A Travel Insurance Guide For Over 50s (2024)

Regardless of how often you travel, it’s important to consider that health concerns may get in the way of the best experience. Thinking about good travel insurance is critical, especially if you travel solo at fifty-plus. In this article, we cover what type of travel insurance to choose, the best options for travel insurance companies for senior travellers and those over 50, and information to help you select the one that best suits you and your travel plans.

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Our Top Picks for the Best Travel Insurance for Over 50s

Here is what we recommend for travel insurance for travellers over 50s and seniors. Here’s a website that compares several companies on the market from the US: Travel Insurance Comparison Site, Safety Wing for long-term travellers from the US, and Cover-More from Australia for Australian residents.

1. Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is hands-down the best travel insurance comparison site in the US, where you can quickly identify the most suitable plan for your travel needs by getting comparisons between different trusted insurers. So, finding info and comparing other policies is straightforward. You will also be able to view the actual insurance documents and not just a summary of benefits. The policy is issued when you submit your travel information and payment details. This is our first recommendation to everyone in the US 50+ and seniors +70. Check out this info on getting travel quotes from Travel Insurance.

Below, you can view the policy plans:

2. Cover-More

Cover-More offers comprehensive travel insurance for seniors up to 99 years of age who are residents of Australia. It also covers various pre-existing medical conditions, including heart-related ones. However, make sure you meet their criteria for these. Their plans include unlimited overseas medical coverage, which makes it good travel insurance for those over 65. Aside from the option to add an international cruise cover, they also offer unlimited sea sickness cover. The only downside to Cover-More is that, regardless of your plan, their dental expenses coverage is capped at $2,000.

Nevertheless, Cover-More’s luggage coverage ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. Plus, they are flexible as they offer optional cancellation cover and both single-trip and annual multi-trip alternatives. With Cover-More, not only are your luggage, phone, and smart-watch covered, but your CPAP machine and hearing aid.

3. SafetyWing

Safety Wing’s Nomad Insurance for individuals aged up to 69 years from the US also makes my list. With their insurance policy, you can have continuous coverage and go to multiple countries with one policy, which is renewable every 28 days. Safety Wing’s medical coverage for seniors has a limit of $100,000, including hospitalization services and intensive care. They also offer physical therapy, chiropractic, and dental care. However, they do not cover high-risk activities, pre-existing medical conditions, and cancer treatment.

Aside from trip interruptions, delays, and lost checked luggage, Safety Wing covers expenses due to natural disasters and political and emergency medical evacuation. Coverage also includes personal liability, accidental death, and dismemberment. Just note that there is a $250,000 maximum benefit; some are not subject to the deductible or the specified maximum limit.

What is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is an insurance product that covers unexpected losses while travelling. These generally cover emergency medical expenses. Comprehensive ones include flight cancellations and delays, damaged or lost luggage, emergency cash needs, public liability, and other damages. There are different types of travel insurance based on coverage and trip frequency.

Travel insurance and medical insurance: What is the difference?

As mentioned above, travel insurance covers emergency health expenses and trip disruptions. Usually, these are valid around the length of a person’s travel, typically less than six months. On the other hand, medical travel insurance for seniors is less comprehensive. It covers only expenses incurred by medical risks. These may include pre-existing and foreseeable medical conditions. Depending on the policy, the validity is relatively long, ranging from a year to more.

What Does the Best Travel Insurance for Senior Citizens Cover?

Depending on the travel insurance plan, these are the things the best seniors travel insurance may cover: emergency medical treatment, emergency medical aid, accidental death or dismemberment, repatriation, and 24-hour emergency assistance. Some even cover several pre-existing conditions common to seniors who have medical conditions. Others include trip cancellations or delays, loss or delay of baggage or other personal belongings, and other unexpected issues that may cost you a lot of money. Reimbursem*nt amounts for each of these differ as well.

Why is Travel Insurance Important When Travelling?

Travel insurance for seniors allows you to travel without worrying about financial losses. Here are several things it includes:

● Medical emergencies – your travel insurance covers you if you get sick, injured, or hospitalized while travelling to a foreign country. The insurance company will reimburse the costs of a specific medical treatment up to a particular limit as specified in the policy

● Travel risks – Loss of passports, checked-in baggage, and other personal belongings and flight cancellations are considered travel risks that can disrupt your vacation. Some insurance covers these

● Trip disruptions – Some insurance policies cover travel disruptions, such as cancelled bookings. Without this, your pockets will be drained for things beyond your control.

Travel Insurance for Seniors: What Kind of Insurance Do I Need for Travelling?

Primary vs. secondary coverage travel insurance

Some travel insurance plans have medical coverage as primary or secondary. Primary means it is the first plan that pays first, up to its coverage limits. A secondary insurance plan, on the other hand, shoulders the remaining costs, or a part, of what the primary insurance fails to cover.

