Ireland: Best Travel Insurance Plans in 2025
- What is travel insurance?
- What is the price of travel insurance?
- What does travel insurance cover?
- What are the conditions to meet?
- Why take out travel insurance?
- How to choose the right travel insurance
- Do my current insurers offer travel insurance?
- FAQ
- On the same topic
travel insurance: key takeaways
1. Definition: Travel insurance is a policy that protects you financially from unexpected events like medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost baggage.
2. Price: For a one-week European trip, basic travel insurance in Ireland can cost from approximately €10 to €25.
3. Coverage: Policies usually cover medical emergencies and cancellations but often exclude pre-existing conditions and claims involving alcohol or high-risk activities.
4. Bank cards and health insurances: Bank cards and private health insurance offer limited travel cover, which is often insufficient for comprehensive protection abroad.
5. Tips: Always compare policies, declare all pre-existing medical conditions, and check the excess amount before you decide to buy.
6. Other useful info: Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides state healthcare in the EU but does not cover repatriation or cancellations.
Why trust HelloSafe ?
HelloSafe is an international specialist in travel insurance comparison, advising over one million travellers every month. After analysing 41 travel insurance policies available in Ireland, our experts share here everything you need to know to choose the best one for you.
What is travel insurance?
travel insurance is a policy that protects you from financial loss if your trip is disrupted by unexpected events. It usually covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, theft or loss of belongings, and travel delays.
Cover levels vary based on your policy, destination, and personal risk.
It is essential because it covers high costs from medical or travel emergencies that your EHIC, private insurance, or credit card may not fully support abroad.
Expert advice
Here are the situations where taking out travel insurance is especially recommended:
- You are travelling to a country with expensive healthcare services.
- Your EHIC does not cover all medical costs in Europe.
- Your trip involves significant non-refundable prepaid expenses.
- You or a companion have a pre-existing medical condition.
- You plan to take part in sports or adventure activities.
- You are travelling to remote areas with limited emergency services.
- Your itinerary includes cruises or multiple connecting flights.
What is the price of travel insurance?
On average, travel insurance costs between 5% and 10% of the total price of your trip.
| Trip | Trip cost | Indicative price per person |
|---|---|---|
| One week in Spain | 1,200 € | 18 – 60 € |
| Two weeks in the United States | 3,000 € | 90 – 300 € |
| One month in Southeast Asia | 2,500 € | 75 – 250 € |
| Three-day city break in London | 600 € | 10 – 30 € |
These prices are provided as an indication and may vary depending on the type of plan chosen (standard or premium) and the specific conditions of each insurer.
The price of your travel insurance depends on several factors:
- trip duration: the longer your travel period, the higher the price.
- destination: trips to countries with expensive medical care, such as the USA, usually cost more to insure.
- traveller’s age: older travellers often pay higher premiums.
- level of coverage: comprehensive or premium plans cost more than basic coverage.
- pre-existing medical conditions: cover for these usually increases the price.
- activities included: covering risky sports or valuable items raises the cost.
What does travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance protects you from unexpected problems during your trip. Here's what it usually covers, and what it may not.
| Covered guarantee | Definition | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| ❌ Trip cancellation | Reimburses non-refundable costs if you cancel before departure. |
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| ⏸️ Trip curtailment/interruption | Pays for extra costs if you have to shorten your trip due to emergencies. |
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| 🧳 Baggage insurance | Covers loss, theft, or damage of your luggage and belongings during transport or stay. |
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| 🚑 Emergency medical expenses | Key guarantee. Pays for urgent medical care or hospitalisation abroad. |
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| 🏥 Hospitalisation | Pays hospital fees and related costs during your trip. |
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| 💊 Medical repatriation | Key guarantee. Pays to bring you back to Ireland if medically needed. |
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| 🚗 Personal liability abroad | Covers accidental damage or injury you cause to others while abroad. |
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| 🕗 Travel delay | Compensates for necessary meals or accommodation if travel is delayed. |
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| 🤕 Personal accident | Usually optional. Pays a lump sum for death or permanent disability during your trip. |
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| 🛠️ Assistance services | Offers a 24/7 helpline for medical, legal, or translation advice and emergencies. |
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| 🗄️ Loss of documents | Reimburses the cost to replace lost or stolen passports, visas, or travel documents. |
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| 💵 Personal money | Covers stolen or lost cash and travellers’ cheques. |
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- Choose at least €3,000 cover and maximum €100 excess.
