• skip to this page's navigation
  • skip to page content
  • skip to footer navigation
Nationwide
- On your side
  • Log in
  • Contact us
  • Branch finder
  • Home
  • Current Account
  • Savings
  • ISAs
  • Investments & Financial advice
  • Loans
  • Credit Card
  • Mortgages
  • Insurance
  • Your Nationwide
  • Compare accounts
  • FlexAccount
  • FlexDirect
  • FlexPlus
  • Switch to us
  • Managing your account
  • Rewarding you
  • Why choose us?
  • Downloads & guides
  • Overdraft bank charges

No monthly fee & FREE European multi-trip travel insurance.

That's FlexAccount

FlexAccount
  • Why FlexAccount?
  • Free travel insurance
  • Rates, fees and overdrafts
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Apply online for FlexAccount
defaqto 5 star travel insurance

Free European multi-trip travel insurance

As part of our range of exclusive offers for main FlexAccount customers we are offering free 5 star Defaqto rated European multi-trip travel insurance to all qualifying customers.

  • Cover is free and available for all account holders that meet the eligibility criteria. (see below)
  • You can upgrade your policy anytime (additional premiums will apply).
  • Our travel insurance is rated 5 star by the independent financial research company Defaqto.
  • Important: Your cover will not start until you have received your Certificate of Insurance.
  • Eligibility
  • Summary of cover
  • How to claim
  • FAQs
  • Insurance upgrades

What are the eligibility criteria for free travel insurance?

To qualify you must:

  • Be a permanent resident of the UK
  • Be aged 16-73 (view our FAQs about age criteria)
  • Hold a Visa debit card (not cash card or cash card+) and either,
    • Switch all your Direct Debits and standing orders to us from another bank or building society to your FlexAccount, using our Account Transfer Service – backed by our Account Transfer Promise
      OR
    • pay in at least £750 per month into your FlexAccount for at least 3 consecutive months (excluding internal transfers)
  • Eligibility will be assessed when the account transfer is complete or at the end of the month, when you have deposited £750 or more.

As soon as your account qualifies we will send you a letter with details of how to confirm your insurance.

To confirm your travel insurance:

Once you qualify for free travel insurance we will send you a FlexAccount Travel Cover Eligibility Declaration to read, complete and return to us.

Your cover will not start until you receive your Certificate of Insurance - we’ll send this to you within two weeks of receiving your completed FlexAccount Travel Cover Eligibility Declaration.

To maintain cover you must:

  • Continue to hold a Visa debit card (not cash card or cash card+)
  • Pay in at least £750 into your account per month (excluding internal transfers), and
  • Remain a UK resident.

We will review eligibility each year and customers not maintaining a deposit of at least £750 per month will be notified when their cover will be removed.

All customers

Your FlexAccount travel cover will stop:

  • When your FlexAccount is closed
  • If you change to a different Nationwide current account (such as FlexDirect or FlexPlus)
  • If we notify you that you no longer meet the eligibility criteria
  • On the 31 December after your 75th birthday.
    • You will be notified during September of the year of your 75th Birthday that your cover will be ending.

  • If an account holder is removed from the account - cover will cease with immediate effect for that person only

The table below offers a summary of the main travel insurance cover limits. Some sections of cover have additional limits so you should read the relevant section of the policy document and policy summary carefully as this gives you full details of cover and the relevant excesses and exclusions.

Nationwide FlexAccount Travel Insurance is provided by U K Insurance Limited†.

Nationwide FlexAccount Travel Insurance

Features and benefits Level of cover Optional upgrade (charges apply)
Worldwide / European cover European yes
Cancellation or curtailment charges £5,000
Emergency medical and other expenses £10 million
Hospital benefit £25 per day, maximum £1,000
Personal accident £25,000 (£2,000 for under 18s)
Baggage / personal possessions £1,500
Delayed baggage / personal possessions £250 after 12 hours
Personal money £500
Passport and documents £500
Personal liability £2 million
Delayed departure £250 after 4 hours
Missed connections £250
Failure of public transport £1,000
Legal expenses and assistance £50,000
Number of days per trip 31 days yes
Excess £50
Winter sports Not included in standard cover yes
Hazardous activities Not included in standard cover yes



†U K Insurance Limited (UKI) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSA registered number is 202810. Address – The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4AZ. U K Insurance Limited is registered in England. Registration number – 1179980.

