UK travel insurance

The UK has enough bucket list attractions to compete with any travel destination around the world. With the historical magnificence of Buckingham Palace, the charming beauty of the English countryside, the prehistoric intrigue of Stonehenge and the raw wilderness of Scottish shores, it’s little wonder that thousands of Kiwis explore the UK each year.

The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and each region has its own identity, attractions and potential challenges for travellers. While some areas of the UK might feel like a home away from home for many New Zealanders, your holiday still needs research, preparation and comprehensive travel insurance.

 

What am I insured for in the UK?

Our award-winning travel insurance offers affordable and comprehensive cover for your trip overseas. With our International Comprehensive travel insurance policy, you can be protected by a wide variety of benefits, generous policy limits and a supportive claims team. You’ll also gain access to our worldwide emergency assistance team, who are there to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our International Comprehensive travel insurance includes cover for:

  • Unlimited medical and evacuation expenses that arise due to unexpected events while on your journey
  • Cancellation fees and lost deposits – increase your cover depending on the cost of your journey
  • Damaged or lost baggage
  • Personal items if they are stolen or damaged
  • Rental car excess should you have an accident
  • Emergency dental treatment
  • Funeral costs 

Do New Zealanders need travel insurance for the UK?

Some Kiwis might assume that because of New Zealand's close relationship with the UK, they don’t need travel insurance when visiting. However, while New Zealand and the UK share a reciprocal health agreement, that provides limited medical cover for New Zealanders in the UK, this doesn’t include protection for emergency dental care, flight cancellations caused by injury, medical evacuation, or any treatment from a medical provider that isn’t part of the National Health Service Scheme.

Unfortunately, medical emergencies aren’t the only thing that can spoil your holiday, which is why protecting yourself with comprehensive insurance is so important.

 

Does my insurance cover me for medical and hospital bills?

Whether it’s a slip and fall, a contaminated restaurant meal, or a bad bout of the flu, medical emergencies can be incredibly expensive. As well as the cost of medical treatment, you may need to pay for more spacious seats on the plane (to accommodate a broken leg, for example). Some injuries and illnesses might force you to extend your holiday, meaning you have to pay for extra accommodation and living expenses until you’re fit to fly.

We understand how upsetting medical emergencies can be while you’re on holiday, which is why our International Comprehensive travel insurance policy can cover you for unlimited medical and evacuation expenses that arise due to unexpected events while on your journey.

 

Am I covered for stolen or damaged valuables, like my phone, camera and laptop?

The UK can feel like a second home for many Kiwis, however that shouldn’t make them complacent with their valuables. Pickpocketing and petty theft is common in the UK. We understand how upsetting it can be to have your valuables stolen overseas, which is why our International Comprehensive travel insurance policy can cover you for loss, damage or theft to valuables that occurs from an unexpected event.

What is an ‘unexpected event’? Your policy defines an unexpected event as something that was unforeseeable, sudden, unintended and out of your control. You can read more about your cover under our International Comprehensive travel insurance policy in our travel insurance policy document.

 

Does my cover include flight cancellations and delays?

Whether it’s severe weather, volcanic ash clouds, or airline workers on strike, there are a number of ways your flight plans can be disrupted. For uninsured travellers, these disruptions can be costly and frustrating, especially when you need to extend your accommodation bookings.

Our International Comprehensive travel insurance policy includes travel interruption cover, that can insure you for the additional costs of accommodation, transport and meals if your travel is interrupted for more than 12 hours. If you’re attending a special event (e.g. a wedding or concert) and your travel is disrupted by an unexpected event, we may also cover alternative transport costs to get you there on time.

 

Am I insured if I rent a car in the UK?

Heading beyond the city centres in a rental car is a great way to explore the charming UK countryside. Raw coastline, rolling hills and rustic villages can all be easily reached in a rental car.

But before hitting the open road in a rental car, travellers should ensure that they’re covered for unexpected accidents under their insurance. If your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen due to an unexpected event, our rental vehicle excess cover can reimburse you for any non-refundable vehicle excess up to $5,000.

If you plan to hit the open road overseas, remember to:

  • Obey all local driving laws
  • Hire your vehicle from a licensed rental car agency
  • Comply with the terms of the rental vehicle agreement
  • Only drive on formed or paved roads and car parks
  • Don’t drink or drive under any circumstances

What you need to know

This page includes some information about our products but, as with all insurance policies, terms and conditions apply. For our terms and conditions (including information about exclusions, excesses and sub limits) we recommend you read the relevant policy documents to ensure our travel insurance products are right for you.

You can find the relevant documents for all our policies here: International Comprehensive, Annual Multi-trip, Domestic, Working Overseas, Visiting New Zealand, International Student 

 



We're here to help

We know how important it is to be able to talk to someone when you need help, that’s why we are available via email, phone and live chat Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 7.00pm, and Saturday, 9am to 5pm, excluding public holidays. And if you find yourself in a medical emergency our Emergency Assistance team are available 24/7 to help, wherever you are in the world.