Travel Insurance for Travelers Over 60

Special Considerations with Over 60 Travel Insurance:

When taking a trip in your later years, it’s important to consider the unique risks and challenges that you may face along the way. As you compare policies for your upcoming adventure, be sure to take into account the following factors:

Price Factors

While age plays a significant part in determining the cost of travel insurance, there are numerous other factors that can cause premiums to increase.

For example, some providers allow you to enhance your travel protection through optional add-ons and coverage upgrades during the checkout process. Some of the more popular ways to enhance coverage among senior travelers include:

• Cancel for Any Reason: Provides partial reimbursement for your insured travel expenses if you choose to cancel your trip for a reason not already covered by standard trip cancellation coverage.
• Interruption for Any Reason: Provides partial reimbursement if you choose to end your trip early for an uncovered reason.
• Rental Car Damage Protection: Covers the cost of damage to, or theft of, a rental vehicle during your covered trip.
• Coverage Upgrades: Allows you to increase coverage limits for select benefits, like Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation, for a small fee.

Plan Types

Before deciding on a travel insurance policy, it’s important to identify the type of plan that’s right for you. The best plan for you is one that meets your travel needs, fits your budget, and provides peace of mind for the duration of your trip.

• Comprehensive: This is the most popular, and most expensive, type of coverage available to travelers over 60 as it provides financial protection against last-minute cancellations, medical expenses, emergency evacuations, delays, and other common disruptions.
• Travel Medical: These policies place a focus on medical coverage abroad, and are not designed to protect your travel investments in the event of a cancellation. This results in cheaper premiums, but less robust protection.
• Annual: These plans provide coverage for multiple trips over a 12-month period, usually with a limit on the duration of each trip (typically 30 to 90 days). They’re ideal for frequent travelers looking for continuous protection without the need to buy a new policy for every trip.

Most travelers over the age of 60 opt for comprehensive plans with high medical coverage. This type of coverage is highly recommended due to the unpredictable nature of traveling in your sixties and beyond, and the financial ramifications of experiencing a travel accident while overseas.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

It’s common for travelers in their sixties and beyond to have a chronic or pre-existing medical condition. Unfortunately, many travel insurance policies exclude coverage for these conditions, which could leave you financially responsible if a flare-up occurs during your trip.

However, plans offer a Pre-Existing Condition waiver, which removes this exclusion and extends medical coverage to your existing health issues. To qualify for this waiver, you’ll need to meet specific eligibility requirements set by the provider. These typically include:

• Purchase Plan During Time-Sensitive Window: Most plans require you to buy your travel insurance within 10 to 21 days of your first trip payment
• Insure 100% of Your Travel Expenses: You must purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan and insure all of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs
• Be Medically Stable During Lookback Period: There can be no changes to your condition during your lookback period, which is typically 60-180 days prior to your departure date
• Be Fit to Travel: You cannot be experiencing symptoms, receiving treatment, or under medical advice that would reasonably prevent you from taking your trip at the time you purchase your policy

Cruise & Adventure Sport Coverage

When purchasing travel insurance, it’s important that you find a policy that includes coverage for your entire itinerary. Oftentimes, things like taking a cruise, going on a ski trip, or scuba diving while on vacation require specific coverage.

Purchasing a policy that doesn’t explicitly cover your itinerary items puts you at risk of having your claims denied. To find the right plan, be sure to use Squaremouth’s ‘Cruise’ or ‘Sports & Activities’ filters to identify the perfect protection for your trip.

What Does Over 60s Travel Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected expenses incurred while you’re away from home. This can range from purchasing toiletries if your luggage is delayed to reimbursing costly medical evacuation expenses if a serious incident occurs.

Travel insurance is especially important for travelers over 60, as it can help cover the high cost of medical care abroad and offer peace of mind throughout your trip. A comprehensive travel insurance plan typically includes the following benefits:

Trip Cancellations

If you get sick, injured, or experience a family emergency before your departure date, your plan’s Trip Cancellation benefit can reimburse you for up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

Other reasons to cancel a trip through this coverage include inclement weather, terrorism, natural disasters, and civil unrest at your destination.

