EAT Widget
Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies for Seniors
Seniors shopping for travel insurance should review medical and evacuation benefits to be sure the coverage amount is sufficient for their needs.
| Company and top-scoring policy | Forbes Advisor Rating | Medical and evacuation benefits per person | Cost two travelers age 65 on $6,000 trip | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
   | $250,000/$500,000 | $348 | Via Forbes Advisor’s Partner | |
 | $250,000/$1 million | $344 | Via Forbes Advisor’s Partner | |
| | $250,000/$1 million | $360 | Via Forbes Advisor’s Partner | |
 | $250,000/$500,000 | $500 | Via Forbes Advisor’s Partner | |
| | $500,000/$500,000 | $416 | Via Forbes Advisor’s Partner |
Best Travel Insurance for Seniors
Faye
Faye: International
$348
$250,000/$500,000
Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance: Premium
$344
$250,000/$1 million
WorldTrips
WorldTrips: Atlas Journey Elevate
$360
$250,000/$1 million
Seven Corners
Seven Corners: Cruise Insurance
$500
$250,000/$500,000
Tin Leg
Tin Leg: Gold
$416
$500,000/$500,000
Most Popular is calculated from the number of times each affiliate product was selected by Forbes Advisor users over a six month time period.
Is Senior Travel Insurance Worth It?
Travel insurance is worth it if you can’t afford to lose your prepaid, nonrefundable deposits if you have to cancel or cut a trip short due to unforeseen circumstances.
It’s also worthwhile if you’re traveling internationally because a U.S. health plan may have limited or no coverage. And Medicare is not accepted outside the U.S., except in very limited circumstances that likely won’t apply to you.
How Much Does Travel Insurance for Seniors Travel Cost?
In our analysis, travel insurance for seniors often costs around 8% to 13% of the trip cost being insured. Your exact cost for travel insurance will generally depend on the travelers’ ages, length of trip and trip cost.
For example, the average cost of senior travel insurance is $460, based on our analysis of rates for two travelers age 65 on a trip costing $6,000. But for “super senior travelers,” or those in their 80s going on extended trips, the cost is much higher.
Remember that you’re insuring only the portions of the trip that are prepaid and nonrefundable. You can’t make a claim on expenses that you can get refunded, like refundable airline tickets.
Average Cost of Senior Travel Insurance by Trip
| Trip details | Trip cost | Average policy cost | % of trip cost on average |
|---|---|---|---|
Two travelers age 65 on 17-day trip | $6,000 | $460 | 8% |
Two travelers age 70 on seven-day trip | $3,000 | $296 | 9% |
Two travelers age 75 on 20-day trip | $15,000 | $2,007 | 13% |
Two travelers age 80 on 25-day trip | $20,000 | $3,415 | 17% |
Primary Medical Coverage for Seniors
Seniors shopping for travel insurance should consider policies with primary medical coverage. That means you file a medical claim first with your travel insurance company, regardless of whether you have other insurance that might apply.
If you have secondary medical coverage, you would first file a claim with your health insurance company. If your claim is not paid in full, you could then file a claim with your travel insurance company for the rest.
| Company and top-scoring policy | Primary medical expense coverage |
|---|---|
Faye Basic | Yes |
Generali Global Assistance Premium | No |
WorldTrips Elevate | Yes |
Seven Corners Cruise | No |
Tin Leg Gold | Yes |
What to Look for in the Best Senior Travel Insurance
Joe Cronin
Forbes Advisor insurance advisory board member
Michelle Megna
Insurance Lead Editor
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Penny Gusner
Insurance Senior Writer
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Ashlee Valentine
Insurance Editor
Repatriation Coverage
Repatriation coverage is particularly important for seniors. It provides assistance and financial support for returning home in case of death while traveling abroad. Ensure that the policy you choose includes adequate repatriation coverage. Verify the coverage limits and any exclusions related to repatriation to ensure you’re adequately protected.
Forbes Advisor insurance advisory board member
At Least $250,000 In Medical Coverage Per Person
Senior travelers may have more medical issues than younger travelers, so superior medical coverage is a must. I recommend at least $250,000 in travel medical insurance per person.
Insurance Lead Editor
At Least $250,000 in Medical Evacuation Coverage Per Person
A medevac ride won’t be on your original travel itinerary, but I wouldn’t skimp on emergency medical evacuation coverage. This coverage pays the cost of getting to an adequate medical facility if you’re in a remote area or somewhere with poor medical care.
