Is trip cancellation insurance worth it for a school trip?
In short
For a school trip, trip cancellation insurance is usually worth it because it is very cheap. Group cover for school trips (Klassenfahrt) costs under EUR 1 per participant with one provider, about EUR 24 for a class of 25. It pays if your child unexpectedly falls seriously ill. If you already have a family policy, the school trip is often covered there.
Liability and accident cover for the group, per person
EUR 0.75
Single policy for a final-year trip of about EUR 400
about EUR 15 to 30
As of October 2026.
Group prices according to a provider of school trip cover via youth hostels.
The single policy is a guide value from our quoting practice.
Worked example
Final-year trip to Berlin, child gets pneumonia
A year 10 class goes to Berlin for EUR 380 per pupil. Two days before, one child has pneumonia.
Provider's cancellation fees shortly before
about EUR 300
With the school's group cover
EUR 300 refunded with certificate
Without group cover, with family policy
refund under the policy, maybe half the sum
Without insurance
parents pay EUR 300
Group cover for less than EUR 1 would have saved the parents EUR 300. Guide values from our quoting practice.
What group cover for a school trip does
Many German schools take out trip cancellation insurance for the whole class. Group cover for school trips costs EUR 0.95 per person for the whole trip with one provider and repays accommodation, transport and programme if a child cannot go.
The main covered reason is an unexpected serious illness, proven by a certificate. That group tariff also names a change of school, moving house, not moving up a year and even exclusion from the trip. Quarantine and precautionary cancellations are not covered.
Reason for missing the trip
Group school trip cover
Normal trip cancellation
Child falls seriously ill shortly before
yes, with certificate
yes, with certificate
Not moving up a year or changing school
yes in some tariffs
usually no
Child does not want to go
no
no
School cancels as a precaution
no
no
Quarantine
often no
depends on tariff
Whether you pay anyway if your child misses it
If your child does not go, accommodation and the coach seat are often still due because the group was booked at fixed prices. How much you get back depends on the provider's cancellation terms. Ask when you sign your child up for the school trip.
Without trip cancellation insurance you carry these costs yourself; for a final-year trip with a flight that can quickly be several hundred euros.
If you already have a family policy
An annual family policy may already cover the school trip, since your child is insured. But some annual policies cover family members travelling alone with only half the sum insured.
Also check whether the tariff covers school reasons such as not moving up a year. A normal policy usually only pays for illness, accident or death in the family.
When you do not need your own cover
If the school has group cover for the school trip, you do not need a second policy; no insurer pays twice. Ask the teacher whether group cover exists.
For a cheap day trip or a trip with free cancellation, your own trip cancellation insurance is usually unnecessary.
Help when money is tight
If you receive basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, called Bürgergeld until 30 June 2026), the actual costs of school trips of several days are recognised as an education and participation need. Apply at the job centre before the trip.
Also ask the school: some classes have a class fund or a parents' association that helps with the school trip.
Step by step
Ask at registration whether the school takes out group cover.
Read the provider's cancellation terms.
Check your family policy for school trips.
If your child falls ill, get a certificate and inform the school at once.
If you receive basic income support, apply before the trip.
Checklist
School group cover clarified
Provider cancellation fees known
Family policy covers children travelling alone
Certificate in case of illness
Education support applied for if eligible
Common mistakes
Buying your own policy although the school already insures
Getting the certificate only after departure
Assuming the school refunds you for illness
Applying for support only after the trip
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does the school take out the cover?
For group tariffs the school or club is the applicant.
Whether it does so is up to the school, so ask.
Does it pay if my child does not want to go?
No.
Only unexpected reasons such as serious illness are covered.
Is the school trip covered by my family policy?
Often yes, as your child is insured.
Check whether children travelling alone get only half the sum.
Who pays if the school cancels?
Not the trip cancellation insurance; a precautionary cancellation is not covered.
What you get back depends on the contract between school and provider.
