8 mistakes that could invalidate your travel insurance
You don’t want to go to the effort of buying travel insurance and then find it doesn’t pay out when making a claim - we highlight some common mistakes to avoid
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter


You buy travel insurance to cover yourself in case the unexpected happens when you’re on holiday, such as you have an accident and require hospital treatment, or your phone gets stolen. It’s there to give peace of mind.
Yet there are some common mistakes that travellers make that can invalidate their insurance policy - leaving them unable to claim when they really need to.
Kelly Whittington, speciality claims director at the insurer Aviva (opens in new tab), says: “Travel insurance is designed to help customers in the case of an unforeseen emergency. This could either mean something that occurs on holiday or an incident that happens beforehand which disrupts travel plans.
“However, there are some incidents which aren’t generally covered by travel insurance so it’s important that people are aware of when they can - and can’t - make a claim.”
Holidaymakers must make sure they comply with the terms and conditions of a policy - or they could be in for a nasty shock when they try and claim. We outline eight mistakes to avoid, including some holiday habits that most of us are probably guilty of.
Mistakes that invalidate your travel insurance
1. Leaving your possessions unattended
If your bag or an item like your phone is stolen while left unattended, then it’s possible your insurer won’t pay out for it. That means if you leave your device on your sunbed and then get in the pool, for example, then you risk invalidating your claim if something happens to it.
This is because for a claim to be valid, most insurers need to see that “reasonable precautions” have been in place to stop property being damaged or stolen. If something is left unattended, then this is often viewed as the claimant not having taken reasonable precautions.
Richard Gray, head of digital marketing at insurance2go (opens in new tab), says: “It can sometimes feel like the bottom of the priority list to make sure your belongings are covered while going on holiday, but if the worst does happen to your gadgets, then it can quickly leave you with a financial headache, on top of the usual post-holiday blues. Taking that time to do your research before jetting off will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your holiday without a second thought.”
2. Not locking your valuables away in your hotel room
Many travellers believe their hotel rooms are one of the safest places they can find while abroad. However, leaving valuables such as travel documents, money and electronic items in plain sight may invalidate your claim if they were to be stolen from the room.
Gray comments: “As is the case with leaving your items unattended, if you can’t prove that reasonable measures were in place to keep your property safe, then you may struggle with your claim. For extra peace of mind, always keep your valuables inside a locked safe if available.”
3. Drinking too much
Drinking too much (or taking recreational drugs) can invalidate your insurance. Both alcohol and drugs can affect your decision-making skills. If you lose something or have an accident while consuming either alcohol or drugs, your policy may not cover you.
You may wonder how many drinks is considered too many: all insurers have their own guidelines ranging from the vague “drinking too much” to the more specific “approximately four pints”. Insurance firms will look at how your drinking has affected your decision-making. Since we all have different tolerance to alcohol, it means that for some just one drink could invalidate a claim.
Malcolm Tarling from the trade body the Association of British Insurers (opens in new tab) says: “Travel policies are likely to exclude claims that result from excess alcohol consumption. Where this could be the cause of a claim, insurers will look at the circumstances on a case-by-case basis, not least as where emergency medical treatment costs are concerned, no insurer will decline a claim lightly. Check the terms and conditions of your travel policy.”
4. Getting injured while taking part in an activity not covered by your insurance
Many people on holiday enjoy taking part in sports and one-off adventures, but they all come with risk. While standard travel insurance policies can provide cover for most sporting activities - think swimming, snorkelling and tennis - those that are more on the adventurous side, as well as extreme and winter sports, may be excluded or have specific terms and conditions around them.
You will often be able to buy an add-on for things like winter sports - but other activities like bungee jumping, elephant riding and jet skiing just won’t be covered. Remember, policies vary so be sure to check yours to see which activities are included and which are excluded.