Insurance Lead Editor
Coverage for Preexisting Conditions
I would make sure your policy offers a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, which removes coverage exclusions for conditions you already have. You typically need to buy travel insurance soon after your first deposit to get the waiver, such as two to three weeks.
Insurance Senior Writer
“Cancel for Any Reason” Upgrade
When life throws you a curveball, you’ll appreciate flexibility, which is why I recommend buying a policy that offers a “cancel for any reason” upgrade. This upgrade reimburses you a portion of your trip costs (often 75%) if you cancel for any reason not listed in the base policy. All of the best senior travel insurance policies in our ratings offer CFAR.
Insurance Editor
Annual Plan for Frequent Travelers
I recommend an annual travel insurance plan to senior travelers who are planning multiple trips in a year. All your trips will be covered under one policy and it’s more affordable than buying multiple policies during one year.
Insurance Editor
How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance for Seniors
Senior travelers can do the following to identify the best policy for their trips.
Assess Your Needs
- Destination. Some regions may have higher medical costs, so make sure the medical expenses and evacuation benefits are adequate for your destination. If you’re going to a hurricane-prone area, you’ll want to buy a policy as soon as you make your first trip deposit. That gives you the maximum amount of time for cancellation coverage, and is just one of the advantages of buying travel insurance when you book your trip.
- Health conditions. Consider your preexisting medical conditions and ensure the policy covers them by offering a preexisting medical condition exclusion waiver.
- Coverage and benefits. Decide how much medical expense coverage you need—$250,000 per person might suffice, but you can find policies with $500,000 per person. A comprehensive policy will also provide valuable pre- and post-departure benefits for trip cancellation, interruption and delays.
Read the Fine Print for Policy Exclusions and Coverage Details
- 24/7 assistance. Make sure the insurer offers 24/7 customer support for emergencies.
- Age limits. Some policies have age limits or reduced benefits for older travelers.
- Activity exclusions. Check for any exclusions related to your planned activities.
- Claim process. Understand the procedure for making claims, including required documentation and timeframes.
- Contacts. Check the availability of multiple contact methods, such as phone, email and online chat.
- Terms and conditions. Carefully read the policy to understand what are acceptable reasons for cancellations and interruptions and how long required waiting periods are for travel and baggage delay claims.
Compare Policies
- Reputation. Look for reputable insurance companies with good customer service.
- Coverage limits. Compare the coverage limits and benefits of different policies.
- Cost. Balance the cost of the policy with the levels of coverage provided.
Compare & Buy Travel Insurance
Methodology
We scored the best travel insurance policies for seniors on:
#footable_1767012 { font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; }#footable_1767012,#footable_1767012 table { background-color: !important; color: !important; border-color: !important;}#footable_1767012 thead tr.footable-filtering th { background-color: !important; color: !important;}#footable_1767012:not(.hide_all_borders) thead tr.footable-filtering th { border : 1px solid transparent !important; }#footable_1767012 .input-group-btn:last-child > .btn:not(:last-child):not(.dropdown-toggle) { background-color: !important; color: !important;}#footable_1767012 tr.footable-header, #footable_1767012 tr.footable-header th, .colored_table table.ninja_table_pro.inverted.table.footable-details tbody tr th { background-color: rgba(57, 91, 182, 1) !important; color: !important;}#footable_1767012 tbody tr:hover { background-color: !important; color: !important;}#footable_1767012 tbody tr:hover td { border-color: !important;}#footable_1767012 tfoot .footable-paging { background-color: !important;}#footable_1767012 tfoot .footable-paging .footable-page.active a { background-color: !important;}#footable_1767012:not(.hide_all_borders) tfoot tr.footable-paging td { border-color: !important;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021 { position: relative;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021::before, .footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021::after { content: “”; position: absolute; top: 0; height: 100%; width: 30px; background: linear-gradient(270deg, #FFFFFF -34.71%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 60%); z-index: 1; display: none;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021.left-end::before, .footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021.center::before { display: block; right: -1px;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021.right-end::after { display: block; left: 0; width: 20px; background: linear-gradient(270deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) -87%, #FFFFFF 217%);}#footable_parent_1767012 .table { border-radius: 8px; border: none; font-family: EuclidCircularB, sans-serif;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table th:first-child { border-radius: 8px 0 0 0;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table th:last-child { border-radius: 0 8px 0 0;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table th:only-child { border-radius: 8px 8px 0 0;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table tr:last-child td:first-child { border-radius: 0 0 0 8px;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table tr:last-child td:last-child { border-radius: 0 0 8px 0;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table tr td, #footable_parent_1767012 .table