LAST REVIEWED: JUNE 2026
Admiral travel insurance scores 59/100 on the KT Score. EUI Limited (FRN 310848) underwrites Admiral travel insurance across four policy types: single trip, annual multi-trip, backpacker and cruise. Pre-existing medical conditions can be declared and covered at an additional premium via Admiral's medical screening tool. The 59 score reflects mid-market pricing and adequate standard coverage offset by above-average FOS complaint activity in travel: FOS travel insurance complaints rose 58% year-on-year in Q3 2025 across the sector, with travel now the third most complained-about product line in UK general insurance.
KT Score breakdown
| Dimension | Weight | Score | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claims pay-out | 25% | 62 | Standard market for travel; limited public claims data |
| FOS complaint record | 25% | 41 | Sector travel complaints +58% YoY Q3 2025; Admiral in sector data |
| Customer satisfaction | 20% | 76 | 4.5/5 Trustpilot group-wide (250,000+ reviews) |
| FCA standing | 15% | 65 | Authorised; no current enforcement on travel product |
| Financial strength | 15% | 88 | Admiral Group solvency 193%; PBT £958m 2025 |
Policy types
Admiral offers four travel insurance structures. Single trip policies cover one journey for up to 365 days. Annual multi-trip policies cover unlimited trips within 12 months, with individual trip limits of 31 or 45 days depending on the selected tier. Backpacker cover extends single-trip duration for gap year and long-haul travellers. Cruise cover adds cabin confinement pay-out, missed port departure protection and itinerary change cover that standard policies do not include.
Policies are available for individuals, couples, families and groups of up to ten people. Worldwide cover is available. The USA, Canada and Caribbean attract higher premiums due to the elevated cost of emergency medical treatment in those territories.
Pre-existing medical conditions
Admiral uses a medical screening tool at the point of purchase to assess pre-existing conditions including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and respiratory conditions. Accepted conditions are covered at an additional premium. The FCA's Consumer Duty (PS22/9) requires Admiral to signpost customers whose conditions cannot be accepted to alternative specialist providers such as Staysure, All Clear or those listed by the British Insurance Brokers' Association.
Consumers with declined conditions should not attempt to travel without declaring them. An undeclared condition that gives rise to a claim can result in the entire claim being voided, not merely the condition-related element.
Standard inclusions and key exclusions
Standard Admiral travel cover includes emergency medical expenses, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, baggage and personal belongings, personal liability and missed departure. Cancellation cover applies only to named insurable events: illness, bereavement, redundancy and severe weather causing transport disruption. Holiday dislike, change of mind and travel disruption not caused by covered events are excluded.
Standard exclusions include travel to destinations with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice against all or all but essential travel, undeclared pre-existing conditions, participation in extreme or hazardous activities without the relevant add-on, and losses arising from alcohol or substance misuse.
FOS complaint context for travel insurance
The Financial Ombudsman Service reported a 58% year-on-year increase in travel insurance complaints in Q3 2025, reaching 1,390 cases in that quarter. Travel is now the third most complained-about product in UK general insurance. FOS data shows that over 40% of travel insurance complaints upheld in the five years to 2025 related to cancellation claim refusals and pre-existing condition exclusion disputes. Admiral's specific biannual complaint data is published on its website under FCA requirements.
Disclaimer: This review is produced by Kael Tripton Ltd for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to purchase any product. KT Scores are independent editorial assessments. Kael Tripton Ltd is not FCA authorised. Verify cover details with Admiral before purchasing. Company No. 17177071, ICO ZC135439.
Frequently asked questions
Does Admiral travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes, subject to declaration through Admiral's medical screening tool at the point of purchase. Accepted conditions are covered at an additional premium. Conditions that cannot be accepted must be declined at screening; Admiral is required under FCA Consumer Duty to signpost those consumers to specialist alternative providers. Travelling with an undeclared condition that later gives rise to a claim risks the entire claim being voided.
