What is Group Travel Insurance?
Group travel insurance is specifically designed to safeguard groups of people traveling together. Whether you're organizing a work conference, managing employees who frequently travel for business, leading a mission group, or planning an overseas trip for church or community members, this coverage ensures essential protection for all participants.
These plans typically require at least five travelers to qualify and cover short-term trips lasting less than a year. For longer trips, an individual international health insurance plan may be more suitable. Group travel insurance offers peace of mind by providing financial protection against unexpected travel disruptions, medical emergencies, and more. With this coverage, you and your group can stay protected and focus on making the most of your journey.
Group travel insurance is specifically designed to safeguard groups of people traveling together. Whether you're organizing a work conference, managing employees who frequently travel for business, leading a mission group, or planning an overseas trip for church or community members, this coverage ensures essential protection for all participants.
These plans typically require at least five travelers to qualify and cover short-term trips lasting less than a year. For longer trips, an individual international health insurance plan may be more suitable. Group travel insurance offers peace of mind by providing financial protection against unexpected travel disruptions, medical emergencies, and more. With this coverage, you and your group can stay protected and focus on making the most of your journey.
The Benefits of Group Travel Insurance
Group travel insurance provides seamless, comprehensive coverage tailored to meet the needs of five or more travelers embarking on organized trips.
Whether you're organizing a business trip, volunteering abroad, coordinating a student program, or managing other group activities, this insurance simplifies travel planning while ensuring protection for everyone in the group.
Below is an overview of the key benefits of a group travel insurance policy:
- Simplified Administration: Instead of requiring each traveler to purchase individual policies, group travel insurance provides a single policy that covers the entire group. This simplifies logistics for the organizer and often results in cost savings as the group size increases.
- Cost Savings: With a single group policy, the overall cost is often lower than purchasing individual plans, and the cost per traveler decreases as the group size grows, offering significant financial advantages.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Plans include essential travel benefits such as medical coverage, trip cancellation or interruption, lost luggage, and emergency evacuation. Some policies also offer additional benefits tailored to meet specific group needs.
- Flexible Plan Options: Group travel insurance is versatile and available for various groups, including corporate teams, student groups, church members, and other large gatherings.
- Customizable Benefits: Some plans offer customizable options to meet specific needs, such as extended coverage or higher limits for corporate or large-group requirements.
- Streamlined Claims Process: Group policies often feature a centralized claims process, allowing the organizer or a designated point of contact to file and resolve claims on behalf of the group, making the process faster and more efficient.
What Are the Different Types of Travel Insurance for Groups?
When planning group travel, it’s essential to choose the right coverage to meet the needs of all travelers. Group travel insurance can cover a variety of situations, from basic trip protection to specialized coverage for medical emergencies, adventurous activities, or business needs.
Here are the main types of group travel insurance and the coverage they provide:
Travel Medical Insurance
Group travel medical insurance covers the cost of medical care if someone in the group becomes ill or injured during the trip. It covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and other necessary treatments.
Medical Evacuation Insurance
A group medical evacuation insurance (medevac) plan covers the cost of evacuation, including transportation to the nearest medical facility or back to your home country if necessary.
Extreme Sports Travel Medical Insurance
Extreme sports travel insurance covers high-risk activities such as skiing, scuba diving, and hiking, ensuring participants are protected in case of accidents during their adventure travel.
Business Travel Accident (BTA) Plans
BTA plans are ideal for corporate travel, as they are tailored to meet the needs of larger groups. They provide specialized benefits and higher coverage limits for added security.
Optional Add-Ons
Group travel insurers offer the flexibility to customize your group's travel plan with various add-on benefits to provide enhanced protection and meet the specific needs of your travelers.
Some popular options include:
- Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage
- Extreme Sports Coverage
- Political Evacuation Coverage
- Sojourn Coverage (Protection for personal side trips taken during business or group travel)
- Increased Medical Benefit Limits
- Travel Delay Benefits
- Telemedicine Services
- Family Member Benefits (Extends coverage to spouses, dependents, or other family members traveling with the group)
Read More: Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance
How Does Group Travel Insurance Work?
Group travel insurance plans come in different formats to meet the needs of various groups, whether for a single trip or ongoing travel over the course of the year.
