It’s no secret that traveling with kids can be a challenge. From mid-flight temper tantrums and picky eating to sugar highs and are-we-there-yets, parents traveling with small children have been through it all. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways, including opting for family travel insurance, to keep your anxiety and stress low and have an amazing family travel experience.
What This Guide Will Cover:
- Tips for preparing and packing for a family trip
- Air travel tips with kids
- How travel insurance can help when traveling with kids
- Top travel insurance plans for travel with kids
Prepare & Pack Effectively for your Family Trip
Preparation is key when traveling with children. Avoid complications at the airport by making the proper arrangements ahead of time. Have a travel plan prepared so that you and your children can travel interruption-free. Here are some pointers:
- Book the right seats. Choose airplane seats next to each other so you can supervise your kids, and opt for bulkhead seats or bassinet seats for infants.
- Choose a child-friendly flight. If possible, book a nonstop flight to avoid the hassle of making a connecting flight with children in tow. Also, try to avoid red-eye flights.
- Contact the hotel. When booking a hotel, call ahead to make sure that a crib, extra bed, stroller, or other necessities for your children will be available.
- Pack appropriately. Make sure that anything that may not be available at your destination are in your luggage, including clothing, toys, diapers, formulas, and any other necessities.
Arrive at the Airport Extra Early
The airport can be a hectic place, especially when traveling with children. Before leaving for the airport, make sure that you have everything you need and that you give yourself plenty of time to check-in, get through security, and walk to your gate.
- Bring proper documentation. Make sure that your child’s documentation is up to date. For example, passports for minors under 16 in the US are only valid for 5 years. Check that your child’s passport will not have expired at the time of travel.
- Be early. Keep in mind the long check-in lines and security check lines at many major airports. It is stressful enough being late traveling alone; being late with young travelers is even more of a hassle.
- Ask about early boarding. Many airlines offer early boarding for passengers traveling with children. Take advantage of this, so you and your family can utilize the extra time to get situated comfortably on the plane.
- Stay together. Airports are huge, and the last thing you want is for your child to get lost. Consider using a baby carrier or harness for babies and small children.
Heed Air Travel Safety Protocols
Prepare for a long flight with children by keeping them comfortable and occupied. Proper seating arrangements, snacks, and toys will make for a child-friendly and stress-free flight.
- Consider child safety. Depending on your child’s age and weight, ask flight attendants for an aircraft-approved child safety seat or airplane child safety harness, or bring your own.
- Prepare for air pressure changes. Prevent ear pain in small children by bringing chewing gum or gummy worms for them to chew as the plane ascends or descends.
- Pack snacks or meals. Please picky eaters by packing your children’s favorite foods or meals. Even if the airline provides an in-flight meal, it’s best to stick to what your children are familiar with to avoid potential allergies or sicknesses.
- Bring toys and gadgets. Keep children entertained on long flights by bringing along their favorite toys, games, electronics, and headphones. Quiet toys with few individual parts are good options, and tablets loaded with their favorite games and movies will keep them busy.
Know the Rules of the Road
A road trip can be the family vacation of a lifetime, but it’s important to know the rules of the road and keep you, your children and your fellow drivers safe.
When it comes to kids and long drives, be sure to keep them occupied by packing toys, snacks, and pillows, and taking breaks for playtime along the journey. Most importantly, don’t forget child car safety.
- Buckle up. Bring proper car seats or safety harnesses. Certain countries and states have specific child safety seat laws, so do your research beforehand.
- Know Car seat safety rules. Once you travel outside state lines, the rules for whether your child needs to be in a car seat, or what direction they need to be facing may change.
- Pack the necessities. Bring plenty of snacks, water, and toys or games to keep kids entertained during long car rides. In the case of potential car sickness or motion sickness, purchase medicine and prepare a first aid kit before the trip.
- Encourage naps. Bring pillows and blankets for long car rides, so that kids can get comfortable and easily take a nap on the way to your destination.
- Let them play. Plan stops along the way for children to burn off some energy. Bring a ball or jump rope, or stop at nearby parks and playgrounds.
