Business travel insurance

Why cover matters when you travel for work

Business travel insurance is a policy designed to protect you when you travel for work. It sits alongside your company travel policy and covers medical emergencies, cancellation, delays, lost items, and the added risks of working on the move. This is not about upselling extras you do not need. It is about ensuring that essential risks are managed sensibly so a trip problem does not turn into a financial or health crisis.

In the UK, medical expenses are the biggest reason people claim on travel insurance, making up just over half of claims in 2025. That makes comprehensive medical cover the cornerstone for any business traveller heading abroad. Cancellations, delays, and lost luggage remain common too, so practical protection for disrupted itineraries is equally important.

Prices vary by age, destination, and trip type. An annual multi-trip policy can work well if you travel frequently. UK pricing in 2025 shows annual cover has become more affordable for many under 40, with average costs falling, while business cover itself is one of the pricier add-ons due to the higher risk profile. None of this should be surprising. Work trips often involve tight schedules, specialist equipment, and meetings that cannot be easily rescheduled.

Travel is rebounding strongly, with UK travel insurance premiums nearing £1 billion by 2024 and 65% of UK adults planning to go abroad in the next year. That renewed activity brings choice and competition, but also renewed risk. This guide sets out what business travel insurance typically covers, where the gaps can be, and how to choose the right level of protection without paying for features you will not use.

Insurance can offer real protection, but only when you know what is covered and where the limits sit.

What is covered in practice

A typical business travel policy bundles standard travel protections with work-specific benefits. Medical expenses and emergency assistance are central because overseas treatment can be costly and private. If you fall ill in the US or Asia, comprehensive cover can prevent large bills and arrange repatriation if clinically required. Cancellation cover can reimburse prepaid flights and accommodation if a covered reason stops you travelling, like sudden illness. Delay benefits may offer meal or accommodation allowances for long waits, and baggage cover can help if your suitcase goes missing.

Business-specific elements often include cover for laptops, samples, marketing materials, and important documents that are not always fully protected by standard personal policies. Some policies add cover for replacing a colleague or sending a substitute if you are unable to attend a key meeting. Others provide higher limits for equipment, plus cover for work-related liability events while travelling.

There are limits. Many policies exclude pre-existing medical conditions unless declared and accepted. Around half of UK policies do not include natural catastrophe cover as standard, so disruptions from wildfires or earthquakes may only be partially reimbursed with a paid add-on. Claims may be declined if you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice, or if you fail to keep valuables secure. Alcohol or drug-related incidents are commonly excluded. For business gadgets, you might need specified items cover or proof of ownership. Claims usually require receipts, medical reports, and proof of delay or cancellation, and you must contact the insurer’s assistance line promptly for medical emergencies.

In short, most genuine travel disruptions are insurable, but the wording matters. Take time to confirm your cover limits, excesses, and any excluded destinations before you fly.

Who benefits most

Business travel insurance is most valuable for people who make regular or long-distance trips for work, especially to countries with high healthcare costs. It suits contractors, consultants, sales teams, executives, and start-up founders who cannot afford long downtime or missed client commitments. If you take expensive kit or samples, or if your diary relies on several connecting flights, the enhanced cover for equipment and delays can make a real difference.

It may be less essential for those who rarely travel, only take domestic UK trips, or already have comprehensive employer-provided cover that includes all relevant business extras and declared pre-existing conditions. Some corporate group policies are generous, but limits vary and certain exclusions may still apply. If personal annual cover already exists, check whether business travel is included before buying anything else. The key is to avoid duplication while closing genuine gaps.

Choosing levels and add-ons

1. Basic business cover

   • Core features: emergency medical treatment, repatriation, cancellation, delay, lost or stolen baggage, and some business equipment cover.
   • Best for: occasional travellers with modest equipment and standard itineraries.

2. Standard business cover

   • Core features: higher medical and cancellation limits, stronger baggage and gadget protection, missed connection cover, and support for replacing a colleague if you cannot attend.
   • Best for: regular travellers who need dependable limits and broader disruption cover.

3. Premium business cover

   • Core features: high medical and trip cancellation limits, comprehensive equipment and samples cover, enhanced travel disruption benefits, and wider destination acceptance subject to security advice.
   • Best for: frequent international travellers or those visiting countries with high medical costs.

