Covid-19 - Important information 19th August 2021
International travel has restarted, governed by a traffic light system. The system will help travellers to understand COVID requirements when travelling back to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland from a green, amber or red country.
Before buying travel insurance, you should think about what could happen if your destination moves from a green list country to an amber or red list country. You may face extra costs and face travel restrictions that won't be covered by your travel insurance policy.
The traffic light system tells you what you have to do when returning to the UK, as there will be strict border control measures in place. So even if a country is on the green list, you still need to check your destination's entry requirements and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice for travelling there. If the Foreign Office has advised against travel to your destination and you still decide to travel, you won’t be covered by any travel insurance policy you buy.
A few insurers do offer cover if you're an essential traveler, but if you have any questions, you should check the policy wording or contact your chosen provider before you buy.
How much does over 50s travel insurance cost?
The cost of your policy can vary depending on the following things:
- Where you’re travelling to
- How long you’re away for
- If you have a pre-existing medical condition
- If you want to add any extras to your policy, such as business or cruise cover
To give you an idea of how much a policy may cost you, here are the average costs of 1-week policies for the UK and some of the most popular destinations around the world1:
| Destination | Average premium for 1 week1 |
|---|---|
|
Cyprus
|
£25.34
|
|
Germany
|
£21.24
|
|
Spain
|
£25.46
|
|
France
|
£19.11
|
|
UK
|
£ 20.70
|
|
Greece
|
£23.72
|
|
Croatia
|
£21.38
|
|
Italy
|
£20.10
|
|
Portugal
|
£17.96
|
|
Turkey
|
£25.01
|
1. Confused.com travel insurance data - Average price of all over 50 premiums - August 2020 to October 2020
What should I consider when buying over 50s travel insurance?
Making sure you have the right cover in place before you travel is important. We’ve listed a few things that you’ll need to think about before buying your insurance policy.
- What policy type you need
- The length of your trip
- Where you're travelling to
- The level of cover you'll need
- How many people you want to cover
The policy type you need will depend your type of holiday and whether you’re planning on more than one trip in a year. Options include single-trip, annual multi-trip or if you’re more adventurous, a backpacker policy.
The length of your trip can affect the price and type of policy you need. For example, a standard over 50s policy might be suited for a week’s holiday or even a trip up to 31 days. If you’re planning on travelling for longer, a backpacker policy might be more suited.
Backpacker policies aren’t just for young travellers, they offer cover for trips of up to 18 months, whether you’re aged 18 or 50. We cover the different policy types in more detail below.
Where you’re travelling to not only affects the cost of your policy but may also make you think about how much cover you need. For example, if you’re planning on a shopping trip to New York, you’ll want to make sure your new must-haves are covered. Remember to include all the countries and regions you’re planning on travelling to, to be sure you’re fully covered.
The level of cover you’ll need, including cover for a pre-existing medical condition. Depending on the type of holiday you might need extras such as winter sports, business travel or cruise cover.
How many people you want to cover, particularly if you’re planning a romantic getaway or a family holiday. Family policies can include up to 2 adults and 8 children who should be under the age of 18.
What our travel insurance expert says
Believe it or not, but there aren’t many differences between a standard travel policy and an over 50s policy. The only real difference is the cost of your policy, as the risk of getting injured or becoming ill when abroad increases as you get older. That doesn’t mean to say, you can’t make a saving on a policy. The easiest way to do that is to get a quote and compare your options. It really is that simple.
Jac Morris
Travel insurance product executive
Need more help
Are there age limits for an over 50s travel insurance policy?
The only criteria for this type of policy is that you have to be over the age of 50 when you buy the policy. There aren’t any upper age limits, so you should be able to get a quote if you’re 60, 70 or 80.
Why does over 50s travel insurance cost more than standard travel insurance?
The cost of a policy goes up for over 50s because you generally have a higher chance of getting ill or having an accident while abroad. Medical treatment and repatriation costs can be very expensive, so your insurer needs to make sure you have enough cover in place in the unlikely event that you need either of these services.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, that could also affect the price of your policy. It’s important that you openly declare any medical conditions when buying your policy to make sure you’ve got the right cover in place. If you go on to become unwell or seriously ill on holiday as a result of a pre-existing condition you’ve not declared, you run the risk of being unable to make a claim for any medical expenses related to it.
Will my EHIC cover me while I'm on holiday?
If your EHIC is still valid, it’ll cover you for state-level healthcare in Europe. If you don’t have an EHIC, you can apply for its replacement, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). For more information see our guide on EHIC changes or apply for a GHIC card at NHS.UK.
What are the different types of travel insurance?
Long stay travel insurance
is the perfect policy for those who plan to travel for an extended period.
Travel insurance guides
How to claim on your travel insurance
What you need to consider when you're taking out your travel insurance.
Travelling to Europe in 2021: What you need to know
Now the Brexit transition period has ended, here's how travelling to Europe will change.
European health insurance card
Since the UK left the EU on 31st December 2020, the European Health Insurance Card has changed. We explain what's changed.
Flight delay compensation
If your flight is delayed for a prolonged period, here's what you could be entitled to.
Coronavirus and travel insurance: Where to get the latest information
Need to find out what your travel insurance provider says about coronavirus? We can help.
Our service is free and compares a wide range of trusted household names. Confused.com is an intermediary and receives commission from theidol.com if you decide to buy through our website which is based on a percentage of the total annual premium. We pride ourselves on impartiality and independence – therefore we don't promote any one insurance provider over another.
cookie usage