What does travel Insurance for seniors cover?
Relax knowing that you're covered.
Like any travel insurance, depending on the policy, seniors travel insurance should cover you for a range of different situations you may encounter while travelling. Generally speaking, seniors travel insurance should cover you for things such as:
- Medical treatments, emergencies and evacuation costs while overseas
- Cover for pre-paid travel bookings if there's a cancellation
- Lost, stolen or damaged luggage
- Additional accommodation and travel expenses due to severe weather or other events
- Cover for accommodation and meals if your scheduled transport is delayed
- A death or disability benefit if you suffer an accident on your trip (death due to illness may not be covered, depending on the policy)
- 24-hour emergency assistance
- Cover for other family members, like grandchildren (age restrictions typically apply)
You should look carefully at what else may be included (or excluded) from any travel policy you're considering as a senior, including any cover limits.
Travel insurance for seniors: how can it protect you?
Medical, accident & evacuation cover
If you hurt yourself (or someone else) in an accident or suffer an injury or illness on your trip, overseas medical care can be expensive, and the right travel insurance policy can cover you for hospital bills and legal liability. In the event of a medical emergency that requires you to be flown home for specialist treatment, expenses can be unexpectedly high, so it's important to consider travel insurance that covers this.
Trip cancellation & delay cover
Travel insurance can cover you for any expenses if something goes wrong and delays your trip, forcing you to cancel flights and hotel bookings. Likewise, if things don't go to plan on your trip, and a natural disaster or unexpected illness forces you to cancel bookings or extend your stay, travel insurance can help reimburse you for these and other expenses related to your delay.
Luggage loss or damage cover
Few things can ruin a trip faster than finding that your luggage has not joined you at your destination. If your bags are lost and you're stranded without essentials, you may need to replace clothing, toiletries and other personal items. If you travel with high-value items, you may decide to opt for a policy with a higher limit for loss, theft or damage of your personal property.
What are the different types of travel insurance for seniors?
Depending on your travel needs and personal situation, you might want to consider a basic or a comprehensive travel insurance policy. You may also want something that covers you for a single vacation or a policy that spans multiple trips, if you plan extensive travel.
Basic cover typically covers you for things such as medical emergencies and accidents, loss of luggage and cancellations. Cover levels tend to be at the lower end of the scale.
Comprehensive cover usually covers you for higher amounts and may include additional features and services.
Depending on the provider, any of the policy types below can offer basic or comprehensive cover:
Single trip policy is limited to one trip – typically when you've specified the duration of your trip and the country or countries you’re visiting.
Annual/multi-trip policy covers you if you take multiple trips within a year, regardless of the destinations – although exclusions can apply for specific locations. If you're a regular traveller, this type of policy may be worth considering, as it could work out to be a more cost-effective option.
Domestic policy applies when you are travelling within New Zealand. Check for any limits or restrictions, especially if you're considering a trip close to home. Domestic travel insurance usually doesn't cover medical expenses, as you should be covered by NZ's health system.
Cruise policy, or cruise cover is typically designed to protect you against the cost of things such as medical treatment and/or evacuation at sea; trip cancellation due to illness, injury or emergency at home or lost luggage.
Some cruise ships won't let you board without cruise-specific insurance, so you might want to check with your holiday provider before booking to see what cover you need.
Even if you don't leave New Zealand or Australian waters, without cruise-specific medical insurance, you might be liable to pay for any onboard medical treatments or emergency evacuations.
What does seniors travel insurance not cover?
Most travel insurance has the same cover exclusions regardless of the policy holder's age. These include:
Failing to take due care
Putting yourself or your possessions at risk, for example leaving your bags unattended in a busy area.
Unreported items
You should report any lost possessions to your insurance provider as soon as possible, and any thefts to the local police force, as you might need a police report to verify your claim.
Acting unlawfully
If your claim is a result of you breaking the law, it's likely to be rejected by your insurer.
Riding a motorcycle or moped
If you plan to ride a moped or motorcycle while travelling, you'll likely need extra insurance cover and to meet strict policy conditions.
