Almost six in ten (59%) holidaymakers have experienced problems while abroad, or travelled with someone who has, according to a new Opinium survey1 of 1,000 holidaymakers by Multitrip.com, a specialist travel insurance provider.
When asked whether any of the following had happened to them or someone they were travelling with, almost a fifth said they had needed to see a doctor (19%) while abroad, and 10% required hospital treatment.
Transport issues are also common, with more than one in five (23%) experiencing cancelled or delayed transport, while one in ten (12%) have missed a flight or connection entirely.
Unfortunately, 10% had to cancel a holiday before departure, while 9% have had to cut short a trip due to an illness, a family emergency or another unexpected reason.
Lost or stolen belongings can also have a major impact on travellers. Almost one in six (15%) have had their luggage lost or damaged, while 9% have had personal belongings, including money stolen.
Christian Bennett from Multitrip.com said: “While most holidays go smoothly, things can and do go wrong, and when they do, the costs can be significant. Medical bills overseas can quickly escalate, making travel insurance an essential part of planning a trip.”
While having a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is a sensible addition for trips to Europe, it’s not a substitute for travel insurance. The GHIC only covers emergency medical treatment. It won’t pay for repatriation if you’re seriously ill, plus travel insurance is more than just medical cover, it also protects you if things go wrong before or during your trip, covering cancellations, lost luggage and emergency support abroad.”
Multitrip.com Annual European travel insurance policies start from £19.992. Annual Worldwide incl. USA/Canada travel insurance starts from £44.683. Prices exclude £3.95 handling fee.
Sources
1 Opinium online survey conducted with 2,000 nationally representative UK adults from 24-27 Feb 2026, of which 1,016 holiday abroad at least once a year.
2 £19.99. Online price for Essential European Cover for person under 40 years. Price excludes £3.95 handling fee.
3 £44.68. Online price for 1 Year Worldwide incl. USA/Canada Essential cover for person under 40 years. Price excludes £3.95 handling fee.
