The golden years are a great time to travel the world, checking off the destinations on your bucket list and discovering new adventures. However, due to the unique needs, risks, and complexities that come with advanced age, many older adults shy away from international travel.

One of the best ways to allay your fears and live the life you always envisioned is by investing in travel insurance.

Introduction to Seniors Travel Insurance

What Is It and How Does It Differ from
Standard Policies?

Travel insurance for seniors is designed for the unique needs of older adults to cover the risks they might encounter overseas. Though it shares some similarities with standard travel insurance, there are some key differences worth noting.

Standard policies often limit coverage to travelers aged 65 or younger and might exclude pre-existing conditions or include them for an additional cost. Moreover, the medical coverage in standard policies might be insufficient for older adults, particularly when traveling to high-cost healthcare destinations.

Why Is It Necessary?

Remember that while the terminology may be “travel insurance for seniors,” what’s most important is that you have both travel insurance as well as health insurance while you’re abroad.

Travel insurance is necessary for seniors in situations where you have to cut a trip short or cancel altogether due to unexpected circumstances insured by the policy. This type of policy will help you recover any non-refundable deposits in such situations.

Then there’s international health insurance, which is separate from travel insurance. In many instances, domestic health insurance does not offer coverage outside your home country. With the right health insurance plan for international travel, you can afford medical treatment as the need arises without having to pay out of pocket or postpone treatment till you get back home.

Travel Insurance for Seniors

Seniors traveling abroad need to be protected in the event of emergencies. Although you’d rather not think about it, lost luggage, canceled trips, medical evacuations, natural disasters, and other events can occur. To prevent trip issues from turning into financial challenges, seniors need international travel insurance.

It is important to note that travel insurance is separate from international health insurance. Both of these types of coverage can be bundled to ensure you’re fully protected.

What Does it Cover?

Senior travel insurance is usually comprehensive and provides extensive coverage. Here are some of the areas your policy may cover:

What is Not Covered by Travel Insurance?

Certain insurance policies for seniors have age limits for coverage, varying by provider and policy type. Some restrict coverage to persons above 65, 70, or 75 years and extend to 80 or 85. This may require shopping for specialized plans from niche providers or paying a premium for comprehensive plans.

Non-emergency treatments, routine checkups, and elective procedures are typically excluded because travel insurance focuses on emergency, not planned medical care. It is important to plan for such expenses beforehand. This type of care would fall under an international health insurance plan.

While you can obtain coverage for a pre-existing condition, you must meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify for a waiver. Find out the requirements for such a waiver beforehand so as to get the best policy in line with your health condition.

While travel insurance is a necessity when going abroad, it’s only half of the equation. The other half is international health insurance, which all seniors are strongly advised to take out prior to a trip.

International health insurance fills in the gaps by providing coverage for many of the areas not included in general travel insurance policy plans.

What Does it Cover?

Typical things you’ll find under international health insurance plans for seniors include:

Non-emergency treatments, routine checkups, and elective procedures may be included in an international health insurance plan.

Managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes, COPD, arthritis, and other ailments may necessitate a visit to a doctor while abroad. International health insurance plans with this type of coverage make it so you don’t have to wait until a medical emergency to be seen by a medical professional.

Whether your trip is 10 days or 10 months, having international health insurance coverage means you’ll be able to access care if you need it.

Get access to medication at a pharmacy abroad. This is critical for preventing lapses in medication and staying on top of your health as a senior traveling internationally.

International Health Insurance for Seniors

International health insurance fills in the gaps by providing coverage for many of the areas not included in general travel insurance policy plans.

How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance for Seniors

Here are some tips for choosing the best travel insurance for seniors.

*Remember that travel insurance for seniors is NOT the same as health insurance for seniors travelling abroad. Don’t be fooled by the similar terminology. Before you purchase any plan, check for the following:

Assess Coverage Needs Based on Age and Health

The coverage needs of older adults differ significantly based on age and overall health condition. Evaluate your health history, the activities you plan to engage in, average healthcare costs in your destination, and the main services you might require during your stay. Choose a plan that can accommodate your needs.

Check for Pre-Existing Condition Waivers

To avoid denied claims, choose a policy offering waivers on pre-existing conditions, one that automatically includes them, or allows you to pay an additional premium to add them. Before choosing a policy with a waiver, check the terms of eligibility.

Understand Deductibles, Premiums, and Co-Payments

A high deductible amount can lower your premiums but will likely lead to out-of-pocket costs during claims. Comprehensive plans come with higher premiums but provide the best value.

Find out about copayment requirements for medications and medical visits to avoid surprises and compare costs across plans to find a policy that provides the best value within your budget.

To simplify this search for you, you can Get your Quote for international health and travel insurance from our Friendly Global insurance providers.

Finding Discounts and Customizing Plans

Last but not least, here’s a pro tip for international senior travelers: If you are traveling with friends and family, you may qualify for group discounts. Identify providers with special rates for seniors or loyalty discounts for repeat customers. To keep costs down, avoid unnecessary extras and customize your plan by selecting important add-ons. If you would like to learn more about these options, please send us a message and we’ll be happy to help you out.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is travel insurance for seniors more expensive than traditional policies?

Oftentimes, yes. Usually, older adults are more likely to have pre-existing health conditions and face higher risks of injuries, accidents, and luggage loss. They are therefore more likely to file a claim and for this reason, policies for this age group are normally more expensive.

2. Do I have to disclose pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing a policy?

Yes. Doing so is in your best interests as many insurers will not pay out if you fall sick because of a pre-existing medical condition that you had not disclosed.

3. Is there an upper age limit for seniors’ travel insurance?

Some providers set an upper age limit but the age limits vary with different insurance providers.. Take time to compare the options and choose an appropriate one for your age.

Friendly Global: Providing Peace of Mind for Seniors’ Travel Insurance

Shopping around for a suitable travel insurance policy in your golden years can feel like an insurmountable challenge. But it does not have to be if you know where to look. Rather than comparing providers one by one, why not find a single all-inclusive resource to find suitable options that align with your needs?

Friendly Global offers precisely that on an easy-to-use website where you can submit your responses to some questions and get recommendations for ideal plans. We are an experienced team of professionals with over 25 years in the insurance industry and we only work with reputable providers who have an established track record.

Let us hold your hand through the process of selecting the perfect insurance plan and focus on making memories and enjoying new adventures. Ready to get started? Get Your Quote today! For any questions you may still have, feel free to email us at info@friendlyglobal.com.