Find the Right Family Annual Travel Insurance Policy

Travelling with kids can be so much fun and create some of the best family memories. But even the most amazing holidays can have their fair share of issues, which is why finding the best family annual travel insurance is a must. Not only will it give you peace of mind, but it can also save you money in the long run.

---

Interesting Family Annual Travel Insurance Facts

In 2020, the average cost of a family travel insurance policy was £28.08 for single-trip cover and £58.74 for annual multi-trip cover In the UK in 2020, 568,000 individuals and families claimed travel insurance. Despite the widespread travel restrictions in place in 2020, travel insurers still paid out a total of £465 million in claims Most of the claims made were for medical expenses (£238 million)

 

 
Source: @Jersey Island Holidays

What is Family Annual Travel Insurance?

Annual or multi-trip family travel insurance covers every member of the family for all trips during the duration of a 12-month period.

Also, you don’t all have to go away together all the time – every adult on the policy is insured to travel independently.

In contrast, single-trip travel insurance, only provides cover for one holiday.

If you've got more than one trip in the calendar this year, it makes sense to look into getting family annual travel insurance and compare it to single-trip options.

Is Family Annual Travel Insurance Worth It?

If you plan on travelling multiple times throughout the year, annual travel insurance can be a more convenient and often more cost-effective option than buying separate single trip travel insurance policies for each trip.

What is the Difference Between Single-Trip and Family Annual Travel Insurance?

For most people, a standard travel policy will do.

However, if you're fortunate enough to take two or more trips per year, it may be more cost-effective to invest in an annual policy that covers multiple trips.

The main differences are:

• Annual travel insurance: Covers you for various individual trips over a 12-month period. The duration of these individual trips are limited and can be anywhere from 15 to 90 days.
  
  
• Single trip travel insurance: Covers one trip. The trip can cover multiple destinations, however, the destinations must be part of one consecutive trip. Your journey is generally considered complete when you return home. In general, single trip coverage can last from one to 540 days.

 Source: @Jersey Island Holidays

Advantages of Family Annual Travel Insurance

Cost savings: A family annual trip insurance policy may be more cost-effective than purchasing separate single-trip policies for each trip Convenience: With an annual trip insurance policy, you only need to go through the process of purchasing and activating coverage once a year, rather than for each trip Coverage for multiple trips: With a family annual trip insurance policy, you are covered for all of the trips you take during the policy period, and you don’t have to let your insurer know every time you’re going away UK staycations: Many multi-trip travel insurance policies for European and worldwide travel include coverage for UK trips as a standard

 
Disadvantages of Family Annual Travel Insurance

Limited coverage: Some policies have limits on the number of trips that are covered, or on the length of each trip (e.g. 30 days). If you exceed these limits, you may need to purchase additional coverage Pre-existing conditions: Some family annual trip insurance policies exclude coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, or may require that you purchase additional coverage for these conditions Lack of flexibility: With a family annual trip insurance policy, you are committed to coverage for a full year. If you do not take any trips, or if you take fewer trips than you had planned, you may end up paying for coverage that you do not use Age restrictions: Some providers may have upper age limits for annual coverage, so it is important to check the terms and conditions of a policy

What Does A Good Policy Look Like?

A good policy should cover the following as standard:

Must Have Features	A Good Policy Will Have
Medical expenses – provides cover towards the costs of emergency medical and surgical treatment while you’re away.	£1m or more for travel to Europe. £2m or more for the USA. Any treatment that can wait until you return home (according to medical opinion) wouldn’t usually be covered.
Getting you back home (repatriation service) – provides cover for the costs of emergency repatriation (for medical reasons) back to the UK.	Includes cover automatically. Any treatment or surgery that isn’t immediately necessary and can wait until you return to the UK wouldn’t be covered.
Cancellation/curtailment – if you have to cancel or shorten your trip, this covers you for any travel and accommodation costs you’ve paid and can’t use or claim back.	£2,000 or more. Policies will only cover cancellations in certain circumstances – check the terms and conditions.
Missed departure – covers costs of extra accommodation and travel expenses if you miss your departure flight, boat or train due to situations outside of your control. For example, your car breaking down, being involved in an accident or public transport being delayed.	£500 or more. You won’t be covered if you haven’t allowed enough time to get to the airport, station or port. You’ll need to be able to provide a report from the breakdown company to show you had a real breakdown
Delay – if your travel plans become delayed, for example due to industrial action, adverse weather or mechanical breakdown, the insurer will pay you a certain amount.	Delay – if your travel plans become delayed, for example due to industrial action, adverse weather or mechanical breakdown, the insurer will pay you a certain amount.
Travel abandonment – if you have to abandon your trip and cancel your journey, this cover will reimburse your travel and accommodation expenses.	£2,000 or more. Policies will only cover travel abandonment in certain circumstances – check the terms and conditions.
Baggage cover – covers your baggage if it’s lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.	£1,500 or more. There are usually separate limits for single articles, valuables and baggage delay. You’ll need to report all losses within certain time periods and get a written report from your airline if they lose your baggage.
Personal liability cover – this covers you if you’re liable to pay damages due to accidental bodily injury to someone or for loss or damage to someone’s property.	£2 million or more. Claims made by members of your family or people in your employment won’t be covered.

Source: @Money Helper

How Much Does Family Annual Travel Insurance Cost?

The cost of your travel insurance will depend on a number of factors, including the destination of your trip, the duration, your personal circumstances (such as age and medical history), and the type of holiday (e.g. skiing). 

These factors can all affect the level of risk involved and the amount of coverage you may need.

However, below are some example prices from insurers:

Source: @Money Saving Expert

Prices correct as of July 2022
(i) Price will vary depending on your age
(ii) Based on two adults aged 40 travelling with two children aged 10 and 15
(iii) Baggage cover is an optional extra, which we've included in the price
(iv) Price includes optional extra to reduce excess from £100 to £50
(v) Price includes travel disruption cover, which is required for the extra Covid cover

Conclusion

If you travel frequently as a family, annual travel insurance is usually a much cheaper and more convenient option than having to buy a new policy for each trip.

Keep in mind that premiums can vary depending on the insurer and the level of coverage you choose.

However, if you take two or more trips abroad per year, annual coverage is often a more cost-effective choice than single-trip coverage. That means you'll have more spending money for your trip.

Family annual travel insurance: Frequently Asked Questions

Can my family travel independently on an annual policy?

Whether or not your family can travel independently on an annual travel insurance policy depends on the specific terms and conditions of the policy. Some policies may allow all members of the family to travel independently, while others may require that all family members travel together. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of your policy to understand the specific coverage and restrictions that apply. 

Does travel insurance cover the whole family?

The extent to which travel insurance covers the entire family depends on the specific policy that you have purchased. Some travel insurance policies are designed to cover a single individual, while others can be purchased to cover a group of people, such as a family. In general, family travel insurance policies are designed to cover all members of a family who are traveling together.

Is it worth getting annual travel insurance?

Whether or not annual travel insurance, also known as multi-trip insurance, is worth it depends on your specific circumstances and travel plans. Annual travel insurance provides coverage for all of the trips you take during a single year, up to a certain limit. If you take multiple trips throughout the year, annual travel insurance may be more convenient and cost-effective than purchasing separate single-trip policies for each trip. 

What is classed as a family for travel insurance?

The definition of "family" for the purposes of travel insurance may vary depending on the specific policy that you have purchased. Some policies may define a family as a group of people who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption, while others may have more flexible definitions that include unrelated individuals who are traveling together. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to understand the specific definition.

— travel with children made easy —