Jasmine Birtles
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Cheaper travel insurance for over 65s
Reading Time: 3 minutesTravel insurance for over 65s is hard enough to get and if you suffer from pre-existing medical conditions it can be almost impossible. However, we’ve found out how to get pensioners travel insurance even with pre-existing medical conditions.
The good news is that the insurance industry is slowly getting wise to the fact that older people and those who, for whatever reason, are not in the very best of health and have pre-existing medical conditions, still want to be able to travel. More and more specialist travel insurers are popping up, offering cover for all sorts of different kinds of medical conditions.
The bad news is that plenty of regular insurers don’t cater for specific circumstances, and if you don’t know where to find the specialists, you’ll be paying over the odds for your cover. So where do you start?
A few things you need to know
We’re not going to gloss over the facts here – the older you get, the more of a risk you to an insurer, so the more expensive your insurance policy will be. If you’re expecting to find some miracle place that’ll cover you for the same price as a perfectly fit and healthy 25 year old – it’s not going to happen.
You have to fully declare any existing medical conditions for all travel insurance policies or the policy will become void. However, there are some companies out there who won’t increase their premiums when you declare certain pre-existing medical conditions.
The Association of British Insurers and the British Insurance Brokers Association is making life easier for older customers. Now, if you’re not offered insurance cover because your age is above their upper age limits all insurance companies and insurers registered with ABI will automatically refer you to an alternative provider, or a signposting service like ‘Find a Broker’ who will be able to help you.
Here at Moneymagpie were always telling you about the benefits of using comparison sites to get the best deal – and while we do stick by that advice when it comes to travel insurance – those with very specific circumstances need to be wary.
You should think of insurance comparison sites as a price comparison, not a cover comparison. Most insurance comparison sites are primarily concerned with the price of the cover, rather than what sort of cover you’re getting.
To find the cheapest policies they make assumptions about you – that you’re fit, healthy and under a certain age. If this isn’t the case, things immediately become more complicated.
Specialist insurance brokers
If you’re having problems getting a policy from general insurers – they think you’re too much of a risk, or they’re trying to charge you an extortionate price – you should look for a specialist insurer. Head to the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) and look at their searchable database or give them a call on 0344 7700 266.
BIBA can direct you to extremely specialised brokers covering everything from cancer patients and the disabled to the over 85s. The great thing with using their service is that you will be put in touch with people who properly understand your particular condition, and who have the capability to tailor a policy to best suit your needs.
Obviously that is a service which comes at a price – it’s not going to be cheap, but they do their best to give you a competitive price when other insurers will simply refuse to cover you at all.
Don’t forget…
- It doesn’t always follow that travel insurance policies specifically designed for the over 60s are the cheapest – so don’t dismiss regular policies without checking them out first.
- There’s always a lot of competition between insurers, so (within reason) you can get bartering.
- You should remember to warn your insurer of any medical condition which arises once your policy has been taken out. If you don’t, your cover may be invalid.
- If you take a long-haul holiday two or three times a year, an annual travel insurance policy is likely to work out cheaper, particularly if it doesn’t increase its premiums for your pre-existing medical condition.
- Be aware that premiums for travel to the USA or Canada are always higher because of the extremely high cost of medical treatment in North America.
- Remember that while it’s always nice to get a bargain, cheapest is not always best, so make sure you check your policy carefully to see if it covers every eventuality
- If you injure yourself while under the influence of drink or drugs, your policy is unlikely to pay up.
- If you’re pregnant, you might not be covered for any complications that arise, and there will be a cut off date.
- Medical expenses and personal accidents caused as a result of war are also excluded in many policies.
- You won’t get cover if you’ve been advised against travelling or you’re within the last two months of pregnancy.
The main purpose of insurance is to insure against the high impact possibilities that may destroy or ruin you. The cheapest insurance is no insurance, so focussing on cheapness is not necessarily the low risk approach.
medicalxtourism.
Many times people don’t buy a travel insurance to save money as they are short of budget. Also, in some cases people think that it’s just waste of money. But they never think of the worst case situation. So, do what is best for your safety. It is always recommended to travel with travel insurance whether you’re traveling once in a year or you’re a frequent traveler. The price may vary from insurer to insurer and also depends on the policy bought by you. You should find the best travel insurance policy weather it is single trip insurance or annual… Read more »
I have found All Clear to be very good and helpful with all my pre excisting conditions and going skiing @ aged 64!!! BUT it does depend on the medical costs/provision of the country you are visiting-Portugal is OK but Turkey makes it expensive,the call centre people can advise.
Price Comparison sites were a waste of time in my particular case.
what is the best travel insurance for the oer 60s
I would like to know of travel insurance for over 70’s with some medical problems but are otherwise fit.
Hi Barbara, try Allclear Travel. In fact we have a 20% off offer for them here https://www.moneymagpie.com/tips/
please keep me informed of travel ins for older people