travel insurance australia over 80 years

• Travel Insurance for Seniors
• Worldcare Travel Insurance

Worldcare has a range of different options to choose from, and it's easy and convenient to book your travel insurance directly online. You can select from:

• Essentials Travel Insurance* — Our Essentials Plan is designed to provide basic, cost-effective cover for your overseas trip. Only available to travellers who are aged under 75 years at the time the Certificate of Insurance is issued.
• Comprehensive Travel Insurance * — Our Comprehensive Plan is designed to provide cover on your overseas trip. 
• Domestic Travel Insurance * — Our Domestic Plan is designed to provide cover for flight cancellation, lost or damaged luggage as well as additional travel expenses when travelling throughout Australia. 
• Multi-Trip Insurance * — Our Multi-Trip Plan is designed to provide cover for multiple journeys within a 12 month period subject to each journey being within the maximum trip duration you select.  Only available to travellers who are aged under 75 years at the time the Certificate of Insurance is issued.

*Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Please refer to  Product Disclosure Statement  for full details.

Senior-friendly policies covering many pre-existing medical conditions 

Our senior-friendly policies allow you the option to apply to cover many pre-existing medical conditions, but you should read the information on pre-existing medical conditions in our  Product Disclosure Statement and decide whether we can provide the cover that fits your requirements. A good travel insurance policy covers you for overseas medical emergencies (including evacuation back home), your luggage, cancellation, and a range of other general benefits such as personal liability or rental vehicle excess cover.

There are instances where cover cannot be extended, which may include age restrictions. Please refer to the heading Extending your cover if you are already travelling in the Plan & Cover Types section of the Product Disclosure Statement . If you would like more information, or just prefer not to book online, you can also call our Contact Centre on 1800 008 614 and we'll talk you through the options.

Also, please see our pages on  Cruise Travel Insurance ,  Adventure Travel Insurance , and  Ski Travel Insurance .

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Worldcare and Allianz Global Assistance are trading names of AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFSL 245631 (AGA) which issues and manages travel insurance as agent for the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708 (Allianz). Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Allianz and AGA do not provide any advice on this insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision please consider the  Product Disclosure Statement . The Target Market Determination is available at https://www.allianz-partners.com/en_AU/policies-and-services.html . AGA receives a commission which is a percentage of the premium you pay for a policy - ask us for further details prior to purchasing.

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Where are you going?

Enter the destination(s) you plan to visit or select them from the list of countries and regions in the dropdown.

Planning a stopover? If you’re in a country for less than 72 hours, you do not need to list it as a destination.

Don’t currently know all the countries you’ll be visiting? You can select a region to obtain cover for all countries within that region, or you can select “Anywhere in the world”. Important: If selecting “Anywhere in the world”, your policy will not provide cover for claims arising in countries that are subject to sanctions. Your safety is paramount, so please read and familiarise yourself with the “ Standing Travel Alert for High Risk and Sanctioned Countries ” when undertaking worldwide travel – and before making any side trips to neighbouring countries – to ensure you have adequate cover.

Going on a cruise? If your cruise is in inland Australia (e.g. on the Murray River) or in Australian coastal water (e.g. the Kimberley), enter or select “Australia”. If your cruise embarks and disembarks from Australia ports only without any stopover at a port outside of Australia (e.g. a “Sampler Cruise” or cruise from Sydney to Brisbane), enter or select “Domestic Cruise”. If your cruise is overseas (e.g. a European river cruise, a Caribbean cruise, or a cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong), enter or select the country or region you will spend the most time in during your trip.

Want to come to Australia on our Inbound Plan? Select “Australia Inbound”.

When do you depart?

Enter the date you will leave your home to start your trip.

When do you return?

Enter the date you will arrive home based on AEST (considering any time differences/zones and travel times).

Duration of each trip?

Select the maximum trip duration that best suits your needs.

The maximum trip duration you select will apply to each separate trip you take during the 12-month period of your policy.

For cover to apply, you cannot take trips that exceed this maximum duration. If you make a claim related to a trip that exceeds this maximum duration, it may be declined.

The maximum trip duration you select will be shown on your Certificate of Insurance.

Age of each traveller?

Enter the age (as of today) of each adult and child to be included on the policy.

Travel Insurance for Seniors

Quality travel insurance you can customise to meet your needs

Your 'golden years' aren't meant for sitting at home – they're the perfect time to  explore the world . But before you head off, it’s important to consider finding the right seniors travel insurance cover for you.

At Cover-More, we offer comprehensive travel insurance plans with world-class medical assistance to support our mature travellers if something goes wrong on their trip. So, if you’re over 65 and want great quality cover for your travels, we’re here to help.

Find out more about the international and domestic travel insurance cover for seniors below, or get the answers to all our most commonly asked questions at our Seniors Travel Insurance Cover FAQs page. You can also skip ahead to see what   existing medical conditions  we can cover.

Ready to buy? Get a free online quote or call our helpful Phone Sales team on 1300 72 88 22 .

Skip to read:

• Why do I need seniors travel insurance?

Does Cover-More offer seniors travel insurance cover?

What are the benefits of cover-more travel insurance, what cover-more travel insurance plan is right for me.

• Does Cover-More offer seniors travel insurance for cruises?
• Is there an age restriction for seniors travel insurance?
• Can I get Cover-More travel insurance if I have an existing medical condition?

How do I disclose an existing medical condition to Cover-More?

• Why is seniors travel insurance more expensive?

Why do I need travel insurance?

If you’re dreaming of taking a trip of a lifetime, there are many reasons travel insurance is important – and even more reasons for seniors.

You may not be as fit and healthy as you used to be, and medical costs overseas can be huge should something go wrong. A trip to the hospital for gastro in Australia may be covered by Medicare or your private health insurance, but in the USA, it can end up costing you a lot.

Your chances of robbery increase as a senior, too, with thieves targeting older travellers. Travel insurance can help protect you and your belongings financially on your trip.

Need some travel inspiration to help decide on where your next trip should be? Check out these best destinations for seniors .

Finding the right travel insurance over 70 can seem tricky, but it doesn’t have to be.

