Moving to the UK in Weeks – Questions!!!

[marmitegirl]

Just posted on another thread about moving back to the UK, supposed to be going at the end of November if flights not cancelled. While I realise it is possibly the worst time ever to go back we are still going ahead with the move which we have already postponed once. I'm having issues with:

• Travel Insurance - no one is selling it in Australia for Aus residents...what to do?!? The one provider I found who is selling is only for return trips and we have one-way flights.
• Mobile - where have all the providers gone that let you have a cheap plan that works in UK but long top up time, everything I can find now seems to be monthly or pre-paid with 6-month top up which is $180? Any advice?
• Private Health - best to cancel? or pause? or keep paying a cheap policy to avoid medicare levi surcharge - is this even legal?
• TOR - Not sure when this needs to be done? I understood from shipping company that although I complete it, they need the ref/approval number before it clears UK customs so it can be done in the 3 months while goods are shipped?

Super stressed trying to get it all done in time on top of the pandemic stuff so any help would be greatly appreciated thanks!!

[Marisawright]

Private health - is there even the slightest possibility that you might come back to Australia?  If so, notify them yoúre going overseas and pause it for the maximum length of time.  If not, cancel once you're in the UK. 

Why would you pay the medicare levy if you're no longer residing in Australia?   It's like tax, you only pay for the part of the year you were living here.

Phones:  this guy usually has the best tips on money saving on phones and other stuff in the UK:  https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

 

Edited November 3, 2020 by Marisawright

[VERYSTORMY]

With travel insurance, to be honest if it is just for flights, I never bother just pay for your flight with a credit card. 

There are loads of pre pay options once in the UK, pretty much every provider offers something. My wife uses Vodaphone. 

[starlight7]

I really, really wouldn’t go back there just now. Think long and hard about it. Some inconvenience this end isn’t the end of the world but going over there just now just might be.

[Tulip1]

5 hours ago, VERYSTORMY said:

With travel insurance, to be honest if it is just for flights, I never bother just pay for your flight with a credit card. 

There are loads of pre pay options once in the UK, pretty much every provider offers something. My wife uses Vodaphone. 

What if you fall desperately ill on the flight, whilst in the transit country  or get delayed in transit.  When you have a heart attack or similar sitting in the connecting country airport and no insurance you’ve got big problems, not  worth the risk. 

[Amber Snowball]

10 hours ago, marmitegirl said:

Just posted on another thread about moving back to the UK, supposed to be going at the end of November if flights not cancelled. While I realise it is possibly the worst time ever to go back we are still going ahead with the move which we have already postponed once. I'm having issues with:

• Travel Insurance - no one is selling it in Australia for Aus residents...what to do?!? The one provider I found who is selling is only for return trips and we have one-way flights.
• Mobile - where have all the providers gone that let you have a cheap plan that works in UK but long top up time, everything I can find now seems to be monthly or pre-paid with 6-month top up which is $180? Any advice?
• Private Health - best to cancel? or pause? or keep paying a cheap policy to avoid medicare levi surcharge - is this even legal?
• TOR - Not sure when this needs to be done? I understood from shipping company that although I complete it, they need the ref/approval number before it clears UK customs so it can be done in the 3 months while goods are shipped?

Super stressed trying to get it all done in time on top of the pandemic stuff so any help would be greatly appreciated thanks!!

The TOR can be done now. It doesn’t seem to be taking too long to be issued. The file size allowed for attachments is tiny, so really low res copies. You should get an acknowledgment email straight back. There are a number of threads on here about it if you search. Just list things as ‘kitchen utensils’ or ‘clothes’, no need to list every spoon you own.

One  member has done it recently. @Senfield I think.......

The UK isn’t plague infested everywhere so depends where you are returning to in terms of covid, being careful and not getting too close to others seems to be the key. 

[Amber Snowball]

5 minutes ago, Tulip1 said:

What if you fall desperately ill on the flight, whilst in the transit country  or get delayed in transit.  When you have a heart attack or similar sitting in the connecting country airport and no insurance you’ve got big problems, not  worth the risk. 

I always have travel insurance for exactly those reasons! When I returned Budget direct were doing good one way insurance that covered the excess on my hire car as well which was useful.

Not sure how @marmitegirl feels about no insurance. Where are you travelling through? My friend couldn’t get insurance because of her illness and needed the ER in Singapore, it wasn’t nearly as expensive as I thought. Few hundred dollars rather than a few thousand.

[Jon the Hat]

2 hours ago, starlight7 said:

I really, really wouldn’t go back there just now. Think long and hard about it. Some inconvenience this end isn’t the end of the world but going over there just now just might be.

