Travel Insurance for UK

Travel insurance is a risk management tool which financially protects travellers from the impact of risks associated with travelling. When going on a trip, travellers are often exposed to certain unexpected risks that can result in financial loss and a negative travel experience.

Whether it is medical emergencies where travellers are expected to pay a much higher healthcare cost or non-medical risks like trip cancellation or loss of checked-in baggage, there are numerous risks to consider when travelling.

While the impact of these risks can vary in terms of severity and frequency, with United Kingdom travel insurance, travellers can considerably mitigate these risks and travel with confidence. It is due to these risks and their impact, that travellers are advised to insure their India to UK trip with the right policy. 

Regardless of age, fitness, or physical capability, everyone travelling to the UK is advised to buy travel insurance for UK travel to mitigate the impact of risks. However, as every individual’s needs differ, whether it is the travel destination, extent of coverage, or the cost of premium, choosing an insurance provider for your specific needs can be difficult.

This is where Niva Bupa excels with a unique and comprehensive international travel insurance plan which covers dozens of risks simply and affordably giving travellers even more reasons to buy United Kingdom travel insurance. Offering three specially designed plans for over a hundred destinations worldwide and a total sum assured of up to $500,000. This is why whether you are travelling for a single trip or as a student for foreign education, there is something for everyone

Travellers who are looking to avail travel insurance for UK trips should make sure to purchase the policy as soon as they buy their flight tickets. This is because although it is convenient to purchase a policy anytime before starting your journey, one of the key coverages offered under travel insurance is trip cancellation.

Under this coverage, policyholders can claim compensation for non-refundable deposits spent on transportation and accommodation. This coverage, however, is only applicable if the policy duration has begun and thus requires a purchase before a trip is cancelled.

Other than this, travellers are also advised to buy insurance for UK travel early to avoid any last-moment challenges associated with purchasing it.

Life can be unpredictable and have many ups and downs, this is why travellers are advised to take adequate precautions and measures to prevent or mitigate their impact. This is where the key benefits of travel insurance for UK visitors showcase its expertise in protecting travellers and ensuring their financial and medical well-being.

Here are some of the key benefits of opting for travel insurance from Niva Bupa:

• Niva Bupa’s UK travel insurance provides 24/7 assistance in case of any emergency.
• The policy covers policyholders from expenses incurred due to medical emergencies, personal accidents, COVID-19, medical evacuation, repatriation, pre-existing diseases during emergencies, and more.
• Student travellers are additionally covered for several additional risks with 100% pre-existing disease coverage, study interruption coverage, sponsor protection, dental treatment, maternity expenses, and more.
• Travellers are also covered for non-medical risks like loss of checked-in baggage or essential documents like passport and visa, missed connecting flights, trip delay, interruption and cancellation. 

As a traveller looking to purchase travel insurance for UK visitors from India, one of the most important factors to consider is the coverage options offered by an insurance provider. Travellers need to consider their specific needs and compare them with the offerings of insurers before choosing.

With Niva Bupa travel insurance, travellers visiting the UK will be covered for dozens of medical and non-medical risks. Here is a list of some of the key coverages offered under travel insurance UK.

• Delay or loss of checked-in baggage: This coverage offers partial or complete reimbursement for significant delay or loss of checked-in baggage.
• Missed connecting flight: This coverage reimburses you for the extra accommodation and travel costs to reach the next destination if you miss a pre-booked connecting flight due to the original flight running late.
• Loss of passport: This coverage reimburses you for the cost of applying for a new passport if the original is lost.
• Dental treatment: This coverage reimburses a pain-relieving dental treatment availed under anaesthesia.
• Trip delay, cancellation, interruption: These three separate coverages offer reimbursement for part of the travel and accommodation costs if your travel is delayed, cancelled, or interrupted due to certain conditions mentioned in the policy document.
• Medical emergency (hospitalisation): This coverage offers reimbursement for the cost of medical treatment.
• Emergency outpatient treatment: This coverage reimburses any emergency treatment under OPD.
• Medical evacuation: This coverage reimburses the transfer cost from one hospital to another if the primary hospital does not offer appropriate care.
• Emergency trip extension: If the trip is extended due to certain special circumstances, this coverage offers an extension of the policy up to 7 days.
• Personal accident: This coverage offers a payout of up to the sum insured for accidental death or disability.
• Repatriation of mortal remains: This coverage reimburses you for transporting the mortal remains of the traveller or the cost of cremation in the city/country of death. 