Being under the influence of drink or drugs
If your claim is a result of your intoxication, it's likely to be rejected by your insurer.
Pre-existing health conditions
Pre-existing health conditions are usually not covered by regular seniors travel insurance, and rules vary by insurer. Always check the policy's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), or contact the insurance provider directly, to confirm what is included. We look at pre-existing health conditions in more detail below.
How much does travel insurance for seniors cost?
How much you pay for travel insurance as a senior depends on a range of factors determined by you and your travel plans, and premiums are likely to vary from one provider to another.
As older Kiwis can also expect to pay more for cover, it can be a good idea to compare and shop around for basic or comprehensive cover before deciding on the level and type of cover that suits your needs.
Some of the factors that typically shape premiums include:
The level of cover: comprehensive policies with more inclusions usually cost more than basic policies. While it may be tempting to opt for a cheaper level of cover, it may not be enough for your travel needs. It's wise to check with SafeTravel about the risks associated with your destination before booking.
Where you're travelling: some destinations are considered more dangerous than others by insurers. Most standard policies won't cover you for destinations highlighted as "do not travel" by SafeTravel.
Additional cover chosen: if you want to take part in any particular activities, especially those that involve a higher risk of injury, such as skiing or water sports, these may required you to purchase a policy add-on at an additional cost.
Duration of your trip: typically, the longer the trip, the more expensive the policy.
Your choice of provider: you might want to compare a range of insurance providers, as premiums for similar cover can vary.
Pre-existing medical conditions: your insurer may charge a higher premium in return for covering pre-existing medical conditions, see below.
Are there age limits for travel insurance for seniors?
Most travel insurance providers don't set age limits for their comprehensive travel insurance policies, although age limits can apply for basic or medical-only cover.
However, if your 85+ the cost of insurance can become very expensive, to cover the increased risk of medical claims.
Travel insurance for seniors with pre-existing medical conditions
When you're booking any travel insurance as a senior, it's important to declare any pre-existing medical conditions.
A pre-existing condition is generally regarded as a condition for which you've sought medical advice for in the years prior to travel. Or any health problem that should have caused a sensible person to seek medical advice. But as pre-existing condition rules vary by insurer, it's important to discuss any possible pre-existing medical conditions with your insurance provider.
Always check the policy's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), or contact the insurance provider directly, to confirm what is included.
If you're not honest about revealing any pre-existing medical conditions when you take out a policy, you could find you're not covered in the event of a claim.
Some insurance providers may require you to complete medical screening as part of the assessment process, especially if you've declared a pre-existing medical condition. This could be an online or phone questionnaire, or you may need a doctor's report or a medical examination.
You may find that cover for your pre-existing medical condition is denied following an assessment during the quote process. This means you won't be covered for incidents relating to that medical condition.
But just because you have a pre-existing medical condition doesn't automatically mean that you won't be able to arrange travel insurance, as a provider may offer additional cover for your ailment.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it's also important to research whether any medication you need can be legally taken into the country you plan to visit. Some medications regarded as perfectly acceptable in New Zealand may be listed as illegal or a controlled substance in other parts of the world.
Do you need travel insurance for Australia?
The short answer is yes. If you're travelling to Australia, it's a good idea to purchase travel insurance to cover your possessions and any possible medical-related costs you might incur while overseas.
New Zealand and Australia share a reciprocal healthcare agreement that covers both:
- Medically necessary care as a public patient, including public hospital inpatient and outpatient services
- Some prescription medicines
However, this isn't a replacement for travel insurance. While you might be able to access free treatment should you need to go to A&E, it won't cover a wide range of other medical expenses – such as private specialists, some prescription costs, or emergency transport, like an airlift back in NZ. Nor will it cover any additional accommodation, rescheduling of flights, lost luggage, personal liability or other issues that can arise when travelling abroad.
So while travel insurance is not required, and you can access some health care benefits in Australia without it, it's always recommended you take out a travel insurance policy when travelling overseas.
Is there a separate travel insurance policy for visiting Australia?