Free FlexAccount Travel Insurance - making a claim

Nationwide FlexAccount Travel Insurance is provided by U K Insurance Limited†, so they will be looking after your claim for you.

Emergency assistance

  • Telephone: 0141 349 0109
  • (from abroad): +44 141 349 0109
  • Fax: 01252 740 111
  • (from abroad): +44 1252 740 111

The emergency assistance provides 24 hour worldwide emergency travel service which includes medical assistance and personal travel referral service for Nationwide FlexAccount holders travelling outside the UK.

Making a claim

  • Telephone: 0845 246 1696
    (8am-6pm Monday - Friday)

For a non emergency related claim please notify U K Insurance Limited † of the claim in the first instance.

In the event that you have two policies you should inform both insurers at the same time of the claim.

What to do in the event of an emergency

Contact the assistance services as quickly as possible in the event of illness or accident whilst abroad (where costs are likely to be greater than £500) or in any other emergency situation (such as the loss of a passport).

Please state that you are a Nationwide FlexAccount customer.

An experienced co-ordinator in the UK will deal with your enquiry and will then ensure that where necessary:

  • Hospitals are contacted and necessary fees guaranteed.
  • Medical advisers are consulted at the outset for their views on the possibility of arranging your return to the UK.
  • Assistance upon arrival in the UK is provided where medically necessary.

Assistance co-ordinators are, in most cases, multilingual and able to converse with doctors and hospitals abroad. You may also call the assistance services for information relating to emergency health matters when travelling abroad.

The 24-hour assistance service and claims for emergency medical assistance are handled by U K Insurance Limited†.

†U K Insurance Limited (UKI) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSA registered number is 202810. Address – The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4AZ. U K Insurance Limited is registered in England. Registration number – 1179980.

When do I get cover?

If you want to qualify by completing an account transfer:

Once your account transfer is complete we will send you a FlexAccount Travel Cover Eligibility Declaration to read, complete and return to us.

Your cover will not start until you receive your Certificate of Insurance - we’ll send this to you within two weeks of receiving your completed FlexAccount Travel Cover Eligibility Declaration.

If you want to qualify by paying £750 into your account every month:

If you meet the eligibility criteria and you have made 3 consecutive monthly payments into your FlexAccount, we will send you a FlexAccount Travel Cover Eligibility Declaration to read, complete and return to us.

Your cover will not start until you receive your Certificate of Insurance - we’ll send this to you within two weeks of receiving your completed FlexAccount Travel Cover Eligibility Declaration.

Remember the payments must be:

  • from external sources, not other Nationwide accounts (such as Savings)
  • made each month – you will not qualify if you make two payments of £4,500 in a year.
  • paid into one FlexAccount – you will not qualify if the payment is split into two or more separate accounts.
Will my cover end if I miss 1 or 2 monthly payments?

We understand that sometimes it isn’t possible to credit your account every month. Cover won’t be removed without informing you first, and giving you at least 3 months notice. Cover would only cease immediately if the account is closed, or if you have a joint account and your name is removed.

Who's covered?

If you add someone to an account which already benefits from travel cover, they will also need to complete a FlexAccount Travel Cover Eligibility Declaration at the point of joining the account. Once this has been processed a letter will be sent confirming the start date. This will be sent in the first week of the month after the account holder was added.

Children are not covered automatically, however you can upgrade to provide cover for your family by contacting U K Insurance Limited. Please call 0845 246 1692 8am–8pm Monday to Friday and 9am–5pm on Saturdays. Please note that children must travel with at least one of the account holders in order to be covered. Children are not covered if they travel alone.

