What is travel insurance for over 50s?
Travel insurance for over 50s offers the same core protection as any other policy, with more focus on things like medical cover, cancellation terms, and how long you’ll be away.
These details matter when your trips start to change. Maybe you’re travelling further, staying longer, or simply planning more carefully than before. You want to be confident that any medical conditions are included, that cancellation cover starts when it should, and that you’re not paying for things you don’t need.
Compare with PayingTooMuch to see top policies side by side, and find cover that fits you.
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What does over 50s travel insurance cover?
Most people expect travel insurance to cover things like medical treatment, cancellations and lost luggage. It usually does – but the details aren’t always obvious.
You’re covered for:
Most of the time, you’ll be covered for the following.
- ✓ Medical expenses
Up to unlimited with some policies, including treatment abroad, overnight stays and prescription replacements.
- ✓ Cancellation
Cover if illness, injury or unexpected events stop you from going away or mean you have to come home early. That includes if a partner or travelling companion is affected too.
- ✓ Lost luggage
Help if your bags are delayed, damaged or don’t show up at all. Can include essentials like medication, mobility aids, glasses and other things you rely on.
- ✓ Getting you home
If you fall ill abroad, some policies include emergency transport back to the UK, even with a medical escort if needed.
You’re not covered for:
Every policy has its limits. It’s worth knowing what’s not included, so there are no surprises later.
- ✗ Alcohol or drug-related incidents
Most insurers won’t cover claims that happen while under the influence.
- ✗ Undeclared medical conditions
If you don’t tell your insurer about a pre-existing condition, you might not be covered if something goes wrong.
- ✗ Travelling against medical advice
If your doctor recommends you don’t travel and you go anyway, your cover could be invalid.
- ✗ Cancellations for personal reasons
If you choose no to travel or cancel for something that’s not listed in your policy, you’re unlikely to be covered.
- ✗ Planned medical treatment abroad
Travel insurance is for unexpected emergencies – not care you’ve arranged in advance.
Different insurance providers may have different policies for anything you’re not covered for, so make sure you read your policy documents in detail. This means that you’ll know exactly what your travel insurance covers you for.
Does over 50s travel insurance cover medical conditions?
In your 50s and beyond, it’s common to have one or two health conditions to think about. That doesn’t mean you can’t get travel insurance. You just need to know what’s covered, what to declare, and how to compare policies properly.
PayingTooMuch works with trusted insurers who regularly cover a wide range of conditions – including cancer, heart conditions and diabetes. By comparing quotes with us, you can see exactly what’s available, helping you find the best deal for your trip – and giving you a bit more control over what you pay.
That’s what makes us different to ‘normal’ price comparison websites. We specialise in comparing travel insurance, including for customers who have pre-existing medical conditions, helping you find the right policy, no matter your health or age.
How to compare travel insurance for over 50s
When it comes to travel cover, it pays to compare – and that’s exactly what we’re here for. Here’s how to get started, step by step.
1. Add a few details about your trip
Click “compare quotes”. We’ll ask when you’re travelling, where you’re going, who’s coming with you, and if you need any optional extras like cruise protection. It only takes a minute, and it helps us show you top policies for your plans.
2. Tell us what cover you need
You’ll be able to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, so we only show policies that include the right cover.
3. Compare your quotes
Once you've entered your details, we’ll show you all the quotes from trusted insurers, from cheapest to most expensive. Compare the options side by side to choose the right cover at a great price.
How much is travel insurance for over 50s
Travel insurance in your 50s is often still good value, especially if your health is stable and your trips are straightforward.
Your premium is shaped by a few key things:
- Your age and health
Some insurers start adjusting prices in your mid-50s, even if nothing’s changed. Common conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can affect the cost.
- Where you’re going and how long for
Short European breaks are usually cheaper to cover than longer trips or cruises. The further you go or the longer you’re away, the more your premium is likely to rise. Extras like winter sports cover can also add to the cost.
- How often you travel
If you’re only taking one or two holidays a year, single trip cover is usually cheaper. But if you’ve got a few trips planned, annual multi-trip insurance could offer better value, as long as your plans fit the policy limits.
The best way to find a fair price is to compare properly. When you use PayingTooMuch, you can see what’s included, filter out what you don’t need, and choose a policy that suits the way you travel.
For more details on what affects your travel insurance cost, take a look at our blog post on travel insurance costs.
When should you buy travel insurance for over-50s?
Consider buying your over 50s travel insurance as soon as you book your trip.
If you’re taking out single trip insurance, your cover starts as soon as you buy the policy, not when you go away. That means if something unexpected happens before your departure, like a medical issue or family emergency, you may be able to claim for cancellation costs.
For annual multi-trip cover (AMT), you’re covered for multiple holidays over a 12-month period. It makes sense to start your policy from the date you book your first trip, if you want cancellation cover in place right away. If you’re a frequent flyer, an AMT policy can often work out cheaper than buying a new policy each time.
Where can you go with over-50s travel insurance?
City break? Long-haul escape? A cruise you’ve finally found time for? However you’re spending your time away, over-50s holiday insurance can help you get the right cover for it.
With the right policy, you can go almost anywhere. Most insurers group destinations into Europe or Worldwide. European cover is usually more affordable and includes popular spots like Spain, Italy and Greece – and sometimes nearby countries like Turkey or Morocco.
Worldwide cover includes long-haul destinations like the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia and beyond.
What happens if I can’t see any quotes for over 50s holiday insurance?
PayingTooMuch meets the eligibility requirements to be included on the Money Helper travel insurance directory, which the FCA has confirmed meets its criteria for a ‘medical cover firm directory’. This means that PayingTooMuch may be able to find cover for customers who may not be able to find travel insurance from other travel insurance providers. To be part of this directory, PayingTooMuch went through a thorough checking process to prove that cover can be provided for particular scenarios without exclusions for customers.
In some cases, we might not be able to find travel insurance for you. If that happens, try the Money Helper website. If you’d prefer to speak to someone, you can call them on 0800 138 7777 – they’ll put you in touch with other specialist travel insurance providers.
Want to understand some of the words we’ve used in more detail?
Repatriation
This is where an insurance provider will help you get home if you’re unwell and unable to continue to travel as planned.
Single trip
A travel insurance policy that covers one specific trip, from the day you leave home to the day you return. It’s ideal if you’re only going away once or twice a year, or if you’re planning a longer stay in one go. Single trip cover is often more flexible with trip length than annual policies, especially for travellers over 70.
Annual multi-trip policy
An annual multi-trip policy is designed for people who travel more than once a year. Instead of buying a new policy for each trip, this single policy covers you for multiple trips throughout the year, giving you year-round protection.
Personal liability
This is where an insurance provider will help pay towards any costs incurred if you accidentally cause injury to someone or if you damage someone else’s belongings. For example:
- If you accidentally knocked someone over on the pavement and they have to pay medical costs to be treated for an injury, you should be able to claim back some of the cost on your travel insurance.
- Or, if you accidentally knocked someone’s phone out of their hand and their screen broke, so you had to pay to replace it, your travel insurance could help.
