cheapest over 80 travel insurance

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The Best Travel Insurance Options for Seniors [Ages 65, 70, and Over 80]

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

312 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 98 U.S. States Visited: 45

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

35 Published Articles 3262 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

Why purchase travel insurance, what you need to know about age and travel insurance, best travel insurance options — ages 65 to 69, best travel insurance options — ages 70 to 79, best travel insurance options — age 80 and above, credit card travel insurance, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Our senior years can be some of the most exciting years of our lives. If we’re fortunate, we’ll now have the time, and hopefully, the resources, to make our travel dreams come true.

As we age, however, traveling may pose some additional risks. We may be more likely to have health-related issues and therefore the need to seek medical attention during our journey. We may also have occasions where we need to cancel our plans due to health issues or the health of those around us.

Now, more than ever, we need to think seriously about purchasing travel insurance. The good news is that comprehensive travel insurance, regardless of your age, is widely available and relatively affordable. With that being said, chances are you could use a little help getting started with the process of finding and purchasing the right plan.

If you’re 65 years of age or older and thinking about purchasing travel insurance, don’t pull the trigger without reviewing the information in today’s article on travel insurance options for seniors.

Travel insurance can protect you from financial loss due to unforeseen events that can cause you to cancel your trip or disrupt your trip once it’s in progress. As we age and our health declines, we may be more likely to experience such an event.

Travel insurance can cover the following situations:

• You, a family member, or travel companion becomes seriously ill and you must cancel your trip
• You slip and fall while traveling abroad, require medical care, and are forced to stay in a foreign city until you can travel again
• You are on safari and break your ankle, requiring emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital

The types of coverage you can expect to find on travel insurance policies include the following:

• Emergency medical coverage
• Emergency evacuation
• Trip cancellation, trip interruption , and trip delay
• Baggage insurance and personal effects coverage
• Travel accident and accidental life insurance

You may also elect to add coverage such as cancel for any reason insurance (CFAR) , a waiver for preexisting conditions, or car rental insurance.

It’s possible to purchase travel insurance at just about any age. If you’re healthy enough to travel, you’ll generally be able to find coverage. You’ll normally be paying more to purchase coverage as you get older, however, and most policies may have preexisting health stipulations.

The Cost of Travel Insurance

As age increases, so does the cost of purchasing travel insurance . The good news, however, is that premiums tend to vary widely between companies who offer policies for older travelers, so it pays to compare.

The easiest way to compare policies is via insurance comparison sites such as SquareMouth , InsureMyTrip , or TravelInsurance.com . Travel comparison sites make it easy to compare travel insurance policy pricing and coverage options for all ages.

We’ve used these sites to find most of the comparison quotes provided in this article.

Preexisting Conditions

As we age, we’re more likely to have preexisting health conditions, which can be excluded from most travel insurance policies. Once again, the good news is that preexisting condition exclusions are generally limited to a specified timeframe previous to the effective date of your policy.

If you have shown symptoms or been treated within a specified time period before your trip, usually 90 to 120 days, your condition may not be covered for certain coverages such as trip interruption, cancellation, or emergency medical. Each company’s requirements may differ.

Also, on a positive note is that many insurers allow you to purchase a preexisting condition waiver when you purchase your policy.

Travel Insurance and Medicare

Health insurance may or may not cover medical costs abroad. And even if there is coverage, evacuation costs may not be included. The same scenario exists with Medicare.

Medicare will not cover medical expenses incurred abroad . There are very limited situations where Medicare may grant coverage, such as if you reside in the U.S. and a foreign hospital (such as a Canadian hospital) is closer to your residence than the U.S. hospital, or you’re traveling through Canada to reach another U.S. state or territory. Also, several terms and conditions apply.

There are Medicare supplement policies you can purchase that can cover you while traveling abroad. You’ll pay a standard $250 deductible, have coverage for 80% of eligible expenses beyond that amount, and have a lifetime cap of $50,000 in coverage.

So even if you have Medicare, a Medicare supplement, or other health insurance policy, there can still be plenty of gaps in coverage when you’re traveling abroad.

For this reason, and the need for additional coverage such as trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage coverage, and more, it’s prudent to purchase travel insurance.

Bottom Line: Medicare will generally not cover medical expenses when you’re traveling outside of the U.S. and its territories and Medicare supplement and Advantage policies provide limited coverage. Travel insurance is a wise choice for covering medical expenses and for other travel-related events that could cause you to cancel your trip or disrupt your journey in progress. 

COVID-19 and Travel Insurance

As we advance in age, the chance we will need to cancel a trip due to health-related issues increases. Fortunately, most travel insurance policies cover trip cancellations due to illness. However, travel insurance policies do not cover voluntary cancellations such as canceling your trip due to the fear of getting sick.

Cancel for any reason insurance (CFAR), when added to a travel insurance policy, will allow you to cancel your trip for any reason you deem necessary. It will even cover you if you simply decide not to go.

While CFAR insurance allows you to cancel your trip for any reason, including COVID-19-related issues, the coverage will not reimburse 100% of your costs. The coverage can only be purchased when you purchase your travel insurance or for a short window following the purchase. CFAR insurance can also be expensive.

Our article on COVID-19-related trip cancellations goes into a lot more detail.

Priorities change as we change and as a result, we may have different insurance needs at age 65 than we do at age 80. Here are some examples of travel insurance plans that might be a fit for travelers age 65-69.

World Nomads — Best For Active Seniors

If you’re under age 70, you’ll find comprehensive travel insurance coverage with World Nomads . What sets World Nomads apart from other insurance providers is that they’re experts at insuring active travelers who participate in adventurous activities.

While World Nomads does not offer CFAR insurance, COVID-19 is not excluded as an illness for trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage.

World Nomads only insures those travelers under age 70 and refers older travelers to its partner TripAssure .

For a traveler 68 years of age, traveling to the Netherlands for 8 days, with a total trip cost of $3,000, here are some sample costs.

The main differences in these plans are that the Explorer Plan covers an expanded collection of over 200 covered adventurous activities, has higher limits for trip interruption/cancellation/delay and emergency evacuation, and includes rental car insurance.

Secure your own quote from World Nomads .

Allianz — Best for Annual Multi-Trip Policies

Allianz simplifies purchasing travel insurance with its offerings of travel insurance package policies. You can select from single trip policies with several levels of coverage options or annual multi-trip policies that cover every trip you make during the policy period, even ones you haven’t yet planned.

If you travel frequently, or even a few times each year, purchasing an annual, multi-trip plan could be a cost-effective way to protect all your trips.

To learn more about Allianz and its policy offerings , you’ll want to check out our review for details.

Hot Tip: Be sure to compare the price of an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy to a single-trip plan, even if you are only currently planning 1 trip. You may find a better value in the annual multi-trip policy and not have to purchase additional coverage if you should decide to travel again during the policy period. 

Best for Covering COVID-19 Cancellations

Many policies will cover trip cancellation due to getting the virus, but none will cover cancellation due to the fear of getting the virus. To cover cancellations based on the fear of COVID-19, you’ll need a policy that allows you to add CFAR insurance .

The following are just a sampling of companies that offer this option on their policies.

• John Hancock
• Seven Corners

Please note that not every policy these companies offer allows you to add CFAR coverage.

For more information on travel insurance covering COVID-19 , we’ve put together an informative article.

There are a lot of reasons to embrace the wanderlust and travel in your 70s. By then, many have retired and perhaps have more money to spend on travel. There can also be a sense of urgency to travel while we’re still healthy.

As we’ve mentioned, however, as we age we are more apt to have health issues. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean we’ll be unable to purchase travel insurance. Even into our 70s, we’ll have plenty of travel insurance options, and coverage can still be affordable.

Best for Preexisting Conditions

Since travel insurance is meant to protect you from unforeseen events, having a preexisting health condition may rule out any chance of coverage for that issue. However, several companies allow you to purchase a waiver so that preexisting health conditions can be covered.

Here are just a few companies that offer this waiver:

• Travel Guard
• Travel Insured

Each company has its own requirements for adding a preexisting condition waiver to your policy. You must purchase the policy within a specific time period, such as within 14 to 30 days after making your first trip deposit payment. You may also be required to insure the entire cost of your trip and your health must be medically stable when purchasing the coverage.

As a senior, it becomes more and more likely that we will actually have to use our travel insurance coverage as we age. However, even at age 80 or beyond, you’ll still find travel insurance widely available and relatively affordable. Some companies are willing to insure older travelers but charge higher premiums , so it’s wise to compare the pricing of several providers.

Above you’ll find a sampling of 4 SquareMouth quotes for single-trip travel insurance policies that include CFAR insurance for a traveler 80 years of age. The trip’s total cost was stated at $3,000 and was 8 days in length. Quotes ranged from $382 (Seven Corners) to well over $1,000 to insure the trip (not all quotes are shown). Coverage limits can also vary greatly, so it can be beneficial to compare policy limits.

If you’re looking to purchase travel insurance and you’re 80 years of age or older, it’s imperative to compare policies for the best pricing and coverage.

Hot Tip: Seniors ages 65 to 99 who are not interested in CFAR (cancel for any reason) insurance, may consider an annual multi-trip travel insurance plan. Allianz is a company that charges the same premium, regardless of age, for its annual plans for travelers ages 65 to 99 . 

There is 1 type of travel insurance that will cover you, regardless of age . U.S.-issued credit cards come with various types of travel insurance coverages that apply to all primary cardholders.

Typical travel insurance coverage found on credit cards includes the following:

• Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage insurance
• Car rental insurance
• Roadside assistance
• Travel accident insurance
• Travel assistance hotline

Premium credit cards such as The Platinum Card ® from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve ® also come with valuable emergency evacuation coverage. Additionally, the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card  is known for its comprehensive travel insurance benefits, including primary car rental insurance .

To learn more about which credit cards come with travel coverage, check out our article on the best credit cards for travel insurance benefits.

Bottom Line: The travel insurance benefits that come with U.S.-issued credit cards do not generally have age limits for coverage. However, many credit card travel benefits may be secondary to other insurance you might have. This means that you might first have to file a claim with your own insurance before the credit card insurance is valid. 

As seniors, purchasing travel insurance should be a priority for protecting your investment and preventing losses you might incur due to unexpected medical expenses during your travels.

With wide availability, regardless of age, it’s not only a prudent economic move, but it’s also a move that delivers peace of mind before and during your trip.

Finally, always make sure to compare policies as coverages and prices vary widely between travel insurance providers.

You can learn more about the best travel insurance companies for travelers  and the basics of travel insurance in our informative articles.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best travel insurance for seniors over 65.

Since travel insurance is widely available, even for seniors over 65, the best policy can be found by comparing companies and policies.

Using a travel insurance comparison site such as SquareMouth, InsureMyTrip, or TravelInsurance.com can assist you in comparing coverages and costs between only highly-rated financially stable travel insurance companies.

If you travel more than once per year, consider an annual, multi-trip, policy that covers any trip you take during the policy period.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

Travel insurance is meant to cover unforeseen events. Once COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, it became a known event and is not covered as a reason for canceling your trip plans.

However, there are situations where COVID-19-related claims can be covered. If you become ill with the virus before or during your trip, you may be covered for trip cancellation, trip interruption, or emergency medical.