Most travel insurance providers don't have a separate OZ insurance policy. Instead, you typically choose from a selection of standard policies plus add-ons. However, while travel insurance policies remain fairly standardised, prices vary country by country.
Travel insurance for Australia: what options are there?
Each provider has its own policies. Some might offer a single policy with many add-ons and customisation options, while others might opt for several policy options, such as: medical only, basic cover, comprehensive, and frequent flyer.
Below we've listed some common travel insurance inclusions, to help you decide which ones are most relevant or of concern to you:
- Medical expenses (especially those not covered by the reciprocal healthcare agreement)
- Cover before you depart
- Emergency dental treatment
- Cancellation fees and lost deposits
- Additional accommodation and travel expenses due to illness or injury
- Damaged or lost baggage
- Personal liability should you injure or damage someone else or their property
- Emergency companion cover (cover for you if your travel partner gets ill or injured)
- Personal items if they are stolen or damaged
- Rental car excess should you have an accident
- Funeral costs
Other inclusions you may require, which are typically required as an additional add-on (for an additional expense)
- Ski/snowboard cover
- Sports cover (eg. if you're going mountain biking)
- Cruise ship cover
It's also important to note that different policies will offer different levels of cover. Would you need $2000 to replace your luggage, or $5000?
It's also worth noting that certain policies may allow you to adjust the level of cover for each inclusion.
Ultimately, you need to read carefully over the terms, and ask any necessary questions, to avoid confusion about what your policy covers.
How to find the best travel insurance?
There's no one-size-fits all solution when it comes to the best travel insurance for your trip. Instead, you need to look for the policy that best meets the needs of your budget and your travel plans. For example, if you're headed to Australia for a short trip and not taking any valuable possessions, you may decided to opt for a lower-cost policy that only provides medical cover. Or if you're taking a winter sports holiday, the best policy will be one that covers your choice of activity at a competitive price. When comparing travel insurance, it's important to think carefully about your specific needs, to ensure you can find a policy that covers them at a price that suits your budget.
How to find cheap travel insurance?
If you're looking for cheap travel insurance, consider the following:
- Use Canstar's comparison table: By clicking the 'Cover rating' or ‘Price guide’, you can compare a range of different policies on both price and cover levels.
- Look for deals: Some providers may offer exclusive deals and discounts to Canstar customers who use our comparison table. There may also be deals that are more broadly available on providers' websites.
- Avoid paying for things you don't need: Cover for adventurous activities such as skiing, snowboarding or white water rafting can make an insurance policy more expensive, so if you don't plan on partaking in these activities, then it doesn’t make sense to have extras like these included on your policy. Consider only what you require (i.e. cover for medical expenses, travel delay and cancellation, lost or stolen luggage etc.) when comparing policies.
- Increase your excess: As with most types of insurance, you'll usually be required to pay an excess when making a claim. You can often reduce your travel insurance premium by increasing your excess amount – if your chosen provider allows for this. It's important to note that you'll need to be able to contribute this higher excess amount when making a claim.
- Check your credit card: Some credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance, which may mean you won’t need to take out a standalone travel insurance policy. This type of travel insurance, however, can come with a host of terms and conditions, such as all (or most) of your travel-related purchases having to be made using the card. The policy itself may also be rigid in what it covers. This feature is also usually only offered by more premium credit cards with higher annual fees and purchase rates, which means it's important to consider these factors and whether they erode any savings you could make in travel insurance costs, before taking out a card such as this.
What else should you do before you travel?
In addition to organising travel insurance, before you leave:
- If you are going overseas, visit the SafeTravel website's Travel Advisories page to ascertain the current risks of travelling to your chosen destination. If a country is flagged with a "Do Not Travel" advisory, be aware that you may not be able to obtain insurance for the trip.
- Regardless of where you are going, register your plans with SafeTravel. Your details will be stored securely and only used to reach you in an emergency.
- Ensure you have all the relevant travel documentation to take with you on your trip, and that a trusted friend or relation in NZ has a copy, too.
- Keep a record of the contact details of the New Zealand Embassy in your country of destination – just in case you need them.