At Cover-More, we offer a range of travel insurance plans. Rather than a dedicated seniors travel insurance plan, we offer older adventurers like you the chance to choose the best plan for you from our range of options.

Whether you’re looking for domestic travel insurance for seniors, seniors travel insurance cover for cruises, or seniors travel insurance cover for a round-the-world adventure, we can help protect your holiday.

Our comprehensive plans provide the greatest coverage benefits while travelling abroad. Some of the most popular benefits for senior travellers include:

• 24/7 emergency medical and travel assistance
• $Unlimited overseas medical expenses~
• Emergency overseas dental cover
• Lost or delayed luggage allowance
• Cover and assistance for if you lose travel documents, including passports, credit cards and traveller’s cheques replacement
• Travel delay expenses
• Rental vehicle insurance excess

Our senior travellers also enjoy access to an Australian-based doctor while you’re overseas via our TravelGP# service. Our TravelGP# can provide health tips and advice on doctors or hospitals to visit near you. Read more about the benefits of our travel insurance here .

If you purchase a Cover-More policy, you’re covered by a cooling-off period.** If you change your mind and need to cancel within 21 days of purchase, you can get a full refund for your policy. This is providing you haven’t departed on your journey and haven’t made a claim already.

Planning your trip but not sure what seniors travel insurance cover you need? We can help, with plans that can be varied to suit your needs.

As a senior traveller, you can choose from:

• International or Domestic: depending on whether you’re travelling at home or overseas
• Comprehensive+, Comprehensive or Basic Plans: select the best plan to suit your budget and coverage needs
• Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip Plans: if you travel often, an Annual Multi-Trip policy might be ideal for you. This offers cover for unlimited trips throughout the year, up to the trip duration you have chosen (International trips can be 30-, 45- or 60-days duration, and domestic trips can be 15 or 30 days).

Note: you must be under 75 years of age at the time of buying an Annual Multi-Trip policy.

If you’re on a budget, you can choose from a variety of excess and cancellation levels to adjust your cover and premium. We also offer additional coverage for adventure activities, snow sports, and motorcycle/moped riding. These can be added to any of our plans for an additional premium.

Compare our travel insurance plans and get a quote online today to see how affordable protecting your travel dreams can be.

Does Cover-More offer seniors travel insurance cover for cruises?

Cruises are great  for senior travellers. Visiting multiple locations from the comfort of a luxury liner makes for a relaxing holiday.

However, it’s important to know that once you set sail, medical or hospital expenses (domestic or international), may not be covered by Medicare or your private health insurance.

That’s where our Cruise Cover benefits come in. When purchasing a policy, if you tell us you are travelling on a cruise for two or more nights, an additional premium will be added, and the cruise benefits will be available on your policy at the time of purchase. It can protect you against lost luggage, cancellation (up to the limit you have added to your policy), and unforeseen medical expenses related to your cruise trip.

Want more information on our Cruise Cover? Find it here .

Is there an age restriction for seniors travel insurance cover with Cover-More?

Yes, age restrictions do apply. Travellers are eligible for our Cover-More travel insurance up to 99 years of age, but this is subject to our acceptance criteria based on age at the time of buying the policy, destination, and trip duration.

Plans may not be available to all travellers.

You must be under 75 years of age at the time of buying an Annual Multi-Trip policy.

Can I get Cover-More travel insurance if I have existing medical conditions?

Don't let an  existing medical condition * (EMC) stop you from seeing the world.

At Cover-More, we offer automatic cover for a variety of existing medical conditions (subject to requirements) with our policies. So, if you have an EMC, and, for example, take medication to keep that condition in check, it doesn’t mean you can’t purchase travel insurance.

You can find the full list of EMCs we automatically cover here .

If your  existing medical condition  is not listed, we still may be able to cover you. To find out, complete our online assessment form when you generate a quote , or call our team on 1300 72 88 22.

Please read the  Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)  for full details and conditions.

It’s important to disclose any and all existing medical conditions (EMCs) to us before buying your Cover-More travel insurance policy. Claims which relate to, or are exacerbated by an EMC, are excluded from cover unless they were approved by us. Failing to advise an EMC means you run the risk of your claim being denied – which could leave you out of pocket if something goes wrong on your holiday.

Fortunately, it’s extremely easy to disclose any EMCs. When completing your quote online , answer all the questions correctly and tell us about your existing conditions via our online health assessment. This will determine if we can provide coverage for your EMC for an additional premium. You can also call our team to discuss on 1300 72 88 22.

Is seniors travel insurance cover more expensive?

There are many factors that determine the cost of travel insurance. This can include the region you’re travelling to (as some countries are riskier than others and may cost more for medical care), your trip duration, the level of cover you choose, the level of cancellation cover and excess you choose (where applicable), existing medical conditions, and extra coverage for activities such as riding motorcycles, skiing, and more.

Age is also a factor that determines how much you pay for travel insurance. The older you get the higher your risk of health issues, and your travel insurance premium is influenced by age groups that present a higher risk. The combination of these factors influences the premium we calculate to cover the risk, which is why you may find seniors travel insurance cover to be more expensive.

Check out our dedicated  FAQs for Senior Travellers  for more information on our cover. And before you leave on your holiday, read these expert tips for seniors on how to stay healthy while travelling .

Ready to explore the world?

Protect your trip with our seniors travel insurance cover.

* You can find a full list of automatically covered conditions on the Policy Disclosure Statement (PDS) of your chosen policy.      ~Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness, condition or injury.      ^ Policy availability subject to age, departure date, trip duration and area of travel. Policies may not be available to all travellers.      **Cooling-off period available if you cancel your policy within 21 days of it being issued to you, provided you have not travelled or made a claim or departed on your journey.      #TravelGP services do not form part of your travel insurance policy. It is a service offered to customers at Cover-More's cost and at our sole discretion. Your circumstances including age, location, medical condition or issue, proximity to appropriate medical care and medical history will also be considered.

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Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific. With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.

If you don’t know where you’re traveling to within the next 12 months, choose Worldwide to ensure you’re covered no matter where you go. If you’re travelling to multiple countries choose the region that you are visiting that is furthest away (excluding stopovers less than 48 hours). In most cases you will be covered for the closer regions as well. For example, if you choose Europe, you will also be covered in the Middle East, Asia and Pacific.

