Travel Insurance
Award-winning Emerald can now provide cover even if you are already travelling! You will need to call us on 0330 113 7109 and we will do our best to get you the cover you need.
TRAVEL INSURANCE THAT HELPS YOU TAKE OFF
Standard Cover
- Flexible cover levels up to £7,500
- Covid Cover For Cancellation, Medical & Repatriation
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Cover
- Return Quarantine Cover Included as Standard
- Up to 91 days cover on single trip
Enhanced Cover
- Better Value For Severe Medical Conditions
- Covid Cover for Cancellation, Medical & Repatriation Available
- No Upper Age Limit
- Return Quarantine Cover Included as Standard
- 1000s Of Medical Conditions Covered
Emerald’s Enhanced Cover is provided by GoodToGo, a specialist medical travel insurance provider, featured in the Money Helper travel insurance director, which aims to make it easier for people with serious medical conditions to find suitable travel insurance at a fair price. You can find more specialist medical travel insurance providers in the Money Helper directory (tel: 0800 138 7777). The directory can make it easier to navigate the market and find firms able to cover your condition without specific exclusions at affordable prices.
24/7/365 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
COVER EVEN IF YOU ARE ALREADY TRAVELLING
UP TO £7,500 CANCELLATION COVER
MEDICAL SCREENING FOR 1000s OF CONDITIONS
"I just bought an Emerald travel insurance policy, multi-trip for my partner and me, and saved £25 a year versus the travel policy I had before!" - Darren Styles , Publisher
UNIQUE INSURANCE
TAILORED FOR YOU
THE EMERALD DIFFERENCE
- Single parent pricing for travel policies
- No need to declare HIV status in the majority of cases
- Flexible cover for customers – single, couple, single parent family, family, groups
- Broad medical conditions coverage includes mental health issues
- Online quote in minutes
PROTECTING YOU
- Single or annual travel options
- Cover up to 91 days on single trip cover
- Scheduled airline failure included as standard
- Optional winter sports, sports, business and wedding cover
- Single worldwide number to call in emergencies
DETAILS OF OUR POPULAR OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Emerald’s Guide to Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for anyone planning a trip, whether for business, leisure, or adventure. It helps protect you while you’re away from home, offering peace of mind in case of unexpected events.
This guide is designed for travelers seeking the best travel insurance options to suit their needs, from single trips to annual multi-trip policies. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, a family, or a frequent flyer, you’ll find information tailored to your situation..
Overview of Travel Insurance
Travel insurance typically covers a range of situations, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and personal liability. It can also cover unexpected events such as urgent medical assistance and trip cancellations, helping to protect against unexpected costs that may arise during your trip.
There are several common types of travel insurance policies, such as single-trip, multi-trip, and comprehensive plans. Each offers different levels of coverage, so it’s important to choose one that fits your travel needs.
Always check the policy wording carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered. Travel insurance does not cover events that you knew about when you bought your policy, so make sure you are aware of any exclusions or limitations before purchasing.
Types of Cover: Single Trip, Annual Multi Trip, Holiday Insurance
Single-Trip Travel Insurance
A single-trip travel insurance policy provides cover for one trip, offering protection for a specific journey from the moment you leave home until you return. Single trip cover is ideal for travelers who only need insurance for a specific journey, such as a short holiday, a UK break, or a one-off trip abroad. Single-trip cover provides protection for one trip, which can last up to 91 days. This makes it a convenient option for those who do not plan to travel multiple times within a year, as it can be more cost-effective than annual multi-trip policies for infrequent travelers.
Annual Multi Trip Cover
Annual multi trip cover is a type of travel insurance that provides protection for multiple journeys within a 12-month period, making it ideal for frequent travelers. An annual multi trip policy is especially relevant for those who travel often, as it offers the convenience of not having to purchase a new policy for each trip and can result in significant cost savings. Annual multi trip travel insurance typically covers various destinations and types of trips, including cruises and UK holidays, providing flexibility and comprehensive protection throughout the year.
