Best Travel Insurance for Families in the UK: How to Get the Right Cover for Every Trip

When you’re planning a family holiday, sorting out travel insurance may not be top of the list — but it’s one of the most important decisions you'll make. From unexpected illnesses to lost baggage or cancelled flights, travel insurance ensures your family is financially protected if things go wrong.

The good news? Family travel insurance doesn’t have to be expensive, and with the right policy, you can avoid overpaying for unnecessary extras while still covering what matters most.

This guide breaks down how to find the best travel insurance for families, what it includes, how to compare providers, and how to tailor your policy for UK or overseas trips.

Why Families Need Travel Insurance

Travelling as a family brings more variables — and more risk. You’re often booking higher-value holidays, flying with children, or managing multiple bookings across accommodation and transport.

Family travel insurance helps protect against:

• Trip cancellations due to illness or emergencies

• Lost or delayed luggage

• Medical emergencies abroad

• Flight delays or missed connections

• Personal liability (especially with children involved!)

Without a suitable policy, you may be left paying for these costs out of pocket.

Read our guide on: What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

What Does Family Travel Insurance Include?

Most family policies offer the same core protection as individual travel insurance — but at a better combined rate.

1. Medical Cover

• Emergency treatment abroad

• Hospital stays, surgery, prescriptions

• Ambulance transport and repatriation

Ensure the policy provides at least £5 million in medical cover, especially for trips to the USA or Caribbean.

2. Cancellation and Curtailment

Protects you if your trip is cancelled or cut short due to:

• Illness, injury, or death (you or a close family member)

• Jury service or redundancy

• Natural disasters or severe travel disruption

Always match the cancellation limit to the total cost of your trip.

3. Baggage and Personal Belongings

• Lost, stolen, or damaged bags

• Children's items (pushchairs, travel cots, etc.)

• Gadgets (phones, tablets, cameras — check for limits)

Tip: Check the single item limit, especially if travelling with electronics or designer gear.

4. Travel Delay and Missed Departure

• Compensation for long delays

• Reimbursement for missed flights or trains

• Extra accommodation or meals if you’re stranded

5. Personal Liability

Important with children. Covers accidental damage to property or injury to others — such as a broken hotel item or an incident at a waterpark.

6. 24/7 Emergency Helpline

Make sure your policy offers round-the-clock support while abroad — especially crucial when travelling with children.

Who’s Included on a Family Policy?

Family policies usually cover:

• One or two adults living at the same address

• Children under 18 (or up to 22 if in full-time education)

Check whether:

• All travellers need to live at the same address

• Children are still covered if travelling without both parents (e.g. with grandparents)

Unique Tip: Some policies cover your children even when travelling without you, such as on a school trip — a little-known but valuable feature.

Single Trip vs Annual Travel Insurance for Families

Single-Trip Policies:

Best if you’re planning just one holiday in the year. They cover:

• One trip, with specific start and end dates

• All listed family members on the same itinerary

Annual Multi-Trip Policies:

Ideal for families who travel more than once per year, especially:

• UK breaks, weekend getaways, or half-term trips

• Parents who travel separately (check policy allows this)

Benefits include:

• Cover for unlimited trips (duration limits apply)

• No need to buy separate policies each time

• Children often included for free

Read our guide on: Travel Insurance Policy Types Explained

UK vs Overseas Travel Insurance for Families

UK Travel Insurance:

• Covers cancellation of accommodation or activities

• Lost or stolen belongings

• No need for medical cover (NHS applies)

Ensure you’ve booked at least 2 nights in paid accommodation — some insurers won’t pay out otherwise.

Read our guide on: Do I Need Travel Insurance for UK Holidays?

Overseas Travel Insurance:

• Includes essential medical cover

• Protection for travel disruption, including airlines and baggage

• May include pandemic cover, depending on provider

If travelling in the EU, carry a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) alongside insurance:Apply here – www.nhs.uk/ghic

Best Travel Insurance Providers for Families in the UK

Here are some providers known for good family policies:

1. Staysure

• Great for family and over-50s travel

• Kids often covered for free

• Strong medical cover

2. CoverForYou

• Competitive pricing on family annual policies

• Offers cancellation, gadget, and trip disruption cover

3. Admiral

• Reliable mainstream insurer with solid baggage limits

• Customisable cover for families

4. Avanti

• Ideal if any family member has a pre-existing condition

• Includes access to a 24/7 GP consultation service

5. Saga (for older families)

• Great for parents or grandparents over 50

• Includes optional cruise cover

Compare quotes easily on:

• MoneySuperMarket

• Compare the Market

• GoCompare

• ActiveQuote

What to Look For in a Family Policy

• Medical expenses – £5 million+ recommended

• Cancellation cover – Equal to your total trip cost

• Baggage limit – £1,500+ with reasonable single item limits

• Excess – Consider a low excess if you want to avoid paying out of pocket

• Children travel flexibility – Are they covered when travelling separately?

What’s Not Usually Covered

• Undeclared pre-existing conditions – Declare for all family members

• Claims due to alcohol or negligence

• Items left unattended

• High-risk activities (unless you add specific cover)

• Known strikes or weather events before buying the policy

Check the FCDO travel advice before booking — travelling against advice can invalidate your cover.

FAQs: Travel Insurance for Families

Can my children be covered if they travel without me?

Some policies allow this — check the terms. It's often allowed for school trips or if accompanied by another adult.

Is it cheaper to get one family policy or separate policies?

A single family policy is almost always cheaper — and it simplifies the claims process.

Will family travel insurance cover school holidays?

Yes. Just make sure the travel dates fall within your policy period and trip duration limits.

Do we all need to live at the same address?

Some policies require this, others do not — especially for blended or extended families. Check the eligibility criteria.

Can we use annual cover for UK breaks too?

Yes — many annual multi-trip policies include UK trips, provided you’ve booked paid accommodation for at least two nights.

Final Thoughts

Family holidays are about making memories — not dealing with the stress and cost of things going wrong. The best family travel insurance gives you confidence that if illness, cancellation, or disruption strikes, you're protected.

Whether you're going abroad or staying within the UK, make sure your policy:

• Covers the whole family

• Includes relevant medical and cancellation cover

• Is bought as soon as you book the trip

A little planning now can prevent big expenses later — so don't skip travel insurance, even for a domestic break.

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