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The Best Travel Insurance for Seniors in 2024

Plans for Seniors over 60, 70, and 80. Find good travel coverage at any age!
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  • Age is the number one factor that influences the cost of travel insurance, so seniors pay a slightly higher premium than younger travelers.
  • Many seniors’ travel insurance plans don’t have an age limit, so there are plenty of options for buying travel insurance for seniors over 70, 80 & 90.
  • Some companies offer specific travel insurance plans for senior travelers which can cover pre-existing conditions and are quite affordable.
  • Based on our research, the best travel insurance plans for seniors are from Seven Corners, Generali, Tin Leg, Trawick, AEGIS & Faye. (skip ahead to view these plans).

Our picks for the best travel insurance for seniors in 2024

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Best Travel Medical Insurance for Seniors Over 70

Tin Leg

4.6
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

The Tin Leg Gold plan is our second-best-selling plan among LA Times’ visitors and is available for travelers ages 75 and younger. It’s well suited for travelers looking for high medical limits and added coverage for a little bit of everything.

The Gold plan’s impressive medical coverage includes a $500,000 limit for both primary emergency medical assistance and medical evacuation assistance – ensuring you can get the treatment you need and are returned home safely should anything happen while away. Best of all, the primary coverage means no deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses this plan works out cheaper than the Seven Corners Trip Protection choice plan.

At a glance, the following medical coverage comes standard:

  • Primary emergency medical assistance
  • Medical evacuation & repatriation
  • Accidental death & dismemberment
  • Medical coverage for COVID-19 sickness
  • Pre-existing conditions (when meeting waiver criteria)
  • Sports & adventure (exclusions apply)
  • Cancellation for medical reasons

This plan also reimburses you for up to 100% of the trip cost if you need to cancel or 150% of the trip cost if your travel is interrupted – due to reasons included in the policy.

Other notable travel benefits include coverage for travel delays, missed connections, baggage, and more.

PROS

  • Excellent primary coverage for medical expenses
  • High limit for emergency evacuation coverage
  • Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage available
  • Comes with coverage for hurricanes and inclement weather
  • Coverage for pre-existing conditions is available if purchased within 14 days of the trip deposit

CONS

  • Baggage delay coverage requires a 24-hour waiting period
  • Low coverage limits for baggage and personal effects

Best for Seniors Traveling Within the US

Generali Global Assistance

4.3
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Standard
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000 / $250,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

The Standard plan from Generali Global Assistance is a top choice for seniors seeking a cost-effective way to protect their trip. Its solid coverage limits and inclusions make it a great travel insurance plan for domestic travel and an ideal supplement to your existing U.S. health insurance.

The Generali Standard plan comes with emergency medical coverage limits of $50K and medevac & repatriation coverage of $250K per person. While these limits may not be suited for far-flung international travel, they are more than enough for traveling within the U.S. or to neighboring countries like Canada, Mexico, or Caribbean nations.

The medical coverage includes:

  • Emergency medical & dental assistance
  • Medical evacuation coverage
  • Medical treatment for COVID-19
  • Accidental death & dismemberment while flying (exceptionally high coverage)
  • Repatriation of remains upon unfortunate death

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage also come standard with this plan at reimbursement levels of 100% and 125% of your total trip costs, respectively. You can also buy optional “Cancel for Any Reason” or “Interruption for Any Reason” coverage at an added cost.

Despite its low price, this comprehensive plan offers luxurious perks and benefits like coverage for your pet travel companion, travel delays, baggage delay/damage/loss, missed connections, identity theft protection while traveling, and more.

You’ll also get free access to worldwide 24-hour emergency phone support and concierge services that can help book events, tours, restaurants, rental cars, offer advice, organize pick-ups, etc.

PROS

  • Lowest cost of all Generali Global Assistance plans
  • 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
  • Telemedicine included

CONS

  • Lower coverage than other Generali plans
  • Pre-existing conditions are not covered by the Standard plan
  • No coverage for accidental death and dismemberment during on-land travel

Solid Mid-level Travel Insurance for Healthy Seniors

Trawick International

4.1
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Safe Travels Protect
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$25,000 / $250,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Several of Trawick’s plans rank among our top-selling plans of all time. This plan, the Safe Travels Protect, is Trawick’s most popular plan among seniors.

It’s a solid middle-level plan that balances affordability with strong coverage in the most important areas. Overall, it can cover you in most travel scenarios making it a great choice for just about anyone.

