Let’s be honest: travel insurance is the sort of thing most of us book with a sigh and a quick click on the cheapest option. “It’s just in case, right?” Sure. But here’s the deal — if you’re travelling with kids, or even just as a grown-up who’s had a medical emergency pop up out of nowhere, understanding how travel insurance excess works can save you from costly surprises — so here’s travel insurance excess explained for families.
I learnt this the hard way on a two-month family trip across multiple countries. Two days before our flight home, my husband’s ear started bleeding — yeah, not exactly the holiday souvenir we expected. We were in the US, of all places, where healthcare costs can make your eyes water. That little ‘unexpected’ turned into an extra two weeks of holiday, all covered by our insurance because we had picked a good policy, not the cheapest one.
So, what’s the excess? Why does it matter? And how do you make sure you’re not just grabbing the cheapest cover that’ll leave you high and dry? Let’s break down travel insurance excess explained in a way that actually helps you understand what’s going on behind the scenes.
I’m sharing my personal experience and general information about travel insurance excess based on my family’s trip and research. I’m not a financial adviser, insurance expert, or claims specialist. For advice tailored to your situation, please consult a qualified professional or your insurance provider directly.
Table of Contents
What is Travel Insurance Excess?
Put simply, the excess is the amount you pay towards a claim before your insurer pays the rest. Think of it like a deductible — if you have an accident or need to claim for medical bills, lost luggage, or trip cancellation, you’ll pay the excess upfront.
For example, if your excess is £100 and you claim £500 for lost baggage, you pay £100, the insurer covers £400.
The excess can be:
- Compulsory — set by the insurer, non-negotiable
- Voluntary — you can choose to increase it to lower your premium (more on that later)
Most policies have an excess per claim, but some have per person or per incident excesses, so check your policy carefully.
Why Travel Insurance Excess Matters for Families
Travel insurance can be confusing, so here’s travel insurance excess explained in plain English. Families often face multiple claims or bigger bills — from medical emergencies to lost luggage to trip cancellations.
When you have kids, you need to factor in:
- Multiple people could make claims on the same trip
- Kids are accident magnets — broken arms, tummy bugs, you name it
- Medical bills abroad can skyrocket quickly (trust me, US healthcare will punch your wallet hard)
On our trip, when my husband’s ear infection meant he couldn’t fly home, we had to check if the policy would cover me and our daughter staying longer. Turns out it did, but only because we’d picked a comprehensive plan with strong family coverage and clear excess rules.
How Travel Insurance Excess Works: Our Family’s Story
Okay – here’s the anecdote to help you put it all into perspective. Our story really shows why it pays to have travel insurance excess explained clearly before you buy.
We travel as lot as a family, and on this particular occasion we’d been away for two months — hopping between countries, sightseeing, and soaking up family time. Two days before our return flight, my husband’s ear started bleeding badly. It was an infection that needed urgent treatment, so we found a doctor in the US (where the bills can be astronomical).
The doc confirmed the infection and signed him off flying for two weeks. Our whole family — me, him, and our daughter — were covered on the same policy, but we weren’t sure if we could all stay. Turns out, yes, all of us could stay on the policy, even though only he was medically unfit to fly. That was a relief.
We called the insurer to confirm:
- Could we book new flights back later?
- Would the hotel stay and medical costs be covered?
- Were there restrictions on where we could stay or how we got home?
Everything was covered — the doctor’s appointment, the antibiotics, the extra two weeks’ accommodation, and even new flights home. We did have to pay for car hire on our mini-road trip through California, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada (where we actually got married), but hotels and flights? Covered.
We had to extend our insurance because our original 60-day cover was about to expire, and that was fine too — they helped us add the extra two weeks.
Here’s the kicker: if we’d bought the cheapest policy, we could have been hit with thousands of pounds in medical bills and accommodation costs. Instead, for a slightly higher premium, our insurance covered it all.
This is exactly why travel insurance excess explained isn’t just about the excess figure itself — it’s about what the policy covers, how flexible it is, and whether the insurer has your back when the unexpected hits.
What to Do If You Have a Medical Emergency or Need to Make a Claim Abroad
So, you’re abroad and suddenly things go sideways — maybe it’s a medical emergency like we had with my husband’s ear infection, or your kid breaks a leg, or your luggage disappears into the Bermuda Triangle. Panic sets in, and that’s totally normal. But here’s the thing: how you handle the situation right from the start can make a massive difference in getting your claim accepted smoothly, without unnecessary stress or delays.
Here’s a no-nonsense guide to what you should do if you need to make a claim while travelling:
Contact Your Insurance Provider Immediately
The absolute first thing you need to do is call your insurance company as soon as possible — ideally before you get treatment or make any major decisions. Most insurers have 24/7 emergency helplines precisely for this reason.
Why? Because they’ll tell you:
- What treatments or services are covered under your policy.
- Whether you need pre-approval before going to the hospital or doctor.
- How to handle any paperwork or forms for your claim.
- Whether you should use certain medical providers or facilities.
In our case, calling the insurer quickly meant we could confirm that not only my husband but also myself and our daughter were covered to stay longer — avoiding a costly mess. It also gave us peace of mind that the doctor’s visit and antibiotics would be reimbursed.
Keep Every Single Receipt and Document
This one cannot be overstated. Keep all receipts for anything you pay out of pocket: doctor’s bills, prescriptions, hospital stays, medication, taxis to medical appointments, new flights, hotel bookings, car hire — everything.