Single-Trip vs. Annual Group Travel Insurance
The two primary types of group insurance plans are single-trip group coverage and annual group coverage. Each option has its benefits and considerations depending on the nature and frequency of the travel.
Single-Trip Travel Insurance
A single-trip plan is ideal for one-time events, covering a group of travelers for specific dates, such as a conference, mission trip, or short-term group travel. It provides coverage only during the designated travel period. If you plan to purchase three or more of these plans in a year, we recommend considering the option below to save on administrative time and costs.
Annual Travel Insurance
An annual plan is designed for organizations with frequent travelers, providing coverage for all trips throughout the year. Members can travel as needed, with pricing based on an estimate of the total number of weeks the group will be abroad. This plan offers convenience and peace of mind by covering multiple trips under one policy, making it an ideal choice for organizations with regular travel.
Which Plan is Right for You?
When deciding on the right international group insurance, it’s essential to understand the differences between single-trip and annual plans. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you choose the best option:
Single-Trip Travel Insurance
Annual Travel Insurance
What's Covered?
A group travel insurance plan offers a wide range of benefits to protect travelers and ensure a safe, stress-free journey. By covering key areas, it ensures a peaceful travel experience for all members.
Most group plans provide the following coverage benefits:
- Emergency Medical Coverage: This benefit covers hospital stays, surgeries, outpatient care, and ambulance services if a group member experiences a medical emergency.
- Prescription Drug Coverage: If a group member misplaces a prescription, this benefit helps replace it. It also covers medically necessary medications. However, it is important to note not all group travel plans provide prescription drug benefits.
- Emergency Vision and Dental Coverage: This benefit covers accidents involving natural teeth, unexpected dental pain, and eye emergencies.
- Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage: If local care is insufficient, the insurer will arrange transportation for the group member to the nearest adequate medical facility and manage repatriation during medical emergencies.
- Travel Assistance Services: This service helps groups arrange flights, hotels, and car rentals, locate lost luggage, and replace travel documents.
Read More: Traveling Internationally with Prescription Medication
What's Not Covered?
A group insurance policy provides broad coverage but excludes certain situations. Policies generally exclude pre-existing medical conditions unless the coverage explicitly includes them.
Insurers do not cover non-medical evacuations, such as voluntarily leaving a trip or dissatisfaction with the travel experience. Similarly, trip cancellation or interruption for personal reasons are excluded unless the policy includes a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit. Furthermore, most group plans exclude coverage for high-risk activities unless you add an extreme sports rider.
Reviewing these exclusions helps set realistic expectations and ensures you identify any need for additional coverage. Always read the policy details to ensure it meets your group's specific needs.
What Additional Benefits Should Be Included in a Corporate Travel Plan?
When planning corporate travel, it’s essential to consider additional benefits that go beyond basic coverage beyond to ensure employees are fully protected. Business Travel and Accident (BTA) insurance is one of the most comprehensive ways to meet these needs.
When planning corporate travel, it’s essential to consider additional benefits that go beyond basic coverage beyond to ensure employees are fully protected. Business Travel and Accident (BTA) insurance is one of the most comprehensive ways to meet these needs.
Business Travel Accident (BTA) Insurance
Business Travel and Accident (BTA) insurance plans are specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of employees, volunteers, and other participants traveling abroad.
These plans provide comprehensive coverage, filling protection gaps not covered by standard travel insurance. BTA insurance addresses a range of risks and offers support for employees on business trips, conferences, or international assignments.
BTA plans combine essential benefits and resources into a customizable policy, ensuring that travelers stay protected and supported throughout their journey.
The core benefits of BTA plans include:
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Coverage: Provides financial protection in the event of death or serious injury during the trip.
- Emergency Evacuation, Repatriation, and Medical Transportation: Covers transportation costs for medical emergencies, including evacuation to the nearest medical facility or home country.
- Security Evacuation: Assists with evacuations due to political unrest or natural disasters, ensuring the safety of travelers in high-risk situations.
- Spouse and Dependent Benefits: Extends coverage to family members traveling with an insured employee, ensuring their protection as well.
- 24/7 Medical and Travel Assistance Services: Offers round-the-clock support for medical emergencies, travel-related issues, and logistical assistance.
- Travel Intelligence App: Provides real-time alerts about local medical, security, and travel concerns, helping travelers stay informed and safe.