Does travel insurance cover preexisting medical conditions?

A standard travel insurance policy does not cover ongoing preexisting health conditions. However, many companies will insure you if you have a condition that is stabilized with medicine and no recent treatment has been sought. Requirements vary by travel insurance provider.

Also, many companies allow you to purchase a waiver that will then cover you for preexisting conditions.

Does credit card travel insurance cover flight cancellations?

The trip cancellation, interruption, or delay coverage that comes with your credit card does not cover voluntary flight cancellations.

The coverage does cover some flight cancellations due to unforeseen events such as becoming ill prior to, or during your trip. Coverage varies by credit card issuer but you will find a list of specific covered events in your card’s guide to benefits.

You can also call the number on the back of your card and speak with the claim administer.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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Over 80 Travel Insurance

Written and researched by Michael Kays (Travel Insurance Expert) | Fact Checked by Danya Kristen (Insurance Agent).

Life begins at 80, right? When you’ve reached this golden age, you’ve amassed a wealth of knowledge, experience, and, most importantly, the time to explore this beautiful world.

But let’s get down to brass tacks: securing travel insurance when you’re over 80 can feel like a bit of a rollercoaster ride.

But fear not, we’re here to make it a breeze, so sit tight, and let’s unravel this over 80 travel insurance conundrum.

In this article...

Why Over 80 Travel Insurance is Crucial

The freedom of retirement often brings the opportunity to travel more frequently or for longer durations. But as we age, the risk of unexpected health issues increases, making travel insurance more important than ever.

Plus, let’s not forget those unforeseen travel hiccups like cancellations, delays, lost baggage, and even emergencies back home that could cut your trip short.

Recommended Plans

✅  Atlas America

Up to $2,000,000 of Overall Maximum Coverage, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19, Trip Interruption & Travel Delay.

✅  Safe Travels Comprehensive

Coverage for in-patient and out-patient medical accidents up to $1 Million, Coverage of acute episodes of pre-existing conditions, Coverage from 5 days to 364 days (about 12 months).

✅  Patriot America Platinum

Up to $8,000,000 limits, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Coinsurance for treatment received in the U.S. (100% within PPO Network), Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions covered.

Finding the Right Over 80 Travel Insurance

Navigating the travel insurance market can feel like finding a needle in a haystack, but hold your horses! You don’t have to settle for the first policy you come across.

A bit of due diligence can go a long way in finding the right coverage tailored to your needs.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions Coverage

Traveling the world in your 80s can be one of life’s greatest joys, but it can come with its own set of challenges. One of these challenges is managing pre-existing medical conditions and understanding how they impact your travel insurance coverage.

What is a Pre-existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition is any medical or health condition that existed before the start date of your travel insurance policy. This could be something you’ve received treatment for, taken medication for, or sought advice about.

Conditions could range from chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

In the context of travel insurance for those over 80, insurers consider these pre-existing conditions while evaluating the risk and the potential cost of insurance.

This is because older people are statistically more likely to need medical assistance while traveling abroad .

Declaring Your Pre-existing Conditions

Declaring your pre-existing conditions when applying for your travel insurance is a crucial step.

Honesty is the best policy here, folks. It might be tempting to omit a condition for fear of increasing the cost of your premium, but this could lead to a denied claim when you need help the most.

Be prepared to answer questions about your medical history, current treatments, and medications.

This may include specialist reports and details about hospital visits. Yes, it might take a bit of time and you may need to consult with your doctor, but it’s worth it to ensure you’re fully covered.

Coverage Options for Pre-existing Conditions

The coverage for pre-existing conditions varies greatly among insurers. Some may offer to cover your condition as part of their standard policy, particularly if your condition is under control and hasn’t required recent treatment.

Others may require an additional premium to cover the risk associated with your condition. In some cases, the insurer might exclude your condition from the coverage, meaning you wouldn’t be able to claim costs associated with it.

Travel insurance for those over 80 with pre-existing conditions may require a little more homework to find the best policy.

But remember, the peace of mind knowing you’re covered is worth its weight in gold. After all, you’re in your golden years, and your travels should reflect that.

Yes, it can be a pain to disclose your medical history, but it’s absolutely essential for your travel insurance application.

Full transparency can save you from denied claims and potential financial woes.

We promise it’s less painful than a dentist appointment.

Benefits and Limitations

Just like a good old spy movie, every travel insurance policy comes with its twists and turns.

Know your benefits inside and out, from medical and hospital costs to cancellation and curtailment. But also familiarize yourself with the limitations and exclusions , so there are no nasty surprises.

The Cost Factor

Cost is often a major consideration for those seeking travel insurance over 80. But remember, the cheapest policy might not provide adequate coverage.

It’s like buying a chocolate chip cookie only to find it’s raisin. Make sure your policy provides value for money and covers what you need.

The Best Travel Insurance Plans for Those Over 80

Finding the right travel insurance policy for those over 80 can be a bit like finding a needle in a haystack, but fear not, it’s out there.

The best plans not only cover the basics like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage, but also take into account the unique needs of the seasoned globetrotter.

Here are some recommended travel insurance plans ideal for the over 80 group:

1. VisitCover Senior

VisitCover Senior is a travel insurance policy designed specifically for those over 80.

With generous coverage for medical expenses, including those related to pre-existing conditions, this plan also offers protection for trip cancellations and delays, lost or delayed baggage, and more.

The customer service is top-notch, helping you navigate any obstacles that might crop up during your travels.

2. GlobeTrotter Platinum

GlobeTrotter Platinum is another robust policy providing high medical coverage limits.

It also includes coverage for emergency evacuations – a crucial consideration for those traveling to remote or exotic locations. GlobeTrotter has a solid reputation and a customer service team that goes the extra mile.

3. WanderWell Explorer

WanderWell Explorer offers comprehensive coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and baggage issues.

This policy stands out for its optional “cancel for any reason” upgrade, giving you the flexibility to change your travel plans without worrying about losing your investment.

4. AdventureShield Diamond

AdventureShield Diamond caters to the more adventurous souls who don’t let age slow them down. Alongside standard coverage, it includes protection for adventure activities, from hiking and biking to ziplining and snorkeling.

If your bucket list still has a few thrill-seeking entries, AdventureShield might be the one for you.

When choosing a travel insurance plan, consider your health, travel itinerary, and personal comfort level. It might be worth paying a bit extra for a comprehensive policy that gives you peace of mind and lets you focus on the fun stuff – experiencing the trip of a lifetime.

Q: Why is travel insurance for those over 80 often more expensive?

Travel insurance premiums rise with age because insurers see older travelers as a higher risk due to increased health issues and medical needs.

Q: Are there any travel insurance providers that specialize in over 80 travel insurance?

Yes, several travel insurance providers specialize in insurance for older travelers. Some may even provide coverage without an upper age limit.

Q: Can I still get travel insurance if I have pre-existing medical conditions?

Yes, but it might affect the cost of your premium, and not all conditions may be covered. Be sure to disclose all pre-existing conditions to your insurer.

Q: What happens if I fall ill abroad without travel insurance?

Without insurance, you could be responsible for any medical costs incurred. This could include everything from doctor visits to hospital stays, medication, and even medical evacuation .

Q: Can I get travel insurance for a single trip or do I need to buy an annual policy?

You can get coverage for a single trip or buy an annual policy, depending on your travel plans. An annual policy may be cost-effective if you plan to travel multiple times within a year

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• Best overall
• Best for expensive trips
• Best for older travelers
• Best for affordability
• Best for annual plans
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Travel Insurance for Seniors of June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Reaching your golden years doesn't mean your adventures have to end. In fact, in this stage of life, you'll hopefully have more time and resources to travel. But as a senior citizen, you'll want to ensure you have travel insurance that covers any health-related issues arise while you travel.

Best Senior Travel Insurance Companies

• Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for expensive trips: John Hancock Travel Insurance
• Best for older travelers:  TravelSafe Insurance

Best for affordability: GeoBlue Travel Insurance

Best for annual plans: travel guard.

How we rate the best senior travel insurance companies »

Compare the Best Travel Insurance for Seniors

Your health gets more unpredictable as you age, which makes travel insurance more important for seniors. Unfortunately, it's also more expensive. The best travel insurance for seniors won't have too steep of a price hike compared to rates for younger travelers. It will have high coverage limits for emergency medical coverage, trip cancellations, and and emergency medical evacuation. It's also important that your travel insurance offers pre-existing condition waivers , ideally at no extra cost to the traveler. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance coverage for seniors in 2024.

Best overall: Allianz

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
• Single and multi-trip plans available
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
• Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Allianz Travel Insurance is one of the most widely recognized names in travel insurance, and it stands out as one of the top travel insurance providers for seniors. It offers a wide range of policies covering medical treatments overseas and emergency medical transport.

Allianz also provides options for varying trip lengths. Its annual multi-trip policies , for example, cover any trip you make during your policy period, even if they aren't yet planned, making it an excellent option for seniors who vacation multiple times per year.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Best for expensive trips: John Hancock

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 3 travel insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason rider available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable travel insurance premiums
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews of claims process are mixed
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers may not get specialty coverage for sports equipment and other high value items
• Trip cancellation for 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000 per person
• Medical evacuation coverage of up to $1,000,000

John Hancock Travel Insurance plans for seniors offer some of the best coverage available. It provides generous maximum benefit amounts while still offering affordable prices.

Each plan includes coverages like trip cancellation, emergency accident, and emergency medical, with the option to add benefits like CFAR (cancel for any reason) . Plus, getting a free online quote is a quick and straightforward process.

Read our John Hancock Travel Insurance review here.

Best for older travelers: TravelSafe Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to 120 days' coverage available for travelers ages 79 and under (30 days for 80+)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $2,500 per person for missed connections over three hours or more
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage of up to $150 per person per day kicks in after six hours or more
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy can be purchased by U.S. citizens living abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage ceiling of $100,000 may be low for some travelers' needs.
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Claims reviews from customers say performance is not always the best
• A well-rounded insurance plan for travelers who are concerned about missing connections for cruise-related travel
• Classic and Basic travel insurance plans
• GolfSafe travel insurance plans provide coverage for you and your equipment
• Travel medical insurance through partner Trawick International

TravelSafe Insurance is a great choice for older travelers, even among seniors, insuring travelers up to 100 years old. TravelSafe also offers pre-existing condition waivers for all its tiers when you purchase your policy within 21 days of your initial trip deposit. With a great deal of flexibility, travelers don't have to worry about eligibility when purchasing travel insurance with TravelSafe. TravelSafe even has two tiers of coverage devoted specifically to golfers. 

Read our TravelSafe travel insurance review here.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. A subsidary of Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers strong medical plans as long as you have a regular health insurance plan, but it doesn't have to be through Blue Cross
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers long-term and multi-trip travel protection
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Multiple complaints about claims not being paid or being denied
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Does not provide some of the more comprehensive coverage like CFAR insurance
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers who do get claims paid may need to file multiple claim forms

GeoBlue Travel Insurance is a travel insurance provider that specializes in travel medical insurance . Because it doesn't offer much trip protection or travel inconvenience coverage, it can charge cheaper premiums than its competitors. 

