What Are The Best Over 50 Travel Insurance Policies?
Are you over 50s years old and want to get travel insurance that’s tailored to your age range and kind of trip?
You’ve come to the right place!
In the guide below, we will explain everything you need to know about travel insurance for over 50: is it compulsory, which cover should you get, what travel insurance terms you should pay attention to, etc.
Stay tuned!
What is over 50 travel insurance?
As simple as the name suggests, over 50 travel insurance is a travel insurance policy for the over 50s age range. It usually doesn’t differ that much from travel insurance policies offered to younger age ranges, but has slightly inflated premiums.
However, some over 50 travel insurance specialists may provide cover with emphasis on:
- Particularly significant medical compensation (many medical conditions covered, compensation ceiling up to £10M or even unlimited, etc.) as we are all more likely to get healthcare problems as we get older
- Specific extras preferred by this age range (gold equipment cover, cruise gear, etc.).
Is over 50s travel insurance compulsory?
The short answer is no. Travel insurance is not a legal requirement no matter your age range. You won’t be fined if you don’t get any cover for your trip – unlike car insurance.
You may be required to apply for travel insurance only for specific visa requirements (for the Schengen visa, for example).
However, although not compulsory, we strongly advise you to apply for a travel insurance policy to cover any trip cancellation, medical or repatriation expenses you may have to face while travelling.
Indeed, for as cheap as a few pounds per day, comprehensive over 50 travel insurance will provide you with both financial compensation and 24/7 assistance in case an unexpected event occurs.
Compare the best over 50s travel insurance policies
72% of over 50s people travel twice a year or more. People aged over 50 are also the most cautious travellers. A study by Medical Travel showed that in 2019, 80% of their travel insurance consumers were over 50. Many people aged 50+ travel solo, making finding a tailored policy even more important.
Many insurers have therefore developed specific travel insurance for people over 50s with higher upper age limit policies, discounts for couples or families and specific extras such as cruise or golf cover, etc. Some insurers have also developed dedicated over 50 travel insurance for those with medical conditions.
Let’s learn about over 50 holiday insurance and find out the upper age limits:
Travel insurer | Features | Age limit |
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| Single trip: 100 Annual: 79 |
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| Single trip: 100 Annual: 79 |
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| Single trip: none Annual: 79 |
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| No age limit |
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| 85 years old for both policies |
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| Single trip: none Annual: 79 |
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| No age limit |
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| No age limit |
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| No age limit |
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| No age limit |
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| No age limit |
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| No age limit |
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| Single trip: 85 Annual: 75 |
Watch out!
While shopping around for the best over 50s holiday insurance policy, we advise you to carefully check medical compensation limits, age limits of policies and maximum number of days per single trip.
Use our 100% anonymous and free comparison tool to find cheap holiday insurance for over 50.
Why do I need over 50 holiday insurance?
Did you know that a survey conducted by Which in 2018 showed that of about 10000 UK travellers of all age ranges, 64% had medical treatment while they were travelling abroad? With the over 50s big traveller's age range, this percentage is even more likely to grow.
Depending on your trip destination, the medical expenses or trip cancellation fees you may have to face could really leave you out of pocket.
Just to show you how important applying for travel insurance is, here are a few examples of what an unfortunate and unexpected event might cost you during an example holiday:
What if…. | How much will you have to pay if you’re travelling in the USA without travel insurance? | How much will you have to pay if you’re travelling in the USA without travel insurance (but with an EHIC card)? | How much will you have to pay with travel insurance? |
---|---|---|---|
You need an air rescue | £5,000 | £3,300 | £0 until medical expense limit is reached |
You need to have surgery and stay at the hospital | £50,000 | £0 in a public hospital only* | £0 until medical expense limit is reached |
You need medical repatriation | £100,000 | £38,000 | £0 usually real fees |
Your baggage has been lost at the airport | £1,000 | £1,000 | £0 until personal belongings limit is reached |
Someone stole your money | £300 | £300 | £0 until cash limit is reached |
You need to cancel your trip | £10,000 | £5,000 | £0 until cancellation limit is reached |
Good to know
Applying for over 50s holiday insurance will prevent you from having to face any unexpected and significant expenses as described above.
