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Travel Insurance for Families
Travel Insurance for Families
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettEasily compare Travel Insurance
Save time and effort by comparing a range of travel insurance policies with iSelect
What is travel insurance for families?
Long story short
Travel insurance for families covers everyone under one policy
You can protect parents and kids with one plan instead of juggling multiple.
There are usually age limits for kids
Most insurers cover dependents up to around 18–21 years old, so make sure to check how your policy defines dependents.
Not all families are the same in your insurer’s eyes
The definition of what a family is when it comes to travel insurance can differ from one provider to the next.
What is travel insurance for families?
While you can’t jump online and find a product literally called ‘family travel insurance’, there are plenty of policies out there that are perfect for family holidays. If you’re travelling as a family, you can get a single policy for everyone (you, your partner, and all the kids), instead of having to juggle one for each family member. This means that if an accident happens (because with kids, there’s always something unplanned thrown into the mix), it’s much easier to claim and keep your trip running smoothly.
The great thing about getting travel insurance as a family is the increased benefits. Most family insurance policies offer double the benefits of a solo traveller policy, shared across the whole crew. But there are a few rules. The kids need to be travelling with you for the whole trip to get coverage (so no extended adults-only excursions), and they’ll need to be under a specific age to be covered (around 18–21 years old). Some providers also cap the number of dependents you can add to one family policy, so always check what your provider’s rules are.
Do I need travel insurance for families?
For most destinations, you don’t have to take out travel insurance to jet your kids off on an overseas holiday, but it can save a lot of stress and money if things go sideways. Travel insurance policies for families can cover medical bills, cancellations, and more. Considering that travel insurance is always recommended by Smartraveller, no matter where you go, it’s a good safety net to have in your back pocket.
Family holidays are fun, but they can get chaotic quickly, so it’s easy to imagine a situation where travel insurance can really come in handy. Let’s say you’re taking the family to Bali for your first big trip, but one of the kids gets sick from the all-you-can-eat buffet or takes a tumble near a temple. Without travel insurance, a visit to the hospital could cost hundreds in unplanned medical costs. In other countries, it could cost thousands.
Some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements (RHCAs) with Australia, meaning they’ll cover some of your medical fees in some situations. But there are likely to be costs that won’t be covered. If you’re only travelling to RHCA countries, it’s still advisable to get travel insurance as an extra layer of protection.
Plenty of countries don’t have RHCAs with Australia, meaning all your family’s medical bills will be on you. If you’re traveling to any of these countries, travel insurance is all the more important. Getting the right coverage can give you the confidence that a small mishap won’t turn into a break-the-bank situation.
What could travel insurance for families cover?
Comprehensive travel insurance policies (which families can use) include cover for many common travel hiccups, but it’s always important to check the product disclosure statement (PDS) to see what exactly is included and how it applies to your trip.
Unlimited overseas medical expenses
If anyone in your family needs emergency care or medical evacuation, your policy can help cover the medical costs.
Free cover for kids
Most family travel insurance policies include your kids for free, so everyone has the same level of coverage at one single cost.
Cancellations
If part of your trip or the entire thing has to be cancelled, you could be covered for lost deposits and prepaid costs up to a certain limit.
Cover for valuables
If you’re travelling with the kids’ iPads or expensive cameras, your policy might include coverage up to a certain amount if they’re damaged or stolen.
Lost travel documents
If you lose your passports, credit cards, or travel documents (or they’re stolen), your policy can help with reimbursement or replacement costs.
Exceeding dependent limits or age
If you’re travelling with more kids than your provider will cover you for, or if they don’t meet the definition of a dependent, then they likely won’t be covered in a claim.
Activities that need extra cover
Even if it’s only one member of your family planning some skiing or adventure activities, if it’s not on your policy, you won’t be covered for related claims.
Undeclared medical conditions
If anyone in your family has a pre-existing medical condition that hasn’t been declared beforehand to your provider, you may not be covered for any related claims.
Travelling to ‘Do not travel’ destinations
If Smartraveller recommends not travelling to your destination and you still do, your policy likely won’t cover you at all.
Unattended items
If you have an item stolen while it’s unattended in a public space, you’re policy likely won’t cover you for it.
Unlimited overseas medical expenses
If anyone in your family needs emergency care or medical evacuation, your policy can help cover the medical costs.
Free cover for kids
Most family travel insurance policies include your kids for free, so everyone has the same level of coverage at one single cost.
Cancellations
If part of your trip or the entire thing has to be cancelled, you could be covered for lost deposits and prepaid costs up to a certain limit.
