Best Travel Insurance for United Kingdom (UK)
With the weakening of the British pound that plunged down to a record low in September 2023, we can expect more Singaporeans travelling to the UK during this period.
From immersing in some Britishness at the Tate Modern or the British Museum, to going for a shopping spree at the five storey-high Topshop at Oxford Circus, there are plenty of reasons for you to visit the UK, whether it's for business or pleasure. Just remember to get all your travel essentials ready and compare COVID-19 travel insurance coverage before boarding your flight!
Travel Requirements To Enter UK
Ever since the UK reopened its borders and welcome tourists early in March 2022, COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted and travellers visiting the UK no longer have to abide by any regulations that include certified COVID-19 vaccination, the purchase of travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, the type of certified hotels which you book, mandatory PCR tests, and other related procedures.
Travel insurance
Having travel insurance is not mandatory for travellers going to the UK, but it is still highly recommended to be covered as it is better to be safe than sorry in situations when you really need medical assistance during your vacation or business trip in the UK. Healthcare expenses in the UK can be very expensive for foreigners travelling there, as overseas medical expenses are usually not subsidised by the government for tourists.
VISA application
For tourists, you'll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa online, unless you’re from one of the countries which are on a visa-free entry agreement with the UK. There are several types of Standard Visitor visa available online including the long-term Standard Visitor visa, a Visitor in Transit visa and Long-term work visas. A Standard Visitor visa costs £100 for up to 6 months and you'll be able to apply for it 3 months prior to your departure date.
Singaporeans who hold valid Singapore passports do not need a visa to enter the UK as tourists visiting for tourism, business, studies (courses up to 6 months) or other permitted activities, and can typically stay in the UK for up to 6 months. However, you must still meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements to visit the UK even if you do not require a visa to enter, and this includes not having a criminal record.
Top 10 Things To Do In The UK
Visit iconic landmarks such as the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Tower of London or take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the River Thames and Serpentine River in Hyde Park.
Explore Edinburgh Castle's rich history, visit the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Dungeon or hike up Arthur's Seat for panoramic views, and attend the vibrant Edinburgh Festival. Don't miss the dynamic Scottish cuisine and whiskey tastings, and stroll down the Royal Mile for shops and street performers.
Visit Stonehenge and Salisbury Plain with its ancient monuments like Avebury Stone Circle, the mysterious Silbury Hill, and the West Kennet Long Barrow. Enjoy scenic walks on designated paths, spot wildlife, and soak in the historic and mystical atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Travel to Windermere or Ullswater in Lake District by boat and go hiking, cycling and kayaking through breathtaking landscapes like Scafell Pike. If you prefer something more relaxing, take a stroll through charming villages like Ambleside and Keswick and uncover literary history at Dove Cottage.
Experience the unique hexagonal basalt columns along the stunning Antrim Coast when you head to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland and join a guided tour to find out more about the geological wonders and folklore there.
Tour Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and be mesmerised by the romantic charm of Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the wife of William Shakespeare. Admire the Tudor architecture, with its thatched roof and picturesque gardens as you walk through the enchanting grounds, learn about Tudor life, and immerse yourself in the love story that inspired Shakespeare's sonnets.
Countryside villages like Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury feature honey-coloured limestone cottages, historic castles like Sudeley, and traditional tea rooms where you can indulge in authentic English tea.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe which takes place every year in August is a spectacular event with a diverse array of performances not to be missed, if you’re one who enjoys English theatre, comedy, and music.
Have a go at punting - quintessential Oxford tradition, when you visit Oxford and Cambridge university campuses. Chauffeured punting tours with afternoon tea options are available and will bring you on a journey from Magdalen Bridge Boathouse, past the Botanic Gardens and through Christ Church Meadows which was famous for being the location that inspired Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
Hike the Snowdonia National Park in Wales to climb Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, and explore the diverse landscapes of this stunning national park. You may choose a beginner trail like the Llanberis Path or the more challenging Pyg Track.
Best UK Travel Insurance
Getting your travel insurance will be hassle-free via this latest insurance mobile app by MoneySmart. You’ll get your quote almost instantly via the Bubblegum app, have your plan customised with optional add-ons, and enjoy the convenience of being covered for as low as $4 a day.
For those who are more adventurous in their travel with activities like scuba diving, hot air ballooning or mountain trekking overseas, they’ll also be covered in Bubblegum’s travel insurance.
With a relatively decent range of travel insurance, FWD offers some of the most affordable packages in Singapore. There are 3 types of travel insurance plans to choose from, namely Premium, Business and First, and each plan has an optional COVID-19 Enhanced Travel Benefits add-on that covers up to $100,000 in COVID-19 medical expenses incurred during/after your trip. .
In addition, you’ll be entitled to benefits like their cashless medical claim service, 180-day advance purchase, Emergency medical evacuation and many more.
