Travel insurance is mainly associated with trips abroad, but did you know that you can get the same cover for staycations in the UK?
We explain whether you need to buy travel insurance for a holiday in the UK, and how it could help during a staycation.
What does UK travel insurance cover?
You can still run into problems when you take a trip in the UK, even if you’re still in your home country. This is why travel insurance for a UK trip is useful.
If you’re taking out a single-trip policy, we offer UK travel insurance as standalone cover. If you’re taking out an annual multi-trip policy, the UK comes under our Europe cover.
Below are a few things you’re covered for with us.
Cancelling or cutting short your trip
Cancellation insurance includes cancelling a trip before you leave and cutting your trip short in an emergency.
This can be for many reasons such as the death, illness, or injury to 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 book for more information about your cover.
Lost, delayed or damaged personal belongings
If your belongings are misplaced, damaged or stolen during your trip or they’re delayed by more than 12 hours after you arrive at your destination, you might be able to make a 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. Valuables, money and travel documents must be stored in a locked safety deposit box or safe (where one is available) to be covered.
You also need to report the loss or theft of your money, passport or travel documents to us within 24 hours if you want to make a claim.
Again, exclusions apply and you should always check your policy book for more information. You can also head to your online account to check your policy documents.
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’s also no NHS medical cover for UK travellers in the Channel Islands.
Don’t forget that exclusions apply, and you should always check your policy book for more information.
Do I need travel insurance for Northern Ireland?
Yes. We offer travel insurance for Northern Ireland. Usually, we’ll cover you for trips to:
- Northern Ireland
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- The Isle of Man
- Channel Islands
What about my home insurance and breakdown cover while I’m away?
Your contents insurance policy may include cover away from home for things like theft. You can check if personal possessions cover is included on your policy schedule.
If included in your policy, we’ll cover loss or damage to you or your family’s personal possessions up to the policy limit, or any explicitly specified items.
Some high-value items need to be named on your policy (known as a specified or declared item) to be covered while travelling. For example, a camera worth over £2,000 will need to be added as a specified item, and 'cover away from home' selected before you go.
If you’re travelling in the UK in your own car and break down, you might be covered for costs related to your car if you have our national breakdown cover.
You won’t be able to claim on your travel insurance for your own car troubles (like car repairs or being towed home).
Can I get cover for both UK and abroad trips?
Yes. Our annual multi-trip travel insurance covers you for up to 31 days in a row for trips in the UK and abroad. The UK comes under our Europe cover on our multi trip policies.
Our UK travel insurance is available on our single and multi trip policies if the UK trip is two nights or longer. If the trip is only one night, UK travel insurance is only available under Single Trip cover.
If you need cover for longer, then let us help you. Just choose how many days you need insurance for, and we’ll give you a quote if we can cover you.
If you’re only planning on one trip this year (lasting up to 365 days), single-trip travel could meet your personal circumstances and needs.
