What is worldwide travel insurance?
While worldwide travel insurance isn't a legal requirement, it can protect you if anything goes wrong while you're overseas.
Things like medical treatment can get really expensive, especially if you're travelling further afield. If an accident happens, you could be left massively out of pocket.
If you're travelling across the world, travel insurance gives you a safety net and covers you for things like medical treatment, lost belongings, cancellations and accidents.
What countries does worldwide travel insurance cover?
While you'd be forgiven for thinking worldwide travel insurance covers you in every country across the world, this isn't always the case!
Be mindful that the USA, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico are commonly excluded destinations from worldwide policies.
At Admiral, we break down travel into three zones:
- Europe
- Worldwide excluding USA, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico
- Worldwide including USA, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico
What does worldwide travel insurance cover?
Worldwide travel insurance covers you for lots of different things, including:
Emergency medical
expenses
We cover reasonable and necessary emergency medical treatment costs if you get ill or injured in an accident abroad.
Delayed or missed
departure
If you're delayed or miss your transport because of unforeseen circumstances, we'll cover reasonable costs for extra accommodation and travel.
Lost or stolen personal belongings
If your belongings are lost, stolen or damaged accidentally (or deliberately by someone else), you can claim up to your policy limits.
This is just a snapshot of what we cover. For the full list, head to our travel insurance page or check your policy book.
What doesn't worldwide travel insurance cover?
This list isn't exhaustive and doesn't include exclusions for our specialist travel insurance like adventurous sport and winter sport.
- Flights cancelled or delayed for any reason other than severe weather conditions, strike, or mechanical breakdown (unless you've bought extra cover)
- Claims related to flights that don't start or end in the UK (connected flights), unless you've bought extra cover
- Trip cancellation because you've changed your mind
- Pre-existing conditions you've not declared
- Claims related to death or illness of someone not on the policy linked to pre-existing conditions they had at any time before you bought your policy
- Lost or stolen items you've left unattended
- Claims where you can't give us evidence, for example, a police report or receipts
- Being denied entry because you don't have passports or the correct visas
- Extreme sports, winter sports or cruise trips unless you've paid for the additional cover
- Circumstances that aren't specified in your policy
However, check your policy book for all exclusions.
Choose from three levels of cover
We have three levels of cover to choose from, depending on your needs and the type of cover you're looking for.
| Admiral | Admiral Gold |
Admiral Platinum |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Excess | £100 | £75 | £50 |
| Emergency medical treatment and repatriation | £10M | £15M | £20M |
| Cancellation or cutting your trip short | £1.5K | £3K | £5K |
| Personal belongings | £1K | £2K | £3K |
| Money and documents | £300 | £400 | £500 |
This isn't everything we cover! For the full list of benefits, head to the travel insurance page or check the policy book.
Pre-existing conditions
If you have a pre-existing condition, you have to tell us about it when getting a quote to see if we can offer cover and to avoid invalidating your policy.
We can't cover your pre-existing conditions unless you've:
- declared them all on your policy
- had written confirmation that we'll cover your medical condition
- paid any additional costs in full
If you don't tell us about your pre-existing conditions or give us incorrect information, your policy may become invalid, and we may refuse all or part of any claim you submit.
MoneyHelper directory
If we can't cover your medical condition, you can use the MoneyHelper directory to find a specialist insurer who might be able to cover you if you've been:
- refused travel insurance or had your policy cancelled
- offered cover with a medical exclusion that you can't remove from your policy
- quoted a price for a travel insurance policy with high medical costs
MoneyHelper makes it easier to find and compare policies you can afford that cover your condition and medical needs. Access the MoneyHelper directory online or call MoneyHelper on 0800 138 7777 (phone lines are open Monday to Friday 8:00am - 6:00pm, excluding bank holidays).
Visit the MoneyHelper DirectorySingle vs multi-trip policies
Got a few trips booked? Or maybe you're planning one big special trip? Either way, we've got cover for you.
Single Trip Insurance
Cover for one trip lasting up to 365 days. It's for travellers up to 100 years old if your trip's to Europe, or up to 85 years if you're travelling outside Europe.