Consider Family Travel Insurance
Whether you’re taking a trip on a family-friendly cruise, or hopping on a plane to visit a faraway country, family travel can be an incredibly exciting opportunity to make lifelong memories. One of the best tools for U.S. citizens is trip insurance. Here are some reasons why family trip insurance is a good idea:
Sudden illness or injury before the trip. Let’s say your child develops a fever, infection, or breaks a bone the day before departure, forcing the family to cancel flights, hotels, or tours. Travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage can reimburse non‑refundable prepaid costs for covered medical reasons.
Illness or injury during the trip. A child gets food poisoning, a bad allergic reaction, or gets injured on vacation. Emergency medical coverage can help pay for doctor visits, urgent care, hospital stays, or even an emergency evacuation.
Need to cut the trip short. A parent or child falls seriously ill or has an accident, and the family must fly home early. Trip interruption coverage can reimburse unused portions of the trip and additional one‑way airfare back home.
Flight delays or cancellations with kids. A storm or mechanical issue strands the family at the airport for hours. Travel delay coverage can help cover extra meals, hotel stays, and essential supplies for children stuck in the terminal.
Lost or delayed baggage with kids’ essentials. A checked bag with diapers, formula, medications, or special clothing is lost or delayed. Baggage and personal effects coverage can help reimburse the cost of replacing these items.
How Can I Get the Help I Need?
Finding the best travel insurance when traveling with kids is crucial, especially with the unpredictability they can bring. Travel insurance can offer protection against any emergencies or last minute situations you may deal with during your trip.
If you need further assistance, our Customer Service team is more than happy to help!
- Booking proper seating, choosing child‑friendly flights, contacting hotels for cribs or extra beds, and arriving at the airport early can keep the trip smooth when traveling with kids.
- Bring clothing, diapers, formula, snacks, toys, and medications that may not be available at your destination, and double‑check luggage to avoid TSA issues.
- Use car seats, take breaks and bring snacks and toys for long drives, and choose safe seating and comfort items on planes for kids.
- Travel insurance can offer protection for any emergencies or situations you have when traveling with kids.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling with Kids
What does travel insurance cover when traveling with kids?
When traveling with kids, travel insurance can cover situations like trip cancellation if your child becomes sick or injured, your return flight back home, lost baggage with necessary items, and so on. In many cases, children can be added to a parent’s policy (often at little or no extra cost), and benefits are paid per person, so each child is covered individually under the plan’s limits.
Can travel insurance offer coverage if my child gets sick during the trip?
Yes, many travel insurance plans can offer coverage if your child gets sick during the trip. If your child needs a doctor, urgent care, or hospital treatment while traveling, emergency medical benefits can provide reimbursement for eligible costs like office visits, hospital stays, tests, and prescriptions. If the illness requires your family to return home, travel insurance can cover travel costs, and unused portions of your trip.
Is travel insurance worth it when traveling with children?
Yes, travel insurance is often worth it when traveling with children, especially for expensive or international trips. It can help reimburse costs if a child gets sick and the trip must be canceled or cut short, cover emergency medical care abroad, and ease any stress from delays or lost baggage by paying for extra meals, hotels, and essential items like diapers or medications.
If my child gets injured during our trip, will travel insurance offer coverage?
Yes, travel insurance may offer coverage if your child becomes injured during your trip. Under travel insurance, emergency medical coverage can help pay for doctor visits, urgent care, hospital stays, or even an emergency evacuation if necessary.
Is Cancel for Any Reason worth it when traveling with kids?
Cancel for Any Reason can be worth it, especially when traveling with kids. It can be a crucial benefit for expensive, non-refundable family trips, and can allow you to cancel for up to 75% reimbursement of your pre-paid costs. With children being unpredictable, CFAR can protect you and your children if you cancel for non-emergencies as well, like a minor cold or change of heart.
Can I bring medication on a plan needed by my child?
Yes, you can bring necessary medication for your kids on an airplane. Whether it is a daily prescription, an emergency EpiPen, or just over-the-counter liquid Tylenol, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows you to travel with all medically necessary items, as long as it follows packaging guidelines.
Are strollers and car seats covered by travel insurance if they are lost or damaged?
Yes, lost strollers or car seats can be covered under baggage and personal effects coverage. If the airline loses, damages, or completely destroys your items, travel insurance can reimburse you to replace it. Be sure to file a claim with the airline first if this occurs. Your travel insurance can then step in to cover the remaining value if the airline’s compensation falls short or if they refuse to pay.