Worldwide means anywhere in the world

Americas means USA, Canada, South America, Latin America, Hawaii and the Caribbean

Europe means all European countries, including UK

Middle East refers to the area from Syria to Yemen; Egypt to Iran

Asia generally means Asia and the Indian subcontinent. For some insurers this excludes Japan*

Pacific means the South West Pacific, Australia and Indonesia/Bali*. Select Pacific for domestic cruises in New Zealand waters

New Zealand means domestic travel within New Zealand only

*Note: Variances apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. Check that your destination is covered once directed to your chosen insurer’s site.

Seniors Travel Insurance Age Limits

If you’re over 60 finding reasonably priced  seniors travel insurance  can be tricky, however this doesn’t mean you should compromise on cover!

What Age Can I Buy Travel Insurance Until?

Age restrictions vary from insurer to insurer. You might also find limits on the levels of cover available to elderly travellers too. 

Unfortunately finding this information can be quite time consuming as many insurers don't make their conditions or eligibility of cover very clear.

Well aren’t you the lucky ones, we’ve done all the hard work for you. Check out our table below which lets you compare the age restrictions from 20 Australian insurers all in one place. Yippee!

There are plenty of insurers that offer cover to the young at heart traveller with no age restrictions at all :)  

Who Offers Travel Insurance To Senior Travellers?

NOTE:  This does not refer to age restrictions in regards to family members.  General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.

Age Loadings

Irrespective of how active you are, many insurers add significant age loadings to policies and may limit the levels of cover that are available to elderly travellers. So even if you’re a young at heart traveller you might find your travel insurance is quoted based on age bands, rather than personal circumstances.

For example, for a 2 week trip to Europe a 50 year old can expect to pay $75 upwards for their comprehensive travel insurance policy, a 60 year old can expect to pay $85 upwards, a 70 year old can expect to pay $94 upwards and those over 80 years the cheapest comprehensive policy starts at $200.

Frequent Traveller?

Now you're retired you've got more time to travel. If you tend to go away more than twice a year you should definitely consider an  annual-multi trip  policy. Annual policies cover you for all trips you make in a 12 month period - internationally and domestically. In a lot of cases annual multi trip policies tend to have lower age limits than single trip policies. You should also remember to check the limits on the maximum trip length as these tend to vary anything from 15 days to 90 days per trip. 

Compare And Save On Your Seniors Policy

A great way to compare the different prices and levels of cover available is to use a comparison website like  comparetravelinsurance.com.au . Just enter the destination, dates of travel and ages of travellers and you can compare seniors travel insurance for all types of trips. See what kind of deal you can find yourself today.

For more help in choosing which is the right policy for you. Check out our  ultimate guide to seniors travel insurance . It explains what's included and what's not in your average policy, and more info about pre-existing medical conditions.

Hayley Kennedy

Originally from the UK, Hayley took a gap ‘year’ in 2011… and it’s still going! She’s travelled all over the world, volunteering in a Ugandan orphanage, skydiving in Australia, shark diving in South Africa, and skiing in the Alps (and snapping in a ligament in the process!). Certified in Tier 2 General Insurance General Advice and working in travel insurance for over two years, Hayley is a thrillseeker and a storyteller who loves hearing about customers’ holiday plans and sharing her own tips and must-see spots to help get them inspired.

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Our travel insurance reviews are here to help! Hundreds of Aussies have had their say on everything from claims handling to customer experience. Write a review today to be in with a chance to win $1,000!  

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One of the greatest things about getting older is the freedom to travel and explore. But before jet-setting across the globe to visit the grandkids or long lost friends, it is important to get the right travel insurance cover.

Our Travel Insurance Comparision Helps You

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Comparetravelinsurance.com.au is Australia’s leading comparison site solely focused on travel insurance.

Our comparison is a free service that allows users to compare quotes in a few simple steps based on limited personal criteria. Comparisons supplied are not a recommendation or opinion about the suitability of a policy for a user. Comparisons are default ranked according to price and users have the ability to sort by popular cover levels. Whilst we compare a vast range of policies, we do not compare all providers in the market. This site compares the following brands: 1Cover, AllClear, Budget Direct, Downunder, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, Insure4Less, InsureandGo, iTrek, Simply Travel Insurance, Ski-Insurance, Travel Insurance Saver, Travel Insuranz, Wise Traveller, Zoom Travel Insurance . The directors and shareholders are common with companies i-Trek Pty Ltd, Zoom Travel Insurance and 1Cover Pty Ltd including it’s subsidiary brand Ski-insurance. CoverDirect takes all reasonable care when preparing this information but does not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the providers who participate on this site and should be verified with the insurer before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase.

CoverDirect Pty Ltd owns and operates this website under AFS Licence 383590.  Located at Level 12, 338 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia.

For further information view our FSG and Terms of Use . Contact us by calling 1300 659 411.

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Travel insurance for seniors

Whether it’s sailing away on a round-the-world cruise, or visiting family and friends on distant shores, senior travellers enjoy living their life to the fullest.

With our comprehensive travel insurance for seniors, you can live yours too. Finding the right travel insurance when you’re over 65 is a must-do. It’s vital you have cover in place for your holiday from unexpected events and includes cover for medical expenses, luggage, trip cancellation and more. Be sure to declare any pre-existing medical conditions as this could affect the cover you receive.

What we cover

Travel insurance is an important item for any holiday. But for older travellers, finding the right policy can be a confusing tangle of pre-existing conditions, age limits, cover restrictions and additional premiums.

Thankfully, our range of policies can give you the peace of mind knowing that we’re here to help if the unexpected occurs.

Holidaying overseas?

Our International Comprehensive insurance offers cover for:

• Unlimited medical and evacuation expenses that arise due to unexpected events while on your journey
• Cancellation fees and lost deposits – with the option to increase your cover depending on the cost of your journey
• Damaged or lost baggage
• Personal items if they are stolen or damaged
• Rental car excess should you have an accident
• Emergency dental treatment
• Funeral costs

Taking more than one overseas trip this year?

Sometimes one overseas trip per year just isn’t enough! Our Annual Multi-trip  policy covers you for an unlimited number of return journeys for a year – which often works out cheaper than taking out individual policies for each trip.

