What is over 80s travel insurance?

Insurers are responding to the demand from older people, and nowadays there is plenty of choice when it comes to over 80s travel insurance. Vital features like cover for hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions - or even all conditions - and no upper age limit are now available.

Knowing that you can find cover to reflect your particular needs as an 80+ 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.

Some providers also include emergency prescription cover, just in case your medication gets lost or you run out while you’re away. And if your travel plans get thrown off by severe weather or delays, your policy could help with extra costs – like a new flight or an unexpected overnight stay. It’s all about feeling confident you’ve got the support you need, so you’re not caught out if the unexpected happens.

Why choose over 80s travel insurance?

Over 80s travel insurance offers valuable protection with your needs in mind. It can be 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.

Depending on the insurer and policy details, here’s why over 80s travel insurance could make sense:

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

  • Cover for most or all 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 adventure, from booking a hot air balloon or helicopter flight to going on safari.

  • Optional extra cover like gadget insurance and winter sports.

What does over 80s travel insurance cover?

With over 80s 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 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 include popular 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 or scuba diving 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 80s 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 80s 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, here’s what a couple of leading providers offer:

  • One has a limit of three months for a single trip and no upper age limit.

  • Another has a limit of 31 days if you're 80 years or over.

Annual multi-trip

Annual multi-trip policies can be ideal if you take multiple holidays a year. They can cover you for an unlimited number of trips within a 12-month period.

One leading provider allows you to 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.

Planning a lengthier break? At least one insurer offers specialist long-stay policies for trips up to three months anywhere in the world for over 75s. This might be ideal if you're heading abroad for an extended period – for example, to visit family overseas, book a longer cruise or escape the British winter.

How much does over-80s travel insurance cost?

The cost of over 80s 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 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 tick a reindeer sleigh ride in Lapland off your bucket list? That’s great! Just bear in mind that some winter sports activities often need extra cover, which can bump up the cost of your over 80s insurance.

Any extras you add on: Things like cruise cover or missed departure protection are handy, but they may 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.

Travel insurance guides

Answering your questions about over 80s travel insurance

Compare more types of travel insurance

Explore your travel insurance options to find one that’s best for you.

You might also be interested in