Single-trip vs. multi-trip travel insurance

Travellers can choose between single-trip or multi-trip insurance. Single-trip insurance covers only one trip, regardless of the duration and number of destinations. It is valid up until you return home. This type of insurance is cheaper than multi-trip ones as it is valid only for a shorter period, making them a great choice for infrequent travellers.

Multi-trip insurance, on the other hand, makes the best-suited long term travel insurance for those over 65. This is because it covers you regardless of how many times you leave and return home during a specified allowable period. It is usually purchased annually. The latter is especially best for frequent travellers as this spares them from purchasing single-trip policies every time they leave for a trip.

What To Consider When Choosing the Best Travel Insurance for Seniors

There is no one-size-fits-all seniors travel insurance policy. The best one depends on your particular needs and budget. Hence, selecting the right one is one of the most important decisions for your trip. Here is a list of all things senior travellers over 70 and over 80 shall consider:

● Policy coverage – Does the travel insurance policy cover everything you need? Does it include a pre-existing condition that you have?

● Policy coverage limits – Does the travel insurance plan offer a reasonable amount for specific coverage?

● Length and/or trip frequency – Will you have a single or multiple trips? The longer your trip is, the higher your travel insurance premium will become. If you are a frequent traveller, it is best to get a multiple-trip policy to save you extra costs from getting multiple single ones.

● Destination – Does the seniors’ international travel insurance cover the place/s you will visit? Make sure to specify your destination. This is an essential step, especially if you will cross multiple borders.

● Activities you will engage in – While some insurance companies include activities, you may have to pay more if your trip involves risky activities such as sports-related ones or if you will travel on a cruise ship.

● Cost – Does the travel insurance fit your budget? Consider if the pricing is reasonably affected by the trip and your age and health condition.

● Items you need to insure – Will you bring valuable items on your trip? Most travel insurance policies cover only one. Hence, if you need to bring multiple valuables, expect to pay for more.

● Flexibility and customisation options – Competitive travel insurance companies are flexible. This means they cater to a wide variety of customers and offer multiple policy types to meet different needs. Some also allow you to customise your travel insurance plan.

● Cancel for any reason (CFAR) – Does the travel insurance company allow reimbursem*nt for trip cancellations regardless of the reason? While this may cost you more, it is worth the expense if you have an unexpected schedule or in the face of an unforeseeable event.

More Options for Travel Insurance When You’re 50+

Let me walk you through the best international travel insurance companies for 50+ and 70+.

Southern Cross (for Australians)

Southern Cross offers unlimited medical and evacuation costs. Hence, it makes our list of travel insurance for those over 50s with medical conditions. And if you suddenly have to cancel or change your trip plans before leaving, they cover up to $2,500. If you have already left, the maximum cover is $50,000. This comprehensive travel insurance is remarkable for its $25,000 cover for lost luggage. However, they offer only a maximum of $1,000 cover for lost, stolen, and damaged passports, travel documents, bank cards, and cash.

And while this insurance has no age limit, personal accidents are covered only for individuals between 16 and 80. It is still one of the best travel insurance for over 70s. Nevertheless, Southern Cross gives customers different single- and multi-trip possibilities. Additionally, there are options for cruise, skiing, snowboarding, moped, and motorbike covers.

Allianz

For all ages, Allianz covers epidemic coverage, emergency medical expenses and transportation, and travel-related accidents. With this travel insurance for seniors over 70, you do not have to worry about trip cancellation, interruption, change, delays, as well as baggage loss, damage, and delay. However, medical assessment is a prerequisite for covering pre-existing conditions.

While Allianz travel insurance offers comprehensive single-trip and multi-trip coverages, packages differ in inclusions. Hence, you have to carefully select one that works best for you. There are options to cover your children or grandchildren while you travel with them.

Travelsafe

Travelsafe’s classic plan is a good option if you are from the United States. Their comprehensive travel insurance policy covers trip cancellations, delays, interruptions, missed trip connections, itinerary changes, and pet kennels. For health, they cover medical, dental, and accident expenses. They also include evacuation due to medical, political, security, natural disaster reasons and the repatriation of remains. While accidental death and dismemberment are included, air-flight-related ones are optional. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions is also available if the deposit is received within 21 days of the travel.

While Travelsafe’s medical coverage is on the low side, it compensates for other coverage types. Those that involve personal valuables losses and delays can go up to $2,500 and $250, respectively. They also allow customers to cover equipment rental, rental car damage and theft, and cancel for any reason.

Frequently Asked Questions: Things to Know About Travel Insurance for Over 50s and Seniors

Conclusion: Which Best Travel Insurance for Over 50s Will You Pick?

Now that you have a trimmed list of the best travel insurance for seniors, I hope everything in this guide makes decision-making a breeze!

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