We especially recommend this plan for healthy seniors as it doesn’t cover pre-existing health conditions and has lower medical coverage limits of $25,000 for treating accidents and illnesses. Both of these features make the plan cheaper than most.

It’s ideal for seniors with no underlying health conditions as the $25K medical limit might not be enough to treat serious health interventions like emergency open-heart surgery, for example. However, if you end up needing serious medical treatment while away, the $25K limit is enough for the most common medical scenarios. Additionally, this plan has very strong medical evacuation coverage with limits of $250K which can pay for a medically supervised repatriation to a health facility in the United States where your primary healthcare can take over.

This plan also offers up to 100% reimbursement for trip costs for cancellations and interruptions as outlined by the policy. You’ll also get important coverage for travel delays, baggage delays, lost personal items, missed connections, and more.

Note: the lookback period for pre-existing conditions is 180 days.

Cheapest Travel Insurance for Seniors

AEGIS

4.1
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Go Ready Choice
Covers COVID
Yes
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

AEGIS is a budget provider offering solid plans for seniors at a lower cost than most providers. The AEGIS GoReady Choice plan is the cheapest travel insurance for seniors on our list of recommended plans. It’s important to note that cheapest plans often skimp on coverage, but that is not the case for AEGIS.

With AEGIS GoReady Choice, you’ll get strong medical and emergency medevac coverage limits of $500K each. Coverage for trip cancellation, baggage delays, accidental death, repatriation, and some coverage for adventure activities all come standard with this plan.

One way AEGIS is able to offer lower prices is by offering secondary medical coverage. This means you’ll be asked to pay the initial medical bills and file for reimbursement from the company. Although this may seem inconvenient, choosing this option can end up saving you hundreds on your travel insurance premium.

You can also upgrade your plan for to include extra coverage, such as treating flare-ups of pre-existing medical conditions while away.

PROS

  • One of the cheapest providers around
  • Comprehensive coverage on a budget
  • Strong cancellation & interruption coverage
  • Optional upgrade covers pre-existing conditions

CONS

  • Secondary medical coverage (not primary)

Strong Coverage & Easy to Use

Full Policy Details

Faye Travel Insurance

4.5
Check Pricing via the Faye website
Preferred Plan
Faye Travel Protection Plan
Covers COVID
Yes
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Faye is a newer provider that offers great travel coverage that is completely customizable. The coverage limits are high, and it’s well-known for how easy it is to buy and manage your plan through Faye.?

Faye boasts strong medical insurance that includes coverage for pre-existing medical conditions when you book within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. The lookback period is around six months (180 days). You will also love how easy it is to manage your booking and file a claim.

Faye offers an app-based service providing a streamlined user experience. The claims process is known for being one of the fastest around, and Faye is quickly growing to be a major contender and disruptor in the travel insurance game.?

PROS

  • Friendly agents
  • Easy-to-use mobile app
  • Fast reimbursements for eligible claims
  • Prompt replies to questions

CONS

  • Long wait times for reimbursement
  • Difficulty reaching Faye outside of email & virtual chat

What is the best medical travel insurance for seniors?

Based on our analysis of the market, the two best medical travel insurance plans for seniors are:

  1. Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice plan
  2. Tin Leg Gold plan

The Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice plan has no age limit and offers some of the highest medical limits on the market, whereas the Tin Leg Gold plan has an age limit of 75, very high medical limits, and is slightly cheaper.

They both include important medical protections that senior travelers are most likely to need:

For these reasons, we rate them as the two best medical travel insurance plans currently available for senior travelers.

Do seniors need travel insurance?

Everyone should consider buying travel insurance, but senior citizens stand to benefit the most from travel insurance given their increased risk of illness and injury due to their age.

  1. As a senior traveler, you are more likely to fall ill or injure yourself away from home. You may also have pre-existing medical conditions that could flare up. Travel insurance can cover you for pre-existing medical conditions, pay for you to be treated while away, and send you home to a hospital of your choice if necessary.
  2. Medicare and Medicaid programs don’t cover you while traveling abroad. This means without a travel insurance plan, you run the risk of having to pay out of pocket for any medical treatment received while abroad. This can add up quickly depending on the severity of your ailment.
  3. Seniors are statistically more likely to cancel or cut short their trips. Travel insurance can reimburse you for the total cost of your trip if you need to come home early or cancel your trip altogether.
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We recommend the following coverage for senior travelers:

  1. Emergency travel medical coverage of at least $250k for trips abroad
  2. Medical evacuation coverage of at least $250k
  3. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions
  4. Repatriation of remains in case of death
  5. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage

Optional coverage to consider:

  1. Cancel for Any Reason coverage (optional)
  2. Annual travel coverage (optional)

Let’s have a look at each of these in greater detail.