Always take your European Health Insurance Card if you are travelling to Europe as it will cover you for medical care other than emergency or repatriation (until the 31/12/2020).
What are the different types of travel insurance for over 50?
Over 50s holiday insurance policies are split between two main categories:
Travel insurance type | Explanation |
---|---|
Single trip insurance | These travel insurance policies are for one-off holidays. You will be covered from the start of the journey until the end. You can decide the number of days you want to be covered for. |
Annual multi-trip insurance | These policies are made for frequent travellers going away several times a year. It covers you for a period of 12 months with a limited duration for each trip which usually varies from 10 to 90 days. You would need to check whether it is more competitive to buy two or three single trip insurance policies or an annual multi-trip policy. |
Family travel insurance | These policies are designed for families. They provide cover for any eligible member of your family listed on your Certificate of Insurance such as your spouse, children or grandchildren. Over 50 could benefit from discounts if travelling with children under 18 (or 25 sometimes), for example. |
Travel insurance for over 50 couples | These policies are for over 50 couples wanting to explore the world. The main advantage is that you can also often benefit from discounts while applying for a joint policy. |
What should your over 50 travel insurance cover?
Each travel insurance policy is different, since it is the insurer who determines the content of the contracts it offers: guarantees, compensation limits, deductibles, travel insurance prices, etc.
However, all contracts on the market must include at least the following guarantees, applicable in Europe or worldwide:
- Medical expenses: compensation by the insurer for your health expenses during your stay (consultation, analysis, emergency treatment, longer hospital stay, etc.)
- Repatriation assistance to the UK: financial and logistical support by a dedicated 24/7 team for your early return to your country of residence if it proves necessary
- Trip cancellation and cover for delayed or missed departure: compensation if you need to cancel your trip for whatever reason or if you missed your departurePersonal liability: compensation for any damage or injury made to a third party (consider adding it as extra if not included in standard cover)
- Baggage: compensation for any lost or theft of baggage while travelling (consider adding it as extra if not included in standard cover)
Most of the time, travel insurers offer different formulas. Cover types involved are usually the same but the compensation limits and deductibles vary.
When applying for holiday insurance for over 50s, you should pay close attention to:
Compensation | Average amount | Good to check |
---|---|---|
Medical expenses compensation amount | From £5M to £10M (depending on your medical situation and your destination) |
|
Repatriation compensation amount | Real fees |
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Trip cancellation / curtailment | £5,000 - £10,000 (depending on your destination) |
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Baggage | Minimum of £1,500 limit |
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Missed departure, delay | Minimum £500 limit (minimum £200 limit for delay) |
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Personal liability | Average £2 million limit |
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Legal expenses | Average £15,000 limit |
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Watch out!
Always carefully check the age limit and compensation amounts as well as deductibles you’ll have to pay in case you need to make a claim. For medical expenses, always get your insurer to accept them before paying if you need to advance fees.
What are the should-have features for your over 50 travel insurance?
Maybe you would also like to be covered with nice-to-have protection add-ons while travelling. Here are some examples below:
Compensation | Average amount | What you should particularly pay attention to |
---|---|---|
Money and cash | Minimum £500 for money (pre-paid tickets, travellers cheque etc.) Minimum £200 for cash |
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Dental emergency | Minimum £250 |
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Loss of passport or documentation | Minimum £250 |
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What over 50 holiday insurance extras might you go for?
We’ve noticed that the over 50 age range particularly pays attention to extras such as:
Extras | What it will cover you for |
---|---|
X day upgrade | Available until a certain age limit only at main insurers. Allows you to extend your single trip policy if wanted without having to apply for an annual one. |
Cruise gear | Covers fees due to cabin confinement or missed departure due to bad weather at sea and inability to reach scheduled port. |
Gadget cover | Covers your gadgets from theft, accident, loss, liquid damage, unauthorized calls, etc. |
Golf cover | Covers your golf equipment, any emergency equipment needed, non-refundable golfing expenses. |
Sport cover | Covers your sport activities, any emergency fees you may have to face during practicing, etc. |
Single item | Covers your valuables up to £X instead of the standard personal belongings limit. |
What does over 50 travel insurance not cover?
