Travel insurance is an essential addition to your holiday as it can cover the cost of unexpected expenses that may occur whilst you are away. You may also be able to claim for lost or stolen baggage and cancellation of your trip if you are unable to travel. In this independent review, we take a look at the Post Office's travel insurance policies. We recommend that you read the review in full but you can jump to specific sections using the following links:
- What is Post Office travel insurance?
- Post Office travel insurance key features
- Post Office travel insurance policies
- What does Post Office travel insurance cover?
- Does Post Office travel insurance cover covid-19?
- Does Post Office travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
- Post Office travel insurance policy exclusions
- How much does Post Office travel insurance cost?
- Post Office travel insurance policy excess
- How to claim on Post Office travel insurance
- Post Office travel insurance customer reviews
- Post Office travel insurance pros and cons
- Alternatives to Post Office travel insurance
- Summary
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What is Post Office travel insurance?
The Post Office travel insurance offers single, annual and backpacker insurance. Post Office travel insurance is underwritten by Collinson Insurance which is a trading name of Astrenska Insurance Limited. The Post Office also offers a host of other financial products such as life insurance, home insurance and credit cards.
Post Office travel insurance key features
- Range of travel insurance policies to choose from
- Three different levels of cover: Economy, Standard, Premier
- Coronavirus related cover
- No upper age limit for single trip travel insurance
- Backpacker cover for individuals up to 60 years old
- Pre-existing conditions cover (some serious conditions may need cover from specialist providers)
- Optional extras including cover for Winter sports, Gadgets and Cruises
- 15% Student discount with a Student Beans account
- Kids with no medical conditions are covered for free on a family policy
- Post Office Travel app
Post Office travel insurance policies
The Post Office offers a range of travel insurance policies and we explain the different types in more detail below.
Single Trip travel insurance
Single trip travel insurance will insure you for one trip for a set period of time. There is no upper age limit with the Post Office’s single trip policy and you can expect cover for emergency medical expenses and repatriation, lost baggage and cancellation of your trip.
With the Post Office you can get cover for a single trip for up to 365 days if you are aged up to 70 years old. The maximum single trip lengths reduce to 90 days for those aged between 71 and 75 and then to 31 days for those aged 76 and above.
Single trip travel insurance is ideal for those who only holiday once or twice a year.
Annual multi-trip travel insurance
Annual multi-trip travel insurance will insure you for multiple trips throughout a 12-month period and is therefore great if you are a frequent traveller. A Post Office annual policy includes cover for emergency medical expenses, cancellation of your trip and lost or stolen baggage. Children can be covered on a family policy at no additional cost and this includes if they travel with another adult without you.
Post Office annual policy is available for everyone aged up to 75 and has an individual trip limit of 17 or 31 days depending on the type of policy you choose. This can, however, be extended with an add-on which can be purchased at an additional cost.
Backpacker travel insurance
Backpacker travel insurance is great for long term one-off trips that last up to 18 months. You also have the option to return home 3 times for up to 7 days throughout the period of insurance. Post Office Backpacker travel insurance covers you for emergency medical expenses when abroad, lost belongings and a range of sporting activities including shark cage diving.
Backpacker insurance with the Post Office will insure travellers from the age of 18 to the age of 60.
If you are a student looking to take a gap year you may benefit from a student discount on your travel insurance policy by entering a discount code via Student Beans.
Optional extras
With the Post Office travel insurance policies, you have the option to enhance your cover with the following add-ons. These will come at an additional cost.
Winter sports cover
If you are going away to take part in any winter sports activity you will need to add winter sports cover onto your insurance policy. Winter sports travel insurance does not just provide cover for skiing and snowboarding. It can also cover additional winter sports activities such as snowmobiling or air boarding, cover for lost or damaged equipment and piste closure.
Cruise cover
Cruise cover covers you for specific cruise-related events such as cabin confinement due to illness whilst away on your trip. You are also covered for missing a port stop, missing the cruise departure and cruise interruption costs.
Gadget cover
Gadget cover allows you to increase the maximum insurable amount of your valuables, such as your tablet, mobile phone and laptop, up to £2,000.
