be cheaper to shop for separate policies than to bundle them. See our guides to the

cheapest car insurance

cheapest homeowners insurance

to shop for separate policies.

Yes, many companies offer bundles with

renters insurance

or other policies like condo insurance, life insurance and others. Check with your carrier (or shop around with other insurance providers) to find bundling options that will meet your needs.

Methodology

Auto insurance star ratings methodology

NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance .

Homeowners insurance star ratings methodology

NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverage, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full ratings methodology for home insurance .

Insurer complaints methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2020-2022. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

Auto insurance rates methodology

NerdWallet found median 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 any of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates were for 35-year-old male and female drivers with good credit, no tickets or violations, and with 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 a 2021 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.

These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services on June 2024. Your rates will be different.

Homeowners insurance rates methodology

To find the average cost of homeowners insurance, NerdWallet calculated the median rate for 40-year-old homeowners from a variety of insurance companies in every ZIP code across the U.S. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.

Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:

$300,000 in dwelling coverage.

$30,000 in other structures coverage.

$150,000 in personal property coverage.

$60,000 in loss of use coverage.

$300,000 in liability coverage.

$1,000 in medical payments coverage.

We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.

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

ON A SIMILAR NOTE...

Dive even deeper in insurance, 6 best homeowners insurance companies of july 2024, the average home insurance cost in the u.s. for 2024, the cheapest home insurance for 2024.

Explore INSURANCE