How to travel with kids (and not lose your mind)
22 February 2023
Just like life, travelling with young kids is going to have its dizzying highs and some pretty epic lows.
Travelling with kids just got easier
From magical moments exploring the world together to the inevitable hiccups along the way, make sure the trip you’ve lovingly planned is protected with travel insurance, so you can focus on what really matters, having a family adventure.
AA Travel Insurance offers a range of cover options to suit your family's itinerary and needs. With unlimited overseas medical cover1, free cover for accompanied dependent children and up to one non-related child2 (when an adult takes out a policy) and 24/7 global emergency assistance. An additional premium may apply if any child has pre-existing medical conditions.3
Why go with AA Travel Insurance?
Family first
For every adult that takes out a policy accompanied children under 21 are covered at no additional charge²
Support
24/7 global emergency assistance to help you. Whether you’re facing a medical issue, need help with travel arrangements or want advice on next steps during an unexpected event, we’ll be there
What does your families comprehensive insurance policy cover?
Free cover for accompanied children under 21²
Free cover for accompanied children travelling with you (subject to criteria).
Unlimited overseas medical expenses cover¹
For unexpected illness or injury (for International policies).
Cover for missed connections or travel delays
If you're travelling on a tight schedule or in school holidays (minimum connection times and policy limits apply).
24/7 global emergency assistance
If you and your family need help away from home.
Rental vehicle insurance excess
International Comprehensive and Domestic Comprehensive policies include cover up to the policy limit.
Lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
Including all your critical family essentials.
Customise your cover
Add on cover for snow sports, adventure activities and cruises.
Cover for cancellation fees and loss of deposits.
Plus, if you purchase cover before you depart cancellation cover starts from the moment your policy is confirmed.
What’s not covered?
Some activities or situations aren’t covered under standard policies, so it’s important to understand these before you buy insurance.
Certain adventure activities may not be covered unless you add the relevant cover variation to your policy and others may not be covered at all
Some existing medical conditions may be excluded unless you meet criteria or apply for additional cover and pay any required additional premium
We recommend reading the policy wording carefully before you buy, so you understand what is – and isn’t – covered for your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can include dependent children at no extra cost, provided they meet the criteria outlined in the Policy Wording. "Accompanied children" means your children or grandchildren as well as one non-related child for each adult policyholder. An additional premium may apply if they have pre-existing medical conditions. The children must be identified on the Certificate of Insurance and travelling with you on the journey.
Each child:
- Must be under the age of 21 years.
- Must not be in full-time employment.
- Must be financially dependent on their usual guardian.
You can usually add up to 4 adult travellers on a Single Trip policy and 2 adult travellers on an Annual Multi-Trip policy, and 6 dependants, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and are named on your policy. You'll need to add every traveller's details during the purchase process.
Our International Essentials, International Comprehensive and Domestic plan automatically include a standard amount of cancellation cover. If the standard amount isn’t enough to cover all your non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses—such as flights, accommodation, tours, and other bookings—the International Essentials and International Comprehensive plans allow you to choose the level of cancellation cover you prefer from the available options when purchasing your policy. With our Domestic Cancellation plan, you can also select your preferred level of cover.
It’s recommended to select a cancellation amount that matches the total value of all non-refundable expenses for everyone listed on the policy, to ensure you’re adequately protected if you need to cancel unexpectedly.
Yes, AA Travel Insurance provides cover for travel delays and missed connections under the International Comprehensive plan, International Essentials plan, and the Domestic plan.
If your scheduled transport is delayed for more than the minimum period specified in your Policy Wording (for example, due to severe weather), these plans can reimburse you for additional accommodation, meals, and other reasonable expenses up to the policy limits. If you miss a pre-booked connection because of an insured event, you may also be covered for the reasonable costs of catching up to your original itinerary.
The Domestic Cancellation plan does not include cover for travel delays or missed connections.
If you and the family are heading away on more than once this year an Annual Multi-Trip policy may be the most convenient and cost-effective option for you.
It covers you for multiple journeys within a 12-month period (up to the maximum duration you choose) without needing to purchase a new policy each time. When you apply, you’ll be asked for all the destinations you’ll be travelling to.
Travel tips and inspiration
Travel tips for Families
Choosing travel insurance can be easy if you know what you’re looking for. Here are a few things to consider:
- Understand how the policy interacts with pre-existing medical conditions3
- Buy insurance as soon as you book your travel
- Make sure you name the kids on your policy
- If you’re going skiing or doing some adventurous excursions look into adding cover on for these to your policy
- Read the policy wording to make sure you’re clear on exclusions and excesses
- Before you head off make sure you have our 24/7 emergency contact number saved in an easy to find place
Have a question?
Check out our frequently asked questions, give one of our friendly New Zealand-based team a call Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.15pm, Saturdays 10am - 1.45pm, or pop into one of our AA Centres to speak to a consultant.
Cover more underwriter
Our insurance partner
AA Travel Insurance policies are issued and underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ABN 13 000 296 640) trading as Zurich New Zealand, distributed, arranged and administered by Cover-More (NZ) Limited (NZBN: 9429038789373: FAP FSP26184), and promoted and distributed by The New Zealand Automobile Association (Incorporated). For further information see Zurich New Zealand’s financial strength rating. Consider the Policy Document before deciding to buy this product. Limits, sub-limits, conditions, and exclusions apply. Standard excess may apply.
Financial strength rating
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ABN 13 000 296 640) trading as Zurich New Zealand has a financial strength rating of AA- from S&P Global Ratings. This rating shows that the company has very strong financial security characteristics. This is reviewed annually and may change from time to time. View the full and current financial strength rating.
Financial advice
The New Zealand Automobile Association provides general information about AA Travel Insurance products and services so that you can make a choice that best meets your needs. Information provided does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or goals and is not intended to be financial advice. If you'd like to receive financial advice, you can get professional advice from a registered financial adviser.
More Information
International travel insurance
1Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness, condition or injury.
2Children must be under 21, identified on the Certificate of Insurance, travelling with you on the journey and financially dependent on their usual guardian. They must not be in full-time employment. Pre-existing conditions may incur a cost.
3You can declare existing medical condition(s) not automatically included by completing a health assessment when you complete your quote. Cover is subject to approval, and an additional premium may apply.