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Can over 80s get travel insurance?
Even if you're over 80, you can find invaluable travel insurance protection through MoneySuperMarket.
Individual providers of travel insurance usually won't cover any pre-existing health problems you have when you take out your policy. This means that anyone with existing health problems won't be covered for related medical emergencies abroad.
So, if you’re over 80 years old and have any pre-existing conditions, it's worthwhile to take out a specialist policy that covers pre-existing medical conditions.
Specialist travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions can give you peace of mind to know that your provider will cover medical emergencies related to your condition while you're abroad. You won't be saddled with costly medical bills, and providers can even cover your repatriation so you can continue urgent treatment at home.
What types of travel insurance can over 80s get?
There are two types of travel insurance policy that allow you to choose how long you want your cover to last:
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Annual multi-trip
Cover lasts for a year and can cover multiple trips under one policy
What's covered by an over 80s policy
Over 80s travel insurance is no different than a standard policy albeit more considerations for any medical conditions, including heart conditions and high blood pressure, which may lead to policy exclusions or higher costs.
The following information provides a general overview of common travel insurance inclusions and exclusions. Always read your policy documents thoroughly and check the policy wording to understand what is and isn't covered before your trip.
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Covered:
Medical expenses: Over 80s policies may have more medical cover than standard policies, including extra cover for equipment and prescriptions
Repatriation: If an emergency means that you need to cut your holiday short and return home, travel insurance will cover the cost
Cancellation cover: You can claim back the cost of your policy if you need to cancel due to an emergency such as bereavement or a jury duty summon
Baggage & belongings: If your belongings are stolen or damaged while on holiday, your insurance will cover part of the cost of replacement or repairs
Lost or stolen passports: If your passport is lost abroad, travel insurance will cover the cost of any emergency documents you need to get home
Travel disruption: If an insurable event disrupts your travel plans, your insurance may help you find alternative travel or accommodation
Personal liability: Your travel insurance will help you cover legal fees if you cause injury or damage another person's property while you're holidaying
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Not covered:
Alcohol or drug related incidents: Any travel insurance claims you make that are related to drugs or alcohol won't be covered
High-risk activities: Even if you add extra cover for sports and activities, there are some dangerous activities that providers won't cover
Bad weather: You may be covered if extreme weather prevents you from travelling, but bad weather that inconveniences you won't be covered
Travelling against government advice: You won't receive any cover if you travel to any countries against the advice of the FCDO
Changing your mind: You won't be covered for any changes you make to your travel plans that aren't the result of an immediate emergency
Airline strikes: Flight cancellations and delays that happen because of strikes are the responsibility of the airline to resolve
Missed flights: Any transportation that you miss because of poor time management won't be covered by your policy
What additional policy options can I get?
Many providers offer a range of additional cover options to add to your policy. Here are some you may be interested in:
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Cruise cover
Get special travel insurance for cruise holidays. Cover cabin confinement, missed departure, and unused pre-booked excursions
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Golf cover
Golf insurance gives special cover for golfing holidays. Protect your golf clubs and equipment as well as cover non-refundable green fees
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Gadget cover
Get extra cover for your gadgets while you travel. Insure your expensive electronics for more than your policy's per-item cover limit
Can I get cover for a pre-existing medical condition?
If you have a pre-existing health condition, finding travel insurance cover can become more complicated than usual. A lot of insurers policies will cover minor medical conditions with a standard travel insurance policy but will increase the cost. Some policies also have upper age limits and require medical screening before you travel.
However, if your condition is severe, they may exclude cover for it entirely. This means that if your health condition causes problems for you while your on holiday your insurer won't cover it.
If you want your serious health problems covered while you're abroad, it may be worth it to take out specialised travel insurance for pre-existing conditions.
These specialist policies are more expensive than standard, but they will cover most medical emergencies, including any related to existing health problems. All they require is that you give an honest account of your medical history when applying for a policy.
We have a range of specialist insurance providers that offer this cover, so you can still find a good deal on a policy.
How much is over 80s travel insurance? Get a policy from £11.82^
The cost of an over 80s travel insurance policy starts from £11.82
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Medical history
Insurance will cost more if you are suffering or have recently recovered from a medical condition. However, you should never withhold information about your medical history when applying for a policy
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Excess
Travel insurance excess is an amount that you agree to contribute per claim. However, you can volunteer to increase your excess to lower the cost of your premiums, or pay extra to waive your excess entirely
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Travel destination
Insurers will price travel to certain countries differently for a number of reasons. One of the reasons may be the higher cost of medical care, or they may consider it a particularly dangerous place to travel to
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Trip length
Taking a longer trip will add to the cost of your travel insurance. It will also cost more to take multiple trips, although an annual multi-trip policy may save you some money compared to multiple single trip policies
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Additional cover
You may need to add extra cover to your travel insurance to cover all of the important features of your holiday, such as your activities. These will add to the overall cost but can be worth it for the extra protection
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Your valuables
Insurers have per-item limits for belongings, so you may need to take out extra cover for valuables. Packing expensive items like gadgets or jewellery means that you may need to pay more for insurance
How can I get cheaper over 80s travel insurance?