GeoBlue's policies cover travelers who are under 95 years old, offering sizeable coverage for emergency medical treatments (up to $1 million) and medical evacuations (up to $500K). It's worth noting that while coverage for pre-existing conditions are available, it costs extra.

Read our GeoBlue Travel Insurance review here.

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard  offers comprehensive insurance plans for shorter and longer trips. One of its more unique offerings is its Travel Guard Annual Plan.

This annual travel insurance comes with standard coverage benefits (trip delay, baggage loss, etc.) and substantial coverage amounts, which is important for seniors who travel multiple times per year. Travel Guard also offers a pre-existing medical condition waiver, meaning those with certain medical issues can still gain coverage.

Read our AIG Travel Guard Insurance review here.

Understanding Travel Insurance for Seniors

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand what travel insurance is and why it's particularly important for senior travelers. The best travel insurance offers financial protection against unexpected events affecting your trip, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

Types of coverage

• Medical Coverage: Ensures your medical expenses are covered in case of illness or injury.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage: Provides reimbursement if your trip is canceled or cut short due to unforeseen events.
• Baggage Coverage: Covers loss, damage, or theft of personal items during your trip.

Benefits of travel insurance for seniors

• Peace of Mind: Knowing you're covered in case of emergencies can make your travel stress-free.
• Financial Protection: Shields you from potentially overwhelming medical costs and trip cancellations fees.
• Assistance Services: Many plans offer 24/7 assistance services, providing help whenever and wherever you need it.

Making the most of your plan

After choosing a plan, it's crucial to understand your policy fully and know what services are available to you in case of an emergency.

Understanding your policy

When you purchase a travel insurance policy, you'll be able to see a description of benefits, which is a long document that describes the exceptions and limitations to your coverage. You should carefully review this document so you're not blindsided by unexpected claim denials. 

For example, if you're canceling a trip because unexpected work, you may not be eligible for coverage if you haven't worked at your company for long enough. Additionally, you should review your policy to ensure that your pre-existing condition is covered, as companies often have very specific language around what qualifies as a covered pre-existing condition.

Emergency assistance services

Most companies offer a 24/7 concierge service that can help you navigate situations that arise during your trip, even issues beyond the scope of your policy. They can advise you on how to navigate these situations in accordance with your policy and make sure you acquire the necessary documentation when you need to file a claim down the line.

How to Pick Travel Insurance as a Senior Traveler

It's wise to compare several different travel insurance policies for the best coverage and pricing, as premiums vary widely between insurers and depend on factors like your age and travel destination.

That said, some of the more essential coverages to look for if you're a senior citizen include:

• Travel medical coverage - This coverage will pay for your medical bills outside the US.
• Medical evacuation coverage - If you're injured or become sick while traveling, this coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if your condition necessitates it.
• Pre-existing conditions - Coverage for known health conditions. You'll need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time period from when you book your trip to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver .
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) - The name says it all! It'll cost extra and you'll need to purchase insurance early, but it's the most comprehensive trip cancellation coverage you can get. Note that CFAR insurance usually only covers up to 75% of your trip fees.
• Trip cancellation insurance - This coverage provides reimbursement for your prepaid and nonrefundable costs if you cannot make your trip due to an unforeseen event.
• Baggage delay insurance - This coverage will reimburse you for essentials like toiletries and clothes if your bags are delayed.
• Lost luggage insurance - This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount if your bags get lost en route.

Of these, the most critical to note are whether or not your policy covers pre-existing conditions and the limits for travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation.

Some insurance companies offer a waiver that will cover pre-existing conditions. You'll have to follow the requirements for adding a waiver to your policy, like insuring the entire cost of your trip. Or purchase the policy within a specific time after making your first trip deposit payments.

You'll also want to find a policy with high maximum limits for travel medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage. These types of expenses can be substantial, so you want to have appropriate coverage.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Senior Travel Insurance

When comparing senior travel insurance options, we looked at the following factors to evaluate each travel insurance provider:

• Coverage limits: We looked at each travel insurance company's coverage amounts for benefits like medical emergencies and trip cancellation.
• Flexibility: We looked at how customizable a policy is, so you can choose what your travel insurance policy covers .
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions are one of the more critical factors for travel insurance for senior citizens, so we looked at travel insurance companies that offer the best coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Price: We compared travel insurance providers offering reasonable basic and comprehensive coverage rates.
• Benefits geared towards seniors: We compared travel insurance companies that offer solid coverage for senior citizens, like medical evacuation, COVID-19 coverage, and trip cancellation.

You can read more about our insurance rating methodology here.

Best Senior Travel Insurance FAQs

Seniors should look for travel insurance policies that offer comprehensive medical coverage, including for pre-existing conditions and emergency medical evacuation. They should also consider policies with higher coverage limits to ensure adequate protection. Additionally, seniors should seek travel insurance plans that provide 24/7 assistance services, as well as coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and baggage protection.

The cost of senior travel insurance coverage can vary depending on your age, overall health, state of residence, travel destination, and length of your trip. While the average travel insurance policy costs 4% to 8% of your trip's nonrefundable cost, a 65-year-old's policy may cost 15% of their trip's cost.

All travel insurance companies, except World Nomads, included in this guide offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as long as you buy your policy within the qualifying period from when you placed your trip deposit.

Allianz is the best travel insurance for seniors due to its wide array of medical coverages and emergency medical transport. Allianz also offers multi-trip insurance policies , which could make sense for seniors who travel frequently.

In some instances, travel insurance companies will have age eligibility restrictions, often only insuring people 80 years old and younger.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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The Guide to Senior Travel Insurance

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

The best senior travel insurance options

Tips for selecting travel insurance for seniors, what else seniors need to know about travel insurance, travel insurance for seniors, recapped.

Travel insurance is a smart way to protect the money you have invested in a big trip in case unforeseen hurdles stop you from traveling. Seemingly now more than ever, last-minute changes can disrupt a trip, and in some cases, the money spent on nonrefundable purchases is at risk. There are numerous travel insurance options for people older than 65, but it is important to understand the nuances of senior travel insurance.

Medical issues or situations at (or en route to) your destination can stifle even the best-laid plans. Many credit cards include travel insurance as one of their benefits. These plans can assist in the event of lost or delayed baggage, flight delays and cancellations, and other adjustments to a trip paid for with that particular card.

When buying supplemental senior citizen travel insurance, don’t rely on the default option presented by your travel provider. There are many considerations to take into account, like how far from home you plan to be, the potential for injury or sickness (including your pre-existing medical conditions), and what may already be covered by other insurance plans you have.

For example, medical evacuation may not be covered, but local transportation to a hospital may be. And remember that U.S. health plans or Medicare coverage are especially limited outside of the country.

Here are some options worth reviewing from a handful of insurance providers: Allianz, Medjet, Travelers and your specific travel provider.

Here are a select few senior travel insurance options for people 65 and older.

Allianz offers excellent coverage for travelers over 65. It can help make payments for medical treatments overseas, even in the local currency and their preferred payment methods, to keep you from paying out of pocket.

For longer trips, it offers an AllTrips Prime Plan in increments of three, six or 12 months (ideal if you plan to vacation elsewhere during the winter months, for example). This plan covers emergency medical transport. The company takes into account certain pre-existing medical conditions so be sure to read the fine print.

If you fall ill or need assistance during your travels, Medjet ’s supplemental coverage for medical transportation helps you get to your home or the hospital of your choice. It includes air medical transport. This is a membership program that covers emergencies and can be tacked onto trips or purchased annually. While not technically travel insurance, this company offers an additional medical transport option for emergencies.

This coverage can be helpful if you're planning to travel in remote or unfamiliar areas, such as on safaris, to secluded islands and other far-flung destinations.

» Learn more: Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?

Most other travel insurers might only get you to the nearest appropriate hospital facility. For travelers younger than 75, Medjet offers no pre-existing medical condition exclusions and it doesn't rule out the same number of activities that other providers might.

3. Travelers

With the option to buy an annual, multi-trip protector, Travelers insurance covers a whole year of trips with the option to upgrade several features. The add-ons include “Cancel For Any Reason” insurance and trip interruption coverage.

4. Your travel provider’s own plan

On certain types of trips, say a cruise or a Caribbean resort that is prone to hurricanes, using the travel provider’s recommended insurance can be a good bet. This coverage is usually offered as an add-on during the booking process, but it can also be added after the reservation.

Most likely, these policies are designed to cover delay or cancellation issues, but be sure to read the fine print to see if medical transportation or trip interruption is also included.

Choosing a provider of your own can make sense when planning your own travel (let’s say a honeymoon to Paris or the Maldives). If a cruise line or safari outfitter offers insurance of its own, that might be the most comprehensive when it comes to that particular provider’s operations.

» Learn more: The best cruise insurance

Deciding if you need travel insurance is the first hurdle. Next comes the task of selecting the right one without spending more than the cost of what you are actually trying to protect. These are some important tips to consider.

Compare plans

It is wise to compare the options available using aggregator websites like SquareMouth (a NerdWallet partner) and InsureMyTrip.com. These sites compare the options from dozens of different providers detailing what they do and do not cover.

Seeing the exclusions as well as considering them within the framework of your trip can help you select the best plan for your travel needs.

Consider existing coverage

Review your existing coverage, whether that is via your health insurance or any credit card protections you may have. Some of the benefits you might be paying extra for when getting supplemental travel insurance may already be covered.

Read the fine print

Don’t base your final decision on price, as sometimes the cheapest policy may be the most restrictive — and the most expensive policy may give you coverage for activities you won't even be doing.

What may seem like an inclusion may actually be disallowed due to a technicality (terrorist attack or war). If you’re not sure, pick up the phone and ask if your specific situation is covered.

Timing is key. The sooner you buy your travel insurance coverage, the more time you have to benefit from it. The price could also rise the closer you get to departure. If you wait until the departure date to buy it, you would be out of luck if the week before you get sick or the destination closes its borders. Buying insurance after an issue arises won't help you.

Travel insurance is a safe way to protect that sunken cost. Spending money on travel, even with the benefit of loyalty program miles and points to offset some of the cost, can be a significant investment. Chances are that you won’t even need it, but like other insurance policies, it can pay off in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Weigh the cost of potential expenses with the insurance plan. Canceling a rental car for a road trip may not be a big deal, but business class flights and a nonrefundable cruise might be.

Credit card coverage only protects you if you use that card to pay for your travel. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express also offer travel insurance benefits when paying with points, too. Terms apply. Using the right card for your trip can help save money on other potential travel insurance costs.

» Learn more: Best travel insurance options for older adventurers

What may seem like an unnecessary extra cost can actually help save the day in certain circumstances.

It can pay dividends to understand what your existing coverage includes (especially via a particular credit card) so that travelers over 65 make the most advantageous insurance decision for their trips.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Travel Insurance for Over 80s

Get your quote for over 80s travel insurance – find cover for hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions, we help you find an over 80s travel insurance policy that provides medical cover for unexpected and unforeseen circumstances – get your quote today..

There is no age limit to living life to the fullest, spending time with loved ones, and seeing the world. At Just Travel Cover, we believe nothing should stand in your way – including Travel Insurance over 80!

