Month: May 2015

Do I Need Travel Insurance for My Kids?

Travel insurance isn’t required for most destinations, but it can be a smart purchase when traveling with children.

If your child becomes sick or injured before departure, a comprehensive policy may reimburse your nonrefundable trip costs under covered reasons. If something happens during the trip, coverage may include:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Trip interruption if you need to return home early
• Travel delay expenses
• 24/7 assistance services

Children are naturally active, and accidents or illnesses can happen quickly. Having kids travel insurance helps protect both your child’s health and your travel investment.

What Does Travel Insurance for Children Cover?

Coverage depends on the specific policy, but many plans available through InsureMyTrip may provide:

Trip Cancellation & Interruption

If your child becomes ill or injured before departure, or during the trip, you may be eligible for reimbursement of prepaid, nonrefundable expenses under covered reasons.

Emergency Medical Coverage

If your child needs emergency care during your trip, travel medical coverage may reimburse doctor visits, hospital stays, or urgent care services. This is especially important for international travel, where your primary health insurance may not offer coverage.

You can learn more about how medical benefits work on our travel medical insurance page.

24/7 Assistance Services

Most companies offer round-the-clock assistance. Representatives can help you:

• Locate reputable local doctors or hospitals
• Arrange emergency transportation
• Rebook flights and accommodations
• Access certain concierge services

When traveling with kids, especially under 16 or under 18, having support available anytime can make a stressful situation easier to manage.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Children with Medical Conditions?

It can, depending on the policy and timing of your purchase.

If your child has a pre-existing medical condition, coverage may still be available if:

• You buy the policy within the required time frame after your first trip payment
• You insure 100% of your prepaid trip cost
• Your child is medically able to travel at the time of purchase

Some policies offer a pre-existing condition waiver when these requirements are met. Always review policy details carefully and compare options before you buy.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Sick Kids?

Yes, in many cases.

If your child becomes sick before your trip and cannot travel, trip cancellation benefits may reimburse eligible prepaid expenses. If your child becomes sick during the trip, emergency medical benefits may cover treatment costs.

Coverage typically applies when:

• A doctor recommends cancellation
• The illness is unforeseen
• The claim meets the policy’s covered reasons

Be sure to keep documentation from a licensed physician if you need to file a claim.

Can I Buy Travel Insurance for Children Only?

In many cases, yes.

You can often buy travel insurance for children only, especially if minors are traveling alone, with relatives, or as part of a school group.

However, some plans include children at no additional cost when traveling with an insured parent or immediate family member. Policies vary by company. Some define “immediate family” as parents and grandparents, while others extend coverage to additional relatives.

Comparing policies online allows you to review eligibility rules and choose the best option for your family.

Can I Buy Travel Insurance for Children on a School Trip?

Yes.

If your child is participating in a school trip, exchange program, or organized activity, you can buy travel insurance for children to help protect against:

• Trip cancellations
• Medical emergencies
• Travel delays
• Lost or delayed baggage

For international school travel, having travel medical insurance for children is particularly important. Medical care abroad can be expensive, and coverage ensures access to emergency services if needed.

Always check whether the school or program requires specific coverage limits before buying a policy.

How Much Is Travel Insurance for Kids?

The cost of kids travel insurance depends on several factors, including:

• Total trip cost
• Destination (domestic vs. international)
• Trip length
• Coverage limits
• Ages of travelers

In general, comprehensive travel insurance plans cost approximately 4–10% of your total trip cost.

In some cases, children under 16 or under 18 may be included at no additional cost when traveling with insured parents. This can make family coverage surprisingly affordable.

To find the most accurate pricing, request a quote online and compare plans side-by-side.

What Is the Best Travel Insurance for Children?

The best travel insurance for kids depends on your family’s needs.

When comparing policies, look for:

• Strong emergency medical coverage
• Trip cancellation and interruption benefits
• Coverage for activities your child will participate in
• 24/7 assistance services
• Pre-existing condition waiver options, if needed

If your child is traveling alone or internationally, prioritize robust medical coverage and emergency services support.

Using InsureMyTrip’s comparison tool makes it easy to:

• Compare multiple companies
• Review coverage details
• Filter by benefits and price
• Buy securely online

Final Thoughts on Kids Travel Insurance

Traveling with children brings unforgettable memories, and sometimes unpredictable moments. From minor injuries to unexpected illness, having travel insurance for children helps protect your plans and your peace of mind.

Before your next trip, take a few minutes to compare options, review coverage details, and get a personalized quote online. A little preparation now can make a big difference later.

Travel Insurance for Domestic Partners

With almost every policy, if you are traveling with your domestic partner you can be together on the same policy since you reside in the same household. You would also be covered for trip cancellation if either of you are forced to cancel for a covered reason as you would be considered traveling companions. The only time where domestic partnerships can be a little tricky is when you need to file a claim for a non-traveling domestic partner. Let’s look at some additional details regarding travel insurance for domestic partners.

How Are Domestic Partnerships Defined in Travel Insurance Policies?

With only a few exceptions, most of the companies we represent include domestic partners in their definition of a family member. However, several of them will require a few pieces of information to prove this relationship in the event of a claim:

• Evidence of financial interdependence. This can be anything from joint accounts/credit cards, shared lease or jointly owned property, etc. Some sort of official document to prove that you live together.
• Proof of cohabitation for a certain period of time prior to purchase of the policy. This tends to vary depending on the company and can range from six months to a year.
• This one is much less common, but certain companies will also want to see an affidavit of domestic partnership if recognized by the jurisdiction within which you reside.

