Is it worth it?
I'm staying in the UK for about 2 years and comprehensive
insurance is going to cost me about AUS$1,000!!!! Oh my
god... it'll break the Bank.
Should i worry about? Can travellers get insurance from
the UK?
Any comments would be appreciated.
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Hi
I think there is an agreement between UK and OZ for medical things and as you will be there a while ask an insurance broker about options of a semi resident nature hope this might help also enquire immigration???
Just a thought
Bri
Britain's NHS (National Health Service) is still just about
up and running, so as long as you have semi-resident status
you will still get treated for medical stuff without facing
a huge bill.
As for theft etc., probably cheaper to buy theft insurance
in UK, or not bother - unless you have more than AUS$1000
worth of stuff!
I'd just plum for insurance on the flights etc. and hope for
the best elsewhere, Britain isn't a war zone (just yet).
Australia and UK have reciprocal health care agreements so
you can sort of rely on their health system. The travel
insurance is sooo much cheaper in the UK only problem is
they won't fly you home to Oz in an emergency, the will fly
you back to the UK. Also, travel insurance purchased in
the UK is only valid outside of the UK I believe.
Personally, I wouldn't fork out the $1000AUS. I think 3
months travel insurance will cost around 50 quid.
I lived in the UK for a year or so and didn't bother about
travel insurance. For starters it's true that you get
reciprocal medical rights so that's not a problem. Finding a
GP can be a pain in the arse and there will be a waiting
list of a few weeks, if it's serious you can go to the
casualty ward of a hospital, or if you can't wait go to a
private GP clinic (one in Victoria station that I know of,
lots more about) - no queue, reasonable fee, quick service.
If you're really, really ill then you may as well be in the
UK, if they can't fix it no-one can. Apart from medical
problems what else is there to worry about - if you have any
valuables get them insured in the UK. Just be sure to get
traveller's insurance from the UK if you go to mainland
Europe (other than Holland, Italy, Sweden, Malta and Finland
- we get reciprocal medical rights there too). Maybe for
peace of mind get yourself a couple of weeks or a month's
worth of travel insurance just until you get your feet on
the ground. Otherwise it's not really worth it. It's true
that UK-based travel insurance will only fly you back to the
UK if you're sick abroad, but that's not a problem either.
So, no worries, save the dough and blow it later on pints.
Interesting that a couple of friends of mine are going OS
and have qualified for a 'Gold' credit card (most major
banks) which has its own travel insurance included as long
as you purchase the air ticket on the card. I know you need
a AUS$50,000 p/a wage to qualify. A bit out of reach for
some travellers. We had these policies checked out by an
Insurance Underwriter cousin and his conclusion was the ANZ
and WESTPAC card gave the best cover.
I wished we had known before we went as we would have saved
a $1000 for the 2 of us for 9 months.
Hope this helps