You can expect to pay a bit more for seniors travel insurance – especially to cover any pre-existing conditions – but it's important find a policy tailored to your needs as you get older.
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
{"menuItems":[{"label":"What is seniors travel insurance?","anchorName":"#what-is-seniors-travel-insurance"},{"label":"Find travel insurance with pre-existing conditions","anchorName":"#find-travel-insurance-with-pre-existing-conditions"},{"label":"Why use Travel Insurance Finder\u00ae ?","anchorName":"#comparison"},{"label":"What else should I know about travel insurance for seniors?","anchorName":"#what-else-should-i-know-about-travel-insurance-for-seniors"},{"label":"I'm in my 50s","anchorName":"#i-m-in-my-50s"},{"label":"I'm in my 60s","anchorName":"#i-m-in-my-60s"},{"label":"I'm turning 65","anchorName":"#i-m-turning-65"},{"label":"I'm in my 70s","anchorName":"#i-m-in-my-70s"},{"label":"I'm turning 75","anchorName":"#i-m-turning-75"},{"label":"I'm in my 80s (or over)","anchorName":"#i-m-in-my-80s-or-over"},{"label":"Can I get domestic travel insurance for seniors?","anchorName":"#can-i-get-domestic-travel-insurance-for-seniors"},{"label":"Can I get seniors travel insurance for cruises?","anchorName":"#can-i-get-seniors-travel-insurance-for-cruises"},{"label":"Can seniors get annual travel insurance?","anchorName":"#can-seniors-get-annual-travel-insurance"},{"label":"How can I find cheap travel insurance for seniors?","anchorName":"#how-can-i-find-cheap-travel-insurance-for-seniors"},{"label":"Compare travel insurance for seniors quotes","anchorName":"#compare-travel-insurance-for-seniors-quotes"},{"label":"Frequently Asked Questions","anchorName":"#frequently-asked-questions"}]}
What you need to know
Seniors travel insurance can offer more benefits than standard cover, such as added emergency and medical expenses cover.
You must disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart ailments, or you run the risk of voiding your policy.
Seniors travel insurance is similar to a regular policy but includes benefits more suited to older travellers. For example, it can offer more cover for some medical treatment, cruise cover and specialist equipment such as hearing aids (but do check for single item limits).
Travel insurance for seniors often includes increased age limits as well as:
Added insurance for overseas medical costs (including emergency transport if needed)
Cover for your children or grandchildren, if they’re travelling with you.
This is in addition to the important covers that come with standard travel insurance, such as trip cancellation cover; theft, loss or damage to your luggage and personal items; legal liability cover.
Find travel insurance with pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing condition is essentially an ongoing medical condition that you are aware of. Here are some brands that consider all pre-existing medical conditions, typically through an online assessment:
*Maximum trip duration is determined by your specific age and destination
Why use Travel Insurance Finder® ?
It's 100% free
You'll never be charged for clicking through to one of our partners. We get paid out of their pocket, not yours.
We're real people
We'll never give you the sales pitch and we'll avoid complicated jargon when we can. We want to help, not push a sale.
We make it easy
Searching through a lot of different policies can be hard. We let you compare policies side-by-side, taking the hard work out of it.
What else should I know about travel insurance for seniors?
Here are a few key points you should be aware of when searching for the right policy for seniors:
Cover costs more for seniors. The risk of illness and injury is higher as you age, so the cost of cover also increases. Once you reach 60 years of age, many insurers will start applying an age loading to your policy.
Fewer pre-existing conditions covered. Some pre-existing conditions that are automatically covered for younger travellers may not be covered for travellers 60 years or older. On such example being asthma.
Terms and conditions differ. Different insurers impose different restrictions and exclusions on cover for seniors with pre-existing conditions. For example, if you've previously suffered a stroke, some insurers will not cover you if you've had any incidents in the past five years, while others only require you to not have had any incidents in the past two years.
Age limits apply. Most – but not all – providers set maximum age limits on their policies, so you'll need to check the fine print to make sure you're eligible for cover. While some providers set this limit as low as 65 years of age, others will cover you up to 100 years or even older.
Disclose everything. Don't be tempted to save on the cost of cover by withholding information from your insurer. Disclose all the details of your pre-existing conditions when you apply for a policy.
From researching different brands, we have found a few ways that travel insurance changes based on your age. Major differences include reduced cover limits, reduced trip durations and less cover for pre-existing medical conditions.
