Travel Insurance and Safety Tips for Family Vacations

Family vacations should be about making memories, not worrying about accidents or emergencies. With the right safety strategies and insurance plan, you can focus on the fun while staying prepared for anything.

Travel insurance isn’t right for every trip or family — it’s designed to minimize the financial risk you take on your vacation. 

Booking a cheap flight to the next state is probably not worth getting travel insurance for, but if your family is spending thousands of dollars on a foreign destination, plans on traveling more than once per year, or wants guaranteed medical coverage, then travel insurance is worth considering. 

. . .

Choosing the Right Travel Insurance for Families

When comparing travel insurance plans, you will need to find a plan that will cover you, your partner, and your children. If you plan to travel with grandparents or aunts and uncles, you might want to include them in your plan too. 

Coverage essentials for family policies

Most basic travel insurance plans will cover trip cancellations, trip interruptions, trip delays, medical emergencies, medical transportation, and lost and/or delayed bags. 

You can expect a basic level insurance plan to cover a good portion of these costs — some basic plans will protect each person up to $125,000 for medical emergencies. 

However, these basic plans often won’t reimburse you if you decide to cancel your trip for an uncovered event, like moving homes or getting a new job. You can upgrade your plan to include this level of cancellation with cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage. 

Special considerations for kids

Travel insurance will cover big medical emergencies, but what about minor fevers or sprains — which are common among kids? 

Before choosing a travel insurance company, ask if there are any exclusions to medical care for your children. For example:

• Will the company cover an urgent care visit in a different country for a high fever? 
• Will they cover injuries sustained through activities such as zip lining? 
• Does your child have to be up to date on all of their vaccinations to be eligible for coverage? 

These are important things to know so you don’t get stuck with a surprise medical bill on your trip. 

For even more peace of mind when traveling with children, consider opting into a pediatric telemedicine service, such as Blueberry (if your current medical insurance plan doesn’t offer one). 

This will allow you to connect with a U.S.-based pediatrician at any time online while you are on vacation. They can then walk you through whether you can treat a sickness with over-the-counter remedies or if you need to take your child to the nearest care facility. 

Comparing family plans and providers

I pulled sample travel insurance quotes for my California-based family of five, which includes two 35-year-old adults and three kids ages 12, 10, and 6, for a $20,0000, two-week trip to Italy. 

Here’s how these insurance companies compare side-by-side. 

Remember, your quotes might vary based on your age, destination, and state of residence. All companies also vary in what coverage they offer. 

	Quoted Price	Trip Cancellation Coverage	Trip Interruption Coverage	Emergency Medical/Dental Coverage	Baggage Coverage
Allianz Travel One Trip Prime	$462	$4,000 per insured	$6,000 per insured	$50,000 per insured	$1,000 per insured
World Nomads Standard Plan	$391	$2,500 per insured	$2,500 per insured	$125,000 per insured	$1,000 per insured
AXA Silver Plan	$545	100% of trip	100% of trip	$25,000 per insured	$750 per insured

Additionally, you can choose to buy an annual travel insurance plan, which would be good for both your domestic and international travel plans. 

For Allianz Travel Insurance, opting for the AllTrips Basic annual coverage for my family of five would cost $690 per year. This level of insurance doesn’t cover trip cancellations or interruptions, but it does offer travel delay coverage along with medical coverage, travel accident coverage, baggage coverage, and rental car theft or damage coverage. 

To secure trip cancellation and interruption insurance, you can upgrade to the AllTrips Prime option, which is about $710 more per year for a family of five. 

. . .

Family Health Tips for International Travel

Depending on your vacation plans, it's a good idea to visit your pediatrician before booking travel. Let your doctor know your plans, especially if you have infants or immunocompromised children. 

Vaccinations and preventive care

You should schedule your children’s checkups a month or two before your vacation so that you have plenty of time to get any necessary vaccinations, blood work, and medications. 

Your child’s doctor might recommend being up-to-date with common childhood vaccinations, such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap), and chickenpox (Varicella). 

However, some children might feel sluggish or spike a fever after certain vaccines, which is why you shouldn’t schedule your doctor appointment right before you leave. 

Additionally, the area you are traveling to might require extra vaccinations — and these might require downtime or spacing between doses. 

