Forgot Travel Insurance? What to Do Now You've Already Left
It's a common mistake and usually fixable. Here's what to do in the next hour, in order.
Short answer
You can usually still get covered. Pick an insurer that sells to people already abroad, check when cover starts, and buy before you do anything risky. A new policy won't cover anything that has already happened.
Your plan for today
- Check what you already have. Some bank cards, employer plans and home health plans include limited travel cover. It may be more limited than you expect, so check the medical and evacuation limits before you rely on it or buy twice.
- Write down the facts insurers will ask for: the country you're in, your country of residence, your age, where you're going next, roughly how long you'll be away, and any medical conditions you've had treatment or symptoms for.
- Shortlist insurers that sell after departure. Our comparison of how insurers handle late purchases is a starting point.
- Check the start date and waiting period for each one. If you need cover tomorrow, a 72-hour wait matters. See how waiting periods work.
- Check the countries and activities. Make sure the policy covers where you are now and where you're heading next. If you plan to dive, ride a motorbike or trek at altitude, find that in the exclusions.
- Buy, then save the documents. Put the policy number, the 24-hour assistance number and the policy wording on your phone, and send a copy to someone at home.
What not to do
- Don't misstate where you are or when you left. It's the quickest way to turn a valid policy into a refused claim.
- Don't assume you're covered the moment you pay. Some policies bought after departure have a waiting period.
- Don't buy cover for a problem you already have. If you're unwell or hurt right now, read this first.
- Don't pick a policy only because it's familiar. Some well-known insurers only sell before departure, so their policy may not be available to you at all.
Which kind of cover fits?
Trip of a few weeks with a return date
Look for travel medical or travel insurance that allows purchase after departure. Compare waiting periods closely.
No return date, or months of travel
A renewing travel medical plan usually fits better than a single-trip policy. See one-way and open-ended travel.
Living somewhere for a year or more
Consider international health insurance. Use short-term travel medical cover while you apply.
An option designed for this
SafetyWing's Essential plan is built for people already on the road: if you're outside your home country when you buy, the start date defaults to the day of purchase, and cover begins once the proof-of-insurance email arrives. Check the eligibility rules for your home country and current location before you buy.
Want to compare first? Our SafetyWing alternatives page covers other insurers that sell to people abroad.
Common questions
Is it too late to buy travel insurance once I've arrived?
Not necessarily. Some insurers only sell before departure, but others sell to people who are already abroad. Check each insurer's rules on buying after departure.
Will insurers know I bought it late?
Yes, and that's fine. Insurers that sell to people abroad ask where you are when you buy. Answer truthfully. Hiding it could give the insurer a reason to turn down a claim.
Does my credit card cover me?
Maybe, partly. Card benefits vary a lot and often depend on paying for the trip with that card. Read your card's benefit terms, or call the number on the back, before relying on it for medical cover.
Should I buy the cheapest policy I can find right now?
Buy something suitable rather than the cheapest. A policy with a long waiting period, the wrong countries, or an exclusion for your plans can leave you uninsured anyway. The checks above don't take long.
Sources
Insurer details on this page are summarised from each insurer’s own published material; general guidance comes from the official sources listed. Terms change, so check these pages and the policy wording before you buy.