It's fine honestly, I know one person who has had Covid and she lives in Madrid.  Not one of my circle in the UK has had it.  Sure it is a bit worse in the North at the moment, but social distancing keeps you safe.  Perfectly easy to self isolate - online shopping is about a million times easier over here.

The only caveat is the job market it not great.

[Tulip1]

1 hour ago, Amber Snowball said:

I always have travel insurance for exactly those reasons! When I returned Budget direct were doing good one way insurance that covered the excess on my hire car as well which was useful.

Not sure how @marmitegirl feels about no insurance. Where are you travelling through? My friend couldn’t get insurance because of her illness and needed the ER in Singapore, it wasn’t nearly as expensive as I thought. Few hundred dollars rather than a few thousand.

I guess it all depends on what treatment you need. If you have an infection and needed some antibiotics then it wouldn’t be too eye watering. I can imagine emergency surgery would cost several thousands though. I had a friend many years ago who went on holiday abroad and didn’t bother getting insurance. She fell ill and was rushed to hospital with a burst appendix. Her parents had to take an equity release loan out on their house to pay the hospital bill. There was complications because it had actually burst and she was in hospital a while.  Imagine a heart attack and needing stents followed by a by-pass and many weeks recovery in hospital.  Could be even worse, imagine being too unwell to continue your travels by the usual means and having to get repatriated home after some medical emergency. Those flights cost a fortune.  

Edited November 3, 2020 by Tulip1

[Amber Snowball]

26 minutes ago, Tulip1 said:

I guess it all depends on what treatment you need. If you have an infection and needed some antibiotics then it wouldn’t be too eye watering. I can imagine emergency surgery would cost several thousands though. I had a friend many years ago who went on holiday abroad and didn’t bother getting insurance. She fell ill and was rushed to hospital with a burst appendix. Her parents had to take an equity release loan out on their house to pay the hospital bill. There was complications because it had actually burst and she was in hospital a while.  Imagine a heart attack and needing stents followed by a by-pass and many weeks recovery in hospital.  Could be even worse, imagine being too unwell to continue your travels by the usual means and having to get repatriated home after some medical emergency. Those flights cost a fortune.  

Surgery definitely expensive everywhere. She had some blood tests and scans I think. She was terminally ill so prime for needing healthcare. Can’t believe she travelled but she did, had a fabulous time and has since died.

Currently with so little insurance available I suppose you take your chance.

[AliQ]

19 hours ago, marmitegirl said:

Just posted on another thread about moving back to the UK, supposed to be going at the end of November if flights not cancelled. While I realise it is possibly the worst time ever to go back we are still going ahead with the move which we have already postponed once. I'm having issues with:

• Travel Insurance - no one is selling it in Australia for Aus residents...what to do?!? The one provider I found who is selling is only for return trips and we have one-way flights.
• Mobile - where have all the providers gone that let you have a cheap plan that works in UK but long top up time, everything I can find now seems to be monthly or pre-paid with 6-month top up which is $180? Any advice?
• Private Health - best to cancel? or pause? or keep paying a cheap policy to avoid medicare levi surcharge - is this even legal?
• TOR - Not sure when this needs to be done? I understood from shipping company that although I complete it, they need the ref/approval number before it clears UK customs so it can be done in the 3 months while goods are shipped?

Super stressed trying to get it all done in time on top of the pandemic stuff so any help would be greatly appreciated thanks!!

Hi, take heed of the advice from previous posters, NEVER travel without appropriate insurance, regardless of cost. Try Covermore and Insureandgo, I've bought one way travel from both of those companies in the past, it's best to phone them and arrange over the phone rather than use the online system though. Just noticed that you say resident, in that case, try calling the UK branches instead, they may cover you to get home. Covermore and Insureandgo both have UK based offices.

Mobile, are you after an Australian plan that you can use in the UK ? or a UK provider ? When you land in the UK, have a look at GiffGaff. They have a great range of plans, offer a great service, it's on line only,  and I have never had any problems or issues. If you are after an Australian plan to use in the UK though to receive banking SMS codes etc, sorry, can't help with that. Whilst we were in the UK recently, I still had my Telstra plan for that, but they have now stopped these plans until the middle of next year which is a shame.

Private Health. Suspend it. It will not cost you anything, and you can suspend for 1094 days without creating any problems or issues if you return at a later date. BUT, double check with your own health fund and get it in writing before you leave.

And Good Luck with your planning.

 

Edited November 3, 2020 by AliQ

[marmitegirl]

Thanks for all the great info.

Sorry should have been more clear re mobile, I'm wanting to use my aus number in the UK to get bank codes etc. All previous plans have disappeared as I guess there is no demand to use aus phone overseas anymore!! Looks like I can't do it cheaply anymore and may have to pay a fortune for roaming

I'm moving semi-rural in South of UK, got a job, schools etc. lined up, ill family member (non-Covid related) swayed the decision as I already postponed once. It's been a tough decision and I'm still torn. Not sure if flights into the UK will be cancelled anyway as few will be coming out.!?