This type of cover is designed for travelers who plan to take multiple trips within a year, offering both convenience and potential savings compared to buying separate single-trip policies. In fact, buying an annual travel insurance policy may be cheaper if you plan to travel multiple times in a year.
When considering annual multi trip cover, check the maximum duration allowed per trip—commonly 30, 45, or 60 days—as exceeding this limit may void your coverage. This option is best suited for business travelers, holidaymakers, or anyone who expects to travel abroad more than twice a year.
Holiday Insurance vs Trip Travel Insurance
Holiday insurance is generally designed for those taking a single holiday, while trip travel insurance is more suitable for people who travel frequently throughout the year.
A holiday insurance policy covers specific risks related to a single trip, such as medical emergencies, lost luggage, and trip cancellations. In contrast, a trip travel insurance policy covers multiple trips within a set period, often providing broader protection for frequent travelers.
Each type of policy can provide cover for different travel needs—holiday insurance is ideal for one-off vacations, while trip travel insurance is best for those who need ongoing protection for several journeys.
Additionally, travel insurance can cover costs for cancelling your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, offering peace of mind if your plans change unexpectedly
Medical Emergencies and Emergency Medical Cover
When considering the best travel insurance, it’s essential to understand what emergency medical cover includes. Emergency medical treatment abroad can be very expensive without travel insurance, making this coverage a crucial part of any policy. Most comprehensive policies cover both emergency medical treatment and emergency treatment, including hospital stays and urgent care if you fall ill or are injured while traveling.
It’s also important to have access to medical help and support services while abroad, such as 24/7 emergency assistance and direct contact with medical teams. Travel insurance typically covers medical treatment for both emergencies and ongoing conditions, ensuring you receive the care you need without facing significant financial burdens.
Emerald offers £10m of medical cover, but check your policy for repatriation and evacuation limits, as these can be vital if you need to be transported home for further medical treatment. Always confirm that your insurer offers 24/7 medical assistance, so you can get help whenever you need it. Remember to document all medical expenses and keep receipts to support your claim.
Emerald travel insurance covers emergency medical treatment up to £10 million while you are on a trip, providing peace of mind for even the most serious situations.
Trip Cancellations and Interruptions
Unexpected events can disrupt even the best-laid holiday plans, making trip cancellations and interruptions a key area where the right travel insurance cover can make all the difference. Whether you’re booking a single trip or opting for annual multi trip cover, it’s essential to ensure your policy includes robust protection for cancellations and interruptions.
Travel insurance policies typically offer cover for non-refundable costs if you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to reasons such as illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances. This can include reimbursement for paid for accommodation, flights, and other pre-booked expenses, helping you avoid significant financial losses. When comparing travel insurance companies, pay close attention to the levels of cover offered for cancellation and interruption, as well as any exclusions or conditions that may apply.
If you have pre existing medical conditions, it’s especially important to declare these when purchasing your travel insurance policy. Some providers may require an additional premium or offer specialised cover to ensure you’re fully protected. Failing to disclose your medical history could result in claims being denied, so always be upfront to secure the right cover.
For those who travel frequently, annual multi trip policies can provide ongoing peace of mind, covering multiple journeys within a year. Specialist travel insurance providers may also offer tailored options, such as cruise cover or winter sports cover, to address specific risks associated with certain types of trips. Be sure to check the policy wording for any upper age limits, requirements for medical history disclosure, or restrictions on cover for serious medical conditions.
In the event you need to make a claim for trip cancellation or interruption, contact your travel insurance provider as soon as possible. Keep all relevant documentation, such as booking confirmations, receipts, and medical certificates, to support your claim. Many insurers have a dedicated team to assist with emergency medical assistance and claims, so don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance.