Travel medical insurance coverage ($250,000+)

Since US health insurance (including Medicare and Medicaid) doesn’t usually work abroad, it’s important to buy adequate medical coverage. Having a medical emergency away from home can be incredibly costly, and that’s especially true if you require hospitalization, surgery, or long-term treatment and rehabilitation. Due to the increased probability of needing complex medical interventions, we suggest that seniors opt for policies that come with at least $250,000 in coverage for medical care. Most travel insurance plans now include standard protection for COVID-19-related treatments or hospitalizations, as well as insurance that pays for quarantine if you’re required to isolate during your trip.

Medical evacuation coverage ($250,000+)

We also recommend having at least $250,000 in coverage for medical evacuation. This type of coverage ensures you make it to a facility where you can receive adequate treatment. This even means flying you back to the US for treatment at a hospital of your choice. That said, being transported in a plane, a helicopter, or an ambulance to the nearest hospital or clinic can become costly when paying out of pocket. This type of coverage typically includes the repatriation of remains if you or a travel companion pass away while traveling.

Note: this coverage is especially important for seniors planning a cruise vacation. Not all cruise insurances cover medical evacuation, so it’s best to check before buying.

Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions

it’s extremely important to know ahead of time what is and isn’t covered under your plan. If you have recently recovered from a medical condition or you have a chronic disease that requires ongoing care, you’ll want to look for a travel insurance policy that offers coverage for pre-existing conditions. Not all travel insurance covers pre-existing conditions, so make sure you read the fine print.

Insurance for repatriation of remains

Coverage for the repatriation of remains is essential if you or your travel companion unexpectedly dies during a trip. For example, this type of coverage can help pay for transporting the body back to the US from the UK. It can also pay for a basic casket used for transport, as well as third-party air and ground shipping expenses. While you may not end up using this coverage, you will likely wish you had it in the event that you need it.

Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage

Your insurance company may also offer Cancel for Any Reason protection as an optional add-on to your plan. This type of coverage will make your travel insurance policy cost more, but it lets you cancel for any reason at all and get between 50% and 75% of your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses back.

Optional annual insurance plans

Annual travel plans are particularly well-suited for retirees and seniors who travel frequently. Annual travel insurance plans cover multiple trips to multiple destinations for a full calendar year from the date the policy begins. If you travel regularly, this type of coverage can often work out cheaper than getting several single-trip policies for each trip you take.

How much does senior travel insurance cost?

The average cost of travel insurance for senior travelers depends on various factors such your age, destination, trip length, trip Cost, pre-existing health conditions, plan upgrades, and more. However, age is the number one factor.

Here is a look at the average cost of travel insurance for seniors over 60 based on sales data from the past year*.

Traveler Age Range Average Cost of Travel Insurance
60-64 $485
65-69 $569
70-74 $741
75-79 $615
80-84 $794
85+ $719

*Internal sales data from LA Times visitors that purchased travel insurance from 09/2023 - 09/2024

How to reduce the cost of travel insurance for seniors?

Age is the number one factor that causes travel insurance premiums to increase in price. The older you are, the more expensive you are to insure. It’s not unheard of for some travel insurance to cost seniors upwards of $1,000 per person. Therefore, it’s important to understand how you can reduce the cost of your travel insurance premium by adjusting a few variables.

Here are a few tips on how to save money on travel insurance for seniors:

Select secondary medical coverage

Medical coverage comes in two forms, primary coverage and secondary coverage. Primary coverage pays the medical bill directly for you whereas secondary coverage requires you to pay the bill and request a reimbursement from your insurance provider. Although primary coverage is more comfortable, you can save hundreds on a travel insurance policy by foregoing primary coverage and opting for secondary coverage instead.

Forego trip cancellation reimbursement coverage

When buying a travel insurance policy, you’ll also have the option to choose trip reimbursement coverage. This means if you cancel or cut your trip short, you may be eligible to receive a refund for the cost of your trip. While this coverage is extremely beneficial to have as a backup, it’s also expensive. Opting for trip cancellation coverage typically doubles the cost of your travel insurance policy, and in some cases, it can even triple the cost. Therefore, opting out of trip reimbursement presents a great opportunity to reduce your travel insurance premium by 50% or more.

Opt for lower medical / medevac limits

Medical insurance is arguably the most important type of coverage for senior travelers who are at higher risk for illness and injury. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you have high enough limits for potential medical emergencies and medical evacuations without going overboard. Opting for excessively high limits can make your policy prohibitively expensive. Therefore, we recommend opting for just enough coverage without exceeding your needs as a means to reduce the overall cost of your travel insurance policy. Keep in mind that $250,000 of medical coverage and $500,000 of medical evacuation coverage is likely enough for most travelers and destinations.

Here are some tips to help you choose the best protection for your trip:

1

Use a comparison tool to help you choose

Using a travel insurance comparison website is the best way to compare multiple travel insurance plans from different travel insurance companies side-by-side. You’ll want to compare at least three or four travel insurance plans before you make your decision. Not only can a comparison site let you see the kinds of coverage that may be available to you, but it can help you understand pricing so you can make your decision. Our comparison tool makes it especially easy to compare plans all in one place.

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2

Look for age restrictions

Check the restrictions on the travel insurance plans you are considering. Age restrictions and pre-existing health conditions are two of the most important factors to check when buying seniors’ travel insurance. Although most companies will let you purchase any plan at any age, some may limit coverage to individuals who are under the age of 75. Travel insurance for seniors over 80 isn’t out of the question, yet there are limited polices for those of a certain age bracket.

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3

Check your existing coverage and avoid overlaps

Before you invest in a travel insurance policy, you should look at the coverages you already have. For example, if you’re on Medicare and are traveling close to home, you should already have medical insurance coverage in all 50 states as well as in U.S. territories.? Credit card coverage can also be useful if you used the card to pay for major components of your trip. Credit card travel insurance coverages and limits vary, but you may find that your card has some coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions, travel delays, and lost or delayed baggage that is enough for some trips. If you don’t have any the above coverages already in place or if you are a senior traveling internationally, opting to purchase travel insurance is often worth it to give you peace of mind.

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4

Read the fine print and check for any exclusions

Finally, read over your entire policy from front to back including all disclosures to see if there are any restrictions that the company doesn’t emphasize. Many travel insurance policies come with a 10-day money-back guarantee, so you may be able to cancel your policy and get a refund if you don’t like what you see.

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How to compare travel insurance for seniors

With all the options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision and know if you are making the right one.

We researched all the?best travel insurance providers?to narrow down our shortlist of the best plans for seniors. Below you can compare coverage for the plans we mentioned above. Select the plan from the drop-down menu to compare coverage side by side.

Seven Corners
Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice
Tin Leg
Tin Leg Gold
Compare plans from providers side by side
Type of medical coverage
Primary
Primary
Emergency Medical
$500,000
$500,000
Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
$1,000,000
$500,000
Covers COVID
YES
YES
Pre-Existing Conditions
Waiver Available
Waiver Available
Extension Of Coverage
YES
YES
Non-Medical Evacuation
$20,000
NO
Trip Cancellation
100% trip cost
100% trip cost
Trip Interruption
150% trip cost
150% trip cost
Travel Delays
6+ hours
6+ hours
Missed Connection
3+ hours Cruise & tour only
3+ hours
Baggage Loss
YES
YES
Baggage Delay
6+ hours
24+ hours
24 Hour AD&D
$20,000
$10,000
Flight Only AD&D
NO
NO
Common Carrier AD&D
$40,000
NO
Sports & Activities
Some Sports
Some Sports
Sports Equipment Loss
YES
YES
Sports Equipment Delay
Optional Add-on
NO
Sports Fees
YES
YES
Rental Car Damage
Optional Add-on
NO
Money Back Guarantee
YES
YES
24 Hour Assistance Service
YES
YES
Cancel For Any Reason
Optional Add-on
Optional Add-on
AMBest Rating
Better Business Bureau Rating
Passport and Plane Ticket

Travel Insurance for Seniors Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need travel insurance if I have Medicare?

Yes, Medicare doesn’t work outside of the United States in most cased, so it’s important to purchase a travel insurance policy that will cover you during your vacations abroad.

However, even if you plan to travel within the United States, you may want to consider buying travel insurance as it can cover many things that Medicare and Medicaid may not cover. Namely, travel insurance can cover trip delays, cancellations, interruptions, lost baggage, and more.

Additionally, in some cases, the medical evacuation and rescue coverage on a travel insurance policy may be more comprehensive than relying on Medicare.

In short, we recommend buying travel insurance even if you have Medicare, especially if you plan to travel abroad where Medicare coverage does not exist.

