Travel insurance for over 80s
There are a range of policies out there that insure travellers with no upper age limit, including those which cover pre-existing medical conditions.
Here’s our guide to finding the right over 80 travel insurance for your needs so you can travel with confidence.
There are a range of policies out there that insure travellers with no upper age limit, including those which cover pre-existing medical conditions.
Here’s our guide to finding the right over 80 travel insurance for your needs so you can travel with confidence.
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, always declare any medical conditions and never lie to an insurance provider, because this could mean your claim is rejected. When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers who 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 MoneyHelper 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.
- Coronavirus – travel insurance policies can cover you against disruption and cancellation caused by coronavirus. When you compare with us, you can filter your quote for the level of covid cover you want.
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 £56.15[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 June 2023.
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.
Compare travel insurance nowWe work with 42 trusted travel insurance brands[2], including:
[2] Correct as of June 2024.
Frequently asked question
Can I get travel insurance for a cruise over 80?
Yes, you can find specialist cruise insurance with no upper age limit. And many cruise operators insist that you have insurance with adequate medical cover in place before you can board.
Cruise insurance is specially designed to cover the specific problems you could encounter on a cruise, such as missed port departures, cabin confinement and transfer to a hospital on land if you fall ill.
Does over 80 holiday insurance include golf?
Your over 80s travel insurance policy may already cover you to play a round of golf on holiday, so it’s worth checking first. If not, you may be able to add on extra golf cover to your policy.
Alternatively, if golfing is the main focus of your holiday, you may be better off with a specialist golf travel insurance policy. Golf travel insurance can cover your clubs for loss or damage, and it can cover the cost of lost green fees, if you’re unable to play due to sickness or bad weather.
Can holiday insurance for over 80s include gadgets?
Yes, you can normally add extra gadget cover to your travel insurance policy if you plan on taking expensive tech like smartphones, smart watches and e-readers on holiday with you.
Gadget cover offers higher cover limits for expensive tech. It will cost you more, but it could be worth it to protect the full value of your gadgets from loss or damage while you’re away.
Will I have to pass a medical test to get over-80s travel insurance?
Not necessarily. You don’t always have to pass a medical test to get cover. Insurance providers will usually use the information you give them to calculate your premium. However, you might need to go through medical screening if you have a pre-existing condition.
Make sure you know the names of your medical conditions before you apply, as well as the kind of treatment and/or medication you’re currently using.
Do I still need travel insurance if I’ve got an GHIC or EHIC card?
You should always buy travel insurance, even if you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or its predecessor, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). These give you access to state healthcare in EU countries and Switzerland.
But travel insurance covers a lot more that your GHIC or EHIC won’t, including private medical healthcare, medical repatriation, lost or stolen belongings, holiday cancellation and delays.
Many travellers also don’t realise the GHIC/EHIC isn’t valid on cruises. So if you want comprehensive cover, travel insurance is essential. Some insurance providersalso insist on you having a GHIC.
You can apply for a free GHIC on the NHS website.
When is the best time to buy travel insurance for the over 80s?
We recommend taking out your insurance policy as soon as you book your holiday. That way you can be covered if you need to cancel the trip for a reason specified in your policy.
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