If your child is heading off on a trip without you, then having adequate children’s travel insurance cover in place for them is key to ensuring peace of mind for you and the necessary protection for them as they embark on their journey. Below we’ll explain how travel insurance for under-18s works and all the key details you need to know to get the cover they need.
Children's Travel Insurance
Let them explore the world with the protection of under-18s travel insurance.
What is children's travel insurance?
Why your child needs under-18s travel insurance
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office recently identified that young travellers are more likely to head abroad without travel insurance than other age groups, and that this is more common for those travelling to Europe.
No matter where your child is visiting, travel insurance adds a layer of protection in case the unexpected happens – whether that be medical emergencies, cancellations, lost possessions, stolen passports or much more.
What type of children’s travel insurance do you need?
There are a few options on how to cover your child depending upon if they are travelling alone or with adults.
If your child is travelling with relatives, then our family travel insurance policies may represent a good choice to cover all of your loved ones on one more easily manageable policy.
If your child is travelling with a group of friends or with non-family members then our group travel insurance allows you to cover the entire group under one policy. Or else you can elect to take out an individual travel insurance policy just for your child.
For children under 18 travelling alone our single trip travel insurance and backpacker travel insurance policies may represent the best fit. Single trip policies cover travel for up to 90-day holidays within any 180 day period and there is no lower age limit so no matter when they plan to travel they’ll be protected.
Our backpacker travel insurance is more suitable for gap year students or those planning a lengthy trip away. There is no lower age limit with these policies and they provide up to 365 days of continuous cover
We also offer annual multi-trip travel insurance, however, you should be aware that under-18s may only travel independently if travelling with at least one adult aged 18 or over and with the full knowledge and consent of an insured parent or guardian. This could be a good option for families travelling twice or more per year as it usually works out cheaper and the knowledge of knowing your covered for every trip you take in a 12 month period.
Importantly, remember that an adult over 18 will need to purchase the policy on behalf of the child.
What does our under-18s travel insurance cover?
Having a good travel insurance policy in place is important particularly where your children are concerned, and no matter how responsible they are sometimes the unexpected happens, and that’s where children’s travel insurance could help. Below are just some of the benefits of our policies for those under 18.
Silver
Gold
Bronze
Personal Possessions
You are covered for up to your policy limits if your personal possessions are damaged, lost or stolen on your journey. Your policy will state the maximum amount you can claim for a single article, as well as the total amount you can claim for all your valuables. A deduction may be made for wear, tear and loss of value.
£1,500
£2,000
Up to 78 activities (including winter sports and ski cover)
Up to 78 activities (including winter sports and ski cover)
Up to 78 activities (including winter sports and ski cover)
For full details of the cover we offer, including terms, conditions and exclusions please read the policy documents.
Extra cover to consider alongside children’s travel insurance
If there are specific activities that your child plans to take part in whilst your away then you may need extra cover to ensure they are protected, this may be the case for winter sports and skiing holidays. Below are a few considerations worth looking into to make sure they've got the cover they need.
Popular insurance types that may interest you
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. With our single trip and backpacker policies there is no requirement for children to be travelling with an adult. However, an adult will need to purchase the policy on behalf of the child travelling.
Yes, no matter their age everyone who is planning to travel should be covered. Family travel insurance could be a good fit to ensure that everyone heading on your trip has the cover they need. We may also be able to cover travel cot, buggies, prams and all manner of personal possessions you need to take with you to ensure your baby has a great trip.
Usually this is something that it organised by your child’s school, so it is worth checking with them as to what protection they have in place. In some cases, school policies may only cover third party liability.
If this is the case you may wish to purchase a separate policy for them to ensure that medical conditions, cancellations, loss or theft of belongings are covered, this is particularly important if you child has an existing medical condition.
Our under 18s travel insurance policies can cover you for destinations across the world, just enter the destinations you’ll be visiting when getting a children’s travel insurance quote. If you are looking for annual multi trip cover then you’ll be asked to choose the region of travel from:
- Europe
- Wordwide excluding the USA and Canada
- Worldwide including the USA and Canada
You should be aware that if you travel to a destination that the FCDO advises against travel to then you will not be covered.
HealthHero 24/7 GP telephone and video consultations
Our travel insurance policies provide you access to HealthHero – a 24/7 GP telephone and video consultation service* – which connects you with a UK GP to provide the reassurance and professional medical advice you need while you’re travelling abroad.
*For video consultations, time restrictions apply and UK Bank Holidays are excluded.
How to ensure you have the right cover
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