Travel insurance when visiting Great Britain
What to know when planning your British getaway.
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Kiwi nomads planning to visit the UK will be in for unlimited adventure and tradition with four diverse countries to explore its history, culture and plethora of beautiful landscapes. From the iconic White cliffs of Dover to enchanting Edinburgh, and cosmopolitan London, whatever your plans, we hope your trip is drama free.
However, if you need to protect yourself and loved ones while abroad, you can purchase travel insurance, in case you run into trouble or are sick or injured.
With World Nomads, you can buy travel insurance as soon as your trip to the UK is locked in or while you're travelling (waiting periods apply); it’s entirely up to you.
What's covered
If you head south for the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival in Cornwall, which celebrates all things nautical, travel insurance may provide coverage if you are struck down with food poisoning or suffer a boating related 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: our cover includes 2 adults and up to 8 dependents on 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.
If you’re injured or get sick during your trip, World Nomads Travel Insurance may cover your medical treatment, hospitalization and emergency transport including medically necessary repatriation back to New Zealand.
However, you must notify our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as reasonably possible. They will confirm if the treatment is medically necessary and advise you on what to do, help locate suitable medical facilities, and monitor your medical treatments if needed to make sure you are given proper care.
Our travel insurance plans include emergency medical and repatriation cover if you get sick with Coronavirus while travelling, but terms, conditions, limits, exclusions 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 NZD$2000, you can submit your receipts for reimbursement. If you are hospitalised or if your treatment expenses as an outpatient are likely to go above NZD$2,000, you must call our 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, some countries may require your New Zealand passport to be valid for at least six months before it's expiry date as a condition of entry.
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 offer 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 Policy Document for details or contact us.
If you manage to get some sweet sunshine, the Pembrokeshire 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-driven holiday, the Explorer Plan has cover for the rental vehicle insurance excess if you’re involved in an accident. Check out the article on how travel insurance can help you when on a road trip.
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 Policy Document. Check your Policy Document 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 Policy Document).
Traveller tip 2: the number 9, 11 and 24 bus routes in London will take you past some of the best sights the city has to offer for just a few pounds – don’t forget to buy an Oyster card to tap on and off - buses don’t take cash.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Document in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
The information provided is of a general nature and is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form and should not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining professional advice that is specific to your circumstances. You should seek advice from a financial advice provider if you would like further information about whether a particular product is appropriate for you and your circumstances.
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 in a flash
- 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?
From New Zealand & Overseas:
+61 2 8263 0470 or
+61 2 8292 1470
(reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)
Within Australia (Free call): 1800 611 210
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.