Seniors Travel Insurance

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How to find the best seniors travel insurance

While there is no one best seniors policy, you’ll want to make sure the policy covers you a high level of cover if:

• You need medical help
• You are in an accident
• Your flight is cancelled or delayed
• Your travel is delayed
• You have to return home early

Looking for the most comprehensive cover when using our search tool is easy, thanks to the finder rating. Just enter your where you’re going, for how long and your age and we’ll sort out our top rated products. The higher the rating, the more comprehensive the policy.

We clearly label each policy with the finder rating right along with the inclusions with each policy (which you can see by clicking the "More info+" tab. Here's what you can expect to see.

*Note that the prices will change depending on where you're going, your age and how long. The prices, captured on 20 September 2018, on this screenshot are based on a 65-year-old traveller going to Bali for eight days.

Are there age limits for travel insurance?

No matter how old you are, you will be able to find travel insurance. However, as you get older your options for travel insurers does get a little smaller, which is why we’ve broken down who offers cover and to what age in the tabs below.

• Over 65
• Over 70
• Over 75
• Over 80
• Over 85

	Brand	Standard age limit	Good to know	Get quote
	1Cover	79	If you're 80 or over, you need to complete a pre-existing medical declaration form for Comprehensive and Domestic policies. Comprehensive and Domestic policies are available to travellers under the age of 79, while Essentials and Basic policies are available to travellers under the age of 74.	Get quote
	AllClear	No age limit	There is no maximum age limit, and better still, AllClear considers all pre-existing medical conditions. That's right - they don't automatically exclude any medical issues you might have.	Get quote
	American Express	89	Cover is available to travellers under 89 years of age on the Comprehensive and Ultimate Single Trip policies.	Get quote
	Australia Post	N/A	The product disclosure statement (PDS) does not mention an age limit. It's a good idea to check with the provider prior to purchase. Also note that reduced limits may be applied to travellers over 70 years of age.	Get quote
	Boomers	74	Travellers up to the age of 74 are eligible for the Multi-Trip Plan; the Non-Medical Plan is available for all ages, and the Essentials Plans has an age limit of 59.	Get quote
	Budget Direct	100	Comprehensive and Domestic policies cover you if you are 100 years of age or under on the date of application, while Last Minute, Essential and Annual Multi-Trip levels of cover are available for travellers under 75.	Get quote
	Columbus Direct	84	If you wish to take out Columbus Direct travel insurance, you must be no more than 84 years old on the date of purchase.	Get quote
	Cover-More	84	Cover-More offers travel insurance for people up to 84 years of age.	Get quote
	Downunder (DU Insurance)	120	Plans A Plus, A and B are available to travellers of all ages. Travellers over the age of 80 may be subject to different excess amounts and claim limits.	Get quote
	Fast Cover	89	Travellers 90 years and over are subject to various conditions, depending on the policy.	Get quote
	InsureandGo	100	This insurer covers people who are 100 years of age or under on the date of application for the Silver and Gold policies. In addition, it considers all pre-existing conditions.	Get quote
	No Worries	84	Cover is available to travellers under the age of 85.	Get quote
	Online Travel Insurance	74	People under the age of 74 can access Comprehensive, Domestic, Basic and Multi-Trip Plans.	Get quote
	Southern Cross	No age limit	Cover is available to travellers of all ages.	Get quote
	STA	74	Cover is available to travellers under the age of 74 with the Comprehensive, Standard and Cancellation & Luggage policies.	Get quote
	Tick	100	Travellers under the age of 100 are eligible for the Domestic, Standard and Top policies, while Budget policies are available to travellers under 79 and Basic policies are available to travellers under 69.	Get quote
	Travel Insurance Direct	81	Travel Insurance Direct offers cover up to the age of 81 for its Works and Domestic policies. The Basics policy is available to travellers under the age of 76.	Get quote
	Travel Insurance Saver	79	Travellers with pre-existing conditions and/or those over the age of 80 years will need to complete a Traveller's Medical Appraisal form.	Get quote
	Travel Insuranz	70	Travel Insuranz offers travel insurance for people under the age of 70.	Get quote
	Virgin	N/A	There does not seem to be an age limit for Plan A (Comprehensive) and Plan B (Australia Only). However, it is advisable to check with the provider prior to purchase.	Get quote
	Webjet	All ages	Comprehensive, Domestic and Non-Medical Plan are available to travellers of any age. Essentials, Basic and Multi-Trip Plans are available to people under the age of 74.	Get quote
	Worldcare	85	Worldcare provides Comprehensive and Australia Only (Plans A and B) travel insurance cover for travellers up to 85 years of age. Plans C, D and E (Budget Cover, International and Australia) have an age limit of 71.	Get quote

What if I have pre-existing conditions?