tr th { border-left: none;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table tbody tr td { border-top: none; min-width: 150px;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table tbody tr td:first-child { border-left: 1px solid #A1ACE6;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table tbody tr td:last-child { border-right: 1px solid #A1ACE6;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table tbody tr:nth-child(odd) { background: #F4F6FC;}#footable_parent_1767012 .table tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: #fff;}#footable_parent_1767012 tr.footable-header, #footable_parent_1767012 tr.footable-header th { font-weight: 600; font-size: 18px; font-family: EuclidCircularB, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: #FFFFFF;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody h1, #footable_parent_1767012 tbody h2, #footable_parent_1767012 tbody h3, #footable_parent_1767012 tbody h4, #footable_parent_1767012 tbody h5, #footable_parent_1767012 tbody h6 { margin-bottom: 0;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody td { font-weight: 500; font-size: 18px; line-height: 32px; color: #333333;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody .learn-more-btn { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); background: #35B782; box-shadow: 0px 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; min-width: 180px; text-align: center; font-size: 16px;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody .company-row img { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody .company-txt { font-weight: 500; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; color: #395BB6;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody .learn-more-below-text { font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; color: #333333;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody .fb-rating-nt-img img { height: 19px;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody .fb-rating-nt-wrapper h2 { font-size: 32px;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_best_for, #footable_parent_1767012 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_federal_filing_fee, #footable_parent_1767012 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_state_filing_fee { vertical-align: baseline;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody .learn-more-nt-column { text-align: center;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody span:empty { display: none;}#footable_parent_1767012 tbody tr:last-child td { border-bottom: 1px solid #A1ACE6;}@media (max-width: 1023px) { #footable_parent_1767012 tbody .company-txt, #footable_parent_1767012 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_best_for, #footable_parent_1767012 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_federal_filing_fee, #footable_parent_1767012 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_state_filing_fee { font-weight: 500; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px; } #footable_parent_1767012 tbody .fb-rating-nt-wrapper h2 { font-size: 24px; }}
Read more: How Forbes Advisor rates travel insurance companies
Travel Insurance for Seniors Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can seniors save money on travel insurance?
Comparison shopping to find cheap travel insurance can save you money without sacrificing coverage. If you want to lower costs even more, though, focus on getting trip cancellation and good medical coverage, and de-prioritize coverage for baggage, missed connections and other non-medical coverage.
Remember to insure only the prepaid and non-refundable parts of your trip. For example, if your plane tickets are fully refundable, don’t pay to insure those. Travel insurance won’t reimburse you for deposits that were refundable.
Does Medicare cover me when I’m traveling outside of the U.S.?
Medicare generally does not cover your health care when you’re traveling outside of the U.S. That means if you get sick or injured while vacationing in another country, you usually won’t be covered.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may offer some coverage for emergency care received outside the U.S., but this is often very limited. If you have Original Medicare, you may find a Medicare supplemental plan, also called Medigap, that covers medical care during an international vacation. You should check your specific Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan for details on international coverage while traveling abroad.
We recommend seniors buy travel insurance with generous amounts of travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. For example, look for plans that offer $250,000 for medical expenses and $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage or more.
Does travel insurance for seniors cover pre-existing conditions?
Travel insurance for seniors typically excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions, but you can get preexisting conditions covered with a preexisting medical condition exclusion waiver. You can generally only get this waiver within 14 to 21 days of making your initial trip deposit and only if you insure the full nonrefundable costs for your trip.
Some problems are not covered by travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, dementia, depression, or any illness or injury related to alcohol or drug abuse.
What’s the most important insurance coverage for senior travelers?
Seniors should put priority on the medical coverage within a travel insurance policy—specifically travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. This is especially important if you’re traveling outside the U.S., where Medicare will work only in very limited situations.
Look for high maximum limits for these two coverage types. For example, you can find plans that offer $500,000 per person for medical expenses and $1 million per person for emergency medical evacuation.
Leave a Reply