Compare over 70s travel insurance

Frequently asked questions

Which banks offer travel insurance for over 70s?

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Some banks offer travel insurance as part of their packaged current accounts – often for an added monthly fee. These accounts can be convenient, and a few do continue to offer cover for senior customers. But the reality is, once you reach your 70s, the small print starts to matter more.

Most bank travel insurance policies have upper age limits – commonly around 69 or 70. If they do offer cover beyond that, it’s usually subject to extra steps. You might need to:

• pay an additional age-related premium
• complete a medical screening each year
• renew the cover manually instead of it continuing automatically
• accept limited trip durations (sometimes as short as 31 days)

So, while your bank might still offer travel insurance past 70, it’s always worth checking how it stacks up – and whether it's really meeting your needs.

Which is the best travel insurance for over 70s?

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Travel insurance usually gets more expensive once you turn 70, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good deal. The key is to compare properly. Not every insurer treats over 70s the same, and the price for similar cover can vary far more than you’d expect.

When you compare with PayingTooMuch, you can see policies from providers who regularly insure people in their 70s and beyond.

There are a few other things that can help bring the cost down, too:

• Trip length limits
  Some policies cap holidays at 31 days, which might be fine for a quick getaway, but not if you’re planning a longer trip. We’ll help you find insurers who offer more flexibility if that’s what you need.
• Medical cover
  Even if your health is well managed, most providers will ask about conditions from the last two years. That includes things like high blood pressure, diabetes or heart issues, even if they’re under control.
• Cancellation cover
  When you’re in your 70s, you tend to plan ahead – but sometimes life has other ideas. A change in health, a hospital appointment, or something unexpected at home can all get in the way of a holiday. That’s why it’s worth choosing a policy with strong cancellation cover.

At what age does travel insurance increase?

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Travel insurance often starts to increase in price from around age 65, but many people notice a sharper rise at 70.

This happens because insurers use age bands to set their prices. Once you reach your 70s, those bands tend to tighten, with further jumps at 75 or 80, depending on the provider. Even if your health and holiday habits haven’t changed, the cost of cover usually does.

That’s because people in this age group are statistically more likely to claim, especially for medical treatment or trip cancellations. But that doesn’t mean higher prices are unavoidable.

At PayingTooMuch, we compare quotes from insurers who regularly cover travellers over 70, including those with medical conditions or more complex plans. Compare with us to see your options clearly and choose cover that fits your trip, without paying for things you don’t need.

What is the maximum age for travel insurance?

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Maximum age limits depend on the insurer and the type of policy. Some set their limit at 75, others go up to 80 or 85, and a few have no upper age limit at all.

These cut-offs can vary depending on whether you’re buying single trip or annual multi-trip cover. For example, an insurer might offer annual policies up to age 74 but still cover single trips well into your 80s. Others apply the same age limit across all policy types.

The destination and level of cover can also play a part. Some providers set lower maximum ages for long-haul or cruise holidays, even if their standard policies go higher.

If you’re close to or have already passed one of these age bands, it’s worth checking the details of your policy before you buy.

How to get cheap travel insurance when over 70?

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Travel insurance usually gets more expensive once you turn 70. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a good deal. The key is knowing where the costs come from and what choices you can make to keep your premium down without compromising on the cover you actually need.

Here are a few things that can help:

• Choose the right destination area
  European trips are usually cheaper to cover than long-haul ones. But watch out – not all insurers define “Europe” the same way. Countries like Turkey, Morocco or the Canary Islands might be included on some policies and charged as Worldwide on others. It’s worth checking this before you buy.

• Only pay for the cover you need
  Cruise and winter sports cover are often added as extras. If they don’t apply to your trip, you don’t need to pay for them.

• Be open about your medical history
  Being upfront about your medical conditions helps you avoid paying more later. Most insurers ask about anything diagnosed or treated in the last two years. It’s better to declare it than risk a claim being declined if something goes wrong.

• Compare quotes from insurers who actually cover your age group
  Some providers quietly raise prices or reduce cover once you’re past a certain age. Others are more used to covering people in their 70s and beyond.

Can over-70s get travel insurance for skiing holidays?

