Secret: your Umrah Travel Formalities already covers compulsory Saudi insurance up to a value of SR 100,000 (which is around £21,000). But there are some serious gaps in that baseline coverage — and they could leave you dangerously exposed on the path of your pilgrimage.
Over the past two years, since we began supporting more than 300 UK families to find their way through Umrah insurance via our ATOL-protected travel agency, I’ve seen claims rejected for reasons pilgrims never anticipated. Between the right cover and a £15,000 medical bill lies knowing what is excluded from your policy.
The Two-Tier Insurance Truth Nobody Tells You
Most travel agents skip over this, but you’re working with two levels of insurance:
TIER 1: Required Saudi Coverage (included automatically in your Travel Formalities fee)
This standard policy also provides coverage for COVID-related complications, sudden emergencies, serious medical situations and flight mishaps. The coverage tops out at SR 100,000 and is automatically activated when you enter Saudi Arabia.
Layer 2: Further UK based Travel Insurance (usually £25-£50 for most pilgrims)
This covers some of the things on Saudi coverage you may not have, such as trip cancellations in home country before travel, baggage problems and higher medical expense limits. I saw a Birmingham family lose £3,400 when flights were cancelled last Ramadan because they believed the Travel Formalities insurance included pre-departure cancellations. It doesn’t.
What All This Covers: A Detailed List
Here’s what standard Umrah travel insurance actually covers 47 denied claims from major UK providers analysed
Medical Emergencies During Your Trip
Emergency hospital treatment in Saudi Arabia, ambulance fees, prescription drugs required urgently and emergency dental treatment (normally subject to a limit of £500). I’ve had heat exhaustion resulting in the need for IV fluids (£1,200) proving payed out, broken bones from what I assumed were slips in crowded areas (£4,800) being paid (it wasn’t), and severe food poisoning that needed hospitalization (£2,300).
Trip Cancellation & Interruption
You are covered if you can’t go on your trip due to: an immediate family member falling ill or passing away (within 14 days before the departure), being called for jury duty, a court subpoena, house burglary in the past 48 hours of departure and redundancy from permanent full-time employment (usually of at least two years service).
Baggage Protection
Lost, stolen or damaged luggage (£1,500-£2,500 depending on what tier you’re on). Compensation for delayed baggage applies after 12 hours, usually entitling you to around £100-£150 worth of necessities. Keep receipts for everything.
Emergency Repatriation
If you’re too sick to fly with a commercial carrier, the insurer pays for medical evacuation to the U.K. Uncovered, these costs are £25,000-£75,000 and so it’s potentially the most valuable benefit of all.
What is NOT Included: The Nasty Surprises
And that’s when families get snagged. Standard Umrah packages policies specifically exclude:
Pre-Existing Medical Condition (other than those listed below) u unless disclosed in the health declaration and accepted.
Diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, asthma, previous surgeries in a year. You need to declare everything at purchase. I saw a £8,700 cardiac emergency claim from a pilgrim in Leicester get turned down because he hadn’t mentioned his controlled hypertension. “Controlled” is not “cured,” in the language of insurance.
High-Risk Activities & Mishaps
Basic policies don’t cover injuries sustained while climbing Jabal al-Nour or Jabal Thawr. Nor are scooter rentals, quad trips in the desert or accidents while unsupervised ziyarat to far-flung places. A £2,100 knee surgery from a fall off a scooter by one family? Denied.
Routine & Preventative Care
Do you need a prescription refill for current medications? That’s your expense. Regular check-ups, vaccinations and monitoring a pre-existing condition are all excluded from coverage. If you take daily medications, pack at least a three-month supply.
Non-Emergency Dental Work
Broke a tooth eating dates? You may get help with emergency pain relief (capped at £200-£500), but the actual crown/implant as such isn’t. Plan to spend £800-£1,500 on dental work in Jeddah if necessary.
Personal Belongings Left Unattended
Misplaced your phone in the hotel prayer room? Briefcase in a taxi? Not covered. Insurers demand that such care be “reasonable,” and they will ask less about whether you happened to be, say, in the same room where stuff got stolen than what did you know about it or why was that potentially so risky.
