Over 85s travel insurance

• Medical expenses: Insurance will cover the cost of emergency medical treatments you receive while abroad, as well as repatriation to the UK for treatment if needed. The level of cover depends on the country you’re visiting – to work out how much cover you’ll need, consider the cost of healthcare in your destination, as well as the cost of returning home in a medical emergency

• Medical aids: Medical equipment and accessories that you bring abroad will be protected against loss or damage

• Medication: If you lose your important prescription medication, your insurance will help you afford a replacement

• Repatriation: If you need to return home in the event of an emergency, your insurance will help you cover travel costs

• Baggage: If your baggage is stolen or damaged, travel insurance will compensate you for the loss of any items. There may be single-item limits in place, though (the maximum amount an insurer will pay out for one item)

• Cancellation: Travel insurance will cover the cost of your holiday if you have to cancel due to an emergency. This is usually the value of your holiday, including any pre-booked activities

• Travel disruption: If your travel plans have been disrupted, insurance will help you cover alternative transport or accommodation

• Lost or stolen passport: as with personal belongings, most travel insurance policies will cover lost or stolen passports, or at least any replacement fees. In some cases, they will cover extra costs incurred by a missing passport, such as an extra night in a hotel while you wait for an emergency travel document

• Non-disclosed pre-existing conditions: Providers won't cover any pre-existing conditions you didn't disclose when applying for your policy. You should declare every condition that applies to you to make sure you’re covered in case of an emergency, especially as medical costs can vary a lot between countries

• Undeclared activities: If you’ll be doing winter or water sports, you should take out an extra policy to cover this. If you don’t declare these beforehand, you won’t be covered for potential injuries or lost belongings that occur

• Undeclared belongings: Some insurers might require you to list the items you’re taking abroad, particularly expensive or delicate items like instruments and electronics

• Airline strikes: It is the responsibility of the airlines to compensate travellers for airline strikes and help organise alternative transport

• High-risk activities: Insurers won't cover certain high-risk activities that are likely to result in injury or damage, such as rock climbing or white-water rafting – you’ll need to get a specialist policy that will cover these

• Accidents related to drugs/alcohol: Insurers will not cover claims for accidents that occur while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even prescription medication can be a grey area, depending on your policy – it’s good to check with your insurer

• Travelling against FCDO advice: Even with the worldwide cover, insurers will not cover travel to high-risk countries where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has advised against visiting

• Missed flights: You will not be covered for missed transport if it's the result of poor time management or mistakes that you are responsible for

• Choosing not to travel: You will not receive cancellation cover if the reason for cancelling is because you’ve changed your mind

Get special cover for cruise holidays. This travel insurance option can provide you with extra cover for missed departures, cabin confinement, and pre-booked excursions, as well as special baggage cover for longer cruise holidays.

Most travel insurance policies have a per-item cover limit for your belongings, which might not cover expensive electronics. Getting extra gadget cover will ensure your valuable devices are insured for their full value.

If you’re bringing expensive golfing equipment on your holiday, golf cover will protect it if it’s stolen or damaged. This can also cover non-refundable green fees if an insurable emergency or event prevents you from golfing.

You can choose to cover a portion of your travel insurance claims to reduce the cost of your policy. You also have the option to pay more to waive your travel insurance excess and have your insurer cover 100% of your claims.