Travel insurance for seniors: what to check over 65
Cover gets more expensive with age, and policies get more restrictive, but older travelers are often the people who benefit most from it. These are the checks that matter most after 65.
By the StarHolidays Editorial Team Updated 4 min read
Key takeaways
- Premiums rise with age because cancellation and medical claims become more likely.
- US Medicare generally doesn't pay abroad, and Medigap foreign emergency cover has a $50,000 lifetime cap.
- Age limits vary widely. Some plans stop at a certain age while others have none.
- Check medical and evacuation limits first, and declare every condition.
On this page
Why cover matters more with age
Two things change as we get older: the chance of needing care rises, and a serious illness abroad might involve a longer stay or a medical escort home. At the same time, retired travelers often book longer, more expensive trips, such as cruises and escorted tours, with significant cancellation penalties.
Both government and industry sources agree that cost rises with age. That's why a benchmark such as 4% to 10% of trip cost can understate what a retired traveler pays.
Medicare and home cover: know the gap
If you're on US Medicare, this is your starting point. Medicare generally won't pay for care outside the United States. Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M and N (and the no-longer-sold E, H, I and J) can include a foreign travel emergency benefit, but with significant limits:
| Medigap foreign travel emergency | Details |
|---|---|
| Portion of billed charges | 80% of medically necessary emergency care |
| Annual deductible | $250 |
| Lifetime maximum | $50,000 |
| Trip window | Emergency must begin during the first 60 days of a trip |
That's helpful, but it isn't enough for a serious event, and it doesn't include evacuation. Medicare.gov's fact sheet may be several years old, so confirm current terms with your plan. Read our guide for US residents for more.
Elsewhere, public systems also tend to stop at the border. See the UK, Canada and Australia guides.
Age limits: read the small print
Limits vary greatly. Published examples include a plan that stops covering travelers at age 89 and others with no stated limit. Things to look for:
- Maximum age for buying a policy at all
- Reduced benefits at certain ages, which is easy to miss
- Annual plan limits. The UK government warns that age restrictions are especially likely on annual multi-trip policies
- Trip length caps for older travelers
A policy may sell to you and still pay less. Always check the benefit schedule for your age.
Your health declaration
This is the area with the most at stake. Disclose all your conditions and medications accurately, including recent tests and changes in dose, and any pending appointments. For details on waivers and look-back periods, read our pre-existing conditions guide.
If you're in the US market, check the deadline for a pre-existing condition waiver as soon as you pay your first deposit. Windows of 14 or 21 days are common, and they're easy to miss.
What we'd prioritize
- Medical cover. Prefer high limits, particularly for trips to the US.
- Evacuation and repatriation. Check for a medical escort. The State Department points out that an air ambulance back to the US may cost up to about $200,000.
- Trip cancellation. Match it to your non-refundable costs. See cancellation cover, and note how it treats conditions affecting family members.
- A companion's costs. The UK government recommends checking for reasonable costs for someone to stay with you or to accompany you home. If your partner is traveling with you, this matters.
- Assistance. Choose a 24-hour line that you or your companion can actually use.
Keeping the premium reasonable
- Insure only non-refundable costs. Don't add what you could get back.
- Compare more widely. Differences between insurers can be significant for older travelers, and some specialize in this group.
- Consider a higher deductible, if you could comfortably cover it.
- Skip unneeded extras, but not at the expense of medical cover.
- Consider annual cover, if you take several trips and your age is within the limits.
Going on a cruise or a long stay?
For cruises, a ship's medical center may charge its own fees and offer limited treatment. Evacuation from a ship can be difficult, so read our cruise guide.
For snowbirds and long stays, check the maximum trip length, how far your cover extends and whether an early return home ends it. Canadian travelers should also check our Canada guide.
Before you go
- Speak to your doctor about fitness to travel.
- Carry medications in their original packaging, along with a list of them in generic names.
- Leave a copy of your policy, medications list and emergency contacts with a family member.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get travel insurance at 80 or 85?
Often yes, although choices narrow and prices rise. Some plans have no upper age limit, while others stop at a specific age, so compare several and check benefit schedules for reduced limits.
Does Medicare cover me on a cruise?
Usually not when the ship is outside US waters, apart from a few specific situations. Check the Medicare guidance before you sail, and consider medical and evacuation cover.
Is cancel for any reason worth it for seniors?
It can be, because older travelers often have larger prepaid trips and more reasons to change plans. It is often quoted as adding about 40% to the premium, so weigh this against refundable booking options.
Do I need to declare conditions that are under control?
If you are asked, yes. A controlled condition usually still counts as a pre-existing condition. Accurate answers protect your claim.