Travel insurance for seniors

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A guide to travel insurance for seniors

Updated January 10, 2024
Written by Tiana Lee-Collins
Reviewed by Adrian Taylor

Travel insurance for seniors

Catriona Rowntree’s top travel tips for seniors
Catriona Rowntree
Travel

Why take out travel insurance for seniors?

Travel insurance can help provide peace of mind that you may be financially protected if your trip goes wrong. If you’re unsure if you need travel insurance for seniors, consider:

  • Cancellation cover may protect you financially if an injury or illness keeps you from leaving on your trip (if this is included in your policy)
  • Without travel insurance, you will typically have to pay for any medical expenses out of your own pocket
  • While some countries provide Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) for Medicare cardholders, most countries don’t.
  • Your insurer may provide 24/7 emergency assistance in the case of an emergency

Choosing travel insurance for seniors

Depending on your insurer, your level of cover and even your travel destination, policies can look very different. Before purchasing a policy, consider:

Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of a policy before purchasing so you can understand the inclusions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits of your policy.

Expert tips for choosing the right travel insurance for seniors for you

Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance

Cruise cover

If your trip includes a cruise, international travel insurance with cruise cover is ideal as it includes cover for medical expenses. Even when cruising Australia on a domestic trip, an international policy that includes cover for medical expenses is ideal as Medicare benefits may not be available onboard your cruise ship.

Choosing the right level of cover

Keep in mind the kind of cover you need for your travels. For example, if you want cover for medical expenses, cancellation fees, luggage and rental vehicle excess, a comprehensive travel insurance policy might be at the top of your list.

Annual cover

If you’re looking to travel multiple times a year, an annual multi-trip policy may be of more value than a single trip policy. However, age limits and your planned trip durations may affect whether you’re eligible for annual cover.

Age considerations

Can seniors over 80 get travel insurance?

Is there an age limit for travel insurance?

Inclusions, exclusions and pre-existing conditions

Inclusions

Exclusions

Pre-existing medical conditions

Is a senior’s travel insurance policy expensive

As you get older, you may need to pay a little bit more for travel insurance compared to what younger travellers are paying. However, insurers will have different rating factors, excess options and premiums. This makes it even more important to compare travel insurance quotes so you can find an affordable but valuable policy that provides travel insurance for seniors.

Meet our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor

Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance

As the Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.