Travel Insurance for Over 65s (UK)

This page is for UK residents aged 65 or over who are looking to compare travel insurance options. You might be planning a single holiday, considering annual cover if you travel regularly, or simply trying to understand what questions insurers ask and what factors can affect availability and pricing.

It's also relevant if you're comparing cover on behalf of someone over 65, such as a family member, and want to know what information you'll need and what aspects of the policy are particularly important to check.

Whether you're in good health or managing one or more medical conditions, this page explains the general approach insurers take and what practical steps can help you get the right cover for your circumstances.

Travel insurance for people over 65 works in broadly the same way as it does for younger travellers, but there are some differences in how insurers assess applications and what cover options may be available.

Age is one of the factors insurers consider when setting premiums and assessing risk. Older travellers are statistically more likely to make medical claims while abroad, which is reflected in pricing and underwriting. That doesn't mean cover isn't available, but it does mean you'll likely be asked more detailed questions about your health and medical history.

Age limits and underwriting

Some insurers specialise in policies for over 65s and have underwriting teams experienced in assessing applications from older travellers. Others may have age limits (for example, an upper age limit of 79 or 85) or may restrict cover for certain destinations or trip durations based on age. What's available depends on the provider.

Trip duration limits can also vary. Some policies for older travellers may limit the maximum length of each trip (for example, 31 days or 45 days per journey on annual policies), while others may offer longer durations or single-trip policies with no duration limit. If you're planning an extended trip, checking the maximum trip length before you buy is important.

Medical screening and health declarations

Medical screening is more common for older travellers. Many insurers will ask you to answer questions about your health, medications, and any medical conditions you've been diagnosed with or treated for. Some providers offer telephone or online screening services to assess your individual circumstances and provide a tailored quote.

You must declare all diagnosed medical conditions, prescribed medications, and recent investigations when applying. Failure to declare accurately may invalidate cover. How conditions are assessed and whether they can be covered varies significantly between insurers.

Travel insurance policies for over 65s typically include the same core elements as standard policies: medical emergency and repatriation cover, cancellation and curtailment cover, baggage and personal belongings cover, and personal liability cover. The levels of cover and policy limits can vary significantly, so checking what's included is essential.

Medical emergency and repatriation

Medical emergency and repatriation cover is often the most important element for older travellers. This covers the cost of medical treatment if you become ill or injured abroad, and the cost of bringing you back to the UK if medically necessary. Policy limits for medical cover can range from £2 million to £10 million or more. Higher limits are generally advisable, particularly if you're travelling to destinations where healthcare costs are high (such as the USA or Canada).

Pre-existing medical conditions

Pre-existing medical conditions are a critical area to understand. Standard policies usually exclude conditions that existed before you bought the policy unless they're specifically declared and accepted by the insurer. You must declare all diagnosed medical conditions, prescribed medications, and recent investigations when applying. Failure to declare accurately may invalidate cover.

If you don't declare a condition, the insurer may refuse to pay claims related to that condition (or any linked conditions) and could cancel the policy. Some insurers are more willing than others to cover certain conditions, so comparing multiple providers is advisable.

Cancellation and curtailment cover

Cancellation and curtailment cover reimburses you for pre-paid travel costs if you have to cancel your trip before departure or cut it short due to covered reasons (such as illness, injury, or bereavement). The limit should be enough to cover the full cost of your holiday. Check what circumstances are covered and what evidence you'll need to provide if you make a claim.

Medical equipment and mobility aids

Some policies include cover for mobility aids or medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, walking aids, or CPAP machines) in the baggage section, but limits and terms vary. If you're travelling with essential equipment, check the policy wording to confirm what's covered and up to what value.

Excess is the amount you pay towards each claim. Policies may have different excesses for different sections (for example, a higher excess for medical claims). Some insurers offer lower premiums in exchange for higher excesses, which can be a way to reduce cost if you're comfortable taking on more of the risk yourself.

Several factors affect whether you can get cover and how much it will cost. Understanding these can help you compare policies more effectively.

Age is the most obvious factor. Premiums generally increase with age, reflecting the higher likelihood of health-related claims. Some insurers have age bands (for example, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79) and pricing increases at each band. Others price by exact age.

Destination matters because healthcare costs vary significantly around the world. Travel to the USA, Canada, or Japan is typically more expensive to insure than travel within Europe. Some insurers may not offer cover to certain destinations for travellers above a certain age, or may apply exclusions or restrictions.

Trip duration affects cost and availability. The longer the trip, the higher the premium. Some insurers may have maximum trip lengths for older travellers (for example, 31 days or 60 days) or may require additional underwriting for extended trips.

Medical history is a major factor. Insurers will ask questions about any conditions you've been diagnosed with, treated for, or prescribed medication for. The more conditions you have, the more complex the underwriting process may be. Some conditions can be covered with no additional premium, while others may result in higher premiums, exclusions, or (in some cases) the insurer declining to offer cover at all. This varies significantly between providers.

Annual vs single trip is a consideration if you travel regularly. Annual policies can be more cost-effective if you take multiple trips in a year, but they may have restrictions on trip duration per journey and may not be available from all providers for all age groups. Single trip policies offer more flexibility in terms of trip length but need to be purchased each time you travel.

Activities you plan to do can affect cover. Standard policies usually cover typical holiday activities, but if you're planning to ski, dive, trek, or do other adventure sports, you may need to add specific cover or check that these activities are included. Some insurers are more willing to cover certain activities for older travellers than others.

Before comparing quotes, there are a few practical steps that can help you get the right cover and avoid issues later.

Gather your medical information: You'll be asked detailed questions about your health. Have a list of any conditions you've been diagnosed with, medications you take, and any recent treatment, consultations, or investigations (even if they didn't result in a diagnosis). Insurers typically ask about conditions going back several years (commonly five years, but this varies). Be honest and thorough. If you're not sure whether something counts as a condition, it's better to declare it and let the insurer decide.

Compare multiple providers: Not all insurers assess medical conditions the same way. One provider may decline to cover a particular condition, while another may cover it with no additional premium or a small increase. Using a comparison service can help you see multiple options, but you may also want to approach specialist insurers directly if you have complex medical needs.

Read the policy wording carefully: The policy document (not just the summary) tells you exactly what is and isn't covered, what exclusions apply, and what you need to do if you need to claim. Pay particular attention to the medical exclusions section, the definition of pre-existing conditions, and any age- related restrictions or limits.

Check the medical screening process: Some insurers ask a series of yes/no questions online, while others may require you to call and speak to a trained operator. If you have multiple or complex conditions, a telephone screening may give you a more accurate quote, as the operator can ask follow-up questions and clarify your circumstances.

Keep policy documents with you: When you travel, take a copy of your policy document, the emergency assistance phone number, and your policy number. If you need medical treatment abroad, you'll need to contact the insurer's emergency assistance team before seeking treatment (where possible) to ensure the claim is covered.

Declare changes in health: If your health changes between buying the policy and travelling (for example, you're diagnosed with a new condition or your medication changes), you must tell your insurer. Failing to do so could invalidate your cover. Most insurers allow you to update your policy, though this may result in an additional premium or, in some cases, the insurer declining to continue cover.