Most People Make This Travel Insurance Mistake in January

Plan Your Summer Getaway? Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

January is a popular time for people to start organising their summer holidays. Flights get snapped up, accommodation is reserved, and travel dates are confirmed early. But one essential part of holiday planning is often left until the very end... travel insurance.

Delaying travel cover until just before departure can result in unnecessary worry and unexpected expenses. Arranging the right policy early helps protect your holiday plans from the moment you book.

Why January Is the Ideal Time to Arrange Travel Cover

With post-Christmas offers and New Year travel deals, January is one of the busiest months for booking trips abroad. Many travellers secure their summer holidays well in advance.

However, it’s common for people to postpone buying travel insurance until only a few days before they leave. This can be a costly mistake. Purchasing travel insurance at the same time as your holiday booking means your cover begins immediately, including valuable cancellation protection.

If you become unwell, a loved one falls sick, your travel company goes out of business, or an emergency stops you from travelling, having insurance in place early could help recover the money you’ve already spent. Without it, you may have to cover those losses yourself.

Travel Insurance Protects You Before You Even Travel

Most people think of travel insurance as something that helps while you’re abroad — covering medical treatment, lost belongings, delayed flights, or disruption overseas.

While those benefits are vital, many travellers overlook the fact that travel insurance can also protect you before your trip begins.

Cancellation cover starts from the day your policy begins, which is why arranging it early is so important. Your holiday investment can be protected long before you pack your bags.

Could Annual Travel Insurance Be Better Value?

If you take more than one trip a year, an annual travel insurance policy may be the more economical choice.

Annual cover provides protection for multiple trips within a 12-month period — whether that includes summer holidays, weekend breaks, city escapes, or work-related travel.

Rather than purchasing separate single-trip policies each time you go away, annual insurance offers ongoing cover throughout the year and often works out cheaper for frequent travellers.

Enjoy Convenience with Year-Round Protection

Another advantage of annual cover is the ease it brings. Once your policy is active, you won’t need to arrange new insurance every time you book a getaway.

That peace of mind reduces the chance of travelling uninsured — one of the most common oversights holidaymakers make.

A Simple Tip for Hassle-Free Holiday Planning

Our guidance is easy to follow:

• Booking a holiday in January? Arrange your travel insurance in January too.

• Planning more than one trip this year? Consider annual travel cover instead.

• Taking this simple step can help protect your plans, reduce stress, and potentially save money — long before you even arrive at the airport.

Ready for Your Next Trip in 2026?

Get a travel insurance quote today with Grove & Dean and travel with confidence all year round.

Grove & Dean Private Clients is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA registration number 307002). This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice or a personal recommendation.