Obtaining Travel Insurance for Seniors Aged Over 70

Obtaining Travel Insurance for Seniors Aged Over 70

Over-70s Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide

Traveling in your golden years can be an exciting adventure, but it's essential to have the right travel insurance to ensure peace of mind. For over-70s, the cost of travel insurance may be higher due to the increased risk associated with age and pre-existing medical conditions.

Age and Premiums

After the age of 70, travel insurance premiums tend to rise significantly. Insurers view older travelers as higher risk, especially when pre-existing medical conditions are involved. The average premium for single trip travel insurance for over-70s is around £107.56, more than double the average premiums for those in their 60s (£52.93).

Pre-existing Conditions

Having pre-existing conditions can add complexity to getting travel insurance, but it's crucial to disclose them for claims to be valid. Some conditions may be covered at no extra cost, while others may increase the premium. Full disclosure is essential to avoid claim denial.

Coverage

Policies for over-70s typically include emergency medical treatment, repatriation, loss or theft of luggage, cancellation cover, and sometimes cover for a carer if needed. Over-70s travel insurance often includes more comprehensive health-related coverage, extending to pre-existing conditions if declared accurately.

Geographic Variance

Prices for travel insurance outside the UK, such as Indian travel insurance, vary significantly and are quoted monthly rather than per trip. Premiums depend heavily on the destination and coverage limits.

Additional Benefits

Over-70s travel insurance often comes with additional benefits, such as comprehensive medical cover, prescription protection, luggage insurance, and emergency assistance. Alicia Hempsted, an insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, emphasizes that these policies are designed with the needs of older travelers in mind.

Shopping Around

Given the higher likelihood of pre-existing medical conditions or a higher risk of trip cancellations, it's advisable for over-70s to shop around to get the right cover at the best price. Comparison websites like go.compare, MoneySuperMarket, and CompareTheMarket can help find the cheapest travel insurance deals by comparing quotes from hundreds of insurers.

Considerations

When buying over-70s travel insurance, it's essential to consider factors such as medical cover for the countries you'll visit, cancellation cover for the total cost of your trip, activities you'll be doing, single-item limit on personal possessions, and excess payment affordability. It's also advisable to check if you need to have booked your return ticket before you travel.

Important Reminders

If a traveler over 70 has a pre-existing medical condition, it may be beneficial to ensure medical equipment is covered by insurance. It's important to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer, even if you are awaiting test results, to avoid claims being denied.

Lastly, it's wise to ensure travel insurance for over-70s covers last-minute cancellations, lost or stolen belongings/luggage, trip delays, and cancellations. Getting a travel insurance quote for over-70s can be more difficult and premiums may be higher due to the higher risk of claims, but with careful planning and shopping around, you can find the right policy for your needs.

1. To maintain a healthy and active lifestyle during travels, consider including 'pensions' savings to cover the increased costs of over-70s travel insurance.
2. For over-70s interested in 'travel', health-and-wellness practiced via regular science-backed exercise routines may help manage age-related conditions, potentially reducing the need for extensive medical coverage in travel insurance policies.
3. As lifestyle choices play a significant role in 'aging' healthily, making choices to maintain a healthy diet, manage stress, and prioritize sleep can lead to a decrease in medical conditions, potentially reducing the cost of travel insurance premiums.

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