It’s that time of the year again when we all start to satisfy our wanderlust, but are there any peak holiday booking season rules that adventurous Brits and Europeans should follow?
Undoubtedly, December and January see a surge in holiday bookings, as individuals and families look forward to warmer climes and the opportunity to explore less-familiar locations. Winter weather makes us crave international travel, whilst a little Christmas cash in the pocket can be all that is required to book a dream holiday.
But Europesure Travel Insurance, which provides travel insurance protection for thousands of UK and European residents, has this year uncovered worrying trends needing to be addressed. Learning some key peak holiday booking season rules would seem to be a positive way for holidaymakers to avoid trouble, if Europesure’s data is anything to go by.
Lack of adherence to peak holiday booking season rules
Independent research commissioned by Europesure in late summer 2025, highlights absolutely essential actions that many travellers are overlooking when heading overseas.
Backing this, there is further research, which Europesure commissioned in 2023.
Putting the two together, it is clear that many Brits, expats and Europeans are exposing themselves to far too much risk when packing their suitcase and grabbing their passport.
Peak holiday booking season rules not being followed
1. Not buying travel insurance when travelling
Europesure Travel Insurance’s 2025 survey discovered that 16% of those who take overseas holidays do not buy travel insurance. A further 21.5% only ‘sometimes’ buy travel cover.
The reasons for not buying travel insurance are concerning. In two-thirds of cases, the traveller just hasn’t thought to do so. The rest mistakenly believe travel insurance is not necessary. This is despite medical expenses alone potentially running to a five-figure sum in many hospitals around the world, should the traveller fall ill. Adding a further five-figure sum, should an air ambulance medical repatriation be required, should make it very evident why travel insurance is absolutely necessary. The need to buy travel insurance is often stated on the travel advice pages of Government websites, underlining the requirement, despite it not being obligatory to purchase cover.
In its 2023 survey, Europesure Travel Insurance discovered that nearly one-fifth (19%) of people had simply forgotten to buy travel insurance. This rose to 31% of 25-34-year-olds. Do not make that mistake.
2. Not checking travel insurance terms and conditions
Europesure’s 2025 research survey, carried out by research experts, Censuswide, found that one-fifth of people do not read their travel insurance policy to see what they need to do to abide by its terms. Knowing what you are covered for, and on what basis, in terms of the conditions attached to travel insurance protection, is absolutely key and a major peak holiday booking season rule to take on board.
3. Not checking that pre-existing health conditions are covered
In the same way, it is essential to check that any pre-existing medical conditions are actually covered by the travel insurance policy purchased. However, Europesure discovered that 17% of people do not do this. In the case of over one-in-ten (11%), this is because they have not thought to do so. The others do not believe it necessary to do this.
However, if treatment was required in your travel destination for a condition not covered by the policy, the insurance protection could not step in to pay for the medical care received. Holidaymakers should also note that they are not covered for undiagnosed conditions still under investigation.
Worryingly, the number of travellers and holidaymakers not considering their existing health situation, and how it impacts their travel insurance cover, is probably far higher than 17%. Of the 60% who say they do check that their health conditions are covered, only 37% say they always make that check. The remaining 23% only “sometimes” check.
4. Not knowing what sporting and leisure activities are covered.
Failure gain familiarity with the sporting and leisure activities that would be covered by a travel insurance policy if you were injured whilst engaging in them during travels, is another area of concern. Europesure’s recent research survey showed only 15% of travellers always make this check. Another 23% sometimes do but over a third – 35% – admit they never do.
5. Not buying travel insurance at the time of booking
As the research findings show, holidaymakers sometimes travel without travel insurance because they forget to buy a policy. If they followed another golden rule of travel insurance purchase – buying a policy as soon as they book – it would be far less easy to forget to put all-important protection in place.
That simple action would also provide cancellation cover from the minute the plans for the trip are confirmed and money has been paid for the holiday. Having cancellation protection in place is very important, as nobody can predict what could happen ahead of a date of travel.
In 2023, Europesure’s research showed that 30% of people and nearly one-in-four women (38%) would cancel a holiday if an immediate family relative fell ill and was admitted to hospital just before they were due to travel. If cancellation cover were already in place, they could recoup the financial outlay on their holiday. If not, the money might well be lost.
Other things could encourage or necessitate cancellation too. This includes obligatory jury service or call up for emergency service. A homeowner might have their property flooded, suffer a house fire or be burgled, just ahead of the intended trip. This would mean they needed to stay behind to sort things out. The intended accommodation overseas could also suffer a disaster, effectively meaning the trip could not take place, necessitating cancellation. In this instance, if a travel insurance policy had already been purchased, it could pay for alternative accommodation, to the standard of that booked.
Cancellation of plans due to strikes, industrial action and natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions and adverse weather conditions, are also covered, if travel insurance has been taken out ahead of the occurrence.
Then there is redundancy. Should a policyholder find themselves made redundant ahead of their holiday, they may then need to cancel their plans so as to not have further outlay at a difficult time. If they have a travel insurance policy from a respected provider like Europesure, they should be able to recoup the cost of their holiday to that point. The proviso is that they have to qualify for redundancy payments from their employer.
Following the rules
There are a variety of reasons why you should follow the peak holiday booking season rules, if planning to travel overseas in 2026. If you live in the UK, EU, EEA, Monaco or Gibraltar, Europesure Travel Insurance can provide you with the travel insurance cover you require. With a policy in hand, you will be automatically covered for a large number of pre-existing health conditions and for a long list of sporting activities. Just check that your condition and activity is referenced by the travel insurance policy.
Buying cover from Europesure, as soon as your plans are in place, will give you immediate protection, in terms of cancellation benefits.
So, to find the right policy for you, head to www.europesuretravelinsurance.com where three bands of travel insurance – Silver, Gold and Platinum – are available. These offer cancellation cover of £1500, £2500 and £5000 respectively, alongside many other benefits.