Going via Singapore and heard medical expenses are high, not keen to go without travel insurance but there seems to be no options as an aus resident. Cover more would only cover with a return ticket but policy wouldn't be valid anyway as virtually all (if not all) countries are currently classified as "do not travel". Not sure what people who've been leaving aus are supposed to do? 

[rammygirl]

Speak to your banks etc.  most will send to a UK number and you should be able to change your address to a UK one on line.  But best to check what will be possible before you go. I do still have some issues with UK banks not sending to an Oz mobile although this has got better.  There has always been a work around by calling them.  Although I do still have a TESCO PAYG sim on standby!.

[Marisawright]

4 hours ago, marmitegirl said:

Sorry should have been more clear re mobile, I'm wanting to use my aus number in the UK to get bank codes etc. All previous plans have disappeared as I guess there is no demand to use aus phone overseas anymore!! Looks like I can't do it cheaply anymore and may have to pay a fortune for roaming

 

Speak to your bank.  I'm with Commonwealth and they switched me over to the Netcode system, so I don't need mobile alerts.  It's a little dongle that generates codes.   Several other banks have the same system as an alternative for people who can't use mobile. 

[VERYSTORMY]

18 hours ago, Tulip1 said:

What if you fall desperately ill on the flight, whilst in the transit country  or get delayed in transit.  When you have a heart attack or similar sitting in the connecting country airport and no insurance you’ve got big problems, not  worth the risk. 

There are small risks. But, it is a question about assessing the risks. There is a chance I will be hit by a metiorite today. But, I don't take insurance for it. 

[VERYSTORMY]

19 hours ago, starlight7 said:

I really, really wouldn’t go back there just now. Think long and hard about it. Some inconvenience this end isn’t the end of the world but going over there just now just might be.

Two things. It depends on your life. We lived in the highest lockdown area in Scotland (Central Belt) which may go into the highest level available. But, to us, in our day to day life, it is actually easy to not notice it. We live in a rural area. The village has no shop or pub, so don't notice pubs being closed. We rarely go into shops in normal time other than to buy groceries once a week and other than we wear a mask these days, we don't notice too much of a difference. 

Second, it is impossible to know how things will be in the UK and Oz going forward. For example, only a couple of months ago Scotland was down to averaging between 0 and 4 cases per day. The WHO came out at the time and said we would be one of the few countries to eradicate it. Now we are averaging over 1000 cases per day (though currently reducing). Take Melbourne. It's entire recent outbreak is thought to have originated from one family. As Oz opens back up, it runs a risk of a new outbreak. This things is too hard to call anywhere now. 

[Amber Snowball]

I have an ME bank account in Oz and they use my uk mobile number without any problems.

[Tulip1]

1 hour ago, VERYSTORMY said:

There are small risks. But, it is a question about assessing the risks. There is a chance I will be hit by a metiorite today. But, I don't take insurance for it. 

What a strange comparison. It’s also unavoidable so not comparable.  Travelling with hope that you don’t have a medical emergency isn’t sensible and it’s factual emergencies can and do happen. I wonder how many insurance companies pay out annually on medical expenses whilst people are travelling to/through other countries. It would be in high figures I am sure which tells us it happens, although we already know that it can and does. Certainly up to the individual to take the risk, the ones that do sometimes have family members setting up go fund me pages for loved ones stuck abroad needing medical help and repatriation. The ones who thought I’ll spend a grand on my trip but I’m not going to bother spending a few quid on insurance.  Same as the ones that don’t have home or pet insurance. They suddenly seem shocked that they have lost everything after the fire or that little Rocky can’t have that expensive surgery so will need to be put to sleep (another go fund me perhaps) lets hope strangers pay up because I chose not to bother.

Edited November 4, 2020 by Tulip1

[ramot]

1 hour ago, Tulip1 said:

What a strange comparison. It’s also unavoidable so not comparable.  Travelling with hope that you don’t have a medical emergency isn’t sensible and it’s factual emergencies can and do happen. I wonder how many insurance companies pay out annually on medical expenses whilst people are travelling to/through other countries. It would be in high figures I am sure which tells us it happens, although we already know that it can and does. Certainly up to the individual to take the risk, the ones that do sometimes have family members setting up go fund me pages for loved ones stuck abroad needing medical help and repatriation. The ones who thought I’ll spend a grand on my trip but I’m not going to bother spending a few quid on insurance.  Same as the ones that don’t have home or pet insurance. They suddenly seem shocked that they have lost everything after the fire or that little Rocky can’t have that expensive surgery so will need to be put to sleep (another go fund me perhaps) lets hope strangers pay up because I chose not to bother.

