- Best for families with adventure travel plans: John Handcock
- Best for families with children under 18: TravelSafe
- Best for families on extended trips: Seven Corners
- Best for families seeking customizable coverage: Travelex Insurance Services
- Best for families with international travel plans: Arch RoamRight
- Best for families requiring international health coverage: GeoBlue
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance is a type of insurance coverage that provides financial protection against unexpected events or emergencies that may occur during your travels, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage, or other unforeseen circumstances.
What are the main types of travel insurance?
- The main categories of travel insurance are typically based on the type of coverage they provide. Here are the main categories of travel insurance:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: This covers expenses incurred if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to covered reasons such as illness, injury, death, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events.
- Medical insurance: This provides coverage for medical expenses incurred while traveling. It can include emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, medications, and medical evacuations.
- Baggage and personal belongings insurance: This type of travel insurance protects against loss, damage, or theft of your luggage, personal belongings, and valuables during your trip.
- Travel delay insurance: This covers additional expenses incurred due to unexpected delays, such as flight cancellations, missed connections, or severe weather conditions.
- Emergency evacuation insurance: This category assists with the cost of emergency evacuations, particularly in remote or medically inadequate areas.
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance: This provides financial compensation in the event of accidental death, loss of limbs, or permanent disabilities resulting from accidents that occur during your trip.
How much does travel insurance cost?
The cost of travel insurance varies depending on several factors, including your destination, the length of your trip, your age, the coverage options you choose, and any pre-existing medical conditions. It is advisable to compare quotes from different insurance providers to find the best coverage at a competitive price.
Where can you buy travel insurance?
Travel insurance can be purchased from various sources, providing flexibility and options for travelers. Here are some common places where you can buy travel insurance:
- Insurance companies: Many insurance companies offer travel insurance policies. You can directly contact insurance providers to inquire about their offerings, receive quotes, and purchase a policy. These companies may have online platforms or local offices where you can access their services.
- Travel agencies: Travel agencies often offer travel insurance as part of their services. When booking your trip through a travel agency, they can provide you with options for travel insurance coverage and facilitate the purchase on your behalf.
- Online travel booking platforms: Online travel booking platforms, such as Expedia, Travelocity, or Kayak, often provide the option to purchase travel insurance during the booking process. These platforms may partner with insurance providers to offer a range of policies that you can select from.
- Credit card companies: Some credit card companies offer travel insurance as a benefit to their cardholders. If you have a credit card with travel-related perks, review the terms and benefits associated with your card to see if travel insurance coverage is included and how to access it.
- Comparison websites: There are online comparison websites that allow you to compare different travel insurance policies from multiple providers. These platforms provide a convenient way to review coverage options, prices, and customer reviews, helping you make an informed decision.
- Specialized travel insurance providers: There are companies that specialize in travel insurance, offering a wide range of policies tailored to different types of travelers and trips. These specialized providers may have additional coverage options or unique features that cater to specific needs, such as adventure travel or long-term travel.
Traveling with family is an exhilarating experience that creates cherished memories and strengthens bonds. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a domestic adventure, or an international expedition, the well-being and safety of your family should always be a top priority. Unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage, or travel delays can disrupt your plans and cause financial strain. That’s where family travel insurance comes to the rescue.
Family travel insurance is a valuable investment for families embarking on vacations, as it provides financial protection and peace of mind during unforeseen circumstances. With a myriad of travel insurance options available, selecting the best one for your family’s needs can be a daunting task. To simplify the process, we’ve curated a list of top travel insurance providers that offer comprehensive coverage, ensuring that your family’s trip remains stress-free and enjoyable.
1. John Hancock
Who’s it best for? Families with adventure travel plans
If your family loves adventure and outdoor activities, John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc. could be the ideal travel insurance provider for you. They offer plans with enhanced coverage for activities like hiking, skiing, and other adventure sports. Additionally, their travel insurance includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage, emergency medical evacuation, and 24/7 travel assistance.
Key features of John Hancock:
- Enhanced coverage for adventure activities
- Coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions
- Emergency medical evacuation services
- 24/7 travel assistance
2. TravelSafe
Who’s it best for? Families with children under 18
TravelSafe is an excellent option for families with children under 18, as they include coverage for these minors at no additional cost when traveling with a covered adult family member. Their plans offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage, emergency medical expenses, baggage protection, and travel assistance services. TravelSafe also provides optional coverage for cancel for any reason (CFAR), giving families added flexibility and peace of mind.
