Getting travel insurance before a trip abroad can be an important step to make sure you don't get caught out.

It can give you that extra level of protection if you have items stolen, suffer a medical emergency or have your trip cut short by reasons beyond your control.

However, some might wonder what the best type of travel insurance to get is, and that can vary depending on your trip.

Compare Your Travel Insurance has stepped in to help fill in those details, to see if you would need single trip, annual or long stay travel insurance.

What travel insurance do I need? Single trip, annual or long stay compared

Single trip

As the name suggests, single trip insurance offers coverage for a specific trip within a specified duration.

Compare Your Travel Insurance adds: "This type of insurance is tailored for those who do not frequently travel but seek peace of mind for that one-off holiday or business trip.

"The cover typically encompasses a range of potential issues, from trip cancellations and medical emergencies to lost luggage and flight delays."

Annual

Annual trip travel insurance is aimed at those who travel multiple times a year, as it negates the need to purchase separate policies for every trip.

Compare Your Travel Insurance explains: "Whilst Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance may come with a higher up-front price tag compared to Single Trip insurance, it could prove a much more economical choice in the long-run.

Readers vote

This poll is now closed

When do you buy your travel insurance?

  • The day before the trip 8%
  • A week before the trip 13%
  • A month before the trip 12%
  • More than a month before the trip 67%
Total votes: 164

"Especially when several more trips are waiting on your horizon! It's time to simplify your travel insurance and focus on what truly matters: your adventures."

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Long stay

Finally, we come to long stay travel insurance, which is a policy that covers for extended stays abroad.

It provides comprehensive coverage for extended trips, lasting 90 days or more for single trip insurance and up to 90 days per trip for annual cover.

Compare Your Travel Insurance adds: "This type of insurance is ideal for those extensive holidays that could occupy a significant part of your year, offering peace of mind throughout your journey."