When buying your policy, you will be asked to enter the destinations you’re planning to travel to. If you decide to add another destination to your annual itinerary that isn’t on your policy, get in touch so that we can consider adding it on to your policy. Depending on where you’re travelling, you may need to pay an additional premium.

Under our Annual Multi-trip policy, you can choose cover for trips that last up to 30, 60 or 90 days.

Benefits covered are similar to our single-trip policy, but be sure to check our Annual Multi-trip is right for you before making your decision.

Heading overseas and just need your health covered?

If you’re after peace of mind for medical emergencies, our International Medical Only policy  offers cover for:

• Medical treatment
• Doctors visits
• Prescribed medication
• Specialist treatment
• Medical transport costs

Staying local?

Domestic insurance is essential for covering you when travelling your own backyard, whether it’s a weekend city break or a month-long road trip.

Our Domestic insurance includes cover for: 

• Cancellation fees and lost deposits – with the option to increase your cover depending on the cost of your journey 
• Damaged or lost baggage 
• Personal items if they are stolen or damaged 
• Rental vehicle excess 
• Pet services 
• Childcare expenses 
• Funeral costs 

You can also select to pay an additional premium for cover for domestic cruises. 

Our travel insurance policies provide access to our worldwide Emergency Assistance team  who are just a phone call away, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Travel insurance for seniors with pre-existing medical conditions

We consider a  pre-existing medical condition  as any illness or injury of any person named on your Certificate of Insurance, which that person should be aware of. You can add your pre-existing medical conditions when getting a quote from us.

It is important to check the terms of your policy for information about our definition of pre-existing medical conditions, excesses, sub limits, exclusions, and other terms and conditions.

Do pre-existing medical conditions affect the price of my policy?

In a nutshell, yes. Seeking cover for pre-existing medical conditions will affect the price of your travel insurance policy. Any additional costs are displayed to you before you buy your policy, so you can choose whether or not you wish to pay the additional premium.

To find out more about pre-existing medical conditions, including when you must declare your conditions, you can read our Product Disclosure Statements for each policy here .

Remember, overseas medical emergencies can be astronomically expensive for uninsured travellers, as  some of our highest medical claims  show. So, declare your pre-existing medical conditions so you know if you're covered.

Seniors' travel insurance for overseas cruises

Cruises are a great way to explore exotic and exciting locations with premium comfort and convenience. But whether it’s a misplaced bag or a bout of the flu, there’s still the risk of something spoiling your trip.

The good news for seniors is that you can add-on cover for overseas cruises to our International Comprehensive policy.

If you’re embarking on a cruise holiday, remember to:

• Select cover for all of the destinations you’ll be visiting on your cruise.
• Start your policy as soon as you’ve booked your cruise, so your cover is in place for unexpected cancellations and illnesses before you leave.
• If you plan to enjoy any adventure sports or activities on your trip, check the Product Disclosure Statement to see if they’re covered.

Seniors' travel insurance for domestic cruises

If you’re looking to take to the water but would prefer to stay local, a domestic cruise could be the perfect alternative! Domestic cruises are often shorter in length, and you get to experience the beautiful Australian coastline and waterways.

You can select the option to cover your domestic cruise when purchasing your policy.

Our Domestic insurance includes cover for:

• Rental vehicle excess
• Pet services
• Childcare expenses

Cover for seniors over 85

Some insurers don’t offer policies to people over 85. We believe that everyone should be free to experience the joy of travelling, no matter their age, which is why there is effectively no age limit for our International Comprehensive and Domestic travel insurance policies. In fact, our age limit is 118!

So if you’re over 85 and travelling overseas, you can purchase either our International Comprehensive or Domestic policy as long as you meet our eligibility criteria. You can view the relevant eligibility criteria here: International Comprehensive , Domestic  

Travel insurance tips for seniors

We know that finding the right policy for your holiday can be confusing. But with the right research, you can find great value cover that is suitable for your needs. When researching your travel insurance, remember to:

• Understand your pre-existing medical conditions and what they cost to cover.
• Look out for any age limits.
• Start your insurance as soon as you book your flights and accommodation, so your cover is in place for unexpected cancellations.
• Research customer reviews to find great quality cover.
• Be sure to check the coverage limits, as medical cover could be reduced for people over 70.
• Read the Product Disclosure Statements before you buy, to make sure you understand exactly what you are covered for and what you aren't covered for.

If you suffer from any illness or injury (symptoms included) after starting your insurance but before you travel, remember to notify us.

The content of this article is general and provided for information purposes only. Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) doesn’t guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness or currency of any article.

This article may contain hyperlinks to other websites owned or operated by third parties, or references to third party products or services. SCTI isn’t responsible for, and makes no recommendation about, the content or accuracy of any third party website, or for the suitability or performance of any product or service. The inclusion of a link in this article doesn’t imply that SCTI endorses the website or third party product/service.

What you need to know

This page includes some information about our products but, as with all insurance policies, terms and conditions apply. For our terms and conditions (including information about exclusions, excesses and sub limits) we recommend you read the relevant Financial Services Guide (FSG), Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and  Target Market Determination (TMD)  to ensure our travel insurance products are right for you.  

You can find the relevant documents here:  International Comprehensive , Annual Multi-trip ,  International Medical Only , Working Overseas ,  Domestic . 

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Snow Sports

Medical condition, already overseas, annual multi trip, child/children, coronavirus travel costs, covid-19 medical.

An existing medical condition is any medical condition which:

• chronic; or, 
• displaying symptoms; or, 
• under investigation; or, 
• pending follow-up, consultation, treatment or surgery; or where these are recommended or planned; 
• or metastatic; 
• or terminal; or
• treatment by a medical practitioner; or 
• medication prescribed; or 

Please refer to  existing medical conditions  that meet the criteria for automatic cover. 

Do you want to complete a medical screening? 

After entering your trip details (Age, Destination, Dates) to get a quote first. Please click on the "Continue" button to be redirected to nib to complete a medical screening. You will need to enter in details such as name & email, the medical screening will be on the following page. 

If you are participating in Snow sports on your trip you need to add this option to be provided cover for snow sports related events.  Snow Sports cover  is only available on the International Comprehensive, Annual Multi trip and Australian Travel plans.