Most travel insurers will not give financial compensation for:
- Any claim made as a result of a pre-existing medical condition or pending diagnosis undeclared at the time of purchase
- Any claim made as a result of you being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Difficulties due to natural disaster, war, civil unrest (look out for strikes)
- Any claim made as a result of a terrorist act (except if you took out this cover as an option)
- Any claim made as a result of extreme sport practice not disclosed at the time of applying.
Watch out!
We would strongly advise you to carefully check your policy booklet for the main exclusions before leaving home.
What if I am over 50s years old with pre-existing medical conditions?
Whether you’re turning 18 or you’re 50+, travel requires you by law to disclose any information regarding your health condition.
When you apply for over 50 travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions, you will answer a set of healthcare questions. This is called screening. You will not be asked to provide your insurer with a doctor’s certificate to show that you are fit to travel but you are required to be honest about any illness diagnosed at the time of purchasing your travel insurance policy.
Watch out!
Not disclosing this kind of information is called fronting, and it could invalidate your medical claim when you are trying to get compensation for medical expenses you paid for abroad.
A pre-existing medical condition is typically one for which you have been diagnosed and have received treatment before you apply for any travel insurance policy, regardless of whether this is short or long term.
Here is a list of the most common pre-existing medical conditions you will need to declare:
- Diabetes (with insulin injections)
- Heart-related condition (stroke, cardiomyopathy, etc.)
- Any respiratory illness (lung problems, asthma)
- Blood-circulatory condition (high-blood pressure, high cholesterol)
- Any mental or physical disability (depression, etc.)
- Any neurological problem (e.g. Alzheimer’s)
- Any treatment related to cancer care
- HIV
- Any allergies
- Crohn's disease
- Hernia conditions
- Any drugs or medication prescription, etc.
Good to know
The exact definition of what counts as a pre-existing medical condition and what needs medical screening may vary from one insurer to another. Carefully check our reviews as well as insurers’ policy booklets to be sure your medical history is taken into account and will not invalidate any medical claim you may make.
Get to know more on pre-existing medical condition travel insurance here.
How much is over 50s travel insurance?
Over 50 travel insurance might be slightly more expensive than the age ranges below. However, if you haven’t declared any pre-existing medical conditions, inflation of premiums might not be significant.
The table below shows indicative quotes for seniors applying for travel insurance policies:
Age range | Single trip to USA | Single trip to Europe | Family single trip to Europe | Annual multi-trip to Europe |
---|---|---|---|---|
50 - 60 | £49.87 | £14.12 | £65.68 | £29.83 |
60 - 70 | £95.46 | £27.51 | £78.95 | £55.84 |
70 - 80 (if available) | £147.15 | £41.26 | £92.70 | £82.82 |
80+ (if available) | £198.84 | £56.72 | £108.16 | £103.06 |
Single trip to USA / Europe: 10 days travel, single individual, no medical history disclosed Family single trip to Europe: 10 days travel, 5 individual (3 children under 18), no medical history disclosed Annual multi-trip to Europe: Single individual, no medical history disclosed
It is, however, quite difficult to give precise ranges of how much a travel insurance will cost for you as prices are based on a wide range of criteria. It will mainly depend on:
- If you’re going for a single or annual multi-trips as mentioned above
- If you’re subscribing to upgrades such as cruise, business or gadget cover
- If you have pre-existing medical conditions
- The duration and destination of your stay
- If you’re travelling alone, with your partner, a group or your family
- The financial limits you’d like to get in case of a claim
- The excess amount you’re willing to pay
- What you will be doing abroad (winter sports).
What else should you pay attention to while shopping around for over 50 travel insurance?
While shopping around for holiday insurance for over 50, always pay attention to:
- The upper age limit of the policy you applied for.
- The compensation amount you will get in case of a claim by consulting our up-to-date reviews on each insurer (especially for medical expenses, trip cancellation, personal liability, baggage and personal belongings).
- The deductible amounts you’ll have to pay in case of a claim (don’t forget that you need to pay the excess on each claim).
- The exclusions you may have in your policy (sports, strike, cancellation trip due to carrier default, etc.).
- Coverage included in policies or available as upgrades (winter sports, business trip, etc.).
- The claim process (100% online? How many days do you have to make a claim?).
- The maximum duration of each trip included as standard (at least 31 days).
Watch out!
Never forget to disclose any pre-existing medical condition you may have to your insurer before leaving.