Staysure vs InsureandGo Travel Insurance 2026: Which Is Better for Medical Conditions?

Staysure vs InsureandGo is a frequently searched comparison for UK travellers with pre-existing medical conditions. Both are long-established specialist providers. Both use individual medical screening. The differences are meaningful and this comparison identifies them clearly, drawing on FCA register data, Financial Ombudsman Service statistics and ABI published guidance.

The Age Limit Difference

The most significant structural difference between Staysure and InsureandGo is the age limit. InsureandGo sets an upper age limit of 79, confirmed in its policy documentation. Staysure publishes no upper age limit and assesses all travellers individually through its screening process regardless of age. For travellers aged 79 and under, both providers are available options. For travellers aged 80 and above, Staysure is accessible and InsureandGo is not.

This single difference is decisive for a substantial proportion of the target demographic. The specialist pre-existing conditions travel insurance market is dominated by older travellers, who represent both the highest-volume customer group and the group most likely to have complex or multiple conditions. As travellers age past 79, InsureandGo's age cap progressively excludes them while Staysure continues to offer individual assessment. Staysure's no-age-limit model is the more inclusive proposition for this segment.

For travellers considering both providers and who are currently aged 75 to 78, the age limit is also a future planning consideration. A traveller who takes an annual multi-trip policy with InsureandGo at age 78 will need to switch providers when they turn 80, potentially during a period when other health changes make the transition to a new provider's screening system more complex. Staysure's no-age-limit model removes this medium-term switching risk.

InsureandGo's 700-Plus Condition List

InsureandGo publishes a list of over 700 medical conditions it can consider for cover. This is a well-established marketing differentiator for the brand. The 700-plus figure represents the breadth of conditions that InsureandGo's screening system can assess rather than a guarantee that any specific condition will be accepted at any terms. The actual cover terms for any declared condition are determined by the screening outcome, which may result in a loading, a specific exclusion for that condition, or in some cases a decline.

Staysure does not publish a numbered condition list in the same way but operates a comprehensive online screening system supported by telephone assessment for complex cases. In practice, the breadth of conditions that Staysure's system can accommodate is wide, and the 700-plus figure from InsureandGo provides marketing reassurance without necessarily reflecting a material difference in acceptance capability for the most common condition profiles.

Emergency Medical Cover Limits

InsureandGo's Black tier offers emergency medical cover up to £15 million, which is the highest limit in this comparison. Staysure's maximum emergency medical cover is £10 million on its higher tiers. For most medical emergencies, including complex surgical interventions and extended intensive care unit stays in the United States, the £10 million limit is more than sufficient. The marginal value of the additional £5 million headroom from InsureandGo Black is relevant only for the most extreme and extended medical scenarios, which represent a very small proportion of actual travel insurance claims.

Both providers satisfy the ABI's recommendation of at least £5 million for long-haul travel on their higher tiers. For European travel, the ABI's £2 million minimum is met across most tiers of both providers. The GHIC provides complementary access to state healthcare in EEA countries but does not substitute for emergency medical cover under either provider's policy.

Cover Tier Structures

InsureandGo offers three named tiers: Silver, Gold and Black. Cancellation cover ranges from £3,000 on Silver to £10,000 on Black. Baggage, personal liability and other benefit limits increase across the three tiers. Travellers with high-value bookings exceeding £3,000 should consider Gold or Black tier to avoid underinsurance on cancellation, as the ABI notes that cancellation underinsurance is one of the most common causes of partial claim settlements.

Staysure's tier structure also offers increasing benefit limits across cover levels. The specific cancellation limits by Staysure tier should be confirmed through the direct screening process. Both providers offer annual multi-trip and single trip options, with cruise cover and winter sports cover available as add-on extensions.

Underwriting Comparison

Staysure is underwritten by AWP P&C S.A., part of the Allianz group. Allianz is one of the largest and most highly rated insurance groups globally, providing strong financial security backing and access to AWP's global emergency assistance network. InsureandGo is part of ETI International Travel Protection within the Collinson Group. Collinson is a substantial financial services group operating multiple insurance and assistance brands. Both underwriting arrangements represent financially capable backing, though the specific entity ratings differ.

FOS Complaint Data

Both Staysure and Collinson (parent entity of InsureandGo's UK book) appear in Financial Ombudsman Service published data. The FOS publishes complaint volumes and uphold rates biannually for named firms. Current data should be checked directly at financial-ombudsman.org.uk, as historical snapshots may not reflect the current six-month reporting period.