Excess waiver
You can choose to waive the excess on your travel insurance policy if you need to make a claim with the excess waiver policy add-on. This cover can be added to your policy when obtaining a quote and comes at an additional cost.
Enhanced Trip Disruption cover (including Covid-19, Natural Catastrophe, Terrorism & Air Space)
Post Office travel insurance already covers medical assistance if you fall ill with Covid-19 or you are injured due to a terrorist attack or natural disaster, however, you can add optional extra enhanced cover.
Enhanced trip disruption cover gives extra reassurance for other disruption they might cause as well as cover for airspace problems including delays caused by unauthorised aircraft such as drones.
Enhanced trip disruption cover can allow you to claim for disruption travel and accommodation expenses you may have incurred whilst delayed. You can also get cover for any additional costs you have paid upfront if you have been delayed for 24 hours or more.
Additional cancellation cover if a natural catastrophe or terrorist-related event occurs near where you are due to stay within 14 days of travel. You can also get cover for any disruption caused if you are already on your way abroad and if you choose to abandon your trip after at least a 12-hour delay.
It is worth remembering that you will not be covered if you travel against FCDO advice so you would need to check this before you travel.
What does Post Office travel insurance cover?
In the below comparison table, we have highlighted some of the levels of cover you can expect with a Post Office travel insurance policy. Check and read your policy documents carefully so you know exactly what is and isn't covered by your policy.
| Economy | Standard | Premier | |
| Excess^ | £125 | £99 | £50 |
| Emergency medical expenses | £5m | £10m | £15m |
| Cancellation | £1,000 | £3,000 | £5,000 |
| Trip cut short | £1,000 | £3,000 | £5,000 |
| Lost or stolen baggage | £1,500 | £2,000 | £3,000 |
| Travel delay | n/a | £90 (min 4hr delay period) | £150 (min 4hr delay period) |
| Missed departure | n/a | £750 | £1,500 |
| Personal money | £250 | £350 | £500 |
| Passport & important documents | £250 | £350 | £500 |
| Personal liability | £2m | £2m | £2m |
^Excess may vary depending on what you are claiming for
Post Office backpacker policy
| Economy Backpackers | |
| Excess^ | £125 |
| Emergency medical expenses | £5m |
| Cancellation | £1,000 |
| Trip cut short | £1,000 |
| Lost or stolen baggage | £1,500 |
| Personal money | £250 |
| Passport & important documents | £250 |
| Personal liability | £2m |
| Personal accident | £5,000 |
| Legal expenses | £25,000 |
^Excess may vary depending on what you are claiming for
Post Office optional extras
In the below comparison table, we share the cover you can expect with some of the optional Post Office travel insurance policy add-ons. For more information about the different add-ons and the level of cover you can expect, refer to your policy documents.
Winter sport cover
| Economy | Standard | Premier | |
| Ski equipment | £500 | £500 | £1,000 |
| Ski pack | £300 | £300 | £400 |
| Ski Equipment hire | Max £250 | Max £250 | Max £500 |
| Piste closure | Max £250 | Max £250 | Max £500 |
| Avalanche closure | Max £150 | Max £250 | Max £350 |
Cruise cover
| Economy | Standard | Premier | |
| Missed departure | £1,000 | £1,000 | £1,000 |
| Missed port | Max £300 | Max £300 | Max £500 |
| Cruise interruption | £1,000 | £1,000 | £1,000 |
| Evening dress hire | £75 | £75 | £75 |
| Cabin confinement | Max £500 | Max £500 | Max £500 |
| Unused excursion | £500 | £500 | £500 |
| Increased personal belongings | £1,500 | £2,000 | £2,500 |
Does Post Office travel insurance cover Covid-19?
