Do you need travel insurance for the UK?

With the UK’s lively cities, beautiful countryside and historic sites, it’s no wonder so many of us choose to holiday at home. In fact, Brits take around two UK breaks a year.

But if you’re going on a holiday in the UK, you might be wondering, is travel insurance necessary? Unlike going abroad where the costs of medical treatment can be astronomical, it can be tempting to skip getting cover if you’re holidaying in the UK.

However, travel insurance is about much more than covering the costs of care if you become ill. Here’s why it’s important to get travel insurance for a staycation.

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Travel insurance for the UK might require you to be away for a minimum number of nights and distance from home. Check before you buy.

Should I get travel insurance if I’m staying in the UK?

It could be a good idea. While it’s not compulsory to have travel insurance for a staycation, it can be very useful. Although you won’t have to pay for medical treatment in the UK thanks to the NHS, travel insurance can protect you financially if things go wrong on your trip – and not just medical emergencies.

Does travel insurance cover staycations?

You’ll need to check with the insurer, but many travel insurance policies will cover holidays in:

• England
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland
• Wales
• The Isle of Man
• The Channel Islands
  
  

Check your policy covers your destination.

There may be minimum limits on how long you’re going away for and how far you have to be from your own home. With Ageas travel insurance, you need to be at least 50 miles from your home and to have pre-booked at least two nights’ accommodation or pre-booked transport.

Can I get NHS treatment in the Channel Islands?

The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man aren’t part of the NHS. However, you can get free emergency medical treatment there under reciprocal health agreements with the UK.

What does UK travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance policies can cover as standard:

• Cancelling or cutting short your trip

  If your trip is cancelled or cut short for reasons listed in your policy, travel insurance can make sure you’re not out of pocket. That’s why it makes sense to buy travel insurance as soon as possible after you’ve booked and put money down.

• Travel delay

  Ageas travel insurance includes delays to trips to the Channel Islands, but not elsewhere in the UK.

• Personal belongings and money

  Cover for baggage, valuables or cash if they’re lost, stolen or damaged on your trip. Some policies also offer specific cover for loss or damage to gadgets, like your mobile phone or laptop, or you can add it on.

• Medical emergencies and repatriation

  You won’t need cover for the cost of emergency medical treatment if you’re holidaying in the UK. But travel insurance can also cover the cost of getting you home if you fall ill.

• Legal and liability

  This can cover you if you need to claim compensation, or if you’re found liable for damaging someone’s else’s property or causing them illness, injury or death.

• Personal accident

  You can get a payout if you have an accident and suffer a serious injury as described in your policy.
  
  

Do I already have insurance for my staycation?

You might already have some cover for the personal belongings you take with you under your home insurance. So again, make sure you check your policy and make sure you’ve got the right cover to relax and enjoy your UK break.

Find out more about our Travel insurance.

Sources

https://help.staysure.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/8721712543889-Will-I-be-covered-by-the-NHS-in-the-Channel-Islands-or-Isle-of-Man

UK and Guernsey strike landmark reciprocal healthcare deal - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

https://www.gov.je/Health/Travelling/pages/visitingjersey.aspx