The best family travel insurance cover review is based on my decade long experience of travelling and buying family travel insurance. I have a love and hate relationship with insurance companies, the current unfortunate situation has brought out the best and worst sides of Travel Insurance companies. The stories from sites like Trust pilot is a reminder to why you need to know about the best family travel insurance cover out there. I have two examples (from Trust Pilot) of the worst and best experience from two travel insurance companies.
Horrible experience from David:
I used Money Saving Expert to find the best deal and, though I didn’t choose the cheapest, I didn’t read the small print and too late have discovered the policy, taken out at the end of January, doesn’t cover us against the Government telling us we can’t fly to Egypt because of the coronavirus. We booked our luxury 5 day Nile cruise direct with an Egyptian company and they will not refund our payment, only allow a postponement to later in the year which isn’t possible for us. In contrast, the hotels (Sofitel, Marriott and Meridian) were brilliant, allowing full refunds even though I booked them as ‘non-refundable’. So far British Airways are only offering a travel voucher but I am confident they too will agree a full refund if the Foreign Office advise against travel to Egypt. Be warned! Read the small print on your annual travel policy.
A fantastic experience from Alan Jones:
We were due to fly out for a week’s holiday and jet2 cancelled the trip. Spoke to the travel insurance company and their representative was so helpful cancelling the policy and arranged a refund. Fantastic customer service and dealt with promptly.
Family Travel Insurance companies are always quick to take your money when you buy a policy, but a few are ridiculously slow to listen to your claim and pay up when needed. I have prepared this best family travel insurance cover review for you as a one-stop useful resource for everything you need to know about family travel insurance cover.
What is Family Travel Insurance?
Family Travel Insurance is a cover for the unknown and unexpected, a safety net.
Insurance is an arrangement providing protection against the unforeseen. Read about my friend’s unforeseen situation. Family travel insurance covers up to two adults (age 18 and above) and up to eight children (under the age of 18) all living at the same address. Some family travel insurance comes with ‘kids go free’ package while other family travel insurance covers multi-generational families including members of families who do not live together (stepchildren). Family travel insurance is one of the most important things to consider when you plan your travels.
What types of Family Travel Insurance covers are there?
This best family travel insurance cover review explains the two main types of family travel insurance available. They are:
- Single trip, Insurance
- Annual trip or Multi-trip Insurance
Single travel insurance cover as the name suggests is a travel insurance policy for a single holiday or one-off holiday per year. This is best for the family who love to enjoy a luxurious holiday once a year.
An annual or multi-trip insurance is recommended for travellers who travel more than once a year to destinations in their specific cover.
The choice of the best family travel insurance cover can be:
- UK Travel insurance Cover: For UK citizen holidaying in the UK and Northern Ireland. It covers paid accommodation stays for over 2 days in the UK.
- European Travel Insurance Cover: Including travels to all European countries and some countries in Africa like Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.
- Worldwide Travel Insurance Cover: Including countries around the world, some might include travels to Australia, Caribbean, Mexico, USA and Canada.
Is Travel Insurance Worth the Cost?
The plain answer is YES! A family travel insurance cover cost less than £30 for single trip insurance or about £100 for annual or multi-trip insurance. That means that if the unknown happens during your travels, you might claim up to £10 million. A claim of £10 million will depend on a LOT of things and the cover you have taken out!
What does the best family Travel Insurance Cover?
A Family Travel Insurance will cover damaged, lost or stolen baggage.
The best family travel insurance cover should offer at minimum up to £10,000 for the total cost of your travel and payment assurance for:
- Medicals: if you or a member of your family falls ill on holiday. It covers the cost of your hospital needs to an extent.
- Emergency Cancellations: if you cannot travel because of sickness or bereavement.
- Baggage: If your baggage gets lost, stolen or damaged. It also covers the loss of your passport, loss of your driving license, loss or theft of your personal money and replacement of essential baggage.
- Belongings: Including Money and gadgets.
- 24-hour Helpline: You want to reach your travel insurer regardless of the time difference from your destination. You want to speak to someone that will calm your fears and put your mind to rest.
