Your child's first time travelling without you can be a scary thought. But, the time has come, they're growing up and it's time for them to fly the nest. At least for a little while. Give yourself peace of mind while they're away by making sure they've got the right travel insurance.
If you're ready to compare travel insurance policies, click 'Get a quote'. Or, keep reading to find out more about getting travel insurance for your child.
Travel insurance for under 18s should cover:
There are some instances where your child won't be covered:
Yes, but if your child has a pre-existing medical condition, you might have a more limited choice of insurers, and the cost is likely to increase. If your child has a medical condition, you must declare it to your insurer. Otherwise, they won't be covered if they need any medical treatment while travelling.
So, if your child has epilepsy or a heart condition, for example, travel insurance can give you peace of mind while they're away.
Children under 18 travelling to Europe should carry a valid GHIC or EHIC card. This allows them to get basic emergency medical care when abroad. But, it's worth remembering that this only covers specific countries in Europe.
If you struggle to find suitable cover for your child through our site, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a directory of insurers that offers cover for customers with medical conditions. If you're feeling a little overwhelmed, you can also phone MaPS for free, impartial advice on 0800 138 7777.
You can compare quotes in minutes. Just follow these 3 simple steps:
1Correct as of July 2024
Some travel insurance policies will cover children travelling with a responsible adult. A child travelling with grandparents might be covered by family travel insurance, but you should always check.
If your child is travelling with someone with a different surname, you might have to write and sign a letter of consent.
Yes. Sometimes they might already be covered by an existing policy, for example if you already have an annual policy that they're named on. But, you should always check with your insurer.
Some insurers will require your child to travel with at least one adult, and with the full consent of their parent or guardian.
It might be worth taking out an individual policy for your child. Buying group insurance is another option, covering your child and the people they're travelling with. But this might be more expensive if someone in the group has a medical condition.
Airlines define an 'unaccompanied minor' as a child (normally aged 5-15) travelling alone.
If your child will be flying alone, you should make sure you do some research into your airline of choice. Some require the use of a guardian via a paid escort service. Other airlines won't allow children under the age of 14 to travel alone.
Young people between the ages of 16-18 won't normally be considered an unaccompanied minor. But they might not be able to travel with younger siblings under 16. Some airlines will consider them the responsible adult, but others won't. So, it's important to research your chosen airline before you travel.
European and Global Health Insurance Cards (EHIC and GHICs) are used to access state-provided healthcare abroad.
It's worth applying for a GHIC for your child if they don't already have one. This allows them to access basic emergency medical care in certain European countries. Some travel insurance policies also state that an EHIC or GHIC must be used when accessing medical care, or they won't pay out for any medical claims.
The UK GHIC has replaced the EHIC. So, if your child has an EHIC, you should check the expiry date to make sure it can still be used. When their EHIC has expired, you'll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS is a new form you need to get before you travel to Europe and the Schengen area in 2025.
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Losing your passport or having it stolen is a nightmare scenario. As well as enabling you to travel freely, your passport is also a recognised proof of identity.
Is the perfect policy for those who plan to travel for an extended period.
Covers students who are heading abroad to study or want to spend a few months backpacking.
Covers volunteer work with animals or involving manual labour while you're abroad.
It will cover you for any holidays that you've got planned in Europe this year.
Means you can get one policy that covers everyone, rather than buying individual policies.
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