UK resident working overseas. Planning a 2 week vacation. For purposes of travel insurance, how long is my "trip"? [closed]

UK resident working overseas. Planning a 2 week vacation. For purposes of travel insurance, how long is my "trip"? [closed] - Text

I've been living and working in China for a year now. I think I am still classed as a 'UK resident' (since I intend to return). I am about to go on a 2 week holiday to India. I've noticed that most travel insurance policies (at least, the cheap ones) specify a 'maximum trip length', typically 21-31 days.

This led me to wonder, for the purposes of insurance, how long is my trip?

I found this article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/health/travel-insurance-for-brits-abroad-do-you-have-the-right-kind-of/

Which says:

"For a UK policy to be valid, you need to be resident in the UK, have an address in the UK and would need to be going on a pre-booked trip that starts and finishes in the UK"

I'm a little confused... does this mean I need a China-based policy? If I book a UK one I risk not being covered?

From the perspective of a UK based insurer, is this all one big 400+ day trip?
How does this work...?

Many thanks for any advice!



Best Answer

Yes you almost certainly need another policy.

First the insurance makes it clear that your trip has to start and end in the UK, which, if you are talking about your vacation, it doesn't. That's absolutely normal in travel insurance. If you wanted to have the insurer consider this "one big 400 day+ trip" you would have to buy insurance for the whole 400+ days (which would fall under a completely different category from vacation travel insurance).

Second, you are probably not a UK resident. You are not a UK resident (for tax purposes) if you work full time overseas and spend less than 91 days in the UK during the year. If you aren't paying taxes to the UK then you are almost certainly not a UK resident.

If you are thinking about health coverage, your first step should be to look at whatever health coverage you already have to cover your time in China. You might find it already covers trips abroad. If not you are definitely going to need either a policy based in China or a worldwide policy that doesn't assume UK residence.




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Can I get UK travel insurance if I live abroad?

You can buy private medical insurance for UK expatriates. You can also buy insurance from local providers overseas. You should always check policies carefully, including seeing whether you could transfer medical cover if you re-locate to other countries in future.

How many days do I have to purchase travel insurance for?

Buying Within 15 DAYS Of Making Your First Trip Deposit If you don't buy travel insurance right away, you might forget to buy it completely. By offering bonus coverages if you buy within the 15-day window, travel insurance companies are ensuring you don't forget this important piece of your overall trip experience.

Do you need travel insurance if staying in UK?

Do I need travel insurance for the UK? Although you don't need medical insurance to travel in the UK, as you're covered by the NHS, you may need cover for a cancelled trip due to illness or injury. It will also bring you home if you do fall ill at the other end of the country and are treated in a hospital there.



Travel Insurance | Tips For Choosing Best Health Coverage For A Long Trip | Digital Nomad Series




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