Travelling with dependents

While we don't like to think negatively, travelling can be a risky business, particularly when travelling with kids.

The truth is when you take your family away from home you are opening yourselves up to the risk of lost belongings, illnesses, injuries and general mishaps that could turn a holiday into a disaster.

You may be thinking that family travel insurance is just another expensive and unnecessary cost, but the truth is no one should ever travel without it. You might say that these things happen all the time with kids. Sure they do, but when you're at home you have all the comforts of being in a familiar place with people you know, doctors who speak English, and running a bit late isn't as serious as missing that flight back to New Zealand. You may like looking through a glass of Rose, to believe that your kids are perfect but the reality is: kids can indeed be tricky and complicate travel.

Travel insurance to the rescue

One particular threat of travelling with young kids is that if they get sick in the days leading up to your big trip, it may mean having to cancel the whole thing. Besides the disappointment this may cause, it can also be quite costly in terms of cancellation fees and lost deposits. Having a comprehensive travel insurance policy will mean that if this does occur you have yourselves covered. Most policies will include unlimited cover for cancellation fees and lost deposits, so if you do have to cancel your big trip then you can at least be reimbursed for any lost costs, and have the opportunity to reschedule.

The idea of expensive overseas medical bills can also be troubling, but this is another area where your policy will have you covered. Unlimited medical and hospital cover as well us unlimited emergency assistance is a huge load of your shoulders, ensuring that any trip to the doctor overseas will not be a financial burden. Furthermore travel insurance will usually allow your family to alter your travel plans if need be, with cover for cancellations, additional accommodation or travel expenses and family emergency cover.

Finally, having travel insurance to cover your luggage and personal belongings is a huge relief for families with kids who haven't quite learned the importance of being both organised and street-smart when travelling. Whether it's a bag, a camera or a passport, there's nothing worse than realising something important is no longer with you. As long as you get the correct documentation, your travel insurance will ensure that damaged or stolen belongings are replaced or reimbursed.

Cover for cancellation fees, medical costs and luggage, are three important benefits of a policy, but the list doesn't end there. From flight delays to family emergencies, travel insurance is a must. The great news is that it's not as expensive as you might think. Just have a quick browse online and you will find a whole heap of insurers willing to provide comprehensive cover specifically for family travel, and in some cases your kids will even be covered for free.

Things to consider

Other things to consider are the varying limits of cover for each benefit such as luggage and medical coverage. Usually the policy will have a set limit for a family travelling with dependents. Dependent children will need to be named on the policy and usually have to be travelling with their parents.

When travelling with kids, it's a good idea to compare policies to make sure you're getting the best cover for the entire family. Different companies offer varying levels of cover and may also have varying rules and restrictions when it comes to covering dependents.

Read our family travel insurance guide for some great tips on which parts of the policy you should pay particular attention to when travelling with dependents.