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.

For those aged 18 to 30, purchasing an individual policy becomes the standard once you are no longer classified as a dependent. Providers like 1Cover and Travel Insurance Direct offer specialised plans tailored to this demographic, focusing on high-tech gear and flexible trip durations.

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.

Young travellers may often seek more than just basic medical cover. If you're heading off on a gap year trip, consider backpacker-specific policies. These are specifically designed for those staying in hostels and moving between multiple countries.

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	Conditions
	20	Will cover children or grandchildren who are listed on policy, financially dependent on the policy holder, and not in full-time employment
	20	Will cover children or grandchildren who are listed on policy, financially dependent on the policy holder, and not in full-time employment
	18	Will cover children or grandchildren who are listed on policy, not in full-time employment and travelling with policy holder for 100% of the journey.
	20	Will cover children or grandchildren where the policy holder is the legal guardian. The dependent, must be listed on the policy, not in full-time employment and travelling with policy holder for 100% of the trip itinerary.
	18	Insure4less doesn't list many details of dependent coverage in the PDS, but we ran several quotes that covered people aged up to 18 years at no additional cost. Your quote may vary, so you should generate a quote to find an estimated cost.
	18	Travel Insuranz doesn't list many details of dependent coverage in the PDS, but we ran several quotes that covered people aged up to 18 years at no additional cost. Your quote may vary, so you should generate a quote to find an estimated cost.
	17	Will cover children or grandchildren (including fostered or adopted children) who are financially dependent on policy holder.
	17	Will cover children or grandchildren (including fostered or adopted children) who are financially dependent on policy holder.
	25	Will cover children, stepchildren, foster children or grandchildren that are listed on policy, financially dependent on policy holder, not in full-time employment and travelling with policy holder for the entire trip.
	20	Will cover children or grandchildren who are listed on policy, financially dependent on the policy holder, and not in full-time employment
	20	Will cover children, stepchildren, foster children, and grandchildren who are unmarried, listed on the policy, financially dependent on policy holder and not in full-time employment.
	24	Will cover children, stepchildren, foster children, and grandchildren where the policy holder is the legal guardian. Dependents should be travelling with the policy holder on the same itinerary for the entire trip, must be listed on policy and working less than 30 hours per week.
	20	Will cover children or grandchildren who are listed on policy, financially dependent on the policy holder, and not in full-time employment
	20	Will cover children or grandchildren who are listed on policy, financially dependent on the policy holder, and not in full-time employment
	24	Will cover children, stepchildren, foster children, and grandchildren where the policy holder is the legal guardian. Dependents should be travelling with the policy holder on the same itinerary for the entire trip, must be listed on policy and working less than 30 hours per week.
	17	Stella doesn't list many details of dependent coverage in the PDS, but we ran several quotes that covered people aged up to 17 years at a small additional cost - in our example quotes the extra cost was about $2 for the policy. Your quote may vary, so you should generate a quote to find an estimated cost.
	20	Will cover children, stepchildren, foster children, and grandchildren where the policy holder is the legal guardian. Dependents should be travelling with the policy holder on the same itinerary for the entire trip, must be listed on policy and working less than 30 hours per week.
	17	Travel Protect doesn't list many details of dependent coverage in the PDS, but we ran several quotes that covered people aged up to 17 years at a small additional cost - in our example quotes the extra cost was about $2 for the policy. Your quote may vary, so you should generate a quote to find an estimated cost.
	17	Wise and Silent doesn't list many details of dependent coverage in the PDS, but we ran several quotes that covered people aged up to 17 years at a small additional cost - in our example quotes the extra cost was about $2 for the policy. Your quote may vary, so you should generate a quote to find an estimated cost.
	20	Will cover children or grandchildren who are listed on policy, financially dependent on the policy holder, and not in full-time employment
	N/A	Only includes any accompanying infants under two years of age.
	20	Will cover children or grandchildren who are listed on policy, financially dependent on the policy holder, and not in full-time employment
	N/A	AllClear doesn't list many details of dependent coverage in the PDS, but we ran several quotes that covered people aged up to 17 years. We couldn't find any obvious discounts for dependents.

Note: This information was last updated December 2024

Adventure activity coverage for young travellers

Young adults often engage in higher-risk activities that standard policies may exclude. If you plan on surfing in Bali, skiing in Japan or hiking the Kokoda Track, you must check if these are automatically covered. Many providers, such as Cover-More, offer 'Adventure Packs' as optional extras to cover extreme sports like skydiving or bungee jumping. Always verify the depth limits for scuba diving and ensure you hold the appropriate licences for moped or motorbike riding.

Gap years and long-term trip coverage

For those heading off on a gap year, standard travel insurance often only covers trips up to 30 or 60 days. If you are planning an extended journey of up to 12 months, you will need a policy that allows for long-stay durations. Some insurers also offer 'Already Overseas' cover if you decide to extend your trip while already at your destination, though this can be more expensive and may have a waiting period.

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.

Budget vs Comprehensive: What do young travellers need?

When choosing a plan, young travellers often weigh up budget versus comprehensive options. A basic 'medical-only' plan is the cheapest and covers emergency hospital stays and evacuation, which are the most critical expenses. However, a comprehensive plan adds protection for stolen tech, cancelled flights and lost luggage. For backpackers, the extra cost of a comprehensive plan is often justified by the high value of their electronics and the unpredictability of multi-leg journeys.

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

A seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience in news, politics and finance reporting, Tim has previously held roles at the ABC, SBS and Fairfax Media. Tim’s expert insights have been quoted in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. He regularly appears on TV and radio, and has been interviewed on 7 News, Sunrise, SBS News, ABC Local, 3AW and 5AA. Tim is passionate about simplifying complex insurance topics for Australian consumers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from Macquarie University and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). If you’re interested in a media interview with Tim, please reach out to our PR team at aupr@finder.com. See full bio

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