If you are travelling abroad this Christmas, you need comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment, repatriation to the UK, trip cancellation, and lost baggage. Your EHIC or GHIC card (for European travel) reduces medical costs in state facilities but will not cover private treatment, repatriation, or non-medical claims, so insurance remains essential even within Europe.

What Your Policy Must Cover

At minimum, your Christmas travel insurance should include emergency medical treatment (at least £2 million for Europe, £5 million or more for destinations such as the United States where treatment costs are higher), repatriation to the UK if you cannot travel home as planned, and 24-hour emergency assistance. According to MoneyHelper, medical cover is the most critical element of any travel policy, as NHS care does not extend abroad and private treatment can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Cancellation and curtailment cover reimburses pre-paid costs (flights, accommodation, transfers) if you must cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to illness, injury, bereavement, or other insured events. Christmas is peak season for family plans, so cancellation protection matters more than usual. Baggage cover pays for lost, stolen, or damaged belongings, though limits are typically modest (often £1,500 to £2,000 total, with individual item caps around £250 to £500). Check whether your policy covers baggage delays, which can leave you without essentials if your luggage does not arrive with you.

EHIC and GHIC Limitations

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and the older European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, still valid if not expired) entitle UK residents to state-provided healthcare in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland at the same cost as a local resident (often free or with a small co-payment). According to the Financial Conduct Authority, the cards reduce medical costs but are not a substitute for insurance. EHIC and GHIC do not cover private medical treatment, repatriation by air ambulance, non-medical claims (cancellation, baggage, liability), or destinations outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland. Always buy full travel insurance even when carrying your card.

If you are visiting family or friends in Europe over Christmas, you still need insurance. The GHIC covers emergencies but not routine care, and repatriation costs alone can exceed £20,000. Some insurers offer a discount if you hold a valid card, so declare it when comparing quotes.

Christmas-Specific Considerations

Winter weather disrupts travel more often in December and January than at other times of year. Policies typically cover cancellations and delays caused by severe weather, but read the terms: some exclude disruption if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not issued a formal travel warning. Check GOV.UK for current FCDO advice on your destination before booking and again before departure. If the FCDO advises against all or all but essential travel, most insurers will not cover claims arising from that destination.

If your Christmas plans include skiing or other winter sports, you need specialist cover or a winter sports extension. Standard travel policies exclude activities the insurer classes as hazardous (skiing, snowboarding, ice skating), and emergency rescue from a piste can cost thousands. Declare all activities you plan to undertake, and confirm the policy covers them. According to the Association of British Insurers, failing to disclose planned activities can void your entire claim, not just the activity-related portion.

Read also: What to Look for in Travel Insurance in the UK Beyond the Cheapest Policy

What You Must Declare

You must tell the insurer about any pre-existing medical conditions (yours or those of a travelling companion or close family member whose health could cause you to cancel). Conditions include anything you have seen a doctor about, take medication for, or are awaiting investigation or treatment for, even if you feel well. Failing to declare a condition voids the policy. Some insurers cover pre-existing conditions at no extra cost; others charge a loading or exclude them. Specialist providers exist for travellers with complex health needs. Always answer screening questions honestly and get confirmation in writing of what is covered.

Declare your age accurately. Policies often have upper age limits (commonly 65 to 80), and premiums rise steeply for older travellers. Single-trip policies typically cover journeys up to 31 days; if your Christmas visit extends beyond that, buy long-stay or annual multi-trip cover instead.

Practical Next Steps

Compare quotes from several insurers, and check the excess (the amount you pay towards each claim). A higher excess reduces the premium but increases your out-of-pocket cost if you claim. Read the policy wording and the key facts document before buying, and confirm the policy covers your destination, planned activities, and any pre-existing conditions. Keep a copy of the policy document, the insurer’s 24-hour helpline number, and your policy number with you when you travel.

If plans change, contact your insurer immediately. Some policies allow you to cancel within a cooling-off period (typically 14 days) for a refund if you have not travelled.

Financial Disclaimer: This article provides general information about travel insurance and is not regulated financial advice. We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Coverage, exclusions, and availability vary by insurer and by policy. Read the policy wording and the key facts document before purchasing, and consider speaking to an FCA-authorised insurance adviser or broker for guidance on your personal circumstances.