It is important to have the right level of Travel Insurance cover when you get to the age of 80, especially if you suffer from any pre-existing medical conditions. We want to ensure help and protection are available if needed during your holiday. Once you’re 80 or over, securing senior-appropriate Travel Insurance with medical conditions can be difficult due to the expensive premiums and limits on cover. Just Travel Cover offers reasonably priced, tailored over 80s Travel Insurance for all ages and hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions. We even offer Cruise Travel Insurance for over 80s! No matter your holiday, we have you covered.

Saving Time and Money on Travel Insurance for Seniors

We offer excellent, advanced over 80s Travel Insurance for seniors and OAPs, covering hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions. All we ask is for you to take a few minutes to complete our online medical screening so we can begin comparing policies. It is a fast, easy, and accurate process, ensuring your Medical Travel Insurance for over 80s quotes are tailored to your age, health and travel necessities. It is crucial that you declare your medical history, including all of your pre-existing medical conditions. If you do not declare all pre-existing conditions, your policy could be void should anything go wrong.

Travel Insurance for Pensioners with Medical Conditions

Our premium Travel Insurance for over 80s covers pre-existing conditions. Some of the medical conditions we offer cover include Heart Conditions, Type 1 and 2 Diabetes, Mental Health conditions and Cancer. We cover hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions.

Over 80 Travel Advice

Compare over 80 travel insurance, over 80s travel insurance faqs.

Frequently asked questions about our Over 80s Travel Insurance deals.

What is Over 80s Travel Insurance?

The older we get, the more important it is to get the right Travel Insurance , but the harder it can be to find, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions. At Just Travel Cover, we use a panel of insurers, some of which have no age limit, meaning we can provide Travel Insurance for over 80s or OAPs with medical conditions. We cover hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions, so you can travel with peace of mind.

What does over 80s Travel Insurance cover?

If you arrange your over 80s Travel Insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday, you will be covered for trip cancellation. That way, if you need to cancel your trip for an insured reason, you’re protected. When you set off on holiday, you can relax knowing you have Holiday Insurance in place. If something should go wrong, know that you’re covered for emergency medical treatment (including for your pre-existing medical conditions ) as well as cover for your baggage should they be lost, stolen or damaged. For an additional premium, we offer smart luggage which offers real-time payments to your bank account should your luggage is delayed or lost.

Where can I go with Travel Insurance that covers the over 80s age group?

It can sometimes be difficult to get Travel Insurance if you’re over 80 and travelling to certain long-haul destinations such as the USA, Canada, or Australia. At Just Travel Cover, we have policies with no upper age limit on single trips to any destination in the world, and we will only ever show you policies that will provide cover for your age, destination, duration of trip and medical history. The comparison is done for you! Note that all quotations are subject to medical screening.

How much does over 80s Travel Insurance cost?

Our over 80s Travel Insurance policies are personalised to you and your needs. Therefore, the costs will differ depending on your circumstances, destination and length of your trip, as well as how far in advance you arrange cover. It’s important to remember that Travel Insurance for those over 80 is there to cover unforeseen costs like medical expenses, should you need emergency treatment on holiday. These bills can easily run into the thousands, and it’s reassuring to know you have adequate Travel Insurance for your age and medical conditions in place. For most quotations, we will provide a bronze, silver and gold level of cover so that you have the option to compare and take a policy to best suit your needs and budget.

Can I get Travel Insurance if I’m over 80 with a heart condition?

Yes, we have insurers on our panel with no age limit that specialise in Over 80s Travel Insurance for pre-existing medical conditions , including heart conditions such as angina or an irregular heartbeat. We can also provide over 80s Travel Insurance if you have had a heart attack. To get adequate cover, you need to declare your conditions during the medical screening process and answer the questions honestly.

Can I get Travel Insurance over 80 with diabetes?

Yes, we specialise in over 80s Travel Insurance for the elderly and all pre-existing medical conditions, including travel cover for type 1 and type 2 diabetes . When getting a quote online or over the phone we will ask you a few questions regarding insulin and hospital visits as well as your age and destination and then show you a list of options from the insurers on our panel that can provide cover.

Can I get Travel Insurance if I’m over 80 and living with cancer?

It is our aim to help you find Travel Insurance at any age, including if you’re over 80, and living with pre-existing medical conditions, including cancer. We have policies with no age limit (single trip) and are able to provide cover for most types of cancer, including breast cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer. You should make sure the exact type of cancer is declared on your policy, and you answer all questions appropriately – we will then show you a list of providers that can provide the cover you need.

If I’m over 80 can I get Travel Insurance to cover mental health conditions?

Yes, if you’re in your 80s and living with a mental health condition such as anxiety and depression, it’s important to be covered for these when you travel. When getting a quote online, you may be prompted to call us so we can explain the options for each insurer on our panel and provide the option to include or exclude these conditions. Our policies have up to £15m medical cover so you can travel safely knowing that you’ve got the right support if the unexpected happens. Find out more on our pre-existing medical condition page.

What options are available for life insurance for over 80 year olds in the UK?

Life insurance policies for individuals over 80 can vary, with options ranging from whole life to term insurance. It’s important to compare policies to find one that meets your specific needs and budget. At Just Travel Cover, we have partnered with the UK’s number 1 rated Life Insurance experts, iam|INSURED. They provide guaranteed life insurance if you are between 50-80 years old. Visit our life insurance page and see if there is a policy for you. Please note that over 80s life insurance is not the same as Travel Insurance, and you still need to take out a Travel Insurance policy when going on holiday.

What should old age pensioners (OAPs) consider when looking for Travel Insurance?

When seeking Travel Insurance for OAPs or old-age pensioners, you should consider a Travel Insurance policy that covers pre-existing medical conditions, an adequate cancellation cover that exceeds all expenses of the trip, and high medical cover with repatriation included. At Just Travel Cover, we will ask you a series of questions and then only show you policies that match your travel requirements, including Travel Insurance for OAPs policies tailored towards pensioners over 80.

Can I get Travel Insurance without medical cover?

No, medical cover is a crucial part of Travel Insurance, especially for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions or old age pensioners (OAPs) and those going to destinations where healthcare is expensive. At Just Travel Cover, we can offer emergency medical expenses and repatriation up to £10 million per person.

It is important to secure over 80s Travel Insurance with medical cover, as even in countries where medical expenses are covered by a UK GHIC or UK EHIC card, it is not a replacement for Travel Insurance. For example, the card will not cover being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation), treatment in a private medical facility, or ski or mountain rescue.

If you are holidaying in the UK, Staycation Travel Insurance can provide cover against loss or theft of baggage, cancellation, and curtailment.

Are cruises a good option for holidays for over 80s?

Cruises can be an excellent option for holidays for over 80s, as they offer a variety of onboard amenities and the chance to explore multiple destinations in a comfortable, accessible manner. Many cruise lines cater to older travellers with specific needs. Visit our Senior Cruise page for tips on cruise holidays over 80. 

Why Choose Travel Insurance for Over 80 Year Olds from Just Travel Cover?

At Just Travel Cover, we specialise in providing Medical Travel Insurance with no upper age limit and cover for pre-existing medical conditions (terms apply).   With our Travel Insurance for seniors with pre existing conditions, travellers over 80 can benefit from:

• Single trip cover up to 94 days with no upper age limit
• Hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions, including terminal prognosis covered
• High levels of cancellation and emergency medical expenses cover
• Lost documents, baggage, medications, and medical aids cover
• Flexibility – 3 levels of cover to suit your needs
• Travel companions can be included in the same policy
• Zero excess policies available

Travel Insurance for Over 80s – What Are You Covered For?

• Cancellation/ curtailment up to £12,500
• Missed departure up to £1,000 per person
• Baggage up to £3,000 per person
• Emergency medical expenses and repatriation up to £10 million per person
• Mobility aids up to £2,500 per person
• Lost medications and medical aids up to £300 per person
• 24/7 emergency medical assistance

Please note all cover limits are per person and vary by insurer.

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Click here to download the Policy Wording and Insurance Product Information document for all insurers

Travel Insurance for Over 80s with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions – All Ages, All Stages

Just Travel Cover offers five-star quality cover for pre-existing medical conditions at all levels of severity, including a terminal prognosis – with no upper age limit.

Just some of the pre-existing medical conditions we cover:

• Heart Conditions
• Cholesterol
• Joint Problems (arthritis, back pain)
• Mental Health Conditions
• Liver Conditions
• Breathing Conditions
• Circulatory Conditions
• Disabilities and many more

To ensure you are fully covered in the event of a claim, please declare all your pre-existing medical conditions in full and we will do the rest.

Fast, Easy, and Accurate Online Medical Screening

Our quick and easy online medical screening will take you just a few minutes to complete and allows you to compare Over 80s Travel Insurance policy quotes. You will be asked a series of multiple-choice questions to give us the information we need to provide you with Travel Insurance quotes tailored to your health and travel requirements. Please have the following at hand:

• Your medical history with important dates
• Names of all your pre-existing medical conditions

Instant Cancellation Cover

Our online quote and medical screening engine enables you to compare and buy travel insurance quickly and easily. Cancellation cover starts immediately from the moment of purchase for you and all the travel companions you include in the policy, so you can relax and focus on getting ready to have a wonderful holiday.

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Travel Insurance

Medical travel insurance, seniors travel insurance, europe travel insurance, worldwide travel insurance, coronavirus travel insurance, travel insurance for over 80s.

• Unlimited medical emergency expenses¹
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Covered 27 million+ travellers

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Our over 80s travel insurance covers you for all the holiday essentials: medical emergencies, travel delays and cancellations. We have no age limits on our travel insurance and, if you declare any pre-existing conditions, we can cover those too for you. 

What is over 80s travel insurance and how does it work?

Over-80s travel insurance is a type of travel insurance policy that specifically caters to people over the age of 80. This means insuring you for unexpected events during or before your holiday. We’ll also cover any pre-existing medical conditions you declare.

Travel insurance is incredibly important, especially as we get older. You want to enjoy your retirement, not worry about unexpected expenses from holiday hiccups, like hospital trips.

So that’s why we’re here to keep you financially protected when you travel. So you can enjoy your trip without worrying about surprise costs.

What does InsureandGo’s over 80s travel insurance cover?

What’s covered.

All our yearly travel insurance policies include:

• Medical emergency expenses cover
• Cover for cancellation of your trip
• Our 24-hour emergency assistance team , available to call, day or night, wherever you are
• Over 100 sports and activities covered (see your policy wording for a full list of activities)
• Personal belongings and baggage cover
• Personal money, passports and travel documents cover
• Accommodation cover
• Legal expenses cover
• Delayed departure cover
• Personal accident cover

What’s not covered

We strive to provide the best cover possible,  however, there are some situations no travel insurance will cover. For example:

• Events or reasons to claim which took place before you booked the trip or the insurance was purchased cannot be covered. Insurance exists to cover unexpected events outside of the insured’s control.
• Claims which are less than the excess for that section of cover. For example, you cannot claim a £40 lost item if your baggage excess is £60.
• All of our travel insurance policies include cover for cancellation of your trip, but there may be some exclusions. For example, you won’t be covered to cancel if you simply decide not to go.

Find out about our optional add ons for activities like extreme sports , winter sports , cruises and golf . 

