Family Travel Insurance: What to Check Before You Buy

A family travel insurance policy covers a household on one policy instead of one each. Before you buy, check who the policy counts as family, that every traveller's medical conditions are declared, that the activities you plan are covered, and how the excess is applied. This is general information, not advice on which policy to buy.

Who counts as family

Insurers define it differently. It is usually one or two adults and their dependent children living at the same address, up to an age limit that the policy states. Check whether children are covered when they travel without the adults, whether a child away at university is included, and whether the adults are covered when they travel separately.

Medical conditions

Declare existing medical conditions for every person on the policy, including children. A condition that is not declared can void a claim, even one that seems unrelated. The insurer may cover it, cover it for an extra premium, or exclude it. Get the decision in writing.

What is usually covered

• Emergency medical treatment abroad and getting home.
• Cancelling or cutting short the trip for a reason the policy names.
• Lost, stolen or delayed baggage, up to limits for each item and in total.
• Travel delay and missed departure.
• Personal liability.

What to check

• Activities. Skiing, water sports and many adventure activities need to be added or are excluded.
• Destinations. Europe, worldwide, and worldwide including or excluding certain countries are priced differently.
• The excess. It may apply per person and per section of a claim, which multiplies for a family.
• Single item limits. Phones, tablets and cameras are often above them.
• Trip length. Annual policies limit the length of any one trip.
• When cancellation cover starts. On a single-trip policy it starts when you buy, so buying when you book covers the period before you travel.

Official travel advice

Policies normally exclude travel to a place the government advises against visiting. Check the official advice for your destination before you book and again before you travel.

Add your travel insurance to Wisemium and it keeps the insurer, the premium and the renewal date on record and shows the date as needing attention as the renewal comes close. When you want quotes, it hands you to an FCA authorised comparison partner. Wisemium does not compare, recommend or arrange insurance itself.