Family Travel Insurance Options for Kiwi Families
By the Travel Insurance Comparison NZ editorial team
A family policy can be simpler than buying separate cover for each person, but the details — who counts as family, how limits are shared, and how pre-existing conditions are handled for each traveller — differ between insurers.
What SafeTravel advises for families
SafeTravel's advice for people travelling with children is to get travel insurance that covers everyone in your whānau and their pre-existing conditions. It also notes that not all medications that are legal in New Zealand are legal in other countries, and that children travelling without both parents may need a consent letter (SafeTravel (MFAT): Travelling with children).
When buying insurance, SafeTravel suggests thinking about the age and needs of everyone you are travelling with (SafeTravel (MFAT): Travel insurance).
What to compare between family policies
- The definition of 'family' and 'dependent child', including age limits and whether children must be travelling with you.
- Which benefits are per person and which are shared, and how the excess applies.
- Pre-existing medical conditions for every traveller — each person may need to be declared and assessed.
- Cancellation cover if a child becomes ill before you leave, or if a relative at home becomes seriously ill.
- Luggage limits for items such as prams, car seats and electronics.
- Activities the children will do, such as skiing or water sports.
Before you travel
- Check that every child has a valid passport and any visas needed.
- If one parent is travelling alone with the children, check whether a consent letter is needed.
- Pack children's medication in hand luggage, with a doctor's letter if needed.
- Keep the insurer’s emergency number where every adult can find it.
Our longer family travel insurance guide covers more scenarios.
Frequently asked questions
Are children covered free on a family policy?
Some insurers include dependent children at no extra premium when they travel with an insured parent or grandparent, but the age limits, the number of children and the conditions differ. Check how the policy defines a dependent child and whether they must travel with you the whole time.
Does a family policy share one set of limits?
It depends on the policy. Some benefits apply per person and others are shared across everyone on the policy, and the excess may apply per claim or per person. Check the table of benefits in the policy wording.
Can grandparents or friends go on our family policy?
Each insurer defines who counts as family. Other adults usually need their own policy or to be added as named travellers. Check the definition of 'family' or 'dependant' in the wording.
This page is general information, not financial advice, and does not take your personal circumstances into account. Cover, limits, excesses and exclusions differ between insurers and policies. The policy wording (and any policy schedule or endorsement) is what decides a claim, so read it — or ask the insurer — before you buy.
Sources
Official sources cited on this page, checked 30 September 2026.
Compare travel insurance policies
See how the main New Zealand travel insurers set out their cover, then check the policy wording for the points that matter to your trip.
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