If you have a Post Office travel insurance policy you will be covered for some coronavirus-related claims and we detail those below. For more information on coronavirus and travelling abroad you may wish to read the following articles:
Coronavirus cover with the Post Office includes the below but additional covid-19 cover can also be purchased at an additional cost:
- Cancellation cover if you test positive for covid-19 within 14 days of travelling
- Cancellation and curtailment cover if a close relative passes away from covid-19
- Cover if you test positive for covid-19 at the departure gate and are therefore unable to travel
- Cover if your trip is cut short as you have tested positive for covid-19 upon arrival at your destination
- Emergency medical and repatriation expenses
It is worth noting that most travel insurance policies will not pay out if you travel against FCDO advice
Does Post Office travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Post Office travel insurance offers a screening service when taking out a policy to see if it can cover any pre-existing medical conditions you have. The Post Office says that it offers cover for common pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure. Post Office travel insurance may not be able to cover some serious medical conditions, in this case, you may be better off looking for travel insurance with a specialist provider. More information on these providers can be found on the Money Helper website.
Post Office travel insurance policy exclusions
In this section of the review, we highlight some of the general policy exclusions with a Post Office travel insurance policy. This list is not extensive so be sure to check your policy documents carefully to know exactly what is and isn't covered.
A typical Post Office travel insurance policy will not cover you for the following:
- The policy excess
- If you are travelling against the advice of a medical professional
- Claims related to excessive alcohol use or drug abuse
- Travel against FCDO advice
How much does Post Office travel insurance cost?
In this section of the review, we take a look at the cost of a Post Office travel insurance policy. The following quotes are based on an individual of different ages travelling to Europe with no underlying health conditions and the single trip costs are for a period of 7 nights. The price you may pay for your travel insurance policy varies depending on a variety of reasons including your age, where you are travelling to and if you have any underlying health conditions.
The Post Office single trip policy cost comparison
| Economy | Standard | Premier | |
| Policy Excess | £125 | £99 | £50 |
| Medical expense cover | £5m | £7.5m | £10m |
| Cancellation cover | £1,000 | £3,000 | £5,000 |
| Baggage cover | £1,500 | £2,000 | £3,000 |
| Individual trip limit | up to 365 days (age dependent) | up to 365 days (age dependent) | up to 365 days (age dependent) |
| Single trip policy cover - Europe (20-year-old) | £29.89 | £34.55 | £47.16 |
| Single trip policy cover - Europe (30-year-old) | £28.28 | £32.74 | £44.66 |
| Single trip policy cover - Europe (40-year-old) | £28.18 | £32.60 | £44.51 |
| Single trip policy cover - Europe (50-year-old) | £28.90 | £33.42 | £45.59 |
| Single trip policy cover - Europe (60-year-old) | £36.06 | £41.74 | £56.92 |
| Single trip policy cover - Europe (70-year-old) | £54.44 | £62.96 | £85.92 |
(Quotes correct as of 06/03/24)
The Post Office Annual multi-trip policy cost comparison
| Economy | Standard | Premier | |
| Policy Excess | £125 | £99 | £50 |
| Medical expense cover | £5m | £7.5m | £10m |
| Cancellation cover | £1,000 | £3,000 | £5,000 |
| Baggage cover | £1,500 | £2,000 | £3,000 |
| Individual trip limit | 17 days | 17 days | 31 days |
| Annual multi-trip policy cover - Europe (20-year-old) | £40.61 | £47.95 | £69.68 |
| Annual multi-trip policy cover - Europe (30-year-old) | £42.24 | £49.91 | £72.53 |
| Annual multi-trip policy cover - Europe (40-year-old) | £47.90 | £56.58 | £82.20 |
| Annual multi-trip policy cover - Europe (50-year-old) | £50.62 | £59.77 | £86.86 |
| Annual multi-trip policy cover - Europe (60-year-old) | £57.13 | £67.49 | £98.08 |
| Annual multi-trip policy cover - Europe (70-year-old) | £96.25 | £113.70 | £165.23 |
(Quotes correct as of 06/03/24)
The Post Office backpacker policy cost comparison
The following backpacker quotes are based on an individual travelling for 18 months around Europe. The individual has no underlying health conditions. The price will therefore vary depending on how long you are travelling, your age and whether you have any existing health conditions. There is an upper age limit on the Post Office backpacker travel insurance policies and the policyholder has to be under the age of 61.