- Annual multi-trip package: If you travel frequently to different locations, travel insurance should be able to offer a multi-trip or annual travel insurance (recommended).
- Single Trip: You also want an insurer to provide the option for a single trip Cover.
- Activities: It is travel insurance, your package should cover your adventurous activities such as jet-ski, and some extreme sport to an extent.
- Personal & Business Travel: If you are lucky to travel a lot for work, you want an insurance cover to provide a package and although your business should provide insurance for that; it is also wise to have a package which covers you for business travel and personal travel.
- Delays: Delays up to 12 hours for outward or final inward international flights for specific reasons.
- End Supplier failure: If you book non-refundable travel and accommodation and your supplier (airline, hotel, tour) goes burst.
There are also some specific covers that family travel insurance can offer based on:
The age of the traveller/s.
There is specific family travel insurance for the over 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
The pre-existing medical condition of traveller/s.
It is difficult to get travel insurance when you have pre-existing medical conditions, however, there are specific covers that cater to these needs like Travel Insurance 4 Medical.
The activities they wish to pursue (extreme sports, adventurous or Ski).
Do you wish to go on cruise travel? A winter sports holiday or golf travel? There is specific family travel insurance for your needs.
The destination of travel (UK, European or Worldwide).
With over 3 million UK families visiting Disneyland World annually, USA is one of the top travel destinations for a lot of families. The cost of travel insurance to the US from the UK does not come cheap.
When should you get a Family Travel Insurance cover?
You should get a family Travel Insurance immediately you book your holiday but you can also get it last minute (not advisable) the day before you depart for your holiday.
Does the best Family Travel Insurance Cover Individuals?
Yes, with some polices. Each individual adult gets covered so partners can go off on vacations.
Standard versus Premium Cover
The standard family travel insurance should provide an agreed payout for emergency medical cover, cancellations that weren’t your fault, loss or damages or theft of baggage and cruise cover.
Premium Family travel insurance cover should have additional specks such as additional transport and accommodation payout, delay at departure payout, bankruptcies of travel provider payout, adventure and extreme sports payout, and better payout for damages or loss or theft of personal belonging including passports, driving license and baggage.
In most family travel, a standard cover is sufficient. We recommend a premium cover because of the unpredictable nature in the travel industry.
Best UK bank accounts with free travel insurance
Which UK bank account offers free travel insurance as a package as an incentive? Several bank accounts offer a free or complimentary Family Travel Insurance.
Barclays Premier | Worldwide, Multi-Trip Family Travel Insurance. | Up to the age of 80. | Access to 6 Airport Lounges a year. | Partner, Children up to the age of 18 and joint account holders. | £18 per month. |  | |
Natwest Premier Black Account. | Worldwide Family Insurance for up to 90 days, Winter Sports cover up to 31 days. | Up to the age of 80 years. | Unlimited access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. | Children under the age of 18 and children under the age of 23 (if they are in full time education) | £31 per month. |  | |
Nationwide FlexPlus | Worldwide Family Insurance, Winter Sport Cover. | Up to the age of 69 years. | Wedding and Business Cover, UK and Europe Breakdown Cover. | Partner, Dependent children under the age of 18 and dependent children under the age of 24 in full time education. | £13 per month. |  | |
Halifax Ultimate Reward Account | Worldwide Multi-Trip Cover for up to 45 days, Winter Sports Cover. | Up to the age of 71 years. | UK breakdown cover. | Partner (living together), Children under 18 and 24 (if in full-time education). | £17 per month. |  | |
Club Lloyds Platinum | Worldwide Cover for 45 days, Winter Sports Cover for 31 days maximum. | Up to the age of 80. | AA breakdown cover. | Partner, Children under 18 years old. | £21 per month. |  | |
HSBC Premier | Worldwide Family Travel Insurance | Up to the age of 70. | Winter Cover and Business Cover. | Partner, Children under 18 or under 23 in full-time education and living at home | No fees. |
Do you need another travel insurance if you have free travel insurance with your bank account or credit card?