When planning to purchase a particular policy, it is essential for travellers to also know about the exclusions of a particular policy. Exclusions are specific actions and circumstances that are not covered under a particular policy and participating in these activities can lead to the rejection of a claim.

Here is a list of circumstances that Niva Bupa does not cover:

• These include treatment for any injury or illness resulting from nuclear or radiological emissions, war or rebellion, and specific acts of terrorism.
• Active participation in military exercises, war games, or engagement with the enemy.
• Any loss or injury due to committing or attempting to breach the law with criminal intent.
• Expenses for cosmetic or plastic surgery or any treatment to change appearance, including obesity or weight control programs. Unless in certain circumstances as listed in the policy document.
• Maternity expenses.
• Non-prescription or unproven drugs or treatments.
• The provision of fitting of hearing aids, spectacles, or contact lenses, including optometric therapy, any treatment, and associated expenses for alopecia, baldness, wigs, or toupees, medical supplies including elastic stockings, diabetic test strips, and similar products.
• If the insured person is travelling against the advice of a Doctor or is receiving or on a waiting list for specified medical treatment.
• Death, injury, medical condition, or disability resulting from suicide or attempted suicide, self-inflicted wound or illness, consumption of alcohol or drugs, and depression.
• Countries with travel restrictions for Indians.
• Medical Tourism.
• Damages due to adventure sports unless part of coverage.
• Expenses related to any admission specifically for diagnostics and evaluation purposes that are not related or incidental to the current diagnosis and treatment.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that this list is just a summary of the exclusions, and customers need to refer to the policy document for the complete list. It is always vital to check the policy document before participating in an activity that can result in financial loss or harm your well-being.

Purchasing any kind of insurance policy requires individuals to be aware of the eligibility criteria. While there are no specific eligibility criteria to purchase UK travel insurance from India, there are certain minor requirements which a traveller needs to consider.

Here are the criteria to consider when purchasing travel insurance from Niva Bupa.

• Adults should be between the ages of 18 and 70.
• Dependent children can be up to the age of 25.
• Travellers must possess and furnish mandatory documents like copies of passports, visas, income proof, and other relevant papers. 

Travellers who are looking to purchase an insurance policy from Niva Bupa can follow the below steps to swiftly and conveniently buy the best travel insurance UK.

• Visit the Niva Bupa website and click Travel Insurance in the header.
• Use the drop-down menu on that page to select the United Kingdom, the departure and return dates, and the phone number.
• You will be shown destination-specific plans once you click to view plans.
• There, you can select your needs, such as whether you are going alone or with family, whether it is an independent trip or a corporate visit; there are also plans for students and senior citizens.
• Review and select the appropriate plans, change the sum insured to the amount you want to insure for your trip and choose any add-ons.
• Click on “Next” after this and fill out the relevant information along with the medical declaration to purchase the plan of your choice.
• Once the payment is complete, the policy will be emailed to you.

Foreign travel is expensive and it can be hectic when faced with risks that can add unnecessary additional expenses. Travel insurance is a tool to counter this stress and anxiety and thus the claims process needs to be hassle-free for the policyholder. Niva Bupa offers a simple and convenient claim experience at Niva Bupa. We aim to help you travel with the utmost peace of mind with a straightforward claim process.

Here are the steps to request a claim with Niva Bupa for travel insurance online UK.

• To file a travel insurance claim, you first need to contact your insurer, Niva Bupa.
• In case of overseas travel, you may also contact the global Third-Party Administrator.
• You can raise a claim online, through e-mail, or even physically. You can do so both while overseas or when you return to India.
• You must submit a duly filled claim form along with the required documents based on the type of claim—for example, loss of baggage, trip cancellation, medical emergency, or death.

Besides this, one can make two types of claims in the case of a medical emergency.

Cashless Claim:

Niva Bupa is partnered with Europ Assistance, a global third-party administrator, to provide cashless claims to hospitals and healthcare centres worldwide.

