{"id":2111,"title":"Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70: 2026 Costs & Cover Guide","slug":"travel-insurance-for-seniors-over-70-2026-costs-cover-guide","lang":"en","description":"Learn about Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70 in the UK, including typical costs, medical cover, pre-existing medical conditions, trip cancellation, medical repatriation, age limits and the factors that may affect a quote.","content":"

Travel Insurance for Seniors may help older travellers prepare for unexpected events such as emergency medical treatment abroad, trip cancellation, cutting a journey short, travel delays, lost baggage or the need to return to the UK for medical reasons.

After age 70, comparing policies is usually about more than finding the lowest premium. Travellers may also need to review emergency medical expenses, medical repatriation, pre-existing medical conditions, excesses, upper age limits and the maximum duration allowed for each trip.

People searching for the Best Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70 are often trying to identify a policy that may suit their health, destination and travel plans. For those comparing travel insurance over 75 or travel insurance for over 80s, medical screening, age restrictions and maximum trip durations may become even more important.

Why Can Travel Insurance Be Different After Age 70?

Travel insurance for older people may come with different prices, conditions and policy choices than cover for younger travellers. When assessing an application, an insurer may consider the traveller’s age, medical history, destination and trip duration.

This does not mean that people over 70 cannot obtain travel insurance. However, some policies may:

Require more detailed medical screening.
Apply an upper age limit.
Restrict the maximum duration of each trip.
Apply different conditions to annual multi-trip cover.
Charge an additional premium for certain pre-existing medical conditions.

MoneyHelper notes that travel insurance can become more expensive with age. It also recommends researching policies carefully and considering specialist providers or brokers when standard options are limited by age or medical conditions. (MaPS)

For anyone comparing Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70, travel insurance over 75 or travel insurance for over 80s, the premium is only one part of the decision. It is equally important to check whether the policy addresses the medical, cancellation and travel risks that are most relevant to the trip.

Typical Travel Insurance Costs by Age

Travel insurance premiums can change as travellers move into older age groups. MoneySuperMarket reported the following average prices for travel insurance sold through its platform in June 2026: (moneysupermarket.com)

Age group	Average price
65–69	£44.88
70–74	£56.06
75–79	£77.82
80–84	£84.39
85+	£112.44

The increase from £44.88 for travellers aged 65–69 to £56.06 for those aged 70–74 illustrates how average prices may change after age 70.

These figures are platform averages rather than personal quotes or prices representing the entire UK market. The actual premium may be higher or lower depending on the destination, trip duration, medical history, selected excess, policy type, cancellation cover and optional benefits. (moneysupermarket.com)

Key Travel Insurance Cover to Compare

When comparing the Best Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70, travellers should consider the cover that reflects the main risks of their trip rather than choosing a policy by price alone.

Cancellation and curtailment: May cover eligible, non-refundable costs if the trip is cancelled or cut short for an accepted reason. Check that the limit reflects flights, accommodation, cruises and tours.
Emergency medical expenses: May cover eligible treatment following an illness or injury abroad. Review the benefit limit, excess, exclusions and emergency assistance requirements.
Medical repatriation: May cover returning the traveller to the UK when medically necessary and approved by the insurer.
Baggage and personal belongings: Check the total limit, single-item limit and exclusions for valuables.
Travel delay and disruption: Review the waiting period, eligible expenses and supporting documents required.
Personal liability: May provide cover if the traveller becomes legally responsible for injury to another person or damage to their property.

Medical repatriation, cancellation, curtailment, baggage, delay and personal liability are among the main areas travellers may wish to examine. Benefit limits, exclusions and excesses can differ between policies. (MaPS)

Cruises, winter sports, motorcycle riding and other activities may require an add-on or specialist policy. Travellers should not assume that every planned activity is included in standard cover. GOV.UK also advises cruise passengers to check whether additional cover is required. (GOV.UK)

GHIC, EHIC and Travel Insurance

A valid UK Global Health Insurance Card, or an eligible European Health Insurance Card, may allow qualifying travellers to access medically necessary state healthcare in the EU, Switzerland and certain other participating destinations.

However, a GHIC or EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. These cards do not cover private medical healthcare, medical repatriation or some additional costs such as mountain rescue at ski resorts. (GOV.UK)

Travellers visiting Europe should check that their GHIC or EHIC remains valid while also considering travel insurance with suitable medical, cancellation and repatriation cover.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: What to Check

Pre-existing medical conditions are an important consideration for travellers over 70. Even when a condition is stable or controlled with medication, it may still need to be disclosed if the insurer asks about it during medical screening.

Depending on the insurer and policy, a medical condition may:

Be covered under the standard terms.
Be accepted following medical screening.
Increase the premium.
Be covered with additional limits or conditions.
Be excluded from the policy.
Prevent that insurer from offering cover.

Information That May Need to Be Disclosed

Travellers should answer all medical screening questions fully and accurately. The insurer may ask about:

Current or previous diagnoses.
Treatment and hospital visits.
Medication currently being taken.
Recent medication changes.
Planned operations or procedures.
Pending tests or test results.
Changes in health after the policy was purchased.

