How does travel insurance differ for over 80s?

Just because you're getting older doesn't mean your thirst for travel and getting away from it all will diminish, and the last few years have seen a surge in holiday bookings by older travellers as people are living longer, healthier lives. If you're aged over 80 and planning your next holiday, one aspect you won't want to be without is good travel insurance to cover your trips.



Travel insurance doesn't have to be expensive when you spend time comparing different products and finding the best deals. As an older traveller, you may find yourself paying higher premiums than most travellers, as you may be judged to be at higher risk of making claims, but age isn't the only contributing factor that insurers take into consideration. So as long as you're relatively fit and healthy, and don't suffer from any serious medical conditions, you won't have to face steep rates.



If you do have any pre-existing medical conditions, these should be disclosed to your insurer, as your policy could be invalidated if you become ill while travelling. Medical cover is perhaps the most important feature of travel insurance for many people, and makes insurance especially vital if you're leaving the UK and visiting countries where you won't be covered by the NHS if you become sick or you're involved in accidents.

You should also tell your insurer where you're planning to go, how long you're planning to spend there and what you're planning to get up to, as all of these factors can make a big difference when it comes to travel insurance. Holidays within Europe will generally be cheaper to insure than travels further afield, and there are some activities that may not be covered by standard insurance policies, especially if you're heading on an active break to enjoy winter sports or cross-country rambling, or a cruise holiday.



If you have a prescription for medicine that's difficult to obtain overseas, you could also have trouble finding replacements if you use up or lose your current supply. Travel insurance can cover the cost of prescriptions sent abroad, as well as covering your belongings if they do become lost or stolen.



With more elderly people taking holidays abroad than ever, insurers are beginning to catch up to the demand for cheap travel insurance for the over 80s. That means it should become increasingly easier to find cost-effective insurance plans whatever age you are, so you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your travels will be covered.



The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Confused.com. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.