Can over 80s get travel insurance?

Yes, you can get travel insurance for over 80s. Different providers have different age limits for travel insurance – some will stop at 65. There are also specialist insurers for older travellers, but it’s not always necessary to go for this type of policy.

At Asda Money, we have no upper age limit for our travel insurance, so our policies can cover you if you’re 80 or over.

When you apply for a policy, you’ll tell us about any pre-existing medical conditions you have and complete a quick medical screening.

During your policy term, you’ll need to let us know about any health changes to make sure you’re still fully covered.

Why choose Asda travel insurance for over 80s?

Life doesn’t stop when you hit 80 and neither should your travel plans. That’s why our travel insurance gives you peace of mind without the complicated fine print.

Here’s why so many customers choose us for their travel insurance:

• Comprehensive cover for peace of mind: From emergency medical cover to trip cancellation, our policies have you covered.
  
  
• Affordable prices: We believe travel insurance should be affordable for everyone, regardless of age.
  
  
• No hidden fees: When you get travel insurance with us, the price you see is the price you pay. It’s that simple.
  
  
• Tailored to over 80s: Our policies are designed to meet the needs of those over 80, with extra care given to health conditions and travel preferences. We understand your needs and provide coverage that works for you.
  
  
• Great customer service: Our friendly team is always here to help. Whether it’s helping you choose the right policy or answering questions while you’re away, we’re just a phone call or click away.

Find the best over 80s travel insurance for you

Finding the right policy means looking for the best coverage for your health, any pre-existing conditions, and ensuring you’re protected wherever you go.

It's important to consider things like emergency medical cover, trip cancellations, and what happens if something unexpected occurs.

Here’s a quick comparison of different levels of travel insurance to help you decide:

Key things to remember:

• Health considerations: Make sure to declare any pre-existing medical conditions - failing to do so could affect your cover. Premium and Superior plans offer more comprehensive support for health issues.
  
  
• Destination matters: Always check if your policy covers the countries you're visiting.
  
  
• Extra protection: If you’re worried about trip cancellations, lost luggage, or other emergencies, Superior offers more extensive coverage.

What does over 80s travel insurance cover?

Whilst over 80s travel insurance isn’t a specialist type of policy, it’s essential to have the right level of cover to ensure peace of mind while on holiday. As you get older, insurers may have more restrictions, but the right policy will help protect you from unexpected costs.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s typically covered:

• Cancelled flights and missed connections: If your flight is cancelled or you miss a connection due to reasons beyond your control, such as bad weather, airline strikes, or delays, the cost to rebook your journey is usually covered.
  
  
• Emergency medical care: Medical costs can be high when travelling, especially in a country without a public healthcare system. Travel insurance helps cover hospital stays, treatments, medication, and even emergency dental care. Pre-existing conditions can usually be covered, but you must declare them upfront to avoid problems when making a claim.
  
  
• Repatriation (getting you home in an emergency): If you suffer a serious illness or injury while abroad and need to return home for further treatment, your insurance should cover the cost of a medically necessary flight, including air ambulances or medical escorts, if required. This is especially important for those over 80, as medical emergencies can be more complex.
  
  
• Lost, damaged, or stolen luggage: Your policy should cover the cost of replacing essential items if your bags are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit.
  
  
• COVID-19 cover: Most travel insurance policies now include some level of COVID-19 protection. This may cover costs if you fall ill before departure and cancel your trip.
  
  
• Missing passport or travel documents: A good policy will help cover the cost of replacements and, in some cases, even provide financial assistance for accommodation and travel expenses while waiting for new documents.
  
  
• Personal liability: If you accidentally damage property or cause injury to someone while travelling, personal liability cover will protect you from legal costs and compensation claims. This is particularly useful if you're renting a car or staying in holiday accommodation where accidental damage could occur.

What isn’t covered?

 
You likely won’t be covered for:

• Undeclared medical conditions: If you don’t declare a medical condition and then claim for it, it can invalidate your insurance.
  
  
• Some sports and activities: This includes things like skiing and winter sports.
  
  
• Leaving belongings unattended: If something is stolen that you left unattended, you won’t be able to claim.
  
  
• Reckless behaviour: Including damage to a hire car or property from reckless driving or driving while intoxicated.
  
  
• Changing your trip: If you choose to cancel or change your holiday plans, you won’t be able to claim the cost.

Travel insurance for over 80s with existing medical conditions

Having a pre-existing medical condition doesn’t mean you have to miss out on travelling. With Asda Money, you can still get travel insurance that covers your health needs.

