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In this day and age, purchasing family holiday insurance has become one of the staples of travel – much like having GPS-enabled cameras, phones with 3G capability, or luggage with RFID trackers. While once these items seemed frivolous and unnecessary expenses, over time they have proven that the benefits greatly outweigh the costs. Ever more importantly, they greatly enhance the experience of travel, making it safer, simpler, and more enjoyable – from the moment you leave on your trip to long after you have returned home.

Like the above-mentioned gadgets, family holiday insurance has evolved from being a luxury to an indispensable travel standard. The benefits of having it are multiple and incontrovertible – however, like these gadgets, the benefits are best enjoyed by those who know what they need before they make their purchases (do research) and those who take the time to get to know the capacities of their gadgets (read the manual).

Buying family holiday insurance, like all group-based purchases, can be simpler and cheaper than purchasing a policy for a single person. Listed below are a few questions you need to keep in mind when negotiating an appropriate policy.

Just Who Are Your Family Members?

The definition of ‘family’ has evolved in the modern age. Gone are the days when the unit was automatically Mum, Dad and the kids. Today the term can mean everything from step-parents and step-siblings, to adopted family, extended family, found families, and even family pets! Unfortunately, however, the law’s definition is not as all encompassing as that of society at large. For example, in some standard contracts, ‘family members’ are limited to legally wed parents and children residing at the same address, which can present some problems for children of divorced parents or for grandparents who live elsewhere. The good news is, a reputable company will help customise a policy specific to the needs of your unique situation.

What Are the Ages of Your Family Members?

Just as with most group services, family holiday insurance can mean savings in the form of discounts. However, one of the bases of these discounts is the ages of the group members. For examples, airlines often have promotions where children under a certain age travel with their parents for free or at a huge discount. In the same vein, senior citizens are also subject to special rates. Make sure you discuss the ages of your group members and how they affect your rates when buying a policy.

What Are Your Health Status and Existing Medical Conditions?

Because medical and emergency coverage is one of the cornerstones of insurance, making sure you have clearly and accurately declared the existing health conditions of your family members is imperative. Having your family checked and given a health clearance by your physician for your trip will not only give you greater peace of mind (especially if you are travelling with children or seniors), but it can also greatly simplify the process of seeking reimbursements or claims, should it be necessary.

When you are spending money on a family holiday insurance policy, everything needs to be crystal clear, including the limits and the coverage, the terms and conditions, and the fine print that goes along with the policy. All of these aspects need to be fully understood by you, so that when the time comes that you may need to make a claim, it will be an easy and hassle-free process.

While questions that you have may vary depending on the type of policy that you are considering, these following questions are the most important and need to be answered as a priority.

Can My Pre-existing Medical Condition Be Covered?

When choosing family holiday insurance where you are all covered under one policy, individual needs must still be met, and this may include specific medical conditions. The rules regarding pre-existing medical conditions may vary from provider to provider so it’s best to not assume anything. When it comes to pregnancy, however, naturally there are exclusions. For instance, expectant women are only covered up to a certain period during their pregnancy, which usually cuts off a few weeks before their due date.

Does Our Policy Cover Holidays to Multiple Destinations?

Normally, you can select between single-trip and multi-trip policies – there are easy enough options to choose from when looking for a family holiday insurance policy. But when you are planning on a single trip but with multiple destinations, you need to be clear with your inquiry so you can find out what option will best provide you with the appropriate cover. If your family goes on vacations multiple times a year anyway, then it would be best to choose a multi-trip policy and then specify the destinations that you want to be covered. (It will be cheaper in the long run, and you only have to do it once.) But if you want a single-trip policy, there are also options on what destinations you want to be covered, depending on the provider. Either way, you need to clear this up very early on in the process.

Are Cruises Covered?

Not all insurers will provide coverage for a cruise, but there are those that include a cruise holiday as part of their basic coverage. The only way to really be sure is to ask. Another important point to consider when going on a cruise is whether the policy will be able to cover all the countries you intend to visit during the cruise.

The basic rule of thumb when choosing family holiday insurance is that it’s better to be detail-oriented to the point of being neurotic than to be dismissive about your family’s safety and your expenses.