The One Thing I’ll Never Travel Without Again—Especially With Kids

I’ve always believed in planning for the best—but after what happened on one of our international family trips, I also know how important it is to prepare for the worst.

5/19/20253 min read

Few years ago, while traveling abroad with my kids, we had an experience that turned our dream vacation into a health emergency. It started with a fun day of exploring, eating local street food, and making unforgettable memories. But by that evening, the smiles had faded.

All of us came down with severe food poisoning.

My children—both under 12 at the time—were violently sick, dehydrated, and weak. We felt helpless watching them suffer, all while dealing with our own symptoms. Trying to navigate a foreign healthcare system, in a different language, with sick kids, in the middle of the night, was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. Thankfully, I had taken the extra step to purchase travel medical insurance before we left. And that decision changed everything.

How Travel Medical Insurance Saved Us

Through the insurance provider’s emergency hotline, I was immediately connected to an English-speaking support team who arranged for us to be seen at a nearby clinic within the hour. No long lines. No confusion. No out-of-pocket panic. They coordinated the care, covered the costs, and checked in on us for the next 48 hours.

We received the right treatment fast, and my children were feeling better within a day. The care was not just efficient—it was compassionate. I could focus on my kids instead of worrying about payments, paperwork, or logistics.

Why I Always Recommend Travel Medical Insurance for Families

If you’ve ever traveled with young children or older parents, you know how quickly things can change. What starts as a mild stomach ache can turn serious. And in a foreign country, your regular health insurance usually doesn’t apply.

The Insurance Provider I Trust

Since that trip, I use Air Doctor for all our international travel. They even offer flexible plans for one-time vacations, long-term travel, and even digital nomads.

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Here’s why I never travel internationally without medical insurance anymore. 🌍 Global Network of Verified Doctors

  • Over 20,000 multilingual doctors and specialists across 78 countries

  • ✅ Services available in up to 21 languages

  • Coverage for everyone

  • Telehealth access from anywhere

🏥 Flexible Consultation Options

  • In-person visits at clinics or doctors' offices.

  • At-home (hotel) visits, providing convenience for travelers.

  • Telemedicine consultations, allowing virtual appointments from anywhere.

🛡️ Seamless Integration with Insurance Providers

  • Partnerships with major insurers like Allianz Partners, ERGO, and IRIS Global.

  • In many cases, offers a cashless experience, where consultation fees are directly handled between Air Doctor and the insurer, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for travelers.

📱 User-Friendly Mobile and Web Applications

  • Available on both iOS and Android, as well as through a web app.

  • Features include:

    • Location-based doctor search.

    • Appointment scheduling.

    • Transparent pricing and patient reviews.

    • 24/7 multilingual customer support.

🏆 Recognized Innovation in Travel Healthcare

  • Finalist in the Efma-Accenture Innovation in Insurance Awards 2021, highlighting its impact on the travel insurance industry.

  • Recipient of the Claims Product Solution of the Year at the Insurance Times Claims Excellence Awards, acknowledging its contribution to redefining travel healthcare solutions.

📖 Comprehensive Health and Travel Resources

Offers detailed guides and articles to assist travelers, such as:

  • "How to Survive Getting Sick in Lisbon", providing insights into local healthcare options and emergency contacts.

  • "The Ultimate Guide on What to Do When You Get Ill Abroad", offering general advice for managing health issues while traveling.

Final Thoughts

You never think it will happen to you—until it does. That trip taught me one of the biggest lessons as a traveling mom: health emergencies can strike anytime, anywhere, and being prepared is the most loving thing you can do for your family.

Protect your peace of mind. Protect your yourself and your family. Don’t travel without insurance.