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Family travel insurance: what you need to know
Learn how family travel insurance works, what it typically covers, common exclusions and how to choose the right policy for your next family holiday.
Planning a family holiday takes time, money and careful organisation. From booking flights and accommodation to packing prams, car seats and enough snacks for the journey, there's already plenty to think about before you leave home.
While many family holidays go smoothly, unexpected events such as illness, injury, lost luggage or travel delays can quickly become stressful and expensive. That's where family travel insurance may help.
Understanding how family travel insurance works, what it typically covers and what exclusions may apply can help you choose a policy that suits your family's needs before your next trip.
What is family travel insurance?
Family travel insurance is designed to provide financial protection for eligible members of your family travelling together under a single policy. Rather than purchasing separate policies for each traveller, eligible families (up to two adults plus eligible dependants) can often insure everyone under one plan, making it simpler to manage your cover.
Exactly who is covered depends on the insurer and policy. Many Australian insurers include dependant children travelling with their parents, although age limits and eligibility criteria vary.
For example, RACV Travel Insurance allows up to two adults plus their children, stepchildren, foster children and/or grandchildren on the same policy.++
Before buying a policy, always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand who qualifies as a dependant and whether all travellers meet the policy requirements.
Why family travel insurance is worth considering
Travelling with children often means more moving parts and less flexibility than travelling alone or as a couple.
Young children can become unwell before departure, flights may be delayed, luggage containing essential baby supplies may go missing, or a family emergency at home could force you to cancel your trip.
For overseas travel in particular, medical treatment can be extremely expensive. Even a relatively minor illness or accident may result in significant medical bills, particularly in countries where healthcare costs are high.
Having appropriate travel insurance may help reduce the financial impact of these unexpected situations.
RACV Travel Insurance can cover you and your kids or grandkids all under one policy.++ Image: Getty
Does travel insurance cover children?
Some travel insurance policies can include dependant children travelling with insured adults, provided they meet the policy's eligibility requirements.
RACV Travel Insurance covers your children or grandchildren under your policy.++ They must:
- be 25 years of age or under at the time you purchase your policy
- be financially dependent on their parents or grandparents
- not be working full time
- be travelling with you for your entire trip
- be listed on the Certificate of Insurance as your Dependant.
Dependants can be covered at no extra cost if they have not disclosed any medical conditions requiring assessment.++
What does family travel insurance cover?
The cover included depends on the insurer and the level of cover you choose. Comprehensive policies generally provide broader protection than basic plans. Every policy has conditions, limits and exclusions, so check exactly what is included before you travel.
Key benefits# to RACV Travel Insurance include:
- 24 hour overseas emergency assistance
- overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses
- new for old replacement of luggage
- trip cancellation or disruption costs on select policies
- emergency expenses as a result of travel delays
- dependants covered up to 25 years of age.++
# Terms, conditions (including eligibility criteria), limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply. Refer to combined PDS/FSG for full details.
What isn't usually covered?
Family travel insurance isn't designed to cover every situation. Some examples of exclusions may include:
- undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
- claims arising from reckless or illegal behaviour
- travelling against government travel advice where cover is excluded
- losses caused by unattended belongings
- high-risk activities unless you've purchased optional cover
- incidents involving alcohol or drug misuse.
Read the PDS carefully for the full list of exclusions. This helps you understand your responsibilities and avoid surprises if you need to make a claim.
Make sure your children or grandchildren meet dependancy requirements from your insurer. Image: Tourism Fiji
Do you need travel insurance for domestic family holidays?
Although many people associate travel insurance with overseas trips, domestic travel insurance may also be worth considering.
While Medicare covers medical treatments within Australia, domestic travel insurance can still help cover cancellation costs, travel delays or lost luggage in eligible circumstances.
More: Do you need travel insurance for domestic travel in Australia?
Does family travel insurance cover cruises?
Cruises can involve different risks compared to land-based holidays, and cover varies between insurers.
Travel insurance for cruises often depends on whether you are planning on ocean or river cruise, how many nights you'll be on the cruise, and the locations you'll visit.
Check whether your policy covers:
- medical treatment onboard the ship
- medical evacuation if required
- missed port departures
- cruise itinerary changes
- cabin confinement due to illness.
Always confirm your policy covers the type of cruise you're taking before you depart.
Travel insurance can be useful for domestric family trips as well as international family holidays.
Choosing the right family travel insurance
Every family travels differently, so the best policy depends on your destination, activities and personal circumstances.
When comparing policies, consider:
- who is covered under the family policy
- medical cover limits
- cancellation benefits
- luggage and valuables limits
- excess amounts
- any exclusions that may affect your trip
- optional cover for skiing, cruising or adventure activities.
If anyone in your family has a pre-existing medical condition, disclose it when purchasing your policy and check if it automatically covered or needs to be assessed.
Tips before you leave on your family holiday
Once you've arranged your travel insurance, these simple steps can make travelling easier.
- Buy your policy as soon as you book your holiday for better cancellation coverage.
- Keep digital and printed copies of your policy details.
- Save your insurer's emergency assistance phone number.
- Consider leaving expensive items at home, and know your policy's luggage cover item limits.
- Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage.
- Check passport expiry dates and visa requirements well before departure.
Preparing ahead can help reduce stress if something unexpected happens while you're away.
Travel insurance can provide families greater peace of mind on their holidays. Image: Getty
Family travel insurance FAQs
It can be, particularly if dependant children are included under the policy. However, pricing varies between insurers, destinations, traveller ages and the level of cover selected. Excess limits, declared medical conditions, cruise or ski add-ons can also impact the price.
Some uncomplicated pregnancies may be covered, while pregnancy-related complications, gestational age limits and exclusions differ between insurers. You'll find more information in Travel during pregnancy: what travel insurance covers. When you take out a travel insurance policy, always read the policy documents before travelling.
Eligibility varies between insurers. Some policies only cover dependant children travelling with their parents or legal guardians, while others may offer different options. Age limits and criteria will vary for insurers as well.
Many travellers purchase insurance shortly after booking their holiday. Depending on the policy, this may provide cover for some unexpected events.
Some insurers allow changes before departure, while others may require a new policy. Contact your insurer as soon as your travel plans change.
* RACV Member discount applies to the premium only (not applicable taxes).
++Dependant covered at no extra cost. Dependant means any of your children, stepchildren, foster children or grandchildren who are 25 years of age or under at the time you purchase your policy, financially dependent on their parents or grandparents, not working full time, travelling with you for your entire trip and listed on the Certificate of Insurance as your Dependant. Dependants can be covered at no extra cost if they have not disclosed any medical conditions requiring assessment. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Refer to PDS for full details.
Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Limited (ABN 44 004 060 833, AR No.1243563) (RACV) is an authorised representative of the RACV Travel Insurance insurer Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL246 548) (Tokio Marine). Tokio Marine Management (Australasia) Pty Ltd (ABN 69001 488 455, AR No. 1313066) is an authorised representative of Tokio Marine, and administers RACV Travel Insurance as the managing agent on behalf of TokioMarine.
Terms, conditions (including eligibility criteria), exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Any advice is general advice only, and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs. Before you purchase, please consider the Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) / Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determinations (TMDs) available on RACV’s website, or on request from RACV.