You'll need to disclose any pre-existing conditions to your potential insurer during the application process, as this could affect whether or not you can get cover and the price of your premium. If you don't claim it at the beginning and something does happen while you're travelling, you may not be covered.

You can find out how insurers treat a bunch of common conditions by checking out their PDS, including information about:

• Conditions an insurer will cover automatically. Some conditions are covered for no additional cost and you don't even need to declare it as long as you haven't had any major complications recently. These are generally minor, manageable conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. They'll usually list these somewhere obvious.
• Policies that won't cover any pre-existing conditions past a certain age. A small number of policies won't not cover any pre-existing condition past a certain age (usually around 75) even if it's on the "automatically covered" list mentioned above. You can still be covered for all other medical and non-medical claims. Luckily there are plenty of other insurers who do not have a blanket age ban like this.
• Policies with age limits on specific pre-existing conditions. Some policies will only cover common conditions until you reach a certain age. For example, some insurers only cover asthma until you turn 60. You can still be covered for all other medical and non-medical claims, including other pre-existing conditions that do not have age limits.

What's considered to be a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing condition is an ongoing medical condition that you are aware of, even if you're only aware of the symptoms,. If you've been treated by a doctor, had surgery or taken medication for any conditions or symptoms in the six months leading up to your policy's start date, your insurer will say you were "aware" of the condition. You will be denied for claims related to this condition unless you've run it past your insurer first.

Which conditions are usually excluded?

There are some very serious medical conditions that are more challenging to cover, and many policies will exclude them outright (but still cover you for everything else), while others will decline your insurance application altogether.

It's not impossible to find cover for the following conditions, but they will make your search a bit more challenging:

You may also find that insurers may not explicitly say whether a medication is covered, so make sure you declare the condition you're taking it for rather than just the actual medication.

All Clear Travel Insurance specialise in medical travel insurance and cover many conditions not typically covered by other travel insurance brands including a range of cancer types at various stages and even terminal illnesses so long as you’ve got a prognosis of more than six months and a doctor has certified that you’re “fit” to travel.

Brands	Product	Product Details	Apply
	Gold Plus Cover	$15,000,000 overseas medical expenses $2,000,000 personal liability Unlimited cancellation fee $20,000 death cover	Get quoteMore info
	Gold Cover	$10,000,000 overseas medical expenses $2,000,000 personal liability 12,000 cancellation fee $20,000 death cover	Get quoteMore info

While not a specialist medical travel insurer, InsureandGo claim to consider all conditions. In either case, you can expect to complete a medical screening and if you’re approved, pay an additional premium for your condition.

How do I tell my insurer about my pre-existing medical condition?

Travel insurers handle pre-existing conditions every day, so don't fret. During the application process, you'll be asked if you have a pre-existing condition, and if they cover it, they'll tell you which policy you need, and how much it costs. Remember, even with a terminal illness, it's possible to find cover.

Here’s how to approach your insurer about a pre-existing condition (generally most of this is done online):

• Be up-front. Tell them about any condition you have or think you may have. If you make a medical claim and it's not related to a condition you've told them about, they will investigate to find out if it was pre-existing or not. It doesn't even matter if it was officially diagnosed. If they can prove you've had symptoms in the past 6 months and knew about them, they'll consider it to be a pre-existing condition.
• Take the assessment. If the insurer isn't sure how serious the condition is, they may want you to take an assessment before they can approve you. Sometimes this is as easy as answering a few questions online. In other cases, you may need to provide medical certificates and/or do a short physical.

• Keep your options open. Each insurer has different rules for different pre-existing medical conditions. For example, some insurers will not cover you for stroke if you had one within the last two years, while others say five years. If one insurer doesn't want to cover you, there's a good chance that another one does.

How does travel insurance medical screening work?

When you declare a pre-existing condition, medical screening by the insurer can take several forms, depending on the nature of your condition. If it’s a relatively minor ailment, but not covered automatically, you may only need to answer a few simple questions online or over the phone.

If your condition is more serious, your insurer may require you to obtain a doctor’s report, undergo a medical examination or fill out a detailed medical assessment form. Critical information required in such a document can include:

• Personal details such as height, weight, age and smoking status
• General health questions such as how mobile you are and the amount of exercise you do
• Medical information such as pre-existing conditions (including date of diagnosis and medications prescribed) and details of recent health treatment or hospitalisation, if any

Your insurer may also require you to have your doctor sign your assessment form before you submit it and to declare in writing whether you are considered to be fit to travel.

