What is annual multi-trip travel insurance?

Annual multi-trip travel insurance is a great option for people who travel frequently – and according to a 2024 study by AllClear Travel Insurance, 79% of their customers are travelling at least twice this year.*

For those of us who go on holiday often, finding the best annual travel insurance policy is a vital part of planning our trips. 

The best policies cover standard problems – such as lost, stolen or damaged baggage, cancellation or medical issues – plus extras you can tailor to your needs. Another benefit is that you don’t have to take out a new policy every time you travel – you’ll be covered for all your trips, in your chosen region, over a 12 month period. 

So it’s important that you understand what annual multi-trip travel insurance is, how it works and whether it’s the best option for you. 

What is annual multi-trip travel insurance?

Annual multi-trip travel insurance is a type of policy designed for those who go abroad more than once a year. It can be cheaper and more convenient than purchasing a single-trip policy each time. 

Insurance providers will usually set a maximum length for each trip – for example 31 days – and most will allow you to take as many trips as you like in a year, providing none of them exceeds the specified limit. 

How does annual travel insurance work? 

From the date your policy starts, all of your trips for the next 12 months will be covered within your selected region. And because you only pay one premium for the year, there comes a point where the more you travel, the more you save. 

Your premium will depend on the level of cover you choose, the destinations you plan to visit, plus your age and health. You may pay more if you are over 65 or have a pre-existing medical condition. 

When you purchase your annual multi-trip travel insurance policy, you will only need to choose the region in which you intend to travel, for example Europe or Worldwide (including or excluding the USA). You do not need to know any additional information such as the timing or length of your trips in advance. 

What does annual multi-trip travel insurance cover?

Each policy has its own levels of cover, so it is important to shop around to find the best annual multi-trip travel insurance for you. The areas covered include:

• Medical expenses: If you fall ill or have an accident while on holiday, you may be presented with a hefty medical bill. Travel insurance can cover the costs of your treatment abroad, as well as associated costs such as extra accommodation and travel.
• Baggage: If your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged while on holiday, you can make a claim and receive compensation. You will need to report any stolen items to the police. If your luggage is delayed on the way to your destination, travel insurance can cover the cost of replacement items you buy while you wait.   
• Cancellation: Should unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut short your holiday, travel insurance can cover the costs. Your insurance provider can offer compensation for your missed trip if you, your travel companion or a relative suffer illness, injury or death, or if you are made redundant or called for jury service.

Additional cover you may wish to consider include: 

• Gadget cover (for laptops, cameras and other electronic items you take on holiday)
• Winter sports cover (if you intend to go skiing or snowboarding, for example)
• Cruise cover (a must-have if you’re planning to relax on a voyage around the Caribbean, or you’re heading off to explore the Norwegian Fjords .)

Insurance providers understand that many over-65s are keen travellers, so they offer plenty of attractive annual multi-trip policies for this age group too. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may pay an additional premium, but you will still be able to find annual multi-trip travel insurance. 

The premium you pay also depends on the destinations you intend to visit. 

Annual multi-trip travel insurance vs single-trip travel insurance 

There are pros and cons to both annual multi-trip travel insurance and single-trip policies. The one you choose will depend on what you require. 

Here we compare the two types of travel insurance:

Why is annual travel insurance cheaper than single-trip travel insurance?

Annual multi-trip travel insurance is not necessarily cheaper than single-trip insurance as a one-off cost, but it can turn out to be better value in the longer term. 

If you travel several times a year, a 12-month travel insurance policy can work out cheaper overall than buying a single-trip policy for each holiday. However, if you only intend to travel once in the next 12 months, then you will probably want to consider a  single-trip policy. 

It’s also not just costs that you can save on with an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy; you can also save time by having to fill out all that paperwork only once a year rather than every time you travel. 

Tip: It is important to note, however, that if your circumstances change over the year, for example you are diagnosed with a new medical condition, you must remember to inform your travel insurance provider to ensure you are covered for your next trip.  

How many people does annual multi-trip travel insurance cover?

You can purchase annual multi-trip travel insurance policies to cover just yourself, or multiple people, such as couples or families. With a family policy, adults will usually be covered to travel alone, as well as with the group.

Travel more, save more

For many, the best thing about annual multi-trip holiday insurance is that you only pay one premium for the year, regardless of the number of trips you take. As long as each one does not exceed the maximum duration, and is to the agreed region, you can travel all year long.

The Telegraph Media Group Travel Insurance Service, provided by AllClear, offers annual multi-trip travel insurance that covers more than 1,300 different medical conditions, including Covid-19 cover. Simply get in touch with their helpful team via the link below to find out more and get your quote.

Read more: 

• Why you need cruise travel insurance before you set sail
• How to find best travel insurance for diabetics
• What medical conditions do you have to declare for travel insurance?
• Flight checklist: what do I need to do before flying?

*Based on 4358 responses. AllClear Annual Survey, February 2024.

Telegraph Media Group Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of AllClear Insurance Services Limited, a company that is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 

The above article was created for Telegraph Financial Solutions, a trading name of The Telegraph Media Group. For more information on Telegraph Financial Solutions click here.