After a life of hard work, raising children and possibly grandchildren, you deserve a refreshing vacation or extended getaway! A vacation is a great time to reconnect with the one closest to you, or even just to reconnect with yourself, relax or possibly try a new adventure! The destination spots are just as varied as the fun excursions you have a choice of. Anything you choose; however, may carry some element of risk no matter how careful you are, and medical costs away from home can be extreme.

Here are 5 Tips You Can Use When Shopping For Travel Insurance for Seniors:

• For the ultimate piece of mind, consider purchasing all inclusive travel insurance. It’s a comprehensive policy, which covers virtually all the bases – emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, coverage for baggage delay and many other things that could possibly go wrong.
• Look at the insurance eligibility. For example, many travel insurance policies have set the age of 79 as their coverage limit. Luckily, the 80+ traveller is still in luck. There are a number of providers, who cover those eighty or over – even with pre-existing conditions. If you are over 80, the coverage may cost more, but it is good to look at the additional emergency and medical coverage that is offered- extras not covered in policies for younger travellers.
• You will likely need to complete medical questionnaires; answers to which will affect your rates. For shorter trips, it is possible to find some policies that require no medical questionnaire. One of the most overlooked or misread clauses of travel insurance policies is the ‘Pre-existing Condition Clause,’ which states that the condition of a potential insurable traveller’s health, must remain stable BEFORE the scheduled departure date – usually from 90 to 365 days before – and NOT from the date at which the policy was purchased, as many people often mistakenly believe. (Basically, ‘STABLE’ means: no new medications, no new symptoms, no scheduled consultations, no hospitalization, and no alterations in medications or dosages).
• Many travel insurance policies offer a choice in ‘deductible’ amounts. Deductibles are a good way to lower the purchase cost of travel insurance premiums. Though choosing a policy with a higher deductible will likely result in a reduction of the cost of the premium, it is a good idea to opt for the deductible amount, which you can comfortably pay should something unexpected happen.
• Before committing to any travel insurance plan, inquire about their ‘assistance services’. Many ‘assistance companies’ are disinterested third parties, which relay medical emergency calls to call-centre clerks, instead of contacting certified physicians and nurses directly.

We hope that these tips assist you in your search for travel insurance for seniors. Bon voyage and we hope you have a safe and enjoyable vacation of a lifetime!

For more information about travel insurance, please contact us!