Trip length is a power lever
Premiums often scale faster than linearly with days—longer trips can push risk bands because more days abroad mean more exposure.
| Item | Value | Multiplier / Cost |
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Model intuition: Premium ≈ Base per-day × days × region × age × party size + add-ons (medical limit uplift, cancellation % of trip cost, baggage band, sports loading, excess waiver, cruise, pre-existing loading). Then apply tax/levy.
Premiums often scale faster than linearly with days—longer trips can push risk bands because more days abroad mean more exposure.
US/Canada pricing is usually higher due to healthcare costs; some regions have lower loadings. The region selector matters as much as age.
Cancellation cover is often priced as a % of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost. Booking pricier stays increases that add-on directly.
Choosing a higher excess/waiver can swing the premium noticeably. Waiving the excess often costs less than people expect.
“Sports” isn’t one size fits all: scuba depth limits, ski off-piste rules, and trekking altitude caps can change coverage even inside a single plan.
We start with a small per-day base and scale by trip length, destination region, and age. Then we add or adjust for medical limit, cancellation, baggage, sports, excess, cruise, and pre-existing conditions. Finally we apply a tax/levy (e.g., IPT/VAT) to show an educational single-trip premium. Real quotes differ due to underwriting, exclusions, provider networks, and screening rules.
This guide explains the fields used in the Travel Insurance Cost Estimator so you can compare single-trip cover with confidence. It is educational and not advice, a quote, or an offer to arrange insurance. Policies vary by country and provider (UK, US, EU and beyond), so always read your policy documents and check eligibility, exclusions, and claims procedures before you buy.
Currency switches the display to GBP (£), USD ($), or EUR (€) without changing the underlying maths. Tax/levy % lets you include local surcharges (e.g., IPT/VAT or state/territory fees) on top of the pre-tax premium. Number of travellers multiplies the base per-day cost; family or group trips typically price per person, sometimes with age-based variations.
Trip length (days) scales risk exposure linearly: more days abroad usually means higher premium. Destination region adjusts for typical medical and evacuation costs: Domestic/UK, Europe, Worldwide excluding USA/Canada, or Worldwide including USA/Canada (often highest due to healthcare costs). Lead traveller age is a common pricing driver; higher ages generally attract higher rates given elevated medical risk. For simplicity, this tool applies one age factor to the party.
Emergency medical limit is the maximum for covered treatment and evacuation. Higher limits add cost but reduce tail risk. Excess (deductible) is what you pay per claim; choosing a lower or zero excess increases the premium (the tool models this as a small add-on). Sports/activities cover applies a loading for winter sports or adventure activities; real policies use detailed activity lists and exclusions.
Baggage limit adds a flat amount based on the band you select; sub-limits for items and valuables can apply in real policies. Total trip cost is the prepaid, non-refundable amount for the whole party (flights, accommodation, tours). If you toggle Cancellation cover on, the estimator applies a simple percentage of trip cost, mildly adjusted by age/region, to approximate cancellation/interruption risk.
Pre-existing medical conditions may require medical screening and can change eligibility, excesses, or price. Here we use a transparent educational loading when set to “Yes”. Cruise cover adds exposure for at-sea treatment, shipboard facilities, and evacuation logistics; the tool models this as a modest multiplier on the core risk.
The model assumes a straightforward, in-network claim experience and does not replicate insurer screening, exclusions, or documents required for proof of loss. Real quotes reflect medical questionnaires, destination sub-regions, activity lists, residency, age-banding per traveller, and claim history. Use this estimator for learning and budgeting only. For an actual policy, confirm cover levels (medical, evacuation/repatriation, cancellation, delay, baggage), per-item sub-limits, excesses, pre-existing condition rules, and 24/7 assistance details with a licensed provider or broker in your jurisdiction.
Important: Educational use only. Not advice or a quote. Coverage terms, exclusions, and regulatory rules vary by country and insurer. Always read the full policy wording.