Travel insurance for families: what really matters

Travel insurance feels like an unnecessary expense at first – until something happens. Illness abroad or a last-minute cancellation can cost thousands. This guide shows what families should look for.

The key building blocks

International health insurance

The most important part. It covers treatment abroad – including the often very expensive medical repatriation home. Without it, a serious illness on holiday can become financially devastating.

Trip cancellation insurance

It refunds cancellation costs if you can't start the trip for an insured reason (e.g. illness). Especially useful for families with young children, who fall ill more often at short notice.

Trip interruption insurance

Covers you if you have to cut the trip short – reimbursing the unused portion.

What to check when comparing

• Family rate: often cheaper than individual policies – children are sometimes covered for free.
• Excess/deductible: a lower premium with a high excess can cost more in an emergency.
• Repatriation "medically sensible" vs. "medically necessary": the first wording is much better for you.
• Pre-existing conditions: check whether existing illnesses are covered.
• Scope & duration: does the policy fit your destinations (worldwide vs. Europe) and trip length?

Annual or single-trip policy?

If you travel several times a year, an annual policy is often cheaper than separate ones per trip. For a single yearly trip, a single-trip policy usually suffices.

Common pitfalls

Mind the deadlines (cancellation cover often must be taken out shortly after booking), the exclusions and that all travellers are actually named. The cheapest tariff is rarely the best – what matters is what's covered when it counts.

Conclusion

For families, good international health plus cancellation cover almost always makes sense. Compare several offers by their benefits – not just the price – and you'll travel with a much better feeling.