Nearly 60% of single-trip travel insurance bought within days of departure
New purchasing data raises questions about when travellers arrange protection and whether they understand the benefits of early cancellation cover
Nearly three in five single-trip travel insurance policies were purchased within three days of departure, according to new data from comparison website Go.Compare, highlighting travellers’ tendency to arrange cover shortly before travelling.
The company’s analysis of policy sales between July and September 2026 found that 58.5% of single-trip policies were bought in the final three days before travel, compared with 57% a year earlier.
Almost three-quarters (73.6%) were purchased within seven days of departure, while 84.4% were bought during the final fortnight.
The figures suggest that many customers are leaving insurance purchases until late in their travel preparations, potentially missing out on cancellation protection for events occurring between booking and the start of their policy.
Rhys Jones, travel expert at Go.Compare, said: “Insurance is typically most helpful when bought at the same time a trip is booked, because cancellation cover may apply before departure, subject to policy terms.”
The findings coincide with increased interest in last-minute holidays. Google Trends data analysed by Go.Compare showed searches for “last minute holidays” rose 30% year on year in the month to late September, while searches for “cheap last-minute holidays” increased by 250%.
The findings highlight the importance of communicating when cancellation protection begins and ensuring customers understand the implications of delaying their purchase.
Although travel insurance can generally be purchased close to departure, cover for cancellation-related losses cannot normally be applied retrospectively to events that have already occurred.
Jones urged travellers to arrange insurance when booking their trips to ensure they have access to the protection available under their chosen policies.
Related reading: Travel insurance complaints rose by 19.4% in the second half of 2025, according to FCA data, raising further questions about consumer understanding and claims outcomes. Read more about the rise in travel insurance complaints.
Siân Yates
Siân Yates is News Editor at Voyageur Group and Editor of International Hospitals & Healthcare (IH&H). She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism, and has written across healthcare, travel, food and beverage, science and technology, and environmental topics. Her passion lies in magazine creation and editorial management.