Always review the insurance product information document and verify the firm reference number to confirm you’re dealing with a reputable provider regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can see that on all of Emerald’s documentation,
Remember, the right travel insurance cover not only protects you against cancellation and interruption, but also provides extra protection for lost baggage, stolen possessions, and emergency medical expenses. For added peace of mind, keep your policy documents and emergency contact numbers handy throughout your trip.
By understanding your policy and choosing a provider that offers comprehensive cover for unexpected events, you can travel with confidence, knowing you’re fully covered. For further details on travel insurance requirements and best practices, consult the UK government’s travel advice and always prioritise your safety and well-being wherever your holiday plans take you.
Age Limits and Eligibility
When comparing the best travel insurance options, always check the maximum age limits specified by each provider. The age limit is an important factor, as it determines whether you are eligible for coverage and can affect the benefits you receive. Some insurers are more inclusive and do not restrict coverage based on age.
For example, Emrerald has two policy types, and for travellers over 70, the enhanced cover a provide protection without an upper age limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
For our STANDARD cover:
All new policies include the following cover for COVID-19:
- Cover for cancellation if you or anyone insured on your policy catch COVID-19 within 14 days of departure.
- Cover for emergency medical treatment & repatriation, when medically necessary, if you catch COVID-19 whilst you are abroad.
- Cover for additional accommodation & transport costs if you are unable to return home due to being told to self-isolate abroad (limits apply).
There is no cover for cancellation caused by a change in FCDO/government travel advice due to COVID-19 or any other pandemic.
There is no cover under any other section of the policy for anything caused by or relating to COVID-19 / Coronavirus / SARs COV 2, any mutation of COVID-19 / Coronavirus / SARs COV 2 or any pandemic or fear or threat of any of the above.
For our ENHANCED cover:
To give you the confidence to travel our policies include the following cover for COVID-19:
- All policies include cover for emergency medical treatment abroad & repatriation, when medically necessary, as well as additional accommodation & transport costs (limits apply) if you are unable to return home due to being told to self-isolate abroad.
- Covid+ policies include cover for cancellation if you or anyone insured on your policy catch COVID-19 within 14 days of departure.
- Platinum Covid+ policies include all the above, plus more cover including cancellation if you have been told to isolate due to COVID-19.
There is no cover for cancellation caused by a change in FCDO/government travel advice due to COVID-19 or any other pandemic.
There is no cover under any other section of the policy for anything caused by or relating to Covid 19 / Coronavirus / SARs COV 2, any mutation of COVID-19 / Coronavirus / SARs COV 2 or any pandemic or fear or threat of any of the above.
Our policies will not provide any cover if: You travel to a destination which is on the government’s red list or where the FCDO is advising against all, or all but essential travel. Please check the latest advice before you travel.www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
It depends on the condition. When you take out your policy, we'll ask you about pre-existing medical conditions. If you have one, we'll ask you a few more questions about it and see if we can offer you cover. If we can, your premium may be increased, so we'll offer you two prices - one with cover for the condition, and one without.
If you choose to have pre-existing medical condition cover, you will of course be covered for this while abroad - but you must let us know if your condition changes between taking out your policy and the start of your travels.
We are the first insurer in the UK where you do not have to declare HIV as a pre-existing medical condition if you have an undetectable viral load and have been stable on medication for the previous six months.
Please note that, as at 22 October 2021, you may need to declare Covid 19 or long Covid as a pre-existing condition if you are still showing symptoms.
If you don't disclose a pre-existing medical condition when you take out your policy, you won't be covered for any claims relating to that condition.
If you are HIV+ and:
- On antiviral treatment for more than three months and no new antiviral drug is planned, and
- Your CD4 count exceeds 350 or you have been advised by a doctor that CD4 monitoring is not necessary, and
- Your latest viral load is less than 50mls or undetectable,
then you do not need to declare HIV as a pre-existing medical condition, and if that is your only medical condition then you do not need to go through medical screening. If you do not meet the conditions above or have other pre-existing medical conditions, then you will need to continue the medical screening and declare those pre-existing medical conditions.
