How to Get Family Travel Insurance (and why?)

As you plan your family trip, you’re probably imagining all of the wonderful memories you’re going to create. Waking up in a beautiful seaside bungalow, hiking in the mountains with your loved ones, enjoying mouthwatering cuisine.

We (understandably) plan our trips with the assumption that everything will work out smoothly and we’ll come home with nothing but amazing memories, photos, and maybe a few souvenirs. But as many have learned the hard way (myself included), things can easily take a turn for the worse. Usually, that’s just a missed flight or a few scrapes and bruises. But it can be much more than that too.

That’s why I always buy travel insurance. Not only does it provide peace of mind, it makes sure I’ll be made whole should something go wrong while I’m abroad. If you’re traveling as a family, it’s doubly important to ensure you’re protected, as not only do such trips cost more than solo adventures, but young ones are extra likely to get sick or injured on the road.

I know, reading policies and researching travel insurance tips isn’t fun. It’s not something you want to think about as you plan. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about picking a family travel insurance plan for your next trip so you can explore with confidence, knowing you and your loved ones are covered.

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What to Look for in a Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy

First, you’ll want a policy that includes a high coverage limit for medical expenses. Generally, $100,000 USD is enough for most travelers. If someone in your family is older or has a medical condition, however, you may want a higher limit (somewhere around $250,000–500,000 USD). The coverage limit is generally the amount allotted for each person, but make sure to double-check before purchasing.

Although you might think coverage in the realm of $20,000 USD is sufficient, that will barely scratch the surface for a serious injury or medical evacuation. If you get sick, injured, or need critical medical attention, you’ll want your high medical bills to be covered so you don’t go bankrupt. That’s why high coverage limits are crucial.

Second, you’ll want a policy that covers emergency evacuation that isn’t tied to your medical coverage. For example, if you’re camping and your child has a severe reaction to a bug bite or falls and breaks a bone, you want a policy that covers the cost of your evacuation to the nearest medical facility. But you also want to make sure your policy covers evacuations for things like natural disasters or serious political turmoil. Choose a plan that includes this coverage (at least $300,000 USD is my recommendation), as evacuations aren’t cheap!

And when it comes to evacuations, it’s important to understand what your coverage includes. Will it pay for you to travel back to your home country, or will it bring you to the nearest acceptable facility?

Many insurance policies don’t consider something like breaking a leg to be a life-threatening injury and therefore won’t pay for you to get home; they will simply cover your medical bills at the closest suitable medical facility and then send you on your way.

Understandably, many travelers prefer to be taken care of at a hospital in their home country for treatment and recovery. If this is the case for you and your family members, I recommend looking into a medical transport membership program like Medjet. It will make sure that if you’re hospitalized abroad, you’ll be able to be repatriated, something most travel insurance policies don’t guarantee.

Third, the best travel insurance plans should include the following:

Coverage for the places you’ll be visiting
Coverage for sudden injury and illness
Coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen possessions like jewelry, baggage, documents, etc.
Some coverage for your electronics
Coverage for cancelations of hotels, flights, and other transportation bookings if you, or someone in your family, has a sudden illness, if there’s a death in the family, or if there’s some other emergency
Coverage for political emergencies, natural disasters, or strife that may cause you to return home earlier than planned
Financial protection if a company you are using goes bankrupt and you are stuck in another country
24/7 assistance (via telephone and email)

One quick note about electronics: insurance companies generally only cover a small amount (usually up to $500 USD per item), as part of their coverage. I highly recommend purchasing supplemental coverage if you’re traveling with a lot of expensive gear.

Family in Kenya on safari — My family and I on safari in Kenya.

What Should Families Look for Specifically?

Family trips can be a catalyst for stronger connections, lasting memories, and stories told for years to come. They can also bring with them their own complexities. Finding a plan that fits your family’s unique needs and budget may take some time, but the peace of mind you’ll have once you depart will be worth it.

The good news is that purchasing family coverage can actually be cheaper than separate policies, and children and dependents under a certain age are often covered for free.

Here are some things to consider regarding family travel insurance that differ compared to solo travelers:

Preexisting conditions – If you’re traveling as a family, there will generally be a range of ages, and potentially, conditions of health. Because of this, it’s very important to understand any preexisting conditions that someone in your party may have and find a plan that will cover any related complications on the road. In general, basic plans don’t cover preexisting conditions, but some will if certain requirements are met.

Cancel for any reason – You may want a plan that includes a “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) clause. You never know what can happen, in particular when attempting to travel with several people at a time (especially children). If you think you may need to cancel your trip before you depart and don’t want to lose the money you’ve already spent, you’ll want a plan that includes this type of coverage. It’s not common, and you’ll end up spending more up front, but it could come in handy if there’s a chance you’ll have to postpone.

Age limits – Look for an insurance company that covers families with the ages and makeup of your group. For example, some companies will only accept applicants up to the age of 69, making it more difficult to purchase a plan if you’re traveling with older family members. Some will only accept two adults and a limited number of dependents to be covered on one plan, which means you may need both a family plan as well as individual plans. Budget accordingly.

Unique situations – If you have a unique family makeup, (e.g., you are traveling with a foster child, a live-in caregiver, or someone you live with but don’t have a legal relation to), you’ll want to double-check that everyone will be covered on your family plan. Some family plans require that everyone live in one household and/or that everyone be legally related. Double-check the plan if you are in a situation like this.

Rental coverage – Another potential coverage option you might want when traveling as a family is vacation rental coverage. If you think your kids are likely to cause some accidental damage at that beautiful cottage you’re renting, this type of coverage may give you the peace of mind you need should something fragile take a tumble.

When Should You Buy Family Travel Insurance?

When purchasing travel insurance, the best time to do it is right after you’ve made your first trip expense, whether that’s purchasing your flights, putting a deposit on a cruise, etc. That way, your coverage will be maximized, which is additionally important if you have CFAR coverage and need to postpone or cancel your trip before you even depart.

Many policies won’t let you purchase insurance if you’ve already begun your trip, so be sure to do so as soon as possible.

A Note on COVID-19 (and Other Pandemics)

Make sure to read the fine print before you purchase a plan, so you are comfortable with its COVID-19/pandemic coverage. Double-check that you understand what is and isn’t covered by reading the “exclusions” section. If you are confused or have questions about your plan’s pandemic coverage, don’t hesitate to call the company to get clarity. It’s better to know ahead of time before you run into any health issues that could leave you, or a family member, in danger.

Dad and I with Neptune crossing the Antarctic Circle!

The Best Travel Insurance Companies for Families

InsureMyTrip

InsureMyTrip is an aggregator you can use to search multiple companies and plans at one time, so as to find the best policy for you and your family’s specific needs and budget.

As a group of multiple travelers, this is a great place to compare quotes for different plans. (The coverage amount shown will be per person insured.) Applicants of all ages are accepted, and you can search for policies for groups of up to 10 people. Some plans include a “cancel for any reason” clause, and others even have vacation rental damage coverage. You can also find policies covering certain pre-existing conditions.

Here’s a quick overview of IMT:

Fast and easy comparisons of plans from over 20 companies
Guaranteed low prices
Coverage for travelers over 65
Coverage for groups
Access to “anytime advocates,” who will ask the insurer to give your claim a second look if you think it was unfairly denied

To learn more, you can read my InsureMyTrip review here.

Medjet

Although Medjet isn’t exactly an insurance company per se, it can be a helpful addition to your medical coverage while traveling. Those who are enrolled in Medjet’s membership program receive comprehensive medical transportation services all around the world, including 24/7 access to hundreds of air ambulances and expert medical transport escorts and staff.

Having coverage through Medjet guarantees that you’ll be evacuated to your home country if a medical emergency occurs, instead of to the “nearest acceptable facility,” as most insurance companies offer.

Here’s a quick overview of Medjet for families:

Extensive medical transport coverage
Regular family coverage for travelers up to age 74 (separate plans may be purchased for those up to age 84)
Limited time spent in foreign medical facilities
Both short-term and annual plans
Available to residents of the US, Canada, and Mexico

To learn more, you can read my Medjet review here.

SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a newer company designed with budget travelers and digital nomads in mind, but you don’t need to be either of those to receive coverage. Although its “Nomad Insurance” plans are less comprehensive than those of other companies, the price can’t be beaten. Plans start around $45 USD per person for those under 39, and families with young children can take advantage of being allowed to cover up to two children under the age of 10 for free.

Here’s a quick overview of SafetyWing for families:

Ability to purchase while already abroad
Deductible of $250 for most expenses
Up to two children under 10 can be added free of charge
Both short-term and rolling-basis plans
No trip-cancelation coverage
No coverage for electronics

To learn more, read my comprehensive SafetyWing review here.

World Nomads

World Nomads is a well-established travel insurance company that provides comprehensive plans for those who like adventure. If you and your family are planning to do activities like hiking, kayaking, canoeing, or even more extreme sports like rock climbing, it could be the best choice for you. Over 200 activities are covered.

While its plans aren’t as cheap as, say, SafetyWing, it does offer more cancelation and delay coverage.

Here’s a quick overview of World Nomads for families:

Emergency medical and dental coverage
Coverage for trip cancelations, delays, and interruptions
Emergency evacuation (for medical emergencies and nonmedical emergencies, such as natural disasters)
Coverage for families with up to two adults 69 years old or younger and up to nine dependent children 25 or younger
Family policies limited to US residents only
24/7 customer assistance

You can read my World Nomads review to learn more.

My family in Rwanda throwing tea in the air is a blessing! — My family on a tea farm in Rwanda. Throwing tea leaves over someone is a blessing!

Final Thoughts

Everyone should have comprehensive travel insurance before departing on a trip, especially families and groups. Although most trips go as planned, even common inconveniences like a delayed flight or lost luggage can leave you scrambling. Having travel insurance can help mitigate these issues and ensure you won’t be stuck footing the bill should something go wrong.

While it may take some time to find the right plan for your family, the peace of mind it offers is worth every penny, ensuring you can head out on the road with confidence knowing you’re free to enjoy your travels and make memories that will last a lifetime.