Over-65s' travel insurance
All you need to know about travel insurance for older folks
Travel insurance can feel more complicated once you’re over 65, with prices rising, age limits changing and more medical questions to answer. This guide explains what older travellers need to know and highlights the best-value travel insurance options for over-65s.
First, a quick over view of over-65s' travel insurance
It can be trickier to find cheap travel insurance once you’re over 65, but it’s absolutely possible. Here’s what you need to know:
Buy cover ASAB (As Soon As you Book). That way you're protected if something happens before you travel and you need to cancel.
Always declare all medical conditions. Or any claims could be rejected.
Watch for age limits. Some insurers cap annual policies at 70-75.
Pick the right type of policy. Single-trip for occasional holidays; annual for two or more trips (though this changes with age).
Compare policies to get the best deal. Prices can vary massively between insurers at older ages. We've found the cheapest single-trip policies from £16 a week, and annual policies from £42 a year.
Are you in the right place?
- Want standard travel insurance? Read our Cheap travel insurance guide.
- Got medical conditions? See Pre-existing conditions.
- Staycation planned? Check out UK travel insurance.
What is travel insurance for over-65s?
Travel insurance protects you against unexpected problems when you’re away – such as illness, injury, theft or needing to cut a trip short. It also covers you if you have to cancel your holiday before you travel.
The core cover is the same for every age group, but once you’re over 65 insurers place more weight on your medical history and set stricter age limits. That’s why prices rise and why you’ll often face more questions when getting a quote.
No policy covers every eventuality, though, and there are limits and exclusions to watch for.
What does over-65s' travel insurance cover?
Not all policies are the same, so always check the small print before you buy. But in general, good travel insurance should cover you for:
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Cancellation – if you can't travel because of serious illness, bereavement, jury service or a home emergency.
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Medical costs abroad – emergency treatment overseas plus travel costs if you need to be brought back to the UK.
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Cutting your trip short (curtailment) – returning home early due to a serious incident, such as the death of a close relative.
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Baggage & belongings – if your stuff is lost, stolen or damaged (though payout limits often apply).
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Personal liability – if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property.
When should you buy travel insurance?
If you've booked a holiday, DO NOT leave arranging the insurance on the 'things to do' list, as you'll be taking an unnecessary risk.
This is because a travel insurance policy doesn't just cover you while you're away – a big part of a travel policy’s value is what it covers before you go, such as cancellation due to illness, bereavement, redundancy or other unexpected problems.
So, always buy your travel insurance ASAB (As Soon As you've Booked). The same rule applies for UK breaks too, and we have a guide to help with arranging UK travel insurance.
You can also watch Martin Lewis explain exactly when your policy should start and why getting it in place early matters.
From The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on Tuesday 20 May 2025 courtesy of ITV. All rights reserved. Watch the full episode on ITVX.
How to get cheaper travel insurance if you're over 65
Travel insurance can get pricier and a bit trickier once you’re over 65, as age and medical history play a bigger part in how insurers set their prices. But that doesn’t mean you need to overpay. Here are the key things to know, plus our tips to help keep costs down.
1. Annual vs single-trip policies: prices shift as you get older
If you're heading away two or more times a year, annual policies often work out cheaper when you’re younger, but after around 75 the price starts rising sharply.
Our rule of thumb:
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Up to age 75: Annual policies can be good value if you’re going away at least a couple of times in the year.
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Aged 75+: Annual prices often jump in price, so they usually only win if you’re going away three or more times a year.
However, this isn’t universal – prices vary by age, destination and medical history – so always compare both annual multi-trip and single-trip policies to see which works out cheapest.
MoneySaver Cate got a good price by doing just that. She emailed in October 2025...
I managed to find a single-trip travel insurance quote for the USA for 11 nights for £85. Being over 70 and on cholesterol medication, most of the prices I saw were exorbitant and downright ridiculous. But thanks to your tips, I finally got a reasonable price I can afford.”
2. Age limits differ depending on the policy
Insurers set upper age limits, and these vary not just by company but by policy type. Many firms cap their annual multi-trip cover at around 74, yet still offer single-trip policies to much older travellers.
For example, Leisure Guard, Sainsbury’s, Virgin Money and the Post Office usually stop annual cover at 74, but have no upper age limit for single-trip policies. Avanti, Saga and Staysure go further, with no upper age limit at all on either annual or single-trip cover.
