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Compare travel insurance before you travel

Understand the cover, limits, excesses and exclusions that may matter for your trip, then continue to Compare Insurance Ireland to review travel insurance options and request a quote.

Travel insurance quotes through Compare Insurance Ireland

CompareTravel.ie works with our sister website, Compare Insurance Ireland, for travel insurance quotes.

Compare single-trip, annual multi-trip and other travel insurance options, then review the policy details before arranging cover.

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Why travellers consider travel insurance

Travel insurance is designed to reduce your financial exposure if something goes wrong before or during a trip. Depending on the policy, cover may extend to a range of insured events, though benefits, limits and exclusions vary widely between insurers.

Emergency medical expenses

Cover may contribute towards emergency medical treatment abroad, which can be significantly more expensive than treatment at home, particularly outside the EU.

Cancellation or curtailment

Some policies may help with non-refundable costs if you have to cancel a trip before departure, or cut it short, for a reason listed in the policy.

Delayed or missed departures

Cover for delayed or missed departures can vary considerably, often subject to a minimum waiting period and specific conditions set out in the policy.

Lost, stolen or delayed baggage

Baggage cover may help replace essential items or belongings, usually subject to an overall limit and a lower limit for any single item.

Personal liability

Some policies include a level of personal liability cover in case you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while travelling.

Emergency assistance

Many policies include a 24-hour emergency assistance line that can help coordinate medical treatment, hospital admission or repatriation if needed.

This is general information only. Benefits vary by policy, limits and exclusions apply, not every event is insured, and claims are assessed under the individual policy terms. Travel insurance does not guarantee reimbursement in every situation, and none of this is personalised advice.

Choosing the appropriate policy type

Travel insurance is generally sold as several different policy types. What may be suitable for you depends on how often you travel, who you're travelling with, and what your trip involves. Availability can vary by insurer, so always check the individual policy.

Single-trip cover

Covers one specific trip with defined start and end dates. This may suit someone travelling occasionally or for a single, well-defined holiday.

Annual multi-trip cover

Can cover multiple trips across a year, usually up to a maximum number of days per trip. This may suit frequent travellers, but check the per-trip limit carefully.

Family policies

Some insurers offer a single policy covering named family members travelling together. Check exactly who is included and under what conditions.

Backpacker or extended-stay cover

Designed for longer trips than a standard policy allows, sometimes across multiple countries. Availability and maximum trip length vary by insurer.

Winter-sports cover

Standard policies often exclude skiing, snowboarding and similar activities. Specialist or add-on winter-sports cover may be needed and can carry its own limits.

Business-travel cover

May include provisions relevant to work trips, such as cover for business equipment. Check whether your employer already provides cover before buying separately.

Cruise-related optional cover

Cruises can involve specific risks, such as missed port departures or cabin confinement. Where available, optional cruise cover can address these, but check what's included.

Reviewing availability

Not every policy type is offered by every insurer. Check availability for your specific trip and review the individual policy wording before you buy.

What to check before buying

The lowest price is not automatically the best-value policy. These are some of the details worth comparing so you understand what you're actually covered for.

Destination and territory

Check that the geographical territory covered by the policy matches every country on your itinerary, including any stopovers.

Trip duration and per-trip limits

Confirm the full length of your trip is covered, and, for annual policies, check the maximum duration allowed per individual trip.

Medical and repatriation limits

Review the maximum amount available for emergency medical expenses and repatriation, as these limits vary significantly between policies.

Cancellation and curtailment limits

Check the maximum amount payable if you need to cancel or cut short your trip, and which reasons are actually covered.

Baggage, valuables and single-item limits

Look at both the overall baggage limit and the lower single-item limit, which can affect higher-value belongings such as cameras or laptops.

Policy excess

The excess is what you pay towards a claim before the insurer contributes. It can vary by claim type, so check it for each section of cover.

Activity and alcohol-related exclusions

Certain activities may be excluded unless declared or added, and claims linked to alcohol or drug use are commonly excluded. Check the policy wording closely.

Unattended-property conditions

Many policies reduce or refuse baggage claims if belongings were left unattended in a public place. Check what counts as "unattended" under the policy.

Delayed and missed-departure conditions

Delay cover often only starts after a minimum waiting period. Missed-departure cover can require a minimum connection time or documented reason. Check both carefully.

Personal liability limit and age criteria

Check the maximum personal liability limit offered, along with any minimum or maximum age criteria that could affect eligibility for you or your travelling companions.

Optional extras

Consider whether optional extras, such as winter-sports or cruise cover, gadget cover or a higher valuables limit, are relevant to your trip.

Insurer contact and emergency assistance

Before you travel, note the insurer's claims and emergency-assistance contact details, and keep them accessible throughout your trip.

This is general information only, not personalised insurance advice. Terms, limits and exclusions vary between insurers and policies, so always check the individual policy wording for your trip.

Medical conditions and health-related requirements

Health-related questions are one of the most common reasons a travel insurance claim is refused, usually because a condition wasn't declared correctly. These are general points worth thinking through before you buy.

Declaring pre-existing conditions

Most insurers ask you to declare pre-existing medical conditions accurately at the time of application, so that they can be assessed and, where possible, included in your cover.

Medical screening

Where a policy requires medical screening, it's generally used to assess whether and how a condition can be covered. Answer the questions carefully and completely.

Conditions affecting travelling companions

Some policies also ask about conditions affecting a close relative or travelling companion, where their health could affect your own trip. Check whether this applies to your policy.

Pregnancy-related terms

Policies can set specific terms or stage-of-pregnancy limits for cover during pregnancy. Check the wording for your policy well before you travel.

Carrying prescribed medication

If you take prescribed medication, check you're carrying enough for your trip, along with any documentation you may need, particularly for international travel.

