Explorer Travel Insurance Discount Code July 2025

Travel insurance is, from most people's perspective, an afterthought. A line item reluctantly ticked at the end of a booking form - important, but not exactly stirring stuff. Still, anyone who's lost a bag at Heathrow or had appendicitis in Ibiza knows its value. The problem is, most insurers sound as if they're trying to upsell you a sunhat. Clichés about "peace of mind" do little to build actual trust. Explorer Travel Insurance, for its part, does not promise to revolutionise the industry. It mostly aims to do the basics right - which, in the rather staid world of travel cover, could actually be enough.

A website that won’t win any design awards - but doesn’t need to

Explorer Travel Insurance doesn’t dazzle with graphics or animation. The website is clean, plain and - dare we say it - refreshingly dull. The homepage serves up the essential categories: Single Trip, Annual Multi Trip, Cruise, Winter Sports, Backpacker. Navigation is brisk. Even the quote form feels like it was designed by someone who's filled one out themselves. The overall vibe is less "start-up disrupting a legacy industry" and more "competent office in Essex." Which, as it turns out, is exactly where the company is based.

The coverage: not glamorous, just thorough

Explorer offers a solid menu of policy options. The Single Trip and Annual Multi Trip policies are the core offerings. The Annual policy is standard fare - unlimited trips during a 12-month period (up to 31 days each), and cheaper if you're under 65. The Cruise policy adds in extras for things like missed ports and cabin confinement (which, to be clear, is not just being bored at sea). The Winter Sports plan includes off-piste skiing, though only with "a guide or within resort boundaries." So no, your mate Gary doesn’t count as a qualified Alpine safety officer.

Backpacker insurance is available too, covering longer-term travel and adventurous itineraries. Like most budget backpacker insurance plans, it is slightly generous in its use of the word "comprehensive." You’re likely covered if you hurt yourself coasteering in Portugal, but less so if your 2007 MacBook gets wet in Thailand. Gadget cover exists, but is sold as an add-on via Bastion Insurance Services - useful if you’re carrying expensive tech, though limits apply.

Medical conditions? Age limits? Surprisingly decent flexibility

One of Explorer's selling points is that it has no upper age limit, which is rare among budget insurers. For those with pre-existing medical conditions, they offer coverage - though disclosure is essential and some conditions will bump up the premium. For more serious cases, they point customers to the BIBA (British Insurance Brokers’ Association) directory, which is about as NHS-ish as private travel insurance ends up feeling. That’s not a knock - it’s a mark of transparency.

COVID-19: yes, it’s covered (to a point)

The policies do include COVID-19 cover, although - as ever - not everything is guaranteed. Medical treatment abroad is covered. Cancellation due to testing positive before departure is, too. What’s not included? Lockdowns or changes in government travel advice. So if you suddenly can’t go to Florence because everything’s shut down again, that’s classed as "unfortunate," not "claimable."

Pricing, promos and the subtle discount hustle

Prices are competitive, especially for younger travellers and single trips to Europe. Annual cover might not be the cheapest on the market if you’re over 70, but it’s within reason. From time to time, Explorer offers voucher codes or limited-time discounts - 10% here, £5 off there. Email sign-ups sometimes unlock small savings or student/parent discounts. There’s little in the way of flashy promotional activity, and that's probably wise. It is travel insurance, after all, not a flash sale on limited-edition trainers.

Claims and cancellations: boring but fair

The claims process is about as exciting as filling out a government form - which is to say, it exists largely to be endured. Reviews suggest the response time is reasonable, especially if all your documents are in order (a big "if" when you’re uploading PDFs from a beach in Koh Rong). Refunds and cancellations follow standard FCA guidelines. If you cancel within 14 days and haven’t travelled or made a claim, you’ll get your money back.

The reality check

Explorer Travel Insurance is not trying to reinvent the wheel because, frankly, the travel insurance wheel doesn’t need reinventing. What it does try to do - and mostly succeeds at - is demystify a part of travel most people would rather not deal with. The website is easy to use, the policies are reasonably transparent, and the prices are solid. It's not glamorous. No one will be bragging at dinner about their great-value Annual Multi Trip policy. But it works. And when your bag’s halfway to Brisbane by itself, that’s what matters.

What you need to know