Travel insurance for over 60s
Key takeaways
Over-60s cover is a type of holiday insurance designed to protect the specific needs of older individuals
It usually has more comprehensive cover for things like medical care and cancellation
Some travel insurance plans may have upper age limits for certain cover
Why do I need over-60s travel insurance?
Travel insurance is an important part of every holiday no matter how old you are, but it can be particularly crucial for people over the age of 60 due to the higher likelihood of requiring medical attention while abroad. It provides peace of mind that you’re protected should your travel plans be disrupted for any reason.
Because of the increased risk of making a claim for medical treatment, and the higher prevalence of pre-existing conditions, people in this age group will often require specialist travel insurance to cover their holidays.
This shouldn’t be off-putting — in fact, it can even be an encouragement to travel as you get older, knowing there are policies designed to make sure you have the cover you need.
What does over-60s travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance designed for over 60s will offer much of the same cover as a standard policy, such as:
Curtailment, travel delay, and cancellation cover
If your holiday is cancelled or disrupted as a result of circumstances out of your control, like extreme weather, illness or injury, or a redundancy.
Medical expenses
If you need emergency medical treatment for illness or injury (unless it’s for a condition you knew about but didn’t reveal) or incur other medical bills while abroad.
Repatriation
If you need to be brought back to the UK as a result of an injury or illness.
Personal belongings and baggage
If you need to claim for lost baggage or stolen belongings while abroad.
Personal belongings and baggage
If you need to claim for lost baggage or stolen belongings while abroad.
Medication and medical aids
If you lose prescription medicine or damage a medical aid, and need repairs or replacement.
What isn’t covered by over-60s travel insurance?
As with standard travel insurance, there are some instances in which you won’t be able to claim on your policy:
Undisclosed medical conditions
If you have a known pre-existing medical condition and you don’t tell your insurer, you won’t be able to claim if it flares up while abroad.
Uncovered activities
Certain activities and sometimes even their associated equipment won’t be covered under standard policies, so you’ll need extra cover for things like golf, skiing, and diving.
Being under the influence
If you require medical assistance or lose your belongings while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you won’t be covered.
Breaking the law
Injuries or losses sustained from breaking the law will also not be covered by any travel insurance policy.
Negligence
You won’t be able to claim for losses, thefts or injuries resulting from carelessness, such as leaving your things unattended or in an unlocked vehicle.
Travelling against advice
If government travel advice states that you shouldn’t visit a specific location and you choose to travel anyway, most travel insurance providers will not cover you.
Changing your mind
If you change your mind and want to cancel your holiday or end it early, this won’t come under your policy cover.
Will I be covered for pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes, you can find travel insurance for over 60s that covers pre-existing medical conditions — in fact, many over-60s travel policies are specifically designed to cater for those with more complex medical needs. These policies often cover a wider array of conditions than standard travel insurance, and sometimes also extend cover to medication and medical equipment you require for travels.
A pre-existing condition is anything that you've been diagnosed with, treated for, or are awaiting test results for within a timeframe specified by your insurer. It includes things like:
Cancer
Strokes
Mental health conditions
High blood pressure
Asthma
Diabetes
Failure to disclose your medical history may result in your policy being invalidated, so it’s important to be honest with your provider. It’s worth noting that your cover might be more expensive if you have a pre-existing medical condition, but it’s still much less than the cost of medical treatment in many regions around the world.
You should declare all medical conditions regardless of severity when you take out travel insurance — it’s important to ensure your insurer is fully informed and aware before you travel. If you withhold information or lie to your insurer, you’ll likely end up without cover when you need it.
Is there an upper age-limit for travel insurance?
Travel insurance age-limits vary by provider. Some travel insurance providers may refuse to insure individuals over a certain age, whereas others (particularly specialist providers) do not have an upper age-limit.
You should always check your policy wording to see what’s included. Some standard policies might cover you at any age, but will have certain limitations or exclusions. For example, they might not cover pre-existing conditions if you’re over 65.
Does travel insurance become more expensive after 60?
Unfortunately, travel insurance does often become more expensive as you get older, and more so as you hit your 60s. This is because insurers see you as more likely to require medical attention or treatment, and possibly also more likely to injure yourself or become ill while abroad. However, it’s a manageable expense compared to the cost of medical treatment or the expense of replacing lost belongings - so it’s worth having.