Medical Emergencies

One of the biggest fears among travelers aged 60+ is getting sick or injured while in a foreign country. If you’re overseas in a country where U.S. health insurance doesn’t apply, the cost of receiving treatment can be astronomical.

Emergency Medical coverage provides reimbursement for unexpected medical bills while you’re traveling, such as hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription medication. For travelers 60+ years old, we recommend plans that offer at least $100,000 in travel medical coverage.

Medical Evacuations & Repatriation

Regardless of where you are in the world, the cost of emergency medical transportation services can be extremely high. Depending on the severity of the injury and distance you are from a hospital, it’s not uncommon for these services to exceed $100,000 in cost.

The Medical Evacuation benefit is designed to cover the cost of emergency evacuations to the nearest adequate medical facility. This benefit can also help cover the cost of repatriation services in the event you, or a travel companion, pass away during a covered trip.

Travelers over 60 years of age should consider plans that offer at least $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, especially if you are cruising or visiting a remote destination.

Travel Delays

Unexpected delays caused by inclement weather, mechanical issues, or staffing shortages can leave you stuck in transit and facing unplanned expenses such as meals or overnight accommodations.

Travel Delay coverage covers the cost of meals, lodging, and transportation expenses if your trip is significantly delayed. We recommend plans that provide coverage for flight delays of at least 3 hours.

Missed Connections

If a flight delay causes you to miss a connecting flight, cruise departure, or tour, Missed Connection coverage can reimburse you for rebooking costs or alternate transportation to rejoin your trip.

This benefit is especially valuable for cruise passengers, travelers with tight itineraries, and those on multi-leg trips. For the best protection, we recommend selecting a plan that provides coverage after a delay of three or more hours.

Baggage Loss

If your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip, travel insurance can help cover the cost of replacement.

Baggage Loss coverage reimburses you for personal belongings that are permanently lost or damaged while you’re away from home.

Baggage Delay coverage helps pay for essential items—like clothing or toiletries—if your bags are temporarily delayed en route to your destination.

What is Not Covered by Over 60s Travel Insurance?

While travel insurance provides essential financial protection, it does have limitations. Most standard policies typically exclude coverage for the following:

• Known Events: If a disruption, such as a hurricane, airline strike, or pandemic outbreak, is publicly known before you purchase your policy, any related claims may be denied.
• Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Unless your plan includes a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver, medical treatment related to existing health issues is usually not covered. This is particularly important for seniors managing chronic conditions.
• Government Travel Advisories or Bans: If the U.S. government issues a travel warning or ban for your destination before or during your trip, your policy may not reimburse cancellations or other disruptions tied to that advisory.
• Sports & Activities: Unless specific adventure coverage is purchased, most plans will not cover injuries sustained while participating in a high-risk sport or activity.

A full list of policy exclusions can be found within the plan’s Certificate of Insurance. Understanding these limitations is extremely important, especially when traveling later in life. Comparing plans from multiple providers is the best way to find a policy that will cover your entire itinerary.

How Much Does Travel Insurance for 60 Year Olds Cost?

On average, comprehensive travel insurance for travelers over the age of 60 costs $39 per day.

This figure is based on proprietary Squaremouth data that takes into account travel insurance sales to individuals over 60 years old in the past 12 months. On average, travelers in this demographic spend $578 on travel insurance to protect a 15 day trip.

Travel insurance for travelers over 60 is slightly higher than the average cost for travelers across all age groups. As you get older, you can expect premiums to increase.

• Over 60: Premiums average $493, or $38/day
• Over 70: Premiums average $550, or $48/day
• Over 80: Premiums average $905, or $60/day

Comprehensive travel insurance plans are generally more expensive than medical-only policies. Among travelers over 60, travel medical plans that don’t include Trip Cancellation coverage cost just $122.