Annual Travel Insurance
Cover for 12 months on an unlimited number of trips, lasting up to 31 days each. It's for travellers aged up to 90 years old if you're staying in Europe, or up to 75 if you're heading beyond!
If you need cover for trips longer than 31 days, you can let us know when getting a quote. We may be able to cover you, depending on your eligibility.
Winter sports
Hitting the slopes any time soon?
If you've got a winter sports trip booked, you need to make sure you have the right cover in place to protect you.
That means buying our winter sports add-on. You won't be covered otherwise.
Maximum age limits apply.
Cruise trips
Off on a Caribbean cruise? We offer cruise cover, so you can stay safe on your trip.
This is an add-on to our standard travel insurance. You won't be covered otherwise.
Got a gap year planned?
If you're taking a gap year and travelling to multiple countries, you'll need to consider the areas you plan to travel.
If you're staying in Europe, a Europe-only policy will cover you. Trips to the USA, Canada and the Caribbean will need worldwide cover that includes these destinations too.
Plus, you'll need to think about how long you're going to be travelling for. If you're planning to go for a trip that's longer than 31 days, you'll need to let us know when you're getting a quote.
We might be able to cover you for longer trips, but it depends on whether you're eligible.
Remember, we don't cover delays or other disruptions to your transport between foreign destinations. So we'll cover you for delays on the transport leaving or re-entering the UK - but not if you were travelling between Rome and Vienna, for instance.
If you need cover for transport disruption between foreign destinations during your outbound or return journey from and to the UK, you can add Enhanced Trip Disruption cover to your policy.
How much does worldwide travel insurance cost?
It depends on a few things! As with all insurance policies, the cost of your worldwide holiday insurance depends on:
- where you're going
- how long you're going for
- what you have planned
- if you have any pre-existing medical conditions
Planning for your trip
Here's some more things you need to consider before jetting off.
Book your vaccinations
For some countries, you might need to have a few vaccinations to make sure you're protected. You may even need to show a certificate to prove you've got the shot!
Wherever you're going, it's best to double check what's needed. Plus, book them in early to avoid suffering from any side effects when it's time to jet off.
What vaccines do you need?
Apply for your visa
Some countries need a visa for entry. And to make it a little more complicated, there's lots of different types and they're different for each country.
Check out our bumper guide to travelling and visas - and remember to apply as early as possible as the process can take a while.
A guide to travel visas
Buy travel money
Wherever you're heading off, check out what the local currency is. Figure out a rough conversion rate in your head per £1 so you know whether prices are reasonable.
It's also sensible to wear a money belt and take different forms of payment (cash, contactless, etc.) to help keep your money safe.
Keep your belongings safe abroad
Do your destination research
While you might be concerned with just finding where the best beaches and bars are, put some time aside to research the practical stuff too.
Check the location of the British Embassy where you're travelling to, any local cultural customs you should be aware of (like how to dress appropriately) and safety tips.
Know your stuffGuides and resources
Looking for more? Don't worry, we've got a ton of articles on everything from travelling with a medical condition to lost baggage.
Your questions answered
Still got questions? We've got you.
I want to do some adventure sports - will I be covered?
We can cover you for lots of different adventure sports, but it's important to tell us what you're planning before you head off.
We've included a list of the sports we can cover on our adventurous sports page.
If the activity you want to do isn't listed, give us a call and we can see if we can arrange cover for you.
Do I need travel insurance for Cuba?
Yes, you do - travel insurance is mandatory when travelling to Cuba.
You may be asked to show proof of travel insurance when you arrive, and you'll need to make sure you're covered for your whole trip.
Do I need travel insurance for Morocco?
You don't have to have cover to take a trip to Morocco, but it's worth having so you're not left out of pocket if the worst happens.
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Getting the most out of your trip
Going anywhere nice?
Off to one of the destinations below? Take a look at our guides for some hints and tips on what you need to remember.
Travel insurance that suits you
Whether you're travelling solo, with your family, or with a little one on the way, read our guides to make sure our cover is right for you.
Travel Insurance upgrades
Whether you want the adrenaline rush of a skiing holiday, or fancy taking to the seas on a cruise, you'll need to add extra cover to your policy.