Key features of TravelSafe:
- Children under 18 included for free with a covered adult family member
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
- Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage
- 24/7 travel assistance services
Navigator Tip
Consider your family’s typical travel destinations, the duration of your trips, and the activities you plan to engage in. If you frequently travel internationally or participate in adventure sports, look for insurance providers that offer comprehensive coverage for these aspects.
3. Seven Corners Inc.
Who’s it best for? Families on extended trips
For families planning extended trips abroad, Seven Corners Inc. offers long-term travel insurance solutions. Their plans cater to trips lasting up to 364 days, providing coverage for trip cancellations, emergency medical expenses, travel delays, and more. Seven Corners Inc. also offers 24/7 multilingual customer support, ensuring assistance is readily available no matter where you are in the world.
Key features of Seven Corners:
- Coverage for extended trips up to 364 days
- Emergency medical expense coverage
- Travel delay coverage
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
4. Travelex Insurance Services
Who’s it best for? Families seeking customizable coverage
Travelex Insurance Services offers a range of plans that can be tailored to suit your family’s specific needs. With various coverage options and optional add-ons like rental car collision coverage and adventure sports coverage, Travelex allows families to customize their policies. They also provide coverage for trip cancellations, emergency medical expenses, baggage protection, and more.
Key features of Travelex Insurance Services:
- Customizable coverage options
- Optional add-ons for rental car collision and adventure sports coverage
- Coverage for trip cancellations, emergency medical expenses, and baggage protection
- 24/7 travel assistance services
Navigator Tip
Check your existing insurance policies, such as health insurance, homeowner’s insurance, or credit card benefits, to see if they already provide any travel-related coverage. Understanding what coverage you have in place can help you identify any gaps that need to be filled by travel insurance.
5. Arch RoamRight
Who’s it best for? Families with international travel plans
Arch RoamRight offers comprehensive travel insurance plans suitable for families with international travel itineraries. Their plans include coverage for trip cancellations, emergency medical expenses, baggage protection, travel delays, and more. Arch RoamRight also provides 24/7 multilingual customer support and a user-friendly mobile app for convenient access to policy details and assistance services while on the go.
Key features of Arch RoamRight:
- Coverage for international travel plans
- Emergency medical expense coverage
- Travel delay and baggage protection
- User-friendly mobile app for policy access and assistance
6. GeoBlue
Who’s it best for? Families requiring international health coverage
GeoBlue specializes in international health insurance coverage, making it an excellent choice for families planning extended trips abroad or living as expats. Their plans offer comprehensive medical coverage, including doctor visits, hospitalizations, prescription medications, and emergency medical evacuation. GeoBlue also provides access to an extensive network of trusted healthcare providers worldwide, ensuring that your family receives quality medical care, even in unfamiliar locations.
Key features of GeoBlue:
- Comprehensive international health insurance coverage
- Access to an extensive global network of healthcare providers
- Emergency medical evacuation services
- Coverage for doctor visits, hospitalizations, and prescription medications
Frequently asked questions
Travel insurance is essential for your family’s vacation for several reasons. It provides financial protection in case of trip cancellations, interruptions, or delays, ensuring that you don’t lose money on non-refundable expenses. Additionally, travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses, offering peace of mind during unforeseen medical emergencies abroad. It also provides coverage for lost or delayed baggage and other travel-related mishaps, saving you from potential financial burdens and inconveniences.
Choosing the best travel insurance for your family involves considering your specific travel needs and preferences. Assess factors like destination, trip duration, age and health conditions of family members, planned activities, and budget. Look for insurance providers that offer comprehensive coverage for trip cancellations, emergency medical expenses, baggage protection, and other essential features. Additionally, check if they provide optional add-ons that match your family’s requirements, such as coverage for adventure sports or rental car damage.
Some travel insurance providers offer coverage for children under a certain age at no additional cost when traveling with a covered adult family member. This inclusion varies between insurance companies, so it’s essential to review the policy details and age limits to ensure your children are covered without extra charges.
Most travel insurance providers do not have age restrictions for children and offer coverage for travelers of all ages, including young children. In fact, many insurance companies recognize the importance of insuring children, as they can be vulnerable to unforeseen events during family trips. As a result, children are often automatically covered under their parents’ or guardians’ travel insurance policies.
Ask the Navigators: Do I need travel insurance?
by travelers, for travelers.
