Do I need travel insurance for a UK holiday?

Travel insurance is mainly associated with trips abroad, but did you know that you can get the same cover for staycations in the UK?

Below we’ve explained whether you should buy travel insurance for a holiday in the UK, and how it could help during a staycation.

What does UK travel insurance cover?

Despite the familiar surroundings, you can still encounter problems when you holiday in the UK. Below are a few things you’re covered for:

Cancelling or cutting short your trip

This includes cancelling a trip after you booked it but before you leave, and cutting your trip short in an emergency.

This can be for a number of reasons such as the death, illness, injury or complications of pregnancy or childbirth of you, your travel companion, a close relative, a close business associate or anyone outside your home area that you planned to stay with.

However, exclusions apply, and you should check your policy documents for more information.

Lost, stolen, damaged or missing personal belongings

If your belongings are misplaced, damaged or stolen during your trip or they don’t arrive in one piece when you arrive at your destination, you may be entitled to claim depending on your policy. 

However, if you aren’t carrying your personal belongings with you, they must be locked out of sight in your accommodation or stored in a locked safety deposit box or safe where available to be covered.

What about medical cover?

Medical cover is a key part of travel insurance when travelling abroad as getting ill abroad is often expensive.

In the UK, your medical care is covered by the NHS. However, UK travel insurance will cover things like: 

• inpatient travel expenses to and from the hospital
• if a doctor advises you to return to your home area

There also isn't any NHS medical cover for UK travellers in the Channel Islands.

Do I need travel insurance for Northern Ireland? 

Usually, we’ll cover you for trips to:

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

You must travel more than 25 miles away from your home address and be staying for two or more consecutive nights to qualify.

What about my home insurance and breakdown cover? 

Your contents insurance policy usually includes cover away from home, check which possessions you have cover for. 

Some items need to be named on your policy (known as a specified item) to be covered while travelling; for example, a piece of jewellery or a camera worth over £1,000 may need to be added as a specified item. 

Most of our content insurance policies cover any loss or damage to you or your family’s personal possessions up to policy limit, or any explicitly specified items.

Your breakdown cover will also be effective if you’re covered for travelling nationally.

Can I get cover for both UK and abroad trips?

Yes. Annual multi-trip travel insurance covers you for up to 31 consecutive days for trips in the UK and abroad.

If you’re only planning on one trip this year, single trip travel insurance is probably better suited for you.