Traveller age | Average insurance price |
|---|---|
Under 18s | £16.92 |
18-49 | £27.83 |
50-54 | £32.93 |
55-59 | £36.57 |
60-64 | £45.45 |
65-69 | £62.28 |
70-74 | £78.48 |
75-79 | £99.26 |
80-84 | £108.18 |
85+ | £172.12 |
What affects the cost of travel insurance for over 60s?
Your over 60s travel insurance premiums are set by insurers after they calculate how much of a claim risk you present. Aside from any pre-existing conditions you might have, they also factor in the following:
Destination
Certain locations are more expensive when it comes to travel insurance, such as the USA, owing to the relatively high cost of medical treatment compared to countries in Europe.
Travel duration
Longer holidays cost more to insure as there is a higher chance of an incident occurring the longer you’re away.
Travel frequency
If you’re travelling more than once in the year you might be able to save money with an annual or multi-trip policy to cover all holidays with one policy.
Number of travellers
Likewise, if you’re travelling with others, such as a partner, your family, or a group of up to ten, you could save by covering everyone on one policy.
What add-ons can I get with over-60s travel insurance?
You can adapt your travel insurance to suit your needs by adding optional extras to your existing policy. Common add-ons include:
Gadget cover
Passport cover
Cruise cover
Missed departure cover
Winter sports cover
You should always check your policy documents to see what’s already included as part of your insurance, and then choose any additional cover accordingly.
How to buy travel insurance for over 60s
You can compare travel insurance quotes for over 60s to find the right cover for you. You'll be able to choose between and long-stay, annual multi-trip, or single-trip cover depending on your travel needs, and choose a cover level that suits you.
We can also show you prices from a panel of insurers that offer medical travel insurance covering a wide range of medical conditions to ensure you’ll be covered should a condition flare up while you’re away.
If you're still struggling to find a suitable level of cover, the MoneyHelper website provides a list of specialist insurers to help you find the best travel insurance for you, or you can call the British Insurance Brokers Association on 0370 950 1790.
Frequently asked questions
What’s considered a pre-existing medical condition?
Pre-existing conditions are medical conditions or injuries you’ve been treated for, diagnosed with, or are awaiting diagnosis of before you take out your travel insurance policy. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Heart conditions
Strokes
Diabetes
Cancer
Joint and bone issues
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Epilepsy
Crohn’s disease
Will over-60s travel insurance cover golf?
Golf isn’t always covered as standard, but you can take out golf cover as an add-on to your over-60s travel insurance policy. It’ll protect your clubs and equipment, as well as any golf course bookings you have and green fees you’ve paid.
Does over-60s travel insurance cover cruises?
Cruises aren’t always covered as standard, but you can take out cruise cover as an addition to your over 60s travel insurance policy. It covers you for medical treatment onboard while out at sea, as well as missed departures, lost or stolen belongings, and other cruise-related incidents.
Do I need over-60s travel insurance if I have a GHIC or EHIC card?
A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will cover state healthcare in participating countries, but not private treatment. Because public healthcare in some countries can be more basic than the NHS care you’re used to, it’s always recommended to have travel insurance alongside a EHIC or GHIC card.
Many countries are also not included in the EHIC and GHIC. For example, if you’re travelling to Canada, the Caribbean, Iceland, or Turkey an EHIC or GHIC won’t be accepted.
Does taking statins affect travel insurance?
Yes, taking statins affects travel insurance because it is considered a pre-existing medical condition that must be declared to your insurer. To make sure that you have adequate medical cover for your trip you should always make sure that you inform your insurer about statins, and any other medication you are taking.
How do I make a claim on my over 60s travel insurance?
If you need to make a claim on your over-60s travel insurance you must log the incident you are claiming for — whether lost luggage or a emergency medical expenses — as soon as possible with your insurer. Most insurers have a 24-hour helpline you can use to contact them.
Make sure that you have all necessary documentation and evidence to support your claim (for example, details of your hospital admission or photographs of damaged belongings). Your insurer will usually then send you a claim form, which you will need to complete and return. Your insurer should let you know within a few days whether your claim has been accepted.
Author
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
Reviewer
Katie Bishop
Insurance writer
Katie Bishop is an author and journalist with a decade of writing and editing experience. She has previously worked as an economics editor at Oxford University Press, and her business and finance...
