Travel Insurance Woes For Over-70s

Although many of us look forward to retirement with the view of putting our feet up after a long hard working life, there are those who think that live begins at 65 and can’t see why they shouldn’t take the time to have a look around the world while they can. This is a great attitude and as the average age of the population gets older and older it may become a more normal pass time for the elderly other then the usual bowls or cribbage.

However, it seems that those oldies who want to get around are finding it difficult to get insurance. Travellers over the age of 70 are faced with a Herculean task of finding an insurance company that will cover them, says a leading consumer action magazine.

Many elderly travellers are forced to rely on basic cover only, such as the European Health Insurance Card, instead of proper travel insurance as many companies impose upper age limits. One of the reasons may be that as we get older our bodies tend to heal more slowly and we may be in hospital for a longer amount of time than a younger person with a corresponding injury or illness.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles holders to reduced or free medical treatment in any of the 25 EU member countries plus selected others including Switzerland if they fall ill. However, public hospitals are rare on the continent and further costs could await the sick tourist if they need to be brought back to the UK.

Which? magazine found that even those companies who do offer cover for the elderly, such as Help the Aged, Age Concern and Saga, do not offer particularly competitive rates and may not be willing to insure particular existing medical conditions.

Elderly travellers are advised to look for the best travel insurance online. Make sure that you read the small print and that all activities you are planning to do while away are covered.

If you would like to know more about travel insurance why not ask AnswerBank Insurance.