If you've already left the UK and realised you don't have travel insurance, you may be wondering whether cover is still available. The reality is that options can be limited, and where policies do exist for travellers already abroad, significant restrictions often apply. This page explains what to understand before exploring your options.
Reviewed by MySupermarketCompare Editorial Team
This page is intended for UK residents who have already departed on their trip and are now looking to understand whether travel insurance might still be available. You might be reading this because you forgot to arrange cover before leaving, your existing policy has lapsed or been cancelled, or your circumstances changed during travel.
Whatever the reason, it's important to understand that buying travel insurance after departure is fundamentally different from arranging cover before you leave. Many providers do not offer policies to people who have already started their trip, and those that do typically impose conditions that affect what's covered and when cover begins.
If you haven't yet departed, you may find more options available through standard single trip travel insurance policies purchased before your journey begins. For general information about travel insurance, visit our main travel insurance page.
Standard travel insurance is designed to be purchased before your trip begins. This allows cover to start from day one, including cancellation protection from the moment you book. When you buy after departure, the situation changes considerably.
Providers that do offer cover to already-travelling customers face a different risk profile. You're already exposed to the risks of travel, and there's no opportunity for cancellation cover in the traditional sense since your trip has begun. As a result, policies may be structured differently, with fewer providers willing to quote and more conditions attached to what's included.
Some travellers assume they can simply buy a policy while abroad and be covered immediately for everything. This is rarely the case. Understanding the differences helps set realistic expectations about what protection might be available.
Where policies are available for travellers already abroad, they may include elements such as emergency medical expenses, medical repatriation, personal liability, and baggage cover. However, the terms often differ from pre-departure policies.
Many policies include a waiting period after purchase, often 48 to 72 hours, during which claims cannot be made. Incidents occurring during this window may not be covered.
Events that have already occurred before purchase are typically excluded. This includes illnesses that started, items already lost, or disruptions already underway.
Some providers may not offer full medical screening for already-travelling customers, which can affect cover for pre-existing conditions.
Since your trip has begun, traditional cancellation cover (protecting against not being able to travel) is generally not available. Curtailment cover may be offered instead.
Availability and terms vary by provider. Comparing can help you understand what may be offered for your situation.
Check Available OptionsSeveral factors can influence whether you're able to obtain cover and how much it might cost:
Your current location matters because some destinations carry higher risk than others. Certain countries may have limited provider availability or require specialist cover.
How long you've been travelling and how much time remains on your trip can affect options. Some providers have maximum trip duration limits or may not cover trips that have been ongoing for extended periods.
Your health and medical history influence medical cover. Accurate disclosure is essential, and failure to declare relevant conditions can invalidate claims.
Planned activities such as adventure sports, skiing, or diving may need specialist cover, which may or may not be available after departure.
UK residency is typically required for UK travel insurance policies. You'll usually need to confirm your residency status when applying.
If a policy includes a waiting period, your cover won't begin immediately upon purchase. Make sure you understand exactly when protection would kick in and plan accordingly. Incidents during the waiting period typically cannot be claimed for.
Read the policy wording carefully regarding events or circumstances that existed before purchase. This includes not just incidents that have happened, but situations you're already aware of that might lead to a claim, such as known upcoming disruptions or health concerns that have emerged.
Before comparing, gather your passport details, travel itinerary, accommodation bookings, and any medical documentation. Having accurate information to hand helps ensure the quotes you receive reflect your actual situation.
Think about what you actually need cover for during the rest of your journey. If you're due to return home soon, the cost-benefit calculation differs from someone with weeks or months of travel remaining. Some options may only cover certain portions of your remaining itinerary.
Accurate disclosure is always important, but particularly so when buying after departure. Insurers may scrutinise claims more closely, and any misrepresentation could void your policy. Answer all questions truthfully, including about your health and any incidents that have already occurred.
See what travel insurance options may be available for your situation. Availability and terms vary by provider.
Check Available OptionsThis page was created to help UK travellers who find themselves abroad without insurance understand their situation and what options might exist. We recognise this is a stressful scenario, which is why we've tried to explain the realities honestly rather than overpromise what's available. The content is reviewed periodically and updated to reflect current market conditions and provider practices.
MySupermarketCompare is an insurance comparison website. We introduce customers to our quote partner to help them compare insurance options. We are not an insurer and do not provide insurance products directly. Information on this page is general guidance and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
We may receive a commission or fee when you are introduced to an insurer or purchase a policy through our quote partner. Availability of cover when already abroad varies by provider and is not guaranteed.
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