Check the Definitions Section of Your Policy

The bottom line is to always check on the terms and conditions of a policy you may be considering. In the Definitions section of any policy, you will find each company’s requirements for proving domestic partnership. Make sure that they will allow you to be together on the same plan.

In many cases, however, travel insurance for domestic partners is available. Of course, you always can call one of our licensed Customer Care representatives as well, who would be happy to assist you in finding this information or point you towards the best policy for your needs.

Different States & Impact on Travel Insurance Options

For travelers residing in different states, there are even fewer options. In most cases you will need to be on separate plans. The biggest reason behind this is state laws are often very different when it comes to insurance, which has a great impact on a policy’s terms and conditions.

Different Dates of Travel Can Limit Plan Options

Having different addresses isn’t the only time you may need to break up your travel partners into different insurance plans. If you have different dates of travel, meaning you will either be leaving or returning to your homes on different dates, this will also require you to each insure separately.

If you would still prefer to keep everyone together on a single policy, then it is always best that you give us a call and speak with one of our licensed Customer Care representatives, who can direct you to the policies who will allow this, if any.

Personal Responsibility vs. Insurance Company Responsibility, Where is the Line?

One thing that is often confusing to travelers is the distinction between where the insurance company’s responsibility ends and personal responsibility begins.

For example, many people don’t know that most travel insurance policies will not cover injuries or losses that occur when the insured person is intoxicated. The industry term is “alcohol exclusion”, and it exists because drinking to excess is a well-known risk that should be avoided by a responsible traveler.

Since policies are written to exclude this risk specifically, the insurance provider has no responsibility to cover someone who isn’t exercising reasonable caution. Similarly, travel insurance doesn’t always apply as people may expect it to in cases of political and civil unrest around the world. Let’s take a look at how insurance providers handle these events.

Is Civil Unrest a Covered Event with a Comprehensive Policy?

A common misconception is that if you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy, you could cancel a planned trip because of civil unrest occurring at your destination and be reimbursed by the travel insurance company. Not necessarily!

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies have an exclusion for cancellation of a trip prior to departure due to civil unrest. The reason for denying trip cancellation coverage has to do with another industry term, “known peril”—or to put it plainly, something that a traveler would reasonably know about before buying a policy.

Other known perils can include named tropical storms or a previously announced carrier strike. The key here is whether the event was unforeseen or whether it was known at the time the policy was purchased. So who determines whether travel to a particular country is a “known peril”? The U.S. State Department Travel Advisory System is the accepted source for information about travel risks. Let’s take a closer look.

U.S. State Department Travel Advisory System

The U.S. State Department issues Travel Advisories that include information about whether a country is experiencing political or civil disruptions as well as other noted risks.

These advisories also make specific recommendations to avoid or reconsider travel to some countries, along with detailed information about why travel is a higher risk at the time of the advisory. Since it is considered reasonable that the person traveling will research the country or area that they are visiting, choosing to travel to a location that is experiencing unrest is a matter of personal choice in the eyes of an insurance provider.

If you decide to book a trip to Sudan, for example, you are probably already aware that there is a heightened risk of civil unrest occurring in that country. So what should you do if the benefits of traveling to a country with increased risks outweigh the possible adverse events in your estimation? You may still want to be able to cancel your trip if something causes you to reconsider before your departure. Some comprehensive policies have an option to add a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit that will give you this option.

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

If you are planning to travel to an area of the world that is known to experience civil unrest, you may want to consider purchasing a travel insurance policy that includes Cancel for Any Reason coverage.

When a plan includes CFAR you can cancel your plans within a specific time frame before your scheduled departure, typically up to 48 hours prior, and be reimbursed up to the limits of the plan. Most CFAR plans offer a 75% reimbursement of trip costs.

You do take greater personal responsibility for your safety with CFAR because you will have more flexibility to change your mind about traveling.

How is Civil Unrest Different From Terrorism?

One other aspect that can be confusing to travelers is the difference between civil unrest and terrorism. Although both types of events can be scary and violent, insurance providers use plan definitions to determine whether an event is related to civil unrest or terrorism and therefore whether it is covered under the policy’s terms. It’s important to read the policy to understand these definitions fully.

In general, each event is evaluated by the insurance provider on whether it fits the plan definition of terrorism or civil unrest. Often, this determination depends on whether the United States government declares the event in question to have been an act of terrorism. A clear distinction must be made between terrorism and “civil disorder or riot.” Exactly how this is defined will be outlined in the policy documents. Insurance providers also usually specify that the incident must not have been an act of war, whether declared or undeclared.

Traveling During a Coup: Tips to Stay Safe

The world is a beautiful place, and we hope to encourage all people to see every hidden corner of it. Sometimes, the most beautiful locations can also be tumultuous and scary at times.

This doesn’t mean we don’t travel there! It merely means we must be vigilant and ready for the unexpected.

Stay Vigilant

When you travel to an area known for political instability and turmoil, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep an eye for exits if you are at a crowded event. Never venture out alone at night. Learn the cultures of the area you are traveling to and be respectful to the locals.

Enroll with the Consulate

The United States State Department asks all overseas travelers to enroll in the STEP program. STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) “is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.” As part of the program, you’ll receive alerts and warnings as they are released, help the embassy or consulate to contact you if needed while traveling and allow family and friends an easier way to know you are safe in case of an emergency.

Always Keep Your Passport Handy

You may not have your luggage you at all times but always keep your passport with you. This will allow you more fluid movement in and out of countries as well as the U.S. Embassy and Consulate if an emergency should arise. In some cases, you may find your United States License/I.D. may not be a valid form of identification where you are visiting. All nations will recognize a passport.