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- Group travel insurance is a single policy that covers groups of 10 or more.
- Everyone in the group must have the same itinerary and travel to the same destination.
- Shop early and compare quotes to get the best deal.
Whether you're preparing for a large family reunion in another state, booking a business trip with colleagues, or traveling with your college crew to a new country, you might want to consider group travel insurance for the entire traveling party.
Here's what you need to know about group travel insurance — how to determine if you need it, different options, and tips to secure the best deal.
What is group travel insurance?
Group travel insurance is a single travel insurance policy that protects everyone on a trip. Group travel insurance policies are available for groups of 10 or more. Unlike other insurance policies that only cover one person or one family, group travel insurance can cover any group traveling together. You do not have to be related.
Group travel insurance policies usually offer comprehensive coverage, including standard protections against lost luggage, legal fees, medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and more.
The coverage you select applies to everyone in the group. Each group member can make individual claims, which is helpful if only one or two people need to make a claim. But if everyone is involved, the entire group can file claims.
Do I need group travel insurance?
Group travel insurance might make sense if everyone in your group has the same itinerary and travels to the same destination. The main perk of group travel insurance versus separate policies for each person is that it streamlines the purchasing process. You can buy one policy instead of multiple. Plus, it might be cheaper.
But to make it work, your group needs to be organized. This is especially true if group members intend to split the cost of the policy. It's crucial to communicate well with the people in your group and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Also note that there are many credit cards with travel insurance, though it won't cover everyone in a large traveling group. But if you're on the fence about travel insurance to begin with, paying for your travel with a card that offers some coverage is a good solution.
What does group travel insurance cover?
Most group travel insurance policies offer comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive policies usually cover common travel issues like cancellations and medical emergencies.
Here's the coverage you can typically expect from a comprehensive group travel insurance policy.
- Trip cancellation insurance: If you need to cancel your trip, this coverage reimburses you for the cost of travel. Each policy includes a list of cancellation reasons that are covered.
- Travel insurance for baggage: This covers the cost of stolen or missing luggage.
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance: Covers the cost of transportation from one location to another due to an emergency medical situation.
- Travel medical insurance: If you need medical care due to illness or injury while you're traveling, this part of the policy covers the cost.
- Trip interruption travel insurance: If you have to cut your trip short due to an unforeseen emergency, this helps pay for travel plan changes.
- Trip delay travel insurance: If there are delays to your flight or another aspect of your trip, this covers extra costs associated with the delay. It might include reimbursem*nt for meals or hotel expenses.
How to get the best deal on group travel insurance
Depending on the details of your trip, group travel insurance might be cheaper than purchasing individual policies for each traveler. But that is not always the case.
As you shop for group travel insurance, there are steps you can take to ensure you get the best deal.
Get multiple quotes
It's smart to get quotes from several providers so you can compare coverage options and pricing. You can use a travel insurance comparison site like SquareMouth or TravelInsurance.com, or you contact providers directly. Once you know the price range for protection, you can select the provider that seems like the best fit.
Shop early
Last-minute travel coverage is usually more expensive than shopping in advance. As soon as you know the itinerary and have your travel booked, start looking for coverage to find the best deal. Plus, your policy kicks in right away, which is helpful if an event occurs in the lead-up to a trip.
Understand the coverage
Dig through the policy details, including coverage details and deductibles. If you don't need specific coverage, ask if you can remove it. Similarly, you might be able to raise your deductible and lower your premium. But it's essential to ensure you can afford the deductible amount if you need to file a claim.
Group travel insurance frequently asked questions
What is the difference between group travel insurance and individual travel insurance?
Group travel insurance is a single policy that covers 10 or more people traveling together. Group members can file individual claims, but everyone on the policy has the same protection, and there's one price for the coverage. Individual travel insurance covers one person or one family. The coverage options are similar for both.
Does travel insurance cover multiple people?
Individual travel insurance policies cover one person. You can usually add immediate family members like your spouse or children to the policy. Group travel insurance covers groups of 10 or more.
What is multi-trip insurance?
Multi-trip insurance, also called annual travel insurance, is a travel insurance policy covering every trip you take in one year. It's an annual policy that only protects the policyholder.
Who offers group travel insurance?
Most of the top travel insurance companies offer group policies, including Allianz Travel Insurance, AXA Travel Insurance, Seven Corners Travel Insurance, and Tin Leg Travel Insurance. If you don't have a particular provider in mind, consider using a site like SquareMouth that compares quotes from multiple insurers.
Freelance Writer
Taylor Milam is a California-based personal finance writer and educator who recently paid off $14,000 of student loans in less than a year. She's passionate about helping people take control of their finances and create a life they love. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found reading on the beach or hiking with her dog.
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