Travel insurance when visiting Great Britain
What to know when planning your British getaway.
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Savouring a quiet ale in a centuries-old British pub is a time-honoured tradition for Aussies jetting off to the UK. From the drama of West End theatre to the dragon-like mists of the Welsh countryside, this island nation packs a punch that keeps Aussies coming back.
- What's covered
- Lost or delayed baggage cover
- Overseas medical insurance and cover for Coronavirus-related events
- Access to our Emergency Assistance Team around the clock
- Cover for activities and sports when in Great Britain
- What's not covered
What's covered
If you head south for the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival in Cornwall, which celebrates all things nautical, it could be worth considering travel insurance to help with those unexpected costs if you are struck down with food poisoning or suffer an injury that lands you in hospital.
World Nomads offers cover (up to the policy limits) for:
- Overseas emergency medical: The charms of the UK can’t prevent life’s surprises. You can submit a claim to recover unexpected medical expenses while travelling around the UK.
- Baggage protection: if your gear is damaged or snatched from under your nose, our gear cover may help with replacing covered items (policy excess applies).
- Family plans: The UK offers spellbinding treats for the whole family; our cover includes 2 adults and up to 8 dependents on the one policy.
- Your plan can be extended while still travelling for up to 12 months from your departure date (terms and conditions apply)
What should I look out for when travelling to Great Britain?
Lost, stolen or delayed baggage cover
A Scottish summer is full of surprises, sea kayaking the sheltered sea lochs of the Western Highlands or even snorkelling the Outer Hebrides Island chain (yes - you’ll need a thick wetsuit!). But if your gear is delayed, damaged or stolen on public transport before you even arrive, our baggage cover can help.
- Bags stolen or damaged: as soon as possible report any theft to the police, and if stolen from your private, locked accommodation, there must be visible evidence of forced entry. You must also report any damage to the relevant authority and make a claim directly with the carrier first. Remember you’ll need official reports, supporting documentation and copies of your receipts if you need to make a claim.
- Bags delayed: if your checked-in baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours, there is cover to replace those essential items and toiletries while you wait for your bags to arrive.
Overseas medical insurance and cover for Coronavirus-related events
No one likes being left out of pocket from unexpected medical costs while travelling. If your hike along the beautiful Seven Sisters coastal walk leaves you hobbling in pain and you need to find a doctor or a hospital, our plans have got your back to recover medically necessary expenses such as hospital stays, prescriptions, outpatient treatment and emergency dental treatment.
Our travel insurance plans include emergency medical and repatriation cover if you get sick with Coronavirus while travelling, but terms and conditions as well as benefit limits apply and vary between plans. It’s always a good idea to wear a face mask when visiting any of the UK’s popular hotspots but if you do get sick, contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team so they can help direct you to local medical facilities if needed and help you understand your options. For all the details including benefit limits and exclusions under our Coronavirus cover, check out our Coronavirus cover article.
Access to our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team around the clock
It’s good to know with World Nomads travel insurance, you can call our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team if you suddenly find yourself in a crisis overseas. The EA 24/7 team can help get you to the nearest medical facility, provide help navigating language barriers, or assist with evacuation for medical reasons.
For injuries where treatment costs are not expected to exceed AUD$2,000, you can submit your receipts for reimbursement. If you are hospitalised or if your treatment expenses as an outpatient are likely to go above AUD$2,000, you must call our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team who will work with us to confirm cover and they will liaise with the hospital on your behalf to arrange payments.
Traveller tip 1: don’t forget when travelling overseas, your Australian passport must have at least six months before its expiry date.
Cover for activities and sports when in Great Britain
Whether it’s caving in the limestone dales of Yorkshire or a canoe trip down the Thames, the UK is a haven for adventure lovers. Whatever the activity, both our Standard and Explorer plans off cover for level 1 sport and adventure activities that include hiking up to 2,000 metres, and activities such as kayaking, horse riding and cycling.
For more adventurous pursuits you may need to upgrade your cover if you’re hiking up to 6,000 metres, for example if you’re going mountain biking or skiing in Scotland. Simply specify all the activities you have planned for your trip when you get your quote, as you can’t add them afterwards. Terms and conditions apply, check your PDS for details or contact us.
If you manage to get some sweet sunshine, the Pembroke coast in Wales has some of the UK’s best beaches as well as being much quieter than the English coast. If you hire a car for a self-drive holiday, the Explorer Plan has cover for the rental insurance excess if you’re involved in an accident. Check out the article on how our road trip insurance can help you.
What's not covered
Travel insurance is not designed to cover everything. Some things we don’t cover include:
- Unattended baggage or personal items, including any items left in a locked car overnight.
- Any pre-existing medical conditions as per your PDS. Check your PDS carefully.
- If you do not use a professional, qualified and licensed guide and operator for activities where required.
- If you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions or what we or the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team advise you to do.
- The policy excess per person per insured event where applicable (check the Summary of Benefits in your PDS).
Traveller tip 2: the number 9 bus in London will take you past the best sights the city has to offer for just a few pounds.
This is not a full list of what's covered and not covered. There may be specific terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that apply depending on what you'll be doing. Please read your PDS carefully. If you’re not sure if something is covered or how to claim, contact us and we’ll let you know.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Been made redundant?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Overseas
Take the pain out of medical costs.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
We'll get you to hospital lickety-split
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Standard Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Overseas Medical Expenses
- Emergency dental treatment
- 24 hour assistance
- Emergency medical transport & repatriation
- Cancellation costs
- Trip interruption costs
- Compassionate emergency visit home
- Resumption of trip
- Theft or accidental damage to baggage and personal items
- Baggage delay over 12 hours
- Funeral expenses overseas or repatriation of remains
- Personal liability
True Claims Stories
24/7 emergency assistance
If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Phone: +61 2 8263 0470 or Phone: +61 2 8292 1470 (reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)
Contact the team
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.