AARP Travel Insurance: Best Plans for Seniors
Key Takeaways:
- Unfortunately, AARP doesn’t sell its own branded travel insurance or offer a discount on travel insurance.
- The Department of Insurance pricing regulations prohibit offering discounts on insurance plans. Therefore, AARP doesn’t offer seniors a discount on travel insurance.
- The closest thing to a travel insurance discount that AARP offers is a 20% discount on MedJet air ambulance services, which is technically not insurance.
- Medjet is not a substitute for travel insurance, as it is strictly a transport service and cannot reimburse you for medical bills.
- AARP recommends opting for comprehensive travel insurance when traveling.
- Based on our analysis, the best alternatives to AARP travel insurance for seniors are plans from IMG, Tin Leg, and Seven Corners.
Does AARP offer travel insurance?
No, AARP does not directly offer or sell travel insurance policies.
Contrary to common belief, this non-profit organization neither underwrites nor manages travel insurance programs. While AARP promotes third-party travel insurance companies like Allianz and AARDY, these collaborations remain third-party providers. Coverage is purchased directly through them, not through AARP.
Medjet Air Ambulance Service
The closest thing AARP offers to travel insurance is a 20% discount on Medjet memberships as part of its travel-related perks. Medjet Assist is an Air Ambulance service that provides emergency medical evacuation only.
With MedJet membership, travelers can access a medical transport service to arrange hospital-to-hospital transport if they need medical care more than 150 miles from home, domestically and internationally.
While helpful and highly recommended, it doesn’t provide all the benefits that travel insurance can offer, and therefore, MedJet is not an alternative to travel insurance. We recommend it only as an add-on to a comprehensive or medical-only travel insurance plan.
Travel Insurance vs. Medjet
Medjet is a niche service that provides medical evacuation after hospitalization, but it is not exactly travel insurance, per se, and cannot substitute for comprehensive travel protection.
One of the biggest misconceptions among older travelers is that Medjet covers the full range of travel risks, but it’s important to remember that Medjet Assist is not an insurance product; instead, it’s a transportation service.
For example, Medjet does not cover:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Pre-existing conditions
- Trip cancellations & interruptions
- Delays
- Lost baggage.
While Medjet may provide peace of mind for transport-only scenarios, it’s not designed to safeguard your health, trip investment, or belongings. Seniors with complex health histories or costly trips should strongly consider a comprehensive travel insurance plan for complete protection.
In fact, AARP recommends purchasing separate travel insurance, especially for international trips, because “Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans do not cover medical care you receive when traveling outside the U.S.”
A comprehensive travel insurance policy from providers like IMG or Tin Leg will offer medical evacuation coverage up to $500,000, emergency medical coverage, and financial reimbursement for trip disruptions. You can compare these plans on Squaremouth and filter based on your medical needs, travel style, and destination.
Best Alternatives to AARP Trip Insurance for Seniors
As an over-50-year-old AARP member, you are in the primary group to benefit the most from comprehensive travel insurance plans. While AARP trip insurance doesn’t exist, you can still find highly-rated travel insurance options tailored for senior travelers.
Based on our expertise, experience, and close customer connection, here are the best alternatives to AARP Travel insurance:
| Plan Name | Award | Medical / Medevac Limits | Cancellation / Interruption Limits |
| IMG – iTravelInsured Choice | Best Plan Overall | $100K / $500K | 100% / 150% of Trip Cost |
| Tin Leg – Luxury | Most Affordable | $100K / $250K | 100% / 150% of Trip Cost |
| Seven Corners – Trip Protection Choice | Best Medical Coverage | $500K / $1M | 100% / 150% of Trip Cost |
These comprehensive travel insurance plans go far beyond what Medjet offers by including:
- Emergency Medical coverage: This covers hospital visits, physician fees, and medication if you’re sick or injured while traveling.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection: This reimburses non-refundable trip costs if you cancel for a covered reason or must return home early.
- Baggage loss or delay coverage: This helps replace lost or stolen essential items if your luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen.
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions: With this waiver, having health conditions before your trip won’t limit your coverage. Remember to purchase the waiver within 2-3 weeks of your initial trip deposit.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: This includes air transport to the nearest adequate medical facility or back home, often up to $500,000, with the option to add more if wanted or needed.
AARP Travel Insurance Cost
If AARP sold travel insurance, the cost would likely mirror the average price of travel insurance for seniors nationwide, since travel insurance pricing is federally regulated.
According to Squaremouth travel data, the average cost for travel insurance for senior travelers (aged 60 and up) is $28 per day, and medical-only plans are even more affordable.
Travel insurance premiums typically cost around 5-10% of your total trip cost. With this in mind, AARP-aged seniors could expect to pay $400-$450 for comprehensive coverage for their trips abroad, although cheaper options may be available.
Various factors influence the cost of travel insurance, including your age, destination, trip length, and coverage amounts.
Does AARP Offer a Travel Insurance Discount for Seniors?
Many people mistakenly believe that AARP offers travel insurance or discounts for seniors or members. However, travel insurance rates are regulated by federal law, meaning that no one, including AARP, can legally provide rates lower than those available to the public from each provider.
So, AARP may promote travel insurance comparison tools, but the plans aren’t available at a discount for AARP members beyond what anyone else would find on any other public marketplace.
FAQs: AARP Travel Insurance for Seniors
What is the best travel insurance plans for AARP members?
After evaluating all 19 providers and over 100 plans available on Squaremouth
Narrowed down 3 insurance plans for AARP members that cater to more specific coverage and trip types:
- Best Overall Travel Insurance for Seniors: IMG – iTravelInsured Choice
- Most Affordable Coverage for Seniors: Tin Leg – Luxury
- Best Medical Coverage for Seniors: Seven Corners – Trip Protection Choice
- Best Plan for Senior Cruisers: IMG – iTravelInsured Choice
We recommend that seniors purchase a policy with at least $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, and that it includes a Pre-Existing Condition waiver, which can reimburse seniors who experience a flare-up of an existing health issue while traveling.
What insurance company does AARP recommend?
AARP, a non-profit organization dedicated to retirees, does not officially endorse any travel insurance company. Instead, it collaborates with insurance marketplaces to provide its members with optimal options.
For comprehensive travel insurance tailored for seniors, consider using platforms such as Squaremouth, which allows you to compare dozens of highly rated providers. Focus on plans that offer high medical limits, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and trip protection, ensuring affiliate-driven recommendations do not sway you.
Does AARP help with travel plans for seniors?
AARP doesn’t help with individual travel planning, but it is a powerful resource that can help make trip planning easier for seniors. Using the AARP Travel Center, members can access discounted rates on travel-related expenses like hotels, flights, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, and more. They also offer travel tips, guidance, inspiration, and planning tools for older adults ready to experience and embrace life beyond the 9 to 5.
Is AARP insurance any good?
Yes, AARP is highly respected as a non-profit organization, but it does not offer travel insurance. However, they offer advice on choosing the right insurance policy for your vacation.
Their auto and homeowners insurance products, offered through The Hartford, have mixed reviews. Their life insurance product, issued through New York Life Insurance Company for AARP members, does not require any medical procedures to be approved, which adds to its appeal. Still, it is only available for members between 50 and 74.