What Are The Best Couple Travel Insurances?

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Alexandre Desoutter updated on April 1, 2020

Wheter you are without children or you’d like to enjoy your retirement leaving for a romantic trip with your wife, husband or partner?
Being covered while travelling abroad with your partner is essential, especially if something goes wrong (injury, baggage lost, trip cancelled etc.)

Hence, you may be wondering where you could get the best couple travel insurance?

You’ve come at the right place!

In the below article, we will tell you everything you need to know about couple travel insurance: which cover you should go for, insurers, prices, contacts and tips.
Stay tuned!

What is couple travel insurance?

Finding a good comprehensive travel insurance, although not compulsory, is vital if you are planning to travel with your wife, husband or partner. However, buying a single trip travel insurance for both of you might quickly be prohibitive and not very efficient. This is why you should definitely get a more budget-friendly couple travel insurance.

Couple travel insurance, also known as joint travel insurance, cover you and your partner for any unexpected costs you may have to face abroad (trip cancellation, medical expenses, repatriation, baggage lost or damaged, trip dalyaed or missed departure etc.).

Most insurers will ask you, to qualify for a couple or a joint holiday insurance, to:

  • be two adults aged of 18 or above
  • prove a relationship status or that you live under the same roof.

Note that if one of you suffer from pre-existing medical conditions, it might be more affordable to apply for two single trip travel insurance rather than an alternative couple policy.

Why do I need couple travel insurance?

A comprehensive couple travel insurance covers you in the event of a mishap encountered anywhere abroad. In fact, you, or your partner, are not immune to an accident or illness that could go so far as to justify your repatriation to UK. There are many examples: infections, transport accidents, loss or theft of luggage.

Did you know that a survey conducted by Which in 2018 showed that of about 10000 UK travellers of all age ranges, 64% had medical treatment while they were travelling abroad? Today the average medical claim abroad is £1300 according to comparethemarket when you can find annual couple travel insurance starting at a few pounds per day.

Just to show you how important applying for travel insurance is, here are a few examples of what an unfortunate and unexpected event might cost you during an example holiday:

How much will you have to payWithout travel insurance nor EHIC
(e.g. trip to USA)
Without travel insurance but with EHICWith travel insurance
My travelling companion needs to be hospitalized abroad
£37 0000£0
in public hospitals only
£0
until medical limit is reached
My spouse needs to be repatriated to the UK for emergency medical reasons
£29 000£29 000£0
most often real fees
We need to cancel our romantic trip for medical reasons
£10000£10000£0
until trip cancellation / interruption limit is reached
My baggage has been damaged during transit
£900£900£0
until personal belongings limit is reached
Expenses you could face abroad

Good to know

Applying for couple holiday insurance will prevent you from having to face any unexpected and significant expenses for you or your travel partners as described above.

The European Health Insurance Card for couple holidays

Always remember that while travelling in Europe, your first ally is your European Health Insurance Card. Your EHIC will cover for any treatment you may need abroad, including any treatment linked to a pre-existing medical condition as any local national would be covered.

The EHIC is individual and you must get one (free-of-charge) for you and your partner if travelling in Europe together.

What is covered by EHIC?What is not covered by EHIC
  • Any treatment of a pre-existing or chronic medical condition while abroad
  • Any routine medical care for pre-existing medical condition if monitoring is needed
  • Any maternity care
  • Any private treatment
  • Any repatriation expense
  • Any emergency rescue (air rescue from ski station, for instance)
  • Any treatment on cruises
  • Any specialist consultation
What exactly is covered by my EHIC

Good to know

Remember that your EHIC will only cover you until 31/12/2020, the time of Brexit. Make sure you have both EHIC and travel insurance before travelling. Many insurers will ask you to get your EHIC if travelling in Europe, and would waive the excess if you have a valid card with you.

