How far in advance can you book travel insurance

Thunderbird109

I have a holiday booked for January 2026. I currently have basic bank insurance but need add ons for medical condition. How can I ensure I am covered? 

sheramber

Normally 12 months ahaead.

Until the date when you lose your deposit if you cancel you will not need insurance cover.

TELLIT01

Does your bank offer cover for pre-existing conditions?  If so you may have cover for a holiday that far off.

Thunderbird109

TELLIT01 said:

Does your bank offer cover for pre-existing conditions?  If so you may have cover for a holiday that far off.

I always need to top up the insurance. I thought I saw somewhere on tv that you had to buy insurance as soon as booked. Not according to reply by other person above

eskbanker

Thunderbird109 said:

TELLIT01 said:

Does your bank offer cover for pre-existing conditions?  If so you may have cover for a holiday that far off.

I always need to top up the insurance. I thought I saw somewhere on tv that you had to buy insurance as soon as booked. Not according to reply by other person above

You don't have to buy insurance at all (except for certain holidays that demand it), but it's just a widespread (and sensible) recommendation to do so as soon as possible after booking, in response to those who've been caught out by the belief that you only need to insure for the trip dates, failing to recognise that there's value in cancellation cover.  However, that general principle of buying asap after booking doesn't override the fact that insurance may not actually be available too far in advance, and the point being made was that if you wouldn't lose money by cancelling well in advance then there's nothing to insure up to the point at which you have potential losses.

silvercar

eskbanker said:

Thunderbird109 said:

TELLIT01 said:

Does your bank offer cover for pre-existing conditions?  If so you may have cover for a holiday that far off.

I always need to top up the insurance. I thought I saw somewhere on tv that you had to buy insurance as soon as booked. Not according to reply by other person above

You don't have to buy insurance at all (except for certain holidays that demand it), but it's just a widespread (and sensible) recommendation to do so as soon as possible after booking, in response to those who've been caught out by the belief that you only need to insure for the trip dates, failing to recognise that there's value in cancellation cover.  However, that general principle of buying asap after booking doesn't override the fact that insurance may not actually be available too far in advance, and the point being made was that if you wouldn't lose money by cancelling well in advance then there's nothing to insure up to the point at which you have potential losses.

The problem comes if you haven’t taken out travel insurance and then need hospital tests. Insurers aren’t keen on people waiting for a diagnosis, so you may struggle to get insurance when you do need it, if you delay.

I think insurance that runs through bank accounts may give you continuous cover. You may need to pay the extra for existing conditions annually, but the policy itself may continue running.

TELLIT01

Purely as an example of 'topup' cost for pre-existing conditions.  We have travel insurance through our bank and had to pay £60ish for cover due to my hip replacement operation.  Stand alone travel insurance quotes covering all our conditions were from £350 upwards.