Financial Ombudsman Service urges holidaymakers to check their travel insurance cover

We are reminding holidaymakers to double-check their travel insurance ahead of the spring bank holiday getaway.

Latest figures from our independent dispute resolution service, which is free for consumers to use, show that 3,200 travel insurance complaints were received between 1 April to 31 December 2025. The top three issues complained about were declined claims, delays in settling claims and the value of claim payouts.

Some travellers may be considering holidaying in the UK this half-term and might assume travel insurance is unnecessary, but domestic holidays can still involve financial risks.

So, if they’re thinking about purchasing a policy, people need to know what they’re getting and make sure they disclose everything the insurer asks for as part of the application process. Failure to do so could mean difficulties later when it comes to making a claim.

If in doubt about what’s covered, people should speak to their insurer.

Andy Wright, Ombudsman Director at the Financial Ombudsman Service, said:

As we head towards the spring bank holiday, with people planning well-earned breaks and sensibly looking at travel insurance, it is vital they understand exactly what they are signing up to.

Understanding a policy’s terms and conditions and declaring all relevant information ahead of time is key to preventing distress later.

If something does go wrong and travellers are unhappy with how their insurer dealt with their claim, they should first raise a complaint with the firm. But if they remain unhappy with the outcome, they can bring a complaint to our service, and we’ll see if we can help.

Holiday insurance policies can include:

• cover for cancelled accommodation bookings
• cover for rail disruption or domestic flight delays
• protection for expensive belongings
• cover for activities such as hiking, cycling or water sports
• accommodation cover if a property becomes unusable before travel.

However, we’re urging holidaymakers to check their individual policies to make sure they fully understand the extent of their cover.

It’s also worth checking what protection they might have already through other agreements, such as a packaged bank account, credit card or home insurance policy.

For those travelling abroad, policies vary significantly. Often key elements – such as, missed flights and holiday cancellations – may only be covered in specific circumstances.

To help consumers avoid some common travel insurance issues, the Financial Ombudsman is sharing some top tips for those holidaying in the UK or travelling abroad.