Travel insurance for over 80s

Buying travel insurance when you’re over 80 can be slightly trickier as many insurers set an upper age limit on policies.

But it’s important to ensure you have the correct policy for you so you can travel with peace of mind.

Many insurers now offer some level of Covid-19 cover, but this can vary quite a lot between providers. Examples of what may be covered include:

• Emergency medical expenses: Including repatriation (getting you home), and additional expenses (for example, a quarantine hotel stay) if you fall ill with Covid-19.
• Cancellation: If you test positive (or a close relative passes away due to Covid-19) prior to your holiday and are unable to travel.
• Curtailment: If you test positive for Covid-19 pre-departure, upon arrival at your destination, or while on holiday. Additionally, look for a policy that offers curtailment cover in the event a close relative passes away from Covid-19 during your holiday.

When you’re over 80, you’re more likely to make a medical claim when travelling, so there are special policies available taking this higher risk into account – and, consequently, offering more comprehensive medical cover.

Insurers set age limits on standard policies, anywhere from 65 to 79, which can be different depending on whether you’re buying single- or multi-trip cover, so check the T&Cs of any policy you’re considering buying.

Just as with standard travel insurance, there are different types of travel insurance for over 80s available, whether you’re looking for annual cover or a policy for a single trip.

Travel insurance for over 80s includes increased cover for medical needs, with many policies offering higher cover for items such as:

• Treatment while away
• Lost medication
• Loss or damage to special medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or hearing aids
• Cancellation cover should you have to cancel or cut a trip short due to pending treatment.

If you have any special needs, make sure you compare policies to find the most suitable one for you.

To ensure any claims are successful, make sure that you declare any pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer before you take out your policy.

As well as enhanced medical cover, travel insurance for over 80s should financially protect you for the same essentials as standard policies, including:

• Theft of possessions
• Lost or stolen baggage
• Cancellation
• Delays
• Personal liability.

Some polices will also cover your travelling companions, from family and friends to carers.

It’s essential to read the T&Cs of your travel insurance policy so you’re aware of any exclusions or limits. Some common exclusions to look out for include:

• Extended trips – the number of days you can travel for consecutively is sometimes lower than on policies for those under the age of 80. So, pay attention to this if you’re planning a longer break.
• Undeclared pre-existing conditions – if you make a claim due to a condition you didn’t tell your insurer about, your insurer is likely to reject your claim.
• Undeclared activities – if you’re planning on taking part in any activities while you’re away, such as skiing or watersports, check that these are covered, as any claims for accidents as a result of undeclared activities are likely to be turned down.
• A loss or an accident caused by reckless behaviour – if something happens due to a reckless act or while you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol, claims are likely to be turned down. Similarly, if you don’t adequately protect your possessions you won’t be covered.

You’ll be able to choose between European and worldwide travel insurance, depending on where you’re travelling to. However, be aware that policies vary and there are some destination exclusions and exceptions. For example, some insurers include Turkey in European policies whereas others don’t.

You can also buy specialist cruise travel insurance if you have a trip at sea planned, which will cover extra elements that standard policies won’t.

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