5. Taking sports equipment without dedicated cover
For those who are off on a sporting holiday, it’s best to look at specialist policies that can cover your equipment. Golf clubs are the main example here, as many standard policies won’t cover these, although many will offer it as an add-on.
The same often applies for other sports needing specialised equipment, like skiing. These sports carry a high risk of injury or equipment damage, so it's best to do your research and choose a dedicated policy to make sure you’re covered.
6. Exceeding your claim limit
If your insurance policy only covers you up to £1,000 for example, but you know the items you’re taking with you will exceed this amount, then your claim may not cover the value of your valuables above this level.
Aviva told us their policies would normally pay ‘up to’ a limit as specified on the policy. For example, Aviva baggage insurance covers up to £1,500 per person (with a £100 excess). So it would pay up to this amount.
A policy should be tailored to your specific needs and any potential financial loss - you want to enjoy your holiday and not worry about any additional expenses. Make sure your claim limit covers what you need it to. Think clothes, jewellery, sunglasses, phone and any other tech like a laptop or camera. Don’t forget to include your suitcases and bags, as they can be expensive as well.
7. Passport application or renewal delays
The onus is on you to ensure all travel documents such as passports and visas are valid before you travel. Insurance policies are highly unlikely to allow you to claim if a passport doesn’t arrive in time.
It’s something to look out for right now: Current delays at the Passport Office mean some travellers are missing their trips. Getting a passport used to take just a few weeks, but the latest advice from the Passport Office (opens in new tab) is to allow up to 10 weeks for applications and renewals.
8. Travelling against government advice
Most travel insurance policies will not cover claims if you travel against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (opens in new tab).
You can check which countries the FCDO currently says UK travellers shouldn’t visit on the government website (opens in new tab). Advice can change quickly, especially during a pandemic, civil unrest, or sudden war in the case of Ukraine, so check before you book a trip and then again just before you travel.

Katie is staff writer at The Money Edit. She was the former staff writer at The Times and The Sunday Times. Her experience includes writing about personal finance, culture, travel and interviews celebrities. Her investigative work on financial abuse resulted in a number of mortgage prisoners being set free - and a nomination for the Best Personal Finance Story of the Year in the Headlinemoney awards 2021.
-
-
Viral ‘cash stuffing’ trend on Tik Tok: Is it a good way to budget?
What is the ‘cash stuffing’ Tik Tok trend with more than 4 million views? We tell you what it is, how it works and whether it works
By Vaishali Varu • Published
-
Energy bill hardship funds - where you can still apply
Could you be eligible for help with your energy bill from your provider?
By Katie Binns • Published
-
How to save on your home insurance and get the best deal
Home insurance is crucial protection but can be expensive. We highlight the ways to still enjoy the same level of cover but at a lower price
By John Fitzsimons • Published
-
Average home insurance premiums drop to record low - is now the time to switch?
Households get some “cost of living relief” as buildings and contents insurance prices fall
By Ruth Emery • Published
-
How to save hundreds of pounds a year looking after your puppy
Being a ‘pawrent’ undoubtedly costs money, but there are ways to keep those costs under control
By Emma Lunn • Published
-
How to claim for storm damage on your home insurance
With three storms hitting the UK in less than a week in February, we explain how to claim for damage to your property
By Ruth Emery • Published
-
Will a red weather warning void your car insurance?
Could driving in adverse weather, be it a heatwave or a storm, void your car insurance? We find out
By Alice Morgan • Published
-
Holiday refunds: how to get your money back if your holiday or flight is cancelled
Having a sound understanding of holiday refunds should give you peace of mind when you plan your next trip
By Hannah Nemeth • Published
-
New car and home insurance rules - what you need to know before 1 January 2022
Here's everything you need to know about the new car and home insurance rules, known as the General Insurance Pricing Practices
By Sue Hayward • Published
-
What does all that home insurance jargon actually mean?
Understanding your home insurance policy is essential so you know exactly what is and isn't covered
By Hannah Nemeth • Published