4. Optional add-ons to consider

   • Gadget and laptop top-ups: boosts limits for phones, tablets, and specialist devices.
   • Natural catastrophe cover: protects against disruption from earthquakes or extreme weather where standard cover is absent.
   • Cancel for any reason: offers broader cancellation rights but at a higher price and with partial reimbursement only.
   • Winter or hazardous sports: for trips that mix business with activities needing specific cover.
   • Business samples and documents: increased limits for prototypes, samples, or essential paperwork.
   • Rental car excess: covers the hire firm’s excess if the vehicle is damaged.

Premiums rise with higher limits and wider protections. Pay for what you will actually use.

What it costs and why prices change

Prices are indicative and vary by insurer, policy wording, and personal circumstances.

Who can apply and common hurdles

Most UK residents who are travelling for business can apply for business travel insurance. Insurers typically require your travel dates, destinations, ages of travellers, and details of any pre-existing medical conditions. You may be asked for your employer’s details or confirmation that the trip is work-related. Proof of UK residency and the date you booked your trip may also be required. If you want high gadget limits, expect to provide purchase receipts or serial numbers.

Common reasons for being declined or restricted include travelling against government advice, undisclosed medical conditions, high-risk work activities not covered by the policy, or frequent travel to destinations with sanctions or extreme weather risk where policies have exclusions. If you have a complex medical history, many insurers will still consider cover but may apply medical screenings, higher premiums, or specific exclusions. Clarity up front prevents problems at claim time.

From quote to claim in simple steps

1. Gather trip details, destinations, dates, ages, and equipment values.
2. Declare medical conditions honestly and complete any required screening.
3. Compare cover levels, limits, and exclusions against your travel policy.
4. Choose annual or single trip based on frequency and destinations.
5. Add relevant extras like gadgets or natural catastrophe cover.
6. Buy the policy and save documents and the emergency assistance number.
7. For emergencies, call assistance first and follow guidance before paying.
8. Submit claims with receipts, reports, and timelines as soon as possible.

Advantages and trade-offs at a glance

Checks to make before you buy

Confirm the medical, cancellation, and baggage limits match your itinerary and equipment. Review the excess for each section, as multiple excesses can apply per claim. Look for exclusions around pre-existing conditions, unaccompanied baggage, unattended gadgets, and travel against official advice. If you are visiting areas prone to extreme weather, verify whether natural catastrophe cover is included or available as an add-on. Check waiting periods for cancellation and any sub-limits for valuables. For annual policies, ask about renewal pricing and whether claims may affect future premiums. Finally, make sure you can access 24-hour emergency assistance and know the documentation you will need if something goes wrong.

Alternatives that might suit better

1. Corporate group travel insurance - Useful when a company wants consistent cover and centralised claims across teams.
2. Personal annual travel insurance with business extension - For individuals who already hold annual cover and need business trips included.
3. Gadget insurance - For high-value laptops and phones that need year-round protection at home and abroad.
4. Health insurance with international treatment - For those seeking broader medical networks beyond trip-based cover.
5. Event or conference cancellation insurance - When non-refundable fees for a specific event are the main risk.

Common questions

Q: Do I need business travel insurance if I already have personal travel cover? A: Many personal policies exclude business trips or limit work equipment cover. Check your wording. If business use is excluded or gadget limits are low, add business cover or switch policy.

Q: Are natural disasters covered as standard? A: Often not. Around half of UK policies exclude natural catastrophe cover unless you add it. If you are visiting regions with extreme weather risk, consider the add-on and check sub-limits.

Q: Is annual multi-trip cheaper for frequent travellers? A: If you take several trips a year, annual cover can be cost-effective. In 2025, prices for under 40s have fallen, making annual policies more attractive for younger frequent travellers.

Q: Why is business cover more expensive than other add-ons? A: It typically includes higher limits and additional benefits for equipment, documents, and disruption. Insurers price for the higher risk of delays and costly claim scenarios on work trips.

Q: How do I make a medical claim abroad? A: Call the insurer’s emergency assistance line first. They can direct you to approved facilities, confirm cover, and guarantee payment where possible. Keep medical reports and receipts for your claim.

Q: Are there quality markers I can use to compare policies? A: Independent ratings are a helpful guide. Many annual and single trip policies in the UK achieve five-star ratings, indicating strong cover features and service standards. Always check the small print.

What to do next

Take a few minutes to map your likely trips for the next 12 months, then compare single trip and annual policies side by side. Focus on medical limits, disruption cover, and equipment protection that fits your role. When the details are clear and the wording suits your itinerary, you can buy with confidence knowing you have the protection you need and nothing you do not.

Important note

This guide provides general information, not personal financial advice. Policy terms vary by insurer and can change. Always read the full policy wording, check exclusions and limits, and confirm that the cover matches your trip and circumstances before you buy.