Travel Insurance Compare the Market – Best Comparison Sites

Choosing the right travel insurance can feel like a maze, especially when you start comparing quotes from different websites. In the UK, the main comparison platforms – Compare the Market, MoneySuperMarket, GoCompare, Which? and MoneySavingExpert – each promise the best deal, but they work differently and show different prices for the same traveller. Understanding how each site operates, what costs to expect in 2025, and which policy type suits your travel habits is the key to buying cover you can rely on.

This guide looks at the major UK comparison sites, the average prices they report, the types of cover available, and how to handle pre-existing medical conditions when shopping online. It is based on publicly available information from the comparison platforms themselves, the Financial Conduct Authority and the travel industry body ABTA.

Which Travel Insurance Comparison Site Should You Use?

When you compare travel insurance on these sites, you are not seeing every possible policy. Each platform has its own panel of insurers, and the cheapest option on one site may not be the cheapest on another. Here are the key facts to keep in mind.

• Comparison sites show the same providers but may highlight different cheapest options due to commission structures.
• Annual multi-trip insurance is typically cheaper than buying single trips separately if you travel two or more times a year.
• Pre-existing medical conditions can significantly increase premiums, but comparison sites make it easier to find cover than going direct.
• More than 40 insurers are compared on each major UK comparison site.
• The average annual multi-trip policy costs £46.78 in 2025, according to MoneySuperMarket.
• Cheapest single trip European cover starts at £6.89 per week on Compare the Market.
• All major comparison sites are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Go Compare vs MoneySuperMarket vs ComparetheMarket: Key Differences

All three sites let you get quotes within seconds, but the panels differ. MoneySuperMarket claims to compare from 55 leading providers, while Compare the Market and GoCompare each list 44. The actual cheapest deal for your profile may vary because insurers pay different commissions to each site, which can affect which policy appears first. Shopping on at least two sites helps you find the best price.

What Rewards Does Comparethemarket Offer?

Compare the Market promotes a rewards programme – for example, Meerkat Meals or Meerkat Movies – when you buy a policy through its platform. This is a perk that other major comparison sites do not typically offer. The rewards change over time, so it is worth checking the current offer before comparing.

Hidden Fees: What to Watch For When Comparing Quotes

Comparison sites themselves do not charge you a fee. They earn commission from insurers when you buy a policy. However, the cheapest quote may come with a high excess or exclude important benefits such as baggage cover or cancellation for pre-existing conditions. Always read the policy document before paying.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost on Comparison Sites?

Average Costs for Single Trip vs Annual Policies

MoneySuperMarket reports that a single trip policy costs from 75p per day, while an annual multi-trip policy averages £46.78. Compare the Market highlights a week in Europe from £6.27 for single trip. GoCompare starts at £0.73 per day. These figures are headline numbers only.

Why Prices Vary: Factors That Affect Your Quote

The same traveller can see different prices across sites because each platform includes a different mix of insurers. Your age, medical history, destination, trip length, and chosen level of cover all drive the final premium. Comparison sites ask for these details and then show policies in price order, but the cheapest option may not offer the cover you need.

How to Get the Cheapest Travel Insurance Quote

To get a low price, consider an annual multi-trip policy if you travel two or more times a year. Avoid adding optional extras unless necessary. Compare at least two sites, disclose all medical conditions honestly, and check the excess amount – a lower premium often means a higher excess.

What Types of Travel Insurance Can You Compare?

Single Trip Travel Insurance: Best for One-Off Holidays

If you take one holiday a year, single trip cover is usually the most cost-effective. It covers you from the date you buy until you return. Compare the Market, MoneySuperMarket and GoCompare all offer single trip policies, with prices starting very low for short European trips.

Annual Multi-Trip Insurance: Save If You Travel Often

Annual multi-trip cover insures all your trips within a 12-month period, typically unlimited up to a certain number of days per trip (often 31 or 45 days). MoneySuperMarket says an annual policy costs £46.78 on average, which can be cheaper than buying two or three single trip policies. Compare the Market also offers annual cover with the same rewards.

Specialist Cover: Winter Sports, Cruise & Business

Most comparison sites let you filter for specialist activities. Winter sports, cruises, business travel, and golf are common add-ons. Not all insurers on a comparison site provide these extras, so use the filters to see only relevant policies. Which? includes these categories in its assessments.

Can You Get Travel Insurance with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?

How Comparison Sites Handle Medical Declarations

All major UK comparison sites ask you to declare pre-existing medical conditions during the quote process. They then show policies from insurers who will cover those conditions. You must provide accurate details, or your policy could be invalid. Compare the Market says it includes cover for pre-existing conditions; MoneySuperMarket and GoCompare also indicate they offer it.

Top Providers for Pre-Existing Conditions (Post Office, Admiral, etc.)

Specialist insurers such as AllClear, Aviva, and the Post Office are often included on comparison platforms. The exact list varies by site. Which? has assessed how well these providers handle medical conditions and publishes best-buy recommendations.

Tips for Getting Affordable Cover with a Medical Condition

Disclosing all conditions is the only way to get a valid quote. Comparison sites make this easier than calling individual insurers, but you should also check the policy wording for exclusions related to your specific condition.

When Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

1. As soon as you book – Compare policies to get cancellation cover from day one. If you need to cancel before departure, you will be protected.
2. 4-6 weeks before travel – Finalise and purchase your policy. Prices do not change significantly, but you avoid a last-minute rush.
3. Within 24 hours of departure – Still possible to buy, but coverage for cancellation lapses. Comparison sites offer instant quotes; no medical check needed for most policies.

What Is Certain and Uncertain About Travel Insurance Comparison?

How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance Comparison Site

Each major site has a similar panel of insurers; the difference is often in the user experience and rewards. Compare the Market offers Meerkat Meals; MoneySuperMarket provides more educational content; GoCompare focuses on low starting prices; Confused.com may have different special offers. For travellers with medical conditions, both Compare the Market and GoCompare include specialist providers such as AllClear. Which? and MoneySavingExpert are better for research and guidance than for instant quotes. Using two or more comparison sites, plus checking one consumer advice site, gives you the full picture.

What the Comparison Sites Say About Their Offerings

“On average, an annual policy costs around £46.78, although cheaper options can start from around £14.27 depending on the level of cover and traveller profile.”

MoneySuperMarket

“Compare travel insurance from 44 UK providers with cover starting from £0.73 a day.”

GoCompare

“Compare travel insurance from 44 leading providers and get rewarded when you compare with us.”

Comparethemarket

Final Thoughts: Which Site Should You Use?

There is no single “best” travel insurance comparison site. The best approach is to compare on at least two of the main platforms – Compare the Market and MoneySuperMarket are good starting points – and also read a trusted consumer guide such as MoneySavingExpert or the FCA’s travel insurance page. For annual multi-trip cover, check GoCompare and ABTA’s advice to confirm you understand what you are buying. If you need specialist cover for pre-existing conditions, use Compare the Market’s annual policy page which lists conditions-friendly providers. Compare Sim Only Deals – Expert Guide and Savings Account Interest Rate – Best UK Rates Compared 2025 are also useful resources when thinking about overall financial comparisons.

Frequently Asked Questions