If you’re 75 or over, you’ll usually find far more quotes by selecting single-trip rather than annual cover. Annual policies may still be available, but you’ll get fewer options and they’re often pricier.
3. Group policies use the oldest traveller’s age – splitting policies can cut costs
If you're travelling with a partner or family, you can either take out one policy together or each get your own. But because insurers usually base the price on the oldest traveller, group cover can be more expensive if you’re the senior member of the party.
It can often be cheaper for you to get your own policy, while the rest of the group take out a single, couple’s or family policy. This is especially true if you’re the only over-65 in the group or if you have medical conditions others don’t.
Always check both options before buying to ensure you're getting the best price possible.
4. Always declare medical conditions or you likely won't be covered
The thought of declaring medical conditions can feel daunting, but it’s vital. If your insurer isn’t aware of your health issues, any related claim, even for something minor, could be rejected.
When you buy travel insurance, give a clear rundown of all the conditions you have or have had (usually within the last five years), plus any medication you take. This includes things you may not consider serious, such as well-controlled asthma, high blood pressure, or raised cholesterol. Many insurers don’t charge extra for these when they’re stable.
The key is simple: tell them everything, even if it seems unimportant to you. If your insurer doesn’t know your medical history, it may exclude existing conditions entirely – and that could leave you facing a large medical bill if you fall ill on your trip.
For more help, including how to keep costs down when you have medical conditions, see our Pre-existing conditions travel insurance guide.
5. Check if your bank account already covers you – or if upgrading it could be cheaper
If you pay a monthly fee for a packaged bank account, you may already have travel insurance included – and many of these policies cover travellers up to age 80 as standard. That means if you're in this age range, you might not need to buy a separate policy at all.
This is great for those aged up to 79, who pay no surcharge on top of the monthly fee, though an extra fee may apply if you're covering medical conditions that aren't included as standard.
If you don't have a packaged account, it might be cheaper to get one if you'll make use of the included insurance and other perks. See our Top packaged bank account guide to compare the best options.
Jackie emailed in March 2025 highlighting how packaged accounts can work out cheaper...
My dad is 90 and wanted travel insurance to go to Spain with my brother. Most companies wouldn’t even quote, and the ones that did wanted around £600 for a single-trip policy to Europe, and almost £1,000 for annual multi-trip cover. After trying loads of insurers without luck, he phoned his bank, Nationwide. They said if he upgraded to their packaged account (£216 a year), they could cover him on an annual multi-trip basis for an extra £100. It worked out far cheaper than any standalone policy.
Important: Don’t mistake this for travel accident insurance that comes with some credit cards. That only covers very limited scenarios (for example, a serious accident on transport paid for on the card) and is not a substitute for full travel insurance. And it’s totally separate from Section 75 credit card protection, which simply helps if something you buy goes wrong.
6. Planning a cruise? You'll likely need a cruise add-on
If you're heading off on a cruise, don’t assume your standard travel insurance automatically covers everything. Most policies cover the basics, such as medical costs and lost or stolen belongings, but cruise-specific problems are usually excluded unless you add a cruise upgrade. These can include:
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Missed departure
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Unused cruise excursions, for example, pre-booked day trips
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Itinerary changes if the ship skips a port
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Cabin confinement due to illness or an onboard virus
A cruise add-on is normally inexpensive and simple to add when you get a quote. You can compare policies on sites such as MoneySupermarket*, Confused.com*, Gocompare or Compare the Market. For quotes tailored to your ship and sailing date, try Compare Your Cruise Insurance*.
The same applies if you're going skiing – you'll need a winter sports add-on for proper cover.
General travel insurance need-to-knows
Here are a few general pointers you need to know before you choose any travel insurance policy...
Going to Europe? Get a free EHIC/GHIC card. It entitles you to state-run hospital treatment in the EU at the same cost as locals. If they pay nothing, you pay nothing. See our Free EHIC/GHIC guide.
Check country lists – not all policies include the USA or Spain. Insurers will classify your trip as 'European' or 'worldwide', but exactly which countries are automatically covered varies – so do check.
You're usually not covered if you've been drinking or leave your possessions unattended. Always check your policy exclusions.
