Don’t get caught offside...

As Canada, Mexico and the United States prepare to host the World Cup, Aviva is urging football fans to take out travel cover and declare any medical conditions to their insurer.  

The warning comes as Aviva travel data – based on medical assistance claims over the last year - reveals the high cost of medical treatment abroad, particularly in North America.

The United States remains the most expensive country worldwide for medical treatment, with average bills of £8,622 according to Aviva claims data. By comparison, costs stand at £7,823 in Canada and £4,827 in Mexico on average – all well above the global average of £4,337.

In more serious cases, medical assistance claims can reach as much as £500,000.

While medical costs are highest overall in the United States, costs in Canada can be significant. For example, in 2025, expenses for respiratory treatment averaged £21,782 – including conditions such as bronchitis.

James Devereux, Travel Manager at Aviva, comments: “Travel insurance is designed to protect you when the unexpected happens - from something relatively minor, like an ear infection that delays your trip, to more serious incidents such as a broken limb.

“If you were to become unwell abroad, travel insurance can help cover the cost of emergency medical treatment, hospital stays and medication, as well as medical repatriation back to the UK in more serious cases. Many insurers also offer a 24/7 helpline, giving you access to medical advice and support wherever you are in the world whenever you need it.

“What a lot of people don’t know, is that it can also help cover accommodation costs while you recover, as well as alternative travel home if you’re too unwell to take your flight home as planned.

“When arranging travel insurance, it’s essential to declare any existing or pre‑existing medical conditions - even illnesses you’ve previously recovered from. Failing to do so could mean you’re unable to make a claim if you unfortunately need medical treatment while abroad. It’s also important to double check the limits on your policy – particularly if you plan to stay for the whole of the tournament – as some policies only cover trips up to 31 days duration. Taking out insurance as soon as you’ve booked ensures you are protected from the get-go.”

The top 10 travel myths debunked by Aviva:

1. Travel insurance only provides cover for medical costs

MYTH!  Although travel insurance can provide cover for illness or injury, it also offers protection for other scenarios. For example, if a traveller needed to cancel their trip due to their home being burgled or becoming uninhabitable after serious damage (such as a fire) – something that 5% of Brits have unfortunately experienced^[2] – a travel insurance policy may cover any unrecoverable costs resulting from postponing or cancelling a trip altogether. Travel insurance can also offer protection for redundancy and jury service. In the case of anyone travelling to multiple World Cup host cities, a travel policy could provide cover if something – such as a natural disaster – disrupts the rest of their trip.

2. I don’t need to disclose an illness I have recovered from

MYTH! When it comes to your health – or the health of anyone named on your policy – it’s important to speak with your insurer about any existing or pre‑existing medical conditions, as well as any tests or investigations you’ve had or are waiting for. Some insurers also require you to report any changes in your health between purchasing the policy and travelling, or at renewal, as this may affect your cover. As requirements vary between insurers, it’s always best to check with them directly if you are unsure.

3. All policies automatically provide cover for travel disruption

MYTH! Some travel insurance policies cover unexpected or additional travel and accommodation costs, allowing you to either continue your trip or return home safely. For example, if a natural disaster prevented you from reaching your accommodation, you may be covered for any alternative accommodation costs providing it is of a similar standard and that you keep hold of any receipts. While Aviva’s Signature Travel Insurance includes cover for travel disruption, policies can differ between insurers, so it’s wise to check your policy documents prior to travelling.

4. Travel insurance covers me anywhere in the world

IT DEPENDS! Although most insurers will offer policies for European or Worldwide cover, there can be some variation when it comes to the countries covered under these terms. For example, some policies may offer worldwide cover which excludes the United States, Canada and Caribbean Islands and others may have certain criteria when it comes to which countries are classed as being in Europe.  Checking your policy documents to see which countries are covered takes only a few minutes, but could save you thousands of pounds in the event you needed to make a claim.

If the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) also advises against travel – which is the case in certain parts of Mexico - and you choose to go regardless, you wouldn’t be able to make a claim on your travel insurance. Should FCDO travel advice change after a trip has already been booked, travel insurance may help cover the cost of cancellation.

Although it may seem straightforward, guidance can change quickly, so it’s important to regularly check both the official government website and any local government sources for advice before you book your trip and before you set off.

5. I don’t need to buy travel insurance until the day I go

MYTH! Aviva research reveals that 4% of Brits intend to buy their travel insurance at the airport and the same amount also intend to buy it once they’ve reached their destination^[2]. However, doing so could leave them unable to make a claim, as most insurers require trips to begin in the UK and won’t cover a journey that has already started. As this technically begins the moment you leave your front door, it’s good practice to take out insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday. Taking out cover as soon as you’ve booked also means you are protected in the lead up to your trip – and not just while on the trip itself.

6. Travel insurance covers me for any activity

IT DEPENDS! Double check your policy documents to see whether the activities planned for your trip are included in your cover. While some policies exclude higher‑risk sports or winter sports, you can usually add on cover for these activities for an additional fee.

7. An annual travel policy protects me for a year

YES AND NO! An annual policy is ideal for frequent travellers, as it provides cover for multiple trips during the 12-month period it is active. However, most policies limit each individual trip to around 30 or 31 days. If you are planning to travel for longer, you may need to contact your insurer to request an extension to your trip duration.

8. Travel insurance will provide cover in the event I lose my passport or have the incorrect visa

IT DEPENDS! If you lose your passport or it gets stolen during your trip, certain policies – such as Aviva Signature Travel Insurance - can cover the cost of emergency travel documents, as well as virtual support on how to apply for an emergency passport while overseas. If you also took out baggage cover, you may be covered for the cost of a passport.

However, travel insurance would not cover you if you failed to get the correct visa and were denied entry to that country as a result. Guidance can change quickly,  so it’s important to regularly check FCDO advice before travelling.

9. Travel insurance will cover me for any scams

MYTH! Though travel insurance protects you for a range of events, booking scams are unfortunately not covered under most travel policies. There are lots of helpful guides to help travellers be vigilant when booking a trip away.

10. Travel insurance only covers me for overseas trips

MYTH! In the event you were unwell, for example, and needed to cancel – or cut short - your trip, travel insurance can provide cover for any unused travel and accommodation both abroad and in the UK. For holidays in the UK, most travel insurance policies will cover pre-booked holiday accommodation of two nights or more.

-ends-

References:

^1.  _{Aviva travel claims data January-December 2025 [↑]}

^2. _{Research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 nat rep. The data was collected between 13.02.2026 - 16.02.2026. [↑]}

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