- Telemedicine Services: Allows travelers to access qualified medical and emergency personnel remotely, ensuring timely assistance even in remote locations.
Additionally, some plans offer optional benefits for coverage such as disability, rehabilitation, mortgage assistance, liability, workplace violence, post-traumatic stress, and childcare.
Do your international employees need corporate benefits? Read about Insurance for Corporations and Employee Groups to find a plan that fits your organization's needs.
How are Group Travel Plans Different from Individual Plans?
Group and individual travel insurance plans serve different needs and have distinct features. Here's how they differ:
- Uniform Coverage: Most group plans provide the same level of coverage for all travelers on the policy. Each traveler receives their insurance card, but customization options may be limited. For example, you might need to apply it to the entire group to add trip cancellation or extreme sports coverage for one individual.
- Shared Add-Ons: Additional coverage, such as extreme sports, applies to everyone, even if only one person needs it, which can increase the cost for the entire group.
- Flexibility With Riders: Some group plans allow individual travelers to purchase add-ons or riders for specific coverage needs, such as trip cancellation or extreme sports insurance, without affecting the rest of the group.
- Individual Claims: While covered under a group policy, each traveler has their own individual limits, deductibles, and claims process, ensuring one person’s claim doesn’t affect others’ coverage.
- Coordination of Needs: Group plans are best suited for travelers with similar needs. If travelers' needs vary significantly, individual policies may be a better option.
Group vs. Individual Travel Insurance Features
| Group Travel Insurance | Individual Travel Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage for Entire Group | Yes | No |
| Cost Savings | Often discounted | Per-person pricing |
| Administration | Single policy for all members | Separate policies |
| Flexibility | Limited for individual needs | Highly customizable |
When deciding between a group or individual travel insurance policy, it's important to consider your group's specific needs. For tailored advice, one of our licensed brokers can help determine which plan is better suited for your situation.
Read More: Group Versus Individual International Health Insurance
Is It Better to Buy Travel Insurance as a Group or Individually?
A group travel plan offers several advantages, making it a convenient and cost-effective choice for organized trips. One of the most significant benefits is the streamlined application process.
A single application is required when applying for a group plan. This one-time process saves time and effort for everyone involved, making it particularly helpful for larger groups or those with complex travel arrangements.
Cost Savings and Comprehensive Support
Another key advantage of group travel insurance is cost savings. Group coverage often provides better rates than individual policies, especially for mixed-age groups. For example, seniors can avoid paying higher individual rates that are based on age. However, it’s important to select a plan that accommodates all group members, as some plans may have age restrictions.
In addition to cost savings, group travel insurance provides comprehensive support during emergencies. Each traveler receives their own insurance card with the company’s contact information, ensuring easy fast access to medical care if assistance is needed. This streamlined approach provides peace of mind for everyone involved.
Customizable Coverage for Your Group’s Needs
Group plans also offer customizable coverage to suit the specific activities and needs of your trip. For example, if your itinerary includes adventurous activities like parasailing, you can add extreme sports coverage to protect participants engaging in higher-risk activities.
Additionally, if your group includes older travelers or those with ongoing medical needs, you can opt for higher medical coverage and evacuation benefits. This flexibility ensures that everyone in the group is adequately protected, providing peace of mind for organizers and participants alike.
Is Group Travel Insurance Right for Your Group?
Group travel insurance plans offer comprehensive benefits but may not suit every group or organization. To qualify, your group typically needs at least five people traveling together for the entire trip. Additionally, all group members must meet the nationality and age requirements specified by the policy.
Flexibility is another key consideration. Group plans generally offer the same level of coverage for all members. If some travelers need additional benefits, such as medical evacuation or trip cancellation, while others do not, individual travel insurance plans may better accommodate these varied needs. This ensures each traveler gets the specific protection required for a safe and worry-free trip.
How Much Does A Group Travel Plan Cost?
The cost of a group travel insurance plan depends on several factors, such as group size, trip duration, destination, and the type of coverage chosen. Generally, group plans are more cost-effective than buying individual policies for each traveler, particularly for larger groups.
Premiums are calculated based on the total trip cost, coverage level, and any optional add-ons selected. This total cost is then divided among all group members, making comprehensive protection both accessible and affordable for everyone involved.