Why? Because your insurance claim will require proof of these expenses. Without receipts, the insurer might reject your claim or delay payment.
Pro tip:
- Take photos of receipts and paperwork on your phone the moment you get them — just in case you lose the originals.
- Keep a dedicated folder (physical or digital) for all your claim-related documents while travelling.
Carry Copies of Your Insurance Documents With You
Before you travel, make sure you have a physical copy of your policy documents, emergency contact numbers, and claim forms with you — not just a PDF on your phone (phones can die, get lost, or have no signal).
Having these documents at hand means:
- You can quickly provide proof of insurance if asked by medical providers.
- You know exactly what is covered and can avoid unnecessary treatments that aren’t included.
- You have the insurer’s emergency number and claim procedure to hand.
Follow the Insurer’s Instructions
Every insurer will have their own process, so listen carefully to what they say. This could include:
- Using specific hospitals or clinics.
- Getting pre-approval for certain treatments.
- Completing claim forms within a certain timeframe.
- Notifying them immediately if your trip is delayed or extended.
If you don’t follow these instructions, your claim could be rejected. Yes, it sounds bureaucratic, but it’s how the system works.
Document Everything — Dates, Times, Names
Keep a simple log of all communications related to your claim:
- When you called the insurer and what was said.
- Names of people you spoke with.
- Dates and times of appointments and treatments.
- Details of what treatments were given and why.
This helps if you need to follow up or escalate any issues later.
Don’t Delay in Reporting the Claim
Sometimes people think, “I’ll sort it when I get home” — but most insurers require claims to be reported within a strict timeframe after the incident or treatment.
Delaying could jeopardise your claim or slow down reimbursement. Report issues and start your claim while still abroad if possible.
Keep Calm and Ask Questions
It’s stressful, but don’t be afraid to ask your insurer to clarify anything that’s unclear. They want to help you get through this smoothly — you just have to keep the communication open.
High Excess vs Low Premium: What You Need to Know
A common “money saver” trick is to choose a policy with a higher excess to get a lower premium. Sounds smart — but it can backfire, especially for families.
If you end up needing medical treatment or making a claim, you’ll have to pay that excess every time. With kids, you might have multiple claims, or a big one that makes the high excess painful.
If your excess is £250 and you make two claims, that’s £500 out of your pocket before insurance kicks in.
Here’s what you should ask yourself:
- How much can I afford to pay upfront in case of a claim?
- Am I comfortable with a higher excess to save on premium, or would I rather pay a bit more to reduce my excess?
- Does the policy cover the medical needs or trip risks we’re most worried about?
What is an Excess Waiver — and Is It Worth It?
Some insurers offer an excess waiver — basically, for an extra cost, you get your excess refunded if you make a claim.
This can be a lifesaver for families who want peace of mind. You pay a higher premium, but if something happens, you don’t have to worry about that upfront cost.
In our case, having a robust policy meant we didn’t have to worry about the cost of the doctor’s visit or the extended accommodation. If we’d had an excess waiver, that excess would have been refunded, making the experience even smoother.
Voluntary Excess: When to Say Yes (and When to Avoid It)
Voluntary excess is when you agree to pay more out of pocket to lower your premium. It can work for people who rarely make claims and want to save a bit.
But families, especially with young kids or active plans, should be wary:
- Kids get sick, get injured, or lose stuff — it happens.
- A higher excess means higher risk of unexpected costs.
- If your trip involves adventure or sports, claims are more likely.
In short: don’t be penny wise and pound foolish.
Common Mistakes Families Make When Choosing Travel Insurance
- Buying cheapest cover without reading the fine print
- Not checking if kids are covered for medical emergencies or activities
- Ignoring the excess amount and thinking “it won’t happen to me”
- Forgetting to check cancellation and trip interruption cover
- Not confirming if the policy covers multiple countries (especially for multi-country trips)
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
- Check the excess amount and if it’s per claim or per person
- Confirm the medical coverage limits and if kids are fully covered
- Look for trip cancellation and interruption cover
- Make sure the policy covers all countries on your itinerary
- Check if sports and adventure activities are included or excluded
- Verify the policy for pre-existing medical conditions
- Understand if you can extend the policy mid-trip if needed (like we did)
FAQs
Does cheap travel insurance mean high excess?
Usually, yes. Cheaper policies often come with higher excess to keep premiums low. Always check before you buy.
Is excess paid per person or per claim?
It varies. Some policies charge per person per claim, others per claim overall. This affects how much you’ll pay if multiple family members claim.
Will I pay excess if the claim wasn’t my fault?
Usually yes. Excess is what you pay upfront regardless of fault, but check your policy.
Can I claim more than once?
Often yes, but each claim may have its own excess.
Final Thoughts
Getting travel insurance excess explained right isn’t just for experts — it’s vital for any family wanting peace of mind on holiday. Our experience showed us how a good policy can turn a potential nightmare into a manageable hiccup.
The cheapest travel insurance might look like a bargain — until you’re paying thousands in medical bills or hotel stays. For a small extra cost upfront, you get peace of mind, flexibility, and real support when you need it most.
So please, do your homework, read the fine print, and don’t fall into the trap of just buying the cheapest option. Your family, your trip, and your wallet will thank you.
If you want some more information about the different types of insurance, or want to find the best deals, Martin Lewis is your guy –https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance/
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