In travel insurance, an immediate family member is typically a relative whose serious illness, injury, or death may qualify you for certain benefits, such as Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption.
The exact definition of “Family Member” varies by provider, so it’s important to carefully review each policy’s definition of the term to understand how coverage is applied.
Generally, travel insurance considers the following relationships as immediate family members:
In some cases, this definition may also extend to step-siblings and business partners.
Travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events that happen to you, a traveling companion, or a non-traveling family member. Typically, the following coverage applies to your immediate family members:
Coverage typically requires the family member’s condition to be life-threatening or require hospitalization, supported by documentation. If the illness or injury is related to a pre-existing medical condition, it might not be covered unless you purchased a policy with a pre-existing condition waiver.
The definition for ‘Family’ and other important travel insurance terms can be found in the Definitions section of your policy’s Certificate of Insurance. This section outlines exactly which relatives are covered for benefits such as Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption.
You should always check a policy’s Certificate of Insurance before purchasing coverage to ensure you are protected if your loved ones suffer a medical emergency before or during your trip.