Planned treatment or ongoing tests

If you have planned treatment, surgery or ongoing tests booked, check whether this affects your eligibility for cover or whether it needs to be declared.

This is general guidance only, not medical advice, and requirements vary by insurer and policy. If any wording is unclear, contact the insurer or intermediary directly before you buy.

Activities, destinations and optional cover

Standard travel insurance doesn't automatically cover every activity or destination. Check whether your trip needs additional or specialist cover before you travel.

Skiing or snowboarding

Winter sports are commonly excluded from standard policies and may need dedicated winter-sports cover, often with its own limits and equipment terms.

Cruises

Cruise trips can involve specific risks not covered by a standard policy, such as missed ports or cabin confinement. Check whether optional cruise cover is available.

Hiking or trekking above specified limits

Hiking above a certain altitude, or trekking that involves ropes or guides, may require additional cover. Check the altitude and activity limits in the policy.

Scuba diving

Diving cover often depends on your qualification level and maximum depth. Check whether it's included, excluded, or available as an optional extra.

Organised sports and business equipment

Participation in organised sporting events, and carrying business equipment or gadgets, can both fall outside standard cover unless specifically included.

Long-stay travel and multiple countries

Longer trips and multi-country itineraries can need a different policy type or duration limit than a standard single-trip or annual policy provides.

Destinations affected by official travel advice

Cover can be affected where a destination is subject to official government travel advice. Check the latest guidance from the relevant official authority before you travel, and review how it affects your specific policy.

This is general information only. Always confirm current activity, destination and travel-advice conditions directly with the insurer or intermediary before you travel.

When to arrange cover and documents to retain

Timing and paperwork both matter with travel insurance. A few practical habits can make things considerably easier if you ever need to rely on your policy.

Consider cover after significant bookings

Many travellers consider arranging cover soon after paying for significant non-refundable bookings, since cancellation protection often only applies from the policy start date.

Check when cancellation protection starts

Review the exact date your cancellation cover begins, rather than assuming it applies from the moment you book your trip.

Review policy dates carefully

Check the start and end dates shown on your policy schedule match your actual travel dates, including any early departure or return.

Update the insurer if details change

If your travel dates, destinations or activities change materially after you buy, check whether you need to update your insurer to keep your cover valid.

Retain your policy schedule and certificate

Keep your policy schedule and validation certificate somewhere accessible, both before and during your trip, in case you need to refer to them.

Keep your policy number and assistance details handy

Save your policy number and the emergency-assistance contact details on your phone and on paper, in case you need help while travelling.

Retain receipts and booking confirmations

Keep receipts, booking confirmations and any other documentation that could support a future claim, ideally in both digital and printed form.

Understand the claims-notification process

Check how and when you're expected to notify the insurer of an incident, as many policies set a time limit for reporting a claim.

This is general guidance only. Always check the current terms, cancellation-protection start date and notification requirements set out in your own policy documents.

About CompareTravel.ie

CompareTravel.ie helps travellers understand practical booking and travel considerations before continuing to a selected provider or related service website. CompareTravel.ie is an Irish-owned travel comparison website, established in 2013, and is a trading style of Magenta Online Marketing.

For insurance quotes, visitors continue to Compare Insurance Ireland, where the regulated insurance journey takes place. CompareTravel.ie does not issue, administer or provide claims support for a policy, and does not compare every insurer or policy available. Read more in our Affiliate Disclosure and Editorial Policy.

Travel Insurance FAQs

Where do I get a travel insurance quote?

Travel insurance quotes are provided through Compare Insurance Ireland, a related insurance website. From this page you can continue to CompareInsuranceIreland.ie to review options and request a quote.

Does CompareTravel.ie arrange travel insurance?

No. CompareTravel.ie provides practical travel-planning guidance and does not arrange, issue or administer travel insurance policies. The insurance quote and application journey takes place on Compare Insurance Ireland.

Why does the quote journey continue to Compare Insurance Ireland?

CompareTravel.ie and Compare Insurance Ireland are related websites operated by the same business. Insurance quotes are handled on Compare Insurance Ireland because it is the regulated insurance intermediary for that part of the journey.

Does Compare Insurance Ireland compare every policy or provider?

No. Compare Insurance Ireland works with a selection of travel insurance options rather than every insurer or policy on the market. Availability can vary, so review the specific options and terms shown to you.

What is the difference between single-trip and annual multi-trip cover?

Single-trip cover applies to one specified trip with set start and end dates. Annual multi-trip cover can cover multiple trips over a year, usually up to a maximum duration per trip. Which may be suitable depends on how often you travel, so check the individual policy.

What should I check before buying travel insurance?

Check the destination and territory covered, trip duration, medical and repatriation limits, cancellation and baggage limits, the policy excess, activity exclusions and any conditions attached to your cover before buying.

Can pre-existing medical conditions be covered?

This depends on the insurer, the condition and the policy. Many policies ask you to declare pre-existing conditions or complete medical screening. Requirements vary, so check directly with the insurer or intermediary if you're unsure.

Do I need additional cover for winter sports, cruises or other activities?

Some activities and trip types, such as skiing, cruises or higher-altitude trekking, may need additional or specialist cover that isn't automatically included in a standard policy. Check the activities and destinations listed for your trip before buying.

When should I consider arranging travel insurance?

Many travellers consider cover soon after making significant non-refundable bookings, since cancellation protection often only applies from the policy start date. Review the policy dates carefully when you buy.

Who handles policy questions, changes, cancellations and claims?

Policy administration, amendments, cancellations and claims are handled according to the applicable insurer or intermediary documents on Compare Insurance Ireland, not by CompareTravel.ie. Keep your policy schedule and emergency-assistance details accessible while travelling.