Planning a family holiday can involve plenty of organisation, packing and list making. One of the most important items on any family holiday list is family travel insurance. This is because safeguarding your loved ones and valuable possessions is essential for less stress and more enjoyment on vacation.
Family travel insurance is usually available as a travel insurance policy. This means you get protection for your family under one insurance plan. Family travel insurance generally covers one or two adults and any dependents.
Children covered under your family travel insurance policy are likely to be under 16. However, some travel insurance companies will expand cover for those up to the age of 21 and still in full-time education, but this might vary according to the insurance provider.
In this article, we share the latest on family travel insurance, including when to buy your insurance policy and how to work out the best value family travel insurance premium for your holiday.
Contents
- Best for families: single trip versus annual travel insurance
- Which cover features are important for families?
- Common family travel insurance gaps.
- What affects a family travel insurance premium?
Best for families: single trip versus annual travel insurance
Deciding on the best family travel insurance policy for your next holiday is likely to depend on your specific, individual needs and plans as a family. If you’re planning on taking one main vacation this year or one that requires specialised cover, such as a skiing or adventure holiday, single trip family travel insurance could be ideal.
However, if you’re planning to go on more than one family trip and want some versatility so that you can go on a few or many vacations as a family unit, then annual travel insurance could be the answer. This could also be the more cost-effective option if you take more than three trips a year.
Which cover features are important for families?
Every family is different and will have personalised requirements for their holiday or break. This may be down to what type of vacation you want to go on, the individual needs of family members or baggage protection for your personal belongings.
Often, families say that the following areas matter most to them:
- Medical cover
Knowing that you and your family members have medical cover for emergencies delivers real peace of mind before and during your holiday. GasanMamo offers higher medical protection at no extra cost as part of their travel insurance policy as medical expenses abroad can be high.
You’ll notice that emergency medical and associated expenses limits have been increased across all GasanMamo travel insurance plans:
- Basic Cover: €50,000 (previously €25,000)
- Standard Cover: €300,000 (previously €200,000)
- Executive Cover: €2,000,000 (previously €1,000,000)
These upgraded limits provide stronger financial protection in the event of illness or injury while travelling.
- Cancellation and curtailment protection
When a trip is cancelled or curtailed without notice, it can be difficult for vacationers who are planning a smooth and stress-free holiday. This is why GasanMamo has recently enhanced travel insurance to ensure that cancellation of service is a standard benefit.
This covers additional travel and accommodation costs if your trip is disrupted due to adverse weather conditions or natural disasters. Previously offered as an optional add-on, this benefit is now automatically included in Standard and Executive plans at no additional cost.
- Baggage cover
Losing family baggage, especially those belonging to younger or older family members, can be challenging while on holiday. Baggage cover normally refers to the accidental loss of or damage during the period of insurance to personal belongings and personal luggage taken or owned by those covered under the policy.
In addition, families with travel insurance from GasanMamo can gain additional baggage limits with our Executive Cover travel insurance plan for greater flexibility.
Browse more on this topic in our article: Lost your passport abroad? What to do and how your travel insurance helps.
Common family travel insurance gaps
It’s recommended that you share the following information with your insurance provider during the quote process to gain the optimal policy for your family:
Pre-existing medical conditions
Failure to declare a medical condition that you know about before taking out a family travel insurance policy for any person covered by the plan could void the entire policy, which could mean you have to pay out of pocket for any emergency care.
High-risk activities
It is likely that any high-risk activities will not be covered under standard family travel insurance. It is always best to check what is covered by consulting your policy or asking your insurance provider. Activities such as scuba diving or jet-skiing may not be covered.
Children travelling with one parent or a grandparent
Children are expected to travel with their parent, parents or legal guardian(s). Border policy or airport passport control may have questions if this is not the case. Make sure you have the correct documentation and the appropriate level of insurance cover for your individual situation.
What affects a family travel insurance premium?
Each insurance provider will have its own criteria when assessing and compiling a family travel insurance policy. It is essential to share all relevant information with your insurance company to ensure you gain the best possible cover for your family vacation or trip.
The following factors may contribute to a family travel insurance policy assessment:
- The ages of covered family members are relevant. GasanMamo has recently amended its cover so that people aged 81-85 are now eligible without a medical certificate requirement. People aged 75-80 are eligible for standard cover, in addition to the basic cover.
- A long-haul or high-risk destination may impact the cost of a family travel insurance premium. It’s a good idea to check with your provider.
- The length of your trip may also affect your family travel insurance premium. A longer trip may require a higher level of cover.
Get family travel insurance with GasanMamo
Planning is key when it comes to protecting your family while on vacation. We recommend purchasing your family travel insurance as soon as you book your flights or accommodation. Buying your policy early ensures you’re protected from the moment you start planning your trip.
You’ll find that the three easy options for family travel insurance with GasanMamo – Basic Cover, Standard Cover and Executive Cover – are convenient and simple to arrange, helping you keep your family safe and reduce worry around unexpected holiday incidents.
Our holiday insurance policies deliver easy to follow and adaptable policies that help you thoroughly enjoy your holiday. Read more in our article: Holiday insurance: cover, costs and common questions.
Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your travel insurance needs. Plus, you can take a look at the competitive and comprehensive benefits and optional extras on our travel insurance page.
GasanMamo Insurance is authorised under the Insurance Business Act and regulated by the MFSA.