Compare best couple travel insurances

Finding good and cheap travel insurance for couple is always a challenge. To make you save time and money, we've come up with a selection of insurers you could apply for your eyes closed:

Travel insurerTravel insurance priceOur reviewsSee insurer offer
logo explorer travel insurance
£12,91
  • 4,58/5 rate on Reviews
  • Provides all types of travel insurance with 2 level of protection: Gold and GoldPlus
  • Medical compensation for up to 85 years old
  • Dedicated customer service according to reviews
Get quote
logo travel insurance 4 medical
£14,63
  • 4,8/5 consumers reviews rate on TrustPilot / 5 stars on Defaqto
  • Specialist insurer providing full cover for up to 1000 medical conditions (including Alzheimer's, HIV, cancer etc.)
  • UK based-call center
  • Provides all travel insurance types with 3 level of protection
  • Medical compensation limit minimum is £3M
  • Also provides cover for cruise and winter sports
Get quote
logo world first
£12,01
  • Provides all travel insurance types with 4 levels of cover (all rated 5 stars by Defaqto): Standard, Premier, Exclusive, Superior
  • 4,8/5 on TrustPilot (very good customer care according to reviews)
  • No credit or debit card fees guarantee
  • Possibility to apply for travel insurance 12 months in advance
  • UK-based customer service and claim team
  • Reimburse within 14 days
At source
Travel insurance for couple comparison

*Quotes above are for a 30 years couple going for a 7 days trip to Europe.

Even better, use our comparison tool to find the best deal for you! At Safe, we’ve checked out hundreds of travel insurance providers and we are now able to allow you to compare dozens of holiday insurance deals in only a few seconds without giving any personal details.

Should I choose single trip or annual couple travel insurance?

There is no straight answer to this question. The best way to find out is to get both single and annual couple travel insurance quotes and to make up your own mind.

If you are going away for a romantic trip with your partner once or twice a year, applying for a single trip couple travel insurance policy for the two of you might be the best option in terms of value for money.

However, if you are planning regular trips during the year because you have extra miles and would like to take advantage of this time for the two of you, then you might rather go for annual couple travel insurance.

Applying for annual couple travel insurance might give you access to more benefits during the year for example you can be covered if you are travelling separately. You could also get extra discounts for couples.

As a reminder:

Travel insurance typeExplanation
Single trip couple travel insurance
These travel insurance policies are for one-off holidays.
You will be covered from the start of the journey until the end.
You can decide the number of days you want to be covered for.
There is usually a limit of both a maximum number of days days you can travel per trip as well as an upper age limit.
Annual multi-trip couple insurance
These policies are made for frequent travellers going away for couple holidays several times a year.
You would need to check whether it is more competitive to buy two or three single trip insurance policies or an annual multi-trip policy.
Types of couple travel insurance policies

Watch out!

Always remember to check limits and excess amounts, maximum number of days per trip and exclusions in an insurer’s policy terms and conditions booklet. 

What should your couple travel insurance cover?

Each couple travel insurance policy is different, since it is the insurer who determines the content of the contracts it offers: guarantees, compensation limits, deductibles, travel insurance prices, etc.

However, all couple travel insurance contracts must include at least the following guarantees, applicable in Europe or worldwide, for all individuals mentioned on the policy:

  • Medical expenses: compensation of any medical expenses during your couple stay (consultation, analysis, emergency treatment, longer hospital stay, etc.)
  • Repatriation assistance to the UK: financial and logistical support by a dedicated 24/7 team for your early return to your country of residence if necessary
  • Trip cancellation and cover for delayed or missed departure: compensation if you need to cancel your trip for whatever reason or if you missed your departure
  • Personal liability: compensation for any damage or injury made to a third party
  • Baggage: compensation for any lost or theft of baggage while travelling

Most of the time, travel insurers offer different formulas. Cover types involved are usually the same but the compensation limits and deductibles vary.

