Insurance for UK-based breaks

Itchy_Niagras

I have a number of UK-based breaks booked for the coming Autumn/Winter and don't fancy paying the individual insurance prices for each individual break.

When travelling abroad, I can see the point of such insurance, but at home I'm somewhat at a loss to see of what benefit such policies are.

Let's face it, if I fell ill whilst in Whitby or wherever, I'd only be whisked off to an NHS hospital anyway, just as I would if uninsured.

Is it really that necessary to have insurance for UK-based trips, or am I better off taking my chances?

Oscar_The_Grouch

Personally, I wouldn't bother. I have "away from home" (sometimes called "personal possessions") cover on my contents policy and as you say, there's the NHS wherever you are in the UK.

You will miss out on things like "cancellation cover" if you need to pull out of one of the breaks due to illness.

The other thing to look at is whether an annual policy would cover you for the UK breaks. If you took the policy out at the end of August, it would pick up any foreign holidays you may decide to book for next summer too.

Worth a look!!

missile

I travel quite a bit and have annual insurance and have claimed whilst on holiday in UK.

It is all about risk. If I only travelled in UK, I would not bother. Some may think it is worthwhile, if only for peace of mind?

Itchy_Niagras

missile wrote: »

I travel quite a bit and have annual insurance and have claimed whilst on holiday in UK.

It is all about risk. If I only travelled in UK, I would not bother. Some may think it is worthwhile, if only for peace of mind?

I guess I don't really see what it is you're actually getting from insurance for UK travel. If I became unwell, I'd be whipped off to an NHS hospital anyway, and if a tour firm lost my luggage I could claim compensation (I think!).

I suppose the cover for cancellation could be useful, but ultimately I would guess that over the years, the cost of having this cover would exceed any money recouped from needing to claim, rendering it not worth the expense.

Of course for foreign travel I would never risk not having insurance. The peace of mind alone would be vital.

missile

You need to weigh up the risks for your circumstances. Even if it were possible, to insure against every unfortunate event which may happen would cost ......... well I hope you get my point?

If you only ever intend holidays in UK, then I would agree cost would outweigh the perceived risk.

When I was young(er), I never had any form of insurance, other than for my car which was third party only.

lisyloo

I guess I don't really see what it is you're actually getting from insurance for UK travel

If you had to cancel - either due to your own sickness, or death or sickness of a close relative then you would be covered for the cost of cancellation.

If you are taking weekend breaks and can cancel the hotel with 24 hours at no cost then there isn't much of a risk.
But often moneysaving deals are sometimes not refundable if you cancel.