The plain answer is yes.
The free or complimentary travel insurance covers the bare minimum and please read the fine print details and understand every detail to avoid disappointment. The bare minimum includes:
Baggage only, and no personal liability and money.
Limits – There are limits to how much you can claim and how much is on offer.
Purchases – Make a claim if you use bank cards for purchases.
More Excess – The excess they will require you to pay is usually higher than a traditional travel insurance excess and the payout is always smaller.
Although the bank account offers far more benefits than just travel insurance, it is best to buy another travel insurance for complete rest of mind.
Top Tip: You cannot take compensation twice so when making a claim, ensure you take advantage of the travel insurance with the lower excess fee and higher package.
How to claim on your Family Travel Insurance
Making a claim for your travel insurance should be straightforward. Nothing prepares you for the unknown and no one foresees what will happen when they plan holidays, therefore, it is important to get travel insurance.
To claim for your family Travel Insurance, you need to call your insurer immediately. Make sure you have these documents to hand.
- A Police report claim – report all crimes to the police and get the papers as evidence. These days, we can use your mobile phone to scan pictures to your insurer.
- Medical report: A hospital card, medical cost receipts and any other cost you might have incurred.
- Evidence of Delays and Cancellation of flights: Flight numbers, exact dates of departure and return.
Any other document you think will help you be successful.
How can you have an unsuccessful Family Travel Insurance claim?
Your family travel insurance will be unsuccessful if:
- You don’t declare your pre-existing medical condition.
- You travel against the advice of your doctor and FCO.
- You travel to receive medical care abroad.
- You do not take the necessary medication.
Remember to read the fine print carefully.
Useful List of Family Travel Insurance Providers
American Express Travel Insurance
Blue Bear Family Travel Insurance
Columbus direct Family Travel Insurance
Let’s go insure Travel Insurance
Royal Bank of Scotland Travel Insurance
Best Family Travel Insurance cover Review
I have picked my go-to choice of the 3 best Family Travel insurance for a comprehensive review.
Name of family travel insurance
Conclusion
The best family travel insurance cover depends on the quality of policy and the customer services provided. Although there are several family travel insurance companies out there, this post provides a comprehensive guide to all you need to know about family travel insurance. It explains, in a table, the best UK bank account with a complimentary family travel insurance and offers a useful list of family travel insurance providers.
Finally, this post gives a detailed review of the three best family travel insurance cover out there and a review of the newest, forward-thinking and tech-savvy travel insurance.
What is your experience of travel insurance?
Let me know in the comments, please.
Comments (48)
Vatsalya,
04 April, 2020Extremely well-writen review! I learned so much and I was able to gain a lot of insight as to what type of travel insurance would be most beneficial. The most valuable part for me was understanding what travel insurance would be best for me and the process of claiming one. Hope to continue learning throughout your website!
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Thank you, I’m pleased you learnt about the best travel insurance for your needs and the process of claiming one. Although many people think it is difficult to claim for one, I believe with the right information, a travel insurance claim can be successful.
JRandZen,
04 April, 2020Wow! This is indeed a very extensive review of the various family travel insurance resources out there in the market.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the criticality of travel insurance. Your post outlined the best family travel insurance programs and what each one offers.
The richness of the information you shared just emphasizes the reality that so many resources are at our disposal. It would be up to each one of us to undertake the necessary due diligence of the various offerings and their T’s and C’s. The objective, of course, is to ensure that the chosen plan is aligned with the travel objectives and the decision criteria set.
Thank you for sharing and more power to you and your blog!
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Thank you JR and Zen for your kind words. Although the information on the travel insurance is out there, several people continue to make mistakes like not reading the small print on their family travel insurance and complaining about their unsuccessful claim attempts. This helpful resources hopes to serves people needing travel insurance in the future.
W.P.DWYER,
04 April, 2020Lots of good information, you have detailed and helpful resources for travel insurance. I know a lot of families will find it useful and consider the options you listed in your review of the best family travel insurance. Are the free travel insurance from the banks useful?
