Does a child need insurance when travelling

Children get ill on trips no less often than adults: a change of climate, unfamiliar food, swimming pools, hotel air conditioning and active play easily lead to a cold, food poisoning or an injury. Abroad, healthcare for tourists is paid, and the Russian compulsory health insurance (OMS) policy is not valid there. That is why every family member needs insurance, and a child most of all.

If the trip requires a visa, the rule is simple: a child needs a policy on the same terms as adults. For a Schengen visa this means cover of at least 30,000 EUR for the whole Schengen area and the entire trip. Details on the insurance for a visa page. For visa-free countries, check the requirements before you travel.

Separate or family policy

A child can be insured in two ways:

  • A separate policy for the child. Convenient if the child travels without parents: to a camp, with grandparents or with a school group.
  • A joint family policy, where several travellers are listed in one purchase. Convenient when the whole family flies together on the same route: one document, one set of dates, one payment.

In both cases each insured person has their own details and their own sum insured. The price depends on the programme and the terms of the specific insurer; the calculator will show the total for your family.

Child's details: as in the international passport

Enter the child's first name, last name and date of birth exactly as they appear in the child's international passport. A one-letter mistake can cause problems when applying for a visa and when seeking help. Check the spelling before you pay.

Options that matter for children

  • Evacuation of children home. If the adult accompanying the child is hospitalised, this option helps arrange the child's return home.
  • Emergency dental care. Acute toothache in a child on holiday is not something you want to pay for yourself.
  • Allergy. New food, plants and sun sometimes cause reactions that never happened at home.
  • Active leisure. If the child does a sport or goes skiing, add this option. For winter trips, see ski insurance.
  • Flight delay and baggage. With children, a long wait at the airport or a lost suitcase full of their things is especially hard.

If the child has a chronic condition, such as asthma or stomach problems, add the chronic conditions option and state the diagnosis honestly when buying. That way a flare-up on the trip becomes a clear case for the insurer rather than a reason for dispute. Take enough of any medicines the child takes regularly.

How to choose the sum insured

The sum for a child should not be lower than for adults. For visa countries, follow the consulate's requirements; for Schengen that means at least 30,000 EUR. For countries with expensive healthcare it is better to take a sum with a margin, and for trips via the USA and Canada the Worldwide territory with high cover will do. Popular family destinations are Turkey and the UAE; their pages describe what to keep in mind.

If a child falls ill during the trip

First call the assistance company using the phone number in your policy and describe the symptoms. They will find a clinic that treats children and approve the treatment. Do not pay for it yourself without approval. Keep discharge summaries, doctor's prescriptions, invoices and pharmacy receipts. When calling a doctor, have the child's international passport and the policy number at hand. Detailed guidance is in what to do when an insured event occurs.

How to buy insurance for a child online

  1. Open the calculator, choose the country and dates, and list all travellers, children included.
  2. Choose the sum insured and the options that matter for your family.
  3. Compare offers from 16 insurance companies: the quote is provided by the Cherehapa service (Polis Re's partner).
  4. Enter each traveller's details as in the international passport and pay.
  5. The policy will be sent to your e-mail; it is issued by the insurance company you choose.

If you are already abroad: some insurers have programmes for people who are already travelling; check the conditions (for example, a waiting period) in the calculator. Other programmes for travellers are in the travel insurance section.