Travel insurance for children

Customers with more serious pre-existing medical conditions

If you have a serious health condition, the price you pay for travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. However, there are still many providers out there and you should be able to find affordable cover. Whatever happens, don’t be tempted to lie to an insurance provider, because if you do and then need to make a claim, it could be rejected.

When you declare medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show quotes from insurance providers who will cover all declared medical conditions, with no exclusions. 

MoneyHelper has launched a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone if you have more serious medical conditions. Find more information at MoneyHelper or by calling them on 0800 138 7777.

Why do I need children’s travel insurance?

Travel insurance for children is there to protect the under 18s against any emergency that may happen while they’re abroad. Just like adult travel insurance, policies for children give you peace of mind that you’ve got the cover you need on holiday.

Taking out travel insurance for your kids means that if anything were to happen, your travel insurance provider would take care of the bill and be on hand to give you advice and support. 

For example, if your child needed to be treated in a hospital for a stomach bug or infection, the policy could cover any follow-up treatment, plus return flights and so on. This could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds without travel insurance for your child.

Here are a few reasons why your child may need their own travel insurance:

• if they're visiting family, friends or relatives when they are studying abroad
• if they're going on a gap year or backpacking
• or if they're working overseas

Under 16s who travel alone are often referred to as “unaccompanied minors”. You may find this phrase in travel insurance policies, and this may affect the terms of your insurance, so it’s important to check carefully. 
 
Before you take out a separate policy for your child, you may want to check any existing family travel insurance you have, as some policies can cover your child even if they’re travelling separately. 

What does child travel insurance cover?

Your child’s travel insurance could include cover for:

• lost luggage
• personal accidents and repatriation
• medical treatment
• theft
• loss of valuables

If they’re off on an adventure holiday with school, then it’s important to make sure they’re covered for certain activities, like extreme sports or winter sports. 

Is your child travelling within Europe? If so, ensure they have a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This will provide them with access to state-provided healthcare while travelling in EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

After Brexit, and the UK officially left the EU with a deal in place, things have changed. You won’t be able to apply for an EHIC anymore, but, if you have one already, issued before the end of 2020, then it’ll still be valid until the expiry date.

However, the UK government introduced the replacement Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). If you don’t have an EHIC, or once yours expires, you can apply for a GHIC here, and it should arrive within 10 days. The GHIC will offer the same cover as the EHIC did in EU countries.

What extra cover is available for children? 

As well as the inclusions of standard travel insurance for kids, you may want to think about extra types of cover, depending on the type of trip you’re taking: 

• Damaged or lost luggage/baggage – while lost luggage can be included as standard, you should check it offers you the right amount of cover and take out any further insurance if you need it. We know that children can lose and break things while on holiday, so getting this type of cover can help give you peace of mind. 
• Adventure activities and sports – you may find that a standard insurance policy won’t protect you for many ‘higher-risk’ sports and activities. If you’re planning on taking part in more adventurous sports like skiing or surfing, you should look at the relevant cover for winter sports, water sports and extreme sports. 
• Flight cancellation and delays – if your child falls ill or is injured, there’s already a lot to worry about. Flight cancellation cover can help you recover the cost of your flights in these types of situations. This won’t cover you if you simply change your mind about travelling.