Do You Need Insurance
Short answer: yes. Even though NHS A&E is free for everyone, the risks you should cover are:
- Hospital admission after A&E — charged to non-residents
- Repatriation to your home country — £15,000-80,000 if seriously ill
- Trip cancellation — airline, hotel, tour losses
- Lost/stolen luggage — airlines cap at ~£1,500
- Phone theft — £800-1,400 replacement
- Flight delays/missed connections — new accommodation, transport
GHIC for EU Citizens
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) after Brexit. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can use it for NHS treatment.
- What it covers: Medically necessary care (emergency + some ongoing)
- What it DOESN'T cover: repatriation to your home country, private hospitals, elective treatment
- Cost: free from your EU country's health authority
- Best paired with: travel insurance covering repatriation + trip disruption
⚠️ GHIC is not travel insurance. It covers medical basics only. Pair it with a proper insurance policy for repatriation, trip cancellation and property.
Best Policies
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance — $45/4 weeks, best for long trips or digital nomads. Covers 180+ countries. Renewable monthly.
- World Nomads — best for adventure travel (mountaineering, scuba, skiing). Covers 150+ activities.
- Allianz Travel Insurance — good short-trip policies with flight cancellation. £20-60 per trip.
- AXA Assistance — solid mid-market, excellent claims reputation
- Genki — European nomad alternative to SafetyWing
What to Cover
| Coverage | Recommended level |
|---|---|
| Medical emergency | £2,000,000+ |
| Repatriation | £500,000+ |
| Trip cancellation | Full trip cost |
| Personal belongings | £1,500+ |
| Cash/money loss | £500 |
| Personal liability | £2,000,000 |
| Covid-related | Yes — essential |
| Adventure sports | If applicable — UK has hill walking, climbing |
Claiming
- Keep ALL receipts (medical, hotel, taxi to hospital, phone replacement)
- Get a written police report within 24 hours for any theft
- Keep original ticket/booking confirmations
- Photo evidence where possible (damaged luggage, missed flight board)
- Contact your insurer's 24/7 helpline immediately for medical emergencies
- Most insurers pay within 10-20 working days with full documentation
🏥 Pro tip: Save your insurer's emergency number in your phone under "ICE - Insurance" (In Case of Emergency). Take a photo of your policy certificate.