Travel insurance for UK residents aged 75 and over
Finding travel insurance when you're over 75 involves specific considerations that differ from younger age groups. While cover is available, the number of providers willing to offer policies and the terms they offer can be more restrictive than for travellers under 75.
This page helps UK residents aged 75 and over compare travel insurance policies from providers that may be able to offer cover based on age, destination, and medical history.
If you are under 75, insurers often apply different underwriting rules. See our over 65s travel insurance guide for details on that age bracket.
How this page differs from over-65s: This page focuses specifically on the 75+ age bracket, where underwriting often becomes more restrictive. Many insurers have age thresholds at 75 that affect availability, pricing, and trip duration limits. If you're between 65 and 74, see our over 65s travel insurance guide.
Having these details ready helps you get accurate quotes:
This page is for UK residents aged 75 or over who are looking to compare travel insurance options. You might be planning a single holiday, considering whether annual cover is available and worthwhile, or trying to understand what questions insurers ask and why options become more limited at this age.
It's also relevant if you're comparing cover on behalf of someone over 75, such as a family member, and want to understand what information you'll need and what aspects of policy wording are particularly important to review.
Whether you're in good health or managing multiple medical conditions, this page explains the general approach insurers take for the 75+ age group and what practical steps can help you find appropriate cover.
Travel insurance for people over 75 works on the same principles as cover for younger travellers, but the underwriting process is typically more detailed and the range of providers willing to offer quotes may be narrower.
Age is a significant factor in how insurers assess risk. The 75+ age bracket is associated with higher likelihood of medical claims while travelling, which affects both pricing and what cover options are available. This doesn't mean insurance is unobtainable, but it does mean you may need to compare more providers to find suitable cover.
Some insurers have upper age limits that exclude travellers over a certain age entirely. Common cut-off points include 75, 79, 80, and 85, though some specialist providers have no upper age limit. If you've been declined by one insurer, it's worth trying others as underwriting criteria vary significantly.
Insurers that do cover over 75s often specialise in this market and have medical screening teams experienced in assessing applications from older travellers with complex medical histories.
Medical screening is more thorough for travellers over 75. You'll be asked detailed questions about all diagnosed conditions, current medications, recent hospital visits, pending investigations, and any changes in your health. Some providers require telephone screening rather than online-only applications.
Insurers with dedicated medical screening teams assess applications from older travellers with complex conditions on an ongoing basis, which can result in more tailored quotes.
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 varies between insurers, so a condition that's declined by one provider may be covered by another.
Many insurers apply stricter trip duration limits for over 75s. Annual policies may restrict individual trips to 31 days or less, compared to 45-90 days for younger travellers. Some single trip policies may also have maximum durations. If you're planning an extended trip, checking the maximum allowed duration before booking is essential.
Travel insurance policies for over 75s typically include the same core elements as standard policies, though cover limits and terms may differ. Always check the policy document for exact details.
This is often the most important element for older travellers. Medical emergency cover pays for treatment if you become ill or injured abroad. Repatriation cover pays for bringing you back to the UK if medically necessary. Policy limits typically range from £2 million to £10 million or more.
Higher limits are advisable for destinations with expensive healthcare (USA, Canada, Japan). Medical evacuation from remote locations or by air ambulance can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Standard policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless declared and accepted. You must declare all diagnosed medical conditions, prescribed medications, and recent investigations. If you don't declare a condition, the insurer may refuse to pay any claim related to that condition or linked conditions.
Some insurers are more willing than others to cover specific conditions. Comparing multiple providers is particularly important for travellers with multiple or complex medical histories.
Cancellation cover reimburses pre-paid costs if you cancel before departure for covered reasons (illness, injury, bereavement). Curtailment covers costs if you cut your trip short. Check the limit is enough to cover your total holiday cost.
If you travel with medical equipment (CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators) or mobility aids (wheelchairs, walking frames), check whether these are covered under the baggage section and to what value. Some policies have specific sub-limits for medical equipment.
Several factors determine whether you can get cover and how much it will cost. Understanding these helps you compare policies more effectively.
Premiums increase with age, often in bands (65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85+). The 75+ bracket typically sees a significant increase compared to younger age bands. Some insurers price by exact age rather than bands.
