Why Americans Traveling to the UK Need Travel Insurance

Why Americans Traveling to the UK Need Travel Insurance

Can Americans travel to the U.K.? Yes! The U.S.-U.K. travel ban has been lifted and U.S. travel to the U.K. is just starting to pick up. After over a year of lockdowns and closed borders, you can finally plan the U.K. trip of a lifetime. Sightseeing in Piccadilly Circus: Check. Pub-hopping in Dublin: Check. Attending Scotland's famed Highland Games this August? Check, Check. The most important thing to remember when planning your U.K. itineraries is something you might not expect: Travel insurance. Travel medical insurance offers coverage and benefits that can protect you both physically and financially while you're abroad.

Travel Medical Insurance Covers COVID-19

While pandemic restrictions are easing, it's still important to be vigilant. Travel medical insurance will often cover Covid related illnesses and hospitalizations if the virus is contracted within the policy effective dates. Some plans will offer benefits like quarantine reimbursement and coverage for Covid testing.

If you decide to travel to the U.K. this summer, you'll find a number of travel insurance options to choose from. To help you decide on the best Covid travel insurance for your needs, our rundown of Covid coverage options is a good place to start.

Comprehensive medical coverage

Your domestic health insurance won't cover you in the U.K. Fortunately, travel insurance can give you comprehensive medical coverage. This can include access to emergency medical treatment if you suffer an injury or illness while abroad. Without travel insurance, you may be faced with high medical bills if you need medical attention while abroad. One of the best travel insurance plans for U.S. visitors to the U.K. (and the EU) on the market is Europe Travel Plus. For more information about this plan and other comprehensive options, check out our guide to comprehensive travel insurance.

Trip interruption

If your travel plans are disrupted by a covered event your travel medical insurance plan may be able to reimburse you for certain prepaid travel expenses. This can be especially useful when the destination country is facing uncertainties or you, yourself are uncertain about your own travel plans. Visit our trip interruption quotes page for more information and to get estimates on trip interruption insurance costs

Emergency medical evacuation

While it may seem unlikely that you'll ever need emergency evacuation as you tour the U.K., it’s best to be prepared for the unexpected. The emergency medical evacuation benefit can keep you safe if you're injured in a remote area and/or need to be airlifted to the nearest hospital. Without this coverage, this service could potentially cost you thousands of dollars. For more information check out our emergency medical evacuation FAQs.

24-hour assistance

This benefit of travel medical insurance is particularly useful to pandemic travelers. 24-hour assistance is just what it sounds like. If you need medical treatment and your travel medical insurance offers 24-hour assistance, then you can get immediate help at any time. Find out more about the hidden benefits of travel medical insurance.

Travel medical insurance can help you stay safe if the unexpected happens. We hope you never have to use your travel insurance policy, but if you do, it'll be there to lower your physical and financial risks and reduce your mental and emotional stress. If you have any questions about travel insurance for the U.K., our award winning Customer Success Team is happy to help.