Recommended Travel Insurance Coverage for Seniors Over 60

Exploring the world in your sixties and beyond can be a rewarding experience. With the right travel protection, you can explore the world with the confidence that you’re covered if your adventure takes a sudden turn for the worse.

While no two trips are the same, we recommend the following coverage depending on the type of trip you choose to take.

• Leisure Travelers: If you’re sightseeing, relaxing on a beach, or visiting family, you may not need the most robust coverage on the market. We recommend a comprehensive plan that protects your trip expenses and any unforeseen medical bills that may arise.
• Adventure Travelers: If you’re planning a more adrenaline-filled trip, you should be aware that specialized coverage may be needed in order to be fully-protected during your trip. Look for plans that feature ‘Sports & Activities’ coverage, as well as high Emergency Medical protection.
• Cruisers: If you’re taking a cruise, whether domestically or abroad, you should prioritize plans that have high Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage limits. Keep an eye out for cruise-specific policies that are offered by some providers.
• Travelers with Health Issues: If you have an existing health issue, injury, or illness, it’s crucial that you find a plan that includes a pre-existing condition waiver. These plans often require that you meet specific eligibility requirements in order to qualify for coverage.

Does Travel Insurance for People Over 60 Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

Yes, travel insurance can provide coverage for pre-existing conditions, even if you are over 60 years old.

You will first need to find a plan with a Pre-Existing Condition waiver and meet the specific eligibility requirements. Under most plans, this involves purchasing the plan within the policy’s time-sensitive window, which typically lasts 10-21 days after purchasing a policy.

Additional requirements typically include insuring 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses and being medically fit to travel on your trip’s departure date.

Is Travel Insurance Necessary if I’m Over 65 and Have Medicare?

Yes, senior travelers that are planning a trip overseas should still get travel insurance, even if you already have Medicare.

Like other forms of U.S. health insurance, Medicare is rarely accepted outside of the country. Without proper health coverage, you will be financially responsible for any medical costs incurred internationally. Depending on your destination, medical costs abroad can be very expensive for foreign visitors.

With a dedicated travel insurance plan, you will be financially covered for unexpected travel expenses up until your policy’s coverage limit.

Can Travelers Over 60 Buy Cruise Insurance?

Yes, cruise insurance is widely available to travelers over 60 years old. Many providers offer plans that specifically address the risks and challenges associated with taking a cruise vacation.

These plans often feature sufficient medical and evacuation coverage, and also include protection for trip cancellations, missing a cruise departure, and baggage loss.

Uncover our picks for the best cruise insurance policies in 2025.

I’m Over 60 and Traveling with my Family – Can We All Be on the Same Policy?

Yes, adding family members to your plan is simple when done during the initial purchase. Most insurance providers allow you to include up to 10 travelers on your policy.

To add travelers to your plan, you will need to provide basic information such as their age, name, date of birth, and state of residence. Your premium will likely increase with each additional traveler you add.

I’m Taking an Expensive Trip – Will Travel Insurance Cover Me?

Yes, most comprehensive travel insurance plans include Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, which can reimburse your travel expenses if you’re forced to cancel your vacation or cut it short for a covered reason.

Most plans will reimburse 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses up to the policy’s coverage limit. If you’re taking an expensive trip, it’s important to find a policy that covers all of your travel expenses to ensure you’re fully reimbursed in the event of a claim.

Do Travel Insurance Companies Provide Support During My Trip?

Yes, all providers listed on Squaremouth offer 24/7 Emergency Assistance before and during your trip. This service can provide you with medical referrals, arrange evacuations, provide translation support, and facilitate emergency cash transfers.

Most providers include 24-hour assistance services to offer travelers peace of mind and support in case their trip doesn’t go as planned. This service can also help verify coverage for specific disruptions and guide you through the claims process.