There are few things as important in life as the safety and security as your family.
That is why, whenever you go away on a family vacation especially if it is to a different country, you should always ensure you have adequate family travel insurance.
In the event that you are unfortunate enough to experience that unexpected or unforeseen event you will be prepared as best you can.
What type of vacation is it? Consider what type of vacation you will be having.
Different types of vacation have different types of risk.
For example, if you are spending most of your days with the kids on the beach you will have a lower risk profile than if you and the children are skiing, bungee jumping, scuba diving or taking helicopter rides.
So look at your risk profile beforehand, decide what type of cover you need and be sure not to pay for cover that is not necessary.
What type of cover will you require? This is partly dependent on the above but you need to think clearly about how much health and medical cover you need.
Does your policy include cover for repatriation back to your home country, as not having this could prove expensive should a serious accident occur.
Ask if all of your baggage and personal effects such as cameras will be covered.
Some policies specifically exclude some high value items like cameras and computers and check that you will be covered for delay and flight cancellation.
Do you have insurance cover elsewhere? You may well have a credit card that offers you and your family free travel insurance if you use it to pay for your flights or vacation.
If you do, check the terms of their policy carefully as it might offer lower levels of cover and limits than you require.
Similarly take a look at your home insurance policy as it may offer international cover for your more expensive personal effects.
Consider the countries you will visit Some places are higher risk than others.
For example, a beach holiday in Spain is lower risk than a trek to Brazil up the Amazon and the USA is considered higher risk (at least to insurers) purely because of tits high medical costs.
Also, some countries especially in Europe provide some element of free or cost effective medical cover.
Cheapest is not always the best Remember not to buy the first and cheapest policy you find.
Some family travel insurance policies are more expensive for a reason.
They provide a wider range and better levels of cover.
Don't be tempted to save a few dollars as you could end up regretting it.