Travel insurance
What do you need to know before you go?
Travel insurance protects you against unexpected costs when travelling, such as medical expenses, lost luggage or cancelled plans. It can also offer support services such as emergency assistance, repatriation and legal help abroad in certain cases.
This page explains the main types of travel insurance available in Ireland, what cover you can expect, what exclusions to watch for and how to choose a policy that suits your needs, including specialist cover and what to check before you buy.
What is covered by travel insurance?
Policy terms and conditions differ greatly between providers, so always read them carefully before you buy. If you are unsure about any terms, contact your provider before you travel. Some of the things covered include:
- Damaged, lost or delayed luggage
- Cancelled flights or travel plans
- Delayed or missed departure
- Loss or theft of money, passport or valuables
- Medical expenses due to illness or injury
- Emergency medical repatriation
- Personal liability
- Accommodation issues (e.g. if your hotel is uninhabitable due to fire or flood)
- Travel disruption due to strikes, natural disasters or civil unrest
- Legal expenses (in some policies)
Some policies also include the cost of an emergency return flight if a close relative dies.
Optional or less common add-ons include:
- Adventure sports cover (e.g. skiing, scuba diving)
- Gadget cover (phones, laptops or tablets)
- Rental car excess cover
- Cancellation due to exam resits or academic reasons
- Cover for pre-existing medical conditions (this must be declared)
What should you know about the application process?
Insurance companies must ask you all relevant questions during the application process. These questions must be in plain language and easy to understand. You must answer all questions truthfully. If you are not honest when providing medical information, you may not be able to claim.
What types of travel insurance policies are available?
You can choose between several types of policies:
- Single trip insurance
- Multi-trip (or annual) policies
- 65+ travel insurance
- Backpacker travel insurance
- Business travel insurance
You can buy insurance as an individual, as a couple or as part of a family. While some companies do not offer insurance for people over 65, specialist companies do provide this cover. Sometimes travel insurance is included with other products, such as credit cards, so check if you already have cover.
How do you choose the right policy?
- Decide if you need cover for a single trip or multiple trips.
- Check if your age or travel style (e.g. backpacking, business) requires a specialist policy.
- Review whether your credit card or other products already include travel insurance.
- Compare policy features and costs before buying.
Should you buy insurance from your travel agent or another provider?
Travel agents and tour operators often sell travel insurance as part of a package. You do not have to take this insurance, but they may require you to have a certain level of cover for package holidays.
You may get better value by buying travel insurance from another provider, especially if you need cover again later in the year.
What should you check before buying?
- The level of medical cover
- Protection for delays and cancellations
- Any exclusions or restrictions
- The amount of excess you must pay if you make a claim
Do you need extra specialist cover?
You usually need specialist insurance for holidays involving activities such as skiing or diving.
How much excess do you have to pay if you make a claim?
The excess is the first part of any insurance claim that you have to pay. It is usually a fixed sum. Check with your travel insurance provider what this is.
Are there any restrictions or exclusions to travel insurance?
Generally, if something is not specified, it is not covered. Always check your policy or ask your provider, especially if you are concerned about particular risks.
Many travel insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions that occur abroad unless you inform the insurer in advance and they accept the risk.
They may charge an extra premium, but if you do not disclose the condition, any claim may be invalid. Your provider may refuse cover for certain illnesses.
If you travel against a doctor’s advice, you may not be covered. Some policies allow you to include non-standard items for an extra cost. Generally, you will not be covered if you travel to an area of political unrest or against the advice of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DOFA). Learn about DOFA's security ratings for countries before you travel. You can also check their travel advice by destination.
Steps to check for exclusions:
- Review your policy for any listed exclusions.
- Ask your provider about cover for pre-existing conditions.
- Confirm whether travel to certain destinations is excluded.
- Disclose all relevant medical information before buying.
What happens if you need to cancel your holiday before you go?
If you need to cancel your holiday before departure, check the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy. You must meet the policy conditions before you can claim, so consider this when buying insurance.
What if the airline or tour operator goes out of business?
Before booking, check that your tour operator is a fully bonded company licensed by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). If a fully bonded company licensed by the IAA goes out of business, the regulator can act. Learn more about the IAA Consumer Protection Scheme.
They will assess your claim for a refund or arrange to get you home if you are stranded or experience significant delays. Find more information in our travel section.
You may also have cover if you book your trip on your credit card. Check your credit card’s terms and conditions.
How do you make a travel insurance claim?
Know the procedures you must follow when abroad. Terms and conditions differ across providers, and some policies have specific instructions for making claims.
For example, you may need to obtain translated police reports within a set timeline or contact the medical/emergency helpline as soon as possible after an incident.
Read your policy before you travel so you are aware of these requirements.
Steps for making a claim:
- Read your policy before you travel.
- Keep all documents and receipts that support your claim.
- Follow any instructions for reporting incidents (e.g. contacting helplines, obtaining police reports).
- Submit your claim as soon as possible after returning home, as there may be a time limit.
What other types of claims can you make?
If you are a European resident and your flight is delayed, cancelled or you are denied boarding, you have the right to compensation under EC Regulation 261/2004. You can get more information in our travel section.