Which Should Travellers Choose?

Travellers aged 80 and above have no choice in this comparison: Staysure is the accessible option between the two. For travellers aged 79 and under, the decision depends on individual screening outcomes. Those who want the highest available emergency medical limit should consider InsureandGo Black at £15 million. Those who value Allianz group underwriting backing and prefer a no-age-limit policy that will not require provider switching in coming years should lean toward Staysure. As with all specialist pre-existing condition travel insurance, obtaining screening quotes from both providers and comparing the specific terms for the declared conditions is the most reliable decision basis.

The UK Regulatory Framework for Travel Insurance

All UK travel insurance policies sold to UK residents are subject to the Financial Conduct Authority regulatory framework. The Insurance Conduct of Business sourcebook, known as ICOBS, sets out requirements for product disclosure, fair treatment of customers and the handling of claims and complaints. Any insurer or distributor that breaches ICOBS rules is subject to FCA enforcement action. The Consumer Duty, which came into force on 31 July 2023 under Policy Statement PS22/9, adds a cross-cutting standard requiring all FCA-regulated firms to deliver good outcomes for retail customers. For travel insurance, this includes a specific obligation to ensure that products are accessible and fair for customers with characteristics of vulnerability, including older travellers and those with pre-existing medical conditions who may face systematic disadvantage in the standard market.

The Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 governs the disclosure obligations of all UK travel insurance policyholders. Under this Act, policyholders must take reasonable care not to make misrepresentations when answering screening questions. A deliberate or reckless misrepresentation entitles the insurer to avoid the policy and decline all claims. An inadvertent misrepresentation may result in a reduced claim payment proportionate to the premium difference between what was charged and what would have been charged had the information been correctly disclosed. This applies to every UK travel insurer and every policyholder equally regardless of which provider is chosen.

The Financial Ombudsman Service is the statutory alternative dispute resolution body for UK travel insurance complaints. The FOS can award compensation of up to £430,000 per complaint and its decisions are binding on all FCA-regulated firms. Travellers who disagree with a claim decision from any FCA-regulated travel insurer have the right to refer their complaint to the FOS free of charge after the insurer has had eight weeks to respond formally to the complaint. The FOS publishes biannual complaint data covering volumes and uphold rates for named firms, providing an external benchmark for claims handling quality that is independent of any provider's own marketing claims.

The Association of British Insurers publishes guidance on travel insurance best practice, including recommended minimum emergency medical cover limits. The ABI recommends a minimum of £2 million for European travel and at least £5 million for long-haul destinations. For travel to the United States, the ABI guidance notes that private hospital costs frequently exceed £5,000 per day before any surgical intervention, making higher cover limits of £10 million or more relevant for extended stays in North America. The ABI also recommends that travellers ensure their cancellation cover is sufficient to cover the full prepaid cost of the trip to avoid the underinsurance that is one of the most common causes of partial claim settlements in the travel insurance market.

The Global Health Insurance Card, the GHIC, replaced the European Health Insurance Card for UK travellers after the Brexit transition period ended. The GHIC provides access to state healthcare in participating European Economic Area countries on the same terms as local residents. It does not cover private treatment, emergency repatriation, trip cancellation, baggage loss, personal liability or any of the other components included in a comprehensive travel insurance policy. The FCA and the ABI both recommend that UK travellers carry both a valid GHIC and a comprehensive travel insurance policy when travelling in Europe, as the two instruments are complementary rather than interchangeable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Staysure and InsureandGo?

The most significant difference is the age limit. InsureandGo caps at 79. Staysure has no published upper age limit. InsureandGo's Black tier offers emergency medical cover up to £15 million versus Staysure's £10 million maximum. Both use individual screening for pre-existing conditions.

Can travellers over 80 use InsureandGo?

InsureandGo applies an age limit of 79. Travellers aged 80 and above should consider providers without published upper age limits, including Staysure, JustTravelCover, GoodToGo and Freedom Insure.

Which has higher emergency medical cover, Staysure or InsureandGo?

InsureandGo's Black tier offers emergency medical cover up to £15 million, higher than Staysure's maximum of £10 million. Both limits exceed the ABI's recommended minimum of £5 million for long-haul travel. For most medical emergencies the £10 million limit is more than sufficient.

Who underwrites Staysure and InsureandGo?

Staysure is underwritten by AWP P&C S.A. (Allianz group). InsureandGo is part of ETI International Travel Protection within the Collinson Group. Both underwriting entities are subject to regulatory oversight though their financial strength and global network scope differ.