Pregnancy-Related Complications (after 32 weeks)
Many policies will not cover pregnant women who are beyond their 32nd week of gestation. If you are pregnant, review the gestational limitations of your policy before booking.
| Coverage Type | ✅ Covered | ❌ NOT Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | Emergencies, illness and accidents | Pre-existing conditions (not declared), routine care, regular check-ups |
| Trip Disruption | Serious illness, family death, redundancy | Changed mind, work issues, lost passport |
| Belongings | Locked luggage or hotel safe break-ins | Valuables over £500 per item, unattended loss |
| Activities | Standard pilgrimage activities | Mountain climbing, motorized vehicles, severe heat exhaustion |
| Cancellation | Serious illness with a Dr. note 14 days pre-departure | Decides not to go, worried because it was cold |
The Real Cost: What You’ll Truly Pay
For a 10-day Umrah trip in 2026, these are the insurance ranges you can expect:
| Age Group | Cost Range | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 18-49 years | £25 – £35 | Single trip, £2M medical cover |
| 50-69 years | £40-£60 | Medical screening necessary |
| Over 70 | £65-£95 | Additional medical questionnaire |
| Family of 4 | £70-£110 | Usually saving 15% to 20% vs individual policies |
The Saudi mandatory insurance is already included in your Travel Formalities fee, so do not pay separately for it. What you’re purchasing is the gap coverage and UK-specific protections.
What Actually to Claim: The 72-Hour Rule
The overwhelming majority of denials don’t turn on disputes over coverage, but rather on technicalities. Here’s How It Really Works:
Within 72 Hours of an Incident:
Round up a police report for theft, stamp and bill from medical facilities, three angled photographs of damaged items and every receipt (including the £3 taxi ride to hospitals).
Within 7 Days of Returning:
All the files at time of submitting your claim in online. Of course, missing the 30-day window cuts approval rates by 63% according to industry stats. Don’t wait to receive all the “perfect organization.”
What Claims Adjusters Actually Want:
Original receipts (photos are often acceptable), official medical documents in English or Arabic with an English translation, proof of payment and your policy number on every form.
Five Questions Pilgrims in the UK Really Ask!
Do I require additional insurance if coverage is part of my Travel Formalities?
Yes, for 90% of pilgrims. The Travel Formalities insurance is emergency-only and does not cover trip cancellations, lost luggage or anything (such as medical care) that might happen before you set foot on Saudi soil. It also doesn’t do you much good if you have to cancel three weeks before your flight because of an illness.
Am I covered by insurance if I’m over 75?
Most standard polices have age restrictions up to 79, but specialist providers such as Staysure and Avanti can provide cover for up to age 85 with you having a medical screening. Anticipate paying at least 2-3x what younger travelers pay.
What if I keep my diabetes a secret?
Any claim that touches that condition is automatically rejected. Even worse, the whole policy could be canceled if they find out you intentionally withheld information. ALWAYS declare everything, even if it up’s your premium.
May I have the coverage for Ramadan 2026 Umrah?
Yes, but book in early January to guarantee current prices. In February, premiums increase between 15% and 25%, ahead of Ramadan departures, on account of heightened demand and risk risks.
Does ATOL protect my insurance?
No. ATOL only covers the financial aspects of your package holiday (flights, accommodation) if your operator goes bust. The travel coverage product is different and the financial strength of the provider must stand on its own.
What to Do Next: The 10-Minute Decision Framework
For example, if you are in the UK, of course a claim through three Umrah travel insurance providers – InsureandGo, Staysure and Columbus Direct – are known to process claims. Get quotes with the same amount of coverage so when you compare it’s apples to apples. Search Trustpilot for “Saudi Arabia” or “Umrah” reviews for individual providers to confirm while processing real claims.
Before you buy, administer this three-question test: Does it cover me with my specific medical conditions post-declaration? Is the emergency medical limit over £2M? Can I read the policy before paying?
As that protected pilgrimage makes clear, the gap between a life-saving treatment and a financial nightmare isn’t the cost of your insurance. It’s knowing what you are buying and, maybe even more important, what you are not. All 22 of the exclusions enumerated across those 40-odd pages matter when things go awry.
When booking your pilgrimage, ensure you work with licensed providers offering comprehensive Umrah packages from London or other UK cities. Whether you choose 4-star Umrah packages or budget options, proper insurance coverage remains essential. For ATOL-protected bookings and expert guidance on both travel arrangements and insurance requirements, visit Aqdas Travel.
