Travel Insurance for the United Kingdom

Author: Melissa A.

Published: March 5th, 2024 | Updated: March 5th, 2024
Read time: 6 mins

Whether the allure of a unique shopping, dining out or pub experience drawing Canadians or an exciting visit to London’s landmarks, museums, galleries, castles, and historical sites, we are all about the United Kingdom (UK), making it one of our top travel destinations. When planning a trip to the United Kingdom, it’s essential to consider the type of trip you will be taking, the kind of activities you will be participating in, your prepaid travel expenses and what you will bring along with you. Travelling to a foreign country isn’t something you should take lightly – you could get seriously ill or injured, your trip could get cancelled, you could be a victim of theft, lose your passport, or get into a fender bender. Therefore, you can never be too prepared. Travel insurance can financially protect you from unexpected events before or during your holiday.

Do I need travel insurance for the UK?

Travel insurance for the UK is optional for Canadians. However, it is recommended when travelling abroad because your government health insurance plan (GHIP) will likely not cover medical expenses you could incur while you are overseas. Some countries only provide medical treatment if you have medical travel insurance or can pay medical expenses upfront and out-of-pocket. When you have travel insurance, you are financially protected and can be reimbursed for risks and losses you could experience while travelling up to a limit indicated in your policy.

If you opt to get (what is commonly referred to as) UK travel insurance for your trip, consider, at minimum, either travel medical insurance (commonly known as emergency medical insurance) or all-inclusive insurance. Health insurance for UK travel can provide coverage for emergency medical and non-medical events. All-inclusive insurance offers a combination of coverages, including emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss and delay, and more.

Tailor a travel insurance plan to suit your unique travel needs by incorporating options and add-ons that may not already be included in a plan. For example, coverage for pre-existing conditions, COVID-19, trip cancellation or cancel for any reason (CFAR), high-risk and adventure sports activities, personal belongings theft protection and rental car damage.

What does UK travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance plans are all different. They vary by provider. However, most plans will typically cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation and repatriation, 24/7 emergency assistance, trip cancellation, interruption, delay, missed departure or connections, baggage loss and delay, personal effects, personal liability, and sports and activities that are not high risk or competitive. Some plans may even cover senior citizens/Canadian residents 60+, pre-existing conditions, COVID-19, terrorism, high-risk and adventure sports activities, and gadgets. Review the fine print of a policy for UK trip insurance before you buy it and pay close attention to its terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions so you know what you will and will not be covered for. Once you have purchased a policy, please bring it with you when you travel and leave a copy with a family member or close friend back home.

How much is travel insurance to the UK?

Travel insurance for international travel to the United Kingdom will cost an average of 4%-10% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost. Risk factors that affect trip cost are based on the age of the traveller(s), the number of travellers, trip duration and the level of coverage. For example, if you require travel insurance for one or multiple trips. Additional risk factors that can increase your premium include destination if it’s high-risk or remote, limits, deductible, options, and add-ons. To know what travel insurance for United Kingdom will cost you, visit us online to get a personalized quote and compare plans.

There is cost-saving travel insurance coverage available. Annual trip insurance for multi-trips within a year will be more expensive than single-trip insurance but more cost-effective in the long run. Family travel insurance is also cost-effective because family members living in the same household are insured under one policy, and children are often insured for free.

Is travel insurance required for UK visitor visa?

United Kingdom travel insurance (as it’s often referred to) is not required for any UK visitor visa. However, travel insurance is strongly recommended. For example, if you are faced with an unforeseen medical emergency, you could be out-of-pocket tens of thousands to millions of dollars for medical expenses as a foreigner.

If you have a Canadian passport, you can travel internationally to the United Kingdom for up to six months. No visitor visa is required. Although, by the end of 2024, Canadians planning to travel to the United Kingdom will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for permission to enter. To obtain an eTA, you must apply a few days before your trip because it takes up to 72 hours for approval, and if you don’t apply before your trip, you could be fined. To apply, you must complete an online application and submit your passport information, travel details, email address, and payment method for a small application processing fee. You will also have to answer a suitability questionnaire. An eTA is valid for up to six months; therefore, you can revisit the United Kingdom within that timeframe without applying for another one. For those of you whose country of origin is not Canada and who do not hold a Canadian passport but are living in Canada, you will need to follow UK government immigration rules.

What is the best travel insurance for the UK?

The best type of Great Britain travel insurance is based on your travel needs. Before you begin looking at plans, research your travel needs thoroughly so you know exactly what types of coverage you require. For example, suppose you are planning to travel through the United Kingdom and the Schengen Area. In that case, backpacker travel insurance can be a great fit because it allows you to visit multiple countries for 18-24 months. It also allows you to return home and jet set off again. Or suppose you are planning to cruise the British Isles, then cruise insurance will suit you. Or if you are a student planning to study full-time abroad, student travel insurance will suffice.

Be aware of what you already have coverage for because you might only need to fill in coverage gaps. For example, if you pay for your United Kingdom trip with your travel rewards credit card, you can be eligible for the travel insurance coverage offered when you make your first trip payment. Therefore, you need to supplement coverage you do not already have with traditional travel insurance.

A suitable policy for a trip to the United Kingdom will typically include coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, medical emergencies, emergency evacuation and repatriation, pre-existing conditions, baggage loss and delay, personal effects, gadgets, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Add any additional coverage to a policy that you will need. When looking at plans, closely read the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions to know what you will and will not be covered for.

Travel insurance for UK residents visiting Canada

UK residents visiting Canada for various reasons, whether vacationing, seeing family, working, or attending school, are encouraged to get Visitors To Canada travel insurance. Visitors To Canada (VTC) travel insurance offers various levels of emergency medical coverage while you are in Canada. Unfortunately, you are not eligible for a Canadian government health insurance plan (GHIP). Without emergency medical travel insurance, you must pay costly, out-of-pocket medical expenses if a medical emergency arises.