Seniors Travel Insurance

If you’re an active and healthy senior, traveling overseas is a great way to spend your time. Whether it’s visiting grandchildren overseas, cruising the seven seas, a European bus tour, or donning the backpack for independent travel, there’s no end to the types of trips that senior travellers can take.

But, no matter how fit and healthy you are, illness can strike, and accidents can happen. Not to mention the risks of theft, travel delays, and more. It’s why the Australian government recommends travel insurance for all overseas travel, and senior travellers are no exception.

Why you may need travel insurance as a senior

When travelling overseas, accidents can happen, people can get sick, natural disasters can strike, and flights can get cancelled – all of these things can leave you stranded in another country, and out of pocket financially. Travel insurance can help cover some of these costs, saving you from a potentially costly situation.

Things to look for in a seniors’ travel insurance policy

To gain an understanding of what is covered and policy limitations, you should review the Product Disclosure Statement. Travel insurance policies will usually cover^{1https://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/all-travellers/insurance/pages/choice-travel-insurance-buying-guide.aspx}:

• Medical expenses for injury or illness
• Specific cover for any activities you might be doing on your trip
• Theft of some valuables
• Loss or damage to baggage
• Some cancellations and delays for flight and other travel plans (including connecting flights)
• Certain circumstances forcing the cancellation of your trip pre-departure

At what age are you considered a ‘senior’ for travel insurance?

Different insurers have varying ages at which travellers are considered a ‘senior’, so be sure to check the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing a policy to make sure you qualify.

Some insurers will require a medical assessment once you pass a certain age before offering you cover. The cut-off age at which an insurer will cover you up to also varies.

What inclusions and exclusions to expect on your travel insurance policy

As you get older, it’s not unusual to have a couple of ongoing health issues. That means it’s really important to check the fine print of your travel insurance policy for what’s considered a pre-existing medical condition, and what impact this might have on your level of cover.

The good news is that some insurers will cover a range of pre-existing conditions, provided you disclose it. When in doubt, always check the PDS for your individual circumstances.

By choosing a comprehensive travel insurance policy, generally you’ll have a higher level of coverage than a basic policy. For example, some comprehensive travel insurance policies offer unlimited overseas medical expenses cover rather than a capped amount. Some policies will also include a 24/7 emergency assistance number so that if the unexpected happens, you know where to go for help.

You may not have cover for pre-existing medical conditions which were not specifically disclosed and approved for. You also won’t have cover if you travel against medical advice.

Travel tips for seniors

Here’s some travel tips^{2https://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/Pages/senior-travellers.aspx} to make your overseas holiday safe, relaxing, and memorable.

• Travel light: Carry minimal luggage to both make it easier to get around on different forms of transport, and to reduce your risk of loss and theft.
• Get medical advice: Make sure you have a health check before you go, including any travel vaccinations. Also check if there are any restrictions on medications you take in your destination, as well as potential in-flight issues (for example, needing to use needles). Pack enough medication to cover the length of your trip and keep it in its original, labelled container to help avoid customs issues.
• Know what’s included: If you’re booked onto an organised tour or a cruise, make sure you know what’s included and what additional expenses you need to budget for.
• Have multiple sources of money: It could be a good idea to travel with a combination of cash, and credit or debit cards. Check with your bank if your ATM card will work overseas and if so, what fees and charges will apply.

Heading overseas soon? Compare seniors travel insurance policies with iSelect

An important part of having peace of mind when you’re travelling comes from knowing you’re covered, should the unexpected happen.

With iSelect you can easily compare travel insurance quotes from our range of providers online, and select a policy of your choice. Click here to get started today!

Prior to making a decision on a travel insurance product, ensure you review the Product Disclosure Statement which explains features and limitations of the cover.