Travel insurance becomes more expensive as you get older, which is unavoidable. Some insurers have upper age limits, as you're seen as more high risk. It also becomes more expensive when you have medical problems. But there are some things you can do to help lower the cost. It all depends on what level of cover you require.
You can cut down the cost of your travel insurance by increasing your excess. This is the amount you volunteer to pay towards any claims you make. However, it's important that you consider your excess carefully - increasing it too much could mean that you don't get enough cover from your insurance.
You can also save money on travel insurance by shopping around. Comparing quotes online is a quick and easy way to see what's on offer and find the best deal for a policy. We fetch quotes from top UK providers and show you the cheapest offers first. Compare and apply for travel insurance in just a few clicks.
Our expert says…
Once you reach a certain age, health problems start becoming unavoidable. With the right kind of travel insurance, you can holiday knowing that you have the resources you need to handle anything that life throws at you if you're over 80 and travelling abroad. At MoneySuperMarket, we can help you find that protection for a great price.
Saarrah Mussa Former Content Writer
What countries can I visit with over 80s insurance?
When you take out travel insurance, you can choose which countries you want your policy to cover. These are the three options you will usually be given to choose from:
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Europe only
Covers travel to any member states of the EU as well as some non EU member countries, such as Iceland, Switzerland, Turkey and Norway
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Worldwide
Covers worldwide travel including USA, Canada, and Caribbean. Excluded countries are down to individual providers and travel advice of the FCDO
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Excluding USA, Canada, and Caribbean
Covers worldwide travel excluding USA, Canada, and Caribbean. Healthcare in these countries is expensive, so policies that exclude them are cheaper
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Travel insurance guides and expert tips for over 80s
Keep up to date and find out all you need to know with our latest guides.
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Tell us about yourself
Give a few details about you, your travel plans, preferred level of cover, and what you need cover for
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We’ll do the legwork
We’ll put together a list of travel insurance quotes, so you can pick one that works for you
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You’re on your way
Once you’ve chosen, you can purchase your policy and you’ll be covered for your trip
What else should I consider with over 80s travel insurance?
If you're over 80 and want a hassle-free trip, it's worth looking into your insurer's policy documents, especially for upper age limits and medical cover limitations before you commit to travel insurance.
For example, some insurers won't cover anyone over 75. Others may cover medical equipment if it gets lost, stolen, or damaged, but this might only be included with a pre-existing medical policy.
What is the maximum age for travel insurance?
While there are individual providers that have age limits on their policies, there is no overall age limit for travel insurance.
Over 80s can find some standard travel insurance policies with no upper age limit but usually it makes sense to purchase specialist travel insurance for older travellers.
Standard travel insurance becomes more expensive as you get older or if you have a history of medical problems, so travellers over a certain age may find that standard travel insurance doesn't give them good value cover. On the other hand, special policies for over 80s will usually have more medical cover for standard policies - including cover for pre-existing conditions - which makes them more appealing and sometimes better value.
What is the best travel insurance for over 80s?
Travel insurance isn't a 'one-size-fits-all' product. The best kind of travel insurance for you is a policy that covers what you need without being overly expensive.
Some tips to help you find the best travel insurance for your particular trip is:
Research the cost of medical treatment at your chosen holiday destination to find the right level of medical cover
Consider what your greatest risks are when travelling. For example, if you have to bring important medical equipment with you, make sure your travel insurance will cover it
If you plan on taking part in any activities on your holiday, check that your insurance will cover it or you may need to add optional cover
Check the single item limit for baggage cover. This is the maximum that your insurer will pay per item. You may find that some of your valuables exceed this amount. It's up to you to decide whether adding extra cover for these valuables is worth the cost.
Do I still need cover if I have a GHIC?
While a GHIC is free and can provide you with some protection abroad, it isn't a replacement for travel insurance.
The protection a GHIC gives to UK travellers is very limited. It will only cover you while travelling in EU member countries and will only cover emergency medical care.
Travel insurance, on the other hand, can cover you for global travel and will pay out for more than just medical treatments. It can cover holiday cancellations, stolen luggage, repatriation, and more. So, even if you have a GHIC, it's worthwhile to purchase travel insurance as well.
When should you buy over 80s travel insurance?
A great time to buy travel insurance would be quickly after booking your holiday. Travel insurance offers you protection before your holiday as well as during. If you need to cancel your holiday due to an emergency, your travel insurance will cover you. So, it's worth it to purchase your travel insurance early in case something happens.
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Reviewed on 12 Dec 2025 by
The number of providers for travel insurance in August 2025
Data based on the minimum price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 80-84 in November 2025. Prices vary based on your personal details & circumstances.