Single-trip insurance
A single-trip policy covers just one trip, usually up to a maximum of 31 days. Depending on your destination, you can get European or worldwide travel insurance
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Can an over 85-year-old get travel insurance?
Yes – if you’re aged 85 or older, you can still get travel insurance. However, you may find that it costs more, and there are fewer choices available. This is because insurers view older travellers as being at a higher risk of making claims.
Some insurers do offer travel cover aimed specifically at people aged 85 and older. Although you don’t need to get it, such policies may come with additional benefits that you wouldn’t get with a standard policy, such as extra emergency and medical cover.
With MoneySuperMarket, you can compare your options and shop around for a policy that fits your needs.
What types of policy can I get?
There are several different types of travel insurance available, including:
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Annual multi-trip insurance
Travelling more than once this year? An annual multi-trip policy covers you for multiple holidays in one year, and it often works out cheaper than a single-trip plan
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Long-stay travel insurance
For the ultimate long-haul holiday, long-stay travel insurance will cover you for trips lasting anywhere between a month to over a year. It’ll also cover multiple countries
What will my policy cover?
Travel insurance for over 85s is no different than a standard policy, though there may be more things to consider when it comes to medical conditions.
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What’s covered?
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
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What’s not covered?
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 cover for over 85s with pre-existing conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it’s important to get the appropriate level of cover. Although your policy will cost more, it’ll ensure that you’re protected in case your condition affects your travel plans, or if you need medical help while on holiday.
When taking out over 85s travel insurance, it’s best to be as honest as possible about any pre-existing conditions – particularly if they’re serious. If you end up making a claim, it may be rejected if you didn’t declare your condition in the first place.
Though insurance will be more expensive, you can still shop around to find a policy that suits your needs and your budget. You can compare quotes using our online tool below:
What policy add-ons can I include?
You can extend the cover your standard policy provides with a range of travel insurance add-ons. You can add an extra cover or adjust the cover to suit the type of holiday you’re going on. Policy add-ons include:
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Cruise cover
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.
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Gadget cover
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.
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Golf cover
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.
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Excess waiver
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.
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How to find the best travel insurance for over 85s
While insurance for over 85s will generally be more expensive, there are ways you can reduce the cost of your policy. However, do think carefully before doing this – cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to insurance.
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Increase your excess
Increasing your excess will make your policy cheaper upfront. But if you make a claim, you’ll end up paying more – which can be more expensive.
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Single trip vs annual trip
If you'll be travelling several times in a year, an annual multi-trip policy may be cheaper. Compare deals to see what gives you the best price.
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Compare policies
Browse our results depending on the provider, the level of cover for medical costs, baggage and cancellation fees, as well as their Defaqto rating.
Travel insurance guides and expert tips for over 85s
Keep up to date and find out all you need to know with our latest guides.
How much is travel insurance for over 85's?
Travel insurance typically becomes more expensive as you get older because older travellers have a higher risk of making insurance claims.
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 |
Ready to compare? Here's what to do next
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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 is the oldest age for travel insurance?
There’s no set maximum cut-off age for taking out travel insurance. However, this depends on the insurer, as well as the policy you’re taking out. Many insurers may have an upper age limit – for example, 85 years old for a single trip, 80 for an annual multi-trip, and 65 for group travel insurance.
Don’t worry, though. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get travel insurance at all. Some insurers specialise in providing cover for older travellers, without any age limits in place.
How do I find cheaper over-85s travel insurance?
Travel insurance for over 85s can be expensive, so naturally you may want to shop around to find the best price for you.
It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that the cheapest isn’t necessarily the best. Tempting as it may be to opt for the cheapest quote you can find, don't part with any cash until you know exactly what you are covered for. Check the small print to ensure you have appropriate cover in place – and if in doubt, speak to the insurer to confirm this.
While general insurers can offer cheap policies, it can be well worth paying more for a policy that’s specifically aimed at older travellers. That way, you’ll be covered in case anything happens – particularly if you have serious pre-existing medical conditions.
At MoneySupermarket, you can compare travel insurance from both general and specialist insurers. We can help you to find the right quote for your individual needs.
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Reviewed on 22 Dec 2025 by
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age < 18 in September 2024.
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 18-49 in November 2025.
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 50-54 in November 2025.
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 55-59 in November 2025.
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 60-64 in November 2025.
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 65-69 in November 2025.
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 70-74 in November 2025.
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 75-79 in November 2025.
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 80-84 in November 2025.
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 85+ in November 2025.
The number of providers for travel insurance in August 2025
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