- Watch out for exclusions for epidemics, pre existing conditions, and personal decisions such as a change of mind.
- Coverage should match your total trip value, with a maximum €100 excess.
- Common exclusions include strikes, unrest, or issues known before booking.
- Get at least €1,500 cover and keep excess below €100.
- Exclusions often include unattended bags, high value items, or delays under 12 hours.
- Secure minimum €2M cover, ideally €5M for outside EU, and lowest possible excess.
- Exclusions can include risky sports, alcohol related incidents, and known medical conditions.
- Select a plan offering full hospital costs up to the medical expenses limit.
- Exclusions may include psychiatric care, cosmetic surgery, or non emergencies.
- At least €300,000 cover and max €100 excess.
- Policies may exclude non medical repatriation, conflict zones, or private flights not organised by the insurer.
- Choose at least €1.5M cover and prefer excess under €500.
- Exclusions often include vehicle use, damage to rental property, or intentional acts.
- Minimum cover €300 with excess below €50.
- Exclusions include airline strikes, missed check in, and pre existing issues causing delay.
- Select at least €50,000 coverage and the lowest excess possible.
- Exclusions include adventure sports, alcohol, or accidents during work.
- The plan should have unlimited assistance and a global hotline.
- Exclusions usually cover non urgent support, remote locations, or advice not linked to an emergency.
- Choose at least €300 cover and no more than €50 excess.
- Exclusions often apply when documents were left unattended or not reported quickly to authorities or your insurer.
- At least €250 cover with excess under €50 is recommended.
- Exclusions include unattended money, currency exchange losses, or theft not reported to police within 24 hours.
Reimbursement limits vary depending on the insurer and the plan selected (eco, standard, premium). They must always be checked in the general terms and conditions.
To find the travel insurance best suited to your profile and your trip, easily compare offers on HelloSafe.
What are the conditions to meet?
- Trip duration: the trip must not last longer than the maximum duration set by the policy, commonly 31-60 days per journey.
- Policy purchase: travel insurance must be bought and activated before you leave Ireland or your home country.
- Full payment: the policy premium must be fully paid before departure or coverage may not apply.
- Accurate declaration: all health and travel details you provide must be true and complete to avoid claim refusals.
- Pre-existing conditions: these must be declared and accepted by the insurer for them to be covered.
- Approved destinations: coverage is usually not offered for countries with official Irish government travel warnings.
- Activity coverage: some activities, like winter sports, need to be specifically included in your travel insurance policy.
- Residency: you must be resident in Ireland at the time of buying the policy.
If your circumstances change after purchase, always inform your insurer as this may affect your travel insurance coverage.
Watch out!
Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not a substitute for travel insurance. While useful in the EU, it does not cover private medical care, repatriation, trip cancellation, or lost baggage. For comprehensive protection against these risks, a dedicated travel insurance policy is essential, even for holidays in Spain or Portugal.
Why take out travel insurance?
Medical emergencies abroad can happen at any time, and healthcare costs can quickly become a significant financial concern without proper travel insurance.
