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Travel insurance for seniors
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettSee our range of travel insurance providers
iSelect does not compare all providers in the market or all products offered by our partners in your area. Not all policies or special offers are available to all customers and some may only be available over the phone or on the website. Learn more.
What is seniors travel insurance?
Seniors travel insurance isn’t a standalone product; it’s any travel insurance policy that has higher or no age limits and meets the needs of older travellers. It can help cover medical costs overseas, trip cancellations and lost luggage, as well as offering some coverage for pre-existing conditions; this depends on your insurer.
What does travel insurance for seniors cover?
Travel insurance for seniors covers medical assistance; damaged, lost or stolen luggage and personal belongings; cancellations; and possibly excess on your rental car. Some policies can also include certain pre-existing medical conditions, but you’ll need to complete an online medical assessment with your provider to see whether your condition is covered in your policy or included at an additional cost.
Do I need to take out a specific seniors travel insurance policy?
Senior-specific travel insurance policies don’t exist, so you don’t need to take out a separate seniors policy. But you should take out general travel insurance as it’s highly recommended by Smartraveller, especially for older travellers heading overseas. Some insurers will only offer policies for people under specific age limits, so you’ll need to make sure that you’re eligible for cover within your insurer’s age limit.
What are the different types of travel insurance for seniors?
Your main options are domestic, international and annual multi-trip policies. Within these, you’ll be able to choose a basic or comprehensive level, although some providers have age limits for lower-level coverage options and annual multi-trip options.
Domestic
Domestic travel insurance can suit seniors travelling within Australia who want cover for unexpected travel disruptions like cancellations, delays and lost luggage. Medical costs aren’t included within a domestic policy, since Medicare or your private health insurance could help out. Whether that’s grey nomad-ing around the country, visiting family interstate or taking a quick city break, a domestic policy can help cover you if things go wrong.
If you’ve got a trip on home soil filled with pre-booked accommodation and tours, then a domestic travel insurance policy could prove worthwhile.
International
International travel insurance is important for seniors travelling overseas as it can cover medical emergencies, travel disruptions or cancellations that could impact their holiday abroad. Medical treatment in another country can be expensive, and without cover, an unexpected hospital visit could leave you with a high out-of-pocket cost.
As a general rule, if Smartraveller has your country rated as a Level 1 or 2, there’s a good chance you can find an international travel insurance policy to cover your visit.
Annual multi-trip
Annual multi-trip policies are for Australian seniors who travel several times within a 12-month period, and can be a more cost-effective option than taking out multiple policies. This will also cover benefits like lost luggage, travel delays and medical coverage within their listed destinations.
Just make sure your multi-trip travel insurance policy includes all the locations you’ll be travelling to and check any age or duration limits on the duration of any one trip.
How much does seniors travel insurance cost?
For a 75-year-old traveller travelling domestically, a week-long comprehensive travel insurance policy costs around $230 on average ($200 excess, $10,000 lost luggage & $5,000 trip cancellation cover), based on iSelect’s range in July 2026. For the same traveller, covering a week-long trip to Europe costs around $344 for comprehensive cover. The exact price of seniors travel insurance depends on your trip length, destinations, excess amount, pre-existing medical conditions and any optional add-ons, but it generally becomes more expensive as you get older, potentially from around age 50 onwards.
What types of holidays are covered by travel insurance for seniors?
Leisurely holidays and trips planned around activities like cycling or fishing can be covered within standard comprehensive travel insurance, though you might need to add some activities as optional extras for example cruises. You’ll need to check the details with your chosen travel provider to ensure you’re protected for your travel plans.
Cruises
Cruise holidays for seniors can be covered by travel insurance, but cruise-specific cover may need to be added as an optional extra. Cruising can come with its own set of risks, like a higher chance of catching a virus onboard, missed port stops and medical emergencies at sea. This is why some cruise operators will require passengers to have cruise-specific travel insurance before boarding.
While some comprehensive policies will automatically include cruise cover, it is more commonly found as an optional extra to add on top.