| Economy | |
| Policy Excess | £125 |
| Medical expense cover | £5m |
| Cancellation cover | £1,000 |
| Baggage cover | £1,500 |
| Backpacker policy cover - Europe (20-year-old) | £510.78 |
| Backpacker policy cover - Europe (30-year-old) | £494.48 |
| Backpacker policy cover - Europe (40-year-old) | £511.45 |
| Backpacker policy cover - Europe (50-year-old) | £523.66 |
| Backpacker policy cover - Europe (60-year-old) | £616.68 |
(Quotes correct as of 06/03/24)
Post Office travel insurance policy excess
How much you pay for your policy excess varies depending on the type of policy you choose as the excess amount owed if you make a claim reduces with the more comprehensive Post Office travel insurance policies. The policy excess for The Post Office's Economy policy is £125, compared to £99 for a Standard policy and £50 for a Premier policy. There is also the option to waive the excess owed with the Excess waiver add-on which is available at an additional cost.
How to claim on Post Office travel insurance
If you want to make a claim on your Post Office travel insurance policy you can make a claim online or alternatively, you can call 0333 333 9702.
Post Office travel insurance customer reviews
The Post Office travel insurance has a rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars from just 536 reviews on the customer review site Trustpilot. Customers detailed problems with customer service and claims being paid. As with all travel insurance policies, it is important to do your research and read the T&Cs when looking to get travel insurance for your trip to ensure you are covered should you need to make a claim.
Post Office travel insurance pros and cons
Post Office travel insurance pros
- Pre-existing conditions cover (some serious conditions may need cover from a specialist provider)
- Optional extras including cover for Winter sports, Gadgets and Cruises
- 15% Student discount with a Student Beans account
- Post Office Travel app
- No age limit on single trip policies
Post Office travel insurance cons
- Backpacker policies only have Economy level of cover
- Individual trip limits on annual multi-trip policies unless you pay for trip extensions
Alternatives to Post Office travel insurance
In this section of the review, we compare the Post Office travel insurance policies to Holiday Extras and Staysure* travel insurance. You can also compare the cost of travel insurance via a comparison site such as Quotezone* or MoneySuperMarket*. This allows you to compare the cost of multiple travel insurance policies at once to find one that best suits your needs. However, it is worth considering that not all comparison sites are whole of market so you may be able to find a better deal with a travel insurance provider directly.
Post Office travel insurance vs Holiday Extras travel insurance
In the below comparison table, we have compared the Post Office's most comprehensive travel insurance policy to Holiday Extras's most comprehensive policy. The quotes are for a single trip policy based on a 30-year-old individual travelling to Europe with no underlying health conditions.
For more information on Holiday Extras travel insurance read our 'Holiday Extras travel insurance review'.
| Post Office | Holiday Extras | |
| Excess | £50 | £50 |
| Emergency Medical cover | £10million | Unlimited |
| Cancellation cover | £5,000 | £5,000 |
| Baggage | £3,000 | £2,000 |
| Single trip policy cost to Europe (30-year-old individual) | £44.66 | £26.17 |
(Quotes correct as of 06/03/24)
Post Office travel insurance vs Staysure travel insurance
In the below comparison table, we compare the most comprehensive travel insurance policies from both Staysure and the Post Office. The quotes are based on a single trip policy to Europe for a 30-year-old individual with no underlying health conditions.
For more information on Staysure travel insurance, read our 'Staysure travel insurance review'.
| Post Office | Staysure* | |
| Excess | £50 | £0 |
| Emergency Medical cover | £10million | Unlimited |
| Cancellation cover | £5,000 | £10,000 |
| Baggage | £3,000 | £5,000 |
| Single trip policy cost to Europe (30-year-old individual) | £44.66 | £34.99 |
(Quotes correct as of 06/03/24)
Summary
Overall, the Post Office offers a good range of travel insurance policies and you are able to cater the policy to suit your trip so you are not paying for cover that you will not need. The Post Office has teamed up with Student Beans to offer 15% student discount which may be attractive if you are a student planning a gap year or a backpacking trip.
The Post Office also has no age limit on its single trip policies and as it aims to cover most pre-existing conditions it makes it attractive to those over the age of 65 wishing to travel. As with all travel insurance policies, it is important to read the policy documents carefully so you know exactly what you are covered for before you travel and it is always worth shopping around as you may be able to get similar or better cover at a lower cost.
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