Here are some examples of medical costs abroad:
| Type of treatment | Average cost (€) | What travel insurance covers |
|---|---|---|
| Sprained ankle while hiking |
| Up to 100%, usually €2 million to €10 million for medical care |
| Cut from a scooter accident |
| Up to 100%, including hospitalisation and surgery |
| Food poisoning with hospital stay |
| Up to 100%, covers hospital and prescription costs |
| Tooth infection treatment |
| Limited, up to €300 to €500 for dental emergencies |
| Respiratory infection consultation |
| Up to 100% of outpatient and treatment costs |
- Europe: 500 to 1,000
- North America: 1,400 to 3,000
- Asia: 180 to 600
- Europe: 900 to 1,800
- North America: 2,500 to 5,000
- Asia: 400 to 900
- Europe: 1,100 to 2,700
- North America: 3,000 to 6,500
- Asia: 500 to 1,600
- Europe: 250 to 600
- North America: 500 to 1,000
- Asia: 100 to 300
- Europe: 80 to 250
- North America: 200 to 600
- Asia: 60 to 210
Coverage varies greatly depending on the plan chosen (standard or premium) and the insurer. Refer to the general conditions and always compare with tools like HelloSafe.
💡 Travel insurance can also cover trip cancellation, lost or delayed luggage, personal liability, 24/7 emergency assistance, and repatriation. These extra guarantees help protect you from common travel risks and costly disruptions.
How to choose the right travel insurance
Travel insurance plans in Ireland vary widely in terms of reimbursement and limits. Knowing which criteria to compare ensures the guarantees you choose are relevant for your needs.
| Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Reimbursement limits | Set the maximum amount paid for emergencies or losses | Always select at least €2 million for medical cover, especially when travelling to the USA or outside the EU. |
| 📉 Deductibles | Impact what you pay out of pocket for each claim | Lower deductibles (below €100) reduce unexpected extra costs. Check how excess applies to each section of your plan. |
| 📝 Policy conditions | Affect legal validity and claims eligibility | Carefully review age restrictions, pre-existing condition clauses, and medical stability rules before buying. |
| 👵 Traveller's age | Changes cover, especially for those over 65 | Compare plans if you are over 65. Insurer Heymondo does not increase its prices for travellers above 62. |
| 🗓️ Trip duration | Can limit coverage periods | Verify the maximum days per trip your plan will cover before departure, particularly for long or round-the-world trips. |
| 🌍 Geographic area | Coverage is often region-specific | Make sure all destinations and layovers are included. For worldwide, check for exclusions on high-risk countries. |
| 🧑💼 Traveller profile | Determines what extras you might need | Think about cover for sports, business equipment, or family members depending on your trip type. |
| 🏦 Existing cover (bank, health) | May reduce or duplicate travel insurance benefits | Check what your bank, home or health insurance already covers before buying additional guarantees. |
| 🧗 Planned activities | Many policies exclude adventurous or risky activities | Add optional cover for winter sports or adventure, or opt for a tailor-made plan if needed. |
| 💻 Online comparison & purchase | Makes it easier to identify the best offer | Use HelloSafe to easily compare plans by price, cover, and features before purchasing. |
Good to know
Many insurers now offer 24/7 telemedicine services, a lifesaver when you're unsure about a local clinic. For instance, Heymondo's app lets you chat with a doctor from anywhere, providing peace of mind before you even step into a medical facility.
Do my current insurers offer travel insurance?
It is reasonable to consider whether your current insurance, like credit card coverage or the public health system, can serve as travel insurance, but it is usually not sufficient. Here is a summary table to help you review your current insurance and what it covers.
| Type of insurance | Travel insurance included? | What it covers | Why Travel Insurance is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public health insurance (HSE) | Never | Emergency public medical care only in Ireland. No cover for illness, theft, delays, or repatriation abroad. | Travel insurance includes up to €10,000,000 medical cover, repatriation, baggage, delays, and 24/7 worldwide cover. |
| European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) | Limited coverage | Emergency medical care in public facilities in EU countries only. No cover for private care, baggage, or cancellation. | Travel insurance covers private clinics, trip cancellation, and medical evacuation up to €10,000,000 outside the EU. |
| Private health insurance (VHI, Laya, Irish Life) | Limited coverage | Emergency medical costs abroad up to €55,000. No cover for trip cancellation, repatriation, or lost luggage. | Travel insurance reimburses up to €10,000,000 for medical, plus trip cancellation and loss or theft of belongings. |
| Classic credit card (Bank of Ireland, AIB, Ulster Bank) | Limited coverage | Basic medical cover, accidental death, lost bags. Sometimes capped at €250,000. Excludes many holiday risks. | Travel insurance provides much higher medical limits, trip curtailment, missed connections, and cover for pre-existing conditions. |
| Premium credit card (Platinum, World Elite, Signature) | Limited coverage | Better medical cover, cover often required trip to be paid with card. Max cover usually €500,000. | Travel insurance offers higher sum insured, automatic worldwide cover, and more extensive protection for interruption or lost items. |
Expert advice
Some important coverages such as trip interruption due to a relative’s illness or death is almost never covered by bank cards and health insurances. Always check the exclusions of your existing policies. In any case, buying travel insurance tailored to your trip is safer.
