Do I Need Travel Insurance for My Family?

January 21, 2025

You and your family are going on a vacation. What type of travel insurance do you need to protect your family, you and your kids?

Does your travel insurance cover your children?

Do children need their own travel insurance?

Having separate travel insurance for your children depends on your policy and your travel plans. Many family travel insurance policies automatically cover children under a certain age (typically under 18 or 21) without requiring additional coverage.

Age and dependency: If your children are under a certain age (usually under 18 or 21, depending on the country), they may be covered under your policy for certain travel-related situations, like medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage, without needing a separate plan. You should always verify this with your insurance provider because coverage can vary.

Specific needs for children: Even though some policies cover children for free or as part of a family travel insurance package, there could be instances where additional coverage might be beneficial. If your child has a medical condition or if you are planning an adventurous trip with activities that carry a higher risk, you may want to consider extra coverage.
Travel insurance terms: Some policies might include family coverage as a standard benefit, while others might require you to add them as dependents. It’s important to confirm with your insurer whether your children will be automatically covered under your policy, or if you need to buy an additional travel insurance policy for them.
Peace of mind: While it may not be strictly necessary to buy travel insurance for your children if they're covered under your plan, having separate coverage might provide extra peace of mind, especially if you are traveling internationally or to a destination with health risks or high medical costs.

Do you want to take the risk of not having your children covered by travel insurance?

Must you travel together for couples travel insurance?

Generally, couples travel insurance doesn't require you to travel together, but it depends on the specific policy and insurer. Some insurers offer coverage for couples traveling separately, while others may have certain conditions or limitations when one partner is traveling alone.

Single trip vs. multi-trip policies: If you and your partner are purchasing a multi-trip or annual travel insurance policy, both of you are typically covered for any trips you take individually, even if you’re not traveling together.
Single trip coverage: If you’re looking at a single-trip policy, some insurers may offer coverage for both partners, even if only one is traveling at the time of purchase. However, it's important to clarify whether both of you need to be traveling together for the coverage to apply.
Coverage for one traveller: If you’re only covering one person for a trip, but both partners are included in a couples' policy, the second person will generally have coverage for other incidents like trip cancellation, medical emergencies, or loss of baggage, even if they’re not traveling.

Does your credit card travel insurance cover family members?

Often, coverage for the spouse and children is only valid if they're travelling with the cardholder, but with some credit cards they may be insured if they're travelling separately. Each policy has maximum payable benefits. The coverage often depends on whether the trip is paid for using the credit card. Some cards may require you to pay for a portion or the full trip with the card to activate the insurance for both the cardholder and any accompanying family members.

Travel insurance provides essential protection for you and your loved ones, offering peace of mind during your trips. Whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, having the right coverage can safeguard you against unexpected events like medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage.

You might want to consider the following travel insurance:

Medical coverage: If you're traveling internationally, having coverage for medical emergencies is essential. This will cover expenses like hospital stays, doctor visits, and emergency medical evacuations.
Trip cancellation/Interruption Insurance: This can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses if you have to cancel or cut your trip short due to unforeseen events, such as illness, family emergencies, or unexpected events like natural disasters.
Lost or delayed baggage: This covers the cost of replacing lost or delayed luggage, which can be particularly useful for international trips or when traveling with valuables.
Flight delay or missed connection insurance: This can help cover additional expenses like accommodation, meals, and transportation if your flight is delayed or you miss a connecting flight due to circumstances beyond your control.
Travel delay insurance: If your trip is delayed for reasons like weather or mechanical issues, this coverage provides compensation for delays that impact your travel plans.
Rental car insurance: If you plan to rent a car during your trip, rental car insurance protects you against theft, accidents, or damages to the vehicle.

Protect yourself when you travel. Get travel insurance for peace of mind.