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Over 70s travel insurance

Compare cheap travel insurance for over 70s

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Get over 70s travel insurance from £11.851

  • Compare different types of policies, including single-trip, annual and long stay travel insurance

  • Find travel insurance with cover for pre-existing medical conditions

  • Tailor your policy with optional add-ons, such as gadget cover or cruise cover

1The cheapest single-trip travel insurance policy, based on 1 adult aged 70 with no pre-existing medical conditions, travelling in Spain for 1 week. Confused.com data, July 2024.

How to get an over 70s travel insurance quote

To get a quote, here's what you'll need to do:

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Tell us about you and your trip

First, head to our quotes page. We'll need some personal information from you, including what type of cover you need.

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Let us know if you have any medical conditions

Next, tell us if you have any medical conditions. This is to make sure our providers can offer you the right level of cover.

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Compare quotes from up to 472 providers

Now, it's over to us! We'll show you quotes from up to 442 travel insurers. All you'll need to do is pick the one that best suits you and your needs. Sorted!

2Correct as of July 2024

Why compare over 70s travel insurance with Confused.com?

  • We're regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and so are all of the insurers we work with. We follow strict rules for how we operate and serve our customers.
  • We work with 442 travel insurers. Once you've filled in our quote form, we'll compare prices from up to 442 travel insurers. We'll also display the Defaqto ratings of each one, so you can purchase your policy with peace of mind.
  • We're 100% independent, so the policy quotes we show you are only ever priced around the personal information you provide to us.
  • We value your privacy and security. We take your privacy and security seriously and promise to look after your personal information. You can find out more about it by reading our security and privacy policy.

What is over 70s travel insurance?

Over 70s travel insurance is tailored for those aged over 70. It can offer cover for the unique problems older travellers might face while abroad.

With the right cover in place, you can have the peace of mind that you're protected against the unexpected. For example, stolen luggage and flight delays.

How does travel insurance for over 70s differ from standard travel insurance?

You can get standard travel insurance cover aged over 70. This can cover you for general things that can go wrong while travelling. For example, unexpected cancellations.     

But a specialist policy can cover you for things standard travel insurance won't. This could include things like:

  • A higher level of medical coverage
  • Cover for medical aids if yours gets stolen, accidentally lost or damaged 

Over 70s travel insurance can also cost more than a standard policy. This is because specialist policies tend to offer higher levels of cover than standard ones.

Do I need travel insurance for over 70s?

Travel insurance usually isn't a legal requirement for most countries. But, it's worth thinking about. With the right policy in place, you can be covered against things that might go wrong while you're away.

Helpful hint: Check what the entry requirements of the country you're travelling to are. Some places, like Cuba, legally require you to have travel insurance in place. In other places, like the Schengen Area, travel insurance is a requirement for visas.

What does over 70s travel insurance cover?

The level of cover you could get depends on your personal circumstances and what policy type you have.

But, to give you an idea of what you might get, here's what over 70s travel insurance usually covers and excludes:

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What's covered:

  • Emergency medical treatment and repatriation. If you get injured or ill and need to receive treatment abroad, or a doctor recommends you're flown home to continue treatment in the UK.
  • Cancellation and curtailment. If you need to cancel or cut short your trip early because of unexpected circumstances.
  • Travel disruption. If you experience disruption because of bad weather, strikes, or mechanical issues.
  • Theft, loss or damage. If your luggage or personal items are stolen, accidentally lost or damaged.
  • Medical aids. If any of your aids get damaged, lost, or stolen. Usually, this is offered in a specialist policy.
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What's not covered:

  • Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions. If you don't declare medical conditions and need treatment, you won't be able to make a claim.
  • Travelling against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice. If you're advised against travelling to a certain country, but you go anyway.
  • Changing your mind. If you decide that you no longer want to go.
  • Known events that happened before you purchased your policy. These are events that could affect your travel or put you in danger, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Incidents that occur under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you're injured or become ill while under the influence, you won't be covered.

We compare up to 44 travel insurance2 companies

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What types of travel insurance are available for over 70s?

Some insurers can be a little reluctant to insure those over a certain age.

But that doesn't mean you can't get travel insurance. In fact, there's 3 main types of travel insurance usually available to those aged over 70. These include single-trip, annual and long-stay travel insurance.

Let's take a look at these 3 policy types available to you, including when they might be an ideal option for you:

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Single trip travel insurance for over 70s

Only planning a one-off trip? Single-trip travel insurance might be worth considering. It can cover one trip, usually for a maximum of 31 days.

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Annual travel insurance for over 70s

Got a few different getaways planned? Annual travel insurance can cover multiple trips, usually up to 31 days for each one, over 12 months.

Long stay travel icon

Long stay travel insurance for over 70s

If you want to go abroad for longer than 31 days, long-stay travel insurance is what you'll need. This can cover you for an extended period of time, usually from 3 to 18 months.

What our travel insurance expert says

"A perk of getting older is having more time to travel. If you're going abroad, think about taking out a travel insurance policy. Even though it can cost more once you're over the age of 70, travel insurance can cover the cost of things like emergency medical treatment or lost luggage. And without a policy in place, these could set you back thousands of pounds."

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert
Travel insurance expert Confused.com logo

How to get the best travel insurance for over 70s

The best travel insurance is going to be the one that suits your needs. So, depending on your trip, you might like to consider a policy add-on. You can add it as an optional extra for a cost, and it can offer enhanced, tailored coverage.

Let's take a look at them:

Cruise cover

Cruise travel insurance can cover you for the unique problems you might face on a cruise. For example, if you're confined to your cabin due to illness or miss ports because of bad weather.