FAQ
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Travel insurance is not legally required to leave Ireland or travel within the EU, but it is mandatory for entry to certain countries such as Russia, Cuba, or the Schengen area. Even when not required, it is strongly recommended—for example, a medical emergency in the USA without cover can result in costs of thousands of euros.
When is it recommended to purchase travel insurance?
The best time to purchase travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip. Early purchase ensures you are covered for trip cancellation and pre-departure incidents like illness or family emergencies, offering maximum financial protection from the very start.
How do I purchase travel insurance?
First, compare offers using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool. Next, check the guarantees and read policy exclusions relevant to your specific needs. Once you have chosen a policy, purchase it online. You will then receive your certificate by email within minutes.
Can I purchase travel insurance after booking?
Yes, you can purchase travel insurance after booking your trip, but coverage for cancellation or changes will often only start from the policy issue date. It is best to buy as soon as possible to protect your financial investment in case you must cancel your plans.
How do I make a claim?
To make a claim, notify your insurer as soon as possible and collect all necessary documents, such as receipts, police reports, and medical records. Submit your claim form with supporting evidence to the insurer. Claims are usually reviewed within a few weeks, depending on the provider.
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Many Irish policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless specifically declared and accepted by the insurer, sometimes requiring additional premium or medical screening. Always disclose your medical history upfront and check your policy’s definition of a pre-existing condition before travelling.
Is travel insurance valid for adventure sports or hazardous activities?
Standard travel insurance policies often exclude hazardous activities like skiing or scuba diving unless you purchase a special add-on. If you plan adventure sports, confirm that your activity is covered and consider an upgrade if you want protection for sports-related accidents or injuries.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Travel insurance is not legally required to leave Ireland or travel within the EU, but it is mandatory for entry to certain countries such as Russia, Cuba, or the Schengen area. Even when not required, it is strongly recommended—for example, a medical emergency in the USA without cover can result in costs of thousands of euros.
When is it recommended to purchase travel insurance?
The best time to purchase travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip. Early purchase ensures you are covered for trip cancellation and pre-departure incidents like illness or family emergencies, offering maximum financial protection from the very start.
How do I purchase travel insurance?
First, compare offers using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool. Next, check the guarantees and read policy exclusions relevant to your specific needs. Once you have chosen a policy, purchase it online. You will then receive your certificate by email within minutes.
Can I purchase travel insurance after booking?
Yes, you can purchase travel insurance after booking your trip, but coverage for cancellation or changes will often only start from the policy issue date. It is best to buy as soon as possible to protect your financial investment in case you must cancel your plans.
How do I make a claim?
To make a claim, notify your insurer as soon as possible and collect all necessary documents, such as receipts, police reports, and medical records. Submit your claim form with supporting evidence to the insurer. Claims are usually reviewed within a few weeks, depending on the provider.
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Many Irish policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless specifically declared and accepted by the insurer, sometimes requiring additional premium or medical screening. Always disclose your medical history upfront and check your policy’s definition of a pre-existing condition before travelling.
Is travel insurance valid for adventure sports or hazardous activities?
Standard travel insurance policies often exclude hazardous activities like skiing or scuba diving unless you purchase a special add-on. If you plan adventure sports, confirm that your activity is covered and consider an upgrade if you want protection for sports-related accidents or injuries.
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