Family Travel Insurance

• What is family travel insurance policy?
• What are the benefits of family travel insurance policy?
• What are the points to be analyzed before going for family travel insurance?

Beware of Agents

• Some insurance companies have a separate quote for older people (over 65) so find out if they too are covered in your travel insurance cover.
• Insurance companies offer different discounts on kids of different ages some charge a premium keeping them in mind, some give a waiver. If parents are insured the children are usually covered by that policy till the age of 18 or till they are dependent on their parents. So even when children go on school trips they are still insured.
• No member should get involved in any adventure/hazardous activity unless agreed upon in the policy. You may not be able to claim medical expenses cover for willful risks taken by you. Usually insurance companies have a list of sports that are agreed upon in standard packages. For other hazardous sports you will have to take extra cover.
• If you plan on making more than one holiday trip in a year you could also look at multi trip or annual family travel insurance policies as well.
• Vaccinations, inoculations for kids should be taken before the trip. If it is not got the insurance company will not regard your claim as proper.
• Pre-existing medical conditions of family members need to be disclosed. This is to certify that the persons traveling have not been treated for this ailment for the past 120 days (duration varies depending on company). In case of a pre existing medical condition the full family will have to choose this additional cover as it cannot be segregated.
• Insurance schemes may be different for US and UK residents as the legal process in these countries vary. This might affect the premiums. Also in the European Union some countries make it mandatory to have a E-card (EHIC/E-111) which will meet the medical expenses in case of an accident. Having this does not necessarily give you all the cover you want. It may not be sufficient.
• Should any member of your family have a pre-existing medical condition it is wise to find an insurance policy that will cover the condition however this will mean the whole family will have to be on the same family travel insurance policy as you can not segregate the family members on separate policies in the event you may have to make a claim for cancellation of a proposed trip due to the child's medical condition unless you are all insured together.