I'm in my 50s
There's not much of a difference when it comes to travel insurance for those over 50, but we did find the following:
Diabetes mellitus (Type 1 and 2) is no longer automatically covered by some insurers if you're over 50
A slight increase in premiums
I'm in my 60s
While travel insurance premiums increase as you get older, you will also notice that some insurers may start to exclude cover for more pre-existing conditions than if you were travelling in your 50s. After looking at a few policies, we noticed that a few insurers such as Budget Direct, 1Cover, Fast Cover, Travel with Kit and Cover-More have exclusions for cover of asthma if you are over 60 years old.
I'm turning 65
After you turn 65, insurers start to get a bit picky with their inclusions and policies. This is when a price difference in premiums starts to become noticeable.
We researched a few policies and found a few restrictions and exclusions for travellers over 65.
You may no longer be eligible to purchase annual or frequent traveller policies with some brands. Here are a couple of brands that will still offer annual or frequent traveller policies for travellers over 65:
For trips up to 30, 45 or 60 days at a time. Cover is available for those up to 100 years of age, but the maximum trip duration may be restricted depending on your age.
You may have trouble getting cover for winter sports, which is excluded by brands like 1Cover. Here are a couple of brands that may still offer cover for winter sports if you're over 65:
This includes cover for medical attention on the slopes, equipment and other prepaid expenses. InsureandGo has this option available to those up to 100 years of age.
Cover for your winter sport activities and related expenses. Travel with Kit offers this add-on to anyone up to the age of 99.
You may notice that insurers will only cover you for trips up to 90 days. You can still search on our comparison tool and you'll see the brands that still offer more long-term cover.
Some benefits might be lessened.
I'm in my 70s
According to our research, travel insurance doesn't change so much in your 70s except for the following:
The price of your premium may increase
Some inclusions may decrease
I'm turning 75
Here are some considerations if you're 75 and over while travelling. As we age, we become more at risk of health-related issues and injuries. Because of this added risk to insurers, premiums can increase. Along with increased premiums, be mindful of the following:
Some insurers will require you to take out comprehensive cover (which is never a bad idea no matter what age you are), which means that essential or basic policies are no longer an option. Don't worry, this won't make your search harder. Simply add your details into our search tool and only your eligible policies will appear.
You may also find that there are age limits to some of the optional add-ons to your policy, such as adventure and motorcycle packs.
I'm in my 80s (or over)
There are still plenty of brands that insure travellers over 80. Some insurers can cover those over 100 years of age. Obviously, extra premiums will be payable, and you'll need to pay close attention to make sure you disclose any pre-existing medical conditions for cover. Here are some other considerations:
Some insurers may charge an increased excess for medical-related claims
Limits for cover of accidental death and cancellations may not be included or reduced
Travelling in Australia is hugely popular for seniors. For most insurers, you can take out a domestic policy if you're travelling at least 250km away from home.
Since medical cover is not included in domestic travel insurance, it's easier for seniors to qualify for this type of policy. Handy benefits for seniors when travelling within Australia include the following:
Cancellation cover for accommodation and ticketed events
Rental car excess insurance if you're hiring a car
Luggage cover for theft and damage to your belongings
Yes, most seniors are mainly concerned with on-board medical cover and emergency evacuation, which is automatically included in a lot of travel insurance policies. Always check directly with your chosen insurer for specific details. If you need to declare that you're going on a cruise, you will be able to do so during the online application process.
If you prefer to have the most comprehensive cover for peace of mind, many insurers offer add-on cruise packs that can provide cover for the following:
Yes, as a senior, when you're looking for annual multi-trip travel insurance, it's good to know the following:
Maximum age limits. While it gets harder to find an annual policy as you get older, there are some brands that offer annual policies if you're 100 years old.
Reduced maximum trip durations. Standard annual multi-trip policies can have a maximum trip duration of up to 90 days at a time. If you're a senior traveller, this might be reduced to 30 days.
It can be a bit harder for those over 75, but it's still possible. Here are a couple of brands that have higher age limits for annual multi-trip policies.
How can I find cheap travel insurance for seniors?
While we all love a bargain, finding the cheapest travel insurance might not be the best option as a senior. You might find that you're saving money today, but you need to consider exactly how much coverage you will have when you travel. Here are some ways to save:
Consider a specialist insurer. Some insurance providers specialise in offering cover to senior travellers. With features and benefits designed to suit older Australians, these insurers may be able to offer affordable policies to suit you.
Choose a higher excess. A policy's excess is the amount you need to contribute towards a claim. As you get older, some insurers offer an increased excess for medical claims. If you can afford to choose a higher excess, this could be one way to lower the cost of your policy.
