Travel insurance might seem like something you only need for a holiday abroad. But even on a trip in the UK, things don’t always go to plan, and you might need extra help.
Here are a few things to know about UK travel insurance and how it could help during a staycation.
Why do I need travel insurance for UK holidays?
Whether you’re enjoying a cottage staycation or a coastal getaway, unexpected things can happen during your trip.
Like any holiday, you can still experience some of these things on a UK trip:
- Lost or stolen luggage
- Transport delays or cancellations
- Cancellations due to unexpected illness or injury
You may also run into legal issues where someone’s been hurt or passed away from the fault of someone else.
When it comes to medical issues, you’ll be able to get emergency care on the NHS if you’re in the UK. But this doesn’t cover things like:
- transport costs to and from the hospital
- a payout if you need to stay in hospital for more than 24 hours
There’s also no NHS medical cover for UK travellers in the Channel Islands.
What does travel insurance cover for UK holidays?
Our travel insurance gives you a safety net for all sorts of things, including:
- cancellation for illness or injury
- personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged
- baggage delays of 12 hours or more
- missed departures (for certain reasons)
Don't forget that limits and exclusions always apply to all of our policies, so check your policy documents in the travel portal to see what you're covered for.
Do I need travel insurance for Northern Ireland?
Travel insurance isn't legally required for any trip you take.
But you may think you really don’t need it for Northern Ireland because it’s part of the UK. And because of this, you can get medical treatment on the NHS in Northern Ireland as a UK citizen.
But you won’t be covered for any other unexpected events that could cost you, like those listed above.
We’ll cover you for trips to:
- Northern Ireland
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- The Isle of Man
- Channel Islands
Remember, you need to permanently live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland to be able to get cover with us.
What doesn’t travel insurance cover?
For any trip, our travel insurance won’t cover:
- cancellations because you changed your mind
- pre-existing conditions you didn’t tell us about
- injuries caused by drug or alcohol use
- stolen items that were left unattended
We also don’t cover cruises, winter sports or adventurous sports if you haven’t added the right cover to your policy.
For a full list of what isn’t covered, check your policy book.
Why do I need to tell you about pre-existing conditions?
It’s important for us to know about any pre-existing medical conditions you have so you’re covered properly for your trip.
We define a pre-existing condition as an illness or injury that you knew about before your policy starts or when you book a trip (whichever is later).
We can’t cover you if you need to claim for a pre-existing condition that you didn’t tell us about beforehand.
We also need to know if you’re waiting for any of the following for an illness or injury:
- test or investigation results
- treatment
- an appointment with a medical professional
Can I get cover for trips in the UK and abroad?
Yes, but it depends on what kind of insurance you get.
We offer two kinds of travel insurance.
Our Single Trip travel insurance covers you for one trip only, whether that’s in the UK or overseas. You can get a new policy every time to book a holiday.
Our Annual travel insurance covers you for multiple trips within a 12-month period. This includes UK and overseas travel (depending on the terms of your policy). It covers UK trips with a minimum two-night stay, so keep this in mind!
Each trip can last up to 31 days, and you can extend it to 45 or 60 days, depending on your age and where you’re heading.
If you want cover for both UK and overseas trips, Annual travel insurance might be the better option for you.
Are my gadgets covered?
Our standard travel insurance doesn’t cover gadgets like phones, e-readers and laptops.
To cover your gadgets, you’ll need to add Gadget cover to your policy. This covers your gadgets for repairs or replacement up to £1,500.
Head to our gadget insurance page to learn more.
Don't forget that limits and exclusions always apply, so check your policy book to see what they are.
Does my home insurance cover my belongings during a UK trip?
Our home insurance covers your belongings when they’re in your home.
To cover your belongings outside of your home, you’ll need personal possessions cover. It covers your items up to £2,000 per item. You can still get cover for more valuable items, but you’ll need to declare them on your policy.
This extra cover can be useful if you lose anything on holiday.
If you’re insured elsewhere, get in touch with your insurer to see what’s covered.
What about my breakdown cover while I’m away?
If you’re travelling in the UK in your own car and break down, our breakdown cover could help with some of the costs.
Travel insurance doesn’t cover troubles with your own car, like repairs or getting your car towed home.