• The customer intimates the claim to Europ Assistance via a toll-free number or email.
• The TPA - Europ Assistance will contact the customer and provide them with the required UK travel insurance details.
• Europ Assistance will then initiate the GOP (Guarantee of payment) process with the hospital where the customer will receive treatment.
• Europ Assistance will ask for the documents from the hospital or the customer and, after assessing the claim, will send them to Niva Bupa for approval/rejection/query/investigation.
• Our medical team will approve the claim by e-mail.
• The GOP will be released to the hospital as per the amount claimed.
• The hospital will contact the Europ Assistance team if any additional amount is required.
• At discharge, documents will be sent to Europ assistance and approved accordingly.
• After discharge, the hospital will send the documents to Europe Assistance for settlement to the hospital.

Reimbursement Claim

• Claim form
• KYC
• Cancelled cheque of the proposer
• Discharge summary
• Final bill along with break up
• Payment receipt
• All investigation reports 

A UK visa can be applied online and should be applied for at least three months before travelling to the UK. Travellers looking to visit the UK can avail one of the following types of visas. Each of these visas has different requirements and durations of validity which should be assessed based on your needs.

• Work and Business Visa
• Study Visa
• Tourist Visa
• Family Visa
• Settlement Visa
• Transit Visa 

• Current passport which is valid for at least six months after the date of entry.
• Any previously issued passports.
• Proof of finances such as your bank statement, employment letter, etc.
• Proof of sponsorship if applicable.
• Academic and employment details as applicable.
• Documents supporting the need for a business trip from a UK business owner.
• Proof of residential address.
• Confirmed travel booking.
• Document evidence of the final destination country.
• Proof of permit to visit the final destination country.
• Confirmation of acceptance for studies in the case of students.
• Documents supporting the applicant’s history of education in the case of students.
• Proof of accommodation in the United Kingdom.
• English language proficiency certificate.
• Tuberculosis test results.
• Proof of sponsor’s financial status and occupation (if applicable).
• Parent's or official guardian’s consent letter (for a minor applicant).
• Details of any immigration application submitted previously. 

Travellers going on a trip to the UK are required to carry several documents with them. Here is a list of some of the essential documents which a traveller must carry with them to the UK:

• A valid Indian passport
• A pre-approved visa to the UK
• Your confirmed travel tickets
• Prescription for specific medications, if required 

If you are considering a visit to the United Kingdom and looking for an optimal time for it, there might be several options to consider. All travellers who are currently considering a visit to the UK are suggested to do so during spring or autumn.

In the UK, spring begins in late March and lasts until the end of May. While spring starts cold and rainy, it begins to warm up as time passes. Spring is typically considered the best time to visit the country and is followed by autumn, which begins in September and ends in November.

Following spring, although the summer months of July and August have a lot of festivals and activities, being the busiest months for travel in the UK, it is typically avoided due to this. Other than this, travellers also visit during September and November when the climate is warm and dry. September is also the peak time for visiting the UK for Indian travellers. 

With a rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural landscapes, the United Kingdom is the place to be. Following are some of the best places to visit in the country:

1.Tower of London

The Tower of London is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. This castle is built as a fortress and symbolises royal power. 

2.Big Ben

Big Ben is one of the world’s most famous clock towers which is a must-see for everyone visiting the UK for the first time. 

3.The British Museum

The British Museum is a highly renowned museum with the largest permanent collection in the world at over eight million pieces. The museum is located in the Bloomsbury area of London. 

4.Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is one of the most renowned Anglican churches in the world due to its royal influence. Being the location for over 40 coronation ceremonies, numerous weddings, and the burial of 18 monarchs. 

5.Buckingham Palace 

Buckingham Palace is a symbol of cultural heritage being the home to royalty since 1837. Today, Buckingham Palace is recognised as the home of the King and is the centre for events of national and royal celebrations. 

6.The London Eye

The London Eye, or the Millennium Wheel, is a 135m tall cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. It is one of the most popular paid tourist attractions in the UK with over three million visitors annually.

7.The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is a major attraction for visitors and tourists with a wide range of specimens and details exhibitions. 

8.The Edinburgh Castle 

The Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. With a long rich history as a royal residence, military garrison, prison, and fortress. It is one of the most famous castles in the world. 

9.The Stonehenge

The Stonehenge is a prehistoric megalithic monument in the Salisbury Plain. Although one of the most famous pre-historic monuments in the world, it is currently unknown who built Stonehenge. However, Stonehenge is stated to be a burial place with ceremonial and religious symbolism. 

10.The Giant's Causeway 

The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre made up of over 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea. This structure is a result of an ancient volcanic fission eruption and has inspired several stories.