When applying for holiday insurance for couple, you should pay close attention to:

CompensationAverage amountGood to check
Medical expenses compensation amount
From £5M to £10M
(depending on your medical situation and your destination)
  • Are surgery and stays in private hospitals included in medical compensation?
  • Will we need to pay for medical fees upfront?
  • If one of us have a pre-existing medical condition, what exactly is included?
  • Will any "accompanying person" fees be reimbursed (extra travel, accomodation, car rental)?
  • Is there a 24/7 free-of-charge and UK-based assistance landline?
  • Is unlimited overseas assistance provided?
Repatriation compensation amount
Real fees
  • Is any transportation mode included (by alternative schedule flight or by air ambulance)?
  • Is repatriation under the supervision of a nurse or a doctor taken into account?
Trip cancellation / curtailment
£10 000
(depending on your destination)
  • Is couple trip cancellation included as standard or as an option?
  • Which reasons exactly are included to get compensation for your trip cancellation?
  • Is trip interruption covered?
Baggage
Minimum of £1500 limit
  • Is it only valid during return transport or during the entire stay?
  • Do you need the receipts for any belongings for baggage claims?
  • Is the limit fixed by value?
Missed departure, delay
Minimum £500 limit (minimum £200 limit for delay)
  • Are all justified reasons for missed departure covered?
  • How many hours of delay to qualify for compensation?
Personal liability
Average £2M limit
  • What is the limit by article and valuables?
  • Don’t focus on overall limit only
Legal expenses
Average £15000 limit
  • Does it cover any lawyer fees (including appointment fees)?
What your couple travel insurance should cover

What are the should-have features for your couple travel insurance?

Maybe you would also like to be covered with nice-to-have protection add-ons while travelling. Here are some examples below:

CompensationAverage amountWhat you should particularly pay attention to
Money and cash
Minimum £500 for money
(pre-paid tickets, travellers cheque etc.)
Minimum £200 for cash
  • How long can you make a claim to the police to be covered?
  • Is there a 24-hour claim limit?
Dental emergency
Minimum £250
  • What is included in emergency dental care?
  • Cosmetic will most of the time be excluded
Loss of passport or documentation
Minimum £250
  • How many nights are covered?
  • Do you need receipts of any additional fees incurred?
What are the nice-to-have features of couple travel insurance

What are the extras you may choose for couple holiday insurance?

Extras
Sports cover
Extra cover for activities such as winter sports.
Gadget cover
Extra cover for smartphones, laptops, cameras, GoPro that you may have to record your couple holidays.
Cruise gear cover
Extra cover for your couple cruise gear travel.
Additional trip cancellation cover for couple
Higher compensation limit if you need to cancel your couple trip because of medical reasons, bereavement etc.
Additional personal belongings cover for couple
Higher compensation limit to safely protect all your couple belongings.
Extras for couple travel insurance

Can I buy worldwide or europe couple travel insurance?

After you’ve made your choice between single or annual joint travel insurance, you will also need to indicate the destination you’d like to reach for your romantic holidays. Usually, insurers split destinations between 4 main groups:

  • Europe
  • Wolrdwide excluding the USA, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico
  • Worldwide
  • Australia and New-Zealand

Note that applying for USA couple travel insurance from UK will of course cost you more than a romantic european trip. Flights are more expensive, healthcare costs out there are prohibitive. Insurers will therefore make you pay higher to provide you with the same level of cover than in Europe.

What are the benefits of couple holiday insurance?

Adding two names to the same insurance contract allows you to benefit from certain advantages. First of all, you will have the possibility of having only one policy for both of you, and therefore one contact, one renewal date for all your trips (if you apply for annual couple holiday insurance).

But you can also take advantage of:

  • the possibility to be covered whilst travelling individually
  • couple discounts
  • higher compensation amounts for same deductibles to be paid.

Does travel insurance for couple cover individuals travelling alone?

If you applied for an annual couple travel insurance, you may ask yourself the question: am I covered if I travel alone, without my partner? That can be useful if you are for example visiting family abroad several times a year and you can’t always go together at the same time.

This only applies to annual couple travel insurance and may vary from one insurer to another. Carefully check before getting quote.

How much is couple travel insurance?

