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Are you planning a trip in the near future? Worried about any unexpected costs if something goes wrong? Look no further: single trip travel insurance is here to provide the perfect coverage for your getaway! Our single trip travel insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for a wide range of eventualities, helping to protect you and your trip from the unexpected.

Why should I get single trip travel insurance?

There are many reasons why you may want to get a single trip travel insurance policy, including:
  • If you become unwell or have an accident before you travel and need to cancel your trip.
  • If you're injured while travelling and need medical assistance.
  • If you fall sick while abroad and need to get medical treatment.
  • If you're involved in an accident while away and need compensation for damages.
  • If your baggage is lost, stolen or damaged while you’re away.

Columbus provides a range of single trip travel insurance options tailored to your needs. As we understand that your holiday is unique to you, we don't just offer one-size-fits-all insurance. Instead, we provide tailored cover for your specific needs which includes three levels of cover Bronze, Silver and Gold to choose from and additional optional extras, so you'll always have the right cover for your holiday.

Our single trip travel insurance includes:

  • Cover up to £15 million for emergency medical expenses and repatriation.1
  • Cover up to £5,000 for trip cancellation or if you need to cut short your trip.1
  • Baggage cover up to £2,500 should your personal belongings become delayed, lost, stolen or damaged during your trip.1
  • 150 sports and activities covered as standard.
  • Free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed for 1hr or more.2
  • Optional cover available including cover for gadgets, winter sports, cruise and trip disruption.
  • Cover available for many pre-existing medical conditions.
  • Cover available up to 85 years old.

If you’re only planning to go on one trip during the year, then a single trip travel insurance policy can often be the cheapest route to making sure you’re covered. Ideal for short or long trips in the UK or abroad with cover available up to 365 days, making it suitable for whatever travel plans you have. If you are travelling a few times over the year annual multi trip travel insurance may be a better option.

What does single trip travel insurance cover?

Some of the key features of our single trip travel insurance include:

  • Medical expenses: If you get sick or injured while on your trip, your policy will cover the cost of necessary medical treatment, including hospitalisation and emergency medical evacuation.
  • Trip cancellations and interruptions: If you have to cancel your trip or cut it short due to a covered reason, such as illness or a death in the family, your policy will reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs.
  • Lost or stolen luggage: If your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged while you are travelling, your policy will cover the cost of replacing it.
  • Emergency assistance: Columbus Direct offers 24/7 emergency assistance, so you can get help whenever you need it, no matter where you are in the world.
  • Airport lounge access: all our policies provide free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed for 1hr or more, so you can relax in comfort and enjoy free WI-FI and drinks and nibbles while you wait. Just register yourself and up to four travelling companions at least 24hrs before departure2.
  • Pre-existing medical cover: Cover available for many pre-existing medical conditions subject to simple online screening.
  • Sports and Activities: Cover for over 150 sports and activities covered as standard. Check out which sports and activities are covered here. If you’re planning to take part in a sport or activity not on our covered list contact us to see if we can provide cover.

In addition to these core features, our single trip travel insurance policy also offers a range of optional cover that you can add to your policy to customise it to your specific needs. For example, you can add cover for things like winter sports and adventure activities, as well as cover for your gadget, cruise or extended trip disruption cover providing extra protection against a natural catastrophe, terrorist act or air space closure. We also have cover for COVID-19 which provides extra protection for cancellation, cutting short your trip and changes to quarantine requirements.

Overall, our single trip travel insurance is a great option for travellers who want comprehensive coverage for their trip. With a wide range of benefits and the option to customise your policy, you can feel confident that you are protected against the unexpected.

The importance of having travel insurance when travelling

Travel insurance can bring you peace of mind during your holidays. Travelling can be a fun and an exciting experience but emergencies and interruptions could happen when you least expect it. That’s why it’s important to have travel insurance, to minimise the cost and effect of any unexpected accidents or emergencies. At Columbus we want to give you peace of mind during your travels by providing you with cover to meet the needs of your trip including cover for cancellation, from lost luggage, missed flights and medical emergencies.

We strive to make sure our travel insurance is as straightforward and stress-free as possible. We pride ourselves in having a product that is easy to read, and understand, along with a straightforward quote process. Our claims process is easy with a 24/7 online claims service designed to make your claims experience as straightforward and easy as possible.

Our other policy types

At Columbus Direct, we understand how important it is to have the right travel insurance coverage for your exciting journey away! Whether you’re heading for a short break or a more extended holiday, you can trust us to be by your side every step of the way. 

We cover different types of travel insurance including:

These policies offer a range of cover with varying levels of protection, so you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind. All our policies are designed to suit the needs of individuals and group travellers, so you can find the perfect insurance to meet your needs.

Travel destinations

Are you going on a trip this year? If you are planning a trip or a holiday this year, don't forget to check out some of the world’s most beautiful and interesting travel destinations including the mountains of Europe, plains of Africa or the cities of Asia. Each country and continent has its own unique culture and history that you will love exploring. And no matter where you go, we have got you covered. Explore also our Europe travel insurance or USA travel insurance pages to name a few, and make sure you get a travel insurance policy from Columbus Direct to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Other travel insurance pages you may wish to check out….

Who we are

Columbus Direct is an award-winning travel insurance specialist, established in 1988. We have a history of innovation in the industry, including being the first company to sell travel insurance direct to the consumer in the UK and also the first to fully sell online.

Over the years, Columbus has won multiple awards including the National Insurance Awards for travel insurance in 2022, ITIJ Travel Insurance Intermediary of the year in 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2012, and Your Money Award for the best direct travel insurance provider in 2019 and 2014.

Why Columbus Direct?

  • 24/7 Emergency medical assistance
  • FREE Airport lounge access for you and four travellers when your flight is delayed by one or more hours
  • Award-winning service
  • Specialist provider for over 30 years
  • Over 15 million customers insured since 1988
  • Many pre-existing medical conditions covered
  • Optional extras including gadget, cruise and winter sports cover

Terms and conditions apply:

1Benefits shown are for Gold policies.

2The policyholder can register both themselves and up to four travelling companions for Columbus Direct’s Airport Delay services. They will be eligible to receive free airport lounge access in the event a delay or one or more hours is announced for your flight. View terms and conditions here.

3Where discounts are offered they do not apply to Columbus Direct products purchased through third parties. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount or promotion.

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