To say no to 16year olds flying alone

Absolutely. Read the policy. Ours comes with the bank account and I thinks it’s pretty good. Definitely not basic. The policy might actually say who is covered and when. Ours is different, as you can see, and would have covered the DC visiting a parent.

That's what I was told over the phone. Which seems utterly daft after consideration...so he now has his own single trip policy. This is why it's so important for people not to assume anything with insurance!

Our insurance covers everything. It’s standard cover. I’m somewhat surprised they take the flight element out. It’s holiday cover - it includes a flight. DDs are in 20s now so not on our policy these days, I guess it depends on the policy but not including insurance for the flight sounds odd to me, How are dc meant to travel on the policy then? That really says only with parents if flights are excluded.

We were going to do this but decided against it as he isn't insurance for the duration of the flight, only once he is met at his destination. If I had accompanied him though, he would have been fine.

We ended up taking out a single trip policy for DS travelling unaccompanied because if he isn't insured on the plane travelling unaccompanied, then neither would his luggage if something went wrong🤦‍♀️ so decided he'd better have his own policy. Its not expensive so he just paid for it himself.

I had to be named as the policy holder as under 18s cannot do this for obvious reasons.

Not all family policies cover minors traveling without main policy holder Mine doesnt

Or add into family annual policy as I said earlier.

Staysure also. Most do in fact but u need to phone instead of doing online

I was looking at MSE site and there was no option for under 18s on that tool 🙈

Doesn't matter anyway, he's now insured on our family policy after querying the cover just to be sure. As you say, very costly if anyone gets unwell in the US!

Allianz definitely. Loads do.

Yes my son had it Many insurance providers will insure under 18 travelling alone. Would imagine OPs kids would need for medical cover anyway travelling to the US

I have an almost 16 year old and I would definitely allow this and he would be on his own - no twin! The airport palaver isn't that bad if they are reasonably familiar with it and if it's a direct flight so that's fine too. There's not a lot that could go wrong and it's worth it for an amazing holiday.

Bloody hell, I'd hate it too. But
Staff are really well trained .
There are two of them.
You take them to the airport and check them in.
Dad collects.
Check list of what to do if....
It's probably more controlled than taking a train in the UK.

Are there companies who offer insurance to under 18s?

DS is under 18 (17) and can't get his own travel insurance. He's on our annual travel insurance policy. We did look but it's virtually impossible for over 16s to get their own policy unless others know of companies who do this?

My DS had his ESTA visa authorised and ready to travel but accepts he may have to get an interview as he is travelling unaccompanied. We have a signed letter for him to present to BC staff as per advice on the ESTA website.

The point is to check if you need separate insurance! Our policy says what I posted. Others may not have annual insurance or insurance that includes dc on certain trips. I could usually get DDs added on our insurance when travelling alone, for extra cost, other than for beyond 30 days. So it’s reasonable advice to check.

As for immigration - if on a uk passport, surely they need an Esta. Visa waiver?

Irrelevant if they have their own travel insurance rather than being a dependent on adults. My son is a " dependent" on my insurance if he travels with me If travelling along he has his own insurance anyway

It does seem to vary from insurance company to insurance company if children 12 to 17 travel unaccompanied on a flight.

Our insurance says this.

I only know this because I had to check recently otherwise I wouldn't have even known it was an issue and assumed full cover.
Definitely good idea to check with insurance company OP.

Just something to bear in mind though, that if they are travelling unaccompanied they won't be insured whilst on the plane without an adult.

?? Never heard of that before but I guess it’s worth checking with the insurance provider.

Just something to bear in mind though, that if they are travelling unaccompanied they won't be insured whilst on the plane without an adult.

I phoned up our insurance company about this recently as my 17yo is flying out to a destination unaccompanied. He is insured once he touches down and meets his partner at his destination though, and for the duration of his stay. On the return leg, he won't be insured whilst returning home on the flight.

I flew to the USA at age 13 alone to stay with a family friend. I had travelled to the US many times with my family but I was really shy & quiet as a teen. It massively improved my confidence though & such an experience!
You will drop them this end & him pick up the other. Plus can track their phones either end. It will be fine.

Have you asked them if they are happy to do the journey alone ? What iv learnt is sometimes they are more capable than we think and if they arnt worried maybe a bit of faith in them doing it alone may not be so bad ? If Tbey don’t feel confident then u know not to . They will be dropped off and collected at the other end so it’s only the flight that they would need to navigate .