Every Ryanair booking ends with the same question: do you want to add travel insurance? It is easy to tick the box and move on, but that is not always the right call. The insurance Ryanair sells at checkout has real limitations, and the price is not always competitive.
This guide explains exactly what Ryanair travel insurance covers, what it does not, and whether you would be better off buying elsewhere. If you are still deciding whether to book with Ryanair at all, our guide on how far in advance Ryanair releases flights can help you plan ahead and get the best fares before you commit.
Who underwrites Ryanair travel insurance?
Ryanair sells insurance through Cover Genius, which operates the XCover platform. The policies are underwritten by Europ Assistance, part of the Allianz Partners group. That means a large, reputable insurer is behind the product, which is a point in its favour.
You can buy single-trip or annual multi-trip policies. The cover is available when you book, or you can add it later through your Ryanair account.
What does Ryanair travel insurance cover?
The standard policy includes:
- Emergency medical expenses up to 150,000 euros
- Cancellation due to illness or injury
- Missed departure due to transport failure
- Delayed or lost luggage
- Personal liability and legal expenses
- Repatriation if you are hospitalised abroad
The 150,000 euro medical limit is adequate for most European trips. If you are travelling to the US or further afield, you would typically want a higher limit, but Ryanair mostly operates within Europe so this is rarely a practical problem.
What Ryanair travel insurance does not cover
This is where the policy becomes more restrictive. The key exclusions are:
- Pre-existing medical conditions: the standard policy does not cover claims arising from conditions you had before buying. You would need to declare these and pay extra, if cover is available at all.
- Travellers over 70: medical expenses cover does not apply to anyone aged 70 or over unless you add a senior upgrade. This is a significant limitation for older travellers.
- COVID-19 cancellation: cancellation because of coronavirus is excluded from standard cover.
- Change of mind: if you simply decide not to travel, you are not covered. Cancellation only applies if you are prevented from travelling for a specific insured reason.
- Extreme sports and activities: skiing, water sports, and similar activities require an add-on.
Many of the most common reasons people actually need to cancel, including a pre-existing condition flaring up, a positive COVID test, or changing plans, are not covered as standard. That is worth knowing before you assume the box-tick at checkout has you fully protected.
How much does Ryanair travel insurance cost?
Prices start from around 20 euros per person for a single trip, though the cost rises with age, destination, and trip length. A family of four could easily pay 80 to 120 pounds for a week in Europe.
That is not inherently expensive, but comparison sites such as MoneySuperMarket and Compare the Market routinely show policies from established insurers at similar or lower prices, often with broader cover and higher medical limits.
What are the claims like?
Claims are handled by Cover Genius via the XCover platform, rather than going through Ryanair directly. Reviews on Trustpilot and consumer forums are mixed. Basic claims, such as a delayed bag, tend to be processed without major issues. More complex claims, particularly medical or cancellation claims, generate more complaints.
A common pattern in negative reviews is customers discovering at the point of claim that an exclusion applies and the claim being denied. This is not unique to Ryanair’s insurance, but it reinforces the importance of reading the policy wording before you buy, not after.
Is Ryanair travel insurance worth it?
For most travellers, no. The cover is adequate at the basic level, but the exclusions are extensive, and you can almost always find a better-value policy by spending five minutes on a comparison site.
The main argument in favour is convenience. If you forget to arrange insurance separately and are about to fly, it is better to have Ryanair cover than nothing.
If you travel more than twice a year, an annual multi-trip policy from a comparison site will almost certainly be cheaper and give you wider cover. If you have pre-existing conditions, or if anyone travelling is over 70, you need a specialist policy regardless. Ryanair’s insurance is not designed for those situations.
Also worth checking: your existing bank account may include travel insurance as a perk. Some premium and packaged current accounts include annual worldwide cover. If you hold one of those, you may already have insurance you are not using.
For guidance on other things to watch out for when flying Ryanair, see our pages on Ryanair’s hand luggage rules and what happens if your Ryanair flight is cancelled.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ryanair travel insurance cover cancellation?
Yes, but only for specific insured reasons such as illness or injury. It does not cover cancellations due to COVID-19, change of mind, or pre-existing conditions unless you have paid for additional cover.
Can I add Ryanair insurance after booking?
Yes. You can add it through your Ryanair account after booking, as long as you do it before your departure date. It is not only available at the point of purchase.
Is Ryanair travel insurance good for over-70s?
The standard policy excludes medical expenses for travellers aged 70 and over. You would need to add senior cover, which raises the cost. Specialist insurers are usually better value for older travellers.
Who do I claim with for Ryanair travel insurance?
Claims go through Cover Genius on the XCover platform, not Ryanair directly. You log in at xcover.com to submit and track claims.
