Travel insurance question for two years in England

[moffat39]

My 22 yo son is off to England on a two year visa soon. He does not seem to be worried about travel insurance but as the father I am (in case I get left with a bill). Have done some searching on the net and also spoken with two insurance companies but am more confused than ever now so hopefully some one may be able to point me in the right direction.

I am aware that Medicare have reriprocol arrangements with the NHS and when he arrives he will need to register. That part is easy. He plans to work off and on and in between jobs travel around England and Europe. One insurance company told me that he would not be covered by travel insurance for the time he is working. The same insurance company told me that he can only get insurance for one year and he can not renew whilst away from Australia.

The next insurance company could not answer if he would be covered whilst he was working but did say he could renew the policy for another twelve months whilst away from Australia.

Have found one web site that sells 'back packers insurance' for an 18 month policy but no answers if he is covered for travel insurance whilst working.

I would appreciate any advice or comments that other people would have on this matter.

 

[Mal]

Most Australian based TI policies will (eventually if not automatically) become invalid due to the UK status.

TI is cheap in the UK - much cheaper than Australia. Get your son to buy TI there as soon as he arrives, and that will cover his trips from the UK.

If you are worried about "domestic" medical bills, you can buy private health insurance in the UK. Never bothered with it - their medical system isn't too bad overall.

 

[serfty]

With two years in Eggland it's really not 'travel' - it's relocation; albeit 'temporary'.

I think a different strategy is in order ...

 

[danielc]

Back in 2006 I was in a similar situation to your son. I hold dual US/Australian citizenship so I am able to work in both countries. I returned to San Francisco for a period that was going to be somewhere between 7 and 18 months. As I intended to work while I was there I hunted for travel insurance that would continue to cover me if I worked. I checked with MBF, who I had for private health insurance at the time, and they advised that their travel policy would be void the minute I started employment in the US. After much searching I was able to locate a policy thru QBE Travel Insurance that would allow me to work. I have just checked back through my old email archives and discovered details of the policy which I purchased online thru travel.com.au.

My original policy was for a period of six months, and as I recall I was told on the phone at the time, that it could be extended from overseas as long as the extension was requested BEFORE the original policy expired. As a side note, while I was away from Australia I was able to suspend my MBF policy so that I wasn't paying for two concurrent insurances. I believe most Australian private health insurance providers allow similar suspensions as long as you present your travel documents supporting the period of time you will be away from home.

I hope this info is of some help.

 

[moffat39]

Thanks for the prompt responses. Three in ten minutes of posting is impressive!

Some great comments so far. I am not worried abot "domestic medical bills". That would be covered by the NHS as I understand it.

What I would like covered is that if he has a serious injury or illness to such an extent that he needs to come home then I would want to cover that as medical repatriations can be expensive.

Will try travel.com.au and QBE.

With respect to health insurance I pay an extra premium per month and my son is covered on my policy until 25. Am with MBF and I did phone them thinking they might have some options given they are owned by an English company but they advised all he could take with them is a twelve month policy which he would not be covered whilst he is working.

 

[sarvowinner]

My daughter is on an extended working holiday in Canada, Her insurance is with Nomads - they provide basic coverage for unlimited time periods.

 

[moffat39]

Thanks for the tip on Nomads. Have done an on line quote for 12 months and 18 months.

Suprisingly it will be cheaper doing two 12 month policies instead of 1 18 month policy.

 

[Reggie]

Thanks for the tip on Nomads. Have done an on line quote for 12 months and 18 months.

Suprisingly it will be cheaper doing two 12 month policies instead of 1 18 month policy.

BUMP - What did you decide on / go with?