We will consider all pre-existing medical conditions, find out more about medical travel insurance . The excess and amount of cover available varies depending on the level of USA travel insurance you buy. Make sure you have a look at our policy wording to see the full terms and conditions.

Age restrictions

We think holiday insurance should be available to as many people as possible, that’s why our annual multi-trip policies have no upper age limit. Please note that we do not cover anyone over the age of 65 for winter sports like snowing or snowboarding.

Trip length

Our annual multi-trip travel insurance gives you cover to travel as many times as you like during the year. Each individual trip can last up to 31 days for Budget policies, 45 days for Silver and Gold policies, and up to 55 days for Black policies.

If you want to be abroad longer than this, you’ll need our long-stay travel insurance .

The amount of valuables cover available depends on the policy you choose. Make sure you have a look at our policy wording to see the full terms and conditions.

If you’ll be taking away something a bit more expensive you can add our valuables extension .

The best travel insurance for over 80s

If you’re heading off to do something special, your age shouldn’t stop you. That’s why we offer all sorts of extras for your travel insurance policy. 

• Cruises : Adding cruise cover to your policy protects you against some cruise-specific mishaps, like a missed departure, cabin confinement, or even repatriation back to the UK from the sea. 
• Single trip cover : Just heading abroad once this year? Single-trip travel insurance might be the way to go.
• Golf : Rest assured on your golfing holiday with our golf holiday travel insurance, which covers your equipment, green fees and your golf clubs. 
• Europe or worldwide cover: Taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip with multiple stops? Selecting a travel insurance policy that covers a specific region might help, like our Europe travel insurance or worldwide travel insurance . 
• Extreme sports and hazardous activities: Everyone deserves to have some stress-free laughs on holiday, even if your idea of fun is jumping out of a plane. Our standard policies already cover over 100 sports and activities, but if you enjoy something from the more extreme end of the scale, take a look at our hazardous activities cover .

Choose a cover level to suit your travel needs

Travel insurance for over 80s with pre-existing medical conditions.

At InsureandGo, we’re proud to offer travel insurance for medical conditions . Examples of medical conditions we can cover include:

• Heart-related conditions
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Disabilities
• Epilepsy or Stroke

It’s important to declare any medical conditions you have before you buy your policy. To find out more, please read our page about travel insurance for medical conditions or take a look at our policy wording documents . 

If you’d rather talk to someone with your questions, then please get in touch with us .

Which destinations are covered by over 80s travel insurance?

We offer over-80s travel insurance policies based on the following destination groupings:

• Europe (plus countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, plus Madeira and The Azores)*
• Worldwide (except the USA , Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean)

*Europe includes: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores, Balearics, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madeira, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.

If you’ve already bought annual multi-trip travel insurance for a particular area but are now going to be travelling further afield, we can upgrade your coverage to include the new destination. Alternatively, you could purchase separate single-trip cover instead, but upgrading your annual travel insurance policy to include worldwide cover can often work out cheaper.

If you’d like to discuss these options, or you’re still unsure which area your trip falls into, please contact us .

How to book travel insurance for over 80s

You should be free to enjoy your time, not bogged down sorting out travel insurance. That’s why we make getting an over-80s travel insurance quote as easy as possible. 

1. Let us know a little info

We need to know a bit about your holiday, who you want to cover, and when you want the policy to start. We will also ask you for information regarding any pre-existing medical conditions so that we can ensure we provide you with the right level of cover. 

It’s quick and easy to give us this information, either online or by calling our team:

2. Get your quote

After you’ve given us all the details we need, we’ll send you over a quote. Once you’ve got the quote, you can either purchase it there and then, or save it for the future.

“If you’re over 80 and booking your next trip, make sure to sort your travel insurance. his protects you against unexpected medical costs, including repatriation back to the UK. Plus, travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions will also cover any lost medications, so you’re not caught short if you forget to pack something.” Letitia Smith – Travel insurance expert

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Frequently asked questions on travel insurance for over 80s

Can 80 year olds get travel insurance.

Yes, people aged 80 and over can get travel insurance. 

When buying travel insurance, be sure to check the policy wording. You’ll need to make sure it covers everything you need to – including any medical expenses you might need. Each policy is different, so be sure you check yours.

What is the maximum age you can insure up to?

InsureandGo offers travel insurance with no upper age limit . Our policies always include cover for over 100 sports and activities, no matter what your age. Although our additional winter sports cover is only available up to age 65.

Will my policy be more expensive if I’m over 80?

The cost of travel insurance policies varies based on a number of factors, including age. Other factors include the destination, trip length, whether you have pre-existing conditions, and if you’re doing any activities while you’re there – such as  golfing . 

Does my over 80s travel insurance change depending on where I’m going?

Yes. Policy premiums are affected by your destination, however this is the same for travellers of all ages. Prices differ because countries have different costs for medical treatment. For example, travel insurance for the USA costs more because medical treatment in America is a lot more expensive than the same treatment in certain European countries.

How long can I travel for if I’m over 80?

You can travel for as long as everyone else! Our policies do have trip limits, but these apply to all travellers, regardless of age. On our single-trip travel insurance , you can be abroad for up to 365 days if you want to!

Our annual multi-trip travel insurance allows you to travel as often as you like, but there’s a maximum number of days for each trip. Budget level policies provide cover for up to 31 days at a time, while Silver or Gold covers you for up to 45 days. Black policies can cover unlimited trips of up to 55 days.

Do I need a GHIC card as well as travel insurance?

The UK Government advises that all UK nationals get the required level of travel insurance before they leave the country. While your Global Health Insurance Card or GHIC (previously EHIC) will cover you for medical expenses directly, it will not cover any additional holiday hiccups, like lost luggage or repatriation back to the UK. 

All British citizens are entitled to a  GHIC. These cards will cover any necessary treatments you may require in Europe. However, these cards do not replace European travel insurance , so make sure you arrange it before you travel.

What is considered a pre-existing condition for travel insurance?

It is considered a pre-existing condition if any person insured on a policy has:

• Taken any prescribed medication or received medical treatment within the last 2 years
• Been registered in or been an outpatient at a hospital, clinic or GP surgery in the last 2 years.
• Been advised of a terminal illness.

Before purchasing travel insurance for medical conditions , you must let us know about any pre-existing conditions you have. Just call us or use our quick and easy online medical screening system.

What happens if I don’t declare a pre-existing condition on my travel insurance?

If you don’t declare your pre-existing condition before taking out your travel insurance policy, you will likely find that the entire policy becomes invalid, leaving you responsible for all costs incurred when abroad. This means not only medical bills but also transport to and from the hospital, as well as any other accidents, like lost luggage.

How far in advance should I get travel insurance?

Book your travel insurance as soon as you book your trip . Doing it like this means you’re covered if there are issues ahead of your trip. If you can’t do this straight away, get cover as soon as possible. It’s important to remember that your travel insurance will only be valid if you purchase it before you leave the UK. 

If you’ve booked any activities or excursions while on holiday, make sure you check the wording on your policy to ensure that the insurance covers any risks from these activities.

Who can buy an InsureandGo over 80s travel insurance policy?

All our over 80s travel insurance policies are available to UK residents. This means:

• Someone who has been living in the UK or the Channel Islands for at least six of the last 12 months
• They must be in the UK at the time of buying
• All trips must start and end in the UK

Get a quote online or browse our policy documents for more information.

Travel insurance guides

Frequently asked questions.

If you’ve got more questions about how our over 80s travel insurance works, or more general travel insurance queries, have a read through our FAQs .

Travel advice

Our travel advice section offers handy tips and guides to specific countries, from what documents you need to what you might visit while you’re there.

Travel insurance reviews

If you want to know what our customers think of us, and why they rate us so highly, have a read through some of the reviews they’ve left us.

• Unlimited emergency medical expenses available on Black level policies.
• InsureandGo’s Gold achieved a Which? Best Buy.

Travel insurance for seniors over 80

Compare 9 brands that offer travel insurance for over 80s. get covered for pre-existing medical conditions, cruise holidays and covid..

What you need to know

• Many providers offer travel insurance for over 80s. This can include COVID insurance and cover for pre-existing conditions .
• We made a list of travel insurers that can cover you if you are over 80 years old.
• You can also use our travel insurance engine to compare quotes for free.

What is travel insurance for over 80s?

Travel insurance for over 80s works in a similar way to regular travel insurance, but there are some important factors to consider. You can still find travel insurance when you're in your 80s, although it may be more difficult. Some travel insurance policies may have age limits or restrictions on coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, so it's important to read the policy wording carefully and disclose all medical conditions when applying. You can compare policies from multiple insurers with the tool below.

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See over 80s coverage details from multiple insurers

Note: This information was last updated January 2023

Travel insurance for over 80s with pre-existing medical conditions

Pre-existing medical conditions can make it more difficult to get affordable travel insurance. A pre-existing medical condition is one of the following:

• An ongoing medical condition you have
• A medical condition that is currently being (or has been) investigated or treated by a medical professional
• If you take prescribed medicine, or have undergone surgery for a particular condition
• Any condition for which you see a medical specialist.

3 Things to do when you're choosing a policy

1. Disclose all pre-existing conditions

Speak to the insurer's medical examiner and disclose all existing or known conditions. While this may raise your premium, the cost of a potential hospital stay would largely outweigh this small expense. Without full disclosure, you may not be covered if your insurer finds out that you have not been completely honest.

2. Get written evidence

Make sure any cover that you are offered on the phone or in person by a travel agent or salesperson is in the insurance policy's PDS. This will help you avoid a situation where your claim is denied even though your travel agent said you would be covered.

3. Read the PDS.

Be aware of age limits, limitations of coverage and wording in the PDS or you may run into trouble when making a claim. For instance, you may make a claim for a trip cancellation only to discover you will only be covered for up to $2,500 because of your age, while your cancellation costs amount to $4,000.

Are there ways to find cheap travel insurance for over 80s?

Travel insurance for over 80s is typically more expensive than it is for younger people, to reflect the added risk of illness and injury for older travellers. But that doesn't mean you can't find cheap travel insurance for over 80s.

Here are 5 things you can do to save money on travel insurance:

Airlines and travel agents usually add hefty commissions on top of the cost of a policy, so you can save money by shopping online and buying cover direct from an insurer.

Adjust your excess

Many insurers give you the option to edit your excess . By switching to a higher excess, you can get a lower premium. Of course, you'll need to make sure you'll be able to afford the excess if you do claim.

Look for discounts

There are often discounts, deals and special offers to help you save money on travel insurance. You could start by looking for online promo and coupon codes .

Buy a joint policy

Travelling with a friend or relative? Instead of purchasing separate travel insurance cover, save money by combining forces to buy a joint policy.

Compare policies

Get quotes from multiple insurers and see how they stack up against one another. Once you've found some policies in the right price range, compare their features to see what's covered and what's excluded.

Why you can trust Finder's travel insurance experts

Frequently asked questions

Can a 90-year-old get travel insurance.

Yes. Travel insurance can insure people up to 99 years old. Insurers including Travel Insurance Saver, SCTI and Tick offer cover for people over 90. Many can also cover pre-existing medical conditions provided you disclose them to the insurer.

What's the maximum age for travel insurance?

