Protect Your Travels After 70 with the Right Insurance
Turning 70 can change how insurers view risk, but it does not have to limit your plans. With the right cover, you can travel with clearer expectations about medical screening, pre-existing conditions, and what happens if you need treatment abroad. Knowing what to compare helps you avoid gaps and unexpected costs.
Many UK travellers find that insurance becomes more detailed after 70, not because travel is unsafe, but because medical history and destination choices have a bigger impact on claims risk. A good policy should match how you travel (single trip, annual, cruise, long-stay), how you manage health conditions, and what financial protection you need if plans change.
Travel insurance for seniors over 70: what to prioritise
When looking at travel insurance for seniors over 70, focus first on medical and practical limits rather than small add-ons. Check the maximum trip length, whether you are covered for cruises, and whether the policy includes repatriation (returning you to the UK if medically necessary). Also review cancellation cover in relation to the true cost of your trip, especially if you book accommodation or flights that are non-refundable. In the UK, having a GHIC (or an older EHIC still in date) can help with access to state-provided treatment in some European countries, but it is not a substitute for insurance because it does not cover private care, repatriation, or cancellation.
Travel insurance for seniors with pre existing conditions
Travel insurance for seniors with pre existing conditions usually depends on accurate disclosure and medical screening. Insurers may ask about diagnoses, medication, hospital admissions, and recent changes in symptoms. This can feel intrusive, but it is central to whether a claim is accepted later. If you are managing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD, or a past cancer diagnosis, look for a policy that explicitly covers them (rather than excluding them by default). It is also worth checking whether your cover includes travelling against medical advice and what evidence the insurer may request, such as a GP letter or specialist notes, if a claim occurs.
Travel insurance for seniors over 80: common eligibility checks
Travel insurance for seniors over 80 is often available in the UK market, but eligibility checks tend to be stricter. Common pinch points include higher excesses, lower cancellation or medical limits on entry-level policies, and narrower trip-duration rules for annual policies. Some insurers specialise in older travellers and may be more flexible if you complete a detailed medical questionnaire. If you travel frequently, compare an annual multi-trip policy with multiple single-trip policies, but watch for the maximum trip duration per journey (for example, 21–31 days) and exclusions around longer stays.
Travel insurance pre existing conditions: how exclusions work
Travel insurance pre existing conditions can be handled in three main ways: fully covered (after screening and acceptance), covered with conditions (for example, higher premium or excess), or excluded (meaning claims linked to that condition may not be paid). Pay close attention to policy wording about “related conditions” and “symptoms you were aware of,” which can widen an exclusion beyond a single diagnosis. Also check whether the policy covers unexpected worsening of a declared condition, and how it treats complications (for example, infection following a chronic condition). If you are unsure, get confirmation in writing from the insurer or broker that the condition is covered, and keep copies of what you declared.
Cost of travel insurance for over 70s 2026
The cost of travel insurance for over 70s 2026 will still be driven mainly by destination (UK, Europe, Worldwide including the USA/Canada), trip length, cancellation amount, and medical history. As a practical guide, many UK travellers over 70 see the biggest price jumps when adding the USA/Canada due to higher healthcare costs, and when declaring multiple conditions that require screening. To make comparisons realistic, it helps to look at established UK providers that publish clear eligibility rules and offer medical screening for older travellers.
| Product/Service | Provider | Cost Estimation |
|---|---|---|
| Single-trip cover (Europe, age 70+) | Staysure | Typically ~£30–£120+ depending on duration, destination specifics, and medical screening outcomes |
| Single-trip cover (Worldwide inc. USA, age 70+) | Avanti Travel Insurance | Often ~£80–£300+ due to destination risk and declared conditions |
| Annual multi-trip cover (Europe, age 70+) | Saga | Commonly ~£150–£500+ depending on trip length limits and medical profile |
| Cover focused on medical screening (varied destinations) | AllClear | Frequently ~£100–£600+ where multiple or complex conditions are declared |
| Single-trip or annual options (varied destinations) | InsureandGo | Roughly ~£40–£250+ based on destination and health disclosures |
Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.
In practice, two travellers of the same age can receive very different quotes because one may need high cancellation cover, a longer trip duration, winter sports add-ons, or cover for stable-but-declared conditions. When comparing policies, look at total cost alongside medical limits, the excess (what you pay toward a claim), and whether pre-existing conditions are covered or excluded.
Choosing the right insurance after 70 is mostly about matching the policy to your real-world travel pattern and health circumstances, then verifying the key limits that matter most: emergency medical treatment, repatriation, cancellation, and the treatment of declared conditions. With careful disclosure and a like-for-like comparison of limits and exclusions, you can reduce the chance of surprises at the point you need to claim.
