TRAVEL INSURANCE GUIDE

Getting your under-18 ready to fly without you

Whether they’re jetting off with their grandparents, relatives, friends or an appointed adult, here’s how to get the practical stuff sorted before take-off.

How to plan if your child’s flying without you

If your child’s travelling without you or a legal guardian, thinking ahead is a great way to take the hassle out of their holiday (for both of you). From travel documents and insurance to keeping their spending money safe, here are some things to consider:

• What preparations need to be made for an under-18 to fly
• When they may need a travel consent form
• What to pack in their hand luggage
• What their accompanying adult may need
• What to consider when buying them travel insurance

What to include on their travel checklist

This depends on where they’re going, who they’re travelling with and the airline they’re booked with. Before they arrive at the airport, you should check:

• That their passport or other acceptable form of identification is valid
• The entry requirements for their destination
• Whether they need a travel consent form
• If it’s okay for your child to go abroad with prescribed medicines
• Check what their travel insurance covers for their trip

Sort these ahead of time to help minimise any delays.

Getting your child airport-ready

Travel-savvy or not, airports can be confusing. So even when your under-18 is being accompanied by other family members, friends, or is part of an organised group, it's best to talk them through the basics before they leave. Here are some helpful discussion points:

Advanced online check-in

Browse your airline's app or website to see if and when this service is available. If so, they can check in, confirm their seat and access their boarding pass before they leave for the airport.

When to arrive at the airport

Check the airline and airport guidelines to find out how early they should arrive, and leave plenty of time for check-in and security.

What to expect at the check-in desk

An agent will scan their travel documents, weigh and label any bags going into the hold, and inform your child about their boarding time and gate number.

How to navigate airport security

After checking in, they'll need to follow the signs to the security screening section, where staff will remove unauthorised items from their hand luggage.

Boarding

Once they're through security, make sure they read the departure screens for their gate and boarding information. Before boarding, a gate agent will do a final document check.

Arrivals

For international trips, they may need to go through border control after landing, where staff will check their passport, visa (if required) and any other relevant forms - or they may use an eGate scanner. They'll then collect their baggage from the carousel allocated to their flight before going through customs.

Does your under-18 need a travel consent form?

If your children are travelling abroad without either parent or legal guardian, they may need a travel consent form. This depends on their circumstances and destination, so check the requirements in advance to avoid airport delays. To save time, you can download ours for free.

Download our under-18 travel consent form

Things to consider when buying your under-18 travel insurance

Designed to help cover costs if things go wrong, we offer insurance for under-18s travelling with a responsible adult. The policy must be purchased by the child’s parent or legal guardian.

Declare all pre-existing medical conditions and consult our activity checker to ensure any planned excursions are covered by the policy.

Benefits may include:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Cancellations
• Baggage delays
• Missed departures
• Lost, stolen or damaged belongings

Single-trip and annual multi-trip policies are available with three different cover levels to choose from.

Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and excesses apply to all of the above, so make sure you read your policy wording for all the details.

What should go in their hand luggage?

Keep anything they may need on their journey in their carry-on. This could include:

• Passport and travel documents
• Boarding pass
• Any medication they may need during the flight
• Emergency contact details
• Their phone and charger
• A plug adaptor
• Their spending money or payment card
• A snack
• Entertainment (like books or word games)

Before packing, check the airline’s hand luggage and security rules so you know what is and isn’t allowed. Your child and accompanying adult should have a copy of your contact number, their travel and accommodation details, any relevant medical information, emergency contact numbers and their travel insurance information.

Give your under-18s a plan B

Make sure you and your child have a plan of action should things go wrong. Here are some points to discuss:

• Flight delays and cancellations
• Lost or missing phones
• Feeling unwell: your child will have access to medical help while they’re away from home. This includes AnywhereGP for non-emergencies and access to a 24//7 medical emergency team for more serious issues.
• Getting separated from the adult they’re travelling with
• Dealing with lost money or a payment card that doesn’t work
• Contacting you in an emergency

Your questions, answered

Can I get Holiday Extras travel insurance for my under-18?

A parent or legal guardian can buy travel insurance for their child if that child is in the care of a responsible adult. They must declare all pre-existing medical conditions at the time of purchase.

How can I prepare my child for flying without me?

Talk them through the journey before they leave so that they know what to expect every step of the way. It’s also a good idea to give them a plan of action and emergency numbers to call should anything go wrong.

Does my under-18 need a travel consent form if they’re flying with friends or relatives?

If your child is flying without either parent or a legal guardian, they may need a travel consent form. This will depend on their circumstances and destination, so check the requirements before they leave. To save you time, we’ve created a free download.

What should I pack in my child’s hand luggage?

Pack anything they may need during their flight in their carry-on. This could include prescribed medicines, travel documents, emergency contact information and their mobile phone and charger.

Does under-18 travel insurance include cover for activities?

Not all sports and activities are covered in a standard travel insurance policy. Read our policy wording or use our activity checker for all the details.

Is your child ready to fly without you?

Then find travel insurance cover that has their back.

Disclaimer: Cover, limits and excesses vary by policy, cover level and optional extras selected. Eligibility criteria, terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read the Insurance Product Information Document and policy wording before buying.