Guide to Choosing the Right Family Holiday Insurance

Choosing the best family holiday insurance is more than getting an online comparison and buying the cheapest option you can find. There is more to what makes a policy worth your time and effort aside from its price.

One of the most important things to bear in mind is that there are many different types of travellers. Individual backpackers might be able to get the best value in a multi-trip policy that costs only £30, but families travelling together have different needs - including the age of the family members, the overall value of their luggage and their itinerary. It is for these reasons that there is no one recommended policy that can fit everyone. Instead, there are crucial factors that you need to take into account when deciding on the best policy for your family.

Do You Go On Multiple Trips?

Family holiday insurance can either be single trip or multi-trip, and the value of each really depends on how much travelling your family does in a year. Multi-trip policies cover any number of short trips within a calendar year; but if your family goes on holiday at least four times in a year, getting a multi-trip option will understandably save you money in the long run - not to mention lessen the hassle of going through the entire process every time you plan a trip. If you think that a multi-trip policy is a viable option, be sure opt for one that will cover the countries you frequently visit or would like to visit and scratch from the list the countries that you won’t go to, as that will affect the final price.

Do You Need Group Coverage?

When getting individual insurance, you only need to think about your personal needs - and most of the time that’s easier. But when choosing the best family holiday insurance, you need to consider every member's individual needs. Generally, it will be cheaper to buy a policy that covers the entire family rather than one for each member. But again, there are further considerations to think about. For instance, when you get a policy that covers everyone, will that policy allow individual members to travel on their own or does it only stand if you travel together? You will need to find a provider that will be able to provide you with exactly the policy you need, depending on how often you normally travel individually and as a family. It might be difficult to find at first if your needs are specific, but it’s worth the extra effort.

Do You Settle for the Standard Limits or Do You Get Extra Coverage?

Every family holiday insurance policy will have a basic coverage listed. For some families this may suffice, but obviously not all families are alike. The typical standard coverage includes flight cancellation, baggage damage or loss, missed flights, emergency medical assistance and personal liability. However the amount covered may vary, depending on what you choose and on specific details you want to add, such as outdoor activities or sports that you want covered.