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 travelling 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 travelling 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. Many insurers include your child at no extra cost, as long as they're named on the policy, financially dependent on you and not working full-time. Some insurers also require them to travel with you for the whole trip. Check each insurer's conditions in the table below.

Travel insurance cover for kids by provider

Most insurers below cover dependant children at no extra cost if they meet the conditions listed. A few charge a small extra amount or limit cover to infants, so check each row.

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Brand	Maximum Age To Qualify	Conditions
	17	Covers children listed on the policy who travel with you, provided they're under 18.
	17	Covers your children or grandchildren listed on the policy who travel with you, aren't working full-time, are financially dependent on you and are under 18.
	18	Covers children or grandchildren listed on the policy who are not in full-time employment and travel with the policyholder for 100% of the journey.
	20	Covers your children or grandchildren, or those you're the legal guardian of, aged 20 and under who aren't working full-time and travel with you for the whole trip.
	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.
	17	Limit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS).
	17	Covers financially dependent children or grandchildren, including foster and adopted children, under 18. Full adult premium applies if they're not travelling with a parent or grandparent.
	17	Covers financially dependent children or grandchildren, including foster and adopted children, under 18. Full adult premium applies if they're not travelling with a parent or grandparent.
	19	Covers children, stepchildren, foster children or grandchildren listed on the policy who are financially dependent on the policyholder, not in full-time employment and travelling with the policyholder for the entire trip.
	20	Covers children or grandchildren listed on the policy who travel with you, aren't working full-time, are financially dependent on you and are under 21.
	20	Covers children, stepchildren, foster children and grandchildren under 21 who aren't working full-time. They're only covered when travelling with an adult on the policy.
	17	Single Trip only: covers children or grandchildren under 18 who aren't working full-time and travel with you. They must be named on your Certificate of Insurance.
	20	Covers children or grandchildren listed on the policy who travel with you, aren't working full-time, are financially dependent on you and are under 21.
	17	Covers children listed on the policy who travel with you, provided they're under 18.
	24	Covers children, stepchildren, foster children and grandchildren where the policyholder is the legal guardian. They must travel with the policyholder on the same itinerary for the entire trip, be listed on the policy and work fewer 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.
	24	Covers children, grandchildren, stepchildren, adopted and foster children, and children under your legal guardianship. They must travel with you for the whole trip, not work full-time and be under 25. An extra premium may apply.
	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 for 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	Covers children or grandchildren listed on the policy who travel with you, aren't working full-time, are financially dependent on you and are under 21.
	11	No premium is charged for anyone under 12 travelling with an adult on the trip.
	20	Covers children or grandchildren listed on the policy who travel with you, aren't working full-time, are financially dependent on you and are under 21.
	N/A	AllClear doesn't list many details of dependent coverage in the PDS, but we ran several quotes that covered dependents. We couldn't find any obvious discounts for dependents.

Note: This information was last updated October 2026.

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), no extra cost (child)
• nib Comprehensive: $153.04 (adult), $124.04 (child)

As you can see, the cost difference can vary between insurers. The best bet 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, as long as they meet the dependent conditions in the table above.

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

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