How to Be a Savvy Traveller in 2026: A Stress-Free Guide to Travel Insurance

As the new year begins, many of us are already daydreaming about our next break - maybe a quick trip to Paris, a sun-soaked weekend in Barcelona, or a snowy escape to Prague. With more people now choosing multiple short breaks throughout the year rather than one long summer holiday, travel habits are shifting - and it's a good time to think about how your travel insurance works with that change.

In this guide, we'll walk through the key things Irish travellers should consider in 2026 to feel confident, covered, and calm - with real savings opportunities and added benefits you might not know about.

Why Travel Insurance Matters More Than Ever in 2026

Shorter trips, more often. That's the travel trend we're seeing across Ireland, and it's not slowing down.

According to Dublin Airport's 2024 travel figures, European weekend breaks were among the most popular flights booked, with Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy leading the way. These quick getaways mean more booking confirmations, more flights, more hotels, and more chances for something unexpected to get in the way.

But the good news? Travel insurance isn't just about covering worst-case scenarios. It's about giving you peace of mind from the moment you book - so you can actually enjoy the countdown to your holiday.

Booked Your Flights? Buy Insurance Early for Extra Peace of Mind

Here's something a lot of people don't realise: when you buy your travel insurance at the same time as booking your trip, you're protected for anything that goes wrong in the lead up to your holiday, including things like trip cancellations.

That means if something happens between now and your departure date - like illness, injury, or another unexpected issue - you could be covered for your prepaid costs, depending on your plan.

Chill's Platinum Plan includes up to €6,000 in cancellation cover, offering a valuable buffer if your plans suddenly change.

So if you're treating yourself to a trip to Copenhagen in April or a family city break to Rome this summer, don't delay your insurance. The sooner you have it, the sooner you're protected.

Annual Multi-Trip vs Single Trip: What's the Best Value in 2026?

Let's paint the picture. Maybe you're planning:

• A trip to the French alps for a quick blast down the slopes in fresh, powdery snow
• A spring city break in Lisbon with friends
• A beach holiday in Mallorca with your family

Buying three or four separate travel insurance policies throughout the year might seem like the easiest option, but it's rarely the most cost-effective.

Here's what you need to know:

• Going on two trips this year? You could save an average of 15% on your premium with an Annual Multi-Trip policy vs buying two Single Trip policies.
• Planning four or more holidays? You could save over 50% with an Annual Multi-Trip plan.
• Have private health insurance? You could save up to 10% off Single Trip or up to 20% off Annual Multi-Trip cover.

It's a simple way to make your travel planning smoother, and more budget-friendly.

What's Included with Chill Travel Insurance?

When it comes to picking the right plan, here's a look at the cover you'll get with Chill's Travel Insurance and how it aligns with what most people care about when heading abroad:

Cancellation Cover

As mentioned, our Platinum policy covers up to €6,000 in cancellation costs. That means if something unexpected happens, you won't be left out of pocket.

Medical Cover

• Up to €5 million with Gold plans
• Up to €10 million with Platinum plans
• Plus, all plans include TravelGP, which gives you 24/7 access to an online doctor, no matter where you are. You can even get a prescription sent to a local pharmacy. There's no excess, and it's available for all policyholders for the duration of their cover.

Baggage Cover

Depending on your plan, you could be covered up to €3,000 for lost or stolen baggage and belongings.

Add-on Options for Sports Cover

Planning a ski trip, water sports holiday, or active break? Chill offers optional Sports Travel Cover, which you can read more about in this guide.

Chill Makes It Simple to Choose the Right Plan

We know choosing what plan to go for on travel insurance is difficult and complicated, so we take the trickiness out and make it easy to compare the Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans so you can choose what suits your trip best.

Getting a quote is quick and straightforward and you can also see the difference in price between Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip plans before you buy.

Final Checklist – Are You Travel-Ready for 2026?

Before you hit "book now" on that next trip, ask yourself:

• Have I bought my insurance yet, and does it include cancellation cover?
• How many trips am I planning this year, would Annual Multi-Trip save me more?
• Do I have private health insurance (and could it save me even more)?
• Do I know what cover I get for medical, baggage, or trip delays?
• Have I looked at the Chill policy tiers to see which one fits my trip?

In Summary

Getting your travel insurance sorted early isn't just ticking a box, it's part of making your 2026 holidays stress-free and exciting from the get-go. Chill is here to help you travel smarter, save more, and stay protected, no matter where you're headed this year.

Ready to see your options? Get a quote from Chill and find the cover that's right for you at Chill Travel Insurance.