Do You Need Travel Insurance for Jersey in 2025?
Understanding Jersey's Healthcare System
Not part of the UK or the EU, Jersey, the biggest of the Channel Islands, is This implies that its healthcare system, the Jersey Health Service (JHS), runs separately and is not linked to the EHIC/GHIC schemes or the NHS in the United Kingdom. JHS offers members free services after a six-month waiting period; doctors and dentists are private and demand upfront payment for visits. Everyone is free to use emergency treatment available at Jersey General Hospital. Expats must live in Jersey for six months and pay into social security for non-emergency treatment and subsidized doctor visits. JHS may not cover expenses for dental care, some medicines, and maybe medical evacuations to the UK or Europe for specialized treatment even after six months.
Why Consider Travel Insurance for Jersey?
Travel insurance is always advised for visits to Jersey, particularly for U.S. residents. According to NerdWallet's research, travel insurance usually covers 4% to 16% of your vacation costs. This would be $40 to $160 for a $1,000 excursion. Trip length, destination, age, and coverage type all affect cost.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover for Jersey Trips?
Typical travel insurance policies include coverage for:
Medical Emergencies: This covers expenses from unexpected illnesses or injuries, including hospitalization and doctor visits in Jersey. When selecting coverage amounts, consider the average cost of medical care in Jersey.
Trip Cancellations/Interruptions: This reimburses pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel or cut your trip short due to covered reasons (e.g., illness, severe weather, family emergencies). NerdWallet found that trip cancellation insurance averages around 7% of the total trip cost.
Lost/Delayed Baggage: This covers lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and essential items if your baggage is delayed.
Travel Delays: This reimburses expenses like accommodation and meals if travel is significantly delayed. Consider the potential for delays when travelling to/from the Channel Islands.
Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation: This covers transport costs to a suitable medical facility or the U.S. if needed. This is important given Jersey's limited specialist medical resources.
Specific policies additionally provide "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) coverage, which lets you cancel for any reason and get reimbursed a percentage of trip expenses—typically 50%–75%. This has to be bought within a designated period.
Travel Insurance Options for Jersey Trips
Travel insurance is available from several respectable businesses, including Allianz Global Assistance, AIG Travel Guard, World Nomads, Travelex, and Seven Corners. Based on your travel specifics, comparison sites such as Squaremouth, InsureMyTrip, and TravelInsurance.com let you evaluate policies and costs. Furthermore, JS Travel Insurance's "Islands Health Plan" offers extra coverage options especially tailored for Channel Island residents and immigrants.
Credit Card Travel Insurance for Jersey
Although coverage is frequently restricted, some premium travel credit cards provide travel insurance advantages. Please review the policy information on your card to find out what is included and whether it is sufficient for your needs.
Reciprocal Health Agreements and Jersey
Although Jersey has reciprocal health agreements with a few nations, including the UK, these mainly offer emergency treatment for brief visits and do not support repatriation. They serve no replacement for travel insurance.
Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions in Jersey
If you have pre-existing medical conditions and are heading to Jersey, let travel insurance know about them. While some insurance excludes pre-existing diseases, others cover the sudden onset of certain diseases. Go over policy specifics very closely. One supplier that protects travellers with pre-existing conditions is Goodtogoinsurance.com.
