Compare travel insurance quotes for over-60s: a simple guide

Making the most of your leisure time? Get travel insurance that covers you for all your needs so you can relax and enjoy your holidays.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: please check the latest government travel advice that sets out what you need to do, if anything, before you travel abroad and before you return home. You should also check the latest travel advice and entry requirements for each country you visit or transit through. Travel rules can change at short notice, so check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for the latest information.

Rebecca Goodman

Insurance expert

minute read

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Last Updated 11 MAY 2022

Why do I need over-60s travel insurance?

If you’re in your early 60s you’ll probably find that all your needs are met at a reasonable price by a standard travel insurance policy. But if you’re in your mid or late 60s, you might want to look for a policy that’s specifically designed for the over 60s.

Travel insurance can become more expensive once you reach the age of 65. That’s because insurance providers consider you more likely to make a claim the older you get, particularly for medical expenses. Older people are also more likely to travel to destinations where the cost of medical treatment is expensive.

Plus, the risk of injury is deemed to be higher when you get older, especially if you’re going to be taking part in adventure activities or sports on your travels.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, just because you’re 60 or older that doesn’t mean you can’t get insurance, or that you should stop travelling. Arguably this is the best time to go as you probably have a little more time and money to enjoy some lovely long holidays.

The important thing is to compare cover and prices, to find the right policy for you.

What will over-60s travel insurance cover?

There are certain requirements you need to look for in any policy, but if you’re aged 60 or over, you need to pay more attention to what’s included as there is a higher risk you might need to claim.

Travel insurance should cover you for:

Medical expenses including bringing you back to the UK for treatment if necessary.
Cancellation and delays – check the policy carefully to see exactly what’s covered.
Lost baggage – compensation if your baggage is lost or stolen.
COVID-19 – some policies can cover you for disruption to your holiday caused by coronavirus.

Will I be covered if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Pre-existing medical conditions are more common in older people, so if you have one, it’s really important to know whether you’re covered. It’s possible to get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, depending on:

The nature of your condition
The individual provider

It may cost more because you’re considered more likely to make a claim. But when you weigh up the costs of medical care abroad, it’s certainly worth the extra money. For example, treatment in hospital for an infection in the USA, plus flights home, could set you back £100,000 if you don’t have the right travel insurance.

It’s unfortunately unavoidable and you need to tell your insurance provider. Don’t be tempted to leave it out because if you then need to claim on your policy it may be rejected, which will leave you having to foot what could be a very large medical bill.

Should I declare pre-existing medical conditions?

It’s vital that you declare any pre-existing medical conditions when you apply for travel insurance and give insurance providers all the information they need, otherwise your policy may be invalid if you need to make a claim.

When you compare travel insurance with us, make sure you declare any medical conditions. We’ll then only show you quotes from providers who will cover those conditions.

There’s no getting away from the fact that prices might be higher if you have a health condition, but they’re likely to be a lot less than paying out for medical care while you’re abroad.

What won’t over-60s travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance typically won’t cover you for:

Injuries or theft while you’re under the influence of drink or drugs.
Any pre-existing medical conditions you haven’t declared.
Risky activities such as water sports. You can usually add cover for these onto your policy for an extra cost.

This list isn’t definitive and all providers set their own rules about what is and what isn’t covered so always check what your policy says before you set off.

What factors can affect the cost of my travel insurance policy?

A variety of factors go into calculating the cost of over-60s travel insurance, and they tend to vary between providers. However, the main ones are:

Pre-existing medical conditions.
Your destination – over-60s travel insurance is usually cheaper for Europe than long-haul destinations, such as the USA and Caribbean, as medical care is typically more expensive in those locations.
How long you’re going for – from an insurance provider’s point of view, the longer you’re away, the higher the chance of something going wrong.
The type of policy you choose – if you’re planning to go away more than once in a year, an annual travel insurance policy can work out cheaper than separate single trip policies, but this isn’t always the case, so do the sums. The price of group policies is based on the oldest traveller, so an individual policy might work out cheaper.

It’s worth remembering that while price is important - you don’t want to pay for a policy that doesn’t provide the level of cover that you need - it’s not the only thing to look at. The priority is getting a travel insurance policy you can actually use, and finding an affordable one is a bonus.

Where can I find over 60s travel insurance?

We make comparing and finding the right travel insurance quick and easy. Just give us your details and we’ll show you a range of policies to compare so you can choose the one that most suits your needs.

Customers with more serious pre-existing medical conditions

If you have a serious health condition, the price you pay for travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. However, there are still many providers out there and you should be able to find affordable cover. Whatever happens, don’t be tempted to lie to an insurance provider, because if you do and then need to make a claim, it could be rejected.

When you declare medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show quotes from insurance providers who will cover all declared medical conditions, with no exclusions.

MoneyHelper has launched a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone if you have more serious medical conditions. Find more information at MoneyHelper or by calling them on 0800 138 7777.

Frequently asked questions

What’s considered a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing condition is one you had before or when you took out your travel insurance policy. Pre-existing medical conditions can include:

Diabetes.
Heart conditions.
Chronic illnesses, including cancer.
Arthritis and rheumatism.
Asthma.
Mental health problems.

Is over-60s travel insurance more expensive?

Not necessarily. It depends on where you’re going, how long you’re away for and what you intend to do on your trip, as well as any medical conditions you may have. So it can pay to shop around and compare.

Will over-60s travel insurance cover coronavirus?

Some policies will cover disruption caused by the pandemic. When you compare with us, you can see what level of COVID cover is offered by clicking the ‘more details’ option on the quotes results page.

Will over-60s travel insurance cover golf?

Not all policies will cover golf. You’ll need to check the details and add on golf cover for an extra cost if necessary. If you’re going on a trip specifically to play golf and you’re taking your own equipment, you might be better off with specialist golf travel insurance.