Look at the excess. This is what you pay towards any claim, and it usually applies per person, per claim. A high excess can wipe out the value of smaller claims.
Check if your home insurance already covers gadgets or valuables. You may not need to pay extra to add these to your travel policy if you're already covered under your home insurance.
Cheapest single-trip travel insurance for over-65s
These are our cheapest top-pick policies for individuals and families looking for single-trip travel insurance, split into two main categories:
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Cheapest, from £16/week. These no-frills policies meet our minimum cover levels.
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Well-rated, from £38/week. These provide higher claim limits per person and have excellent feedback when paying out claims as well as extra cover for events such as airline failure.
Cheapest 'no-frills' travel insurance
These are the cheapest regulated policies that we could find that meet our . We judge them purely on price, NOT feedback. So they're for those who aren't too fussed about risk and see it as a backstop. It's worth noting you may be covered for flight delays (UK/EU flight delays has full info) and lost gadgets under your home insurance (do check).
Insurer | Europe (One week, individual) | Europe (One week, couple) | Worldwide (One week, individual) | Worldwide (One week, couple) | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
£16.04 | £22.97 | £33.01 | £50.35 | £100 | |
£25.51 | £51.04 | £65.52 | £131.04 | £100 | |
Admiral* | £28.57 | £38.98 | £91.68 | £125.06 | £100 |
£31 | £52 | £125 | £190 | £100 | |
£32.14 | £55.90 | £71.26 | £126.22 | £95 | |
£45.10 | £82.75 | £126.08 | £234.56 | £75 |
Correct as of September 2025. All prices will vary depending on your age – prices above based on 66-year old travellers. (i) Important. You must have had all the Covid vaccinations offered to you by the NHS to be covered for any claims relating to Covid, unless medically exempt.
Well-rated policies with higher claim limits
We know many are willing to pay extra for more cover for peace of mind. So here are a few 'premier' travel insurance policies to try with higher cover levels. All the policies here exceed our normal and give:
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£5,000 cancellation cover per person
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£10 million medical and repatriation expenses per person
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£2,000 baggage cover per person
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Travel disruption, for instance, volcanic ash, tsunami or other natural disaster
Insurer | Europe (One week, individual) | Worldwide (One week, individual) | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|
LV (Premier)* | £37.69 | £150.38 | £50 to £90 |
£57.72 | £143.98 | £99 |
Correct as of September 2025. Prices vary depending on age & number of people insured – prices above based on a 66-year old.
For a wider choice – with good options to add on cover – try comparison sites
If our hand-picked selection of insurers don't provide the cover you're looking for, it's worth doing a full check using comparison sites such as MoneySupermarket*, Compare The Market, Confused.com*, Gocompare and Quotezone*. They allow you to adjust your quote to suit your needs, for example, if you need to add cruise cover and want to compare policies.
However, we can't filter these for you, so always check they have cover that meets your needs. In particular, if are looking for an annual cover policy, and you choose to use a comparison website for a holiday over a year away, check if the insurer will cover your holiday, as not all do.
Important. These sites are independent of MSE and may include providers we wouldn't.
Cheapest annual travel insurance for over-65s
These are our top-pick annual travel insurance policies for over-65s, split into three categories:
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Cheapest, from £42 a year. These no-frills policies meet our .
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Well-rated, from £92 a year. These provide greater cover, higher claim limits per person and have strong feedback on paying out claims.
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Top packaged bank account, from £150 a year (£12.50/mth). These accounts include travel insurance and can also include mobile phone cover and UK/European breakdown cover.
Cheapest 'no frills' travel insurance
These are the cheapest regulated policies that we could find that meet our . We judge them purely on price, NOT feedback. So these are for those not too fussed about the risk and just see it as a backstop. It's worth noting you may be covered for some delays (UK/EU flight delays has full info) and lost gadgets under your home insurance (do check).
Insurer | Europe (Individual) | Europe (Couple) | Worldwide (Individual) | Worldwide (Couple) | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Admiral* (use code MSETRAVEL20 to get 20% off) | £39.22 | £50.26 | £116.63 | £170.89 | £100 |
£56.38 | £88.78 | £140.02 | £222.58 | £95 | |
£63.16 | £109.79 | £193.52 | £336.40 | £70 | |
£75.59 | £148.76 | £130.99 | £233.58 | £100 | |
£81.17 | £154.61 | £214.57 | £417.04 | £75 | |
£89.50 | £140.49 | £274.26 | £404.52 | £99 | |
£91.25 | £144.50 | £230.50 | £354.50 | £100 |
Correct as of September 2025. All prices will vary depending on your age – prices above based on 66-year old travellers.