Leisure
Leisure holidays for seniors are generally covered by standard comprehensive travel insurance. This can include lower-risk activities like sightseeing, shopping, visiting attractions or guided tours. Because these activities are considered part of a standard holiday, you won’t need any specialty coverage. However, just how protected you are in a worst-case situation will depend on the limits and exclusions of your policy.
Cycling
Cycling holidays for seniors may be covered by travel insurance if the cycling is considered a low-risk recreational activity. For example, a self-guided cycling route or organised tour may be included in a standard policy. But mountain biking on extreme terrain, BMX or competing may not be included and may require an optional extra on top.
Fishing and water sports
Fishing holidays and some water sports for seniors may be covered by travel insurance, depending on the activity and where it takes place. A standard travel insurance policy could be all you need to cover recreational fishing; just make sure your fishing plans are included within your policy, since some insurers won’t cover trips that take you right out into the open ocean. If your fishing trip involves more high-risk aquatic activities like boating or jet skiing, you’ll need to check whether you’ll be covered or whether you need additional insurance.
Helpful tip
When it comes to travel insurance for cruises, they aren’t all in the same boat. Whether it’s a river cruise or an ocean cruise, most insurers will want you to take out specific cruise cover as an optional extra (even if you’re not leaving Australian waters). If you’ve booked a short cruise, like a one-night trip from Marseille to Barcelona, don’t assume it’s automatically covered. Insurers can define a cruise differently, so it’s worth checking what a cruise is within your insurer’s specific policy.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
What optional extras can I add to travel insurance as a senior?
Optional extras are coverage benefits you can add to your base policies; these will cover you for things not included in your original policy. You can add optional extras for rental car excess coverage, cruises and activities like golfing, as well as more adventurous activities and snow sports coverage. The exact availability of add-ons depends on the offering from your insurer; these can also come with different age limits to consider as well.
Rental car excess
Rental car excess cover is an optional extra seniors may be able to add to their travel insurance if they plan to hire a car on holiday. If you add rental car excess cover to your travel insurance and get into an accident or damage your rental car, it’s your insurer who’ll be paying the excess to your rental car provider, not you. You’ll still need to pay your travel insurance excess when making your claim, so it’s worth checking your excess and limit amount before hitting the road.
Golf
Golf cover is an optional extra seniors can add to their travel insurance for golf getaways. Depending on the policy, golf cover can help cover costs for your damaged, lost or stolen golf clubs or unused green fees if you’re unable to play due to reasons outside your control. Some comprehensive policies may already include limited golf cover under their included activities, while others may offer it as part of an adventure or sports activity add-on.
Adventurous activities
Adventure activity cover is an optional extra seniors need if their trip includes activities that come with a higher risk, that aren’t included in standard cover. If you have more risky plans, you’ll need to add extras like snow sports and adventure packages to your policy.
Just keep in mind that individual adventure activities or snow sports optional extras may come with their own age limits.
Cruise cover
Cruise cover can sometimes be part of comprehensive cover, but it’s often an optional extra seniors will need if part or their entire holiday is on a cruise boat. Because cruising comes with its own unique risks, insurers will offer cruise travel insurance coverage with specific benefits like unlimited medical coverage for on-board health care, cabin confinement, missed ports and medical evacuation. You’ll also need to check whether your cruise operator requires travel insurance before you board.
What should I consider when taking out travel insurance as a senior?
When taking out travel insurance as a senior, you should think about the medical coverage included, how your age could affect your ability to buy a policy and whether your insurer will cover you for any pre-existing medical conditions you might have. The requirements and coverage of each policy will depend on your chosen provider and your needs.
Will my age affect my travel insurance?
Yes, different ages will affect the travel insurance policies you’re able to get, even when they’re from the same insurer. All travel insurance policies have a specified age limit, with some policies covering travellers up to 100 years old (or any age). However, the older you are, the higher your policy price and excess will become. It can also mean less policy availability, especially for optional extras. You might also see some restrictions pop up as you get older, like how soon you can purchase a policy before a trip and how long your trip can be.