Golf cover

Planning on enjoying a round of golf? You'll need golf travel insurance. This add-on can cover you for things like lost, damaged or stolen golfing equipment.

Gadget cover

If you like to travel with expensive electronics, you might want to get this add-on. It can protect your possessions while you're abroad, including your smartphone or laptop.

How much does over 70s travel insurance cost?

How much over 70s travel insurance costs depends on your personal circumstances, as well as the nature of your trip.

But, to give you an idea, here's some of the cheapest policy prices:

Policy type Policy cost
Single trip travel insurance
£11.851
Annual travel insurance
£49.663
£17.454

1The cheapest single-trip travel insurance policy, based on 1 adult aged 70 with no pre-existing medical conditions, travelling in Spain for 1 week. Confused.com data, July 2024.
3The cheapest European annual travel insurance policy, based on 1 adult aged 70 with no pre-existing medical conditions. Confused.com data, July 2024.
4The cheapest single-trip travel insurance policy, based on 2 adults aged 70 with no pre-existing medical conditions, travelling in Spain for 1 week. Confused.com data, July 2024.

What affects the price of travel insurance?

There's a few different things that can affect the price of travel insurance. These include:

  • Age.  Similar to over 80s travel insurance, as someone who's over 70, insurers see that there may be a higher risk of needing to make a claim. For instance, because of illness or injury.
  • Pre-existing medical conditions. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, insurers may see you as a risk to insure.
  • The length of your trip. The longer you're away, the more likely you'll be to make a claim.
  • Where you're going. Certain countries can be more expensive to get cover for than others. For example, medical care in places like Canada and the USA is more costly than other destinations. In turn, policies for these destinations typically cost more.
  • What activities you do. Certain activities, like horse riding, skiing, or scuba diving, can be considered 'high risk' to insurers.
  • Optional extras. Policy add-ons can increase the price of your policy.

Compare over 70s travel insurance quotes

Can I get cheap travel insurance for over 70s?

As we've mentioned, over 70s travel insurance tends to cost more than standard policies, or policies for travellers under 70 years old. Still, it's important to make sure you've got a policy that offers the level of cover you need.

That being said, there's a few things you can do to try and get a more affordable policy price. Let's take a look at them:

  • Compare quotes. Shop around to get a quote that offers you the cover you need at the cheapest price.
  • Buy a joint policy. Travelling with other people? It might be cheaper to get a joint policy together rather than separate policies.
  • Opt for annual insurance. If you've got multiple trips planned for a year, annual insurance can be more affordable.

Can I get over 70s travel insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, you should be able to get over 70s' travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition.

Policies can often cost more for those with pre-existing conditions. But, it's important to declare them when you get a quote. If you don't and need to receive medical treatment while away, you won't be able to claim.

It's also worth checking if your policy covers medical equipment and medication. Some insurers offer cover for these as standard, but others might not.

If you're unable to find suitable cover, don't worry. The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a directory of insurers who offer cover to customers with medical conditions. You can also phone MaPS for free, impartial advice on 0800 138 7777.

Do I need travel insurance for over 70s if I have a GHIC?

Yes, you should still think about getting travel insurance even if you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

These cards can grant you state-level healthcare in countries within the European Union (EU). Usually, at the same price as what citizens of the country pay. This means that you can still be left vulnerable to costly medical bills.

This is why travel insurance is important. It can give you the peace of mind that you're protected financially for any medical treatment you need. Plus, it can also offer cover for non-medical problems, like lost, stolen or damaged luggage. It's a no-brainer.

Need more help?

Is there an upper age limit on travel insurance?

This depends on your insurer.

Some providers can impose upper age limits, along with other limitations. For example, a reduced length of time covered for certain policies. Or, specialist cover needed for serious medical conditions.

But, by shopping around, you should find that you're able to find travel insurance to cover you.

When should I buy travel insurance?

It's a good idea to buy travel insurance as soon as you've booked your trip.

With a policy in place, you'll be covered if you need to cancel your trip for an unexpected reason before it begins. For example, illness or injury.

Can I include someone under the age of 70 on my over 70s travel insurance policy?

You might be able to, it depends on the policy and the provider.

When you take out a quote with us, you'll be able to see which of our insurers can offer this.

How do I claim on my travel insurance?

You can make a claim on your travel insurance by contacting your provider.

Usually, most insurers require you to phone their claims team to make a claim. But others can ask you to fill out a claims form online. If you're ever in doubt about how you should claim, contact your provider for guidance.

If you have a medical emergency, the process for making a claim is different. You'll usually be given an emergency number you can call for immediate assistance. So, ensure you make a note of it just in case you need to call it.

Top tip: For medical emergencies, make sure you have your policy number to hand to speed up the process.

Do you have any tips for over 70s travelling?

To make your travels as smooth as possible, check out our top tips:

  • Bring all the prescription medication you'll need. Make sure that you'll have enough of your prescribed medication for your trip so you don't go without. You should also travel with your prescription letters, just in case airport security asks to see them.
  • Check vaccination requirements. Some countries require you to have certain vaccinations to enter. You can check if you'll need any through the NHS' Fit for Travel page.
  • Have a check-in with your GP. Before you set off on your trip, consider getting checked by your GP - just to make sure you're in tip-top shape for travel.
  • Sort airport assistance ahead of time. Do you need any help while you're travelling through the airport? If you need assistance, make sure you've alerted the airport at least 48 hours before your flight.
  • Let your bank know you're going abroad. Sometimes, using a card in a different country can be flagged as suspicious by banks. To prevent any problems, it's worth letting them know ahead of time.
  • Check that your passport is valid. Most countries require at least 6 months left on your passport before it expires. 

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Page last reviewed: 16 August 2024

Reviewed by: Alvaro Iturmendi

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