Travel insurance for over 65s
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If you’re over 65, you may find you have the freedom and opportunity to travel more than you did when you were younger.
Statistically, the older people get, the higher the cost of medical claims they make on holiday is likely to be. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good deal on your travel insurance for over 65s.
What is over 65s travel insurance?
Over 65s travel insurance is available to seniors over the age of 65, who might otherwise find it difficult to get the level of cover they need for their travels.
As you get older, the chances of you having a medical condition are higher than they might have been in your younger years. Because of this, many insurance providers have an upper age limit on the travel insurance they offer.
Typically, standard travel insurance covers those aged 18-64. Even if you’re fit and healthy, if you’re over 65 you may find you have to pay more for your travel insurance. This is especially true if you're looking for travel insurance and are over 65 with medical conditions.
Holiday insurance when over 65 is offered by some mainstream and specialist insurance providers, such as Saga, who cater specifically for older customers.
What does over 65s travel insurance cover?
What’s covered by your travel insurance will depend on the policy you take out. We’ll run you through the most important kinds of cover you should think about, so you can make sure you find the best over 65s travel insurance for your needs.
There are different types and levels of cover, but here are some of the common inclusions and exclusions.
What’s typically covered?
Over 65s travel insurance should include the basics, such as cancellation insurance, baggage cover for damage, loss or theft of your luggage and travel disruption
Specialist packages for over 65s may feature added benefits such as:
- High levels of emergency, repatriation and medical cover
- No age limits
- Cover for a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions
- Cover for medicines
- Medical/mobility equipment cover – protects these against loss, theft or damage
Whatever policy you decide to take out, it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully, so you know exactly what’s covered and what’s not.
What isn’t typically covered?
As with standard travel insurance, over 65s policies typically won’t cover:
- Undeclared medical conditions – this could include conditions where you’re still awaiting test results or medical appointments, or something you’ve seen a doctor about in the past year.
- Any sport or activity not listed in the policy – certain winter sports or water sports, for example, might need extra cover.
- Anybody travelling with the intention of obtaining medical treatment abroad.
- Anybody travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner.
- Claims arising from reckless behaviour, deliberately negligent acts or breaking the law.
- Any claims resulting from being under the influence – drinking, drugs and even prescription medication can be a tricky one, so make sure you check your policy wording.
What optional extras come with travel insurance for over 65s?
Here are some examples of some of the optional extras that you can add to your over 65s travel insurance policy:
- Cruise cover – cruising is a popular type of holiday for older travellers, and cruise travel insurance for over 65s better tailored to that sort of trip. It’ll cover eventualities like medical confinement to cabin or if you miss a scheduled port stop.
- Golf cover – if you’re planning on hitting the golf course while away, golf cover is designed to insure your clubs and other gear against loss, damage or theft.
- Gadget cover – standard travel insurance policies might not offer enough cover for more expensive cameras, mobile phones or other bits of tech, so make sure you get the extra cover you need.
- Travel connection delays – if your flight is delayed and causes you to miss a connecting flight, you could claim for compensation.
What else should I consider with over 65s travel insurance?
Here are some other factors you need to think about when looking for over 65s travel insurance to get the best policy for you:
- Upper age limits – travel insurance policies can have age limits, that exclude travellers over a certain age. So, make sure you check for any age limits when comparing travel insurance for over 65s. insurance for over 65s.
- Medical cover limits – make sure that your policy will cover you for a suitable amount for where you’re going and what you’ll be doing while there. Some countries (the USA and parts of the Caribbean, for example) have particularly high medical costs.
- Medical equipment – if you need to travel with medical equipment, you’ll need to make sure that it’s insured against damage, loss or theft. Replacing this equipment can be expensive and difficult while abroad, so this insurance makes it easier to manage.
- Exclusions – check exactly what isn’t covered by your policy. This is particularly important for medical conditions. You don’t want to take out cover, only to find that the thing you need protection for most isn’t actually covered.
- Have your policy documents and contact information - take your policy documents with you. Having both digital and hard copies is best, so you can refer to them if your battery dies or you lose the paperwork. Keep the contact details for your insurance provider saved in your phone and noted down somewhere, too, as you’ll need to report any incidents you’re claiming for within a certain period.
Where am I insured to go with travel insurance for over 65s?
Your age shouldn’t limit you from travelling the world. Just bear in mind that travel insurance for longer-haul destinations such as Australia, USA and Canada may cost you more than for travelling to Europe.