It depends on the brand. Some insurers won't cover anyone over the age of 65, while others will consider those over the age of 100 – that includes Tick Travel , Travel Insurance Saver and SCTI .

Is travel insurance more expensive for over 80s?

Yes. After the age of 50, travel insurance tends to get more expensive as you get older. That's because the risk of a claim to the insurer is generally higher.

Can you get travel insurance with a pre-existing condition?

Yes, you can get travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition . However, the level of cover differs between brands. Some will provide travel insurance but won't cover any incidents that occur from your pre-existing medical condition, while others will insure your pre-existing medical condition in exchange for higher premiums.

Are my children and grandchildren covered under my senior's policy?

If you have any dependant children or grandchildren travelling with you, most insurers will cover them free of charge. That's as long as they are under the age of 18 (in some cases 24), are out of full-time employment and are listed on your policy.

Gary Ross Hunter

Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full profile

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Travel Insurance For Over 80s

We cover all pre existing medical conditions and much more:

• No upper age limit
• 24/7 emergency medical helpline
• Specialist cover for over 80s

Over 80s Travel Insurance is designed to ease the worries and uncertainties you may have when travelling in the later stages of life. This includes specialised medical cover for pre-existing conditions, as well as medical emergencies, ensuring travellers over 80 can enjoy their getaways with peace of mind.

What is Over 80s Travel Insurance – and do you need it?

Over 80s Travel Insurance is designed to cover you for a variety of risks related to travelling at an older age. As Medical Travel Insurance specialists, we can cover over 1,300 different existing medical conditions, as well as emergency medical expenses and repatriation. 

Here are a few reasons to get your over 80s Travel Insurance with AllClear:

• The joy of travelling worry-free: With AllClear, you can travel confidently knowing you’re protected every step of the way. From trip cancellations and lost baggage to specialist medical cover around the world, you can travel with peace of mind, focusing solely on the enriching experiences of your trip
• Specialist medical cover: We have over 20 years of experience as Medical Travel Insurance specialists, covering 1,300 different medical conditions, including common pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure , cancer and diabetes .
• Repatriation cover: If you don’t have repatriation cover and you need an air ambulance back to the UK, this could cost you anywhere between £10,000 to upwards of £50,000 . You’d then need to add the expense of any medical treatment on top of that. Our Over 80s Holiday Insurance can cover you for these costs.
• No upper age limit: Whether you’re booking a Single Trip policy or travelling with family and friends, our policies have no upper age limit. This means we can offer you tailored Travel Insurance for your 80s and beyond.

What does AllClear’s Over 80s Travel Insurance cover?

Travelling in your 80s doesn’t have to be stressful or difficult, it should be invigorating and exciting. 

Our Over 80s Travel Insurance policy covers everything included in our standard Travel Insurance policy, with no upper age limit.

What’s covered?

• Medical expenses – We can cover emergency medical treatment you need while travelling. This includes any pre-existing medical conditions you’ve declared
• Medical aids – We will protect your essential medical equipment and accessories from loss or damage, so you can travel with confidence
• Medication – If you lose your prescription medication during your trip, we will cover and help you replace it
• Repatriation – This covers the cost of emergency medical transport back to the UK, which could otherwise cost tens of thousands of pounds
• Lost luggage – We will cover the cost if your baggage is stolen or damaged, so you can replace your important items
• Cancellation and curtailment – Provides cover if you have to cancel your trip due to reasons beyond your control
• Travel disruption – We will help you cover alternative transport or accommodation if your travel plans are disrupted

What’s not covered?

• Undeclared medical conditions – We need to know your full medical history to give you the best cover possible in a medical emergency
• Missed flights within your control – Unfortunately, we can’t cover missed flights due to personal errors
• Choosing not to travel – We know that sometimes plans change, but cancellation cover is provided only for specific reasons like illness, injury, or bereavement. Refer to your policy documents for complete cover details
• High-risk activities – Our standard policy doesn’t cover these activities, but you can add Optional Extras to include some activities. However, our optional Winter Sports cover is only available up to the age of 65
• Accidents under the influence of drugs or alcohol – While we want you to enjoy your trip, safety comes first. If an accident occurs due to drugs or alcohol, we cannot cover your claim

Our different policy types can be found below. We have three different types to choose from, Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum. 

If you’d like some help choosing which is best for you, give us a call .

SWIPE TO COMPARE POLICIES

* If you buy a policy which includes cancellation cover. / All these figures are per person and per trip.

AllClear’s Travel Insurance for Over 80s with pre-existing medical conditions

We understand that finding travel insurance in your 80s can sometimes be difficult. This is typically because the risk of insuring older travellers is higher. Existing medical conditions are more common, and these can lead to a higher risk of travel-associated issues like infections and injury. 

However, as a specialist medical Travel Insurance provider for travellers 80 and over, we can help you find a policy tailored to your specific needs.

Here are some of the most common medical conditions we cover:

• Heart conditions – We cover all cardiovascular issues affecting heart function. This includes high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation .
• Chronic illnesses – According to NCOA research, nearly 95% of adults 60 and older are living with at least one chronic condition. We provide cover for cancer , Crohn’s disease , IBS, gallstones and other long-lasting chronic conditions.
• Respiratory problems – Respiratory conditions include asthma , causing breathing difficulties, and COPD , leading to airflow obstruction and breathing difficulties.
• Neurological conditions – These are disorders affecting the brain and nervous system, like strokes , epilepsy and multiple sclerosis .
• Diabetes – Disruptions in insulin production or usage affecting blood sugar levels, including diabetes .
• Musculoskeletal conditions – Conditions that affect your bones, muscles, and joints, including back problems and osteoporosis .
• Mental health – Including anxiety and depression.

Find the best over 80s Travel Insurance for your trip

We tailor policies to suit your travel needs. Whether you’re off to enjoy a cruise across the Caribbean or a staycation with your family in Cornwall, we’ll help you find a policy suited to your needs. 

Here are a few options to help you choose what you might need:

• UK Travel Insurance is ideal if you’re looking to enjoy the UK’s stunning holiday offerings. This type of policy covers you for things like cancelled accommodation and travel delays
• Cruise Travel Insurance keeps you protected from all medical emergencies and accidents onboard. It also covers you for cruise disruptions, cabin confinement and missed port departure
• Family Travel Insurance covers you, your friends and your family under a single policy. This means complete protection for everyone involved
• Worldwide Travel Insurance is what you need to protect you for all the essentials, wherever you travel
• Annual Travel Insurance is popular among older travellers. If you’re planning on more than one trip within 12 months, Annual Travel Insurance can be a cost-effective option
• We also offer optional extras for additional cover on your trip. For example, our Gadget Cover insures your electronic devices and our Golf Insurance protects your golf equipment and more.

How our Travel Insurance for Over 80s works: A simple 3 step quote process

Before you set off on your travels, you’ll need to complete our quick and simple 3-step screening process.

Here’s how it works.

1. Get a quote online or by phone

Once you’re ready to start the quote process, the first step is to provide your personal details and information about your holiday plans. This can be completed over the phone with one of our team members or online.

Get your quote

2. Complete our simple medical screening process

Here, you need to declare any medical conditions you have and any medications you and your travel companions are taking. Be sure to answer all our medical questions and tell us everything we need to know about your current health. 

This way, we can provide the cover that best suits your needs.

3. Get your quote

You’ll then get your quote(s) and can either proceed to buy or save your quote at this stage.

Our experts say…

“Travel insurance is a must-have for anyone who wants to explore the world, but especially for over 80s. You can cover yourself for unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and more. Travel Insurance can also give you peace of mind and confidence to enjoy your trip without worrying about what might go wrong. You never know when you might need it, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Travel insurance for over 80s is affordable and easy to arrange.”

Letitia Smith MSc, Travel Insurance expert

What our customers say

We have over 20 years of experience as specialists covering older travellers, and we’re confident we can find a policy that suits you. 

Hear from those who have already discovered and travelled with AllClear.

What our Customers Say

Excellent and reassuring service.

“As I will be 80 later this year, the travel insurance I have with my bank will no longer apply. So, I needed to secure another comprehensive policy for a future cruise. I had been recommended AllClear by fellow cruisers; who in their own words have significant medical conditions. I have now arranged an AllClear policy and would like to place on record that the service I received from Liz was absolutely first class. She explained everything and updated a previous quote which I had obtained on-line. She was patient and gave me all the time I needed.

This gave me the confidence that I was dealing with a quality organisation. I had previously been concerned that it would be difficult and expensive to obtain insurance at my age and with my medical history. I am fit but have had past operations and treatments; and still need eye treatment. I need not have worried. AllClear is geared up to welcome the ‘mature’ traveller. I highly recommend this company.” – Simon

Frequently asked questions on over 80s Travel Insurance

Why does travel insurance cost more when you turn 80.

Unfortunately, the cost of Travel Insurance usually increases with age. This is because older people are more likely to need emergency medical treatment on holiday. Over 80s are also at a higher risk of infection or injury when travelling. 

So, premiums increase to cover the higher risk.

Does Travel Insurance have upper age limits?

We do not have an upper age limit for Travel Insurance. The only exception is for Winter Sports, which is up to age 65.

What does Travel Insurance for Over 80s cover?

Over 80s Travel Insurance covers everything included in our standard Travel Insurance policy, with no upper age limit. This includes everything from specialist emergency medical cover for seniors, as well medical aids, medication and repatriation cover.

It also includes standard things like trip cancellation, travel delays, baggage loss and personality liability protection.

When should you buy Over 80s Travel Insurance?

As with any policy, you can get your over 80 Travel Insurance before or after you’ve booked your trip, but it must be before you travel. However, it’s beneficial to buy your Travel Insurance as soon as you book your trip.

You can buy Single Trip Travel Insurance up to 12 months before your trip. The cover begins immediately after purchase if you have chosen a policy that includes cancellation cover.

You can buy Annual Travel Insurance up to 60 days before your chosen start date. Cover will only begin on the chosen start date of your policy.

Do you need Over 80s Travel Insurance if you have a GHIC card?

Yes, Over 80s Travel Insurance is essential, even if you have a GHIC or (previously EHIC) card. 

While a GHIC card does provide cover for medical emergency expenses, it will not cover transport to the hospital. 

Additionally, a GHIC card will not cover you for travel delays, cancellations or lost luggage.

What factors will affect the cost of over 80s Travel Insurance?

Age and medical conditions are two of the important factors we take into account when determining your premium. 

Other factors include the destination, duration of the trip, level of cover, and any pre-existing medical conditions you have declared.

Can someone else join your Travel Insurance policy if they're under 80?

Yes, you can travel in a group of all ages, whether that’s friends or family. This can be done through our Group Travel Insurance policy during your quote process.

Get the most out of your trips with our helpful guides

Where are you visiting?

Prepare yourself for your best trip yet with our helpful travel guides for the following locations:

Which activities do you have planned?

Whether you’re teeing off on a golf trip or setting sail on a cruise, remember to add extra cover to your policy for a worry-free trip

• United Kingdom
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Golf Travel Insurance

Written by: Letitia Smith | Travel Insurance Expert Last Updated: 7 June 2024

† Based on Trustpilot reviews of all companies in the Travel Insurance Company category that have over 70,000 reviews as of January 2024. AllClear Gold Plus achieved a Which? Best Buy.