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Thank you, Yes, you are right, the complimentary travel insurance from the UK Bank Accounts are useful, although there are fees to pay but the benefits are enormous. I hope the families you mentioned find this post on the best family travel insurance helpful.
Harmony, Momma To Go,
04 April, 2020I dont recognize any of these companies – I am mad because I sell travel and I have a few folks set to travel this spring WITH TRAVEL INSURANCE and I dont know if they will be out their funds. Its all a mess with this covid stuff and how epidemics and pandemics are not covered. Esp for people who bought the policies way before all this happened! uggg but I do think it will make people think more about buying insurance because clearly stuff happens.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Yes, stuff happens all the time and that’s why a family travel insurance is so necessary. Most travel insurance companies don’t cover incidents like this epidemic that occur globally. The 3 family travel insurance companies I mentioned have been decent enough to refund people, which is great.
More than ever, this is the time to think about Travel Insurance.
Thanks for stopping by.
Jennifer Brommer,
04 April, 2020I learned a lot from this article! Thank you for sharing your years worth of experience purchasing travel insurance with us! I appreciate all of the fine details found here!
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Thank you Jennifer. It’s great you found the post on the best family travel insurance useful.
Astrid Vinje,
04 April, 2020These are some great options for travel insurance! We never leave the country without travel insurance. Even though we’ve never had to use it, just the piece of mind is enough to justify the cost.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020You’re right Astrid, the peace of mind definitely justifies the cost. Also, the knowledge of getting something (no matter how little) back if something happens makes family travel insurance worth it.
Thank you for your comment.
Cybersharph,
04 April, 2020Hello,
This is such a wonderful article I have seen. I have been reading articles concerning insurance from morning up to now, it’s this post which has given a comprehensive overview of what a family travel insurance.
Thank you and keep providing!
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Thank you, I’m pleased you found the article on family travel insurance comprehensive and useful.
Lucky,
04 April, 2020Wow, such an informative post. We are always doing a lot of mistakes, thanks to you with the post that won’t happen again. The review had educated me and indeed it will educate too many people that are going to acquire the information before they buy their next travel insurance. I will bookmark and share the review. Thanks for sharing.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020It makes me so happy to hear that you found this post useful and you’re willing to share it within your circles. Thank you.
Pbtraveller,
04 April, 2020For me, I always get travel insurance for a long trip to feel more secure of i cant make it. Dont want to lose out on your hard earned money.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020You’re right when going on a long haul trip, it’s best to get travel insurance, however, I will advice you to get a travel insurance all the time, it’s just for your peace of mind.
Soraya,
04 April, 2020Really informative. Will keep this in mind when I book my next holiday – whenever that may be! Had a recent bad experience with trying to claim for a trip to Australia that didn’t take place because of Coronavirus
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Oh no, I’m sorry to hear about your recent bad experience. I had a similar experience as well because I was told that the Coronavirus was not covered. However, my bank account provider was able to compensate me. It is actually my experience that motivated me to write about the best family travel insurance out there in the UK.
Katrina Rhea Durana,
04 April, 2020So detailed, helpful and timely. We can never expect that everything will go smoothly when we travel.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Thank you Katrina, you’re right you can expect everything to go smoothly. That’s why we need travel insurance for that extra cushion.
A Capone Connection,
04 April, 2020I have not purchased travel insurance in the past, but I have been seeing a lot of information about it lately and I’m thinking it’s something I should definitely consider. My daughter is a senior in high school and they had a class trip planned, which got cancelled from the virus. The owner of the rental home is telling them she will not refund the money they paid and it is $2,500.00. There was nothing in the contract that stated a no-refund policy for governmental shut down so now they have to try to fight for a refund. Travel insurance would have been very helpful for them! Thanks for sharing.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Oh dear! I’m sorry this incident happened to your daughter. It’s so sad that a lot of rental homes are unable to refund the money, I hope you get it sorted somehow.
A travel insurance might have helped although a number of them are not paying out because of the virus too.
Stephanie,
04 April, 2020I have always wondered about family insurance! Thanks for sharing more about it and writing it in a way I understand.
