Travel Insurance for seniors

Travel insurance in your 60s, including when you turn 65, can offer extra reassurance – especially if your health needs are changing or you’re planning more time away. 

If you're over 70 or over 75, travel insurance can sometimes get harder to find – but with us, there’s no upper age limit. 

Over 80, 85 or beyond? You’re not out of options. Our no upper age limit policy means you can still apply for travel insurance – even if other providers have said no. 

You’ll still need to declare stable or well-managed conditions when you get a quote. This helps make sure your policy includes cover if something changes, or if you need care related to that condition while you’re away. 

Common issues like high blood pressure, osteoporosis, or previous heart problems can feel routine over time. But if they lead to a cancelled trip, flare up abroad, or require treatment before you travel, we can only help if they’ve been included on your policy. 

Declaring everything from the start means you’re covered properly. The process is simple, whether you choose to get a quote online or speak to our team. 

When you get a quote, we’ll ask some simple, clear questions about your medical history. This helps us shape your policy around your health – and support you properly if something goes wrong on your trip.  

We’ll need to know about:  

• any conditions you’ve had treatment, tests, medication or appointments for in the past two years  

• any history of heart or circulation problems – including past heart attacks, angina, or stroke  

• any hospital stays, even if they were planned  

• whether you’ve been referred for upcoming investigations or check-ups  

• any medication you take regularly including blood thinners, inhalers, or medications for chronic conditions  

Cruises aren’t included in our senior travel insurance, but you can add Cruise Plus cover to your Comprehensive or Signature policy when you get a quote. 

Many cruise lines now ask for specialist cruise cover as part of their booking requirements – and Cruise Plus is designed to give you the right protection for this type of trip. It includes support if you’re confined to your cabin on medical advice or if your itinerary changes unexpectedly. 

Cruise Plus can be added whether you’re sailing around the UK or heading further afield –  just let us know when you get your quote. 

We offer two types of travel insurance across all age groups, depending on how often you plan to travel:  

• Single trip cover – if you’re only planning one holiday, single trip cover might be more cost-effective than annual cover.  

• Annual multi-trip cover – if you’re taking more than one trip in the next 12 months, AMT could cover you for multiple holidays up to a set number of days per trip.  

Both options include access to our full range of cover. This can include protection for pre-existing medical conditions, depending on what you tell us during your quote.   

Once you’ve chosen your policy type, you’ll also be able to:  

select your destination – this affects what your policy includes and how much it costs.  

choose your level of cover – all policies come with medical, baggage, and cancellation cover as standard, but you can pick the level that suits your plans:  

• Basic – essential cover generally , suitable for shorter trips with fewer valuables.  

• Comprehensive – a more generous level of protection.  

• Signature – our highest cover, with no excess to pay and the most extensive limits.  

Add optional extras – these help tailor your policy to the type of trip you’re taking. You might want:   

• Cruise Plus cover – for itinerary changes, onboard medical care, and cabin confinement.  

• winter sports and ski cover§ – if you’re skiing or snowboarding.  

• golf cover – to protect your equipment and prepaid green fees.  

• gadget cover – for phones, tablets and other valuables.  

• travel disruption cover – for extra protection if your plans are affected by events like strike‡ or bad weather.  

A good policy might include emergency medical support with a high or no limit, clear cancellation cover, and protection for things like lost baggage, delays, and cutting your trip short. It should reflect any medical conditions you’ve had treatment for in the last two years – and offer clear support if your health changes before you travel. 

If you’re going on a cruise, make sure specialist cruise cover is included. And if you’re travelling more than once, it might be worth comparing annual multi-trip cover against single trip options. 

At Staysure, we cover over 1,300 medical conditions** and don’t set an upper age limit for travel insurance. Many of our customers are in their late 80s or 90s and come to us for cover that works around their health, whether it’s a condition they’ve lived with for years, or something more recent. 

Some packaged bank accounts include free or discounted travel insurance, but these policies often have strict age limits. In many cases, cover stops at 70 or 75, meaning people in their late 70s or 80s aren’t eligible at all. Even where higher ages are accepted, the policy might not cover pre-existing medical conditions, cruises, or certain activities without paying extra. 