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Travel insurance

Best travel insurance companies of June 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 2:16 p.m. UTC June 7, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

WorldTrips is the best travel insurance company of 2024 , based on our in-depth analysis of travel insurance policies. Its Atlas Journey Elevate plan gets the top score in our rating because of the extensive coverage it provides for the price. It offers best-in-class emergency medical and evacuation benefits, as well as high limits for baggage insurance.

Best travel insurance of 2024

• WorldTrips : Best travel insurance.
• Travel Insured International : Best for emergency evacuation.
• TravelSafe : Best for missed connections.
• Aegis : Cheapest travel insurance.
• Travelex : Best for families.
• AIG : Best for add-on coverage options.
• Nationwide : Best for cruise itinerary changes.

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our travel insurance experts evaluate hundreds of insurance products and analyze thousands of data points to help you find the best trip insurance for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Travel insurance quotes comparison

Best travel insurance companies, best travel insurance.

Top travel insurance plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, why it’s the best.

If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel , WorldTrips’ Atlas Journey Elevate plan gives you $250,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage. This plan is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority. It also has $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage. 

See our full WorldTrips travel insurance review .

Pros and cons

• $250,000 in primary medical coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Primary damage or loss baggage coverage of $500 per item, up to $2,500.
• 5 optional upgrades, including pet care, adventure sports and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Customer reviews

WorldTrips has a rating of 4.27 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 428 reviews of policies purchased through the travel insurance comparison site since 2008. 

Heidi’s expert take:   “WorldTrips offers primary coverage for emergency medical expense and for baggage damage or loss. This means the insurer will pay for your claim first and then seek recovery from any responsible third party, such as your health insurance provider, airline or homeowners insurance company (if your belongings are stolen). Travel insurance with secondary medical coverage might be cheaper, but then you’d have to file claims with third parties yourself, before you could turn to your travel insurance for help.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for emergency evacuation

Travel insured international.

Top travel insurance plan

If you’re traveling to a remote area, consider Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector. It has the best travel insurance for emergency evacuation of travel insurance policies in our rating. This top travel insurance plan provides up to $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits.

• Only plan in our rating that offers $150,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person is only available for cruises and tours.

Travel Insured International has a rating of 4.39 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 3,402 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   The Worldwide Trip Protector plan provides rare non-medical evacuation benefits of up to $150,000. If you’re traveling to an area at risk of a political, security or national disaster, this emergency evacuation coverage could help get you back to safety. Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe offers good travel insurance for missed connections , with $2,500 in missed connection coverage for each person on the plan.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of our best-rated travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage option.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

TravelSafe has a rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,506 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you miss out on prepaid vacation plans because you didn’t make a connecting flight, you’ll be glad for the $2,500 missed connection coverage. Some policies only provide missed connection coverage for cruises and tours, but TravelSafe Classic doesn’t impose that restriction.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Cheapest travel insurance

Go Ready Choice by Aegis has the most affordable travel insurance of the best-rated travel insurance companies in our rating. This is based on the average cost of seven international trips of varying lengths and values for travelers of different ages.

See our full Aegis travel insurance review .

• Cheapest of our best trip insurance plans.
• Pet care benefit of $500 under travel delay benefits.
• Low emergency medical and evacuation limits.
• Low missed connection benefit of $500 per person for cruises and tours only.
• Low baggage and personal items loss benefit of $500 per person.

Aegis has a rating of 4.06 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,111 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2013.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you’re looking for a  budget travel insurance policy , Go Ready Choice may fit the bill. It has comparably low coverage limits, but if you have health insurance that will cover you on your trip, its $50,000 in secondary medical coverage may be sufficient.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for families

Top-scoring plan

Travelex Insurance Services has the best travel insurance for families because you can add kids aged 17 and younger to your Travel Select plan at no additional charge.

See our full Travelex travel insurance review .

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• Robust travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 per person.
• Non-medical evacuation is not included.
• Low baggage delay coverage of $200 requires a 12-hour delay.

Travelex has a rating of 4.43 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 2,048 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you’re traveling with kids, a Travelex policy will cover them, too. The number of children you can add to your policy is unlimited and they’ll get travel protection at no additional cost.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for add-on coverage options

Travel Guard Preferred from AIG allows you to customize your policy with a host of available upgrades, making it the best traveler insurance for add-on options . These include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings.

There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million. This is a good option if you’re looking for foreign travel health insurance.

See our full AIG travel insurance review .

• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Heidi’s expert take: “You can add riders to your AIG travel insurance policy to maximize your coverage. Choose from these bundles: adventure sports, medical, pet, quarantine, security and wedding. You may also want to add “cancel for any reason” coverage and rental vehicle damage coverage.”  Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for cruise itinerary changes

Nationwide’s Choice Cruise is good travel insurance for cruises . It has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion.

Choice Cruise also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay when you’re taking a cruise or tour. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.

See our full Nationwide travel insurance review .

• Benefits for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” upgrade available.

Nationwide has a rating of 4.02 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 570 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2018.

  Heidi’s expert take: “This plan has protections for cruisers when it comes to prepaid expenses. But its emergency medical coverage is secondary, which means you’d have to file medical claims with your health insurance company first. Since U.S. health insurance won’t help you at sea, you may want to look for cruise travel insurance with primary medical coverage instead.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Compare the best travel insurance plans

Via Compare Coverage’s website

Heidi’s expert take: “Here are my tips on how to buy travel insurance that gets you the most coverage for the lowest price: Buy early . Getting travel insurance within two weeks of making your first trip deposit may qualify you for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions, and it won’t cost you any extra.  Look for primary emergency medical coverage . If you buy a plan with secondary coverage, you’ll have to file a claim with your health insurance first, even if you know it will be denied.  Don’t overinsure . Calculate the value of only your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses that are not already covered by other insurance (like credit card travel insurance or health insurance, if your coverage extends to where you are traveling). Even if this value is $0, you can still buy travel insurance for the travel medical insurance benefits, and you’ll only be paying for the insurance you need.  Understand exclusions . If you are planning to go scuba diving, for instance, make sure this adventure activity is not excluded from a policy’s coverage. If so, you may need to pay for a rider or shop for another plan that offers the coverage you need.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

What is the best travel insurance?

The best travel insurance for international travel is sold by WorldTrips, according to our in-depth trip insurance comparison.

The best travel insurance plan for you will depend on the trip you are planning and the coverage areas that are most important to you.

• Best cruise travel insurance
• Best COVID travel insurance
• Best “cancel for any reason” travel insurance
• Best senior travel insurance

Best travel insurance for cruises

The best cruise travel insurance is Atlas Journey Preferred sold by WorldTrips . This plan offers solid travel insurance for cruises for a low rate.

Best travel insurance for COVID-19

The best COVID travel insurance is the Trip Protection Basic plan sold by Seven Corners . It is a relatively low cost travel insurance plan with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Best travel insurance for “cancel for any reason” 

The best “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance is Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Basic. Adding CFAR coverage to a RoundTrip Basic plan only increases the cost by about 40%, which is lower than other plans we analyzed. For the extra cost, you get coverage of 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Best travel insurance for seniors

The best senior travel insurance is the Gold plan sold by Tin Leg . It is an affordable travel insurance plan with travel medical primary coverage of $500,000 and a pre-existing conditions waiver if you insure the full amount of your trip within 14 days of your first trip deposit.

How much is travel insurance?

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs . 

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on:

• The cost of your trip.
• Your destination.
• The length of your trip. 
• The ages of travelers being insured.
• Your state of residence.
• The travel insurance policy you choose.
• The total coverage amounts in your policy.
• Any travel insurance add-ons you select. 

Here are average travel insurance rates for a 30-year-old female who is insuring a 14-day trip to Mexico.

Looking to save? Discover cheap travel insurance options.

How much travel insurance should I buy?

Travel insurance companies typically offer several plans with varying maximum limits. The higher the coverage limits, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. 

Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends the following coverage limits for international travel: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $50,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $100,000. 

If you’re going on a cruise, or to a remote location, Squaremouth recommends: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $100,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $250,000.

When evaluating travel insurance plans, our team of insurance analysts considered the best medical travel insurance policies to have at least $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage. 

When should I buy travel insurance?

The best time to buy travel insurance is within two weeks of making your first nonrefundable travel payment, whether it’s for a plane ticket, hotel stay, cruise or excursion. 

Travel insurance costs the same whether you buy it early or last minute, and buying it early has added benefits: 

• You may be able to add on “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , an upgrade that is typically only available for a limited time after you’ve started paying for your trip. 
• You may qualify for a pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver, meaning your pre-existing conditions will be covered by travel insurance. This waiver is generally added to your policy automatically, provided you buy the travel insurance within a certain window after your first trip deposit.
• You will be covered over a longer period of time for unforeseen events that could cause you to cancel your trip, such as medical emergencies, inclement weather and natural disasters. 

Expert tip: You can buy travel insurance up to the day before you leave on your trip, but waiting may cost you the opportunity to qualify for a pre-existing conditions exclusion waiver or to buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade.

Where can I buy travel insurance?

You can buy a travel insurance plan:

• Online. Visit a travel insurance company’s website to buy a policy directly or use a comparison website like Squaremouth or Travelinsurance.com to see your options and compare plans. You may also be able to purchase travel insurance online through an airline, cruise, hotel, rental car company or other provider you book a ticket with.
• In person. A travel agent or insurance agent may be able to assist you in buying travel insurance.

Travel insurance trends in 2024

Americans are changing the way they travel and this includes buying travel insurance when they might have skipped it in the past. As spending on trips continues to rise , travelers have more to lose if their plans are disrupted. 

Based on travel insurance quote requests on the Squaremouth website last month, these are the main benefits travelers are looking for in a travel insurance policy.

*Source: Squaremouth.com. Travel insurance quote filter usage from April 28 to May 28, 2024.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance of 2024. For companies with more than one travel insurance plan, we shared information about the highest-scoring plan.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 30.
• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 70.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 40.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 65.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to Italy for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to France for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to the U.K. for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Best travel insurance FAQs

According to our analysis, WorldTrips has the best trip insurance. Two of its plans — Atlas Journey Explore and Atlas Journey Elevate — get 5 stars in our rating.

The best travel insurance policy for you will depend on what type of coverage you need. With so many different policies and carriers, the policy that was best for your friend’s trip to California might not be ideal for your trip to Japan. If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, you may be willing to pay more for higher coverage levels.