| Provider | Policy Type | Coverage Highlights | Age Limits | Pre-existing Conditions | COVID-19 Coverage | Trip Cancellation Coverage | Medical Coverage | Additional Benefits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Travel Insurance | Single Trip, Multi Trip | Cancellations, medical, lost luggage | Single Trip: Up to 80 yearsMulti Trip: Up to 65 years | Yes, with medical screening | Yes | Yes | Yes | None specified | Varies depending on trip details and coverage level. |
| Horizon BCBSNJ | Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core, GeoBlue Traveler®, GeoBlue Expat® | Access to doctors and hospitals worldwide | Varies by plan | Dependent on the specific plan chosen. | Dependent on the chosen GeoBlue Traveler® or Expat® plan. | Available through certain GeoBlue plans. | Yes | Travel assistance | Varies based on plan type and coverage level. |
| Ross Gower (PJ Hayman) | Travel Plus, Free Spirit, Long Stay/Backpacker, Adventures | COVID-19 cover, 'Staycations', existing medical conditions | Essential: Up to 65Premier/Premier Plus: Up to 75Free Spirit: No age limit | Yes, with online medical screening | Yes | Yes | Yes | Winter sports cover, extended cruise cover | Varies by plan and trip details. |
| Goodtogoinsurance.com | Single Trip, Annual Multi-Trip | Covers all ages, pre-existing conditions | All ages | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 24/7 assistance, baggage cover, travel delay | Varies by plan, age, trip length, and destination. |
| Islands (Millstream) | Prestige Single Trip, Prestige Annual Multi Trip, Bespoke Annual Multi Trip | Medical, cancellation, personal liability, travel disruption, winter sports | Single Trip: Up to 85Annual Multi Trip: Up to 75Bespoke Annual Multi Trip: Up to 75 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (£10,000,000) | Airport lounge access, 360 assistance, collision damage waiver, golf equipment cover (optional) | Single Trip: From £22Annual Multi Trip: From £155 |
| Auras | Single Trip, Annual Multi Trip | COVID-19, medical, repatriation, baggage loss, flight delay, liability | 1 to 100 years old | Not explicitly stated, but chronic conditions are not covered for treatment during travel. | Yes | Yes | Yes ($35,000 minimum) | Various activity levels (Calm, Active, Extreme, Sport) | $1.50/day |
| Staysure | UK Holidays (Basic, Comprehensive, Signature) | Cancellation, medical transfer, baggage, COVID-19 | No upper age limit | Yes, must be declared | Yes | Yes (Up to £10,000 for Signature) | Medical transfer and accommodation (up to £10k) | Gadget cover, golf cover, winter sports, 100-day upgrade, excess waiver | Varies by plan |
| JS Travel Insurance | Silver, Gold, Platinum | Emergency medical, personal liability, cancellation, baggage | Single Trip: Up to 75Annual Multi-Trip: Up to 65Backpacker: Up to 45 | Yes | Yes, included as standard. | Gold/Platinum: Yes | Yes (£5,000,000) | Activity equipment cover, valuables cover, travel delay (Gold/Platinum), trip abandonment (Gold/Platinum) | Varies by plan |
| Travel Insured International (via Travelers) | Single Trip, Multi Trip | Trip cancellation, medical expenses, baggage, Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option | Up to 86 and over | Must be declared, coverage varies by plan. | Yes, treated like any other illness. CFAR option available. | Yes | Yes | 24/7 access to trip details and claims, online plan management | Varies by plan and trip details. |
| Allianz Global Assistance (via AAA) | TripAssist (various plans) | Cancellations, delays, medical emergencies, lost luggage, epidemic coverage | Kids 17 and under free with parent/grandparent | Dependent on plan, look for "pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver" | Yes (epidemic coverage in select plans) | Yes | Yes | SmartBenefits, missed port of call, vehicle return | Varies by plan and trip details. |
| Loveit Coverit | Essential, Plus, Premium | Medical, trip cancellation/interruption, travel disruption, pet care (Plus/Premium) | No upper age limit | Yes, but impacts cost. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Network Insurance | Various | No age limits, pre-existing conditions, inter-island & UK/Europe day trips, winter sports, various activities | Single Trip: Any ageAnnual: Up to 85 years | Yes, may require additional premium | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sports and leisure activities | Varies by plan. |
| Cherry Godfrey (PJ Hayman) | Super Duper (recommended) | COVID-19, baggage loss | Over 65s can get quotes, but online system has limits. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not specified | Not specified |
| Various (via American Visitor Insurance) | Basic, Standard, Premium, others | Visa application, medical expenses, travel delays, trip cancellations, baggage, 24/7 assistance | Varies by plan. | Varies by plan; some offer acute onset coverage. | Varies by plan. | Yes | Yes | Vary by plan. | From $29 service charge |
| VISOA.com | Atlas America, Patriot America Plus, Safe Travels USA Comprehensive, Atlas Premium, Patriot Platinum, Diplomat Long Term, others | Medical expenses, pre-existing conditions (some plans), telehealth (some plans) | Varies by plan | Acute onset covered in some plans | Marked for plans that cover COVID-19 | Varies by plan | Yes | Varies by plan | Varies by plan. |