Some common vaccinations to expect for overseas destinations are hepatitis A, yellow fever, and typhoid, though this will depend on where you’re going and how long you’re staying. For example, you might not need the Japanese encephalitis vaccine if you only plan on staying in Japan for a few days. 

Managing allergies or chronic conditions

You want to pack enough over-the-counter essentials for most ailments, including headaches, fevers, allergies, and stomach/indigestion aids. 

This will save you from trying to decipher these common medicines in a different language. 

For more serious medical conditions, you need to bring extra medicine and equipment, as well as have a backup plan if you happen to get separated from your medical necessities. 

Discuss with your doctor what you should do if you or your family member doesn’t have access to their medication while overseas: What is the immediate plan of action?

Know that you are allowed to fly with as much liquid medicine as you need — this is not subject to TSA’s liquid limits. You can opt for your medication to not be X-rayed, but you will need to alert the TSA agent beforehand and might need to open up medications for additional screening. 

Carrying all of your medicine and mobility/medical devices on your flight doesn’t count toward your carry-on either — and you should keep your medical necessities with you in case something happens to your checked luggage.  

You aren’t required to travel with a prescription, but it can make your life easier to have a copy of your prescriptions and medical accommodations. 

Managing severe food allergies and intolerances while traveling can be frustrating. It is safer to bring your own snacks, if possible, on the plane. Always have an EpiPen on hand. 

Unfortunately, even when you ask for allergen-free food, accidents can happen, especially if there’s a language barrier. Food Allergy Research and Education recommends printing out chef cards in both English and the language of the country you are visiting to help restaurants know how severe your food allergy is. 

Tips for staying healthy abroad

Traveling oftentimes weakens our immune systems because we are stressed, not sleeping properly, and exposed to more germs and new people. 

You can’t prevent every illness, but you can do several easy things to keep you and your family healthier while exploring. 

• Stay hydrated and get enough rest. It can be tempting to want to pack in all of the sights when you are in a new country for a short time, but you need to schedule some downtime too. 
• Be cautious with different food safety standards and poor water quality. Eat at restaurants that are highly rated or recommended by your hotel. If you can’t check the rating, stick with meals that are freshly cooked. Avoid food that has been sitting in a warming tray, as well as raw foods, like salads or seafood. Ask for bottled or canned beverages and drink them without ice. 

Keeping Kids Safe While Traveling Abroad

For young travelers, it can be hard to imagine a world that isn’t as safe as the one they are used to. 

It is important to think through the safety risks of your destination and have safety talks with your kids, even as young as 18 months old. 

Research local safety information

The U.S. Department of State has travel advisory levels for most countries, along with information on which crimes and health risks to watch out for. 

You can also register your trip for free with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This will give you real-time updates about the country you are visiting, whether it be weather disasters, political unrest, or other safety issues. 

This is also your connection to the closest embassy or consulate if you need help in an emergency. 

Teach basic safety rules

Your children need to know to stay near you at all times and not wander off. For kids who can’t follow this command, use safety harnesses to prevent them from getting separated. 

Wearable GPS trackers can also be helpful — just tuck Airtags discreetly in your child’s shoelaces or as a wearable necklace. Some Etsy sellers have created Airtag necklace fashions that disguise the GPS tracker. 

You don’t want to scare children, but instead empower them with knowledge of what to do if something happens. Point out safe areas for if they get separated and who are safe people to ask for help. Hotels, police stations, and hospitals are all safe places to identify. 

It can be helpful to write your child’s name, your name, your phone number, and your hotel name on a slip of paper and tuck it in their pocket. Tell them that if they are too scared to talk to a safe person they have found, they can give them the slip of paper instead. 

Prepare safety kits for kids

Having a safety kit on your trip will prevent a lot of stress. It is easier to put one together at home than trying to hunt one down in a new country. 

And don’t just buy a pre-made first aid kit and take it with you. Typically these kits don’t have everything you need, and you don’t want to get to your destination with 500 bandages and only two pain-relieving tablets.

