How to obtain insurance for trips when you're over 70

Growing older makes it more difficult to find reasonably priced travel insurance

We describe how to obtain travel insurance when you are in your seventies.

Many people wish to spend their retirement years lounging at home and taking trips overseas after contributing to the system their entire lives and accruing pension funds.

However, it's crucial to make sure you have insurance in case something goes wrong when you travel overseas.

This is where travel insurance can be useful. Travel insurance protects you in the event that your flights are delayed, your luggage is stolen, or your hotel cancels on you, so even though it raises the initial cost of your trip, it's usually worth it.

In the event that you are hurt or become ill while traveling, a policy can also assist with medical expenses. It is one of the five insurance policies you should have for this reason.

We examine the availability of travel insurance for people over 70, its costs, and the coverage they should confirm.

Is it possible for people over 70 to obtain travel insurance?

In general, people over 70 can obtain travel insurance through insurance brokers in the standard manner.

However, it can be more challenging to obtain a travel insurance quote as an older person than as a younger person.

Insurers carefully consider your likelihood of filing a claim before setting your policy's price; premiums are typically higher for policies that pose a greater "risk" to the insurer.

Due to the prevalence of pre-existing medical conditions, people over 70 are typically viewed by insurers as being at higher risk.

Insurers will raise rates to make accommodations if a claim appears more probable. Certain policies offered by other providers also have upper age restrictions.

What is covered by travel insurance for people over 70?

Since people over 70 are more likely to have pre-existing medical conditions and are therefore more likely to require medical assistance, travel insurance for this age group typically focuses on health and medical coverage.

Any hospital fees, repatriation fees, and other emergency medical expenses might be covered by a standard policy for an elderly passenger.

If you do have a pre-existing medical condition, it might also be wise to confirm that your insurance will cover any medical equipment you need to bring on a trip in case it gets lost, stolen, or damaged.

You should also make sure that your travel insurance covers the typical things you would anticipate, such as trip delays, cancellations, and lost or stolen luggage.

Over 70s insurance is "designed with the needs of older travellers in mind," according to Alicia Hempsted, an insurance specialist at MoneySuperMarket, who told BFIA that "benefits such as comprehensive medical cover, prescription protection, luggage insurance, and emergency assistance costs less than you expect" are frequently included in these policies.

In addition to the standard coverage areas, it is advisable to confirm that your insurance covers last-minute cancellations in case you discover on the day of your trip that you are unable to proceed.

In a different post, we examine eight key components of travel insurance.

What is the cost of travel insurance for people over 70?

As insurers assume greater risk, purchasing travel insurance when you are older than 70 usually costs a lot more than purchasing it when you are younger.

MoneySuperMarket data indicates that the average premium for single trip travel insurance for individuals in their 70s is 107.56, which is more than twice the average premium for those in their 60s (52.93).

The average travel insurance rates for individual trips, broken down by age group, are displayed in the table below.

Figures based on data collected in the 12 months prior to December 8, 2025, from MoneySuperMarket. Due to inadequate data, people over 80 are not included.

It may be tempting to keep pre-existing medical conditions from your insurer after seeing how much premiums rise with age and the likelihood of developing one, but it is crucial that you do so.

Hempsted told the BFIA: "Even if you are awaiting test results, it is always important to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions because failing to do so could mean that your claim is denied if you ever need to make one.

How can people over 70 get less expensive travel insurance?

You might want to try to lower these expenses because the cost of travel insurance is significantly higher for those in their 70s.

Offering to pay a higher excessthe sum you pay if your claim is successfulis one way to achieve this, as the insurer might provide you a lower quote if you do so.

If you must file a claim, though, be sure you have the money to cover the excess.

If you travel frequently, you may find that annual travel insurance coverage is less expensive over the course of a year than several policies for individual trips.

Using a comparison website like GoDotCompare, MoneySuperMarket, or CompareTheMarket to find the best deal on your trip might also be a smart idea.

These provide you a list of the best offers by comparing quotes from hundreds of insurers after receiving your information.

"If you're over 70 and looking for travel insurance, you might find that a higher likelihood of pre-existing medical conditions or a higher risk of trip cancellations can influence policy costs," Hempsted of MoneySuperMarket told BFIA. "It's important to shop around to get the right cover at the best price."

Considerations for purchasing travel insurance for people over 70.

Before purchasing a travel insurance policy, Hempsted provided a list of questions to ask yourself to ensure you are getting the best coverage possible.

Is the single-item limit on personal possessions sufficient to replace your valuables? Will you be able to afford your excess payment if you need to claim it? Have you declared any pre-existing medical conditions? Do you have enough cancellation coverage for the entire cost of your trip? Lastly, have you included any activities you'll be participating in, such as winter sports? Finally, have you checked to see if you need to book your return ticket before you travel? After confirming that the policy meets all of your requirements and offers you the appropriate level of coverage, you should be ready to enjoy your vacation worry-free.