Our Don’t Bank On It report found that one in four Brits rely on bank-provided travel insurance, yet claims made on these policies are 9% more likely to be rejected than those made to a specialist provider. Age limits are a common reason, alongside undisclosed medical conditions or activities not included in the policy. 

It also showed that most people don’t read the full terms. Three in four skip the small print, which is often where these limits are explained. That leaves many older travellers assuming they’re covered, only to find out they’re not when it comes to making a claim. 

If you’re in your 70s or 80s, it’s worth checking exactly what your bank’s policy includes before relying on it. With Staysure, there’s no upper age limit, and you can get cover that reflects your health, trip type and plans. 

Some insurers set an upper age limit, sometimes as low as 65 or 70. This can make finding cover harder as you get older.  

Since 2004 we’ve specialised in helping older travellers get cover that works for them, even when other insurers have said no because of their age. Your quote is based on your full situation, including your destination, trip length and any medical conditions, with no upper age limit. 

Explore our full range below:  

• Over 50s travel insurance  

• Over 60s travel insurance  

• Over 65s travel insurance  

• Over 70s travel insurance  

• Over 75s travel insurance  

• Over 80s travel insurance  

• Over 85s travel insurance  

• And beyond  

A GHIC or EHIC can be helpful, but they don’t do the same job as travel insurance – and were never designed to.  

These cards give you access to state healthcare in some European countries – usually on the same terms as residents. That might mean reduced-cost treatment in a public hospital, or access to emergency care without needing to pay upfront.   

But they don’t cover everything. They won’t help with getting you home after a medical emergency, or support if you’re travelling with health conditions. And they won’t step in if your trip is cancelled, your luggage is lost, or your passport goes missing.  

That’s why many travellers still choose to have both – using their GHIC or EHIC for basic medical access, and travel insurance for the rest. Together, they give you much more complete protection.  

If you still have an EHIC, you can continue to use it until the expiry date. After that, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC through the NHS or Gov.uk.   

You can find out more about the GHIC and how it has replaced the EHIC in our blog.  

Martin Lewis often uses the phrase ASAB – “as soon as you book” – when talking about the timing of travel insurance. Taking out cover early means you're protected from the start, including if you have to cancel your trip before you go. 

This can be especially useful if your plans are booked well in advance, or if there’s a chance your health might change. It also gives you time to check what’s included, update your medical details and ask any questions with no pressure. 

For single trips, many travellers find it best to book their policy as once travel dates are confirmed. If you’re booking something further in advance, like a cruise or a longer European break, you can take out cover up to 18 months ahead.  

For annual multi-trip cover, cancellation protection starts from the policy start date. So, if you’ve got more than one trip lined ups of, starting your policy early means you’ll be protected in the run-up to each one.   

A few things to keep in mind:  

• Your policy must begin before you leave the UK.  

• You can’t buy or activate a policy if you’ve already departed.  

• If your health changes after a booking, you should let us know before you travel.  

While you might not think of a staycation in the same way as travelling abroad, things can still go wrong. If your plans change unexpectedly, your policy may be able to help recover some of the costs. 

You can be covered for UK holidays, as long as your trip includes at least two consecutive nights in pre-booked, pre-paid accommodation, such as a hotel, cottage or holiday park. 

To include UK cover, simply choose Europe as your destination when you get a quote. For full details, including any exclusions, please refer to your policy documents. 

You can get travel insurance that covers you when travelling with your grandchildren. Your policy will include support for you as the named traveller, including cover for medical emergencies, cancellations and lost baggage. If your grandchildren are coming with you, you can add them to your policy as long as they live in the UK and meet our eligibility criteria. 

If you're not on the same policy, it's still a good idea to make sure they have travel insurance in place. That way, everyone's protected if plans change or someone needs medical help while you're away. 

You may also want to carry a letter of permission from their parent or guardian, especially if your surnames are different. This can help with border checks or if a child needs medical care abroad. 

For full details, including any exclusions, please refer to your policy documents.