Travel insurance for seniors
What is seniors travel insurance?
Seniors travel insurance is a type of travel insurance that helps cover older travellers, typically aged 60 years and over, for medical emergencies, trip cancellations and other unexpected events while travelling. Coverage, costs and eligibility can vary significantly based on age, destination and pre‑existing medical conditions, making it important for senior travellers to understand how policies work before they buy.
Seniors travel insurance is not a separate policy, but rather an existing policy that allows for higher age limits.
Travel insurance for seniors
Catriona Rowntree’s top travel tips for seniors
Catriona Rowntree
Travel
Video Transcript
Hello, I’m Catriona Rowntree, host of Australia’s longest running travel and lifestyle show, Getaway. And today, I would like to talk to you about travel insurance in your later years. You know, it’s a common question. Can seniors even get travel insurance?
Well, of course, they can. Why should you get travel insurance? Well, it is one of the best ways to cover your trip. You can enjoy peace of mind if you become ill or injured while travelling or if you’re a victim of crime.
Now, when considering insurance, always look for a policy that allows you to declare any pre-existing medical conditions as part of your application. The insurer needs to know this information so it can be considered when your cover and premium are being determined. Now, if the insurer decides to cover the condition, you can rest easy knowing you have the cover you need, and there are no surprises if you’re injured or become ill while travelling. If your trip includes a cruise, an international travel insurance policy that includes cover for medical expenses is an important consideration.
Remember, you are not covered under Medicare benefits or private health insurance once you leave port. Even if you’re in Australian waters. Now to complement the medical cover, consider cover for if your trip is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances and cover for your luggage and personal belongings. And finally, take photocopies of your travel insurance policy and your passport.
Bring a copy with you and leave a copy back home with someone you trust. So, if you lose the originals, you can at least still have access to everything that you need. You know, navigating what travel insurance is right for you. It doesn’t have to be difficult.
By comparing, you could save time and money. Compare the Market can help you compare travel insurance policies online in minutes. So you can travel with confidence.
Should I take out seniors travel insurance?
Yes, it’s important to think about getting travel insurance if you’re a senior traveller. It can help shield you against hefty medical bills, emergency evacuations and trip cancellations. Crucially, Medicare and your private health insurance stop working overseas. If you’re unsure whether you need seniors travel insurance for peace of mind, consider the following:
- Cancellation cover may help protect you financially if an injury or illness keeps you from embarking on your trip (if this is included in your policy).
- Without travel insurance, you’d typically have to pay for any medical treatment yourself.
- Your insurer may provide 24/7 emergency assistance in the case of an emergency, which could be useful when in a foreign country with an unfamiliar healthcare system.
Choosing a great travel insurance policy for seniors
When searching for a great travel insurance policy for seniors, you’ll need to consider:
- The different types of travel insurance and what you want to be covered for.
- If any exclusions or additional conditions apply to your policy due to age limits.
- If your pre-existing medical conditions can be covered.
Expert tips for choosing a great travel insurance policy for seniors
Compare the Market’s Chief Executive of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor, has a few tips for helping you get the most value out of your travel insurance.
Adrian Taylor
Chief Executive – General Insurance
Consider adding cruise cover
If your trip involves a cruise, international travel insurance with cruise cover is ideal as it includes cover for medical expenses. Even when cruising around Australia on a domestic trip, you’ll still need an international policy that includes medical cover as Medicare benefits will not be available onboard your cruise ship, and your health insurance may not cover you even in even domestic waters.
Choose a level of cover
Keep in mind the kind of cover you need for your travels. For example, if you want cover for medical expenses, cancellation fees, luggage and rental vehicle excess, a comprehensive travel insurance policy might be at the top of your list.
Decide if you need annual cover
If you have travel plans more than three times a year, an annual multi-trip policy may be of more value than several single trip policies. However, age limits and your planned trip durations may affect whether you’re eligible for annual cover.
Is there an age limit for travel insurance plans?
Yes, the age limit for travel insurance is typically up to 99 years old, although a common cut-off is 80 years. It’s important for older travellers to understand that:
- Travel insurance companies may have different age limits and not all will provide cover up to 99 years of age.
- Your travel insurance policy may be more expensive as you get older.
- Age limits on policies refer to your age when the Certificate of Insurance was issued, so your cover won’t be affected if you have a birthday while travelling.
Inclusions, exclusions and pre-existing conditions
What is included in seniors travel insurance?
The inclusions on a seniors travel insurance policy will vary by provider, level of cover and the limits and sub-limits, but common inclusions for a comprehensive policy include:
- Overseas medical costs (notably emergency assistance, hospital expenses, medical evacuation and repatriation).
