Having a short city break? Why you still need travel insurance
August 13, 2025It’s sadly coming towards the end of Summer, but even in the UK, the weather is still likely to be balmy and warm for several weeks yet. Could that spell a well-earned trip away – a short city break, perhaps – without the rest of the family in tow?
Make it a realistic possibility, but one without the headache of unexpected costs, by remembering to get appropriate travel insurance – no matter how short the trip.
Why do you still need travel insurance even on a short trip?
The reason can be summed up quite simply: because medical emergencies and other unexpected events don’t care how short your break away from home is. They can happen at any time and anywhere.
- Medical emergencies
You might have booked a city break with only one night away, yet outside the hotel you slip on a wet pavement, break a leg, and end up in hospital.
Without travel insurance, that sudden change of plan can become more than a little expensive.
If you have driven somewhere in the UK for example, how will you and your car get home?
If the accident happens abroad and you need to be flown back home for surgery or treatment, just imagine how costly that would be if you don’t have insurance.
- The shorter the trip, the greater the disruption
Although you may not intend to be away for a long time, the disruption to flights or trains caused by bad weather, technical failure, or industrial action is likely to have a greater impact precisely because time is so precious during a short break.
Your travel insurance is typically designed to compensate you for the losses incurred by those delays or cancellations (up to pre-agreed limits).
- Thieves and pickpockets don’t take holidays
Your guard may be down because you’re on holiday, but thieves and pickpockets never let up – indeed, they’ll mark you as an easier target if it looks as though you’re on unfamiliar territory.
You’ll need travel insurance to help replace those lost mobile ‘phones, passports, or other valuables.
- Travel insurance for that unexpected dash back home
Unexpected news from the home front or some other domestic emergency could mean you have to reschedule your travel plans – and rebook tickets at expensive short notice to make a quick dash back home.
If you have opted for this element of cover, travel insurance may typically help recover the cost of the essential rescheduling of your return journey.
Single and annual trip travel insurance policies
You’re likely to find that travel insurance for a single trip covering just a couple of days may be attractively affordable. That could become even more apparent if you choose to stay ever prepared and spontaneous by arranging annual, multi-trip travel insurance.
These are policies that allow you to take multiple trips abroad, whenever you choose, so that you are always safely prepared whenever the opportunity for a trip away arises.
Why you still need travel insurance
Whether you opt for single-trip or annual travel insurance cover, you’re almost certain to find insurance perfectly affordable yet typically capable of saving you thousands of pounds in medical bills, replacement costs, or last-minute travel changes.
It’s not about how long you’re away, it’s about being covered when things go wrong – and even on a short, 48-hour city break, the unexpected can happen.
Planning a short break? Call us today on 01702 826 060 for a no-obligation travel insurance quote.