MoneyHelper explains that even conditions controlled with medication should generally be declared, although insurers may assess medical conditions differently. Failing to provide required medical information may affect the validity of the policy or a later claim. (MaPS)

When it is unclear whether a condition needs to be declared, the traveller should ask the insurer directly before purchasing the policy.

When Standard Cover Is Difficult to Find

Travellers who have difficulty finding cover because of a medical condition may wish to consult the MoneyHelper Travel Insurance Directory or a specialist insurance broker.

The directory lists firms that can help people find specialist cover for medical care abroad, accommodation and transport. It does not guarantee that a policy will be available or less expensive. (MaPS)

FCA rules also require relevant firms to provide information about an appropriate medical cover directory in specified circumstances, with the aim of improving access to travel insurance for people with more serious medical conditions. (FCA Handbook)

What Can Affect the Final Premium?

Average prices provide only a general benchmark. A personal travel insurance quote may be affected by:

The traveller’s age.
Destination.
Length of the trip.
Single-trip or annual multi-trip cover.
Pre-existing medical conditions.
The required cancellation limit.
The selected excess.
Medical and repatriation limits.
Cruise, winter sports or activity add-ons.
The value of baggage and personal belongings.
The number of people included in the policy.

A lower-priced policy may have smaller benefit limits, a higher excess or exclusions that do not suit the trip. A more expensive policy is not automatically the most suitable choice either.

Travellers should compare the premium alongside emergency medical cover, medical repatriation, cancellation limits, policy exclusions, excesses and claims conditions.

Key Policy Checks Before Buying

People comparing Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70, travel insurance over 75 or travel insurance for over 80s should review these points before purchasing a policy:

Age limits: Check the maximum age on the purchase date, departure date and end date of the trip.
Maximum trip duration: Annual multi-trip policies usually limit the number of days allowed for each journey.
Destination cover: Confirm that every country on the itinerary is included, especially for cruises or multi-country trips.
FCDO travel advice: Cover may be restricted when travelling against official UK government advice.
Excess: Check whether it applies per person, claim, incident or policy section.
Claims process: Review the medical reports, receipts, police reports or booking documents that may be required.
Policy documents: Read the IPID, full policy wording and policy schedule for benefit limits, exclusions and medical declaration requirements.

GOV.UK advises travellers to check destination-specific FCDO guidance because many policies restrict cover where the government advises against all travel or all but essential travel. (GOV.UK)

The Insurance Product Information Document, or IPID, summarises key product information and major exclusions. Travellers should still read the full policy wording because the IPID does not contain every contractual condition. (FCA)

Is Travel Insurance Useful for Trips Within the UK?

For domestic trips, emergency medical expenses abroad and medical repatriation are not usually the main considerations.

However, travel insurance may still provide cover for:

Cancellation.
Curtailment.
Lost or stolen baggage.
Travel delays.
Personal liability.

MoneyHelper notes that UK travel policies may include cover for baggage, cancellation, delay, cutting a trip short and personal liability, depending on the policy terms. (MaPS)

Travellers should check whether the policy applies to the type of accommodation, transport and trip being planned. Some policies may require a minimum number of nights away, a certain distance from home or pre-booked accommodation.

Preparing Before Buying Travel Insurance

Before requesting a quote, travellers may wish to prepare:

Destinations and travel dates.
The duration of each trip.
Total non-refundable booking costs.
Current medical conditions.
Recent treatment and medication.
Pending tests or planned procedures.
Cruises and planned activities.
The required cancellation limit.
Whether single-trip or annual multi-trip cover is needed.
An acceptable excess.
Details of everyone included in the policy.

After purchasing cover, keep the policy number, emergency assistance number, policy wording and claims instructions in an accessible place. A travel companion or family member should also know where to find this information.

Consumers may also use the FCA Firm Checker or Financial Services Register to check whether an insurer or broker is authorised and has the relevant permissions.

Conclusion

The Best Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70 should not be understood as one policy that is best for everyone. A suitable option will depend on the traveller’s age, medical history, destination, trip duration, planned activities, required cancellation cover and acceptable excess.

For people comparing Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70, travel insurance over 75 or travel insurance for over 80s in the UK, the most important areas to review often include emergency medical expenses, medical repatriation, pre-existing medical conditions, age limits, maximum trip duration and policy exclusions.

Comparing these features alongside the premium can help travellers understand which policy may be more suitable for their trip and which questions to ask before purchasing cover.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information for readers in the UK and does not replace personal insurance, medical, legal or financial advice. Cover, premiums, medical screening requirements, age limits, maximum trip durations and exclusions vary by insurer, policy and individual circumstances. Always read the IPID, full policy wording and policy schedule, disclose medical information accurately and verify current details directly with the insurer or broker before making a decision.

References

GOV.UK — Foreign Travel Insurance. (GOV.UK)
GOV.UK — Foreign Travel Checklist. (GOV.UK)
MoneyHelper — Travel Insurance for Over 65s. (MaPS)
MoneyHelper — Travel Insurance Directory. (MaPS)
MoneyHelper — What a Good Travel Insurance Policy Looks Like. (MaPS)
FCA — Travel Insurance and Medical Conditions. (FCA Handbook)
FCA — Insurance Product Information Requirements. (FCA Handbook)
MoneySuperMarket — Travel Insurance for Over 65s. (moneysupermarket.com)

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