Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do children count separately in a family policy?

No. Under a family policy, all dependent children (typically under 18, sometimes up to 21–25 if in full-time education) are covered under one price. You are not charged per child – this is one of the key reasons family policies offer significantly better value than insuring everyone individually. SafetyWing goes further and includes children under 10 for free when both parents are insured.

2. Is SafetyWing actually good enough for a family of four on long-term travel?

It depends on your comfort with lower medical limits. SafetyWing’s medical cover cap is considerably lower than True Traveller or World Nomads, which gave us some hesitation. For families who are primarily in countries with lower healthcare costs and want flexibility and simplicity, it’s a legitimate choice and well-regarded in the nomad community. For families heading to the USA, Canada, or Australia, I’d personally want the higher medical limits of True Traveller or World Nomads.

3. What’s the difference between True Traveller and World Nomads for a long-term family?

Both are solid options. True Traveller is UK-regulated, has a more modular add-on structure, and in our experience has fast claims handling. World Nomads includes more adventure activities in its standard plans without needing to add them separately. Price-wise, World Nomads came in slightly higher for our specific quote. Families doing a lot of adventure activities with older children often prefer World Nomads; families prioritising high medical limits and add-on flexibility tend to land on True Traveller.

4. Can we extend our long-term policy while we’re already travelling?

Generally yes, with all three main providers, but you need to do it before your current cover expires. True Traveller allows extensions while travelling. SafetyWing works on a rolling monthly subscription so it extends automatically unless you cancel. World Nomads also allows extensions in most cases. Do not wait until you’ve already exceeded your end date — that creates a gap in cover that will show if you claim.

5. What happens if our trip takes longer than planned?

This is one of the most common situations for long-term family travellers. As long as you contact your insurer before the policy expires and arrange an extension, you should be covered for the extended period. If you let the policy lapse and then try to extend, you may be treated as a new policy (with implications for any pre-existing claims or conditions from the trip). We planned for this when choosing True Traveller and confirmed their extension process before purchasing.

6. Do we need travel insurance if we have a GHIC card for Europe?

Yes. The GHIC gives you access to state healthcare in EU countries at local resident rates — useful, but not comprehensive. It does not cover repatriation to the UK, private treatment, non-medical events (cancellation, baggage, delays), or any issues outside the EU. Treat it as a supplement to insurance, not a replacement for it.

7. What counts as a pre-existing condition?

Any medical condition for which you’ve received treatment, medication, advice, or follow-up in recent years — typically the past two years, though some insurers ask about longer timeframes. If you take regular medication, have had a GP appointment for something, or have an ongoing condition being monitored, declare it. The insurer’s screening process will determine whether it affects your premium or results in an exclusion. If in doubt, declare it.

8. Are we covered if we leave items unattended — in a hire car, on a beach?

Baggage cover typically requires you to take reasonable care of your belongings. Leaving valuables unattended in a vehicle or on a beach usually results in a declined claim. Keep valuables with you or in locked accommodation. This is one of those policy clauses that’s easy to overlook until it matters.