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When Martin Lewis speaks, people listen. And when it comes to holiday finances, his advice could save you thousands.
That’s why his most recent guidance is so crucial for anyone booking a trip: get your Travel Insurance ASAB – As Soon As You Book. Not the night before you fly. Not when you start packing. The moment you confirm your holiday.
Why timing matters with Travel Insurance
It’s easy to assume Travel Insurance is something you only need once you’re abroad. After all, you haven’t even left home yet. What could possibly go wrong?
Plenty, according to Martin Lewis – and he’s absolutely right.
“Half the point of travel insurance is covering you for things that may happen before you go that stop you going,” he told listeners on his recent BBC The Martin Lewis Podcast.
It could be a sudden illness, an accident, a family emergency, or even redundancy. Buying Travel Insurance at the same time as booking your trip ensures you’re protected from day one. Wait too long, and if something happens before departure, you could lose everything you’ve paid.
“Make sure you get your travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked, and if you’ve already booked, that means just do it now, just get it as quickly as possible,” Martin urges.
It’s a common – and costly – mistake. People book in January for an August holiday but hold off on buying Travel Insurance until July. Then something happens in May, and they’re left without protection.
Your holiday spend is an investment. Your Travel Insurance is the safety net.
Single Trip vs. Annual Travel Insurance: What does “ASAB” really mean?
Martin Lewis breaks down the ASAB principle for both types of cover – and it’s essential listening.
For Single Trip Travel Insurance:
- Buy immediately after booking your holiday
- Enter your travel dates – the date you leave the UK and the date you return
- Your cancellation cover starts as soon as you’ve paid
“Let’s say you’re going away from the 1st to the 8th of August,” says Martin. “You buy your policy in January. That means your insurance is already in place if something happens in March or May and you can’t travel.”
“If it’s a single trip policy it’s really easy,” says Martin. “Let’s say you’re going away from 1 August to 8 August, you get a single policy cover for those dates, you give those dates, you pay for it now, you’ve got your policy in place.”
For Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance:
Here’s where many people get it wrong. Martin warns that your policy must be active from the day you buy it – not the start date of your next trip.
“If it’s an annual policy that covers all your trips away in the year, you want to always have a live annual policy. So if you don’t have a live annual policy, you get one now, but you need to have the start date be today. You don’t leave it until 1 August and try to book it in advance.”
Otherwise, if your policy doesn’t start until your travel date, you’re not protected in the months before.
Tip: If your current policy ends before your next trip, start your new one the very next day to maintain continuous cover.
Why Martin’s “ASAB” rule is a must
Martin’s advice isn’t about being alarmist; it’s about being prepared.
When you buy Travel Insurance at the same time you book, you’re protecting:
- Your trip – Flights, hotels, and excursions are all protected in case you can’t travel
- Your finances – Avoid costly cancellations or medical emergencies you’re not insured for
- Your peace of mind – Know that you’re covered before, during, and after your trip
And at AllClear, we’re proud to say 98% of customers rate their experience with us as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Great’¹.
That means trusted cover when you need it most.
Martin Lewis’ Travel Insurance checklist
Here’s a quick summary of Martin’s ASAB advice:
✅ Buy your policy the same day you book your trip
✅ For Single Trip Insurance, input your travel dates, but pay immediately
✅ For Annual Policies, start the policy from today – not from the start of your next trip
✅ Make sure there’s no gap between the end of one policy and the start of another
Follow this advice, and you’ll never risk being unprotected.
Protect your holiday, protect yourself
You’ve booked your break. You’re excited. Don’t let anything get in the way.
Buying Travel Insurance ASAB – As Soon As You Book – is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to secure your trip and avoid financial disappointment later.
We’re here to help you travel with confidence. Explore our Single Trip and Annual Travel Insurance options today and make ASAB your new golden rule.
1. Based on 185,000+ Trustpilot responses, as of June 2025.