By selecting this option, you’ll be charged an additional premium. You can uncheck this box if you do not wish to purchase this additional cover.

Snow sports are defined as Snow skiing and snowboarding on and off piste, back country skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling, tobogganing, cross-country skiing, telemark skiing. Click the link to find out more about  Snow Sports travel insurance .

By selecting this option, you’ll be charged an additional premium. You can uncheck this box if you don't want to reduce your excess. Different excess options are available when you "Get a Quote".

Variable excess option. An excess is the amount that is deducted from your claim payout. A standard excess of $250 applies to most claims. By selecting this option, you can reduce your policy excess amount to $0 on some plans. An additional excess may apply to specific medical conditions. This excess cannot be removed.

Cruising is covered as standard. If the cruise only stops in one country, just select that country. If the cruise stops at multiple destinations, add each destination. 

• If you are travelling to 'New Caledonia', please also add in 'South Pacific Cruise' so cruise is displayed on your Certificate of Insurance. 
• If the cruise only visits stops within Australia, make sure you select ‘Australian Waters’ option and NOT just Australia.

If you get sick aboard a cruise while traveling under one of our international policies, we can offer overseas medical cover on board, including if you contract Coronavirus during the trip. Make sure you’re following all relevant government and official advice. All policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply, and you should be aware there are things we don’t cover, such as your cruise being cancelled by the provider due to an epidemic or pandemic. Click the link to find out more about  travel insurance for cruising .

• Start and end at your home in Australia, and 
• Be to a destination of at least 200km from your home in Australia, and 
• Include travel by either pre-paid scheduled public transport or hire car, or include at least one night of pre-booked publicly available accommodation
• under 25 years of age, and
• working less than 30 hours per week.

Destinations

Looking for travel insurance for seniors, get a quote online via this page to compare our travel insurance for seniors..

Existing Medical Conditions

Travelling overseas, on a  cruise  or within australia and looking for travel insurance for seniors.

Travel Insurance Saver offer a range of  online travel insurance , which may be suitable for your next trip away.  Compare our travel insurance  side by side on our website or call us for further information. 

• Comprehensive 
• Annual Multi Trip 
• Bare Essentials

Travel Insurance Cover for Seniors

Travel insurance for seniors over 69 years of age

The following policies are available for all ages;

• Comprehensive
• Annual Multi Trip (Maximum 45 Days Per Trip)

Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions as set out in the Product Disclosure Statement. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision about any travel insurance policy.

Having difficulties? Feel free to contact our staff, and we will provide a quote and Product Disclosure Statement that may assist you in choosing the appropriate policy. 

nib Travel has a 24/7 emergency assistance team called  nib International Assistance  to assist you while you are travelling overseas. 

To compare and view quotes, please click here to get a senior travel insurance quote and view the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

How could travel insurance help you?

If you are considering to travel overseas and/or interstate frequently you may wish to choose an Annual Multi Trip travel insurance plan. The Annual Multi Trip plan covers multiple trips up to 45 days per trip overseas and domestically for 12 months. 

Please feel free to contact our friendly staff, we are more than happy to help with any inquiries you might have about taking out a suitable travel insurance policy for seniors. 

This is a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions as set out in the Product Disclosure Statement. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision about any travel insurance policy 

Contact Travel Insurance Saver

If you have any question's please fill in the form below and one of our friendly team members will get in touch soon.

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• nib Travel Insurance
• nib International Assistance
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Insurance Saver Pty Ltd, ABN 18 624 919 366, AR 001263726 is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461 and act as nib's agent and not as your agent. This is general advice only. Before you buy, you should consider your needs, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.

• 1300 409 322 Australian Based Call Centre

Travel Insurance for Seniors

Whether you’re 60, 75 or up to 89 years of age, travelling is all about seeing, doing, and making the memories that will stay with you forever. At Fast Cover, we can help to make those precious memories by providing seniors travel insurance with cover for unexpected medical and hospital expenses, cancellation, evacuation, repatriation and more.

We also know those memories will be different to other travellers: you may be taking a cruise trip to Alaska , exploring the Canadian Rockies, taking a European tour or just visiting family. So that’s why we’ve made sure that our travel insurance for pensioners allows you to customise your policy to the type of holiday you’re taking.

5 Things you need to know about Australian seniors travel insurance with Fast Cover

The price of travel insurance is calculated on the age you are when you purchase travel insurance, not the age you’ll be on your departure date or during your holiday.

Senior travellers up to the age of 89 are eligible for a seniors travel insurance policy. Further limits may apply to some policy types and adventurous activities.

Cancellation cover can be included with your travel insurance and can protect the deposits that you’ve already paid for your holiday.

Depending on whether you’re cruising in Australian waters or overseas, you may have cover for the land and sea portions of your trip .

Medical screening available for your medical conditions .

What can travel insurance for seniors provide cover for?

Fast Cover’s seniors travel insurance policies can provide you with cover for:

Emergency medical and hospital expenses

Be covered for the costs of treatment for an eligible   unexpected illness or injuries   on your holiday.

Medical evacuation and repatriation expenses

In case of an emergency, such as sickness or injury, you can be covered for the  flight home or to get to the nearest hospital .

Sports and leisure activities

Cover for a huge list of  sports and activities are included . The more adventurous can also choose to add on the   Adventure Pack   to cover an extra list of adrenaline-pumping activities.

Cover against theft and loss of belongings

Ensure your  possessions   are protected while you travel.

Travel Delays

If your scheduled transport is delayed for more than 6 hours, you’ll have cover for additional costs like food and accommodation.

Special Event Transport Expenses

Your booked transport to get to your tour or cruise is delayed or cancelled? You’ll have cover to get to there on time.

Unexpected cancellation of your seniors trip

You can take out a seniors travel insurance policy with cancellation cover up to 12 months before you travel. This can come in handy if you want to protect the deposits you’ve already paid, like flights, accommodation, cruises and tours, if you’re  not able to travel   due to an unexpected emergency.

24 hour emergency assistance

Your seniors travel insurance comes with a 24-hour emergency assistance hotline to experienced medical advisors you can call wherever you are in the world, at any time, for whatever reason or situation you find yourself in and need assistance.

Optional Extras

Our travel insurance policies include the benefits you may need on your seniors holiday. However, we also know that every trip is different, so that’s why we offer optional add-ons that allow you to customise your travel insurance policy – that way, you’re not paying for something you don’t need!

The optional extras include:

Standard excess.

We hope you have a holiday without having to make a claim! However, if something does happen, you’ll need to pay an  excess   for every claim you make. You can reduce the Standard excess on your policy to $100 or $0 by paying an additional premium.

Specified High Value Items

If you would like to cover your valuable items for more than what they’re  currently covered   for, you can specify the item and we won’t apply depreciation to it.

Adventure Pack

This is for the senior traveller looking to do more adventurous activities like scuba diving to 30m or water skiing. Check out the  activities we can cover   for, and what you need to take out the   Adventure Pack

Motorcycle Pack

If you want to ride or be a passenger on a  scooter, moped or motorcycle ,   you’ll need to add the Motorcycle Pack to your seniors policy. Conditions apply, make sure you have the relevant licences for the country that you’re riding in.

Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess

Hiring a car to drive around and want to save from having to pay the rental car company to reduce the excess? You can add on cover for the  rental vehicle insurance excess   in your rental vehicle insurance with your car hire company.

Can senior travel insurance cover me for my trip?

Due to the uncertainty of future developments in COVID-19 and associated health impacts, age restrictions are constantly subject to review. 

Our policies can provide cover for all sorts of seniors trips. Below are just some of the types of seniors holidays our travel insurance policies provide cover for. If your trip or holiday type isn’t on the list, call us now on 1300 409 322 to talk to our travel insurance specialists.

• Ocean cruises
• River cruises (no need for a cruise travel insurance policy)
• Overseas trip
• Around Australia
• Driving holiday
• Campervan holidays
• Sightseeing
• Visiting family or friends
• Volunteering
• Hiking trip (age limit applies for altitudes 3000 m to 6000 m)
• Golfing trip
• Skiing (up to 69 years of age)

What is travel insurance for seniors?

Fast Cover travel insurance for seniors includes unlimited access to an experienced   Emergency Assistance   team available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. If you run into trouble or need advice while on your seniors holiday, help is just a phone call away from anywhere in the world.

If you have an existing medical condition , we may be able to help - we can provide cover for many existing medical conditions, just in case the unexpected happens on your trip.

Check out our Medical Conditions page for more information about medical screening for your existing medical conditions including information about the General Exclusions that may apply*.

Get travel insurance quotes for seniors

Our seniors travel insurance is designed to meet the needs of many different types of travellers. So whether you’re a pensioner or not, we can provide you with a travel insurance quote if:

• You’re 89 years of age or younger
• Your journey starts in Australia and end in Australia
• You purchase your policy before you commence your journey
• You’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia, and hold a valid Australian Medicare card (if you are a temporary visitor, then you must be covered in Australia by a private health insurance policy that satisfies the Australian government health insurance requirements for your visa type);

Get an instant   quote   for your upcoming trip or if you prefer to talk to us, give us a call on 1300 409 322   and we would be happy to help put together a quote for you.

When should you buy travel insurance for seniors?

You can purchase up to the day you leave for your holiday. However, if you do this, you might be missing out on the benefit of cancellation cover.

The cancellation benefit starts from the time your policy is issued, and provides cover for the deposits that you’ve already made for your holiday, including flights, accommodation, tours and cruises.

So if you purchase travel insurance for your seniors holiday with cancellation cover, you may be able to claim for what you’ve already paid out if you, your travelling companion, or a relative gets unexpectedly sick or injured before your trip and you can no longer travel.

Did you know that you can purchase travel insurance with cancellation cover up to 12 months before your holiday departure date?  This is especially important for cruise holidays, as you're usually required to pay upfront for a holiday up to 12 months or more in advance. You certainly wouldn't want to lose all the prepayments you've already made if you get sick and can't go on your cruise trip.

So consider purchasing seniors travel insurance for your trip as soon as you’ve paid your deposits to cover yourself for the unexpected.

How does my age affect my seniors travel insurance?

Travel insurance up to 89 years of age.

We know that many other insurers don’t provide insurance for senior travellers over a certain age. We think differently. We know you can still be fit to travel in your 60’s and right through to your 80’s. So that’s why our travel insurance for elderly travellers can cover you for your holidays up until you’re 89!

Can I get cover for existing medical conditions on my seniors insurance?

Our travel insurance can provide cover for many medical conditions .

You can complete a medical screening for:

Your existing medical conditions that you have or have had, for the 3 years prior to your policy purchase date,

Any changes to your existing medical conditions which we have agreed to cover, after you buy your policy and before you leave for your trip,

New medical conditions you develop after you buy your policy and before you leave for your trip.

If we agree to provide you with cover for your medical conditions following your medical screening, you may need to pay an additional premium.

IMPORTANT: If you have had a medical condition within the 3 years prior to your policy purchase date, and you have not completed a medical screening for those conditions, or you have not notified us of a change in health or new medical condition as mentioned above, there is no cover for any claims under the policy arising from any of those medical conditions. You should also be aware of the General Exclusions that apply to all benefits, in particular General Exclusion 20 and 22 of the PDS.

What is a medical condition?

We consider a medical condition to be any bodily or physical injury, physical defect, illness, disease or other medical or dental condition or sign or symptom of these things, which you and anyone listed on your policy (including dependants travelling with you):

• required prescription medication for or has been prescribed medication from a medical practitioner in writing for,
• sought or received medical advice from a medical practitioner or other health care professional for,
• had tests, investigations, care, treatment or medical attention including surgery for,
• been admitted to hospital for (including emergency department or day surgery procedure), or
• became aware of or which a reasonable person in the circumstances would have been aware of.

It includes but is not limited to:

• the suffering or treatment of mental illness,
• brain, heart (such as any cardiovascular or coronary heart disease or any condition related to a heart or blood vessels), kidney, liver, respiratory, circulatory (such as high blood pressure, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack), cancer or cancerous condition,
• reduced or deficient immune system,
• a sign or symptom of the above matters, or
• a persistent and lasting health condition such as constant pain or long-suffering pain or pain with a pattern of relapse and remission. 

If any of the above applies to you, you will need to complete a medical screening so that we can assess whether or not we can provide you with cover for your medical condition.

Check out our Medical Conditions page for more information about medical screening for your medical conditions including information about the General Exclusions that may apply.

Please refer to our Product Disclosure Statement for eligibility criteria, and policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits that apply.

What if my existing medical condition is not covered?

As a senior traveller, we understand that you may have some existing medical conditions, so call our travel insurance specialists on 1300 409 322 and we can explain the options below:

We may be able to help - our travel insurance can provide cover for many existing medical conditions, just in case the unexpected happens on your trip.

The Insurance Council of Australia may be able to give you a list of travel insurers who may be able to provide you with cover for your pre-existing medical condition.

Can I buy travel insurance for pensioners?

Our holiday insurance for seniors is available to seniors and pensioners aged 89 and younger.

If you’re looking for cheap travel insurance for seniors because you’re on the pension or on a budget, our Basics policy may be what you’re looking for. The Basics policy provides cover for emergency medical and hospital expenses, evacuation, repatriation and personal liability, with an option to add on cover for your luggage.

For those seniors holidays where you need more than just cover for the basics, our   Comprehensive policy   provides our highest level of cover for your peace of mind on your overseas seniors trip. The Comprehensive policy provides you with overseas emergency medical cover (including repatriation back home if required), and there’s cover for the payments that you’ve already paid in advance, travel delays, special event transport expenses, luggage and disruptions to your trip.

Our   Standard Saver  policy is our mid-range policy which offers more cover than the Basics policy and includes cover for cancellation, luggage and trip disruptions.

Compare pensioner travel insurance

While most travel insurance companies offer holiday insurance for seniors, the benefits that they offer will usually differ.

Fast Cover’s overseas travel insurance for seniors offers 3 levels of cover: Comprehensive, Standard Saver and Basics, and are available to travellers aged 89 and younger.

Before you decide on your seniors insurance, you should read the   Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)   to check what the policy will and won’t cover you for, the exclusions and whether the policy provides the cover that you’re looking for.

Cruise travel insurance for seniors

Cruises are a popular holiday for all Australians and in particular for senior travellers. However, whether it’s with your spouse, a friend or the extended family, on-board medical treatment and medical evacuations off the cruise ship can be costly.

If you’re cruising on a sea or ocean, even if you’re simply cruising for a few days in Australian waters, you should select “Cruise” when purchasing cruise travel insurance for seniors. Unless there’s a Medicare registered doctor on-board, you won’t be able to use your Medicare card. So if there is an emergency, you’ll be responsible for the cost of any medical treatment and the cost of evacuation by boat or helicopter back to the mainland.

River cruises are also a popular option, especially in Europe, and you won’t require a policy that covers cruise for this type of trip.

All our cruise policies include the usual benefits you get with our Comprehensive, Standard Saver and Basics policies, so you’re covered if you’re on a shore excursion, a tour or on the cruise ship.

Whether you take a cruise from Australia to the USA or simply an around Australia cruise, we know that the unexpected can happen, so that’s why we offer seniors cruise insurance.

What is the best cruise travel insurance for seniors?

A cruise travel insurance policy that’s best for you is a policy that’s able to cover you for the type of cruise (or any) holiday that you’re taking. Think about where you’re going, what activities you’re going to be doing and what you want to be covered for: do you need cancellation cover in case you can’t take the cruise trip due to an unexpected illness or injury? Will you need to take a flight to get to your cruise, and you’re concerned about flight delays? Have you paid for shore excursions and want to have cover in case something out of your control happens and you can’t make it?

Knowing what you want to be covered for can help you to find the best travel insurance policy for your seniors cruise trip.

Domestic travel insurance for seniors

Seniors insurance travel options extends to domestic trips too!

While there’s no medical cover on our domestic policies because you’re covered by Medicare and/or your private health insurance, you still have cover if you have to cancel your trip due to an unexpected family emergency, or if you’re in an accident and your doctor advises against travel. Cover is also provided for travel delays, special event transport expenses, protecting your luggage against loss or theft and rental vehicle insurance excess if you’re hiring a car.

Cheap travel insurance for seniors

The cheapest seniors travel insurance policy may save you money today, but it may not be the best policy for your type of trip. You should consider the benefits included with the price: think about what you want to be covered for, what the travel insurance policy will actually cover you for and also how much you will be covered for.

Some things to consider when looking for cheap travel insurance:

• Does the policy offer unlimited medical cover?
• Do you have an existing medical condition?
• If you’re taking your grandchildren with you, are they covered?
• And do you need cancellation cover in case you can’t go on the trip?

So even if you’re looking for a cheap travel insurance policy for seniors, make sure you compare the travel insurance policies not just on the price, but also whether it provides the appropriate type of cover for your type of holiday.

Did you know that if you buy your policy before your next birthday, you may save on your premium, even though you’ll be a year older when you travel? Find out   20 other ways to save money on your travel insurance .

Senior Travel Insurance FAQs

What is the best travel insurance for seniors.

The following is general advice only and does not take into account your individual needs, objectives or financial situation. Consider the PDS prior to deciding whether this policy is appropriate for you and your trip. 

To find the best travel insurance for seniors you should look for a policy that suits the type of holiday that you're taking. You should not only consider what the travel insurance policy is able to cover you for, but also what it doesn't cover.

Always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to make an informed decision about the best seniors travel insurance policy for you.

Claims are assessed on a case by case basis. Therefore, you should submit a claim and our claims team will assess your claim. Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) .

Can I take out a policy if I'm 90 years of age or over?

We can offer travel insurance to travellers who were aged 89 at the time the policy was purchased, but will be 90 years of age at the time of travel. We're not able to offer travel insurance to travellers aged 90 and over at the time of policy purchase.

If you're aged 90 and over at the time of policy purchase, the Insurance Council of Australia may be able to suggest other companies who may be able to provide you with cover for your travel.

Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) .

Please note: any advice is general advice only and has not taken into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the PDS prior to deciding whether this policy is right for you.

What is the maximum age for travel insurance?

