Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance for United Kingdom (UK)
With the recent weakening of the British pound that is down about 17% against the Singapore dollar in September 2022, 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!
COVID-19 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.
Vaccination and quarantine requirements
Whether you're vaccinated or not, tourists no longer need to take any COVID-19 tests before the flight or upon arrival, no longer need to complete a UK passenger locator form before you travel, and no longer need to be quarantined upon arrival, as per the Travel Guidance website for the Government of the United Kingdom.
Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage
Having travel insurance is not mandatory for travellers going to the UK, but it is still highly recommended to be covered with COVID-19 travel insurance. 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.
Best UK Travel Insurance With COVID-19 Coverage
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 | $67 |
| Budget travel | FWD Premium plan, Starr TraveLead Comprehensive Bronze | $81 (FWD Premium), $70 (Starr TraveLead Comprehensive Bronze) |
| Highest overseas medical coverage | AIG Travel Guard® Supreme plan | $260 |
| COVID-19 coverage | Allianz Travel Comprehensive Bronze, Silver and Platinum plans, Starr TraveLead Comprehensive Bronze, Silver and Gold plans | $147 - $268 (Allianz’s plans inclusive of COVID-19 coverage), $70 - $129 (Starr’s plans inclusive of COVID-19 coverage) |
| Extreme sports | MSIG TravelEasy® Standard, Elite, Premier plans | $213 - $353 |
| Pre-existing conditions | Etiqa Pre-Ex Entry, Savvy and Luxury plans | $243 - $388 |
| Travelling while pregnant | MSIG TravelEasy® Standard Pre-Ex, Elite Pre-Ex, Premier Pre-Ex plans | $192 - $308 |
| Family | FWD First Family Plan | $185 |
| Elderly | MSIG TravelEasy® Standard Pre-Ex, Elite Pre-Ex, Premier Pre-Ex plans | $192 - $308 |
| Flight diversion/cancellation/postponement | FWD Premium Plan | $81 |
| *Estimated premium rates are based on a 2 weeks single trip plan to the UK. The estimated premium rate for FWD’s family plan is for 2 adults and 2 children. |
What Is The Average Cost Of A COVID-19 Travel Insurance For The UK?
| Travel insurance provider | Medical expenses due to COVID-19 coverage | Overseas quarantine allowance due to COVID-19 | Overseas hospital cash due to COVID-19 | Trip cancellation due to COVID-19 | Total premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubblegum | Up to $150,000 | $100 per day | $100 per day | Up to $5,000 | $67 |
| Starr | Up to $1,000,000 | N.A. | $200 per day | Up to $15,000 | $70 - $129 |
| FWD | Up to $100,000 | N.A. | $200 per day | Up to $1,000 | $81 - $137 |
| AIG | Up to $100,000 | $1,400 total cap | N.A. | Up to $1,000 | $110 - $260 |
| Singlife | Up to $5,000,000 | $500 total cap | $200 per day | Up to $20,000 | $115 - $245 |
| Allianz | Up to $1,000,000 | N.A. | N.A. | Up to $15,000 | $147 - $268 |
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 $99, assuming that we take the most basic plan offered by each travel insurance provider.
Estimated average cost of a travel insurance plan:
$67 + $70 + $81 + $110 + $115 + $147 = $590
$590 ÷ 6 = $98.333
Bubblegum, Starr and FWD are more wallet-friendly options while the more comprehensive choice would be Singlife, given that Singlife’s Prestige plan has the highest medical coverage limit of $5,000,000. As for claiming benefits for trip cancellation if you’re down with COVID-19, Starr, Allianz and Singlife will provide higher coverage of up to $15,000 and $20,000 respectively for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do travellers still have to be vaccinated to travel to the UK?
- No. As a tourist visiting the UK, you no longer need to be vaccinated, no longer need to take any COVID-19 tests before the flight or upon arrival, no longer need to complete a UK passenger locator form before you travel, and no longer need to be quarantined upon arrival.
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.
How to get travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage?
You’ll be able to get COVID-19 coverage for your travel insurance in several ways, including through your preferred travel insurance mobile app, website or insurance agent. Most travel insurance providers offer you the option of getting COVID-19 coverage as an add-on benefit or as part of an existing insurance plan.
Some travel insurance companies offer COVID-19 coverage as an add-on benefit to an existing plan, while others include COVID-19 coverage benefits in their range of travel insurance plans.
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.