Travel insurance is that item on the holiday prep list that often feels like a waste of money – especially if you’ve already gone on countless trips without needing to claim anything. But travel insurance isn’t just about the claims – it’s peace of mind that, if something were to go wrong – you have a safety net to rely on. And, when you’re travelling with kids, fully aware that anything can happen, that peace of mind is priceless! In this article, we go over why you need family travel insurance in 2022 and the options available for your next trip!
What is family travel insurance?
Family travel insurance covers the one or two adults in your family and children under 18 who reside in the same address. Many policies also cover stepchildren, foster children and adopted children. They can be yours or your partner’s, as long as you all live together.
Family travel insurance is very often cheaper than if you were to take out separate policies for each family member. Some family policies even cover children under a specific age for free.
Family travel insurance doesn’t apply if your children are travelling with a non-family member.
What does family travel insurance cover?
Family travel insurance generally covers:
- Stolen, lost or damaged luggage and possessions
- Cancelled or holidays cut short
- Missed departure or delays, if the reason is due to an insured event
- Medical treatment, including repatriation if required
- A (very) specific list of adventurous activities
- Legal assistance
- Personal liability (cover for any damage or injury caused on others by accident while on holiday)
Many plans also cover pre-existing medical conditions for free but you should always check the provider’s list of conditions to ensure that you and your family are covered.
Does family travel insurance cover Covid-19?
In a post-pandemic world (can we safely say that?), most family travel insurance plans include emergency medical expenses, repatriation, and cancellation and curtailment cover for Coronavirus. Generally, you’re covered if you or your kids contract Covid-19 14 days before, or during your trip. You should always check your government’s local advice though. If there are specific travel warnings and restrictions, then you won’t be covered.
It may be possible to purchase a Covid-19 add on for policies that do not cover it.
When should we take out family travel insurance?
It’s best to buy daily travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your trip so that if you need to cancel, you’ll be covered.
Do we need family travel insurance in 2022?
Yes! Travel insurance goes beyond illness or bags getting lost. It saves you time and stress and provides you with financial protection in case of an emergency during your holiday. It’s purpose is to cover you for any unexpected situations that could arise during your trip (and let’s be honest here, anything can happen when travelling with kids!). It allows you to claim money back if something goes wrong, including medical treatment or even repatriation back home. And if the kids get sick just before your flight, you’re covered too!
Family travel insurance has become even more important thanks to our good friend, Covid-19. There’s nothing more defeating than having a trip all planned out, only to end up in quarantine a few days before your departure date! With coronavirus cover, you can claim back all your expenses if someone in your family contracts Covid-19 prior to your trip or during it.
Isn’t the E-111 card enough for Europeans travelling in Europe?
The European Health Insurance Card is a free card that gives you access to medically-necessary, state-provided healthcare during your holiday. It covers the 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. If you need medical assistance during your stay in any of these countries the E-111 card allows you to enjoy the same conditions as people in that country. However, this does not mean that all care will be free – you will still have to pay costs if people in that country receive that care against payment.
It’s important to remember that the European Health Insurance Card is not an alternative to family travel insurance. The card does not cover private healthcare, and as we’ve noted above, it does not guarantee free healthcare. If the people in that country are paying for specific healthcare, then you will have to pay too. Only fair, right?
Which is the best family travel insurance in 2022?
There isn’t one answer that applies to all families: the best policy for you depends on your circumstances, where you’re going and when, as well as what you’ll be doing during your trip.
As a quick overview, there are two main policies you can buy:
Single trip family travel insurance: this covers only one trip with defined dates and location.
Annual family travel insurance: one policy that covers all the trips you will take throughout the year. This is ideal if you have more than one family holiday planned.
Once you’ve decided which of these to go for, there are then add-ons and specific covers you can buy, including a winter sports cover which is best for family skiing trips or cruise cover if you’re taking that kind of holiday.
How much does affordable family travel insurance cost?
The cost of family travel insurance depends on the country you’re travelling to and what you will be doing on your trip (insurance for a skiing trip would cost more). As an example, a policy for the USA, Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean costs more than a policy for Spain or Italy. This is because healthcare costs are much higher in those countries than they are in Europe. It also depends on your family’s health: some medical conditions aren’t covered in standard plans, in which case you will need to take out separate coverage which comes at an additional cost. In 2020, the
You can compare family travel insurance policies on comparison websites online, such as GoCompare and Compare The Market to find the cheapest family travel insurance.
To conclude
Anything can happen while travelling with kids. Knowing that you’re financially covered in case of illness, a medical urgency or some other unexpected event gives you much needed peace of mind and allows you to fully enjoy your trip! A good family travel insurance plan gives you just that. Happy travels!
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Disclaimer:
The content of this page is purely for informational purposes. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act on the information presented on this page, you do so at your own risk.
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