Age criteria

I am over 73, am I eligible?

If you are already covered and have received a confirmation letter, you will be covered until 31 December in the year of your 75th birthday.

If you are aged 74 and over and are not already covered, from 1 April 2013 we are unable to cover you under this policy. You may want to consider our FlexPlus current account which offers an age extension policy for its worldwide family cover (subject to an additional premium). Alternatively, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) website* provides additional information and guidance on options available.

Medical conditions

What do I need to do if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

You need to call for medical screening if you have any pre-existing medical conditions meaning you can not comply with the Medical Statements on page six of the policy document.

You will be medically screened and you may be asked to pay an additional premium to cover your conditions. U K Insurance Limited reserves the right not to cover you. You should call U K Insurance Limited annually to ensure that cover remains in place.

Please note pre-existing medical conditions are not covered unless they are disclosed.

UK Residents FAQ

What is the definition of a UK resident?

A UK resident is someone who has their main residence in:

  • England
  • Northern Ireland
  • Scotland
  • Wales, and
  • The Isle of Man

All journeys must start and end in the UK in order to be covered for travel cover.

Duration of travel cover

When does my travel cover end?

Provided you continue to hold a FlexAccount with a Visa debit card (not cash card+) you are covered until the end date shown on your confirmation letter. Cover will be reviewed annually to make sure you still meet the eligibility criteria and you will be notified at least 3 months in advance if the cover is to be removed.

What is the maximum duration for each trip covered by the policy?

You are covered for up trips to 31 days.

If you wish to purchase a trip extension upgrade, please call 0845 246 1692 8am–8pm Monday to Friday and 9am–5pm on Saturdays. The maximum you can extend to is 180 days and you will be charged an extra premium for this extension.

What if I already have travel cover?

You should compare the cover you have with the cover provided by this policy.

We are unable to give advice on which policy best meets your needs, please ensure you are satisfied with the level of cover this policy gives you before cancelling any other policies.

If you decide to opt out of this free insurance you can do so by returning all your documents to:

New Account Opening - Banking Operations
Nationwide Building Society Head Office
Nationwide House
Pipers Way
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN38 1NW.

If you have more than one policy, any incidents covered by both policies may be shared proportionally between the two insurance companies. This will be based on the cost of the claim and the sums insured of each policy.

When you make a claim with either provider, you should provide details of your second policy. The insurers will then arrange a contribution between themselves. However, this will not affect the claim.

Terms of travel cover

What am I covered for under the travel policy?

Your policy document will provide full details of your cover. You can get a copy by:

  • downloading a copy here
  • asking at a branch, or
  • calling us on 08457 302010.
What is the definition of Europe?

You are covered for travel in Europe – defined as the countries defined below:

  • United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man and Wales)
  • Channel Islands
  • Mainland Europe
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Madeira
  • Canary Islands
  • Syria
  • Turkey
  • Iceland
  • Azores
  • Tunisia
  • Egypt
  • Israel

And, and all countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

If you have paid the appropriate additional premium, U K Insurance Limited can upgrade the geographical limits of your policy to provide worldwide cover. Please call 0845 246 1692 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.

Who provides Nationwide FlexAccount travel insurance?

Nationwide FlexAccount Travel Cover is underwritten and administered by U K Insurance Limited (UKI).

Travel cover documents

What documents will I receive to confirm my insurance cover?

When you qualify for travel cover and return a FlexAccount Travel Cover Eligibility Declaration you will receive a Certificate of Insurance confirming:

  • who is covered by the policy
  • your policy number, and
  • the end and renewal date of your cover.

Your cover will not start until you receive your Certificate of Insurance - we’ll send this to you within two weeks of receiving your completed FlexAccount Travel Cover Eligibility Declaration

Each year as part of the Annual review you will receive an updated Certificate of Insurance. This certificate will re-confirm who is covered by the policy, your policy number and when your cover will either end or be reviewed again.

