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Tests for teens significantly ramp up holiday costs

  • 53% of parents with teens say testing costs are preventing them booking last minute holidays

Over half of parents (53%) with teens say the costs of tests for their children before, during and after their holiday are preventing them from booking last minute getaways, new data from battleface has found.*

From this week all travellers aged 12 years and over must take a PCR or lateral flow test before they travel to England from abroad.

Many other countries are also requiring travellers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours before arrival – or in the case of France – 24 hours before arrival for those who are not fully vaccinated. In addition, self-administered tests are not accepted.

European destinations including France, Italy and Spain consider full vaccination status to be vaccinated with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival (date(s) of vaccination must be specified), with a vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency. Spain will not allow youngsters over 12 to enter the country if not fully vaccinated, whilst Italy and France demand that those not fully vaccinated test regularly in order to enter public spaces.

battleface data shows that almost half (47%) of UK adults with teenage children are unaware of specific requirements for their children, if they’re travelling with fully vaccinated parents/guardians.

Katie Crowe, Director of Communications, battleface said:

“The cost and complications of testing for holidays with teenagers this festive season is nothing short of a headache. Parents need to be prepared for the costs and logistics of testing before departure, whilst away and on return to the UK.

“While we all understand that new variants will make for a bumpy ride out of recovery, it is damaging that international governments haven’t managed to work together to align their COVID-19 regulations. Not only does every country have different travel restrictions and entry requirements, Spain is not even allowing those over 12 who are not fully vaccinated to enter.

“In addition, France and Italy, require non-fully vaccinated travellers to take tests every 24 or 48 hours in order to enter public spaces.

“As always battleface recommends that you do the necessary research pre-travel – we have up-to-the-minute information on entry requirements. Visit the battleface travel hub: www.battleface.com/en-gb/travel-restrictions.”

What you need to know for teen testing for top holiday destinations

France

France has the most popular ski and snowboard resorts for Brits, with Christmas and New Year a peak time for snowy holidays.

In France, the government has suggested tests cost £25 for an antigen test and £42 for a PCR.

Everyone aged 12 and over will need a “pass sanitaire” to access services including lift passes and venues, bars, restaurants, museums, cinemas and modes of transport. These are acquired by being fully vaccinated – considered to be two vaccines or by providing a document dated more than 11 days and less than six months ago proving that you have recently recovered from COVID or providing a negative PCR or antigen result from a test taken within the last 24 hours.

As teenagers in the UK have only routinely been offered one jab, it is likely they will need to test every 24 hours.

Teen test costs for France for a seven-day holiday (approx)

  • Pre-departure test for France (taken in the UK on average) = £22
  • £25 x 5 for while in resort = £125
  • Pre-departure test for UK (taken in resort) = £25
  • PCR test to be taken within two days of arrival in the UK from (taken in the UK on average) = £55
  • Total cost per teen with one vaccination: £227

Spain

An antigen test are on average £35 and a PCR is £85.

The Spanish government requires UK arrivals (excluding children under the age of 12 years old) to present on entry proof of being fully vaccinated (with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine) at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain (date(s) of vaccination must be specified), with a vaccine authorised by the  European Medicines Agency.

Italy

With its beautiful historic cities and extensive ski regions, Italy is a popular destination over Christmas.

Italy has a Green Pass and Super Green Pass system. For a Green Pass, a digital COVID certificate showing full vaccination or recovery and a negative test result is needed to travel in Italy and to access hospitality and leisure venues.

Teens who are not fully vaccinated can obtain a green pass by testing negative – and this will be valid for 48 hours.

However, between 6 December and 15 January, Italy has brought in a colour-coded zone system with white, yellow and orange signifying areas with different infection rates. Coincided, is a strengthened version of its Green Pass – or the Super Green Pass for destinations in orange areas. People aged 12 and over, including minors aged 12-17, will not be able to obtain a Super Green Pass on the basis of a negative test. All of Italy is in the white zone right now apart from Friuli-Venice Giulia in South Tyrol, which is orange.

A PCR test is approximately £52 and a lateral flow is £20.

Teen costs for a seven-day holiday in Italy.

