can you afford not to have travel insurance?
imagine you’re enjoying a sunny day on a tropical beach abroad, only to see storm clouds gathering on the horizon. it wouldn’t be good news, and just as the weather can change in an instant, so can your travel plans and holidays!
whilst we may not be able to prevent against bad weather, we can definitely work to give ourselves some extra peace of mind when travelling abroad, and this is where travel insurance comes into play. however, many out there still don’t consider travel insurance a necessity when going on a holiday abroad or don’t travel with the correct level of protection. while the cost of a policy might seem like an unnecessary expense to some, the financial and emotional burden of dealing with unexpected events without adequate or no travel insurance at all can be an awful situation, which could leave you facing significant financial and emotional stress!
although opinions on travel insurance may be shifting as people recognise its significance, we aim to highlight why it is essential. we’ll explore the reasons you can’t afford to travel without insurance, emphasising the potentially high costs of medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen events abroad.
medical emergencies
travelling abroad is something we all look forward to, but it also comes with potential risks. a sudden illness or accident can turn your dream vacation into a holiday nightmare, especially if you have no travel insurance cover. medical treatment when in foreign countries can be extremely expensive, and the costs can add up quickly, when combining the cost of an ambulance, medical treatment and hospital stays. the costs don’t just stop there and can become even more astronomical if you require medical repatriation (bringing you back home if medically necessary in the event of illness or injury). without suitable travel insurance, these unexpected medical expenses can create significant financial issues.
The cost of travel insurance vs potential expenses
- the cost of a broken leg in Spain could average around £15,000 for hospital treatment and repatriation.1
- a hospital stay in the USA could easily exceed £10,000 per night, with additional fees for treatment and medication.2
- at albert & eddie, you can get an Insurancewith Emerald travel insurance policy for just £39.773 for a 10-day trip to the USA—far less than the thousands you could face in medical bills if something goes wrong and provides cover for emergency medical expenses up to £10,000,000. with hospital stays in the USA easily exceeding £10,000 per night and treatment for a broken leg in Spain costing around £15,000, having the right cover in place whenever you go abroad is essential.
trip cancellations
even the best-laid travel plans can be disrupted by unforeseen events such as injury or illness of yourself, or someone travelling with you. these situations can force you to cancel or shorten your trip, potentially resulting in financial loss for non-refundable expenses like flights, hotels, and activities, which can add up quickly. travel insurance provides cancellation cover, reimbursing you for these pre-paid expenses if you have to cancel for a covered reason. it’s a small investment that ensures your hard-earned holiday savings don’t go to waste.
the cost of travel insurance vs potential expenses
- non-refundable flights and hotel bookings for a family holiday could easily total £1,000 - £3,000.
- cruise cancellations, especially last-minute ones, may cost thousands depending on the trip, destinations, and duration.
- non-refundable flights and hotel bookings for a family holiday could easily total between £1,000 and £3,000, while cancelling a cruise, especially last-minute, can cost thousands. with an albert & eddie Flexicover Gold policy for a 14-day cruise to Spain starting from just £35.104, you can have up to £5,000 in cancellation cover, helping to protect your trip from unexpected setbacks that are covered under the terms of your policy.
Please note that for a valid cruise cancellation claim, the cruise extension needs to be added when purchasing an albert & eddie travel insurance policy.
lost belongings
picture this: you’re standing at the baggage carousel, and your suitcase is nowhere to be found. lost, stolen, or delayed luggage can turn your dream trip into a logistical nightmare. replacing clothes, toiletries, and other items in a foreign country can be both stressful and expensive. with travel insurance, you’ll have support to replace your belongings or cover the cost of necessities whilst you wait for your luggage to arrive. (Cover starts after your luggage is delayed for 12 hours).
the cost of travel insurance vs potential expenses
- replacing clothes and toiletries after lost luggage could cost £300 - £500.
- replacing high-value items like electronics or jewellery could cost £1,000 or more
- losing your luggage can be more than just an inconvenience—it can be expensive. replacing clothes and toiletries could cost £300–£500, while high-value items like gadgets or jewellery could set you back over £1,000. with an albert & eddie Alpha 150 policy for a 14-day trip to Thailand from just £27.435, you can get possession cover up to £1,500, so you can have extra financial protection against these unexpected costs.
personal liability
what if you accidentally damage someone’s property or are held responsible for injuring someone while abroad? for example, imagine you’re cycling on holiday and accidentally collide with a pedestrian, causing them to fall and suffer a serious injury. or perhaps you accidentally damage property that doesn’t belong to you, a family member, or someone you’re travelling with.
incidents like these can lead to significant financial and legal consequences. travel insurance with personal liability cover can offer peace of mind by helping with legal fees and compensation claims if you unintentionally cause injury to someone (who isn’t a close relative or travel companion) or damage someone else’s property (which isn’t owned by a close relative or travel companion). it’s a safety net you hope never to need—but one you’ll be glad to have if the unexpected happens.
please be aware that certain sports and activities will not be covered by personal liability. as with any insurance policy, cover is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions, so always check your policy wording carefully to ensure it meets your needs!
the cost of travel insurance vs potential expenses
- damaging someone’s property in a hotel could cost thousands of pounds in repairs.
- legal fees and compensation claims in serious injury cases could run into the tens of thousands.
- accidents happen, but they can be costly. damaging property in a hotel could lead to repair bills running into the thousands, while legal fees and compensation claims for serious injuries to others could reach tens of thousands. an albert & eddie Holidaysafe Premier policy for a 10-day trip to Croatia starts from just £23.696, providing £2,000,000 personal liability cover, £30,000 personal accident cover and £30,000 legal expenses cover, giving you essential protection against unexpected expenses.
Actual premiums will vary depending on individual circumstances such as age, destination, and medical history.
ultimately, travel insurance isn’t just about covering costs—it’s about enjoying your holiday with confidence. knowing that you have financial and medical cover against many of life’s unexpected turns on holiday, allows you to focus on making memories, not managing crises. whether it’s a family getaway, a romantic escape, or the once-in-a-lifetime trip you’ve been planning for years, travel insurance is the key to ensuring your adventure stays as stress-free as possible.
albert & Eddie offers access to a range of specialist travel insurance brands. get a quote today with albert and eddie and compare our different travel insurance brands here.
we've also put together a helpful overview of the cost of various travel insurance products offered by albert & eddie, compared with the potential costs of medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost belongings and personal liability. click here to download and share it with your friends and travel companions. Please note that these prices are from the 28th March 2025 so prices when getting a quote may differ.
2 https://www.healthcare.gov/young-adults/ready-to-apply/
3 Pricing based on a 30-year-old travelling on an albert & eddie Insurancewith Emerald policy to the USA for 10 days, with no medical conditions declared, if the policy is taken out within 31 days of travelling. Prices correct as of 28/03/2025
4 Pricing based on a 39-year-old travelling on an albert & eddie Flexicover Gold policy to Spain for a 14-day Cruise, with no medical conditions declared, if the policy is taken out within 31 days of travelling. Prices correct as of 28/03/2025
5 Pricing based on a 25-year-old travelling on an albert & eddie Alpha 150 policy to Thailand for 14 days, with no medical conditions declared, if the policy is taken out within 31 days of travelling. Prices correct as of 28/03/2025
6 Pricing based on a 45-year-old travelling on an albert & eddie Holidaysafe Premier policy to Croatia for 10 days, with no medical conditions declared, if the policy is taken out within 31 days of travelling. Prices correct as of 28/03/2025