Protected Wherever You Are
One of the most important things a person should do before going on a big trip is to get travel insurance. And when you’re a senior citizen, it’s even more crucial to do so.
Why Travel Insurance is Crucial for Seniors
There is inherent risk for anyone who’s taking a trip and traveling. But for seniors, that risk is even higher due to the higher likelihood of needing medical assistance, as well as covering expenses for trip cancellations or interruptions. Senior-specific travel insurance plans offer several coverage options that cater to the unique needs of older travelers:
Medical Coverage Abroad
For seniors with pre-existing health conditions, unexpected health issues can arise while traveling. Comprehensive travel insurance can cover medical costs, including doctor visits, hospital stays and emergency procedures, ensuring peace of mind during your travels.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
In the event of a medical emergency, especially in remote locations, evacuation to a qualified medical facility may be necessary. Travel insurance typically includes medical evacuation, covering costly transport to the nearest medical facility or even back home if necessary.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
If unexpected events—such as illness, injury or family emergencies—force you to cancel or cut your trip short, travel insurance can help recover non-refundable costs like airfare, hotel bookings and tours.
24/7 Travel Assistance Services
Many travel insurance plans provide access to a 24/7 assistance hotline, offering help with medical referrals, emergency travel arrangements, translation services and more.
Popular Travel Insurance Plans for Seniors
When choosing travel insurance, it’s essential to look for policies tailored for older travelers that cover critical areas like health, cancellation and emergency evacuation. Here are some reputable options designed specifically with seniors in mind:
AARP Travel Insurance Program
AARP offers travel insurance plans through various insurance providers, providing customized plans for members, often at a discounted rate. Some of the key benefits include high coverage limits, pre-existing condition waivers and multi-trip options for frequent travelers. It is typically available for members aged 50 and above, with specific plans tailored to those over 70.
Travel Guard by AIG
Travel Guard offers comprehensive insurance plans with coverage specifically geared toward seniors, including higher coverage limits. It covers emergency medical expenses, trip cancellations and a wide range of pre-existing conditions if purchased within a specific timeframe. Uniquely, it offers the option to include adventure sports coverage, a benefit for active senior travelers.
Medjet Assist
Medjet is a medical transportation membership program ideal for seniors concerned about medical emergencies. They specialize in emergency transportation to your home hospital if you’re hospitalized 150 miles or more from home. Medjet is Ideal for seniors who require a higher level of medical transport assurance, as they guarantee medical repatriation without out-of-pocket expenses.
Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz provides multiple travel insurance options with high coverage limits for medical expenses, evacuation and other travel disruptions. Some key benefits include comprehensive coverage for emergency medical and evacuation, trip cancellation and personal belongings.
InsureMyTrip
InsureMyTrip acts as an aggregator for travel insurance plans from various providers, allowing seniors to compare options side by side. It offers customizable coverage based on needs, including specialized senior plans, high medical limits and policies with pre-existing condition waivers. The platform even provides a comparison tool that helps seniors find the best plan according to age, destination and health status.
Tips for Seniors to Maximize Their Travel Insurance
Purchase Early
Buy travel insurance soon after booking your trip to maximize coverage and ensure protection for pre-existing conditions.
Keep Documentation
Retain receipts, medical records and other paperwork related to your trip. These are helpful documents to keep in case there is ever a need to file a claim.
Know What’s Covered
Understand the terms and limits of your policy, especially for emergency medical care, evacuation and trip cancellations. This can help you avoid unexpected costs.