  • Pre-departure test for Italy (taken in the UK on average) = £22
  • £20 x 4 for while in resort = £80
  • Pre-departure test for UK (taken in resort) = £20
  • PCR test to be taken within two days of arrival in the UK from (taken in the UK on average) = £55
  • Total cost per teen with one vaccination: £177

USA

From 6 December 2021, before boarding a flight to the USA, all passengers – regardless of vaccination status – are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel.

Travellers who are not vaccinated

  • Must take a test within 3 to 5 days after arrival in the US
  • self-quarantine for 7 days after arrival in the US, even if you test negative, unless you have an exception
  • become fully vaccinated, if staying 60 days or longer.

Fully vaccinated travellers:

  • do not have to quarantine
  • are recommended to take a viral test within 3 to 5 days of arrival in the US.

Young people under 18 are exempt from the quarantine requirement but must take a test 3 to 5 days after arrival and self-isolate should any symptoms develop or if they test positive.

Teen costs for a seven-day holiday in the USA

The average cost for a PCR in the USA is £103. State costs vary with some costing £200+

  • Pre-departure test for USA (taken in the UK on average) = £22
  • Test within 3-5 days – average cost of PCR is £103 (some states cost £200+) = £103
  • Pre-departure test for UK (taken in resort) = £103
  • PCR test to be taken within two days of arrival in the UK from (taken in the UK on average) = £55
  • Total cost per teen with one vaccination: £283

battleface insurance

battleface travel insurance products cover emergency medical treatment, medical expenses for accidents and illness; adventure activities and travel with 24/7 assistance and claims services. It also provides cover for destinations regardless of FCDO advisories.

battleface winter sports product provides medical expenses for accidents and illness on the slopes (up to the policy limits) as well as additional benefit for sports equipment including:

  • Winter Sports equipment up to £750 (£500 per single article, set or pair)**
  • Hired equipment is also covered (£300 per single article, set or pair)**

**subject to the policy excess

*The study of 2,000 UK adults was carried out between 23 and 26 November by Opinium Research on behalf of travel insurance provider battleface to find out opinions on winter sports holidays.

Protect your trip with
battleface travel insurance

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PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION

Pre-Existing Medical Condition means an illness, disease, or other condition during the 180 day period immediately prior to the date Your coverage is effective :
  1. received or received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment for a condition which first manifested itself, worsened or became acute, or had symptoms which would have prompted a reasonable person to seek diagnosis, care or treatment; or
  2. took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. Item (2) of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 180 day period before coverage is effective under this policy.
  3. required a change in prescribed medication. Change in prescribed medication means the dosage or frequency of a medication has been reduced, increased, stopped and/or new medications have been prescribed due to the worsening of an underlying condition that is being treated with the medication, unless the change is:
    1. between a brand name and a generic medication with comparable dosage; or
    2. an adjustment to insulin or anti-coagulant dosage.
If you, or someone you are traveling with, has a Pre-Existing Medical Condition, you can still buy a policy from us but there is no cover for any claim arising directly or indirectly from that condition.

PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION

Any Medical Condition that, within the last 12 months, required any:

  • surgery, inpatient or outpatient treatment, referrals or investigations of any sort. This includes being on any waiting list, taking any prescription medication, tablets or required medical treatment (This will not apply to common colds, flu or contraceptive medication);
  • medical advice or treatment for any respiratory condition relating to the lungs or breathing;
  • medical advice or treatment for any heart, stroke or diabetic condition;

Hypertension or high cholesterol controlled by 1 prescription drug only and where the dosage has not been changed within the last 12 months will not be considered a pre-existing medical condition

Coverages Available:

*not all coverages are available in all states
Travel Protection Benefits Limits
Trip Cancellation 100% of trip cost (up to a maximum of $20,000)
Single Occupancy Up to trip cost
Cancel for Any Reason Up to 75% of trip cost Up to 50% of trip costs in FL(CFAR not available to NY residents)
Trip Interruption 150% of trip cost
Delay Package
Trip Delay
Maximum $200 per day up to $2,500
Missed Connection Maximum of $1,000 per covered trip
Baggage Package – Excess
Baggage and Personal Effects $2,500 $100 Deductible
Baggage Delay $100 per day up to a maximum of $500
Travel Medical Package – Excess AK, CO, ID, ND, NH – Primary
Travel Medical Expense – Adventure sports included $100,000 $50,000 in NH $50 Deductible
Emergency Dental $750
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains Up to $500,000
Up to $1,000,000 in NH
Accidental Death & Dismemberment $100,000 or $250,000 or $500,000
Pet Medical Package
Pet Medical Expense Up to $2,000 $100 Deductible
Pet Return Up to $500
Rental Vehicle Damage – Primary Up to $35,000 per rented vehicle- Primary $250 Deductible for loss greater than $2,000
Vacation Rental Damage $1,500 or $3,000 or $5,000

How many trips are you looking to insure?

