Family travel insurance

Why family travel insurance matters

Family holidays are full of excitement, joy and shared moments. But plans can change quickly due to factors beyond your control. A missed flight. A child’s sudden illness. Lost luggage. They can all turn a relaxing trip into a stressful one.

That’s where travel insurance is so important. Depending on the policy and cover level you choose, it may help reimburse you for costs if things go wrong or give you 24-hour support while you’re away.

Everyone named on a family policy gets covered by one plan. This makes it easier to manage and often better value than buying separate cover for each person. For instance, with Post Office family policies, kids under 18 years without pre-existing medical conditions are covered free.

What family travel insurance usually covers

Travel insurance policies vary, but most typically cover:

• Emergency medical care and getting you home: Helps pay for hospital treatment if someone gets sick or hurt abroad. Also covers getting you back home if needed
• Trip cancellation, curtailment or delay: Helps cover costs if you can’t go on your trip or have to come home early due to of illness or another covered reason
• Lost bags or belongings: Helps replace things like passports, phones or suitcases if they’re lost or stolen
• Accidental damage or injury: Helps cover costs if you accidentally hurt someone or damage something

Check the cover limits for each meet your needs before taking out a policy, so there are no surprises if you need to make a claim.

Your insurer may also offer 24-hour emergency medical assistance. If someone gets sick while away, this can help you find a trusted doctor or hospital. They can book appointments and pay the clinic directly, so you don’t have to sort it out yourself.

Post Office policies also include something called Medical Assistance Plus. It helps with non-emergency medical problems. You can:

• Speak to a doctor by phone or online
• Get help finding treatment nearby
• Have prescriptions ordered for easy pickup

Who’s covered under a family policy?

A family policy usually covers two adults (often partners or guardians) and up to four children. Some insurers allow more.

Children are usually covered until they turn 18. And everyone on the policy usually needs to live at the same address.

It’s a good idea to check if the policy allows separate travel. Older teens may be covered for trips without their parents, such as on a school trip or with grandparents. They must be named on your policy and travelling with an adult.

If your family goes on holiday more than once a year, an annual multi-trip policy could save you money. It covers 12 months’ worth of trips, so suits families who take regular holidays or weekend breaks.

Travelling with children: things to remember

Holidays with children are rewarding but take a bit more planning. A few simple steps can make your trip smoother and less stressful.

• Passports and Ghic cards: Make sure everyone’s passport is valid and that each person has their own UK Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) card if travelling in Europe
• Medication and health needs: Pack a small first-aid kit with plasters, pain relief and any regular medicines. Keep prescriptions handy in case you need refills abroad
• Keep documents safe: Make copies of your policy, booking details and emergency numbers. Store them on your phone and on paper
• Know how to get medical help: If someone feels unwell, call the insurer’s helpline before visiting a clinic. They’ll tell you where to go for safe, approved treatment
• Talk about safety: Remind children what to do if they get lost or separated. Set meeting points and make sure they have your contact number
• Look after valuables: Use hotel safes for passports and money. Keep an eye on bags and phones when out and about, and don’t leave them unattended

A little preparation helps your family feel confident and calm, even if plans change unexpectedly.

Read more about travelling with babies and young children

Cover abroad: Europe and beyond

Where you travel affects the kind of protection you need.

If you’re travelling in Europe

Everyone should have a UK Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic). It gives access to state healthcare in most European countries, often for free or at a reduced cost.

Each person travelling needs their own Ghic, even babies and toddlers. You can apply online before your trip, and it’s free. However, Ghic doesn’t cover:

• Private hospital care
• Emergency travel home
• Lost belongings or cancelled trips

That’s why travel insurance is still essential. Depending on the policy, it may cover things the Ghic can’t, giving you the support you need if your family faces a problem abroad.

If you’re travelling further away

Trips outside Europe, such as to the USA, Canada, Australia or Asia, can be much more expensive if something goes wrong. Hospital stays or emergency medical treatment, for example, can cost thousands of pounds.

Travel insurance may help cover these costs and transport home if someone becomes seriously ill.

For school or college trips

If your children are going abroad with their school or college, check whether the school’s insurance covers everything. Personal belongings, gadgets and sports may be excluded, so you might want to add extra cover for peace of mind.

Protect your family: we can help with that

At Post Office, we can help you find the right cover for your family, wherever you’re heading, from a short city break to a long-haul adventure. Our family travel insurance includes:

• Emergency medical cover for illness or injury abroad
• Cancellation and lost luggage protection
• 24-hour emergency helpline support
• Single-trip and annual multi-trip cover options
• Optional extras such as gadget cover and trip disruption cover

Check the cover limits for our different levels of cover to find the protection you want for your family.

Holiday essentials in one place

We also offer other handy travel services to make preparing for your trip simple and stress-free.

• Travel money: Order foreign currency online or in certain branches. Pick up from any branch or get delivery to your home
• Travel Money Card: A prepaid Mastercard^® that stores up to 22 currencies. Manage it with ease, along with your travel insurance, using our free travel app
• Passport Check & Send: Get help completing passport applications accurately
• Mobile eSIM: Save money on your roaming charges when you travel
• Travel extras: Book airport parking, lounges, transfers, fast passes and more with Holiday Extras

When to buy family travel insurance

The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as you book your trip. With single-trip policies, cover starts from the day you buy it, so you’re protected if something happens before you go, such as illness or redundancy that forces you to cancel. With annual policies, you can set the date you want your cover to start.

Buying early also means you can check that everyone’s details are correct and add optional extras such as gadget cover or trip disruption cover if needed. It’s the easiest way to make sure your whole family is covered from the start.

Other things to keep in mind

Before you travel, check a few key details to make sure your cover works as expected.

• FCDO travel advice: Always check the latest information from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). If they advise against travel to a country, your policy may not cover you
• Medical conditions: Declare any existing conditions for all family members before buying. If you don’t, related claims could be refused
• Adventure activities: Sports like skiing, diving or hiking may need optional add-on cover
• Dates and destinations: Make sure your policy covers the exact countries and travel dates
• Policy documents: It’s worth reading what’s included before you go so you know what to expect if you need to claim