These documents will not include the details of any upgrades or medical conditions. You will receive separate letters from U K Insurance Limited regarding these.

What is my travel insurance policy number?

NBSTR112 is the Nationwide block policy number provided by U K Insurance Limited. Please quote this reference if you contact them.

I am going on holiday what should I take with me?

We recommend you take your cover letter or certificate of travel insurance when you're travelling in case you need make a claim, together with:

  • a copy of the policy document, and
  • any upgrade endorsements you have purchased directly from U K Insurance Limited

If you don't, your cover will not be affected but it could lead to delays in the handling of any claims that may arise.

Do you provide the travel insurance information in Braille, large print or on an audio cassette?

Yes. Please contact us on 08457 30 20 10.

Upgrades

What upgrades are available & how can I get one?

The following upgrades are available:

  • Family cover
  • Worldwide travel
  • Winter sports
  • Trip extension
  • Medical extension
  • Golf
  • Wedding
  • Business cover
  • Extended trip cover
  • Excess waiver
  • Hazardous activities
  • Extension of cancellation cover

You can purchase an upgrade by calling 0845 2461692 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.

Upgrades to your policy are immediate but cannot be sold before the free cover has started.

Please do not contact U K Insurance Limited to purchase any upgrades until you have returned your FlexAccount Travel Cover Eligibility Declaration and received your Certificate of Insurance from Nationwide confirming your cover.

Will my upgrade be valid if my free travel cover ends?

No your upgrades are only valid as long as your free travel cover continues with Nationwide. Once this ends your upgrade will be cancelled and cannot be reinstated.

Refunds will not be provided unless the upgrades are cancelled within the 14 day cooling off period and you have not travelled (for refunds within the cooling off period please call 0845 2461692).

Claims

How can I make a claim?

To make a claim please call:

  • 0845 246 1696, 8am–6pm Monday to Friday.

24 hour emergency travel service is also available. This includes medical assistance and a personal travel referral service for Nationwide FlexAccount holders travelling outside the UK.

Emergencies

Contact our assistance services as quickly as possible in the event of illness or accident (where costs are likely to be greater than £500) or any other emergency situation, such as the loss of a passport, involving an insured person, whilst abroad. Call:

Telephone 0141 349 0109 (UK) +44 141 349 0109 (abroad)
Fax 01252 740 111 (UK) +44 1252 740 111 (abroad).

Please state that you are a Nationwide FlexAccount customer and provide details of the problem. An experienced UK-based coordinator will deal with your enquiry and ensure where necessary that:

  • Hospitals are contacted and necessary fees guaranteed.
  • Medical advisers are consulted at the outset for their views on the possibility of arranging your return to the UK.
  • Assistance upon arrival in the UK is provided where medically necessary.

Annual Review – final review

Why am I losing my travel cover?

The policy/travel cover is provided free and is designed to reward customers who are using the FlexAccount as their main account. (These are customers who deposit over £750 each month or customers who have recently completed an account transfer (from a non Nationwide account.)).

We reviewed your cover in August and sent you a letter advising you that your cover would stop in December if you did not credit your account with £750 or more per month. In December we reassessed the account and advised you that cover would end on 31 December.

In future you can still benefit from this free travel cover by crediting at least £750 into your account each month (excluding internal transfers).

NOTE: If you are crediting another FlexAccount with £750+ per month (excluding internal credits) your travel insurance will be extended on this account until 31 Dec 2013.

You have recently notified me that my free travel cover will end soon, will this affect my other Flexclusives eg Flexclusive Saver?

No, this will not affect your existing Flexclusives at this stage. We will inform you if in the future we decide to review eligibility to other Flexclusive offers.

Why are my upgrades no longer valid?

Upgrades are only valid as long as free travel cover continues, therefore the upgrade that you originally purchased ceased when your free FlexAccount cover finished on 31 December. Unfortunately these upgrades are not refundable outside of the 14 day cooling off period.