When applying, you’ll need to declare any existing medical conditions. This includes things like diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure, or past surgeries. This ensures you get the right cover in case you need medical treatment while abroad.

With the right policy, you’ll be covered for emergency medical care, hospital stays, and even repatriation if you need to return home for treatment. Some plans also include protection if your condition causes you to cancel or cut your trip short.

The main thing is to be upfront about your health when getting a quote. Asda Money works with trusted insurers to offer flexible policies for over 80s, so you can find a level of cover that suits you.

How much does over 80s travel insurance cost?

The average cost of a travel insurance policy for a week-long trip within Europe for someone over 80 is £45.93. *

However, the cost of over 80s travel insurance can vary depending on several factors, including:

• Your destination: Where you're travelling plays a big role in the price of your policy. Short-haul trips tend to be cheaper to cover, while trips further afield often cost more due to higher medical care expenses.
  
  
• Trip duration: The longer your trip, the more expensive your policy might be. If you’re planning several trips, you might consider an annual multi-trip policy.
  
  
• Pre-existing medical conditions: If you have pre-existing health conditions, your policy may cost more. Declaring all conditions upfront is important to ensure you’re fully covered.
  
  
• Level of cover:
  
  Value Cover is the cheapest option but may have lower coverage limits.
  
  Premium Cover offers a balance between cost and protection.
  
  Superior Cover provides greater medical limits and extra benefits but at a higher price.

• Type of policy:
  
  Single trip insurance is usually the cheapest option for a one-off holiday.
  
  Annual travel insurance can be a cost-effective choice if you’re planning multiple trips within a year.

• Extra add-ons: Adding extras like cruise cover, winter sports insurance, or gadget cover can increase the price but may be worth it for the added peace of mind.

*This price is based on an 80-year-old with no pre-existing medical conditions taking out an Asda Premium cover for a 1-week single trip policy to Italy and France. (Price correct as of 15/04/2024).

Types of travel insurance for over 80s

At Asda Money, we don’t have an upper age limit on our travel insurance, meaning you can get cover, regardless of your age.

When choosing a policy, you’ll need to decide between single trip and annual multi-trip cover. The best option depends on how often you travel and the level of protection you need.

• Single trip travel insurance – best for one-off holidays: If you’re only going abroad once, a single trip policy is often the cheapest and most straightforward option. It covers you for a specific trip, from the day you leave until you return home.
  
  
• Annual multi-trip travel insurance – best for frequent travellers: If you love to travel and plan to take multiple trips in a year, an annual policy (also known as multi-trip travel insurance) could be the most cost-effective option. It covers you for an unlimited number of trips within 12 months.

How our over 80s travel insurance works

If you’re over 80, getting travel insurance with Asda Money is quick, simple, and hassle-free.

1. Get a quote online: Answer a few quick questions about your trip, including your destination, travel dates, and medical conditions.
   
   
2. Choose your cover level: We offer different levels of travel insurance, from Value to Superior, so you can pick the option that best suits your budget and trip.
   
   
3. Get instant cover: Once you’ve chosen your policy, you can buy it online in minutes. We will email your documents straight to you, so you can relax knowing you’re insured before you pack your bags.

Where in the world can I travel with over 80s cover?

With over 80s travel insurance, you can go almost anywhere you like. But you do need to choose the right policy for your destination.

• Europe: A Europe-specific insurance policy will cover you for a trip to any country in the EU.
  
  
• Worldwide: If you plan on travelling outside the EU, you’ll need worldwide cover. You can choose a policy that either includes or excludes the USA, Canada, or the Caribbean.
  
  
• UK: For trips within Britain, UK-specific travel insurance will provide the cover you need. It will also keep your costs down compared to Europe-specific policies.
  
  

Your insurance will not cover you if you travel to any destination or region that the Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against it.

What medical conditions do you need to disclose for travel insurance?

When you apply for travel insurance you need to disclose any illness, injury or disability that affects your health or wellbeing. It counts as a pre-existing medical condition if you had it either before or at the time of taking out the travel insurance policy.

This includes physical conditions like cancer, diabetes, asthma or angina, as well as mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

Cruise insurance for over 80s

At Asda Money, we offer travel insurance for cruise holidays as an optional extra. It can cover you for:
 

• Missed port departure
• Cabin confinement
• Itinerary change
• Unused excursions
• Cruise interruption
  
  

Cruise insurance means you’re covered if you miss parts of the cruise due to an accident or illness. You’ll even be covered if you miss your departure due to transport problems stopping you from reaching the port in time.