EN Contact us
Member
Photo © Plume Creative
  1. World Nomads
  2. Travel Insurance
  3. Destinations
  4. United Kingdom

Travel insurance when visiting the United Kingdom

What to know when planning your British getaway.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

Ahh, the United Kingdom - home to the British royals, countless unique castles, stunning scenery, and a rich history, which spans from Stonehenge to Shakespeare and beyond. Before you book your trip to the UK - perhaps to see Macbeth at The Globe - get your travel insurance sorted, so the only drama is on stage with the actors.

When planning a trip to the UK the most common issues international travelers face are lost or delayed luggage, or unexpected medical issues. And now you can add Coronavirus to the list. But never fear, follow our travel tips to get the most out of your cover and your holiday in the UK.

What should I look out for when traveling to the United Kingdom

Lost, stolen or delayed baggage cover

It can throw a massive spanner in the works to arrive at Heathrow and find yourself alone at the baggage carousel, watching it go around waiting for your bags to appear. Petty theft is common across Europe, and you could also get your gear stolen on public transport or from your accommodation. 

The good news is that all World Nomads policies offer some cover (up to the policy limits) for loss, theft or damage to baggage or personal items.

Keep in mind that all travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary, depending on what's happened, your Country of Residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy.

What happens if…

  • My bags are stolen or damaged: as soon as you’ve realized your bags have been stolen or damaged please report it to the relevant authority (carrier, tour operator, accommodation provider). In the case of a theft, you’ll also need to report it to the local police or relevant authority, as theft is a crime. Insurance won’t cover things such as losing bags or valuables that were left unattended; this includes if they were left unattended in a car (even if the car is locked). Remember to always keep originals or copies of your receipts if you need to make a claim.
  • My bags are delayed: you may be covered if your bags were delayed. You’ll need to report the incident and get a Property Irregularity Report (or a similar official report) in writing and make a claim directly with the carrier first. You may be able to claim your expenses for any essentials you have to buy to keep you going until your bags are returned. You must get copies of all written reports, luggage checks and tickets, travel documentation and all correspondence with the carrier or service provider if you need to make a claim.

You may also need to take depreciation into account and some policies, depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you purchase, may also have an excess applicable to any claim made. Details on how depreciation works can be found in your policy.

Tips for keeping your luggage safe:

  • Never leave your bags and valuables out of your sight and reach.
  • Always carry your electronics and valuables with you and lock your gear up in a secure location when you can’t take it with you.
  • Remember that if you buy anything, before or during your trip, to keep all receipts.

Overseas medical insurance and cover for Coronavirus-related events

When traveling to the UK, overseas medical insurance is a good idea in case of an accident or sudden illness. You don’t want to be left out of pocket if you have to visit a local doctor, go to hospital, need an urgent trip to the dentist, or even worse, have to be repatriated back to your Country of Residence. All our policies include some level of overseas medical cover, so you can focus on your recovery if you fall ill or have an accident on your travels.

Tips for travel in the UK and Covid-19:

  • It’s always a good idea to wear a face mask when visiting any of the UK’s popular hotspots, even in open-air places such as Stonehenge, London’s parks and palace grounds, or when strolling through the bustling streets of Edinburgh.
  • The level of cover you’ll have for any Coronavirus-related events under our Standard and Explorer plans will depend on your Country of Residence. Check out our Travel Insurance cover for Coronavirus article which goes into more detail on all the benefits, including benefit limits, terms and conditions, and exclusions.

Access to our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team around the clock

Dealing with a medical emergency in a foreign country can be frightening and confusing, but you don’t have to go through it on your own. Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can direct you to nearby appropriate care, talk to doctors, and set up direct payments to the medical facility if needed. If your situation is life-threatening, seek medical help immediately and let us know when you can so we can help with medical assistance and keeping your friends and family informed.

Cover for activities and sports when in the United Kingdom

If you’re looking to get your adrenaline levels up by going hiking in Snowdonia, or camping and mountain biking in the Scottish Highlands, World Nomads offers travel insurance cover for 150+ activities and sports.

Be sure check your policy wording when choosing any activities or sports as you may need to upgrade the policy and sporting level to ensure you’re covered for everything you plan to do. If you’re not sure whether an activity is covered, just contact us.

Are you looking for more travel inspiration for the UK? World Nomads has various articles that cover a range of fun topics on the United Kingdom or check out our articles if you need the latest safety travel alerts.

About World Nomads

World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance – and it’s often cheaper than you might think! Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, quotes are fast, free and you can do it all online at www.worldnomads.com. All the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you*

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Been made redundant?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

True Claims Stories

  • Never travel without insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
    L.D.
    U.S. resident in Spain
  • I recently had a serious injury traveling on my own & the team was amazing. Being confused with a brain injury they took care of everything. Claiming was no problem, they were on the phone constantly to see if all was OK. I can't recommend them enough. Absolutely fantastic & l will always travel with World Nomads Insurance. Thanks guys for getting me home safely.
    A.B.
    Australian in Thailand
  • I was bitten by a monkey at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. I went to a nearby clinic and they gave me a rabies shot, antibiotics to take for 4 days, pain medicine, and anti-inflammatory medicine.
    T.R.
    Canadian in Malaysia

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are 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?

Contact the team