Is Admiral annual travel insurance worth it?
For travellers taking two or more foreign trips per year, annual multi-trip cover typically costs less than two separate single trip policies from the same provider. The break-even point depends on destination mix and the policyholder's medical profile. Annual policies with winter sports add-on cover skiing and snowboarding activities excluded from standard policies.
Does Admiral travel insurance cover cruises?
Admiral offers a specific cruise travel insurance product that includes cabin confinement pay-out, missed port departure cover and itinerary change protection. Standard single trip and annual policies do not include these cruise-specific benefits. Cruise passengers should confirm they have selected a cruise-specific policy rather than relying on standard annual cover.
How do I make a claim on Admiral travel insurance?
Medical emergencies abroad require calling the Admiral emergency assistance line, the number for which is stated on the policy schedule. Non-emergency claims including cancellation, curtailment and baggage loss are submitted online via admiral.com or by post. Supporting documentation including receipts, police reports for theft and medical certificates for illness claims is required for all claims.
What is not covered by Admiral travel insurance?
Key exclusions include travel to FCDO-advised destinations, undeclared pre-existing medical conditions, extreme sports without the relevant add-on, claims arising from alcohol or drug use, and cancellation for reasons not listed as insurable events in the policy wording. Full exclusions are in the policy document available at admiral.com before purchase.
Winter sports and adventure activity cover
Standard Admiral travel insurance excludes skiing, snowboarding and most other winter sports activities. A winter sports add-on is available and extends cover to include ski hire costs, ski school fees, piste closure pay-outs and avalanche-related delays in addition to the standard medical and cancellation sections. The winter sports add-on must be purchased before travel begins and cannot be added mid-trip. Off-piste skiing without a licensed guide is typically excluded regardless of whether the winter sports add-on is selected.
Hazardous and adventure activities including bungee jumping, white-water rafting, mountain biking to competitive level and scuba diving beyond recreational depths may require a separate adventure sports add-on or may be excluded entirely regardless of add-on selection. Consumers planning activity holidays, sports trips or gap year travel involving significant physical risk should check the activity exclusion list in the Admiral policy wording before departure. Failing to check and then claiming for an excluded activity results in the claim being refused at point of assessment, not at point of sale.
Pregnancy and medical travel considerations
Standard Admiral travel insurance covers pregnancy-related medical emergencies up to a specified gestation threshold, typically 28 weeks for uncomplicated pregnancies. Known complications of pregnancy are treated as pre-existing medical conditions and must be declared through the medical screening tool at point of purchase. Travel during late pregnancy or with a clinically high-risk pregnancy may result in the pregnancy-related cover being excluded or the application being declined entirely. In such cases specialist medical travel insurers should be approached via the British Insurance Brokers' Association or directly.
The EHIC has been replaced for UK residents by the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which provides access to state-provided healthcare in EU member states and some additional countries at the same cost charged to local residents. The GHIC does not replace travel insurance. It does not cover repatriation to the UK, private medical treatment, cancellation and curtailment, baggage loss or personal liability. Admiral travel insurance is designed to complement the GHIC, and having a valid GHIC may reduce the value of any medical claim under the Admiral policy by the amount the state facility treats without charge.
Travel insurance and FCDO advice
Admiral travel insurance does not cover travel to any country or territory where the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel or all but essential travel at the time of departure. If FCDO advice changes to a travel warning after a policy is purchased but before travel, cancellation cover may apply subject to the specific policy terms. Consumers should check current FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before purchasing travel insurance and again before departure.
The FCDO publishes country-specific advice covering entry requirements, health risks, safety and security, and legal considerations. Insurance providers including Admiral use FCDO advice as a trigger for policy exclusions because the FCDO warning constitutes a publicly available assessment of known risk. Travelling against FCDO advice not only invalidates the Admiral policy but may also affect repatriation assistance and consular support in the event of an incident.
FCDO travel advice guidance
