If you’re planning a spring or summer getaway, there’s one essential task you should prioritise: securing your travel insurance immediately after booking your trip. Money Saving Expert (MSE) founder Martin Lewis recently underscored the importance of this on The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, warning that without travel insurance, you risk losing all the money spent on your holiday if unforeseen events prevent you from travelling.
Martin Lewis explained, “Travel insurance isn’t just about coverage while you’re away; it also protects you if something unexpected happens before you depart, stopping you from going altogether. My personal rule is simple: get your travel insurance ASAB — as soon as you book.”
With many travellers already having booked their trips, Lewis urges, “If you haven’t secured travel insurance yet, do it now. Don’t wait until the last minute or the day before you travel.” He highlighted common heartbreaking scenarios where people fall ill or face emergencies after booking but before leaving, only to discover travel insurance isn’t in place, leaving them with no refund and significant financial losses.
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Co-host Jeanette Kwakye shared a real-life example illustrating this predicament: a passenger booked a Christmas holiday but was medically advised not to travel. Without travel insurance, they faced losing all the upfront holiday costs with no compensation available. Martin emphasized, “Don’t be that person this summer who regrets not getting insurance early.”
He elaborated, “Imagine buying a tennis racket and then breaking your arm—you can’t return the racket because it still works. The flights and hotels remain operational; it’s the traveller whose circumstances changed, and that’s what insurance is for.”
However, Martin cautions travellers to read the fine print thoroughly. Travel insurance can be invalidated, particularly if you travel against government advice. For instance, those heading to Dubai should be aware that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, which may void your coverage.
In summary, to safeguard your holiday investment and avoid unforseen losses, book your travel insurance immediately after booking your trip, review all policy details carefully, and stay updated on travel advisories from official government sources.