What is the best travel insurance for the United Kingdom? If you’re planning a trip to this interesting country, you’re probably wondering which international policy is best suited. Along with your accommodation and flights, this is the third pillar on which you should start building this great trip and in this article, you will find all the answers you are looking for.
The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, London in England, Edinburgh in Scotland, the beautiful Isle of Skye in Scotland and the renovated Cardiff in Wales are just a small example of what awaits you on this great journey. To ensure you’re always covered with the best guarantees and know that you’ll always be in the best hands, it’s essential to do so with the best protection.
For this reason, in this detailed guide we are going to show you the best insurance for travelling to the United Kingdom, what is its coverage, its price and how to contract it simply and quickly.
If you already have your accommodation and flights, you can cross UK insurance off your list too, because you’ll have found the one you need in a few minutes. Let’s get started!
Why take out travel insurance to the UK
Although the country has first-rate medical centres and hospitals (as long as you know where and how to find them), healthcare can be a significant expense for tourists, potentially resulting in high bills that could completely ruin your trip.
It’s extremely important to have travel insurance to the UK and ensure that you are covered at all times for medical care.
Having travel insurance not only provides coverage for health-related issues but also protects you against theft, baggage problems, transport incidents, repatriation, and, of course, the option to extend your trip if necessary. Imagine having an accident shortly before returning home and being advised by doctors to rest. Without your UK travel insurance, you would have to personally bear the expenses of your extended stay. However, by having travel insurance, this would be an expense that you would be fully covered for, saving you a significant amount of money.
An accident while enjoying an inland road trip, a minor slip on the Giant’s Causeway resulting in a sprain that requires treatment, food poisoning from something you eat, or even a common medical issue like fever, infection, or allergy could lead to visits to questionable facilities and inflated bills that could significantly impact your trip. By having the best travel insurance, you can ensure access to the country’s top specialists without having to pay anything out of pocket.
What is the best travel insurance to the UK?
In this section, we are going to talk about the coverage that your travel insurance to the United Kingdom must have to ensure that you are fully protected from the beginning to the end of your trip. In this way, if your country of residence is within the European Union, we recommend IATI Classic, the perfect ally for your trip to the UK. If your country of residence is outside the European Union, your best ally for this trip will be IATI Star.
What the best travel insurance in the UK should have: features and benefits
Every destination is “a world apart” and therefore needs an international policy designed for it. Just as for a trip to Costa Rica you would need an insurance policy with a strong focus on adventure sports, your UK travel insurance should have the following coverages, all of which are included in your IATI Classic and IATI Star:
24-hour assistance in your language
You’re heading to the UK to have a good time, and it’s crucial that if you encounter any incidents, you can find a quick and easy solution. Even if you have some knowledge of English, explaining that you’ve experienced an accident or theft in a language that is not your native tongue can be time-consuming and may result in crucial details being missed. That’s why at IATI, we always provide assistance in your language and strive to make things simple for you, ensuring you can resume your trip as swiftly as possible.
Day or night, whether it’s Monday or Sunday, we will always be available for you: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Moreover, if you reach out to us via telephone and provide proof of the call, we will reimburse you for the cost of the international call, ensuring you don’t have to bear the expense yourself.
With your UK travel insurance, you will receive complimentary assistance in your preferred language at any time, ensuring your peace of mind throughout your journey.
Extensive health care coverage
This is one of the European countries where healthcare expenses can be among the highest. Even a simple visit for getting stitches, an X-ray, or a few hours of hospitalization can accumulate substantial bills that can significantly impact your trip negatively.
But thanks to your international travel insurance to the UK, you’ll have up to €1.000.000 (if you are travelling with IATI Star) and up to €500,000 (if you are travelling with IATI Classic) exclusively for medical assistance. So you’ll have free access to the best specialists in the country without having to pay anything out of pocket. We’ll take care of it.
No deductibles, you don’t have to pay anything out of your pocket
Be cautious when selecting your travel insurance policy for the UK, as many companies often include a deductible policy hidden in the fine print to mask their pricing. Are you familiar with what deductibles mean? For instance, if there is a 100 euro deductible, you would be responsible for paying the initial 100 euros of each medical visit. Therefore, if the bill amounted to 120 euros, your travel insurance to the UK would only cover 20 euros, even if you have already paid for your policy!
At IATI, we do not work with deductibles, and by travelling with IATI Classic and IATI Star, we ensure coverage from the first penny, without any additional out-of-pocket expenses for you.
No upfront payment for medical expenses
One common practice among many private insurance companies that offer coverage for trips abroad is to require you to pay all the costs upfront. Then, upon your return, you have to go through the cumbersome process of trying to obtain reimbursement.
With your UK travel insurance from IATI, the process becomes much easier and more convenient for you. Once you contact us, we will guide you to the appropriate facility to handle your case, where they will be ready to assist you. We will then take care of the costs associated with your visit, including any necessary tests, hospitalizations, or prescribed medication.
In case of an emergency where you are unable to contact us beforehand, we also simplify the process for you. Simply provide us with the relevant medical reports and invoices afterwards, and we will promptly reimburse you.
Baggage loss and theft coverage included
IATI Classic and IATI Star are the best travel insurances for travelling to the United Kingdom because they offer comprehensive coverage that extends beyond medical issues. You can rest assured knowing that you’ll be protected in situations such as theft, flight disruptions, baggage incidents, and repatriation. Here are just a few examples of the coverage provided:
- Theft and luggage issues: Coverage of up to 1,000 euros.
- Convalescence in a hotel as prescribed by a doctor: Coverage of up to 1,260 euros.
- Repatriation: 100% coverage.
- Delay in delivery of checked baggage: Coverage of up to 120 euros.
- Private civil liability: Coverage of up to 30,000 euros.
- Theft and luggage issues: Coverage of up to 2,500 euros.
- Convalescence in a hotel as prescribed by a doctor: Coverage of up to 1,400 euros.
- Repatriation: 100% coverage.
- Delay in the departure of transportation: Coverage of up to 300 euros.
- Delay in delivery of checked baggage: Coverage of up to 300 euros.
- Private civil liability: Coverage of up to 60,000 euros.
Whether you fall ill or require assistance with other unforeseen circumstances during your trip, we will be there for you. IATI ensures that you have the support and coverage you need for a worry-free getaway.
Cancellation option: cancelling your trip to the UK
A trip to the UK involves various expenses such as flight bookings, accommodation reservations, and sometimes even car rentals for independent exploration—a significant investment. It’s not uncommon to wonder, “What if I am unable to travel due to a serious reason? Will I lose all the money I’ve already spent?”
With over 135 years of experience and a leading position in the international insurance industry, IATI understands your concerns and constantly updates its offerings to meet your needs. That’s why we have introduced the Travel Cancellation Supplement, a pioneering feature. This supplement provides reimbursement of up to 5,000 euros (IATI Star) and 2,000 euros (IATI Classic) if you have to cancel your trip for any of the numerous covered reasons, ensuring you receive compensation for travel expenses that cannot be recovered directly from your official suppliers.
With your international travel insurance for the UK, we provide coverage from the beginning to the end of your trip, as well as before your trip commences if desired. You can easily add the Cancellation Supplement with a simple click when you select your policy.
UK travel insurance coverage
Your UK travel insurance must include the essential coverage, all of which are included in your IATI Classic or IATI Star policies. However, these policies, also offer additional coverages that are likely to be of interest to you. You can find detailed information about these additional coverages on the policies contracting pages.
The tables below offer a visual representation of the coverage amounts that hold specific importance to you:
If your country of residence is within the European Union:
| Travel Insurance for the UK | Medical Expenses Coverage (covid-19 included) | Theft and damage to luggage | Convalescence in a hotel | Cancellation costs (optional) | Repatriation |
| IATI Classic | 500,000 € | 1,000 € | 1,260€ | 2,000 € | 100% |
If your country of residence is outside the European Union:
| Travel Insurance for the UK | Medical Expenses Coverage (covid-19 included) | Theft and damage to luggage | Convalescence in a hotel | Cancellation costs (optional) | Repatriation |
| IATI Star | 1,000,000 € | 2,500 € | 1,400€ | 5,000 € | 100% |
How much does UK travel insurance cost?
The excellent price/ quality ratio offered by these policies will undoubtedly convince you that they are the best travel insurance policies for your trip to the UK.
Not only is the price a small fraction of your overall travel budget, but it also represents significant savings if you require assistance at any point during your trip.
IATI Classic:
| International medical insurance | Price for 1 week | Price for 2 weeks | Price for 3 weeks |
| IATI Classic | 32,00 € | 50,00 € | 60,00 € |
IATI Star:
| International medical insurance | Price for 1 week | Price for 2 weeks | Price for 3 weeks |
| IATI Star | 63’44 € | 99,38 € | 123,62 € |
How to hire the best travel insurance for the United Kingdom
Thanks to the intuitive menu, you will quickly see how easy it is to get travel insurance for the UK:
Simply enter the following information:
- Your place of departure for the trip;
- Travel destination: United Kingdom;
- Start and end dates of the trip;
- Number of travellers;
- Type of insurance: travel insurance.
After filling in this menu and clicking on “Get a quote”, select your IATI Classic or IATI Star insurance and click “Contract”. This is where, with just one more click, you can add the Cancellation Supplement, as we explained earlier, you can recover your money in case you have to cancel your trip for any of the reasons considered.
Just enter your personal information, make the payment and in your email, you will receive the UK travel insurance details you just hired, with all the information to contact us if you need assistance.
And that’s it! In just 3 minutes, you have already ensured the tranquillity of your trip with the best coverage and the best price!
Useful information for safe travel to the UK
Best time to travel to the UK
In terms of weather, the period from May to September is the optimal time to travel to the UK, as temperatures are generally more pleasant. However, it is important to keep in mind that you can encounter all four seasons in a single day, so it is advisable to pack warm layers and rain protection. Additionally, visiting the UK during Christmas, despite the cold temperatures, presents a wonderful opportunity to explore the markets and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere.
Security in the UK
The UK is generally regarded as a safe country, but it is always wise to exercise common sense and take necessary precautions. While instances of theft targeting tourists do occur, overall crime rates in the UK do not typically pose significant risks to travellers.
Healthcare in the UK
Medical expenses in the UK can be very high, which is why it is strongly advised to have travel insurance that provides comprehensive coverage throughout your visit.
IATI Classic and IATI Star offer the best policies for this destination, providing exclusive coverage for medical assistance. Additionally, it offers protection for various situations that can arise during your trip, such as theft, baggage issues, flight disruptions, and even repatriation. Don’t take chances during your trip to the UK; travel with peace of mind by securing your insurance now.