Travellers hunting for more personalised travel insurance plans can consider Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance range of travel insurance plans as there’s the option to customise whichever tier of their Bronze, Silver or Gold plan that you pick.
COVID-19 medical expenses and COVID-19 related trip cancellation coverages, as well as in and outpatient treatments abroad coverage, personal accident benefit of up to $500,000 for accidental death and disablement and many other benefits are included in all of their plans.
There’s only a handful of insurers in Singapore that provide travel insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions, and MSIG is one of them.
With its TravelEasy Pre-Ex® add-on option that can be added onto the TravelEasy® Standard, Elite, and Premier insurance plans, every plan includes benefits such as COVID-19 travel insurance coverage, overseas and post-trip medical expenses, extreme sports coverage, replacement of traveller coverage, coverage for insolvency of licensed travel operator, emergency medical evacuation, and delayed departure.
Those not doing National Service are also welcome to purchase Singlife with Aviva travel insurance plans that come in 3 tiers: Lite, Plus and Prestige, all of which provide a generous payout for overseas medical expenses in the situation you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 during your trip.
Best UK Travel Insurance Benefits Coverage
| Best for | Travel insurance plan | Estimated premium rate |
|---|---|---|
| Overall good value | Bubblegum travel insurance plans | From $93 |
| Budget travel | FWD Premium plan | From $84 |
| Flight diversion/cancellation/postponement | Singlife Travel Plus and Prestige plans | From $173 (Singlife Travel Lite is from $119) |
| Overseas medical coverage | Allianz travel insurance plans | From $199 |
| Pre-existing conditions | MSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex plans | From $181 |
| Family | DirectAsia travel insurance plans | $97 |
| Elderly | Tiq Pre-Ex travel insurance plans by Etiqa | From $230 |
| Travelling while pregnant | MSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex plans | From $181 |
| Extreme sports | Starr TraveLead Comprehensive plans | From $81 |
| COVID-19 coverage | AIG Travel Guard plans | $140 |
| *Estimated premium rates are based on a 2 weeks single-trip plan to the UK, data last updated in November 2023. |
What Is The Average Cost Of Travel Insurance For A UK Trip?
| Travel insurance provider | Overseas medical expenses | Post-trip medical expenses | Loss/damage of personal baggage | Trip cancellation due to COVID-19 | Total premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubblegum | Up to $150,000 | Up to $10,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $5,000 | $93 |
| Singlife | Up to $250,000 | Up to $10,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $5,000 | $119 |
| Allianz | Up to $250,000 | N.A. | Up to $1,500 | Up to $5,000 | $199 |
| Starr | Up to $200,000 | Up to $15,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $5,000 | $81 |
| DirectAsia | Up to $150,000 | Up to $5,000 | Up to $1,000 | Up to $3,000 | $97 |
| FWD | Up to $200,000 | Up to $6,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $7,500 | $84 |
Estimated average cost of a travel insurance plan to the UK:
Comparing across the 6 travel insurers’ benefits and premiums, it seems that the average cost of a travel insurance plan with COVID-19 coverage for a 2 weeks UK vacation is about $113, assuming that we take the most basic plan offered by each travel insurance provider.
Estimated average cost of a travel insurance plan:
$93 + $119 + $199 + $81 + $97 + $84 = $673
$673 Ă· 6 = $112.166
Bubblegum, Starr and DirectAsia are more wallet-friendly options while the more comprehensive choices would be the basic plans by Singlife and Allianz, given that both plans offer the highest medical coverage limit of $250,000 among these 6 plans. As for claiming benefits for trip cancellation if you’re down with an unexpected severe illness or injury, FWD will provide a higher coverage (as compared to the rest of the plans above) of up to $7,500 for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage for my UK trip?
Yes, the current post-pandemic situation has seen many countries lifting the COVID-19 restrictions, every country still has its own prevailing entry requirements and if you really need medical assistance during your vacation or business trip in the UK, healthcare expenses can get costly unlike those in your home country as overseas medical expenses are usually not subsidised by the government.
With COVID-19 coverage in your travel insurance plan, it can provide you claim benefits for overseas medical expenses due to COVID-19, emergency medical evacuation & repatriation, overseas COVID-19 diagnosis quarantine allowance, overseas hospital cash due to COVID-19, trip cancellation/postponement/curtailment/disruption coverage due to COVID-19, and more.
Am I required to have a visa to visit the UK?
It depends on what kind of passport and citizenship you hold. If you’re from one of the countries which are on a visa-free entry agreement with the UK, there’s no need to apply for a visa to enter the UK.
However, if you’re not from those exempted countries, you’ll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa online or other types of Standard Visitor visas including the long-term Standard Visitor visa, a Visitor in Transit visa and Long-term work visas. A Standard Visitor visa costs £100 for up to 6 months and you’ll be able to apply for it 3 months prior to your departure date.