Parent's guide
Child accident insurance in the UK — how it works and what it costs
The NHS treats your child. It does not cover the unpaid time off work, the hospital parking, the food, or the private physio that gets them back on the pitch. Child accident insurance pays you cash to cover exactly that — from £6 a month for every child you have.
From £6/month
About 20p a day, fixed price.
All your children
One plan, birth to age 23.
2-minute apply
No medical questions.
What child accident insurance actually covers
Child accident cover is not health insurance and it does not replace the NHS. It is a fixed cash benefit: if something covered happens, the insurer pays money directly into your bank account and you decide what to spend it on.
Typically covered
- Broken bones — £1,200 (2 bones broken)
- Hospital stays — £100 per night
- Serious illness — up to £10,000
- Accidents at home, school, the park or playing sport
- 24/7 virtual private GP for the whole family
- Unlimited claims, no excess
Not covered
- Routine illnesses that do not require hospitalisation
- Sickness-related hospitalisation in the first 12 months
- Pre-existing conditions in the first 12 months
- Anything excluded in the MetLife policy terms
What it costs, and what you get back
| Cover | £6/month | £11/month |
|---|---|---|
| Children covered | All of them | All of them |
| Broken bones | £1,200* | £1,200* |
| Hospital stay (per night) | £100 | £100 |
| Serious illness | Up to £10,000 | Up to £10,000 |
| 24/7 virtual GP | Included | Included |
| Excess | None | None |
*2 bones broken. Cover Level 2 pays higher benefit amounts across the plan — see the policy documents for the full schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What is child accident insurance?
Child accident insurance is a protection plan that pays you a cash lump sum if your child is injured in an accident, spends time in hospital, or is diagnosed with a covered serious illness. Unlike the NHS, which treats your child, the payout covers the costs around the treatment — time off work, travel and hospital parking, food, and private physiotherapy.
How much does child accident insurance cost in the UK?
ChildShield costs £6 a month for Cover Level 1 or £11 a month for Cover Level 2. That is roughly 20p a day. The price is fixed and one plan covers every child in your family — there is no extra charge per child.
Does one policy cover all my children?
Yes. One ChildShield plan covers all of your children, from birth up to age 23. Whether you have one child or five, you pay the same £6 or £11 a month.
Are there medical questions or health checks?
No. There are no medical questions and no health screening. Acceptance is immediate and the online application takes about two minutes.
How much does ChildShield pay out?
Payouts depend on the claim. Serious illness pays up to £10,000, broken bones pay £1,200 (for two bones broken), and hospital stays pay £100 per night. There is no excess and claims are unlimited. Money is paid straight into your bank account for you to spend however you need.
What if my child already has a health condition?
You can still apply — there are no medical questions. Cover for accidents, accident hospitalisation, serious illness and the 24/7 virtual GP starts from day one. A 12-month waiting period applies to sickness-related hospitalisation and to pre-existing conditions.
Who underwrites ChildShield?
ChildShield is underwritten by MetLife Europe d.a.c., one of the world's largest insurers. childshield.online is an authorised route to apply for the plan online.
Can I cancel, and is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee — if the plan is not right for you within the first 30 days you get your money back. After that you can cancel at any time.
Is child accident cover worth it?
For most UK families the sums are simple. A single accident can mean unpaid time off work, repeated hospital trips, parking and food, and private physio to speed up recovery — commonly £500 to £2,000 out of pocket. ChildShield costs about 20p a day and pays cash directly to you, so it typically pays for itself with a single claim.
Get every child covered — from £6 a month
No medical questions. Cover starts today. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Start my applicationChildShield is underwritten by MetLife Europe d.a.c.