Travel insurance for over 80s

Can I get travel insurance if I’m over 80?

Yes, you can still find travel insurance when you’re in your 80s, although we’re not going to pretend it’s all plain sailing. Some insurance providers impose age limits at around 75 for their standard travel insurance. But many other insurance providers have no upper age limit and will happily insure those over 80.

You’ll likely have a little less choice when it comes to comparing over 80s travel insurance. And you may find that holiday insurance geared at the over 80s is less likely to cover any pre-existing medical conditions.

However, here at Comparethemarket we believe that reaching the grand old age of 80 shouldn’t hamper your holiday plans. We can help you find a quote for over 80 travel insurance that covers your medical conditions. Read on to find out how the right cover can offer peace of mind for your next holiday.

Customers with pre-existing medical conditions

If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. Whatever happens, tell your insurance provider the truth. If you give false information or miss something out, your claim could be rejected.

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

If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call them on 0800 138 7777.

What does travel insurance for over 80s cover?

Over 80s travel insurance policy can cover you for:

• Emergency medical expenses – if you have an accident or become ill while on holiday and you need medical treatment, travel insurance can pick up the bill.

• Repatriation – to cover getting you back home to the UK in a medical emergency.

• Holiday cancellation – to recoup your costs if you unexpectedly need to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness or – depending on your policy – the serious illness or death of a close relative or your travelling companion.

• Loss or damage to luggage, medication, or medical aids – to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your personal belongings.

• Travel delays and disruptions – if you miss a flight for reasons out of your control, for example because of severe weather, insurance can cover any costs you have to pay as a result.

• Personal liability – to cover your legal fees if you accidentally injure another person or damage property while on holiday.

Over 80s travel insurance policies typically also offer a 24-hour assistance helpline you can call for support and advice while you’re away.

What doesn’t over-80s travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance for any age typically excludes:

• Undisclosed pre-existing medical conditions – if you don’t declare a pre-existing condition to your insurance provider and then claim for it, your policy may be invalid.

• Some sports and activities – check your policy to see what you’re covered for. You may need to add on extra sports cover if you’re planning an active holiday. And if you’ve decided 80 is the time to finally try sky-diving, you’ll need to look for cover that includes high-risk sports and activities.

• Irresponsible behaviour – for example, if you leave your handbag unattended and it’s stolen, you’re unlikely to be covered.

• Drugs and alcohol – who said that octogenarians can’t party? Bear in mind though that any claims that result from being under the influence are unlikely to be covered. Nor are any claims that arise in situations where you broke the law.

• Bad weather – you may be covered if severe weather prevents you from making your flight on time, but unfortunately there’s no insurance for rain ruining your holiday.

• Changing your mind – if it’s your decision to cancel your trip or change your holiday plans, rather than the result of an emergency, you won’t be able to claim.

• Travelling against government advice – if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advise against travel to a region, but you choose to go anyway, your travel policy will likely be invalidated. Check the FCDO travel advice for your chosen destination.

Remember: policies vary, and this is not an exhaustive list. So whatever other preparations are on your holiday checklist, make sure you read your policy carefully so you know exactly what your travel insurance covers.

How much will over 80s travel insurance cost?

How much you’ll pay depends on a combination of factors including where you’re travelling, your age, your medical history and the kind of cover you want.

But for example, insurance for a week-long trip for someone in their eighties could cost around £53.65^[1]. This may vary according to destination.

^{[1] Based on Compare the Market data for a single trip travel policy for an 80+ traveller with no pre-existing medical conditions on a seven-day trip. Prices correct as of September 2024.}

What type of travel insurance can I get if I’m over 80?

Depending on your holiday plans for the year ahead, you can choose between single trip travel insurance or an annual policy:

• Annual multi trip travel insurance could save you money if you’re going away more than once in a 12-month period. With annual travel insurance, you can go on multiple trips per year, although there will be a limit on the number of days you can be away per trip.

• Single trip travel insurance could be a better option if you’re only planning one holiday this year or you want to take a longer trip. Single trip policies can also be tailored to your trip.

It’s worth bearing in mind that as an octogenarian, you might have a greater choice of travel insurance quotes if you go for a single trip policy. That’s because some providers won’t offer annual travel policies to holidaymakers over 80 years old.

Can I get over 80 travel insurance with medical conditions?

Yes, some insurance providers offer travel insurance for over 80s with pre-existing medical conditions. Depending on your condition and its severity, you may find you’re better off with specialist travel insurance for medical conditions.

You’ll need to make sure you declare all pre-existing medical conditions when you apply for travel insurance, or you risk invalidating your policy.

When you take out a policy with a health condition, you’ll typically be asked to fill in a questionnaire about your health and medical history. In some cases, you’ll be asked to go in for a medical exam.

When you search for travel insurance with Compare the Market, we’ll ask you some simple questions about your health. Our tool makes it easy to declare any pre-existing conditions – from angina to diabetes, and high blood pressure to heart conditions.

We’ll only show you quotes for over 80s travel insurance that will cover your declared medical conditions.

Read about how to stay healthy on holiday if you have a medical condition.

Where can I go with an over-80s insurance policy?

A better question might be where can’t you go? If you’re able and willing, there’s nothing to stop you travelling to destinations around the world in your 80s.However, different parts of the world have their own tailored travel insurance. You can find separate policies for:

• Europe – this sometimes includes popular non-European destinations such as Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey, so check the policy to avoid paying unnecessarily for worldwide cover.

• Worldwide – some policies exclude the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean, where medical costs are high. So if that’s where you’re going, be sure to choose a policy that covers these regions.

How can I find cheap travel insurance over 80?

There’s no getting around the fact that you’ll pay more for your travel insurance as you get older. This can be particularly true if you suffer from any pre-existing medical conditions.

It’s important to remember that whether you’re 18 or 80, the best travel insurance for you isn’t necessarily the cheapest. A good travel insurance policy should provide all the cover you need.

Bearing that in mind, there are a few things you can do to get a cheaper quote:

• Choose to pay a higher excess – if you agree to pay more to make a claim it could lower your premium. But make sure you can afford to pay a bigger share.

• Only pay for what you need – don’t add extra cover for things like sports and gadgets if you don’t need them.

• Shop around – one of the best ways to find an affordable quote that works for you is to shop around and see what’s on the market. That’s where we can help.

Answer a few simple questions and we’ll compare insurance providers so you can find over 80s travel insurance that’s right for you.