A comprehensive travel insurance plan bundles several types of travel insurance coverage, each with its own limits. To ensure you have adequate financial protection for your trip, your travel insurance policy should include the following travel insurance coverages:

• Trip cancellation . With trip cancellation insurance , you’re covered if you need to call off your trip because of a reason listed in your policy, such as unexpected illness, injury or death of you, a family member or a travel companion, severe weather, jury duty and your travel supplier going out of business. 
• Travel delay. Once your trip has started, travel delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses you incur after a minimum delay, such as five hours. It can cover needs like airport meals, transportation and even overnight accommodation. 
• Trip interruption. If you need to cut your trip early for a reason listed in your policy, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for any prepaid, nonrefundable payments you’ll lose by leaving early. It can also pay for a last-minute one-way ticket home. 
• Travel medical . Emergency medical benefits are especially important if you need international health insurance for travel outside of the country. Your domestic health insurance may provide limited coverage once you leave the U.S. The best travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, doctor visits, hospital stays, X-rays, lab work and prescription medication you may require while traveling. 
• Emergency medical evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote area, or planning excursions such as boating to an island, emergency medical evacuation coverage is a good idea. This coverage pays to transport you to the nearest adequate medical facility if you are injured or sick while traveling. 
• Baggage delay. After a certain waiting period, such as six or 12 hours, this coverage will reimburse you for necessities you need to buy to tide you over while you wait for your bag to arrive. Be sure to save your receipts and look at your coverage limit, as some caps are low, like $200. 
• Baggage loss. Baggage insurance can reimburse you if your bag never arrives, or if your personal belongings are stolen during your travels. Coverage limits apply here, as well as exclusions for certain items such as electronics.  

“Typically, travelers are expected to pay their expenses out of pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement,” said James Clark, spokesperson for Squaremouth. “However, there are medical situations in which a provider may be required to pre-authorize payment to make sure the policyholder receives the treatment they need.”

According to Clark, “Providers can pre-authorize payment for medical care and emergency evacuations. With that said, every circumstance is unique, and providers will handle each situation on a case-by-case basis.”

Travel insurance covers your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs — as well as extra money you may need to spend due to unforeseen circumstances and emergencies — both before and during your trip.

Travel insurance coverage varies by plan, but in general travel insurance covers costs associated with these problems: 

• Bankruptcy of a travel insurance company, such as your airline or tour operator. 
• Dangerous weather conditions.
• Delayed and lost luggage.
• Illness or death in your family that requires you to stay home or cut your trip short.
• Illness that needs medical attention.
• Injury requiring medical evacuation.
• Jury duty. 
• Travel delays and missed connections.
• Theft of your personal belongings while traveling.
• Unexpected job loss. 

Travel insurance policies often exclude or limit “foreseeable” losses. Typical travel insurance exclusions include:

• Accidents or injuries caused by drinking or drug use.
• Canceling your trip because you changed your mind.
• Ending your trip early because you changed your mind.
• Losses caused by intentional self harm, including suicide.
• Losses due to war, civil disorder or riots.
• Medical tourism.
• Medical treatment for pre-existing conditions.
• Mental health care.
• Natural disasters that begin before you buy travel insurance.
• Non-medical evacuation.
• Normal pregnancy. 
• Medical treatment related to high-risk activities.
• Routine medical care, such as physicals or dental care.
• Search and rescue.

Your U.S. health insurance may provide little or no coverage in foreign countries. Check with your health insurance company to see if you have any global benefits and ask how they work. If your health care does extend across the border, the benefits it provides abroad may not be the same benefits it provides domestically. 

Medicare usually won’t pay for health care outside of the United States and its territories, so older travelers planning an international trip should look into the best senior travel insurance with robust medical benefits. 

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip and making a nonrefundable payment — in other words, as soon as you’re at risk of losing money. This way, you’ll know the total cost that you need to insure and you’ll have the longest window to take advantage of your policy’s benefits if something goes wrong.

You can’t wait until something goes wrong and then buy travel insurance to get reimbursed for your loss. Travel insurance only covers unexpected losses.

Travel insurance companies can decline to cover travel to certain countries. For example, you may find that some trip insurance companies don’t offer coverage to countries with a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the U.S. State Department. 

Travel insurance policies also frequently exclude certain risks that you’re more likely to encounter in Level 4 or Level 3 countries. For example, your policy may not cover losses related to declared or undeclared wars or acts of war or losses related to known or foreseeable conditions or events. 

Some credit cards , such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , offer benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement when you use your card to pay for your trip.

Ask your credit card issuer for your card’s benefits guide to see what coverage you may have. Keep in mind that it may not cover all the risks you want to protect against, such as the cost of international health care or emergency medical evacuation .

Business travel insurance makes sense if you are self-employed and paying for your own travel expenses, or if you are traveling internationally and want medical coverage abroad.

You might also consider buying travel insurance for a business trip if your company won’t cover extra expenses if your flight is delayed or you need to head home early.

Cruise travel insurance can help protect you financially if you need emergency medical care in a remote location, or if a delayed flight causes you to miss embarkation and you need to pay extra to catch up to your cruise.

Experts caution that travel insurance you buy through a cruise line may not be as comprehensive as plans you can buy directly from travel insurance companies.

Some travel insurance plans cover rental cars as an optional upgrade, for an additional cost. The 5-star rated travel insurance companies in our rating offer these optional rental car benefits:

• Travel Insured International — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000.
• WorldTrips — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000 with a $250 deductible. 

Travel insurance typically only covers a single trip, although your insured trip can have multiple destinations. 

If you’re looking to insure several trips in the same year, annual travel insurance may be a good option for you.

Travel insurance may be required, depending on the country you plan to visit. But it’s smart to consider buying a travel insurance policy for international travel, even when it is not required. A good travel insurance policy can protect you financially if you need emergency medical assistance when traveling, or if you need to cut your trip short and buy a last-minute plane ticket home because an immediate family member is ill. 

Wondering if travel insurance is worth it? What travel insurance covers

Editor’s Note: This article contains updated information from previously published stories:

• Spirit Airlines scrubs 60% of its Wednesday flights, says cancellations will drop ‘in the days to come.’
• ‘Just a parade of incompetency’: Spirit Airlines passengers with ‘nightmare’ stories want more than apology, $50 vouchers
• ‘This is not our proudest moment’: Spirit Airlines CEO says more flight cancellations expected this weekend
• Hurricane Irma: Flight cancellations top 12,500; even more expected
• Is an annual travel insurance policy right for you?
• How 2020 and COVID-19 changed travel forever – and what that means for you
• COVID-19 or delta variant have you ready to scrap your trip? Here’s how to cancel like a pro
• Sunday: Snow is over, but flight cancellations top 12,000
• After nearly 13,000 Harvey cancellations, Irma is new threat to airline flights
• What’s the difference between travel insurance and trip ‘protection’?
• How to choose the right travel insurance for your next vacation
• Travel insurance can save the day
• Angry passengers brawl after Spirit cancels flights
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• How lockdowns, quarantines and COVID-19 testing will change summer travel in 2021
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Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience helping people make informed decisions about their money, whether they’re refinancing a mortgage, buying insurance or choosing a credit card. As a freelance writer trained in journalism and specializing in personal finance, Amy digs into the details to explain the products and strategies that can help (or hurt) people seeking greater financial security and wealth. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Capital One, MassMutual, Investopedia and many other outlets.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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8 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Worth the Cost

Trawick International »

World Nomads Travel Insurance »

AXA Assistance USA »

Generali Global Assistance »

Seven Corners »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

IMG Travel Insurance »

WorldTrips »

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

• Trawick International
• World Nomads Travel Insurance
• AXA Assistance USA

There are plenty of smart ways to save money on your travel plans, but refusing to buy travel insurance isn't necessarily one of them. Not having travel insurance can mean being on the hook for exorbitant medical bills or costs for emergency transportation if you become sick or injured during your trip. You could also face significant financial losses if your trip is delayed or your bags are lost or stolen, and without travel insurance you won't have a third party to rely on for assistance.

Buying affordable travel insurance makes more sense than skipping this coverage altogether, so read on to find out which companies offer the cheapest plans and all the protections you can get for a low cost.

How We Chose the Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies

To determine the cheapest travel insurance companies, U.S. News created sample traveler profiles for three separate eight-day trips to different destinations (the Cayman Islands, Spain and California) at a range of price points ($6,500, $10,500 and $8,500, respectively). We used that information to get quotes for the cheapest option for 100% trip cancellation coverage for each trip. We then calculated the average cost of the trips.

The travel insurance companies that made our ranking have a high credit rating and offer the lowest average cost, outlined below. (Note: The sample average costs are not price quotes from U.S. News. To find a travel insurance price quote, use the "View plans" link to enter your trip details and find more information.)

• Generali Global Assistance
• Seven Corners
• Allianz Travel Insurance
• IMG Travel Insurance
• Trip cancellation coverage (up to $30,000) for 100% of the insured vacation
• Trip interruption coverage (up to $30,000) for 100% of the insured vacation
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000 ($150 per day for delays of 12 hours or more)
• $750 in coverage for lost and damaged luggage; $200 for baggage delays
• Up to $500 in coverage for missed connections of three hours or more
• Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage ($750 sublimit for emergency dental)
• Up to $200,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $2,500 of trip protection for cancellation or interruption
• Up to $1,000 in coverage of lost, stolen or damaged baggage; up to $750 for baggage delays on your outward journey
• Up to $100,000 in emergency medical insurance; $750 dental sublimit
• Up to $300,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
• 24-hour travel assistance services

SEE FULL REVIEW »

• Up to 100% coverage for trip cancellation and interruption
• Up to $500 in coverage for trip delays ($100 per day)
• Up to $500 in coverage for missed connections
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses
• Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $750 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $200 for baggage delays
• Up to $10,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for common carrier AD&D
• Coverage up to 100% of the insured vacation for trip cancellation
• Up to 125% of the insured vacation cost for trip interruption
• Travel delay coverage worth up to $1,000 per person ($150 per person daily limit)
• Up to $1,000 per person for lost, damaged or stolen bags; $200 per person for baggage delays
• Up to $500 per person for missed connections
• Up to $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
• Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency assistance and transportation
• AD&D coverage for air travel worth up to $50,000 per person ($100,000 per plan)
• Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to 100% of the cost of the trip
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $600 (for six-hour delays; $200 limit per person per day)
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $500
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $500 (for six-hour delays; $100 per day)
• Missed cruise or tour coverage worth up to $500 ($250 per day)
• Emergency accident and sickness medical coverage worth up to $100,000 (secondary coverage)
• Up to $750 in emergency dental coverage
• Up to $250,000 in protection for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per traveler
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per traveler
• Travel delay coverage worth up to $300 ($150 per day)
• Luggage loss and damage protection up to $500 per traveler
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $200 per day
• Emergency medical and dental coverage up to $10,000 ($500 for dental expenses)
• Emergency medical transportation coverage worth up to $50,000
• 24-hour hotline assistance
• Up to 100% in coverage for trip cancellation
• Trip interruption benefit worth up to 125% of the trip cost
• Up to $500 for travel delays per person ($125 daily maximum per person)
• Up to $750 for lost, damaged or stolen bags ($250 maximum per item)
• Up to $150 in luggage delay coverage
• Up to $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of trip cost (up to $10,000)
• Trip interruption coverage up to 100% of trip cost
• Up to $500 in coverage for travel delays (five-hour delay required; $100 daily limit)
• Coverage worth up to $1,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage ($250 per item)
• Coverage worth up to $200 for baggage delays of 12 hours or more
• Up to $250 in coverage for airline reissue or cancellation fees
• Up to $250 in coverage for reinstatement of frequent traveler awards
• Emergency medical and illness coverage worth up to $10,000
• Up to $500 in coverage for emergency dental expenses
• Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
• AD&D coverage worth up to $10,000
• Travel assistance services

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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