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

Following the UK’s most recent national restrictions, you can only travel internationally or within the UK if you're legally permitted to do so while the UK is under full lockdown restrictions.

Non-essential travel is not currently permitted within the UK before 12 April 2021 at the earliest and international travel is not currently permitted before 17 May 2021 at the earliest. Any insurance for travel before these dates is likely to be invalid. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), currently advises British nationals against all but essential international travel. See latest FCDO advice for further information.

Any insurance policy purchased to cover a trip to a destination where the local authority, or the FCDO, has instructed citizens not to travel, will not be valid.

For more information, please coronavirus and travel insurance page.

Until then, stay safe.

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.

On its Money Advice Service website, The Money and Pensions Service (MaPs) 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 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.