Free cover for dependants. If you're planning on travelling with your grandkids, it could be worth searching for a policy that provides free cover for your dependants up to a certain age, usually up to 18-21.
Research and compare. No matter how old you are, the most important thing you can do when choosing travel insurance is to compare multiple policies. Look at the features, exclusions, limits and cost of a range of policies to decide which one is right for you.
Use discounts and coupons. Some insurers will offer you a discount if you hold multiple policies with the same provider (e.g. car insurance, home and contents insurance, etc). You can also take advantage of online discounts to save some extra money.
Our comparison tool can also help you find a cheap policy. After you add your details and search for a quote, you'll have the option to sort through the results by price.
Yes, many providers now offer some cover for COVID-19 – but not all do, so choose your policy with care. Read more about COVID-19 travel insurance here. Be sure to keep an eye out for any policy restrictions or exclusions, for example, border closures aren't typically covered by insurance.
The easiest way to declare a pre-existing medical condition is to do an online medical assessment, which is the same thing as medical screening. This is usually done just before you confirm your policy to make sure you're getting the right level of cover.
Depending on your condition, you might be asked a few simple questions, but questions can get more detailed. If you don't have access to the Internet, most insurers can conduct medical screening over the phone as well.
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 the following:
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.
Yes, most providers will cover people over 70. 1Cover sets an age limit of 130 on their policies, while it's possible to find brands who set no maximum age limit.
At the higher end of the age scale, you might be restricted to a maximum trip duration. Again, you'll also have to declare any pre-existing medical conditions.
Yes. Even though a number of insurers will set an age limit under 90, some policies can insure you if you're 90 or older. Be aware of any restrictions that apply to your policy.
We can't say who is the 'best' provider is as the right policy depends on your specific needs and circumstances.
Some of the top-range policies have high cover limits including for medical expenses, trip cancellations, loss or damage to personal belongings, personal liability and more.
Yes. Most insurers will cover children for free under a family policy – as long as they are travelling with you. Depending on your chosen insurer, they'll usually provide cover if they're under 21 and not working full-time, but there are some brands that cover grandchildren up to 25 years of age.
Many insurers will cover you for Type I and Type II diabetes, so long as you were diagnosed more than 12 months ago and you meet any age restrictions that apply.
We recommend that you buy cover as soon as you book your trip. This way, you can take advantage of trip cancellation cover from the moment you purchase your policy.
In many cases, yes. Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include car rental excess cover. This is often a better option than taking out cover with the rental firm, but do check your policy wording so you know exactly what your insurance covers you for.
It depends on how expensive your clubs are and the benefit limit stated in your policy. Pricey clubs can cost more than your policy's 'lost, stolen or damaged items' cover. If it does, you generally 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 your 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 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!
There isn't an industry-agreed age after which travel insurance stops being offered – insurers that can cover those well over 100 years of age.
James Martin is Editor for Insurance at Finder. He has written on a range of finance and business topics for over six years and his work has been featured in publications including The Irish Times, Companies 100, In Business and Q Magazine (UK). As a trained journalist, he can drill into the finer details of financial products to help you save time and money. James is a committed sports fan, novel reader and he holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification.
Travel insurance is an essential expense for anyone planning a trip overseas, though sometimes it can be difficult to find cover if you are over 80 years of age.
What is seniors travel insurance and why do I have to pay more than someone younger? What are pre-existing medical conditions and why won’t many insurers cover them? Find out the answers to these and other questions in this handy guide to travel insurance for over 65s.
I’m sorry to learn that your trip was canceled. I can understand how disappointing this must be.
You can find your insurance policy number by checking your policy document/contract. And if you have online access to your account, you can also go to your policy provider’s website and log in to your account to know your policy number.
The one insured in the policy is the only person who is covered in the policy. The guardian/family member would need to have one and separate travel insurance.
You will find an online form on the page that will ask you to enter details of the trip. Enter all the information needed and click the ‘Get my quote’ button. This will lead you to another page that shows the insurers (according to your info) that may cover you.
You can find other filters on the left part of the page. You can compare the insurers by medical, cancellation, and excess cover, and price. To choose an insurer, simply click the ‘Go to site’ button to be redirected to their official website. Know that this is the stage to start your application.
As a friendly reminder, carefully review the Product Disclosure Statement of the product before applying. You may also contact the insurance provider should you have any questions about their policy.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
Looking for the cheapest travel insurance to cover us for delay or cancellation or accident which may prevent us from completing the journey as per schedule. We are leaving from Gladstone and sailing out to Heron Island. Medical cover is not required as we are staying on Oz territory.