Complaints

How do I make a complaint?

Should there ever be an occasion where you wish to complain about your insurance claim, you can call 0845 246 1692.

If you would prefer to write about your complaint, the address is:

Nationwide FlexAccount Cover Claims Services
17 Quay Street
Manchester
M3 3HN

If your complaint is not about a claim please write to:

Nationwide FlexAccount Travel Cover Customers Services
PO Box 106
37 Broad Street
Bristol
BS99 7NQ

For any additional questions not covered off on this page – please refer to your policy document or call on 0845 246 1692 (8am-8pm Monday-Friday and 9am-5pm Saturday).

†U K Insurance Limited (UKI) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSA registered number is 202810. Address – The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4AZ. U K Insurance Limited is registered in England. Registration number – 1179980.

*Nationwide FlexAccount travel insurance is subject to eligibility, conditions and exclusions apply. Pre-existing medical conditions must be disclosed. Maximum trip limit of 31 days applies. Insurance provided by U K Insurance Limited.

Upgrade your free European multi-trip travel insurance

Contact us to upgrade on

0845 246 1692

Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm

If you have received your Certificate of Insurance from us you will already be benefitting from the standard level of cover.

You can also choose upgrade options for your free FlexAccount travel insurance for an additional premium. Any changes that you make to your policy can be made with immediate effect.

The following upgrades are available

Cover your family

  • Family cover: If you are planning a family holiday our family cover upgrade option extends your cover to include your spouse / partner and children. Children are covered if at the time of travel they have not reached the age of 19 and permanently reside with you or have not reached the age of 22 and are in full time education.

Travel outside of Europe

  • Worldwide cover: If you are planning to travel outside of Europe (see the policy document for details) then upgrade your policy to Worldwide cover.

Cover a specific trip

  • Extended trip cover: If you are planning a long holiday or extended trip past 31 days you can upgrade your cover for holidays (extended trip cover is not available for winter sports).
  • Hazardous activities cover: Not all activities are automatically covered. Please refer to your policy document for clarity and details of how to upgrade.
  • Winter sports
  • Business cover
  • Golf cover
  • Wedding cover

You may also extend your policy to cover

  • Excess waiver: With an excess waiver upgrade you will not have to pay the standard policy excess in event of a claim.

Please note: If you call U K Insurance Limited† to upgrade your cover, they won't issue documents containing the names of the insured unless a medical condition is disclosed to them, then under the Disability Discrimination Act they will write to the person with that condition.

For more information please refer to the policy document or contact the Nationwide FlexAccount travel insurance helpline on 0845 246 1692 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and 9am-5pm Saturday.

†U K Insurance Limited (UKI) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSA registered number is 202810. Address – The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4AZ. U K Insurance Limited is registered in England. Registration number – 1179980.

It only takes about 10 minutes to apply online

Ready to apply? Apply now
Not sure FlexAccount is for you? Compare our accounts

FlexAccount travel insurance is provided for Nationwide by U K Insurance limited U K Insurance Limited (UKI) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSA registered number is 202810. Address - The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4AZ. U K Insurance Limited is registered in England. Registration number - 1179980.

FSCS - Protecting your money. Find out more

FSCS - Protecting your money

Your eligible deposits with Nationwide Building Society are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK's deposit protection scheme. This limit is applied to the total of any deposits you have with the following: Nationwide Building Society, Cheshire Building Society, Derbyshire Building Society, Dunfermline Building Society and Nationwide UK (Ireland). Any total deposits you hold above the £85,000 limit between these brands are not covered.

Please click here for further information or visit www.fscs.org.uk

  • Mobile
  • Explore Nationwide
  • Careers
  • Security
  • Cookie and privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Legal
  • Site map
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Follow us
© Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide Building Society is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority under registration number 106078.
Credit facilities other than regulated mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
You can confirm our registration on the FSA's website, www.fsa.gov.uk or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234.