Seniors travel insurance
Get travel insurance quotes for seniors from 15 brands – that’s more than any other site in Australia. Pop in your trip details to compare quotes.
Key takeaways
- Seniors can get travel insurance from pretty much any travel insurance provider.
- A couple of providers market specifically to seniors, including Boomers and Australian Seniors.
- No matter your age, it's generally worth comparing the full market.
Can seniors get travel insurance?
Yup, senior citizens can get travel insurance from most of the Australian travel insurance brands. There are maximum age limits, but they are mostly 99+ years. That means the large majority of seniors can get cover from any travel insurance provider.
Is senior travel insurance more expensive?
Travel insurance will be more expensive for seniors, because older Australians are considered riskier travellers. In particular, older folks are more likely to claim on their medical coverage when they travel overseas, This could be as a result of falling ill, getting accidentally hurt, or having a pre-existing condition flare up. Because of this, travel insurance providers charge a higher premium for older travellers.
Is senior-specific travel insurance worth it?
In Australia there are 2 companies that specifically market to seniors: Boomers and Australian Seniors. While there may be some part of their cover that appeal to you specifically because you're an older person, they are generally as competitive as any other provider.
In fact, providers that offer policies to young, lower risk travellers as well as seniors may actually end up cheaper. Insurers generally love low risk policies because they lower their overall risk profile. Some providers might use this as a way to reduce premiums for older travellers.
As with all financial products, smart money is on comparing products from as many providers as possible. Finder makes this easy, using the tools on this page!
Who offers travel insurance to seniors?
| Brand | Age limit |
|---|---|
 ahm | 99 and under |
 | 99 and under |
 | 125 and under |
 Fast Cover | 89 and under |
 | 99 and under |
 | 100 and under |
 Kogan | 125 and under |
 | 99 and under |
 | 118 and under |
 | 99 and under |
 | 100 and under |
 | 110 and under |
 Wise and Silent | 99 and under |
 Travel Protect | 99 and under |
 | 85 and under |
 | 130 and under |
 | 99 and under |
 | 99 and under |
 | 120 and under |
 | 120 and under |
 NRMA | 99 and under |
 | 120 and under |
Note: This information was last updated April 2024
What should seniors travel insurance cover?
Medical expenses
Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover you for unlimited medical expenses if you need to go to hospital. They also typically cover medical evacuations.
Delays and cancellations
29% of Australians, equivalent to around 5.8 million people, have had their flight delayed or cancelled in the last 12 months, according to Finder research. Travel insurance can cover you for cancelled or delayed flights.
COVID-19 expenses
Many travel insurance policies now cover COVID-related expenses. This includes if you need to cancel or rearrange your trip due to COVID.
Luggage and personal belongings
A good travel insurance policy should cover you for lost and delayed luggage, credit cards, traveller's cheques and personal items. This could be really helpful as according to Finder's latest 2023 research, almost 8% of Australians have lost personal items when travelling.
How do travel insurers cover pre-existing conditions?
Once you reach a certain age, you'll have had some things...well, break. Or not work right. Or just less good. Point is, you've got pre-existing conditions. The good news is you can probably still get travel insurance coverage.
Several travel insurers will cover you for certain pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension and skin cancer at no extra cost.
However, if you have any pre-existing conditions, you must let your insurer know when you sign up. Declaring pre-existing conditions is super easy when you take out a policy, it takes a matter of minutes.
Once declared, your travel insurer may be able to offer you cover for your pre-existing medical condition. Sometimes this will be free, sometimes it will cost you extra. Alternatively, it may agree to cover you in general, but not for claims related to your pre-existing condition.
While it may be tempting to not declare pre-existing conditions, it's not worth the risk. If you don't tell your insurer, it could deny any future claim you may make!
How much does travel insurance cost for seniors?
How much does travel insurance cost is one of those 'how long is a piece of string' problems. The longer you're travelling, and the more risky the places you're travelling, the more you'll pay. That being said, we've done some some numbers to give you a bit of an idea.
As part of the 2023 Finder Awards, we collected data on almost 200 quotes for seniors. We had a look at a single 79-year-old travelling for 2 weeks in Australia (domestic) and a few other destinations like New Zealand, Bali, Europe and the US (international).
We found the average cost of a seniors domestic policy was $510 and an international policy was steeper at $786. Use the comparison tools on this page to get a free quote for your next trip.
Senior travel insurance tips
- Book early: Your cancellation cover starts as soon as you take out a policy. This means if something goes wrong and you need to cancel or rearrange your trip, you'll be covered.
- Get COVID cover: "COVID still makes up 11% of all claims paid to customers," CEO of Southern Cross Travel Insurance, Jo McCauley, says. "On average we are paying out claims for cancellation and travel disruption due to COVID to the value of $1,500."
- Disclose any pre-existing medical conditions: You can do this when you apply for a policy. Travel insurers have made this process much simpler these days. In most cases, you just need to fill out a short questionnaire.
- Take documents with you: Keep a copy of your travel insurance policy as well as any medication you may take. This can make claiming simpler while you're overseas.
Frequently asked questions
More resources on Finder
More guides on Finder
-
Travel insurance for over 70s
Over 70 and need travel insurance? Compare your options to get affordable cover for what matters.
-
Travel insurance for over 85
Guide to finding travel insurance if you're over 85 years of age.
-
Travel insurance for over 75s
What you need to know about getting travel insurance when over 75 years of age.
Ask a question
Self 65 (a pre-existing back injury); wife 72. One week in USA at end of July (16).
We are interested in insurance which covers possible hospitalisation in USA, as we have heard that it is prohibitive.
hi John,
Thanks for your question.
To compare quotes from the travel insurance brands in our panel, please enter your travel details into the comparison tool above.
As for the pre-existing condition, these are assessed on a case-by-case basis. You may find our article about chronic back problems helpful.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
my brother is 90 years old . He has been traveling a lot .He has an insurance to cover him for many trips in a year . .Does he can continue his policy after 90 years old.?
Hi Bernie,
Thanks for your question. It will depend on the insurance brand your brother has covered with. Some brands provide cover to those north of 100 years of age. You can review the brands that offer this cover in the age limits comparison for over 80 years old.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
my wife and I only require insurance to cover cancellation of airline fares to Darwin and return in july. is there travel insurance to cover this?
Hi John,
Thanks for your question. Travel insurance only covers you for airfares in the event your loss is incurred due to severe weather or strike. Generally, your airline will compensate you for losses related to airfare cancellation. Please consult our cancellation and travel insurance page for more information.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
How much is excess on medical evacuation with Southern Cross for 86 yr old on a cruise
Hi Jan,
Thanks for your question. SCTI have a standard excess of $100.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Looking for an annual policy that will cover trips of 90 days or longer. We are both 65 and in good health. We like to travel frequently. We intend to travel for 3 months in South America Sept Oct Nov 2016. Any Suggestions please?
Bob
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your question.
The longest single trip duration on an annual policy offered by any of the brands in our panel is 93 days. Please note that the policy also has an age limit of 65. For a complete breakdown on the brands in our panel, please consult our annual travel insurance guide. Work our with insurers on the level of insurance that you need for your trip.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard