A Parent’s Guide to Travel Insurance for Children
Planning a trip with kids and family members can bring joy but also unpredictability! To prepare for any (almost) eventuality, consider adding a single-trip travel insurance policy to your family trip to protect your travel expenses and enjoyment.
Travel insurance for children offers essential protection and peace of mind. Insurance, from trip cancellations to medical emergencies, safeguards your health and total trip costs, including prepaid, non-refundable expenses. However, knowing where to start when evaluating travel insurance providers and what trip policies to consider for your kids can be overwhelming. But we’re here to help — we break it all down below.
Why Do You Need Travel Insurance for Children?
Unexpected events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage can happen to anyone, including children (some could argue more likely in children!). Travel insurance for children ensures that your family is financially protected if any of these occur. It can cover medical costs, cancellations due to illness, and even reimbursements for lost items like baggage or personal belongings.
What’s Covered in a Travel Insurance Policy?
- Medical Emergencies: Kids get sick unexpectedly. Comprehensive plans offer coverage for medical treatment, illnesses, or injuries abroad since health insurance doesn’t always travel internationally. We recommend medical evacuation coverage of at least $250,000 as it can cover costs for emergency transportation if needed.
- Trip Cancellations: Life happens! Travel insurance can cover those prepaid, non-refundable costs if your trip gets canceled due to an unforeseen issue.
- Lost Baggage: If your child’s luggage is lost or delayed, insurance can help replace essential items.
- Emergency Evacuation: Should a medical emergency require evacuation, travel medical insurance can cover those high costs.
Best Travel Insurance Benefits to Consider:
Let’s break down what’s typically covered in a travel insurance policy for your child so you can travel confidently, knowing you’re covered for the unexpected.
- Family Travel Insurance policies: Many insurers offer discounts or free coverage for children when adults are insured. For example, Generali Global Assistance, AXA Assistance USA, and Tin Leg are the top providers available through our marketplace, offering comprehensive family travel insurance coverage.
- Medical Coverage: Check the limits on medical expenses and ensure they include your destination. We recommend having at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage for international trips. For trips involving cruises, remote areas, or countries with high healthcare costs (like the United States), coverage should be considered up to $250,000 or more.
- Cancellation Policies: Ensure the policy covers cancellations due to illness, weather, or other unexpected events. Make sure you read the fine print to understand the covered reasons. For example, some plans may not cover adventure sports; if your trip is disrupted, those expenses could remain your responsibility.
Time-Sensitive Benefits
Some travel insurance plans offer time-sensitive benefits, such as coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. However, these policies must be purchased within a specific window, like 14-21 days after booking your trip.
Tips for Choosing the Right Plan
- Compare Options: Look for plans that offer comprehensive coverage, including medical, cancellation, and evacuation benefits.
- Read the Fine Print: Ensure you understand the policy’s exclusions, such as medical expense limits and restrictions on pre-existing conditions.
For more tips on choosing the right plan, visit Squaremouth’s Travel Insurance for Children. With the right travel insurance, you can focus on creating memories instead of worrying about what might go wrong. Safe travels!