Family travel insurance: covering parents and children
Family plans can be good value, but the definition of "family" is not the same everywhere. Before you buy, check who is actually covered, up to what age, and what happens if only one of you gets sick.
By the StarHolidays Editorial Team Updated 3 min read
Key takeaways
- Check the age limit for children and whether they must travel with an adult on the policy.
- A single family policy may be cheaper, but limits might be shared or per person.
- Make sure one child's illness allows the whole family to cancel or come home.
- Declare the health conditions of every family member.
On this page
How family policies work
There are three common structures:
| Structure | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Family plan | One policy, one price, for a defined family group | Check who counts as "family" |
| Children free | Kids covered at no charge with a paying adult | Common in some US-market plans, usually with limits on how many |
| Individual policies | A separate policy for each person | More flexible, but sometimes costly |
Which is cheapest depends on your children's ages and the market. Get quotes for both before assuming a family plan is the bargain.
Who counts as family?
Definitions differ, and this is where problems tend to start. Check these points:
- Maximum child age. Some plans use 17 or 18, while others extend to students up to 23 or so.
- Step-children, foster children and grandchildren. Are they included? Many policies are specific.
- Traveling together. Some family plans only cover children traveling with a named adult. If your teen goes on a school trip by themselves, they may not be covered.
- Unmarried partners. They may be included if you share a home, but this isn't universal.
- Separated parents. If children live in two homes, read the wording about a single household.
Limits: per person or shared?
A plan may say $100,000 of medical cover and mean per person or a total for the whole group. Look for this especially with baggage limits and deductibles. A deductible might apply per person, so a stomach bug that hits all four of you could mean four deductibles.
Situations to check before you buy
A child gets sick before you leave. Your cancellation cover should let everyone on the policy cancel. Check it's clear about this, as parents won't send a child to hospital and go off on vacation.
A child is hospitalized abroad. Does the policy cover extra hotel nights for a parent to stay nearby? Does it get siblings home if one parent needs to stay?
A parent is hospitalized. Is there cover to bring in a relative or to get the kids home with an escort?
A grandparent at home becomes ill. This could end your trip. Check how the wording treats close relatives who aren't traveling, and whether their pre-existing conditions matter.
Destination and activity considerations
Family vacations often include activities that may not seem risky. Check the following:
- Theme parks and water parks. Normally fine, but read for specific exclusions.
- Ski schools. Children's ski lessons and hired equipment can need winter sports cover.
- Quad bikes, scooters and jet skis. The UK government notes quads and mopeds are usually excluded.
- Cruises. See our cruise guide. Some policies need an add-on, and children's rules can differ.
Visiting the US? Medical bills can be very high, so read USA travel insurance. Traveling to Europe with a Schengen visa? Each person, including children, needs their own €30,000 of cover in their application.
If you travel with a baby or are expecting
Check whether infants are covered from birth or need to be added. If you're pregnant, read travel insurance during pregnancy because a baby born abroad may not automatically be covered.
A practical checklist
Before leaving, make sure:
- All names and birth dates match your passports
- Both adults have the policy number and the assistance line on their phones
- You've got a letter of consent, if one parent is traveling alone with the children, as some countries ask for this
- You've noted children's allergies, medications and vaccination records
- Your older children know what to do and who to call if they get separated from you
Tip: photograph every child's passport and save it with your policy. If a passport goes missing or a child needs treatment, you'll be glad you did.
Frequently asked questions
Do children need their own travel insurance?
They need to be covered, but not necessarily by a separate policy. Many family plans include children, and some plans cover them free with a paying adult. Check the age limit and rules.
Is family travel insurance cheaper than individual policies?
Often, but not always. It depends on ages, trip details and the market. Get a quote for both, especially if one family member is older or has a health condition.
Are my adult children covered on a family plan?
Sometimes, if they are below an age limit and possibly in full-time education or living at home. Many policies exclude independent adult children, so check the definition.
Can grandparents go on a family policy?
Sometimes, depending on the insurer's definition, but they may need a separate policy, particularly if their age or health affects the price.