(i) Important. You must have had all the Covid vaccinations offered to you by the NHS to be covered for any claims relating to Covid, unless medically exempt.
Top packaged bank accounts that offer travel insurance
Packaged bank accounts can be a useful way to get travel insurance when you're over 65. These are simply current accounts that have a monthly fee, and come with various insurance benefits – one of which is travel cover.
They can work out cheaper than standalone policies, especially for couples or anyone taking multiple or worldwide trips in a year. Just note that you may need to open a new current account to get the deal.
Insurer | Coverage and benefits | Max age | Cost | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Worldwide family multi-trip cover, including winter sports, golf and weddings. | Up to your 75th birthday | £12.50/mth | £50 | |
Get worldwide family travel cover. | No max age limit | £18/mth | £50 | |
Offers worldwide travel cover, excluding winter sports cover. | Up to your 80th birthday | £18/mth | £0 | |
Get worldwide family travel cover. | Up to your 71st birthday | £19/mth | £75 |
Well-rated policies with higher claim limits
For those who want extra peace of mind, these ‘premier’ policies go beyond our normal and offer stronger protection across key areas. Each one includes at least:
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£5,000 cancellation cover per person
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£10 million medical and repatriation expenses per person
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£2,000 baggage cover per person
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Travel disruption cover, such as volcanic ash, tsunamis or other natural disasters.
Insurer | Europe (Individual) | Worldwide (Individual) | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|
LV (Premier)* | £91.80 | £256.85 | £50 to £90 |
£130.58 | £309.86 | £99 |
Correct as of September 2025. All prices will vary depending on your age – individual prices above based on 66-year old travellers.
Important: Don't let any discounts/vouchers/cashback/gifts sway you – always make sure the policy meets your needs, and get alternative quotes to compare.
For a wider choice – with good options to add on cover – try comparison sites
If our selection of insurers don't provide the cover you're looking for, it's worth doing a full check using comparison sites such as MoneySupermarket*, Compare The Market, Confused.com*, Gocompare and Quotezone*. They allow you to adjust your quote to suit your needs, for example, if you need to add cruise cover and want to compare policies.
However, we can't filter these for you, so always check they have cover that meets your needs. In particular, if are looking for an annual cover policy, and you choose to use a comparison website for a holiday over a year away, check if the insurer will cover your holiday, as not all do.
Important. These sites are independent of MSE and may include providers we wouldn't.
Still can't get cover or not happy with the price?
Specialist brokers can help you find insurers that cover non-standard trips, or help you if medical conditions mean you're struggling to find an affordable policy. To find one, see the British Insurance Brokers' Association website.
Always double-check the level of cover offered before taking out a policy as well as providers' websites for any info about coronavirus. Your broker should also be able to help you with any questions you have.
How to claim on your travel insurance
Claiming on your travel insurance shouldn't be daunting and – if you understand the terms and the excesses on your policy – you shouldn't be in for any nasty shocks.
Follow the five steps below in the event you need to claim...
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Submit your claim as soon as possible. Contact your insurer as soon as you can. Some parts of your policy may have a short window to submit a claim and it may take a while to be processed.
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Get your insurer to accept a medical claim before you get treatment. If you need to make a medical claim – and it's not an emergency – get your insurer to accept the claim over the phone first, before getting treatment. For example, if you sprained your ankle, call your insurer – if it accepts the claim then, you're less likely to be faced with a rejected claim later down the line. For obvious reasons, don't delay treatment if it's an emergency.
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Notify the police if it's a theft. If something goes missing or is stolen when you are abroad you may need to get a crime reference number or the overseas equivalent to make a successful claim. Report the incident to the police as soon as you can – you often have to do so within 24 hours – to make sure your claim doesn't hit the skids.
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Keep receipts. If you are claiming for lost luggage or delay, remember to keep receipts of essential items you have bought while waiting, such as food and drink. Many insurers allow you to add these expenses to a claim and may ask for receipts as proof.