Does travel insurance cover seniors with pre-existing conditions?

Yes, some travel insurance policies are made to cover people with pre-existing conditions.

You can read our full guide to travel insurance for pre-existing conditions here.

Here are some of the top picks for plans that cover pre-existing conditions for seniors:

Generally speaking, to qualify for the pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver you should buy your plan right after your first trip deposit.

Can you get travel insurance if you are over 75?

Yes, people 75 and older can still get travel insurance. In fact, you can typically buy travel insurance at any age, but plan options may be a bit more restricted.

Our top recommended plan for seniors over 75 is the Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice plan, as it has no age limit, is more affordable than most competitors, and has extremely comprehensive coverage.

Using a comparison tool can help you filter out policies based on the age of the traveler to ensure you find a plan that is suited for your age.

Can seniors get a discount on travel insurance?

While senior citizens often get discounts on other services, the insurance industry is highly-regulated. Therefore, it’s generally illegal for providers to offer discounts on travel insurance. That said, there are many budget-friendly insurance plans which are available to virtually anyone. Some providers also offer specific plans tailored for seniors which can help you save some money if you are looking for a cheap senior travel insurance policy. Shopping around or using a comparison tool are the best ways to ensure you get a good deal on travel insurance.

Does travel insurance cover the death of an elderly parent?

Yes, most travel insurance plans will cover you if your parent passes away while you are traveling regardless of if they are traveling with you or not.

  1. Most trip cancellation and interruption policies allow you to annul your trip and receive a full reimbursement if a close family member suddenly passes away.
  2. Additionally, the repatriation of remains is often covered under medical evacuation insurance which can take care of returning the body of a loved one who unexpectedly passes away while traveling. This can include preparation of the body, a casket for transport, legal documents and fees passed on by airports and air carriers, and transportation to your home country for proper burial.
  3. Lastly, many insurance plans also include payouts for accidental death and dismemberment that may unexpectedly occur on a trip.

What’s the most important travel insurance coverage for seniors?

Senior travelers should ensure they have a travel insurance policy that offers emergency medical coverage, at a minimum. They should also consider coverage for any pre-existing conditions. Secondly, medical evacuation coverage is important as this will ensure they can be transported to a hospital free of charge.

Plans that provide medical evacuation usually come with basic emergency medical coverage included. However, there are cases where emergency medical plans don’t include evacuation coverage. Therefore, it’s a good idea to confirm this before buying.

Which travel insurance is best for senior citizens?

Ultimately, the best travel insurance plan for seniors will depend on your age, where you plan to travel, the types of coverage you need the most, and other specifics of your trip.

That said, we recommend getting a plan for seniors that includes travel health insurance, medical evacuation insurance that includes repatriation and Cancel for Any Reason insurance.

This will ensure you are covered for health treatments, emergency transport to a hospital, repatriation in case of death, and canceling your trip for any reason whatsoever.

Keep an eye out for any age-related exclusions when you buy, as well as pre-existing conditions.

What is the best travel insurance for seniors over 70?

Anyone over the age of 70 should look for health insurance that works in their country of destination, as well as medical evacuation coverage and insurance for repatriation of remains. These types of international travel insurance for seniors are suitable for people who may be prone to health emergencies. As an added benefit, Cancel for Any Reason insurance could be useful to add in case you need to cancel your trip for unexpected reasons.

Does AARP offer travel insurance?

AARP doesn’t offers comprehensive travel insurance, but it does offer a slight discount on MedJet Assist’s medical transport service. AARP also offers traditional health insurance plans through UnitedHealthcare that can help cover you for health-related claims if you are traveling within the US.

For more information, check out our full AARP travel insurance guide.

About the Author

Holly D. Johnson
Holly D. Johnson Finance Expert

Holly D. Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer who covers topics like insurance, investing, credit and family finance. As a leading voice in the travel and loyalty space, Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries over the last decade.

The author has also written extensively on the power of household budgeting, and she even co-authored a book on the topic. Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love was originally published in 2017, and it teaches families how to use zero-sum budgeting to reach their financial goals. She is also the co-owner and founder of the family finance and travel website, ClubThrifty.com.

Johnson’s 10+ years of writing have focused on helping families make important financial decisions at each stage of their lives. The author also applies the financial principles she teaches to her own life, and she is currently on track to retire in her late 40’s with her partner. She currently lives in Central Indiana with her husband and children, and she is a regular contributor for Bankrate, CNN, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report Travel and many other notable publications.