Travel Insurers who offer free travel insurance for larger families

Many travel insurers offer free cover for the average family with a couple of children, but there are companies out there who do go the extra mile to attract the larger family - and it makes sense. Claims from children are very low, so it does not 'cost' the insurers much - and it helps build a relationship with the next generation of travellers.

We track down travel insurers who design their policies for the larger family - and let you know why some policies look very similar!

If you are looking to travel with up to four children we suggest you use our Travel Insurance comparison service - many insurers are happy to cater for families of this size, and insurance for a two week break in Spain can run from less than £15 for the whole family.

But now let's look at policies who cover at least 6 children free -(although if you have two children, three, four or five they will be happy to insure them at the same price too!

Larger Family Travel Policies

Direct Travel Insurance

Direct Travel are bought by many of our clients on the price, quality of their product and their service (their Premier Plus Travel insurance is rated as one of the top 10% in the country by independent rating agency Delfaqto, and they get good feedback on many forums).

In Europe they are hard to beat for either single trip or multi trip policies, and have the added advantage of offering a 'top policy' to enable your travel insurance to include volcanic ash incidents and other natural disasters. Childrens ages are up to and including 17. If you find a marked similarity between the Direct Travel product and that sold by Boots and Argos its because it is, with a few tweaks the same policy - and Direct Travel undertake the administration for the other companies. Directs prices are, in our experience far better value, with prices up to 40% cheaper.

Asda Travel Insurance

ASDA is a family friendly supermarket and will insure up to 7 children who are travelling with their parents, grandparents or legal guardians.

Prices are really competitive especially for long haul single trips (see the tables to the right) and the policy covers children up to 18 (or 23 if in full time education), although not if they have already married or become financially independent. ASDA are our best buy for long haul single trip policies which like all their policies offer unlimited cover for medical expenses and repartiation costs. (although you may need to upgrade to their 'superior' policy if you are looking for larger cancellation, baggage and other limits).

InsureandGo

InsureandGo were one of the first companies to focus on 'unconventional family groups' whether that meant children holidaying with their grandparents, same sex couples, single parents families, unmarried couples or foster and adopted children. Of course nowadays we would all be surprised at the penalties those not in a 'traditional' family had to pay.

They offer free childrens places on the basis of 3 per insured adult so are popular with not just larger families, but in providing travel insurance for single parent families as well. They are our 'best buy' for Annual worldwide policies.

Debenhams Travel Insurance

Debenhams offer the same InsureandGo policy - normally at a slightly higher premium, but with the added reassurance of the brand name. They also on occaisions offer voucher codes - normally in the form of a discount coupon which can be redeemed in one of their stores - if we are aware of any such codes we will promote them on our travel insurance discount code pages.

World First Travel Insurance

World First are a highly regarded Travel Insurer known particularly for their ability to cover a wide range of pre existing medical conditions at highly competitive rates. Whilst they only cover a maximum of 4 children free they are well worth considering if you do need to cover any illness past or present, even if your party size is larger, as their price including the loading for the condition may well work out cheaper.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Finally do make sure all in your party have got an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) if you are travelling to any EU country, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland as you can then obtain medical treatment in in a public state run hospital for the same price as a resident of that country would pay. That can mean free, or can mean a small discount off private rate. What it does can though, is that if you use it many travel insurers will waive their excess - so do get one for each member of the family. Get your cards from the EHIC website call 0845 606 2030 or get a application form from your Post Office.

Travel Insurance for children travelling alone

Unfortunately none of the insurers above will allow children under 18 to travel alone - even if they are covered on an annual policy. However travel insurance for teenagers (or even younger) is very cheap, and independent policies can be found on our article covering travel insurance for 16, 17 and 18 year olds.

This information is based on journalistic investigation and research. It is not financial advice. Any information should be considered in regard to specific circumstances. Any suggestions followed up are done so at your own risk and your own research is key.