What does travel insurance usually not cover?

The short answer

GOV.UK says failing to declare a pre-existing condition may invalidate your travel insurance, and most policies do not cover events after excessive alcohol or drug use. Risky sports and some destinations or events are also often excluded.

Pre-existing medical conditions

GOV.UK says to declare them, because failing to declare something may invalidate your cover. It also says some policies may exclude cover for treatment related to a pre-existing mental health condition.

Alcohol, drugs and activities

GOV.UK says most travel insurance policies do not cover events that happen after you have drunk excessive alcohol or taken recreational drugs. Sports such as bungee jumping, jet skiing, winter sports or skydiving are not usually included in standard policies, and quad bikes and mopeds are not usually covered.

Destinations and events

• High-risk destinations: many policies will not cover travel to them.
• Terrorism: most insurers offer only limited cover.
• Natural disasters: some policies only offer limited cover.
• Civil unrest or strikes: you may not be covered for some claims.

GHIC and EHIC are not insurance

GOV.UK says the EHIC and GHIC are not alternatives to travel insurance. They do not cover private medical healthcare costs, repatriation, or additional costs such as mountain rescue in ski resorts.

The GOV.UK page does not discuss cancel-for-any-reason cover, so this page cannot say how it works. Read your policy wording.

Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.

Sources: GOV.UK: Foreign travel insurance. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.

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