Will my pre-existing medical condition affect my seniors travel insurance?
Yes, a pre-existing medical condition can affect the price and availability of a seniors travel insurance policy. Even if you have one or more pre-existing conditions, you can likely still get travel insurance, but the conditions covered will depend on your policy. You’ll also likely need to pay an additional premium and complete a medical assessment to have those conditions covered. If it’s been a while since you were last treated or had a minor issue, it might not be considered a pre-existing condition by your insurer.
Frequently asked questions about seniors travel insurance
Why might I need travel insurance as a senior?
Travel insurance for seniors can help protect you from unexpected events that delay your trip or leave you out-of-pocket. As you get older, you’ll likely become more prone to health-related issues while travelling, which means being covered for any overseas medical expenses can be essential. Seniors travel insurance can help cover medical costs for hospital bills, medical emergencies or evacuations, travel delays, lost luggage and certain pre-existing medical conditions. The exact coverage will depend on your travel insurer and their conditions.
Is travel insurance for seniors expensive?
Travel insurance for seniors is generally more expensive than travel insurance for younger travellers because age can affect risk and premium calculations. Travel insurance for seniors will come with higher premiums and excess as your age increases. While it might not be as affordable as it is for someone buying a policy in their 20s, if something goes wrong on your trip, like a medical emergency, your policy can help cover the costs you’d otherwise be paying out of pocket. Comparing policies can also help you find one that offers better value. (iSelect can help you with that.)
Which companies offer travel insurance for seniors?
Fast Cover, Southern Cross Travel Insurance, Zoom Travel Insurance and Allianz offer travel insurance for seniors. The exact age limits of each insurance provider will vary so availability may change for some travellers.
iSelect can help you compare the following insurers:
- Fast Cover
- Huddle Insurance
- Insure4less
- InsureandGo
- ReadySet Travel Insurance
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance
- Tick Travel Insurance
- Travel Insurance Saver
- Travel Insuranz
- Travel Protect
- WAS Insurance
- World2Cover
- Zoom Travel Insurance
Other travel insurers in the market include:
- 1Cover
- Allianz
- Blue Insurance
- Budget Direct
- Bupa Travel Insurance
- Cover-More
- Everyday Travel Insurance
- Medibank
- nib
- RACV Travel Insurance
- Travel Insurance Direct.
Note: iSelect does not compare all travel insurance brands in the market, or all products offered by our partners in your area.
Are my children or grandchildren covered under my travel insurance as a senior?
Yes, grandkids or children (dependents) under a certain age, like 18 or 20, can be included under a standard travel insurance policy. Just keep an eye out for any conditions, like them needing to travel with you 100% of the time or not being in full-time employment.
What age should I put on my policy if I have a birthday before travelling?
You should list your current age when buying your policy. That is, if you’re 69 when buying your seniors travel insurance policy, but 70 when you’ll actually start travelling, you should put your age down as 69. Some insurers will increase policy and excess prices, so if you organise your policy before reaching these ages, you could save on your travel insurance premium. If you’re still unsure, you can also check your policy document or speak with your insurer.
Does travel insurance for seniors cover COVID-19?
Most seniors travel insurance policies will include some COVID-19-related cover, but what exactly is covered will change depending on your policy details. Some travel insurers might cover you for medical costs or any related cancellation fees, while others might exclude travel disruptions caused by border closures or quarantine lockdowns. It all comes down to your policy, so make sure to read through everything before packing your bags.
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iSelect does not compare all travel insurers or policies in the market. Travel insurance is only available through our website and not all policies are available at all times or in all areas. Not all policies available from our partners are compared by iSelect and due to commercial arrangements and customer circumstances not all policies compared by iSelect will be available to all customers. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.
iSelect General Pty Limited ABN 90 131 798 126, AFS Licence Number: 334115. Any advice provided by iSelect is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice iSelect gives you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on iSelect’s advice or purchasing any policy. You should consider iSelect’s Financial Services Guide which provides information about our services and your rights as a client of iSelect. iSelect receives commission for each policy sold.