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Lots of insurers offer winter sports cover for over-70s, but it’s not always included as standard, and the number of providers tends to narrow as you get older. Some set upper age limits for skiing at 65 or 70, while others will still offer it into your mid-to-late 70s, depending on the policy and destination.

If you’re still confident on the slopes, you don’t have to be ruled out by your age, but it’s important to keep the following in mind:

• Cover varies – some policies include piste closure, lost equipment and off-piste skiing (with a guide). Others only include basic medical cover.
• Medical conditions matter – if you’ve had joint issues, recent surgery, or a heart condition, the insurer may need more detail before confirming cover.
• Trip limits may apply – especially if you’re away for longer than 7 or 14 days or combining skiing with another type of trip.

Can I get travel insurance for over 70s covering 90 days or more?

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If you’re planning a longer holiday, you’ll need to look at the maximum number of days your policy allows. Some insurers are happy to cover longer stays in your 70s, but others start to reduce trip limits as you get older.

Single trip policies

These are your best bet if you’re planning to be away for 90 days or more:

• Many allow up to 90 days without issue, even in your early 70s.
• Some go up to 120, 180 or even 365 days, depending on your health and destination.
• The longer the stay, the fewer insurers offer it. Premiums will usually reflect the increased risk.
• You might be asked more detailed medical questions or to pay an additional premium for extended cover.

Annual multi-trip (AMT) policies

These cover you for multiple holidays in a 12-month period, but each individual trip is capped:

• The most common limits for over-70s are 31 days per trip.
• Some insurers offer 45 or 60 days per trip, usually at a higher premium.
• Once you hit 75 or 80, many providers reduce the limit to 31 days or less.

It’s also worth checking:

• whether the policy automatically includes cover for your full trip length, or if you need to select it manually during the quote
• if there are any conditions around returning to the UK part way through longer stays
• whether your destination type affects the limit

Do I need over 70s travel insurance if I have a GHIC/EHIC card?

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GHIC/EHIC cards aren’t a replacement for travel insurance. They don’t offer cover for emergencies such as lost baggage, cancellations or theft.

If you have a GHIC/EHIC card, you should still carry it when you go abroad. In EU countries, you should get state provided healthcare at a reduced cost, or for free.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, but also things like cancellations, travel delays and lost baggage. It’s added peace of mind when you’re travelling.

Why is travel insurance more expensive for over 70s?

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Once you’re in your 70s, travel insurance usually costs more.

Statistically, people over 70 are more likely to claim. That might be for medical treatment while abroad, cancelling a trip due to illness, or needing to cut a holiday short. Even small changes in your health, like a new prescription or a recent check-up, can affect how insurers price your policy.

To manage that risk, insurers often start to adjust what they offer. You might notice that trip length limits get shorter, especially on annual policies, and fewer insurers offer cover for cruises or long-haul destinations without add-ons.

That’s why it helps to know what to look for. Some providers are more experienced in covering people in their 70s and beyond. Others quietly increase prices or reduce benefits without making it clear. Comparing policies helps you see what’s included, what’s excluded, and whether you’re actually getting fair value for what you need.

Can I get cruise travel insurance if I’m over 70?

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Being in your 70s doesn’t stop you from getting cruise cover, but not every policy includes it automatically, and your options might be more limited than they used to be.

Most insurers treat cruises as a specialist type of trip, and once you’re over 70, they tend to look more closely at things like your medical history, destination, and trip length. Some will include cruise cover as standard, while others offer it as an optional add-on during the quote process.

If you’re booking a cruise, it’s worth checking that your policy includes:

• cabin confinement cover if you fall ill on board
• missed port or missed departure protection
• medical treatment at sea, including the cost of being transferred to hospital
• cancellation cover that reflects the full cost of the trip, including excursions or pre-paid add-ons

Do I need to do anything different when buying travel insurance in my 70s?

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Buying travel insurance in your 70s works the same way it always has. You choose your destination, enter your travel dates, answer some health questions, and pick the level of cover that suits your trip. The process hasn’t changed, but it’s worth paying closer attention to the details.

While the product is still the same, insurers often start to adjust how they assess risk once you’re over 70. You might notice that premiums go up, medical questions become more detailed, or that fewer policies offer long trip lengths or cruise cover as standard.

The most important thing is choosing a policy that works for the way you travel now. And with the right information in front of you, that part is still straightforward.