Over 80 and going abroad? Don’t forget your travel insurance

Being in your eighties does not mean giving up the pleasures of traveling abroad. Just make sure your travel insurance is sorted first to enjoy a stress-free stay abroad. Our guide explains how coverage may differ for older travelers and what to look out for when purchasing a policy.

Basically, yes. If you go abroad without insurance, you are taking a big risk. Regardless of your age, the right travel insurance policy will cover a range of unwanted scenarios such as illness or injury, loss of property, flight cancellation, and vacation disruption. Without travel cover in place, you will likely have to pay for a costly recovery on your own. So a suitable travel insurance policy buys additional peace of mind.

Policies vary, but generally cover the following:

Because you never know when you might need travel insurance, providers usually have a 24-hour phone support to offer assistance. Always check the availability of such support when purchasing a policy.

Some providers limit coverage to people up to age 79. But if you’re over 80, don’t let that put you off because travel insurance is still available. You might find that it’s a bit more expensive and you should check that the terms of the policy cover your specific needs. Pick the right one, and a travel insurance policy for those over 80 may even provide coverage for travelers under the age of 100.

It depends on how much you plan to travel, the location, and what you plan to do. If this is a one-time trip after which you plan to hang your beach towel or hiking boots for good, then a one-time travel policy will provide the most cost-effective option. But if you plan to travel more than once in a 12 month period, then annual multi-trip travel insurance is often the way to go. Make sure your policy matches the places you plan to visit. Customers typically choose policies that cover the whole world, Europe, or the UK only.

As you get older, the chances of having a health problem increase. If you are planning to travel with a pre-existing medical condition, it is important to be upfront with your insurer. Even though it may cost more, failure to report a known condition may invalidate your policy.

The good news is that there are providers that specialize in travel insurance for older travelers with medical conditions. The government money counseling service website has a directory of over 30 providers who will tell you what conditions they cover and whether you will need a medical exam first. Alternatively, for further advice call the British Insurance Brokers’ Association on 0370 950 1790.

It varies between insurers. Some providers use a medical screening company for people with pre-existing conditions, where you will be asked questions about your condition and the medications you are taking. Since all medical screening companies operate slightly differently, each may ask you different questions and this may be reflected in your quote. This means that a good tip when shopping for travel insurance is to get quotes from insurers who use different medical screening companies.

If you are fit and healthy with no pre-existing health issues, you can buy travel insurance instantly online. If your situation is more complex, it may need to be analyzed by the underwriters of the insurer before being approved. Although this length of time may differ, you should still receive prompt and prominent quotes so that you can decide if this is the best policy for you.

Consult current advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) before deciding to travel. For example, non-essential travel was not allowed until May 17, 2021 and you would not be covered by your travel insurance policy.

It should also be noted that different rules may apply in the four home countries, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As always, check your policy. If in doubt, check directly with the supplier, and finally check with the FCDO to see what advice is given.

The smart answer is “yes”. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you the right to access health care provided by the state when visiting countries in the European Economic Area or Switzerland, but this does not necessarily mean that it’s free – in some places you may need to contribute towards the cost of your treatment.

Since Brexit, the UK government has introduced the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) as a replacement for an EHIC, but existing EHICs are still valid until they expire. The free GHIC offers the same coverage as the EHIC in EU countries, but it does not include private medical care, loss of your property or repatriation to the UK. This is also not valid on cruises.

The rule of thumb is to shop around and get a selection of quotes before you make your decision. It might take a bit of time, but it’s worth doing your research if it gives you the most cost-effective assurance and peace of mind that it has all of your needs covered.

Remember, you are looking for the best coverage, not just the cheapest. Insurance for distant trips is likely to be more expensive. For example, travel to the United States, Canada and the Caribbean may increase the premium because medical care in these destinations may be more expensive than in Europe. The bottom line is that your policy covers you for all eventualities.