A few things I use almost every trip include: 

• Bandages: Both the standard type and a bottle of liquid bandages are helpful.
• Gauze: Can help stop bleeding faster or be used to wrap a larger cut.
• Pain-relieving antiseptic spray: Alcohol wipes work too, but can sting.
• Fever reducers/pain reducers: Both chewable and liquid forms; helpful for fevers or headaches that come from travel overstimulation. 
• Cold/cough nighttime syrup: Night is when coughing gets the worst and their little bodies need rest the most.
• Cough drop lollipops: Cough drops can be a choking hazard for younger kids, but there are lollipop versions that offer the same relief.
• Hydrocortisone cream: For bug bites, rashes, or skin irritations.
• Non-drowsy allergy: Even for kids who don’t normally have allergies, new areas or seasons can kick up allergic responses.
• Rosemary essential oil/Vicks VapoRub: Either one is helpful for opening up airways when congested. Rub Vicks VapoRub on the chest, back, and soles of the feet with socks at night. Similarly, rosemary oil is applied the same way after being diluted in olive oil or coconut oil. For infants, put the rub/oil on you instead and allow the baby to snuggle against your chest and breathe it in for congestion relief. 
• Electrolyte packages: These are good for preventing dehydration during sickness as well as preventing heat stroke or exhaustion. Liquid I.V. packets are easy to travel with and come with several kid-friendly flavors. 
• Vitamin C packages: These are good to drink before and after flights to give your immune system a boost. Most kids won’t mind the taste if you mix it with orange juice.
• Tweezers: Just in case you need to remove a splinter.

Some other travel-specific items you might want to add to your safety kit are:

• Motion sickness tablets, patches, or bands: Check with your doctor which brands are safe for children and how soon before you travel you should take them. Most motion sickness medications need to be taken well before you experience symptoms. 
• Insect repellent: Look for brands safe for children that also have a low residual odor. 
• Sun protection and sunburn care: Sunscreen in spray, lotion, or stick form will keep kids covered. I also like to pack aloe vera gel for relief if a burn does happen. Cooled black tea bags can also work to relieve burns. 
• Water purifiers: Tablets and portable water purifiers don’t take up a lot of space but can be a lifesaver if there’s questionable water or you’re doing a lot of activities in nature. 
• Anti-diarrheal medications: Usually a banana or toast will help soothe an upset stomach, but having anti-diarrheal medications is helpful in bad cases or if you need to remedy the issue quickly before a flight. 

A clear, waterproof bag can make it easy to travel with your first-aid essentials. Buy two — one for your carry-on and one for your luggage.

Keep similar things grouped together and organized with smaller bags or pill organizers. 

If you have a medical condition that requires medicine, the TSA’s liquid allowance rules won’t limit you. However, if you are just traveling as a prepared parent, you should keep most of your liquid medicines in your checked bag and put chewable tablets or pills in your carry-on for quick access. 

Check and refresh your safety kit before every trip, replacing expired medications. 

Planning Safe Transportation Options for Families

Traveling with children requires a few extra planning steps because you need to ensure that your transportation will always have enough seats and that safety seats are available if needed. 

Research family-friendly transportation

Traveling with a car seat is a pain because they are heavy and can often become damaged through careless handling. 

Many car rental places will have infant and child safety seat rental options, especially if you go with well-known rental companies such as Avis and Hertz. Book them in advance to ensure they’re available when you arrive. 

Look up your flight’s family policies before departure to know what privileges you have for early boarding, as well as access to bassinets for longer flights. 

. . .

Ensure child safety in transit

For toddlers and young children, an inflatable booster seat costs around $30 and is easy to bring and use with rental cars, ridesharing, and public transit. 

Additionally, a travel harness can be a great alternative for keeping young children secure during flights or bus rides where car seats are not practical. These are designed to give your child a portable five-point harness system. 

It’s a good idea for everyone in the family to have emergency ID bracelets or necklaces. Each should contain name, birth year, emergency contact information, and any medical information (i.e., allergic to latex or diabetic). 

Navigating public transit abroad with kids

The key to feeling comfortable with public transit abroad is to do your research. Avoid rush hour, traveling late at night, or stopping in unsafe areas. 

When in doubt, sit near the driver or conductor or position yourself around other families. 

Securing Valuables and Documents While Traveling

Along with keeping your family safe on vacation, you need to keep your passports/visas and valuables safe. Here are a few tips to protect them. 