Cover for valuables
If you’re travelling with the kids’ iPads or expensive cameras, your policy might include coverage up to a certain amount if they’re damaged or stolen.
Lost travel documents
If you lose your passports, credit cards, or travel documents (or they’re stolen), your policy can help with reimbursement or replacement costs.
Exceeding dependent limits or age
If you’re travelling with more kids than your provider will cover you for, or if they don’t meet the definition of a dependent, then they likely won’t be covered in a claim.
Activities that need extra cover
Even if it’s only one member of your family planning some skiing or adventure activities, if it’s not on your policy, you won’t be covered for related claims.
Undeclared medical conditions
If anyone in your family has a pre-existing medical condition that hasn’t been declared beforehand to your provider, you may not be covered for any related claims.
Travelling to ‘Do not travel’ destinations
If Smartraveller recommends not travelling to your destination and you still do, your policy likely won’t cover you at all.
Unattended items
If you have an item stolen while it’s unattended in a public space, you’re policy likely won’t cover you for it.
Helpful tip
Not all insurers define a ‘family’ in the same way. Some might cover two adults (or grandparents) and a certain number of kids under 21, while others might be stricter about parents who aren’t a legally recognised couple. To make sure that your family fits the bill and can benefit from a policy for families, always read through the product disclosure statement (PDS) and check its definition of a family before buying.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
How much does travel insurance for families cost?
Although it depends on the provider, you could find a policy that gives you great value. Most of the time, your policy will depend on things unique to you and your trip, like where you’re going, for how long, any extra cover needed, and any pre-existing conditions. While we can’t put an exact dollar figure on it to help get your travel budget started, we’ve gathered some comprehensive travel insurance policy quotes for families across a few popular destinations.
Weekly cost estimates for travel insurance for families
| Country | Comprehensive policy cost |
| United Kingdom | $152 |
| United States | $267 |
| Indonesia | $153 |
| Fiji | $127 |
| New Zealand | $109 |
Source: Indicative pricing based on two 30-year-old parents with nine- and six-year-old children with no extra coverage needed. Comparison conducted via the iSelect website in October 2025.
What should I consider when getting travel insurance for my kids?
Before you load the kids into the car and head to the airport, there are a few things to consider about travel insurance for families.
Taking side trips?
Family travel insurance usually assumes everyone will be sticking together for the entire trip. If an adult or child heads off on their own side adventure, even for a short time, they might need their own travel insurance policy to be covered for this part of their itinerary.
Got medical conditions?
Always declare any pre-existing medical conditions for each family member when you apply. If you forget or don’t let your insurer know and end up needing to claim, there’s a risk that any related claims could be knocked back.
Planning any adventures?
There’s a good chance you’ll want to book in some thrilling activities to keep the kids entertained. However, some providers will only cover activities like scuba diving or skiing with specific extra cover.
Tips for travelling with children
With a little preparation, travelling with children doesn’t have to feel like a scene from Home alone. Here are some tips to make your trip more calm than chaotic.
Choose your accommodation wisely
Self-contained apartments or interconnecting hotel rooms can give everyone some more space (and sanity), plus amenities like cooking facilities.
Pack light
Try to find a balance between bringing what you need and not having too many bags. When you need to wrangle small children, fewer bags are always better.
Hire equipment
Save yourself the hassle of lugging around baby strollers and highchairs through airports and train stations. See if your hotel offers anything or if you can hire locally.
Make time for everyone
Balance kid-friendly fun with adult downtime; for example, a playground in the morning and an art museum in the afternoon when everyone’s all worn out.
Stay healthy
Visit your doctor before travelling to see if your kids may need any vaccinations or medications, especially if these are required by the destination country.
Compare travel insurance for families with iSelect
While heading overseas with your kids can be equal parts worrying and heart-warming, travel insurance for families can help you stay relaxed no matter what might happen. Check out iSelect’s range of plans and providers online, and find one that matches your family’s holiday needs, so you can start dreaming of that precious time off (poolside cocktails included).
Easily compare Travel insurance quotes
Save time and effort by comparing a range of travel insurance policies with iSelect
iSelect does not compare all travel insurers or policies in the market. Travel insurance is only available through our website and not all policies are available at all times or in all areas. Not all policies available from our partners are compared by iSelect and due to commercial arrangements and customer circumstances not all policies compared by iSelect will be available to all customers. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.
iSelect General Pty Limited ABN 90 131 798 126, AFS Licence Number: 334115. Any advice provided by iSelect is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice iSelect gives you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on iSelect’s advice or purchasing any policy. You should consider iSelect’s Financial Services Guide which provides information about our services and your rights as a client of iSelect. iSelect receives commission for each policy sold.