Key takeaways
While there isn’t travel insurance specifically for seniors, there are a number of travel insurance options that would suit a senior traveller. Here are the key things to know:
- Medicare and private health insurance won’t cover you while you’re overseas if you have a medical emergency
- Seniors can typically be insured up to 99 years old, but in some cases, age limits may apply
- Cover for pre-existing-conditions may be available but may require an online medical assessment from your insurer
Travel insurance for seniors
Catriona Rowntree’s top travel tips for seniors
Catriona Rowntree
Travel
Video Transcript
Hello, I’m Catriona Rowntree, host of Australia’s longest running travel and lifestyle show, Getaway. And today, I would like to talk to you about travel insurance in your later years. You know, it’s a common question. Can seniors even get travel insurance?
Well, of course, they can. Why should you get travel insurance? Well, it is one of the best ways to cover your trip. You can enjoy peace of mind if you become ill or injured while travelling or if you’re a victim of crime.
Now, when considering insurance, always look for a policy that allows you to declare any pre-existing medical conditions as part of your application. The insurer needs to know this information so it can be considered when your cover and premium are being determined. Now, if the insurer decides to cover the condition, you can rest easy knowing you have the cover you need, and there are no surprises if you’re injured or become ill while travelling. If your trip includes a cruise, an international travel insurance policy that includes cover for medical expenses is an important consideration.
Remember, you are not covered under Medicare benefits or private health insurance once you leave port. Even if you’re in Australian waters. Now to complement the medical cover, consider cover for if your trip is cancelled due to unforeseen circ*mstances and cover for your luggage and personal belongings. And finally, take photocopies of your travel insurance policy and your passport.
Bring a copy with you and leave a copy back home with someone you trust. So, if you lose the originals, you can at least still have access to everything that you need. You know, navigating what travel insurance is right for you. It doesn’t have to be difficult.
By comparing, you could save time and money. Compare the Market can help you compare travel insurance policies online in minutes. So you can travel with confidence.
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 covermay 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 provideReciprocal 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:
- The differenttypes of travel insuranceand what you want to be covered for
- If anyexclusionsor additional conditions apply to your policies due to age limits
- If yourpre-existing medical conditionscan be covered.
Always read theProduct 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 withcruise coveris ideal as it includes cover for medical expenses. Even when cruisingAustraliaon 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 andrental vehicle excess, acomprehensive travel insurancepolicy might be at the top of your list.
Annual cover
If you’re looking to travel multiple times a year, anannual multi-trip policymay 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?
Age limits are usually an immediate concern for older Australian travellers, but it’s possible for seniors over 80 to get travel insurance. Seniors up to 99 may have a choice of policies, such as:
- Basic
- Standard
- Comprehensive.
Not all insurers will have the same age limits and same levels of cover, so read the PDS before purchasing a policy.
Is there an age limit for travel insurance?
Travel insurance for seniors can typically insure those up to 99 years old. However, it’s important to understand that:
- Insurers may have different age limits, and not all will provide cover up to 99 years of age
- Your travel insurance policy may be more expensive as you get older
- Age limits on policies refer to your age when the Certificate of Insurance was purchased, so your cover won’t be affected if you have a birthday while travelling.
Inclusions, exclusions and pre-existing conditions
Inclusions
You never know what might happen on your travels, so it can be a good idea to find acomprehensive policywith the following common inclusions:
- Overseasmedical costs(notably emergency assistance, hospital expenses,emergency evacuation and repatriation)
- Expenses fromcancellation and travel delays(such as alternative accommodation)
- Loss, damage and theft of luggage and personal items including cash, credit cards and travel documents
- Personal liability(e.g., legal expenses if you accidentally injure another person or their belongings).
If you’re a grandparent travelling with dependants, many travel partners will automatically cover dependent children for no additional cost, subject to the conditions of the policy, as long as:
- They’re not working full-time
- They meet the age limits of your insurer
- They’re financially dependent on their parents or grandparents
Exclusions
Like any insurance product, each travel policy will come with someexclusions. Some of the following exclusions can apply to any travel insurance policy, whether you’re a senior or not:
- Unattended luggage. Your insurer may not cover your claim where luggage is left unattended.
- Third-party compensation.If you’ve already been compensated for a loss by a third party, like your airline or tour operator, then your insurer might not compensate you again.
- Influence of alcohol or drugs.If a claim was caused by or impacted by you being affected by alcohol or other drugs, your insurer may not cover it.
Pre-existing medical conditions
Not allpre-existing medical conditionscan be covered by travel insurance. When taking out travel insurance, always declare your pre-existing conditions to your insurer so they can assess if they can offer you cover. Otherwise, they may refuse to compensate you for any claim that’s related to your condition.
When you disclose your pre-existing conditions, your insurer can factor this into your policy (although an additional premium may apply). A travel insurance policy covering your pre-existing conditions can be a huge relief for travellers.
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 car 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.
Want to know more about travel insurance?
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Travel insurance
- Travel insurance for cruises
- Annual travel insurance
- Travel insurance exclusions
