UK Travel Insurance
Every year thousands of Aussies head off to the UK for work, study or travel all year round, and unfortunately a significant amount make the mistake of going without travel insurance. They think that since the UK is pretty familiar and similar to Australia in terms of health and travel risks, travel insurance is unnecessary and a waste of money.
Plenty of people go overseas and have nothing go wrong. These however are the lucky few, as the majority will experience some kind of travel issue. You have no way of knowing what will or won't happen to you whether you're at home or overseas, and some accidents just can't be avoided no matter how fit, healthy and safe you think you are.
The costs related to a travel accident in the UK will be a severe shock to those who have not planned for it. Although the Australian government has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with the UK, only basic medical expenses will be covered and from there on you'll be on your own. Especially if you are a backpacker who is travelling on a low budget, then you will be in for a rough time trying to cover your medical expenses. Not only will you be liable for the costs related to hospitalisation, medication and doctors' fees, but you will also have to pay for an ambulance and emergency assistance, and potentially also cancel your flights, accommodation and travel arrangements.
These costs can blow the budget of any type of traveller, and you may find yourself struggling with serious debt that can take years to pay off. Not to mention your holiday will be ruined, and you will have lost any deposits that you paid on pre-paid travel arrangements. This is why it is crucial that you have at least a basic level of international travel insurance when you travel to the UK.
Travel insurance will cover unlimited medical expenses, family emergency and emergency assistance. This level of medical insurance is a standard throughout all of iTrek's travel insurance policies, which means that even if you save costs by purchasing the Bronze cover you at least have a top level of health insurance. The small cost of international travel insurance, and particularly the Bronze cover, is next to nothing when compared to the potential costs related to an accident in the UK, so you'd be mad to go without it.
If you are taking expensive items of luggage with you such as a camera or laptop, or if you have paid large deposits for your flights, tours and accommodation, you are better off going for a higher level of cover such as the Gold or Platinum cover. If the unexpected happens and you have to return home early then you may not be able to get any refunds, so by having a high level of travel insurance you will be reimbursed the money that you lose. Likewise you will have cover for your luggage if your expensive items are accidentally lost, damaged or stolen.
Travel to the UK is not free of risk, so you must have yourself protected with adequate travel insurance. Organise insurance as soon as you book so that you can rest at ease when you travel knowing that you have a high level of protection.