You’re currently at the right page. Kindly enter your details in the table like the date and destinations as well as the age of traveller/s then click on the get quote button to start comparing your options. Once the page has updated its info, at the left side of the page you may click on your needs under Required cover options and Specific cover types – for cruise cover. Once you have chosen the cheapest insurer, please click on the green go to site button or get quote button to be redirected to the insurer’s official page to learn more on their products or start your online application.
I would like a quote please for travel insurance cover for two of us. We are both 61; my husband, Warren, is still working. He has a National Seniors card and I have a Victorian Seniors card. We are doing a fully escorted tour of NZ, which includes flights there and back, of course, coach, rail and cruise tours [lakes and rivers]. Our travel dates from Melbourne are Tuesday 17th September, returning to Melbourne on Tuesday 8th October, 2019.
Thanks from Belinda Smeal
In getting a quote for travel insurance, we are on the right page. You just need to complete the details required via the form provided on this page and click on the green “Get my quote” button to see a panel of lenders that you could reach out to in taking out a travel insurance. Hope this helps!
On this page, you may read more on senior’s travel insurance cover cruises. Some insurers offer cover for seniors from our list of cruise travel insurance page. You can use the table to compare brands side-by-side. You can also use cruise travel insurance form. Simply input your details on the table then click on the “Get my quote” button to see and compare your options. If you have further enquiries on your cruise travel insurance, it is best to contact your chosen insurers as they more accurate info to answer your travel insurance queries.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other inquiries.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.
finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product or service.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.
Products marked as 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money here.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labelling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
Hi Im trying to get my policy no , so I can clam my insurance for cancelled trip
Thanks Roy
Hi Roy,
I’m sorry to learn that your trip was canceled. I can understand how disappointing this must be.
You can find your insurance policy number by checking your policy document/contract. And if you have online access to your account, you can also go to your policy provider’s website and log in to your account to know your policy number.
I hope this helps,
Regards,
James
Hi S,
Thanks for getting in touch!
The one insured in the policy is the only person who is covered in the policy. The guardian/family member would need to have one and separate travel insurance.
You will find an online form on the page that will ask you to enter details of the trip. Enter all the information needed and click the ‘Get my quote’ button. This will lead you to another page that shows the insurers (according to your info) that may cover you.
You can find other filters on the left part of the page. You can compare the insurers by medical, cancellation, and excess cover, and price. To choose an insurer, simply click the ‘Go to site’ button to be redirected to their official website. Know that this is the stage to start your application.
As a friendly reminder, carefully review the Product Disclosure Statement of the product before applying. You may also contact the insurance provider should you have any questions about their policy.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
Safe travels,
Nikki
Looking for the cheapest travel insurance to cover us for delay or cancellation or accident which may prevent us from completing the journey as per schedule. We are leaving from Gladstone and sailing out to Heron Island. Medical cover is not required as we are staying on Oz territory.
Hi Pete,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
You’re currently at the right page. Kindly enter your details in the table like the date and destinations as well as the age of traveller/s then click on the get quote button to start comparing your options. Once the page has updated its info, at the left side of the page you may click on your needs under Required cover options and Specific cover types – for cruise cover. Once you have chosen the cheapest insurer, please click on the green go to site button or get quote button to be redirected to the insurer’s official page to learn more on their products or start your online application.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I would like a quote please for travel insurance cover for two of us. We are both 61; my husband, Warren, is still working. He has a National Seniors card and I have a Victorian Seniors card. We are doing a fully escorted tour of NZ, which includes flights there and back, of course, coach, rail and cruise tours [lakes and rivers]. Our travel dates from Melbourne are Tuesday 17th September, returning to Melbourne on Tuesday 8th October, 2019.
Thanks from Belinda Smeal
Hi Belinda,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
In getting a quote for travel insurance, we are on the right page. You just need to complete the details required via the form provided on this page and click on the green “Get my quote” button to see a panel of lenders that you could reach out to in taking out a travel insurance. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Cost of travel insurance for 18 days cruising around Australia only.
Hi Jan,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
On this page, you may read more on senior’s travel insurance cover cruises. Some insurers offer cover for seniors from our list of cruise travel insurance page. You can use the table to compare brands side-by-side. You can also use cruise travel insurance form. Simply input your details on the table then click on the “Get my quote” button to see and compare your options. If you have further enquiries on your cruise travel insurance, it is best to contact your chosen insurers as they more accurate info to answer your travel insurance queries.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other inquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni