What is over 70s travel insurance?

Over 70s travel insurance is just like regular travel cover – only it’s built with a little extra thought for those aged 70 and above. There’s more coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, and policies that don’t stop just because you’ve hit a milestone birthday.

Knowing that you can find cover to reflect your particular needs as a 70+ traveller brings you peace of mind for your next getaway. You’ll still get all the essentials like emergency medical treatment, cancellation cover, lost baggage and personal liability, but with the extra reassurance that your age needn’t stop you travelling.

Your 70s can be full of adventure – just at your own pace. What really makes these policies shine is the peace of mind they bring. They’re designed to support how you travel now, with thoughtful extras and solid cover, so you can get on with enjoying every moment.

Why choose over 70s travel insurance?

Over 70s travel insurance offers valuable protection with your needs in mind – often featuring greater benefits than a standard policy. It’s ideal if you want peace of mind around medical cover and pre-existing conditions. Whether you’re planning a short break or a longer trip, it gives you confidence that you’re properly covered without paying for unnecessary extras.

Older travellers can enjoy higher medical limits, cover for a wider range of health conditions and handy optional extras. It’s about making sure your insurance matches your lifestyle and travel plans, so you’re not caught out if the unexpected happens.

Here’s why over 70s travel insurance could make sense:

  • Single trip and annual policies available with no upper age limits.

  • Cover for most pre-existing medical conditions.

  • High medical and repatriation cover, unlimited in some cases.

  • Valuable extras like cruise cover, golf cover and travel disruption cover.

  • Broad activity cover, including many sports and leisure pursuits for those of us seeking adventures.

  • Optional extra cover like gadget insurance and winter sports.

What does over 70s travel insurance cover?

With over 70s travel insurance, you’re usually covered for all the basics you want for peace of mind on your trips. Depending on the insurer, you’ll typically be protected against unexpected medical emergencies, travel hiccups, and more, including:

  • Emergency medical treatment: Covers hospital stays, surgery, and treatment for injuries and sudden illnesses listed in the policy.

  • Trip cancellations: Protection if you can no longer travel due to reasons covered by the policy.

  • Travel documents, money and delayed luggage: Compensation for personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during your trip.

  • Missed departure: Cover for additional travel and accommodation costs if you miss your scheduled transport due to an unexpected delay, provided it’s for a reason included in the policy.

  • Covers UK breaks too: Some insurers include domestic trips, subject to their terms and conditions.

  • Emergency repatriation: Getting you safely back home if you need urgent medical care abroad or due to somebody’s death.

If you want a bit more tailored cover, providers may let you add extra benefits like:

  • Winter sports cover, which might include skiing, reindeer sled rides and snow mobile adventures.

  • Cruise cover for holidays on the water.

  • Gadget insurance for phones, cameras, and laptops.

  • Golfing cover insures your golf clubs and equipment if they’re lost, stolen or damaged, plus cover for extras like non-refundable green fees if you’re too ill or injured to play.

What isn’t covered?

Even the best travel insurance has its limits, so it’s good to know what’s not usually covered. Here are a few examples of when you probably won’t be able to claim, depending on the insurer:

  • Changed your mind? Unfortunately, you can’t usually claim if you just decide not to go.

  • Travelling somewhere risky? You won’t usually be covered if you head to a country the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) says not to visit.

  • Drinking involved? If you enjoy a tipple, bear in mind that accidents that happen while under the influence often aren’t covered.

  • Pre-existing conditions not declared? If you haven’t told your insurer about a medical condition, claims might be rejected.

  • Caught a tropical disease without jabs? You’ll need the right vaccinations, or your claim could be denied.

  • Planning sports? Holiday activities like skiing might not be covered unless you add them on.

If you’re unsure whether a condition or incident is covered, always check with your insurer or refer to your policy documentation.

How long can I travel with over 70s travel insurance?

It’s important to check the maximum trip length allowed by your policy before purchasing, especially if you’re planning an extended holiday or long stay abroad. Staying longer than your policy covers – even by a day – could invalidate your insurance and leave you without protection.

The length of cover you can get with travel insurance for over 70s depends on the provider and the type of policy you choose:

Single trip

Single trip policies cover one specific holiday, from the day you leave home until you get back. The length of each trip really does vary between providers, so comparing is essential. To give you an idea, one leading provider has a limit of 120 days for travellers aged up to 79. Another has a limit of 90 days for a single trip with no upper age limit. Another has a limit of 90 days if you're aged 65 to 79, then up to 31 days if you're 80 or over.

Annual multi-trip

Annual multi-trip policies can be ideal if you take multiple holidays a year. These can cover you for an unlimited number of trips within a 12-month period. One provider lets you take as many individual trips as you like for the year with full cover – with no upper age limit – providing you are not away for more than 183 days in total. Of course, limits and ages do vary between providers so check your policy small print before committing.

How much does over-70s travel insurance cost?

The cost of over 70s travel insurance varies based on factors like your age, medical history, where you are travelling to, and the level of cover you go for. It also depends on whether you’re taking out a policy just for yourself or for a couple, family or group.

What you’ll pay will come down to a few key things, including:

  • Where you are going: The world is organised into five different regions by travel insurance companies, and each may be priced differently.

  • Your health: If you’ve got any pre-existing medical conditions, your premium may be a bit higher – simply because there’s more chance of needing treatment while you’re away.

  • How long you’re going for: A weekend city break will typically cost less to cover than a month-long escape in the sun. The longer the trip, the more you’ll likely pay.

  • What you’ll be doing: Planning to hit the slopes or try something adventurous? That’s great! Just bear in mind that activities like skiing or scuba diving often need extra cover – which can bump up the cost of your over 70s insurance.

  • Any extras you add on: Things like cruise cover or missed departure protection are handy, but they’ll add to the final price.

  • Policy excess: This is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim. Choosing a higher excess can reduce your premium, but make sure it’s an amount you could afford to pay if something goes wrong. Conversely, lower excesses may mean higher premiums but smaller out-of-pocket costs if you need to claim.

Bottom line? The best way to get a good deal is to compare providers and tailor your policy to what you actually need – no more, no less.

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Answering your questions about over 70s travel insurance

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