In this independent review, I looked at the cover a real traveller can actually choose, rather than repeating a headline. Staysure is a UK travel insurer with quote-based pricing, specialist medical screening and policy levels for different journeys. The site says it has focused on pre-existing medical conditions since 2004 and that 97% of customers can get medical cover. That is a useful strength, but it is not a guarantee for every diagnosis. Accurate answers and the final policy wording remain essential.
My research began with Single-trip travel insurance and the Annual multi-trip travel insurance page. Staysure also has dedicated routes for Medical travel insurance and Cruise travel insurance. A current NOW20 offer advertises up to 20% off new policies until 08/09/2026, excluding screening costs and add-ons, so I would treat that as changeable.
What the range includes
- Single-trip cover for one holiday, with cancellation protection from purchase.
- Annual multi-trip cover for several holidays in 12 months.
- Medical cover shaped by screening for pre-existing conditions.
- Cruise cover with optional Cruise Plus protection.
The options I would shortlist
For one planned break, Single-trip travel insurance is the logical starting point. Basic, Comprehensive and Signature levels are listed. Signature has no excess, up to £5,000 baggage cover and up to £15,000 cancellation cover per person. Comprehensive has unlimited medical and repatriation expenses with a £99 excess. The trade-off is that no price is published until you provide traveller details.
If you travel more than twice, compare Annual multi-trip travel insurance with separate quotes. Convenience is the obvious benefit, but annual cover is not automatically cheaper. Check maximum trip length, geographical limits and whether your medical circumstances are included for every trip.
- Choose single-trip for one main holiday.
- Compare annual cover for repeat travel.
- Start screening early if treatment changed.
- Declare every cruise port and destination.
The Medical travel insurance page discusses cancer, heart conditions, diabetes and other chronic conditions. I like the direct route to screening, although acceptance and price depend on the answers. If your history is complicated, call rather than guessing through a form. Keep your answers consistent with medical records and read the policy documents.
For a sailing holiday, Cruise travel insurance is more than a label. Standard cover can include emergency treatment, repatriation, cancellation and baggage when the cruise is declared. Cruise Plus is an optional add-on for eligible Comprehensive and Signature policies, covering missed ports, itinerary changes, cabin confinement and unused excursions. Signature limits listed include up to £1,500 for missed ports and £1,000 for cabin confinement.
Pros and drawbacks
The main advantage is focus. Staysure is built for real-world medical complexity, and its cruise, winter sports, golf and gadget routes are easy to locate. Travel Doctor can provide access to English-speaking doctors abroad, subject to availability and terms. The site also promotes generous medical and cancellation limits on higher tiers.
- Best strength: broad medical screening for many travellers.
- High-tier value: unlimited medical expenses and £15,000 cancellation on Signature.
- Useful extras: Cruise Plus, winter sports, golf and gadgets.
- Potential weakness: quote prices vary and add-ons raise the premium.
Basic is where I would be cautious. It lists a £129 excess, £300 baggage cover and up to £4,000 cancellation. That may be adequate for a modest trip, but not for an expensive holiday or a traveller who wants fewer out-of-pocket costs. The headline offer should never distract from limits, exclusions or the medical declaration.
What I would check before paying
Have dates, destinations, ages, medical details and baggage values ready. Save the quote, then compare like for like with another insurer. My checklist is:
- Read the excess and cancellation limits for the exact level.
- Confirm every condition and recent medication change.
- Check whether cruise, skiing, golf or gadgets need an add-on.
- Match every destination, including cruise ports.
- Keep claims and emergency instructions with your documents.
For skiing, compare the winter sports option. For golf, check the extra golf cover rather than assuming equipment is fully protected. Activity cover can have liability exceptions, and policy wording is the final authority.
My Staysure verdict
In this independent review, I looked at the cover a real traveller can actually choose, rather than repeating a headline. Staysure is a UK travel insurer with quote-based pricing, specialist medical screening and policy levels for different journeys. The site says it has focused on pre-existing medical conditions since 2004 and that 97% of customers can get medical cover. That is a useful strength, but it is not a guarantee for every diagnosis. Accurate answers and the final policy wording remain essential.
Verdict: worth a serious quote, not an automatic buy. I would start with single-trip cover for one holiday, test annual cover for several journeys, and consider Signature only when its higher limits justify the premium. Staysure is especially credible for older travellers, people with medical histories and cruise passengers. It is less compelling if you want a simple fixed price or only the lowest premium.
Does Staysure cover pre-existing conditions?
It screens for many conditions and says 97% of customers can get medical cover. Acceptance, terms and price depend on your answers.
Is Cruise Plus automatic?
No. It is an optional add-on for eligible Comprehensive and Signature policies.
Can I see the price first?
Yes, through a personalised quote based on age, dates, destinations, screening and extras.
The practical detail is in the boundaries. Insurance is not a promise that every inconvenience becomes a claim, and a generous headline limit does not remove exclusions. I would check cancellation reasons, baggage definitions, liability conditions and rules for unattended belongings. I would also note when cover starts, because buying after a problem is known will not create protection for that problem. These checks take a few minutes and are more valuable than relying on a star rating or a discount banner.
The practical detail is in the boundaries. Insurance is not a promise that every inconvenience becomes a claim, and a generous headline limit does not remove exclusions. I would check cancellation reasons, baggage definitions, liability conditions and rules for unattended belongings. I would also note when cover starts, because buying after a problem is known will not create protection for that problem. These checks take a few minutes and are more valuable than relying on a star rating or a discount banner.
The practical detail is in the boundaries. Insurance is not a promise that every inconvenience becomes a claim, and a generous headline limit does not remove exclusions. I would check cancellation reasons, baggage definitions, liability conditions and rules for unattended belongings. I would also note when cover starts, because buying after a problem is known will not create protection for that problem. These checks take a few minutes and are more valuable than relying on a star rating or a discount banner.
The practical detail is in the boundaries. Insurance is not a promise that every inconvenience becomes a claim, and a generous headline limit does not remove exclusions. I would check cancellation reasons, baggage definitions, liability conditions and rules for unattended belongings. I would also note when cover starts, because buying after a problem is known will not create protection for that problem. These checks take a few minutes and are more valuable than relying on a star rating or a discount banner.