Travel Health Insurance for Seniors: Protecting Your Health on the Go

According to an AARP survey, 65% of polled Americans 50 and older have travel plans in 2024, including those with disabilities. Most (63%) plan to travel within the United States, while 37% will go on an international trip.

All those figures should show that even if you're in your golden years, age, disability, or health conditions shouldn't stop you from taking holidays. However, you should still be cautious and purchase travel health insurance for seniors.

Join us as we explore how this type of health insurance helps contribute to elderly travel safety.

What Is Travel Health Insurance for Seniors?

Travel health insurance for older travelers provides several benefits while the insured (also called the "policyholder" or "policy owner") is on a trip. The exact benefits vary from one plan to another, but they often include the following:

• Medical coverage for seniors
• Emergency and evacuation coverage
• Coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions
• Coverage for other potential issues that may arise during a trip

Medical Coverage

According to a U.S. CDC report, 43% to 79% of Americans who travel to low- and middle-income countries develop travel-associated health problems. While many of these illnesses are mild and don't require medical intervention, some are severe enough to make travelers need help from a healthcare professional.

If you get ill while traveling, you may have to pay for emergency medical and health care out-of-pocket. Even if your destination country has a nationalized health care system, it may not cover you unless you're also a citizen.

The good news is that a senior travel insurance policy's medical care coverage can help pay for health care services you may require while on a trip. With a travel policy that provides international health insurance for seniors, you can feel more at ease knowing you'll receive coverage if you get ill or injured while abroad.

Emergency and Evacuation Coverage

Many travel insurance policies for seniors provide emergency and evacuation coverage that helps pay for the following:

• Emergency evacuation
• Transportation to a high-quality hospital
• Repatriation

Repatriation insurance refers to the coverage provided by an insurer to allow an insured policyholder to return to the U.S. after an illness or injury while traveling. It's especially crucial if you plan to travel somewhere with a healthcare system that isn't up to U.S. standards or a remote destination.

Trip Cancellations or Interruptions

According to a 2024 New York Post article, a survey found that 70% of Americans experienced something "going wrong" with their travel plans in the past year. Nearly half (46%) of the polled participants said they have had flights canceled or delayed, while 28% lost their luggage. Over one in ten (11%) also reported having their personal belongings damaged while on a trip.

If you have a travel insurance policy with trip cancellation or interruption coverage, it will help cover the financial investment you've made for your trip. Trip cancellation covers transportation-related problems, such as canceled flights, cruises, or trains. On the other hand, trip interruption covers the costs of a trip that has ended early for reasons like:

• An illness or injury acquired while traveling
• Severe weather in the travel destination
• Terrorist activity in the travel destination
• Losing travel documents or passports while already on a trip

In some cases, trip cancellation and interruption may also reimburse part of the expenses you've already paid if you had to cancel or return home early because of an emergency at home.

Other Potential Issues

Travel insurance for seniors may also help pay for other problems that could arise during a trip.

An example is if you accidentally damage someone else's property or injure another person during your trip. A policy that covers property damage to others and personal injury should help cover the costs of paying for the other person's medical treatment or replacing or repairing their damaged property.

Travel insurance may also help cover your legal costs if someone sues you, claiming you've injured them or damaged their property. It may also help pay to repair or replace your damaged, stolen, or lost gadgets, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

Why Should You Purchase Travel Insurance for Seniors?

Even if you have a domestic senior health protection or insurance plan, you should still purchase supplemental coverage to reduce out-of-pocket costs that may arise during your travels. It's even more critical for international travel, as many health policies in the U.S. do not cover costs for health care obtained outside of the country.

With a travel health insurance policy, you can make the most of your travels and create happy and unforgettable experiences and memories. Of course, you should still practice health and safety protocols during traveling even while insured, such as:

• Getting necessary vaccinations
• Not going to rough or unsafe areas
• Avoiding alcohol if you're driving

Still, extra or supplemental travel coverage should give you more peace of mind. If you have an emergency, you won't have to shoulder the financial burden of medical care costs alone, so you can focus on having fun during your trip and enhancing your senior mental health.

Tips When Purchasing Travel Health Insurance for Seniors

Before purchasing the first travel insurance you encounter, be sure to:

• Check the policy has pre-existing condition waivers
• Confirm the policy has high coverage limits for emergency medical care and evacuation
• Compare at least three quotes from different providers offering similar coverage and benefits

The first one is especially crucial, as many travel insurance providers won't cover medical and health care costs that may arise due to a policyholder's pre-existing condition, such as heart disease or diabetes.

Travel Insured to Make Your Trips More Fun and Memorable

Traveling is an excellent way for older adults to stay physically and mentally active and make the most of their retirement. However, it does carry health and safety risks, making travel health insurance for seniors a necessity.