Travel Insurance for Great Britain
What Canadians need to know before travelling to Great Britain
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to Great Britain. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in Great Britain like hiking, coasteering and biking.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip delays and lost luggage.
Great Britain delivers more than just the iconic sights and experiences of London, although who can resist checking off Buckingham Palace, riding a big red bus and wandering the hallowed halls of the Tower of London? Great Britain comprises Wales and Scotland too, which just might be two of the friendliest countries in the world. Whether you’re enjoying a pint in a pub in Edinburgh or the Cotswolds, hiking the Highlands or wild Pembrokeshire coast, or exploring the wind-worn castles of yesteryear, the UK holds many a Canadian in its spell – almost a million visit each year. With any luck, the worst you’ll deal with is a hangover after a big night out – but it pays to be prepared for more serious surprises. That’s when you’ll be glad you got travel insurance.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different coverages or levels of coverage.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your Great Britain trip. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in Great Britain
With its windswept coastlines, rolling countryside and wild highlands, Great Britain is bigger on adventure than you might expect. Hike or bike the Lake District’s fells or roam Scotland’s Highlands, where lochs, peaks and big skies set the scene. In Wales, Snowdonia delivers mountain hikes and high-speed ziplines for a shot of adrenaline. Down south, Cornwall’s surf beaches draw wave-chasers (don’t forget to pack your wetsuit), while calmer waters invite kayaking, paddleboarding and what locals like to call ‘wild swimming’. Along the coasts of Cornwall, Wales and Scotland, coasteering is another thrill if you’re feeling brave – you’ll scramble over rocks, swim through sea channels and leap into the ocean from rugged cliffs.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for Great Britain
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be patting yourself on the back that you sorted your travel insurance before you left home. Hit by a car crossing the street? Fell off your bike on a mountain trail and broke your leg? Ate a dodgy curry and came down with a bad bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home to care for your fur baby. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here.
Missing luggage
Nothing gets a trip off to a rocky start quite like arriving at Heathrow without your bags. If your checked luggage is lost or delayed, travel insurance benefits may help reimburse you for lost items. Keep original receipts for any personal items you buy – like toothbrushes, prescription medication or a change of clothes. The first step is always to report missing luggage to your carrier and check what compensation they may provide.
Lost or stolen gear
Even the most careful of travellers can face that sinking feeling when they realise they’ve left their passport or wallet on the train, or that an opportunist has taken off with their phone or camera and there’s no hope of getting it back. Whether you bought the lost or stolen item on your trip (and have the receipts to show for it) or carried it with you from home, travel insurance may be able to reimburse you.
Tips for travelling to Great Britain
- Before you leave Canada, check the Canadian government’s safety warnings for the UK and review the latest advice.
- Prevent credit card and ATM fraud by using ATMs in public or secure locations (inside a bank or business). Avoid machines that look tampered with, cover the keypad when entering your PIN and regularly check your statements for unauthorised transactions.
- Avoid walking alone or catching public transport by yourself late at night – stick with others where you can, or take a taxi or reputable rideshare service instead.
- Be wary of accepting drinks from strangers and avoid leaving drinks unattended – drink spiking is known to happen.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Great Britain. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit Great Britain?
Canadians don’t need a visa for short visits to Great Britain (the UK), typically up to six months. Entry requirements can change, so check official government advice before you travel.
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Is it safe to travel to Great Britain?
England, Wales and Scotland are generally considered safe for travellers, but Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of terrorism – much like other parts of Europe. Petty theft can also be a problem, especially in bigger cities, so keep valuables secure and stay aware of your surroundings.
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What is the best time to visit Great Britain?
Late spring to early autumn (May to September) offers the best weather, longer daylight hours and plenty of festivals. Summer is busiest, while spring and autumn can be a quieter time to visit.
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Is healthcare free for travellers in Great Britain?
Healthcare in Great Britain is not free for most visitors. While emergency treatment may be available, you can be charged for care, making travel insurance important.
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How expensive is Great Britain for travellers?
Great Britain can be expensive, particularly in London, but costs vary by region. Travelling outside major cities and booking in advance can help keep expenses down.
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Can I use my mobile phone and data in Great Britain?
You can use your phone in Great Britain, but roaming charges may apply depending on your provider. Check your plan before you travel or consider a local SIM or eSIM for better value.
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Do I need travel insurance for Great Britain?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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How do I make a claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
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What if my passport gets stolen in Great Britain?
World Nomads travel insurance plans cover theft or damage of the following documents:
- Passports
- Driver’s licenses
- Birth certificates
- Travel visas
You can claim up to the maximum limit stated in the policy towards the replacement of your passport or one or more other travel documents mentioned above.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.