How much does annual travel insurance cost for seniors compared to single policies?

The cost of seniors travel insurance varies from insurer to insurer. Factors that affect the price of your policy include your age, destination, policy type and the duration of cover.

For an example, we requested a quote from InsureandGo for a traveller who is after a worldwide policy for two weeks, starting from the age of 50, for the Gold policy. We used the same data to get a quote for an annual policy.

Can I get annual travel insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?

One of the possible drawbacks of annual multi-trip policies is that many insurers do not cover the same pre-existing medical conditions that they often do in single-trip policies, regardless of age. Some apply even greater restrictions for those aged 75 years and above.

Insurers may be reluctant to cover pre-existing medical conditions in their annual policies due to the additional risk. The likelihood of you suffering an illness or injury due to a pre-existing condition increases the longer you have cover and the more trips you take, so they may deem a 12-month period of unlimited trips to be an unacceptable risk when compared with providing cover for a single one-off trip.

Does seniors travel insurance cover cruises?

We want your cruise to be nothing but smooth sailing, but in case anything doesn't go according to plan, making sure you have the right cover for your trip is key.On-board treatment and medical evacuations at sea are two of the most costly and, unfortunately, most claimed expenses. If you don't have the right cruise cover they could end up costing you your life savings.

What does cruise travel insurance for seniors cover?

Travel insurance costs more for seniors because insurers believe they are more likely to suffer an age-related illness or injury. While some see this as a deterrent to purchasing seniors cruise travel insurance, it should actually be viewed as an incentive. After all, insurers are in the business of calculating risk, and if they think you are statistically more likely to make a claim, then they’re probably right. It’s better to be covered, even if it does cost you a little more upfront.

Cruise travel insurance for seniors provides cover for overseas emergency medical and hospital treatment, which can be prohibitively expensive in some countries. A typical policy will also protect you from trip cancellations, baggage losses, additional expenses, hire car excess and personal liability.

Cruise travel insurance for seniors offers additional benefits such as:

• Medical treatment and/or evacuation at sea
• Cruise cancellation or curtailment due to bad weather or engine trouble
• Cruise cancellation due to illness, injury or emergency at home
• Missed departure due to circumstances beyond your control and transportation costs to your first port of call
• Cabin confinement due to illness during the cruise

Clearly, due to the variety of risks senior travellers are exposed to and their increased risk of making a claim, travel insurance is important to have, especially if you’re going on a cruise.

What doesn't cruise travel insurance cover?

Like all insurance policies, there are some circumstances in which a travel insurance claim will not be paid. Exclusions relating specifically to cruise travel policies can include:

• Claims while your cruise ship is docked in an Australian port
• Medical claims while you are cruising in Australian waters between two Australian ports (normally covered by Medicare, provided there is a Medicare-approved doctor onboard)
• Changes to the cruise itinerary
• Cruise cancellation due to inclement weather – only severe weather conditions are covered (cyclones, storms)

General exclusions that apply to all types of cruise travel insurance for seniors include:

• Reckless behaviour or being under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs
• Travelling to countries where travel warnings have been issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
• Participating in adventure activities or extreme sports not covered under your policy
• Pre-existing medical conditions, unless they are covered automatically or the insurer has agreed to provide cover in writing
• Loss or theft of luggage and personal items due to your own personal negligence, such as leaving your bags unattended
• Acts of civil unrest, war or terrorism

What risks do cruise travellers face that normal travellers don't?

Cruise travellers are exposed to a number of risks that don’t apply to regular travellers.

• No Medicare cover in Australia waters. As soon as the ship sets sail for a foreign port, even though it might still be in Australian waters, Medicare is generally not available to cruise passengers. Medical treatment in a ship’s sick bay could cost up to $5,000 a day, so not having cruise cover could quickly become an expensive nightmare.
• Medivac is prohibitively expensive. If you have to be evacuated to the nearest land-based hospital, Medivac fees can be horrendously expensive, and accommodation fees in a foreign hospital often require an upfront guarantee of payment. It’s hard to imagine not having cruise cover in these situations. Let’s not forget, as a senior, this is statistically more likely to happen to you.
• Cost of a ticket. Cruises are also typically more expensive than airfares, so you’re going to be out of pocket far more than someone who has booked an airline flight if you’re forced to cancel your prepaid cruise. It’s yet another good reason to make sure you have cruise cover.
• Viral outbreaks. Another risk specific to cruises is the threat of epidemic. The media has been full of stories about cruise liners that have been forced to quarantine hundreds of passengers after outbreaks of gastroenteritis. While a daily allowance (usually up to $100) for being confined to your cabin doesn’t make up for a spoiled holiday, it will at least compensate you for your loss.

Is cruise travel insurance worth it?

In a nutshell, the answer to this question is ‘yes’. Cruise insurance claims can be astronomical, and the cost of insurance is worth the peace of mind. Cruise-specific policies can provide invaluable benefits such as:

• Unlimited emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and evacuation at sea
• Unlimited cancellation fees and lost deposits
• Missed cruise departure cover up to $50,000
• Missed port connections benefit covering additional accommodation and travel expenses to re-join your cruise
• Personal belongings and lost luggage cover up to $8,000
• Missed or cancelled prepaid excursions cover up to $2,500
• Cabin confinement cover up to $2,500
• Emergency benefit if your formal attire is lost, stolen or damaged during your trip

While cruise cover is also available through many cruise companies, it’s often more restrictive in what it covers and benefit limits can be lower. For example, rather than a cash payout, tokens for future travel may be issued as compensation for cancellations and delays.

Can I get cruise travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

As with all travel insurance, cover for pre-existing medical conditions will depend on the type of condition you have, how old you are (some conditions have age limitations), how severe your condition is and whether it’s being successfully controlled by medication or other means.

All insurers have a list of conditions they will cover automatically. If your condition is not listed in the product disclosure statement (PDS), you may need to undergo a medical assessment and pay a higher premium to obtain cover.

There are also some conditions that insurers will not cover under any circumstances, such as cancers and terminal illnesses. If you fall into this category, you may have to consider purchasing cruise travel insurance for seniors that excludes cover for your pre-existing medical condition.

How much does it cost?

Cover does get more expensive as you get older it doesn’t always to break the bank, with cover starting from as little as $4 per day.

We got this rate when we quoted a single 65 year old going to Bali for one week, with no preexisting conditions. (Quote ref: 2C7BE01A)

There are many factors that affect the cost of a seniors policy, including:

• Your age. As a general rule, the older you are, the more you’ll have to pay for a policy.
• Your pre-existing conditions. If you have a pre-existing condition that isn’t automatically covered, the insurer may agree to cover it if you provide further medical information and pay an additional fee.
• Your travel plans. Where you’re travelling and how long you’ll be going for can influence the cost of cover. You may also need to purchase additional cover for your specific trip, for example if you want golf travel insurance or cruise travel insurance.
• The level of cover you choose. Comprehensive cover costs more than policies that only cover the essentials, but it also covers a lot more.
• Any discounts that apply. Many insurers offer discounted cover to seniors. You may also be able to access discounts for buying online, for using special promo codes and coupons, or for holding multiple policies (e.g. car insurance, home and contents insurance and travel insurance) with the same provider.

To give you an idea of how much a policy will cost, check out the examples below.

• Travellers aged 65
• Travellers aged 70
• Travellers aged 75
• Travellers aged 80+

Cheapest travel insurance for seniors

If price is a concern, you can filter the results from lowest to most expensive using the finder.com.au search tool.

However, while the cheapest policy may save you in the short term, it might end up costing you more in the long term if you need to make a claim.

If finding a cheap policy is important to you, make sure it provides you with at least a high level of cover for overseas medical and some cover for the other items outlined in the best section.

You can also use the finder rating as a guide to how comprehensive a policy is when trying to decide on which policy is right for you.

Travel insurance discounts to help you save

The following travel insurance brands offer cover for seniors, and an exclusive discount on finder.com.au.

Medibank Travel Insurance Deals

18% off travel insurance

Get your Medibank travel insurance policy before 23 September and save.

Last verified 11 Sep 2018

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Coupon code expires 23 Sep 2018

Tick Travel Insurance

Exclusive

Get 10% off all Tick travel insurance policies

Want to save more on your Tick travel insurance policy? Just enter this code to receive a 10% discount on your cover to destinations like Bali, New Zealand, USA, Europe, Thailand, Fiji, Vietnam and more.

Last verified 8 Sep 2018

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Budget Direct Travel Insurance Deals

Get a 15% discount on travel insurance

Receive 15% off when you purchase cover online.

Last verified 10 Sep 2018

Get deal

Travel Insurance Saver

Get up to 30% discount on travel insurance

Save on policies to Bali, New Zealand, USA, Europe, Thailand, Fiji, Vietnam and more when you purchase cover online. Terms and conditions apply.

Last verified 8 Sep 2018

Get deal

Fast Cover Travel Insurance Deals

Get 5% off travel insurance with Fast Cover

Get 5% off your travel insurance when you use this coupon code.

Last verified 8 Sep 2018

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Easy Travel Insurance

Up to 35% off travel insurance

Save on policies to Bali, New Zealand, USA, Europe, Thailand, Fiji, Vietnam and more when you purchase cover online. Terms and conditions apply.

Last verified 10 Sep 2018

Get deal

YouGo Travel Insurance Deals

Exclusive

Save 10% on YouGo travel insurance

Get 10% off your YouGo travel insurance cover with this exclusive coupon code. Offer available for a limited time only!

Last verified 8 Sep 2018

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Travel tips and FAQs

Keep the following tips in mind to make sure you enjoy a safe and healthy holiday.

• Check in with your doctor. Book in for a check-up to make sure it’s safe for you to travel. Not only will your doctor be able to detect any health problems that could cause issues during your trip, but they can also provide tips and advice on how to travel safely.
• Make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Check to see what (if any) vaccinations you will need before your trip. Once again, your doctor is the best person to advise you on this.
• Ask about changes to your medication. Check with your doctor to see if you need to adjust any of your medications based on your destination. For example, some medications that are legal in Australia may not be available overseas. Diabetics should check to see if they need to adjust their insulin dosage to account for different time zones.
• Bring doctor's statements. If you are taking medication for a pre-existing condition, you may require a written referral from your doctor to avoid any difficulty with customs officials.
• Be careful buying medication overseas. Be wary of buying prescription medication in foreign countries. The strength of those medications and the recommended dosages may be different to what you are usually prescribed. Whenever possible, make sure you have enough medication to cover the entire trip duration plus a bit extra in the case of unexpected delays.
• Avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Prevent DVT and its potentially life-threatening complications when flying by strolling up and down the airplane aisles when possible, performing foot and leg stretches while seated, staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol.
• Take care of yourself. Don’t plan a jam-packed itinerary that will have you hurrying from one destination to the next. Avoid pushing yourself too hard and occasionally give yourself some time to relax.

• Will my seniors travel insurance policy also cover my grandchildren?

  Yes, many insurers will automatically include cover for grandkids travelling with you provided that they’re under the age of 21, are listed on your policy and are not working full-time.

• What types of travel insurance are available for Australian seniors?

  You can access a full range of policies including international and domestic travel insurance, comprehensive or basic cover, and single-trip or annual multi-trip cover. However, you should be aware that stricter age caps apply to some policies, for example annual multi-trip travel insurance.

• Should I consider buying cover from a company that specialises in insurance for seniors?

  Specialist seniors insurance providers are specifically set up to meet the needs of older travellers, so you may find the application process with these providers runs more smoothly than with other companies. Just remember that these brands have the same underwriters and the same terms and conditions as other travel insurance brands, so there will often be no real difference in the cover provided.

• I may be over 65 but I’m still very active – will I still need to pay an age loading?

  Many insurers add a loading to your premium based on your age bracket, so living an active and healthy lifestyle won’t necessarily lower your premium with these insurers.

• When should I buy seniors travel insurance?

  We recommend that you buy cover as soon as you book your trip, as this way you can take advantage of trip cancellation cover from the moment you purchase your policy.

• Does seniors travel insurance cover me if I damage my rental car?

  Yes. Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include car rental excess cover.

• My parents are quite elderly – will travel insurance cover me if they suffer an unforeseen accident or illness and I need to cancel or cut my trip short ?

  Yes. Cover is available for trip cancellation costs and non-refundable deposits in these circumstances.

  An expensive set of golf clubs can cost more than your policy’s “lost, stolen or damaged items” cover will allow for. In this situation, you’d have two choices:

  • Take out high-value items cover. This is an additional add-on that allows you to cover specific items that have a value higher than you policy’s standard benefit limits. It will cover lost, stolen or damaged golf clubs or anything else you decide to have covered.
  • Take out a golf trip add-on. This covers your clubs in the same way the high-value items cover would, but it also covers missed greens fees and lost or stolen hire equipment. It may even have “hole-in-one” cover. This entitles you to a round of drinks if you sink your first shot. But remember... no mulligans!

  Similar packages exist for cruises, ski trips and adventure trips (like skydiving); however, the last two will probably have some age limits on them.

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*The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products finder.com.au has access to track details from and is not representative of all the products available in the market. Products are displayed in no particular order or ranking. The use of the terms "Best" and "Top" are not product ratings and are subject to our disclaimer. You should consider seeking independent financial advice and consider your personal financial circumstances when comparing products.
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**Based on the CoreData - Senior Travel Survey (December 2016)

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