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Complain if you feel your claim was unfairly rejected. If your insurance company rejects your claim, and you think it has done so wrongly, don't take it lying down. Complain to the free Financial Ombudsman. This independent adjudicator will make the final decision on a claim if you are locked in a dispute with your insurer. For more on how to make a complaint, read our Financial rights guide, or see our section below.
How to complain about your insurance provider
The insurance industry doesn't have the best customer-service reputation and while a provider may be good for some, it can be hell for others.
Common problems include claims not being paid out on time or at all, unfair charges, or exclusions being hidden in small print. It's always worth trying to call your provider first, but if not, then…
You can use free complaints tool Resolver. The tool helps you manage your complaint, and if the company doesn't play ball, it also helps you escalate your complaint to the free Financial Ombudsman Service.
Under 66? See our Travel insurance guide.
Medical conditions? See Pre-existing conditions.
Staycation planned? See UK travel insurance.
Pre-existing travel insurance FAQs
Insurers charge more once you’re over 65 because, statistically, the chances of illness, injury or a medical emergency increase with age. That means claims are more likely – and more expensive – so some insurers (not all) bump up the price a bit more.
Aside from the higher cost, over-65s' holiday insurance works in the same way as it does for younger travellers: protecting you if something unexpected happens before your trip, and covering medical emergencies or other mishaps while you’re away.
When getting a travel insurance quote you will be asked a series of questions, which includes details of your medical history. This applies to everyone, not just over-65s. You’ll be asked about any conditions you have, any treatment you’ve received and any medication you take.
If you say you’ve seen a GP, consultant or specialist, or you’re on medication, the insurer may ask follow-up questions so it can properly assess the risk. It's important you are honest, and this isn’t a medical exam – it’s usually just a short online questionnaire, and in some cases a quick phone screening.
If you haven’t needed to see a doctor or had any treatment, you generally won’t be asked anything beyond the standard questions.
Yes. A GHIC (which replaced the EHIC in January 2021) should be seen as an add-on to travel insurance, not a replacement. It gives access to state healthcare in EU countries on the same basis as local residents, so if they don't pay, you don't pay.
But a GHIC doesn’t cover cancellation, lost possessions, delays, repatriation, personal liability or many other common travel problems. Travel insurance fills these gaps and protects you both before and during your trip.
How do I get a GHIC?
A GHIC is free, so avoid any website that tries to charge you (common copycat sites often add fees of £30–£35). For full details and to apply safely through the official NHS site, see our Free EHIC/GHIC guide.
Not automatically. Travel insurance policies, regardless of age, come with fixed medical cover limits, so it’s up to you to pick a policy with the level of protection you’re comfortable with.
What does differ is the range of policies available to you, and the options you have to increase those limits if you want more protection.
When getting a quote, you’ll typically be shown a choice of policy levels (for example, instead of a Bronze or Standard policy, you could upgrade to a Silver, Gold, Standard Plus or Premier – naming varies by insurer). Higher-tier policies usually offer bigger medical limits, lower excesses and extra benefits such as travel disruption cover.
Most standard travel insurance policies include £1 million to £2 million of medical cover, which is usually enough for most people. For long-haul destinations, especially the USA or Caribbean, where medical bills can be extremely high, it can be worth looking at a policy with higher limits for added peace of mind.
Yes, many insurers do set upper age limits, but fortunately, there are many insurers who do still offer cover to older travellers.
The limits often depend on the type of policy you choose. Annual multi-trip policies usually have lower age caps, while single-trip policies often allow much older travellers.
Insurers such as Leisure Guard, Sainsbury’s, Virgin Money and the Post Office typically cap annual cover at around 74, but have no upper age limit for single-trip policies.
We also found that Avanti, Saga and Staysure don’t impose an upper age limit on either annual multi-trip or single-trip cover.
If you're at the higher end of the age scale, it’s usually worth getting quotes for both annual and single-trip policies, but you’ll generally see more options and often cheaper prices with single-trip cover.
Why is travel insurance more expensive for over 65s?
Is a medical screening required for over-65s' travel insurance?
Do I need over 65s travel insurance if I have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)?
Does over-65s' travel insurance provide extra cover for medical emergencies?
Is there an upper age limit for travel insurance?
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