Also, be aware that you won’t be covered if you visit a country or region that the Foreign & Commonwealth Office has advised against travel to.
How much does travel insurance for over 65s cost?
Based on Compare the Market data, a one-week single-trip policy for one traveller over 65 with no pre-existing medical conditions would cost around £31.64[1].
But this is just an average and unfortunately, you can usually expect to pay more than younger travellers. Exactly how much will depend on a variety of factors.
[1] Price correct as of February 2023.
What factors can affect the cost of over 65s travel insurance?
All providers will take the following into account when calculating the cost of travel insurance for over 65s:
Pre-existing medical conditions
Travel insurance when over 65 with pre-existing medical conditions can be a little pricier. But if you don't declare any medical conditions and you need to make a claim, your policy might be invalidated. So, make sure you answer any health questions truthfully when you apply. If you’re not sure whether to declare, it’s important not to assume it’s covered. It's better to err on the side of caution when you are not sure.
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 them on 0800 138 7777.
Your destination
Travel insurance for the over 65s tends to be more expensive for longer-haul destinations, such as the USA and Australia, than for Europe.
What activities you plan to do
You may not be planning to go bungee-jumping, but even a golfing holiday might require extra or specialist cover.
Also, bear in mind that cruise holidays tend to have specific risks so you’ll usually need specialist cruise travel insurance.
How long you’re going away for
From an insurance perspective, the longer you’re away, the higher the risk that something may go wrong. Some insurance providers set a limit on the amount of time away you’ll be covered for. So, premiums for travel insurance for long stays for over 65s might be higher.
If you’re a frequent traveller, it might be worth considering annual travel insurance for over 65s as this may offer a better deal.
What do I need to get a quote?
You’ll just need to answer some questions about yourself to ensure you get quotes suitable for you.
We’ll need to know a few details, for example:
- Your age
- Where you’re travelling to
- How long you’ll be away for
- Any pre-existing medical conditions
- Any optional extras you’d like to add on.
Fill out our online form and within minutes you’ll receive a list of suitable quotes to choose from. Then check the policy details to make sure you'll be covered for what you want.
Start a quoteWhat our expert says...
“The cost of a group policy is normally based on the age of the oldest person in the group. If you’re travelling with younger family members, it could work out cheaper if you buy a separate policy for you and another to cover your family.”
- Anna McEntee, Home, pet and travel insurance expert
Frequently asked questions
Can I get insurance that covers coronavirus?
Yes, but coronavirus cover varies between policies and providers. This means you should compare different policies available and read the policy wording very carefully.
Check to see what would happen if you had to cancel your trip because you became ill before you went away. Also, look to see whether you’re covered if you became ill with COVID-19 while you were away and needed treatment or had to stay longer.
Find the latest information on coronavirus and travel insurance.
Do I still need over 65s travel insurance if I have a GHIC card?
If you’re travelling to Europe, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) strongly advises having travel insurance even if you have an GHIC/EHIC card.
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) allows you free or discounted emergency care in public hospitals in EU countries and Switzerland. But it won’t cover you for private treatment, repatriation to the UK or lost or stolen belongings. Also, it isn’t valid on cruises.
The GHIC has replaced the EHIC card. But, if you have an EHIC, it’ll still be valid until the expiry date. You can apply for a GHIC online via the NHS website for free.
When should you take out over 65s travel insurance?
It’s advisable to take out travel insurance for over 65s as soon as you book your holiday, even if it’s not for another few months.
If you already have travel insurance in place and you’re unable to go on holiday for a reason listed on the policy, you’ll have the peace of mind that you won’t be left out of pocket.
Other ways to protect yourself
While having a travel insurance policy provides you with good protection against a variety of problems, there are other things you can do to better protect yourself:
- Make flexible bookings – look to book holidays with flexible options or the ability to cancel free of charge. Try to find bookings that don’t require large deposits or pay on arrival. This means your money is safer if you’re forced to change your plans.
- Book a package holiday – package holidays offer ATOL protection, which could protect you if the company you’re booked with cancels your booking or goes bust. This should entitle you to a full refund.
- Pay on a credit card – credit card purchases of more than £100 could be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. So, if your holiday is cancelled, your credit card provider might consider a claim if the travel provider won’t give you a refund. However, this isn’t guaranteed.
How can I compare travel insurance for over 65s?
Simply use our travel comparison service to find an over 65s travel insurance quote to suit you. Whether you’re looking for single-trip travel insurance or an annual travel insurance policy for over 65s for multiple trips, comparing quotes couldn’t be easier.