The table below shows indicative quotes for couple applying for travel insurance policies:

Age rangeSingle trip
USA - 7 days*
Single trip
Europe - 7 days*
Annual multi-trip
Europe
Couple of 30 years old
£41,12£12,47£55,37
Couple of 60 years old
£51,41£15,58£57,41
Couple travel insurance prices

It is, however, quite difficult to give precise ranges of how much a travel insurance will cost for you as prices are based on a wide range of criteria. It will mainly depend on:

  • If you’re going for a single or annual multi-trips as mentioned above
  • If you’re subscribing to upgrades such as cruise, activities or gadget cover
  • If one of the travellers have pre-existing medical conditions
  • The duration and destination of your stay
  • The financial limits you’d like to get in case of a claim
  • The excess amount you’re willing to pay
  • What you will be doing abroad.

What about pre-existing medical conditions for couple travel insurances?

As well as for any other type of travel insurance, you are required by law to declare any pre-existing medical condition of a named travellers when purchasing travel insurance.

Watch out!

Not disclosing medical condition could invalidate future claims as well as your entire travel insurance policy.

Get to know more on travel insurance and pre-existing medical condition here.

A pre-existing medical condition is typically one for which you have been diagnosed and have received treatment before you apply for any travel insurance policy, regardless of whether this is short- or long-term. Here is a list of most common pre-existing medical conditions you may also need to declare:

  • Diabetes (with insulin injections)
  • Heart-related conditions (stroke, cardiomyopathy, etc.)
  • Any respiratory illness (lung problems, asthma)
  • Blood-circulatory conditions (high-blood pressure, high cholesterol)
  • Any mental or physical disability (depression, etc.)
  • Any neurological problem (e.g. Alzheimer’s)
  • Any treatment related to cancer care
  • HIV
  • Any allergies
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Hernia conditions, etc.

The exact definition of what counts as a pre-existing medical condition and what needs medical screening may vary from one insurer to another. Carefully check our reviews as well as insurers’ policy booklets to be sure your medical condition is well covered.

Watch out!

Note that, in case of chronicle disease, any named travellers on the holiday insurance must travel with GP consent.

What does couple travel insurance not cover?

Most travel insurers will not give financial compensation for:

  • Any claim made as a result of a pre-existing medical condition or pending diagnosis undeclared at the time of purchase
  • Any claim made as a result of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Difficulties due to natural disaster, war, civil unrest (look out for strikes)
  • Any claim made as a result of a terrorist act (except if you took out this cover as an option)
  • Any claim made as a result of extreme sport practice not disclosed at the time of applying.

Watch out!

We would strongly advise you to carefully check your policy booklet for the main exclusions before leaving home with your partner. 

What else should you pay attention to while shopping around for couple travel insurance?

While shopping around for holiday insurance for couple, always pay attention to:

  • The upper age limit of the policy you applied for.
  • The compensation amount you will get in case of a claim (especially for medical expenses, trip cancellation, personal liability, baggage and personal belongings).
  • The deductible amounts you’ll have to pay in case of a claim (don’t forget that you need to pay the excess on each claim).
  • The exclusions you may have in your policy (sports, strike, cancellation trip due to carrier default, etc.).
  • Coverage included in policies or available as upgrades (winter sports, business trip, etc.).
  • The claim process (100% online? How many days do you have to make a claim?).
  • The maximum duration of each trip included as standard (at least 31 days).

Watch out!

Never forget to disclose any pre-existing medical condition you may have to your insurer before leaving.

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Alexandre Desoutter
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Alexandre Desoutter has been working as editor-in-chief and head of press relations at HelloSafe since June 2020. A graduate of Sciences Po Grenoble, he worked as a journalist for several years in French media, and continues to collaborate as a as a contributor to several publications.

In this sense, his role leads him to carry out steering and support work with all HelloSafe editors and contributors so that the editorial line defined by the company is fully respected. and declined through the texts published daily on our platforms.

As such, Alexandre is responsible for implementing and maintaining the strictest journalistic standards within the HelloSafe editorial staff, in order to guarantee the most accurate, up-to-date information on our platforms. and expert as possible. Alexandre has in particular undertaken for two years now the implementation of a system of systematic double-checking of all the articles published within the HelloSafe ecosystem, able to guarantee the highest quality of information.