Every time you go on a trip, pay for your insurance and return home unscathed, you might be stupid enough to wish you hadn’t bothered. Trust me it’s worth every penny  and anyone who thinks an accident will never happen to deserves being pounds out of pocket.

I had a bad fall in Africa quite some years ago, couldn’t be treated in that country, but had to pay for hospital and specialist. Then had to fly to either South Africa or Kenya for an Operation. Chose Kenya as we had family there, operation etc wasn’t cheap, and would have had the additional cost of accommodation for several weeks, before being allowed tp fly on, had we not had family to stay with. Flights had to be changed,, specialist paid. 

If you think oh well I’ll only be in transit in an airport, tell that to a friend who had a bad fall in Dubai airport, and badly broken leg,. Accidents can happen anywhere.

 

Edited November 4, 2020 by ramot

[Mike@Bonbeach]

Before emigrating in 2007 Connie and I had a holiday chalet in the South of  France near St Tropez. Without fail we took out the AA's 5 star cover for our trips down by ferry and car and every year we were incident free. Then one year I decided we would not take out the cover but at the very last minute I thought about it and changed my mind. Once we were down there and settled in went off to do our shopping and were sat at a T junction when along came along a very inebriated Frenchman in his car and took off our front end. By the following day we had a hire car provided for our holiday and the trip back, our own car was picked up and returned to the UK and another hire care for our use in the UK until our car was sorted. Not a penny extra did it cost us, and to this day I never travel without insurance. The only other time I have ever had to claim on travel insurance was when my dear wife suddenly passed away a couple of weeks before a domestic holiday here in Australia and I had to try to claim back for the Domestic flights with Qantas, but that's another story.

[Amber Snowball]

I think the issue here is that the OP cannot get insurance currently. She isn’t choosing whether to get it or not, she cannot find any company offering it.

@marmitegirl it might be you have to get on the phone and see if any will do a bespoke one way package for you.

[Marisawright]

1 hour ago, Amber Snowball said:

 

@marmitegirl it might be you have to get on the phone and see if any will do a bespoke one way package for you.

Good point.  @marmitegirl, have you tried calling an insurance broker instead of the insurance companies direct?

[Amber Snowball]

2 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Good point.  @marmitegirl, have you tried calling an insurance broker instead of the insurance companies direct?

Yes, a broker is a good idea.

[Quoll]

On 04/11/2020 at 08:47, marmitegirl said:

Thanks for all the great info.

Sorry should have been more clear re mobile, I'm wanting to use my aus number in the UK to get bank codes etc. All previous plans have disappeared as I guess there is no demand to use aus phone overseas anymore!! Looks like I can't do it cheaply anymore and may have to pay a fortune for roaming

I'm moving semi-rural in South of UK, got a job, schools etc. lined up, ill family member (non-Covid related) swayed the decision as I already postponed once. It's been a tough decision and I'm still torn. Not sure if flights into the UK will be cancelled anyway as few will be coming out.!?

Going via Singapore and heard medical expenses are high, not keen to go without travel insurance but there seems to be no options as an aus resident. Cover more would only cover with a return ticket but policy wouldn't be valid anyway as virtually all (if not all) countries are currently classified as "do not travel". Not sure what people who've been leaving aus are supposed to do? 

I had a very cheap 12 month contract with Vodafone because I needed to keep my Australian number. I think it cost me $20 a year but it might have gone up to $30 now. I did that for 8 years or more.  Just be sure they say you need international roaming.  The bank codes were a pain in the bum to be honest but some banks (ANZ) when I talked to them actually put down my UK number.  Others (St George grrrr,) didnt recognise that people overseas might actually have an overseas number but they would, if you call them, put a 24 hour hold on verification numbers being required.

[Senfield]

On 03/11/2020 at 22:40, Amber Snowball said:

The TOR can be done now. It doesn’t seem to be taking too long to be issued. The file size allowed for attachments is tiny, so really low res copies. You should get an acknowledgment email straight back. There are a number of threads on here about it if you search. Just list things as ‘kitchen utensils’ or ‘clothes’, no need to list every spoon you own.

One  member has done it recently. @Senfield I think.......

The UK isn’t plague infested everywhere so depends where you are returning to in terms of covid, being careful and not getting too close to others seems to be the key. 

Yes I recently completed the TOR, fairly straight forward. I sent my documents in three emails. Documents sent were inventory list & approximate cost, rates notice & ID. They requested evidence of where I would be staying on arrival. Daughter provided a letter & proof of her address. Processed in a couple of weeks. 

Im also interested in who will provide travel insurance, same issue ‘one way only’