Travel insurance for children and under 18s

How do you get travel insurance for kids?

There are two primary ways to get travel insurance for kids:

1. Dependent Coverage: Most family travel insurance policies automatically include children as dependents. This is often the most cost-effective option, especially for younger children.
2. Individual Policy: If your child is traveling alone or needs specific coverage not offered by a family policy, you can purchase an individual policy for them.

Travel insurance for children traveling on their own

When a child travels alone, it's crucial to have comprehensive travel insurance. This should cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and potential liability issues. Consider adding extra coverage for specific activities like winter sports or adventure travel.

Travel insurance for families with kids

Family travel insurance policies typically cover children as dependents up to a certain age, usually between 17 and 25. This means your child is included in your policy at no extra cost. However, it's important to check the specific terms and conditions of your policy to ensure your child is fully covered.

Travel insurance providers with free cover for kids

Brand	Maximum Age To Qualify
	20more info button
	20more info button
	18more info button
	20more info button
	20
	20
	17
	17
	25more info button
	20more info button
	20more info button
	17more info button
	17more info button
	24
	20more info button
	18more info button
	24more info button
	17
	20more info button
	24more info button

Note: This information was last updated August 2022

Cost of travel insurance for kids vs adults

While kids generally cost less to insure than adults, the difference isn't always significant. Here's a comparison of a 6-day trip to Bali for a 30-year-old and a 13-year-old:

• Medibank International Comprehensive: $100 (adult), $94 (child)
• Fast Cover Comprehensive: $84.99 (adult), $76.99 (child)
• ahm International Comprehensive: $67 (adult), $67 (child)
• nib Comprehensive: $153.04 (adult), $124.04 (child)

As you can see, the cost difference can vary between insurers. The best best is to compare travel insurance options with the tool at the top of this page and see what prices come back.

How to get free travel insurance for your children

The simplest way to get free travel insurance for your children is to include them as dependents on your family travel insurance policy. Most insurers allow you to add children at no extra cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are children covered by travel insurance?

  Yes, children can be covered by travel insurance, either as dependents on a family policy or through a separate individual policy.

• What's the maximum age for kids on travel insurance?

  The maximum age for children covered as dependents varies between insurers, but it's typically between 17 and 25 years old.

• What age can a child fly alone?

  The minimum age for a child to fly alone varies by airline, but it's generally between 5 and 12 years old. Specific rules and requirements may apply.

• Does my newborn baby need separate travel insurance?

  No, your newborn baby can be included as a dependent on your family travel insurance policy. However, it's important to check the specific terms and conditions of your policy to ensure newborn coverage.

Written by

Tim Bennett

Insurance expert

Tim Bennett is a Finder insurance & utilities expert. For over 10 years he's reported on news, politics, finance and other topics as a journalist and radio presenter. Tim's roles have included radio news reader and breakfast at the ABC, news producer for SBS and producer for Fairfax Media. Tim regularly appears as a health insurance expert on programs like Sunrise and SBS news, as well as in the Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. See full bio

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