How to choose travel insurance: a step-by-step method
You don't need to read every policy on the market. You need a method that rules out the wrong ones quickly and lets you compare the rest properly.
By the StarHolidays Editorial Team Updated 4 min read
Key takeaways
- Start with your trip and risks, not with a price comparison.
- Check visa or entry rules first, because they can set minimum requirements for you.
- Compare specific limits, sub-limits and exclusions, not the plan name.
- Check who underwrites the policy and how to reach assistance in an emergency.
On this page
Step 1: Write down your trip
Before you open a comparison site, note the details that affect your cover:
- Every country you'll visit, including transit stops
- Start and end dates, including any time you'll spend before returning home
- The age and health conditions of each traveler
- Activities you might do, even "probably not" ones such as hiring a scooter
- Your total prepaid, non-refundable costs
- Valuable items you're taking
The UK government specifically reminds travelers that a policy should cover every destination, including transit countries. A gap on your itinerary can be a gap in your cover.
Step 2: Check for legal requirements
If your destination or visa has a rule, it sets your minimum. A Schengen visa application needs at least €30,000 of medical cover including repatriation, valid in every member state. Georgia asks for at least GEL 30,000. Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania have their own government-backed schemes. Check our tracker, then the embassy.
Step 3: Decide your limits
There's no official standard, so treat these as a starting framework and adjust them to your situation.
| Benefit | How to set it |
|---|---|
| Emergency medical | Higher for the US and long-haul trips. Many guides suggest at least $100,000, and much more for the US |
| Medical evacuation | High enough to get you home from the most remote point of your trip. Limits range from about $50,000 to $1 million |
| Trip cancellation | Your prepaid, non-refundable costs |
| Baggage | The value of what you're carrying, noting per-item sub-limits |
These figures reflect common guidance from comparison sites rather than an official rule. Evacuation costs can be particularly high, so treat lower limits with some caution, especially on remote or long-haul routes.
Step 4: Shortlist by what would break your trip
Now look for plans, and cut anything that fails one of your essentials. Common deal-breakers:
- Activities. Does the plan cover what you'll really do? The Smartraveller site flags motorcycling, snow sports, extreme sports, scuba diving, bungee jumping and cruising as things to check.
- Health. Will it accept your conditions? See pre-existing conditions.
- Age. Some plans have limits, especially annual ones.
- Trip length. Some policies have a maximum per trip.
Step 5: Compare like with like
Put two or three shortlisted plans side by side, then compare the same line for each.
| Check | Plan A | Plan B | Plan C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical limit and deductible | |||
| Primary or secondary | |||
| Evacuation limit | |||
| Repatriation of remains | |||
| Cancellation limit and covered reasons | |||
| Pre-existing condition terms | |||
| Activities included | |||
| Baggage limit and single-item limit | |||
| Price |
Price goes last deliberately. Comparing price first tends to send you to the cheapest plan, and then you start rationalizing what's missing.
Step 6: Read four things in the actual policy
Marketing pages are summaries. Download the policy wording, then read:
- The definitions. "Family member", "pre-existing condition" and "unattended" often have narrow meanings.
- The list of covered reasons for cancellation and interruption.
- The general exclusions, which apply to every benefit. Our guide to exclusions explains the common ones.
- The claims section. It sets out deadlines and evidence requirements, so you can see what you'll be expected to do.
Step 7: Check who stands behind it
The brand on a comparison site isn't always the company carrying the risk. Find the underwriter, check that it's authorized where you live through your national insurance regulator, and read recent feedback about how it handles claims. Be cautious about a site that shows only glowing reviews, or that says it's "the best" without explaining how it decided.
Then find the emergency assistance number. Is it 24-hour? Is the medical team available in your language? The CDC suggests checking whether evacuation cover includes a 24-hour physician support center.
After you buy
Save the policy number and the assistance number on your phone, and share them with a friend at home and your travel companions. Keep a digital copy of your policy. If your plans change, tell the insurer. If your health changes after buying, check whether you need to report it.
Finally, use your free look period, if your policy has one, to read the wording carefully. You can usually cancel for a refund within that window if you haven't traveled or claimed.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy from a comparison site or directly from an insurer?
Either can work. Comparison sites make it easy to view options side by side, though they are usually paid commission and may not list every insurer. Whichever you use, read the actual policy before you pay.
What is the single most important thing to check?
For most international trips, check medical and evacuation limits first, then confirm that your health conditions and activities are not excluded. A high limit does not help if the event itself is excluded.
Are the "best travel insurance" rankings reliable?
They can be a useful starting point, but methods vary and many of the sites earn commission from the insurers they rank. Look for a clear methodology and disclosure, and check the policy yourself.
How many quotes should I compare?
Three is usually enough to reveal the market price and the differences in cover. If your trip is complex or you have medical conditions, you may benefit from comparing more, or from speaking to a specialist broker.