If you travel more than once a year, an annual travel insurance policy will almost certainly save you money — and a lot of hassle. But it’s not right for everyone. Here’s how the two options compare.
Travel insurance
At insurd, we offer both single-trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance with no upper age limit. Get a travel insurance quote in minutes.
What’s the difference?
Single-trip insurance covers one specific journey from departure to return. You choose the dates and destination, and the policy ends when you’re home.
Annual multi-trip insurance covers unlimited trips within a 12-month period under a single policy. At insurd, each trip can be up to 93 days. For anything longer, a single-trip cover is the better fit.
Which costs less?
Single-trip policies are cheaper upfront. But if you’re taking three or more trips in a year, the combined cost of separate policies will almost always exceed the price of an annual policy.
As a general rule, two or more trips a year, and it’s worth comparing both options. Three or more, and annual cover usually wins on price.
What are the advantages of annual cover?
Some advantages of multi-trip include:
- You’re automatically covered for every trip — no need to remember to buy insurance each time
- Better value for regular travellers
- Ideal for spontaneous or last-minute trips
- No limit on the number of trips within the year
What are the advantages of single-trip cover?
Some advantages of single-trip include:
- Lower upfront cost for one-off travel
- More flexibility on trip duration
- Easier to tailor cover for specific activities like winter sports or cruises
What does annual multi-trip cover include?
The same core protection as a single-trip policy:
- Emergency medical treatment and repatriation
- Trip cancellation and curtailment
- Lost, stolen, or damaged baggage
- Travel delays and missed departures
- Personal liability
- Optional add-ons (winter sports, cruise cover, and more)
What about pre-existing medical conditions?
Both policy types can cover pre-existing conditions — you just need to declare them when you apply. With annual cover, you declare once for the year. At insurd, we cover a wide range of conditions on both policy types.
Can families get annual cover?
Yes. Family annual policies typically cover two adults and dependent children under 18 living at home. If you travel as a family more than once a year, it’s usually excellent value.
More trips = annual cover
For most people who travel more than twice a year, annual multi-trip insurance is the smarter choice, offers better value, and is far more convenient. For one-off trips or journeys longer than 93 days, single-trip cover is the way to go.
Not sure which suits you? Call us on 0345 222 6318 or get a travel insurance quote online.