Protecting family valuables

If possible, leaving valuables like jewelry and heirlooms at home can save you a lot of stress while traveling. I know several women who buy fake wedding rings to wear on their trips. 

Additionally, you can use your hotel safe to store your valuables, along with extra cash. You don’t need to carry all of your money on you at all times. 

Invest in anti-theft backpacks and bags that come with features such as locking zippers, cut-resistant material, and RFID-blocking compartments. 

Keeping travel documents safe

Make one parent the designated guard of the important travel documents, keeping them securely hidden in a travel wallet or neck pouch that stays close to your body. 

Avoid pulling out your documents in a crowded place.

Digital backups for important information

Before leaving for your trip, make copies of all of your travel documents. I like having a photocopy of these packed in a suitcase separate from the original. 

It’s also best to have digital copies of your passport, driver’s license, and other critical documents saved to cloud storage or a secure app. 

If you lose your passport, this digital copy will not allow you to get back into your country, but it will significantly speed up the process of getting a replacement at your nearest embassy or consulate.

Emergency Contacts and Safety Preparation for Families

No one wants anything to go wrong while traveling, but you do need to know what the plan is if something unexpected happens. 

Compile a family emergency contact list

Family members not traveling with you should know your travel plans, how to reach you, and how to contact local authorities or your country's embassy in case of an emergency. 

Share your itinerary, including flight details, hotel addresses, and planned activities, with a trusted family member or friend back home. 

Provide them with copies of your important documents, such as passports and travel insurance information, so they can assist you if something goes wrong.

Establish family safety protocols

Every place you visit, create an easy-to-follow safety plan. For example, “If we get separated, we will all stop what we are doing and meet by this statue.” 

If you have a large family, create a buddy system so that everyone is accountable for another person.

Teach kids how to respond in emergencies

While traveling, point out landmarks and safe places to your children. For example, “See that building with the big cross? That is a hospital. If you get lost, you can go there and ask for help.” 

Teach kids to approach uniformed personnel, such as police officers, security guards, or store staff, if they need help.

Navigating Compensation Claims for Families

Even the best-planned trips will have snags along the way, and this is where travel insurance can truly be a saving grace. 

Here are some tips on navigating the claims process. 

Claiming compensation for flight delays or cancellations

First, know what is covered under your family travel insurance plan when it comes to flight delays. You might be required to get it in writing from the airline, proving the flight delay or cancellation. 

Additionally, file your claim with any receipts for extra expenses incurred from the flight delay, such as meals, lodging, or alternative transportation costs. 

READ MORE: Trip Delays vs. Cancellations vs. Interruptions: What’s Covered?

Understanding hotel injury compensation

If an injury happens on hotel grounds, contact the hotel management or property owner right away to write an incident report. This will be needed when you file your claim. 

You will also want to take photographs and seek medical attention to have a healthcare provider document the injury. 

Be sure to get a receipt for any costs, such as a taxi ride to urgent care and the urgent care fee. 

Your travel insurance might also want the contact information of the hotel manager and the healthcare professional who reviewed your case. 

READ MORE: Injured at a Hotel? Learn How to Claim Compensation

FAQs About Family Travel Insurance and Safety

Are there travel insurance plans that cover adventure activities for kids?

Yes, some travel insurance plans offer coverage for adventure activities, including those for children. But check with your travel insurance company if you’re unsure. Some high-risk activities might be excluded from coverage or require an upgraded plan. 

What should I do if my child gets sick abroad?

For non-emergency sicknesses, your travel insurance company or hotel can recommend the best healthcare facility. 

Confirm that your travel insurance will cover the treatment. Keep all receipts and documentation of your doctor visit and prescriptions to file your claim later. 

Can family travel insurance cover canceled trips due to a child’s illness?

Yes, most family travel insurance plans include trip cancellation coverage for unexpected illnesses, including those of a child. 

To qualify, you’ll typically need to provide medical documentation from a doctor stating that your child’s illness prevents them from traveling. 

Keep in mind that pre-existing conditions might not be covered unless you purchased a policy with a pre-existing condition waiver.

Bottom Line

Family travel can be both enjoyable and stress-free with the right preparation, safety measures, and insurance coverage. Plan ahead, pack smart, and choose travel insurance that protects the entire family.

. . .