One-way travel insurance with no return ticket
You do not need a return ticket to buy True Traveller travel insurance. Whether you are taking an extended trip with no fixed return date or making a one-way journey to a new home, choose cover for your route, travel dates and activities. A journey to somewhere you intend to live permanently has a different cover end point from a trip with an open return date.
Travel insurance without a return ticket
True Traveller covers one-way travel as standard on eligible Single Trip policies. You can apply without booking a flight home first. Your cover remains subject to the policy terms, selected benefits, limits and exclusions; not having a return ticket does not turn travel insurance into ongoing health insurance in a country where you settle.
What can your one-way policy include?
True Traveller policies include up to £10 million medical and repatriation cover, subject to the policy terms. You can choose optional baggage cover and the appropriate Activity Pack for your plans. Some activities need additional cover, and skiing or snowboarding requires Winter Sports cover. Check the benefits and excesses for your chosen policy rather than assuming every option is included.
When does cover for a one-way journey end?
If you are travelling to a final destination where you intend to live permanently, one-way cover ends on arrival there or at the policy end date, whichever comes first. It does not continue for a further 24 hours after arrival at that destination. Arrange suitable local health or other insurance for life after the journey.
If you are travelling with an open return date rather than moving permanently, choose dates for the period you need insured and check the applicable policy end conditions. Not having a return ticket does not give you unlimited cover.
Medical repatriation if you become ill or have an accident
Not having a return ticket does not prevent cover for medically necessary repatriation if you become seriously ill or are injured in an accident during an insured journey. The Emergency Medical Assistance Service must agree that repatriation is medically necessary and arrange or authorise it. The policy terms, exclusions, limits and excesses apply.
For a one-way journey, the assistance team will usually arrange repatriation to your final destination if the appropriate geographical premium has been paid. In some cases, it may be medically better to return you to your country of origin. The assistance team decides the appropriate arrangements; this is not a choice of free travel home.
Returning early because a close relative is ill
If you have no pre-booked return ticket and need to go home because a close relative becomes seriously ill, you must pay for your own return travel. This is different from medical repatriation because you, the insured traveller, need treatment.
Other eligible pre-paid, non-refundable travel costs may still be considered under a curtailment claim where the reason is insured. Cover is subject to the policy definition of an immediate relative, the health declaration, evidence, limits and exclusions. Contact the Emergency Medical Assistance Service before cutting your trip short.
Choosing your route and dates
One-way cover can be available from a few days up to two years, depending on the options offered for your trip. Include the countries you will travel through as well as your final destination, and check stopover allowances. The available duration and geographical premium depend on the quote and policy you select.
If the journey takes longer than expected, contact True Traveller about an extension before your policy expires. Any extension is subject to eligibility and the available policy terms. Extending dates does not keep one-way journey cover running after arrival somewhere you intend to reside permanently.
Already left home?
Eligible travellers can apply while already abroad, but must select Already Travelling in the quote form. Cover bought after departure has restrictions during the first 48 hours and cannot cover problems that have already happened. Read the Already Travelling purchase notice and policy wording before buying.
True Traveller originally operated as a travel company, and we design our insurance to be practical, affordable and built for real travellers. Our core belief is simple: if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need a return ticket for True Traveller insurance?
No. You can buy eligible True Traveller Single Trip insurance without a return ticket. Select suitable travel dates, destinations and cover for your plans. Not having a return ticket does not remove policy conditions or provide open-ended cover.
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Does all cover remain valid if I do not have a return ticket?
All cover remains valid if you don’t have a return ticket. However, if you need to end your trip early for a reason not related to a serious medical condition, you will need to pay for your own return travel, as no loss has occurred without a pre-booked ticket. Any other pre-paid, non-refundable travel costs may still be claimed under a curtailment claim. This does not override policy limits, exclusions or other claim conditions. The medical distinction refers to the insured traveller needing medically necessary repatriation, not returning home because someone else is ill.
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Will you pay for my flight home if a close relative becomes ill?
If you have no pre-booked return ticket, no: you must pay for your own return travel, even if a close relative becomes seriously ill and you need to end your trip early. This is not medical repatriation of you, the insured traveller. Other eligible pre-paid, non-refundable travel costs may still be claimed under curtailment, subject to the insured reason, the policy definition of an immediate relative, the health declaration and all other claim conditions. Contact the Emergency Medical Assistance Service before cutting your trip short.
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Am I covered for medical repatriation if I become ill or have an accident?
Yes, medically necessary repatriation following your own covered illness or accident can be covered even if you have no return ticket. The Emergency Medical Assistance Service must agree that it is medically necessary and arrange or authorise the travel. Policy conditions, exclusions, limits and excesses apply. This is separate from paying to return home because a relative is ill.
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Where would I be medically repatriated on a one-way journey?
For a one-way journey, the Emergency Medical Assistance Service will usually arrange repatriation to your final destination, provided you have paid the appropriate geographical premium. In some cases, it may be medically better to return you to your country of origin. The assistance team determines the appropriate arrangements, subject to the policy terms.
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When does one-way travel insurance end?
For a journey to a destination where you intend to live permanently, one-way cover ends on arrival at that final destination or at the policy end date, whichever comes first. It is cover for the journey, not ongoing cover once you have settled. An open-ended trip without a return ticket still has policy dates and applicable end conditions.
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How long can a one-way travel insurance policy last?
One-way cover can be available from a few days up to two years, depending on your quote and the policy options available for your trip. Select the dates and geographical area you need. If you arrive at a final destination where you intend to reside permanently before the selected end date, one-way cover ends on arrival there.
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Can I extend my cover if my journey takes longer than planned?
Contact True Traveller before your existing policy expires if you need more time for your journey. Extensions are subject to eligibility and available policy terms. An extension does not convert journey cover into ongoing insurance after arrival at a destination where you intend to live permanently.
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Can I include stopovers and adventure activities?
Choose a geographical area that covers your route and check any stopover allowances in the policy. Check planned activities against the activity list and select any required Activity Pack. Skiing or snowboarding requires Winter Sports cover. Cover is subject to the options shown on your validation certificate and all applicable conditions.
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Can I buy one-way travel insurance after I have left home?
Eligible travellers can apply after departure by selecting Already Travelling in the quote form. Restrictions apply during the first 48 hours, and a new policy cannot cover problems that have already happened. Check the Already Travelling purchase notice and policy wording before buying, as well as the end conditions for your one-way journey.