Travel insurance before you fly: the bits people forget
Passports, chargers, sun cream, done. Travel insurance? “Oh, I’ll sort it later.” We hear it in the car more than you’d think, sometimes on the way to the airport! So here’s a plain-English guide to what to check before you fly, from people who’ve heard every holiday story going. ☀️
The five-minute checklist
✅ Bought it when you booked? That’s when cancellation cover starts protecting you.
✅ Told them about any medical conditions? The big one people get caught out by.
✅ Got your free GHIC for Europe? Good, but it’s not insurance.
✅ Cruise, skiing or something adventurous? Check it’s actually included.
✅ Checked the Foreign Office advice for where you’re going?
When should I buy travel insurance?
Honestly? The day you book your holiday. Most people think travel insurance is for when you’re away, but a lot of its value is cancellation cover: if you, or someone close to you, falls ill before you go, it can help you get your money back.
If you only buy it the week before you fly, anything that happened before then may not be covered.
From the driver’s seat: the most common thing we hear on the way to Gatwick or Heathrow is “I must sort the insurance.” If that’s you, it’s still worth doing before you land, but next time, do it on booking day.
Is the GHIC card enough for Europe?
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the old EHIC. It’s free, it lasts up to five years, and it lets you get state healthcare in EU countries at the same cost as a local, sometimes free.
But it’s not travel insurance. It won’t pay to fly you home if you’re ill, it doesn’t cover private treatment, and it does nothing for cancelled holidays or lost bags. Most people carry both: the card for state healthcare, and insurance for everything else.
⚠️ Two GHIC warnings
1. It’s free. Only apply on the official NHS website. Copycat sites charge you for something that costs nothing.
2. Where it works has changed since Brexit, especially for Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, and even travel sites disagree about it. Check the NHS page for your country before you go.
Apply at least two weeks before you travel, so it arrives in time.
Medical conditions: the one people get caught out by
If you, or anyone on the policy, has a medical condition, tell the insurer, every time, even if it’s well controlled and even if you think it doesn’t matter.
If you don’t declare it and something related happens abroad, your claim could be turned down. It might put the price up a little, but it’s the difference between being covered and not.
Changed medication or had a new diagnosis since you bought the policy? Let them know before you travel.
Cruises, skiing and the fun stuff
Cruises often need specific cover, things like missing the ship at a port, or medical care at sea, which can be very expensive. Skiing and winter sports are usually an add-on, not included as standard. Same for scuba diving, quad bikes and anything adventurous. Check before you go, not when you’re standing at the top of the slope. ⛷️
Off on a cruise from Southampton? We do Southampton cruise transfers too, from Worthing, Brighton and the Sussex coast.
Check the Foreign Office advice
Before you travel, it’s worth checking the UK government’s foreign travel advice for where you’re going. It covers entry rules and safety, and if the government advises against travel to somewhere, many insurance policies may not cover you there. Search “FCDO travel advice” and your destination on GOV.UK.
Before you buy: what to check in any policy
We’re airport drivers, not insurance advisers, so we won’t tell you which policy to buy. But when you’re comparing, it’s worth checking:
🏥 Medical cover, including getting you home if you’re ill
❌ Cancellation, and what reasons it covers
🧳 Baggage and belongings, and the limit for single items
💷 The excess, what you pay towards any claim
🎿 Activities you’re planning, like skiing or a cruise
📅 Single trip or annual: if you travel more than a couple of times a year, an annual policy can work out cheaper
Always read the policy wording for exactly what’s covered. If you’re unsure, a regulated insurance broker can advise you.
Airport transfers to Gatwick and Heathrow from across Sussex
Insurance sorted, passport found, now the easy bit. Fixed prices, your flight watched, cases carried, and a friendly voice any hour:
Worthing to Gatwick £80Worthing to Heathrow £120Brighton to Gatwick £75Brighton to Heathrow £120Shoreham to Gatwick £80Lancing to Gatwick £80Littlehampton to Gatwick £90Rustington to Heathrow £130
Ready to go? Let’s get you to the airport.
Gatwick £75 to £90 by town, Heathrow £120 to £130 by town, fixed when you book, same price at 4am as 4pm. And while you’re planning, here’s whether an airport lounge is worth it.
Questions we get asked
When should I buy travel insurance?
Ideally the day you book your trip, so cancellation cover protects you from then. Buying it just before you fly may leave earlier events uncovered.
Is the GHIC a replacement for travel insurance?
No. The GHIC gives you state healthcare in EU countries at local rates, but it won’t fly you home, pay for private treatment or cover cancellations and lost bags.
Is the GHIC free?
Yes. Apply only on the official NHS website, as copycat sites charge for something that’s free.
Does the GHIC work in Norway or Switzerland?
The rules for Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland have changed since Brexit, and sources disagree, so check the official NHS page for your destination before you travel.
Do I need to declare medical conditions?
Yes. Tell your insurer about any medical conditions for everyone on the policy. Undeclared conditions can lead to claims being refused.
Does travel insurance cover cruises and skiing?
Often only as an add-on. Check your policy specifically includes cruise cover or winter sports before you go.
This guide is general information only, not insurance advice. Sussex Airlink is an airport transfer company, not an insurer or insurance adviser. Always read your policy wording, and check the official NHS and GOV.UK pages before you travel.
Last checked November 2026. More from us: Airport lounges: worth it?Travel insurance: what to check🎄 Christmas transfersTaxi vs train vs parking · Which Heathrow terminal? · When to leave · All our guides