Factors Impacting Your Cost
Several key factors impact the cost of a group travel insurance plan. Understanding these can help you tailor coverage to your group's needs while managing costs effectively:
- Group Size: Larger groups often benefit from lower per-person rates. Most plans require at least five travelers to qualify.
- Trip Duration: Longer trips generally cost more due to the increased likelihood of claims.
- Destination: Traveling to higher-risk areas or countries with expensive medical care can raise the premium.
- Coverage Options: Adding optional benefits like extreme sports coverage will increase costs.
- Overall Maximum Limit: Choosing a higher medical limit increases the cost of the plan.
- Deductibles: Selecting a high deductible can decrease a group's overall plan cost.
- Traveler Demographics: The ages of travelers can influence pricing, especially if the group includes seniors, as some plans apply age-related premiums.
Example Cost Breakdown
Below is an example breakdown for a group travel plan for a 7-person group traveling for 10 days in Chile, with a $100,000 medical maximum and a $250 deductible:
| Number of Travelers | 7 |
| Trip Duration | 10 days |
| Medical Maximum | $100,000 |
| Deductible | $250 |
| Daily Premium Range | $1.50-$5.00 per person, per day |
| Total Premium (Low Estimate) | $105 |
| Total Premium (High Estimate) | $350 |
| Cost Per Person (Low Estimate) | $15 |
| Cost Per Person (High Estimate) | $50 |
Who is Eligible to Buy Travel Insurance for a Group?
To qualify for a group travel plan, your group typically needs five or more travelers. For smaller groups, individual travel insurance policies are usually a better choice. Larger groups, however, can often customize their plans to match specific needs.
A key requirement is that all group members must travel together for every part of the trip. For example, if Aunt Maria plans to fly in a few days late for the family reunion, or a couple only joins the group for a weekend whitewater rafting trip, they won’t meet the eligibility criteria for group coverage.
Some plans also have nationality and age restrictions. Specific policies require that all members share the same nationality, while others impose age limits that might exclude seniors. In such cases, individual travel insurance may be the best option to ensure everyone is covered.
Request a Quote Today!
If your group is ready to get insurance for an upcoming trip, click the 'Get a Group Quote' button below. Our in-house group benefits expert, Andrew Blomberg, will provide tailored quote options and help you find the best group travel insurance coverage for your organization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, group travel insurance covers medical emergencies. Most plans include benefits for hospital stays, surgeries, outpatient care, and ambulance services if a group member experiences a sudden illness or injury while traveling.
Some plans also provide coverage for prescription medications, emergency dental or vision treatment, and medical evacuation if local medical facilities are inadequate.
It’s essential to review the specific medical coverage included in the group travel insurance policy and ensure it meets the needs of all travelers in the group.
Travel insurance often costs less when you purchase it as a group. Insurers typically offer discounted rates for group plans because they spread the risk across multiple travelers. Instead of buying individual policies, your group can secure a single policy that provides coverage for everyone, often lowering the per-person rate.
Larger groups benefit even more from cost savings, and the streamlined application process reduces administrative costs, saving the organizer both time and money. However, the total cost depends on group size, trip duration, destination, and coverage options.
Request a personalized quote based on your group’s travel plans and coverage needs to find the best plan.
Group trip insurance offers extensive coverage, but some exclusions apply.
- Pre-Existing Conditions: Most policies exclude medical expenses related to pre-existing conditions unless the policy explicitly includes them.
- Extreme Sports: Activities such as skydiving, mountaineering, or scuba diving are not covered unless your group includes an optional sports coverage rider in the plan.
- Non-Medical Evacuations: Insurers typically do not cover non-medical evacuations due to personal dissatisfaction or voluntary trip changes.
- Routine Medical Care: Emergency-focused policies do not include routine medical care, preventive check-ups, or vaccinations.
Review your policy carefully to identify exclusions and consider adding optional coverage to address gaps. This proactive approach ensures the plan fully meets your group’s travel needs.
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Author: Andrew Blomberg is the Vice President of Global Benefits at International Citizens Insurance. Andrew is a licensed insurance broker with expertise in the areas of international group travel, global health, life, and disability insurance. Having worked and traveled throughout the world, he has the experience to provide personal insight along with his industry knowledge. Andrew is dedicated to providing group benefits to organizations, large and small, for today's global workforce. Connect with him on LinkedIn.