- Lost deposits and cancellation fees if you cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Additional expenses you incur if your planned transport is cancelled or delayed.
- Loss, damage and theft of luggage and personal items including cash, credit cards and travel documents.
- Personal liability (e.g. legal expenses if you accidentally injure another person).
It’s important to always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand the full details: what your policy covers, the optional extras available to add (and what the extra cost would be) and the specific inclusions and exclusions.
If you’re a grandparent travelling with dependents, many travel insurers will automatically cover dependent grandkids for no additional cost (subject to the conditions of the policy) as long as:
- They meet the age limits of your insurer.
- They’re not working full-time.
- They’re financially dependent on their parents or grandparents.
What is excluded from seniors travel insurance?
Like any insurance product, seniors travel insurance will generally exclude claims that have already been compensated, caused by unsafe or irresponsible behaviour or where the risk was avoidable – such a leaving luggage unattended or ignoring government advice. The following exclusions can apply to any travel insurance policy, whether you’re a senior or not:
- Unattended luggage: Your insurer may not cover your lost luggage claim where luggage is left unattended in public.
- Third-party compensation: If you’ve already been compensated for a loss by a third party, like your airline or tour operator, your insurer will not compensate you again.
- Influence of alcohol or drugs: If a loss was caused by or impacted by you being affected by alcohol or other drugs, your insurer may not cover your claim.
- Ignored travel alerts: If the Australian government website Smartraveller has deemed Bali as an unsafe place to travel to and you decide to go anyway, you will no longer be covered.
Are pre-existing medical conditions covered with seniors travel insurance?
Not all pre-existing medical conditions can be covered by a seniors travel insurance policy. When taking out travel insurance, always declare your pre-existing conditions to your insurer so they can assess if they can offer you cover. Otherwise, they may refuse to compensate you for any claim that’s related to your condition.
When you disclose your pre-existing medical conditions, your insurer can factor this into your policy (although an additional premium may apply). A travel insurance policy covering your pre-existing conditions can be a huge relief for travellers.
How much does travel insurance for seniors cost?
The cost of comprehensive travel insurance for seniors typically ranges from about $132 to more than $927, depending on age, destination and trip length. For example, a comprehensive policy for a 65‑year‑old travelling to France for one week may cost $132–$234, while the same trip for an 80‑year‑old could cost $275–$927*.
As you get older, you usually need to pay more for travel insurance compared to what younger travellers are paying. However, regardless of your age, insurers will have different inclusions, excess options and premiums. This makes it even more important to compare a range of travel insurance quotes so you can find an affordable but valuable policy that provides travel insurance for seniors.
Travel companions for seniors
What are the types of travel companions for seniors?
There are many different types of travel companions for seniors, including family and friends, medical travel companions or travel clubs and tours.
Sometimes you don’t want to go on a trip alone, so you may consider taking a companion with you.
- Family and friends: For seniors who are primarily looking for companionship and a shared travel experience.
- Medical travel companions: For seniors who require medical care for their entire trip, such as those who have special needs or a disability.
- Travel clubs and tours: These can be a great way for older adults to enjoy a guided trip with like-minded travellers.
What are the benefits of seniors having travel companions?
Having a travel companion for your trip can have several benefits, including better security, assistance and share expenses:
- Better security: Depending on where you’re travelling, travelling with a group could be safer than going solo. It may also give your loved one’s peace of mind knowing you’re travelling in a group.
- Travel assistance: If you require help during your flight’s check-in process, carrying luggage or have other personal care needs, a companion may be able to assist you.
- Shared expenses: Having a travel partner or a group of people with you on your trip to share costs can work out cheaper than solo travel. This could be especially useful if you’re retired and on a limited income.
Can I add travel companions to my travel insurance policy?
Yes, multiple people can be added to one travel insurance policy. This may include your family members and friends or even travel buddies you’ve met from travel groups or meetup websites depending on your policy. The key factor is that you need to have the same itinerary.
Meet our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor
As a General Insurance expert with over 13 years’ experience in financial services, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.
Want to know more about travel insurance?
*Prices from our website on 14/05/2026 for comprehensive cover with a $200 excess for one person aged 65 travelling to France 1 July – 8 July 2026. Minimum cover for trip cancellation $10,000, minimum cover for luggage $5,000 and no pre-existing medical conditions. Prices are indicative only.
*Prices from our website on 14/05/2026 for comprehensive cover with a $200 excess for one person aged 80 travelling to France 1 July – 8 July 2026. Minimum cover for trip cancellation $10,000, minimum cover for luggage $5,000 and no pre-existing medical conditions. Prices are indicative only.