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Over 50s Travel Insurance 

21/05/2025

Lauren McAfee Insurance Editor and Writer

Last Updated: 21 May 2025
Read time: 7 minutes

Written by: Lauren McAfee
Insurance Writer and Editor

Reviewed by: Mark McKeown

Written in line with our Editorial Guidelines

What is over 50s travel insurance?

Some standard travel insurance policies have restrictions on the age of the traveller they will cover. But travel insurance for over 50s is more flexible, and can offer coverage tailored to your age group. 

As you age, your health needs develop, and you are more likely to need emergency medical treatment when abroad. This higher level of risk can often mean you pay more for travel insurance.

However, when you compare travel insurance for over 50s, you could save on your insurance costs. At Quotezone, we help you find cheap holiday insurance for over 50s, whether you need protection for pre-existing medical conditions or a standard travel policy.

What types of travel insurance are available for over 50s?

Cover for pre-existing medical conditions

If you have an existing medical condition, you will need to find a specialist travel insurer to cover this. Whether you have a disability, epilepsy, or have been diagnosed with cancer, you can use this list of insurers to compare quotes and find coverage fast.

Cruise cover

Cruise insurance includes protection against risks you will only face on a cruise. Some examples include missed port departures, unused excursion tickets, and cabin confinements. 

Single trip policies

If you only need short term coverage for a one-off holiday, this cover will be perfect. You can choose exact start and end dates, so you only pay for the time you need.

Annual travel policies

If you plan to take multiple holidays throughout the year, annual cover could work out cheaper than insuring each trip separately. It also gives you one less thing to plan each time you go away, meaning you have more time to relax.

Backpacker policies

Backpacker insurance covers trips lasting from a few months up to over a year. It also offers wider geographical coverage options. So instead of being insured for one country, you can get coverage for the whole of Europe, or even worldwide. 

Family cover

If you are travelling with family or as a couple, this allows multiple people to be insured on one policy. It can help with organisation, and could even be cheaper than insuring each person separately.

Where can I travel with over 50s travel insurance?

A single destination 

You can personalise your policy to include just one location. Options include popular spots like Spain, Ireland, Dubai and Greece. 

Worldwide

Worldwide insurance is available with or without protection in the USA, Canada, the Caribbean & Mexico. If you are not travelling to one of these locations, it is often cheaper to exclude them.

Europe 

Coverage for the whole of Europe is available, including 90 day travel policies. This can give you the freedom to travel throughout Europe, and even in some non-European countries, like Morocco or Turkey, too.

New Zealand & Australia 

Australia or New Zealand can be included individually or within worldwide policies. However, if you are taking time to explore other countries outside of your layovers, you could need additional coverage for these destinations, too. 

What does over 50’s insurance cover?

What is covered?

  1. Medical cover – This covers the cost of emergency medical care while abroad.
  2. Repatriation – Can cover the cost of transporting you home in an emergency.
  3. Baggage protection – Helps you replace your possessions, or if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged.
  4. Cancellation – Covers the cost of your holiday if it needs to be cancelled or delayed because of an insured event like bereavement or illness.

What is excluded?

  1. Undeclared medical conditions – If you are aware of any medical condition you have, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, you must tell your insurer, or it will not be covered. 
  2. Travelling against FCDO advice – If the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against travelling to a country, it’s unlikely that any insurer will cover you for travelling there.
  3. Incidents that happen while you are intoxicated – Any injury, illness or harm caused or suffered while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs is likely to be excluded. 
  4. Excluded activities or sports – Cover for high-risk sports is not included as standard. So if you plan to do activities like trekking, skydiving, or winter sports, you should inform your insurer beforehand.

Can I get travel insurance for over 50s with medical conditions?

Treatment for a new illness or injury is often covered as standard on travel insurance. However, if you have a pre-existing condition, you need to inform insurers when you are buying your policy. 

Over 50s medical travel insurance policies can be more expensive and difficult to find. But there are still insurers who offer coverage for hundreds of conditions, including:

  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Cancer
  • Gastrointestinal conditions 
  • Hypertension
  • Asthma
  • Respiratory issues
  • Depression
  • Arthritis
  • Epilepsy

How much does over 50s travel insurance cost, on average?

Like any insurance policy, this will depend on a variety of different factors, like:

Your travel destination 

Different countries have different risks, like pickpocketing and travel delays. The cost of medical care in your destination is also factored into your policy cost. 

Your age

Older travellers are statistically more likely to claim for medical treatments on their travel insurance. So while you might pay more than a younger traveller, you could still save when compared to a traveller over 80. 

How long you intend to travel 

The more time you spend away, the longer your policy will be. This means a higher chance of needing to make a claim, so insurers will increase your premium accordingly. 

The level of coverage you select 

While it can be tempting to choose the highest limits possible for risks like medical costs or baggage claims, this will typically increase your premiums. 

Any pre-existing medical conditions you have

The impact of these on your insurance costs will be specific to your exact condition and how likely you are to need medical care while abroad. But it is still important to be clear and honest with insurers. 

The travel insurer you choose

Each insurer will weigh up your risks differently. So if you are looking for cheap over 50s travel insurance, comparing policies could help you find a more competitive policy or the same coverage. 

How can I find the cheapest travel insurance for over 50s? 

While there are some steps you can take to help find cheap travel policies for over 50s, it’s also important to weigh the cost against adequate coverage. 

1. Explore the different levels of coverage 

For example, if you are taking multiple trips, you could find that an annual policy would be cheaper overall than insuring each holiday on single trip policies. You can also see the cost of adding or removing add-ons or different coverage limits before you commit to buying a policy. 

2. Choose essential coverage only

Add-ons like adventure sports cover or gadget insurance can add up. So while you want to travel with peace of mind, you should also choose additional coverage carefully.   

3. Consider a higher excess

Choosing to increase your voluntary excess will often reduce your premiums. Just be aware that some insurers will have a mandatory excess that you need to pay along with your voluntary excess. 

4. Compare quotes

Compare a wide range of quotes from trusted UK insurers when you use Quotezone. We could help you save time and money by matching you with policies that meet your needs.

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Over 50s travel insurance FAQs

Why is travel insurance more expensive for people over 50?

Over 50s are more likely to need to claim for medical treatments on travel insurance. Because the cost of medical treatment can run into the hundreds of thousands, insurers raise costs to cover this increased risk. 

Do all travel insurers cover over 50s?

No, some insurers will not be able to cover travellers with a higher risk profile. However, there are still plenty of reliable insurers who do. 

How do I declare my pre-existing medical conditions when applying for travel insurance?

Typically, insurers will ask you their own questions when you are applying for a quote. They might also request your doctor’s contact details, or even a note from your doctor outlining your medical condition in more detail. 

Do I have to declare a medical condition if I haven’t received treatment for it in the last five years?

This depends on the insurer and its underwriting criteria. If your insurer does not follow this rule, it could be treated as an undisclosed medical condition, so always check if you are unsure. 

Do I need travel insurance in Europe if I have a GHIC card?

While travel insurance isn’t mandatory, it is recommended, even if you have a GHIC or EHIC card. Your travel insurance covers more than just medical expenses. It also covers other costs like holiday cancellations, lost or stolen possessions, and repatriation to the UK. 

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