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

When you’re over 60, you may need travel insurance that covers you for the pre-existing medical conditions that life often brings at this age. By looking for travel insurance that’s geared towards over 60s, you can get the policy you need to enjoy your holidays with peace of mind.

One of the biggest advantages of later life is the freedom to choose your holidays when you want and where you want. But why wait until you retire? Start enjoying your leisure time.

Josh Daniels

From the Travel team

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Posted 13 NOVEMBER 2019

Does travel insurance for the over 60s suit your needs?

When you’re shopping for travel insurance over 60, there are a few things to bear in mind:

Standard travel insurance usually covers people up to the age of 64.
Your destination matters. Many older people are using their time and money to go further for holidays and this may affect the cost.
The risk of injury is deemed higher when we’re older. That’s especially important when it comes to cover for sporting activities.
You’re more likely to need cover for pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and heart conditions.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

A travel traffic light system has been introduced for international travel. From 19 July 2021, trips to green and amber listed countries are legally permitted if you live in England and Scotland. However, you’ll still need to fulfil any pre-departure requirements, such as testing. If you live in Wales and Northern Ireland, you still need to follow the rules for your relevant local authority.

If a country is on the green or amber list, you still need to check the latest travel advice and entry requirements for each country you visit or transit through. This is to ensure you’re aware of any specific requirements relating to entry and to check travellers from the UK are permitted. Countries can have their traffic light status changed at short notice and you should take this into consideration when looking to travel. Please check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice for the latest information.

The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel to red listed countries. Should you choose to travel against the FCDO rules, you will not be covered by any travel insurance policy you purchase. Some providers do offer cover for international travel if you’re travelling for essential purposes, however most do not. In all cases, should you have any queries please check the policy wording or contact your chosen provider before purchasing to ensure the cover meets your needs.

Travel within England, Scotland and Wales is permitted under the current guidelines. However, public health rules and lockdown restrictions continue to vary, including entry restrictions for Northern Ireland. Check the latest guidance from the official tourism boards for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Find out more here

Customers with more serious pre-existing medical conditions

Our panel includes insurance providers who quote cover for all medical conditions declared on our website, with no exclusions.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPs) has launched a directory of insurance providers on its Money Advice Service website that may be able to provide quotes over the phone, if you have more serious medical conditions. Find more information at the Money Advice Service or by calling the British Insurance Brokers’ Association on 0370 950 1790.

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

When you're over 60 it is possible to get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, however it can depend on two factors:

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, hospital treatment for a heart attack in the USA could set you back as much as £75,000 if don’t have the proper insurance.

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 should you need to make a claim.

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

There’s a variety of factors that 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 – the more serious it is, the more it could affect the cost of your premium
your destination – over 60s travel insurance is usually cheaper for Europe than long haul destinations, such as USA and the Caribbean, as medical care is typically more expensive in those areas
the length of your trip – from an insurance provider’s point of view, the longer you’re away, the higher the chance of something going wrong

Where can I find over 60s travel insurance?

Choosing a policy that’s right for you can be a complicated process, especially if you need extra cover for various reasons. We make comparing and finding the right travel insurance a quick and painless process. Just give us your details and we’ll send you a range of insurance providers to compare and choose the one that most suits your needs.