At a glance
Once you separate, you and your ex will no longer be covered as a couple on a family travel insurance policy.
You should update the details of any children on the policy who no longer live with you.
You can take out family travel insurance as a divorced, separated or single parent.
Some providers also offer dedicated single-parent policies.
Does family travel insurance still cover a family after they’ve separated?
Whether or not your family travel insurance still covers you after a separation will depend on the terms set out in your travel policy.
If your family has separated, you should know that:
Travel insurance won’t pay out if you’re a couple who have split up and you no longer want to go on a trip.
If the travel policy’s in your name, you must update the details of any children that no longer live with you. If you don’t, they might not be covered for future holidays.
Each travel policy is different and it’s worth doing a full comparison to find the one that suits your specific needs.
There are also family travel policies aimed specifically at single-parent families.
How do I know if my separation affects my family travel insurance?
Before you travel, check the terms and conditions of your policy carefully.
If you’re concerned that you or your children may not be covered, contact your insurance provider.
Once you’ve explained the situation, they’ll be able to amend your policy or offer advice on what to do next.
You may need to cancel your policy and buy a new one, which reflects your change in circumstances.
What should I look for in a family travel insurance policy?
When you’re looking at what travel insurance policy to buy for you and your family, it’s always worth considering:
Medical expenses – to cover you for any treatment, or the cost of repatriation to fly you home if necessary
Cancellation and curtailment – in case you have to cancel or cut your holiday short
Missed departures and delays – if you miss your flight for reasons out of your control or there are flight delays
Lost or stolen luggage – to help you recoup any losses if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged
Personal liability – covers the cost of damage or injury you unwittingly cause to someone else or their property during your holiday.
What’s not covered by family travel insurance?
A standard family travel insurance policy won’t typically cover:
Accidents or injuries as a result of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Pre-existing medical conditions that haven’t been declared to your insurance provider
Extreme sports and activities – these can usually be added at an extra cost
Acts of terrorism – some policies offer limited cover for terrorist acts, but you should at least have cover for emergency treatment following a terrorist attack, so check the policy wording to be sure
Travel to countries against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice.
What else should I consider when buying family travel insurance?
Before you buy family travel insurance, think about the activities you’ve got planned for your holiday. You may need extra cover for:
Winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and even sleigh rides
Water sports such as rafting, kayaking, and jet-skiing
Adventure activities such as rock climbing, horse riding and trekking.
You’ll also need to decide between a single-trip policy (valid for one holiday) or an annual policy that covers you for the whole year. If you travel a lot, an annual policy might work out cheaper.
FAQs
Can we get family travel insurance if we live at separate addresses?
If you’re divorced or separated and no longer live at the same address, you and your ex-spouse or partner will need to take out separate policies. Your children can then be added to each policy.
Can my children be included on my family policy, even if they live with my ex?
Yes, you should be able to add your children to a family policy, even if their legal address is different to yours. Check with your insurance provider to be sure.
Some providers also offer single-parent policies which might be better suited to cover your particular situation.
Can we get a family GHIC card?
No. If you’re travelling to Europe, each member of your family, including babies, will need their own GHIC card. The Global Health Insurance Card, which replaces the EHIC, gives you access to state-funded healthcare within the EU and Switzerland.
Remember, even with a GHIC card, you’ll still need to have proper travel insurance in place.
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With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
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