A single trip

Customizable coverage for a single trip

Multiple trips

Annual coverage plan for frequent travelers

Travel Medical Insurance

Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.

Benefits Limits
Cancellation and Curtailment 5,000
Emergency Medical Expenses, Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains 10,000,000 (excess 250 or 50)
Hospital Benefit 25 per day, maximum 100
Personal Accident up to 250,000
Baggage Loss or Delay up to 5,000 (excess 250 or 50)
Personal Money and Passport, limited to 250 in respect of cash 500 (excess 250 or 50)
Personal Liability 500,000
Travel Delay 500
Optional Benefits Limits
Business Extension up to 1,000 (excess 100)
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) up to 750 (excess 50 or 100)
Important notes:
  • Winter Sports optional cover, where selected, does not extend to the Personal Liability benefit under Section F of the policy
  • Travellers up to the age of 79 can purchase this product. Cover for illness is not available for those aged 75 years or over

Travel Medical Insurance

Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.

Benefits Limits
Trip Interruption 2,000
Emergency Medical Expenses, Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains 10,000,000 (excess 250)
Hospital Benefit 25 per day, maximum 100
Personal Accident up to 5,000
Baggage Loss or Delay up to 2,000 (excess 250 or 50)
Personal Money and Passport, limited to 250 in respect of cash 500 (excess 250) *** Limited to 250 in respect of cash
Personal Liability 500,000
Optional Benefits Limits
Business Extension up to 1,000 (excess 100)
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) up to 750 (excess 50 or 100)
Personal Accident up to 250,000
Baggage up to 10,000
Important notes:
  • Winter Sports optional cover, where selected, does not extend to the Personal Liability benefit under Section G of the policy
  • Travellers up to the age of 79 can purchase this product. Cover for illness is not available for those aged 75 years or over

Travel Medical Insurance

Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.

Benefits Limits
Cancellation up to $20,000
Trip Interruption $1,000
Medical and Emergency Expenses $5,000,000 (deductible $250)
Hospital Benefit $25 per day, maximum $100
Personal Accident up to $50,000
Baggage $2,000 (deductible $250)
Personal Money and Passport, limited to $250 in respect of cash $500 (deductible $250)
Personal Liability $500,000
Optional Benefits Limits
Business Extension up to $1,000 (deductible $100)
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) up to $750 (deductible $50 or $100)
Important notes:
  • Winter Sports optional cover, where selected, does not extend to the Personal Liability benefit under Section G of the policy
  • Travellers up to the age of 79 can purchase this product. Cover for illness and Winter Sports is not available for those aged 75 years or over
  • Medical and Emergency Expenses are limited to $50,000 within Canada if you are not covered by government health insurance plan (GHIP) at the time of your claim

Travel Medical Insurance

Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.

Benefits Limits
Cancellation and Curtailment 5,000
Emergency Medical Expenses, Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains 10,000,000 (excess 250 or 50)
Hospital Benefit 25 per day, maximum 100
Personal Accident up to 250,000
Baggage Loss or Delay up to 5,000 (excess 250 or 50)
Personal Money and Passport, limited to 250 in respect of cash 500 (excess 250 or 50)
Personal Liability 500,000
Travel Delay 500
Optional Benefits Limits
Business Extension up to 1,000 (excess 100)
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) up to 750 (excess 50 or 100)
Important notes:
  • Winter Sports optional cover, where selected, does not extend to the Personal Liability benefit under Section F of the policy
  • Travellers up to the age of 79 can purchase this product. Cover for illness is not available for those aged 75 years or over

How many trips are you looking to insure?

A single trip

Purchase your individual policy by adding business extension

Multiple trips

Customisable annual policy for groups with employees who are frequent travellers