PrEP
You do not need to tell us if you are taking PrEP, provided that you have not previously had a positive test result for HIV. If you have previously had a positive test result for HIV, then please see the question above “What if I am HIV+”.
Birth Control
You do not need to tell us if you are on birth control tablets, unless this has caused any health issues.
The purpose of this question is to clarify if you have any conditions that might need to be declared and/or which might (only might) result in increased premiums. Not all conditions increase the risk of falling ill while you are travelling but some might.
There is a help note beside the "pre-existing medical conditions" question (click on the"?" hover button beside the question), clarifying that if you are trans you should answer 'yes' to this question. This leads to three more questions to understand if a more detailed medical screening process is needed. One of the questions asks if you have seen a specialist, consultant or doctor in the last 12 months. If the answer to this question is yes, you will need to proceed to the medical screening process.
In the medical screening process, you are asked to tell us any pre-existing medical conditions and procedures. To be clear, there is no 'condition' of being trans. If you are trans, there may be certain specific procedures you have had as part of transitioning which may increase your risk of falling ill while travelling, and which therefore should be disclosed as part of the application process. Pre-existing conditions or procedures will not necessarily mean that your premium will increase, but they must be disclosed to allow us to accurately calculate the correct premium.
In this case, unlike previously from others in the insurance sector, we do not charge assuming that there are two parents, which gives a fairer premium.
Please contact us at customerservice@emeraldlife.co.uk or call us on 0330 113 7109, giving details of your individual circumstances and we will see what we can do.
Your policy is sent to you via the email address you provide us. Please note that some internet providers filter out automated emails as SPAM so please check your SPAM/junk folder if the email has not been received. If you haven’t received it please email us at customerservice@emeraldlife.co.uk or call us on 0330 113 7109 to send it again.
Please contact our 24 hour emergency helpline tifgroup-assistance on 00 44 (0) 203 829 3818. If it is not an emergency please call 00 44 (0) 203 829 3817.
First, please look at your policy reference numbers.
For policies that being with IWE:
If you need emergency medical assistance please call +44 2920 474133 (24 hours).
For non-emergency claims you can call the claims department on +44 2920 474138 or get a claim form HERE
For policies that begin with GTG:
If you need emergency medical assistance please call +44 1444 465573 (24 hours).
For non-emergency claims you can call the claims department on +44 1444 465590 or get a claim form HERE
Generally yes if you have selected that as a covered area of travel, but please look at the terms and conditions of the policy for the necessary details.
If you would like to amend your policy you can do so by contacting us at 0330 113 7109.
With Emerald's Standard cover, the age limits are 75 for a single trip and 65 for an annual trip (ages at the start of the policy).
With Emerald's Enhanced cover, there are no age limits.
If you find that a combination of age and medical conditions mean that you are unable to get a quote online, please call us on 0330 113 7109 as we have relationships with some other providers who may be able to help.
If you have purchased the optional gadget cover, we will pay up to £1,000 for the intrinsic value or cost of repair of your gadgets, including tablet computers and mobile phones, which are lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed whilst you are away on your trip.
We cover unauthorised calls if your mobile phone is stolen up to £75
We can cover the following gadgets: Mobile phones, iPhones, iPads, Tablets, Smartwatches and Go Pro’s.
Please note:
- There is a single article limit of £500.
- You must take reasonable care of your gadgets and not leave them unattended in a public place.
- You must own the item and be able to provide proof of ownership.
- Allowance will be made for wear and tear and depreciation.
Other terms and conditions apply. Please read the policy wording for the full details.
Email: complaints@emeraldlife.co.uk Tel: 0330 113 7109 Letter: Emerald Life Limited, 286 Queensbridge Road, London E8 3NH.
TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY DOCUMENTATION (FROM 20 JAN 2026)
Standard Cover
Enhanced Cover
Travel Insurance Policy Documentation (PRIOR 20 JAN 2026)
Standard Cover