Where you travel affects cost and availability. Healthcare costs vary significantly by country. USA, Canada, and some Caribbean destinations are typically more expensive to insure. Some insurers may not offer cover to certain destinations for over 75s.
Longer trips cost more and may not be available from all providers. Maximum trip lengths for over 75s are often shorter than for younger travellers. If you're planning an extended trip, check maximum durations before purchasing.
Your health is a major factor. The more conditions you have, the more complex underwriting becomes. Some conditions may result in higher premiums, exclusions, or the insurer declining to offer cover. This varies significantly between providers.
Annual policies can be cost-effective if you travel multiple times per year, but availability for over 75s is more limited. Trip duration limits per journey are often stricter on annual policies for this age group. Single trip policies offer more flexibility but must be purchased for each trip.
If you're planning activities like cruising, skiing, or golf, check they're included or can be added. Some insurers may not offer certain activity cover to over 75s. Cruising often requires specific cover due to the medical facilities available on ships.
Before comparing quotes, these practical steps can help you get appropriate cover and avoid issues later.
Have a complete list of all conditions, medications (including dosages), recent hospital visits, pending investigations, and any health changes in the past few years. Some insurers ask about conditions going back 5-10 years. Being thorough and honest is essential.
Mainstream insurers may have age limits that exclude over 75s. Specialist providers who focus on older travellers or those with medical conditions may offer better options. Using a comparison service that includes specialist providers can help you see more options.
The policy document (not summary) contains the full terms. Check medical exclusions, age-related restrictions, trip duration limits, the definition of pre-existing conditions, excess amounts, and the claims process. Pay particular attention to what counts as a pre-existing condition requiring declaration.
Some providers require telephone screening for over 75s rather than online-only. This can be helpful as trained operators can ask follow-up questions and clarify your circumstances, potentially resulting in more accurate quotes.
If your health changes between buying the policy and travelling (new diagnosis, medication change, hospital visit), you must tell your insurer. Failing to do so could invalidate cover. Most insurers allow policy updates, though this may affect the premium.
When travelling, keep a copy of your policy document, the emergency assistance phone number, and your policy number accessible. If you need medical treatment abroad, contact the insurer's emergency line before seeking treatment where possible.
When you compare quotes, you'll be asked about age, health, destination, and trip details. Insurers will show what cover they can offer and at what price. Not all insurers cover all age groups or medical conditions, and availability and pricing vary by provider.
Yes, travel insurance is available for people over 75, though options may be more limited than for younger travellers. Some insurers specialise in cover for older travellers while others have upper age limits at 75, 80, or 85. Availability depends on individual circumstances including health, destination, and trip duration.
Premiums typically increase with age because older travellers are statistically more likely to need medical treatment abroad. The 75+ age bracket often sees higher pricing than younger age bands. Insurers also factor in any pre-existing medical conditions, which become more common with age.
Yes, you must declare all diagnosed medical conditions, prescribed medications, and recent investigations or referrals when applying for travel insurance. Failure to declare accurately may invalidate cover. Medical screening is more detailed for travellers over 75 and affects both eligibility and pricing.
Many insurers apply trip duration limits for travellers over 75. Annual policies may restrict each trip to 31 days or less, though some providers offer longer durations. Single trip policies may have maximum lengths depending on the insurer. Check policy terms carefully before booking extended trips.
Annual travel insurance is available from some providers for over 75s, though not all insurers offer this option. Policies may have restrictions on trip duration per journey and may cost more than single trip alternatives depending on how often you travel. Comparing both options is advisable.
General guide to travel insurance in the UK
Compare family travel insurance options
Compare single trip travel insurance options
Compare travel insurance when already abroad options
Compare travel insurance for over 65s options
MySupermarketCompare is a comparison website and insurance introducer. We are not an insurer. We compare travel insurance policies from a panel of insurers and introduce you to providers who may be able to help. We may earn a commission if you buy a policy through our service.
Last reviewed: February 2026
Review process: Updated when insurer age limits or medical screening criteria for older travellers change.
The information on this page is guidance only and should not be treated as medical, financial, or professional advice. Travel insurance eligibility, cover, and pricing are subject to individual circumstances and insurer discretion. You must declare all diagnosed medical conditions, prescribed medications, and recent investigations when applying. Failure to declare accurately may invalidate cover. We cannot guarantee that any insurer will offer you cover or quote a particular price. Always read policy documents carefully before buying.
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