Stephanie | http://www.spvliving.com
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Thank you, it makes me glad that you found it useful.
Rayo,
04 April, 2020Such a well detailed post and timely too. I just learnt the Usefulness of having family travel insurance, you can never predict what might happen during your travels. Thanks for sharing such an important post
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020You are right, you can never predict what will happen during travelling.
Michelle Segrest,
04 April, 2020This is the most thorough and most helpful article I’ve ever read about family travel insurance. Thanks so much for your detailed research and sound advice on a topic that can be complicated and confusing. I’m saving the article for future reference and to share with my fellow traveling friends and colleagues.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Thank you Michelle for your kind words. The information out there on Family Travel Insurance can be confusing and that’s why I wrote this post in the hope that it clears up confusion and guides families in making the best choice.
World in Eyes,
04 April, 2020This was great option of travel insurance. We will never leave country without travel insurance.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020You are one of the few exceptions to be honest, most people forget about travel insurance and I feel with more awareness, folks will understand why travel insurance is so important. Thanks for stopping by.
Jason Parr,
04 April, 2020Excellent article and very informing. Book marked this!
I found this very useful in family days out!
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Cecilie,
04 April, 2020Wow, hat off for the ton of research you have put into this post. Travel insurance is so important. I always twitch when I meet people along my travel who has no insurance. I’ll make sure to link to your post, if I run into someone who needs advice on family travel insurance. Well done Bolupe.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020It is unbelievable that people will rather risk travelling with no insurance even though travel insurance is affordable. That’s why there is a need for a comprehensive information on family travel insurance.Thank you Cecilie.
Derek,
04 April, 2020What a great post – I always, ALWAYS, always get travel insurance when I book a trip. It’s just part of the routine. Do you expect more people to adopt the practice whenever travel goes back to normal?
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020Absolutely, I expect more people to adopt the practice of buying a travel insurance. It is such a basic thing to do and I believe those that have been burnt by not having a travel insurance will now consider getting one.
Jay Artale,
04 April, 2020Travel insurance stresses me out, there’s so many things to consider and so many companies offering similar plans. It’s a mine field, and I’d rather do my taxes that try to figure out insurance!! 😉
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020I agree that a lot of people share the same fears as you. There are easier ways to buy a travel insurance now especially with Pluto Travel Insurance company offering a quick service through a mobile app. I hope more travel insurance companies adopts using a mobile app to make the process easier and clearer.
Agnieszka Stabinska,
04 April, 2020It is a beneficial and interesting article. I always have a problem with the choice of insurance before travel. It is worth checking carefully and in detail what the insurance cover, especially in terms of treatments.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020You are right, it is beneficial to check the fine details as you highlighted especially those that have pre-existing medial conditions.
Kelly,
04 April, 2020This is a very comprehensive post outlining all of the benefits of travel insurance. Even though I have medical coverage through my work benefits, I have also begun to purchase travel insurance as I’ve aged (and my family members have aged). I travel solo and have always purchased it when booking my trip. I have had the unfortunate task of having to make 1 claim and I received my re-imbursement within a week.
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020It’s great that you have had a successful claim. That’s one of the many benefits of getting a travel insurance especially as a solo traveller.
Doibedouin || Travel Blogger (@BedouinDoi),
04 April, 2020I have been looking for an insurance article since before the lockdown. For an international trip, I have heard insurance is a must. And your article detailed it out totally. So helpful and handy. Bookmarking it for future reference. And thanks a ton!
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020I’m pleased that you finally found this article on travel insurance and you have bookmarked it for future reference.
Courtney Vondran,
04 April, 2020Wow, what an in depth, helpful article. I especially loved the charts you created. Making these sort of decisions stress me out, so the way you laid out everything was incredibly helpful. Thank you so much!!
Bolupe,
04 April, 2020The charts were made to make the information easier to digest. It’s great it’s done just that for you. I hope you don’t stress out with travel insurance anymore with more companies offering travel insurance services through a mobile app. Thanks for stopping by.