We're able to cover travellers up to the age of 89. Even if you'll be 90 years of age when you travel, you may still be eligible for cover if you purchased your policy while you're still 89!

Unfortunately we're not able to offer travel insurance to travellers aged 90 and over (unless they were 89 at the time the policy was purchased).

If you are aged 90 and over at the time of policy purchase, the Insurance Council of Australia may be able to suggest other companies who may be able to provide you with cover for your travel.

What is the insurance for seniors?

We offer travel insurance policies for travellers over the age of 70 and up to the age of 89 who love to travel, whether it be cruising, sightseeing or just visiting family overseas. Depending on what you want to be covered for, you can have unlimited emergency medical and cancellation cover, luggage if they're lost or stolen , travel delays and special event transport expenses to get you to your cruise or tour on time.

Get a quick quote for your seniors holiday now or give us a call on 1300 409 322. 

Claims are assessed on a case by case basis. Therefore, you should submit a claim and our claims team will assess your claim.

What is the cheapest travel insurance for seniors?

The following is general advice only and does not take into account your individual needs, objectives or financial situation. Consider the PDS prior to deciding whether this policy is appropriate for you and your trip.  

No one wants to pay more than they need to for travel insurance, especially if you're on the pension or just want to keep your travel costs down. However, when you're comparing travel insurance for your seniors trip, the cheapest seniors travel insurance quote may not be the most suitable policy for your trip, as it may not provide the cover that you want!

You should consider what you want to be covered for and what the seniors travel insurance policy covers and what it doesn't cover. A policy that doesn't cover you for the things you want may end up not being the cheapest if you have to make a claim.

Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) . 

Does Seniors Travel Insurance cover trip cancellations?

The following advice is general advice only and has not taken into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the PDS prior to deciding whether this policy is right for you.

If cancellation cover is included with your policy, and you're unable to go on your trip as a direct result of circumstances neither reasonably expected nor intended by you prior to the issue of your certificate of insurance, you can put in a claim for the payments that you've already made for your trip, including flights, tours, cruises and accommodation.

As each individual’s circumstances are different, in the event of a claim, our claims team will assess each claim on a case by case basis.

Can I buy a multi trip policy for seniors?

You may be eligible to purchase a Frequent Traveller Saver policy if you're aged 75 years and under.

The following is general advice only and does not take into account your individual needs, objectives or financial situation. Consider the PDS prior to deciding whether this policy is appropriate for you and your trip.

^ Price as at 20/03/2024 compared to the price calculated today for this policy.

* See Product Disclosure Statement for full terms and conditions and exclusions and limits that apply.

† Fast Cover has a referral arrangement with this company.

The entity that referred you does not act for Fast Cover and may receive remuneration from us. You can ask them or us for more details. Make sure any information listed in any quote provided remains accurate and if not, please change it on our website or you can contact us .

Search Smartraveller

Advice for mature and older travellers.

Whatever your age and destination, properly preparing before you travel and staying in good health will help you have a great trip. This page provides mature travellers with information to prepare for a hassle-free and safe journey.

When you travel overseas, you leave behind Australia's support systems, emergency service capabilities and medical facilities. The Australian Government will do what it can to help Australians in difficulty overseas. There are legal and practical limits to what can be done to assist travellers in other countries. Have realistic expectations about this and read the Consular Services Charter before you go.

On this page you can explore:

• what you should do before you go
• taking care of your health while you're away

Be prepared

The better prepared you are, the safer and more enjoyable your travel will be.

Read the travel advice

Start with the latest travel advice for your destination . This advice provides information on the main risks you may face and precautions you can take while travelling. Our travel advice also includes practical information on the safety and security situation, local laws and health issues.

Passports and visas

Your passport is your most important travel document. All Australian citizens must have a valid passport before leaving Australia and maintain a valid passport while overseas.

Be aware that countries have different passport validity requirements. Check the expiry date of your Australian passport before you travel. Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months from when you plan to leave that country. Carry extra passport photos just in case something happens to your passport and you need to replace it while you're away.

Find out early what visas you need by contacting the foreign mission (embassy, high commission or consulate) of the countries you intend to visit. Some countries have specific entry and exit requirements, including compulsory vaccinations. A tourist visa may not allow you to undertake any form of work—including voluntary or unpaid activities. Check the visa requirements of countries you might be transiting. Contact details for foreign missions are in the White Pages or on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website .

More information on Australian passports is at the Australian Passport Office website . You can also call the Australian Passport Information Service on 13 12 32 in Australia.

Remember that:

• the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can't help you arrange visas or work and residency permits for other countries
• a visa doesn't guarantee entry to a foreign country
• in most cases, a tourist visa doesn't allow you to work in a foreign country including voluntary or unpaid activities

Dual nationality

If you are a dual national read our dual nationals page for more information.

Research your destination

Find out about the political, cultural and economic environment of your destination so you'll know what to expect. Consult the travel advice for your destination and either purchase a guide book or search the internet for recent information. Talk with family or friends who are familiar with the countries you'll be visiting. You could also consult the country briefs available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website to learn more about your destinations.

If you're concerned the airline may question your fitness to fly, get a letter from your doctor confirming you're fit for air travel.

If you have a disability, call your airline to find out about services such as shuttle services, seating arrangements and special meals.

If you need to carry medication , needles or syringes with you, get a letter from your doctor saying why you need them. Seek early advice from your airline on how to comply with enhanced airport and air travel security regulations.

Centrelink payments

There are rules about how leaving Australia affects Centrelink payments or concession cards. You should check the Services Australia website to find out how any absence from Australia could affect your payment.

Accommodation

If you're travelling independently, book your accommodation before you get there.

Keep in touch

Keep in touch with your family or friends. Many travellers use email or their Australian mobile phones to keep in touch. Contact your Australian mobile phone provider to arrange global roaming before you travel. If you want to minimise global roaming costs, check if pre-paid mobile phone services are available in your planned destinations and purchase a local SIM card.

You should subscribe to travel advice for your destination. You'll receive updates straight to your inbox. 

We strongly encourage you to subscribe so you’re well-informed for your trip overseas.

Protect yourself against loss and theft by carrying minimal luggage. When you're overloaded, you make yourself more vulnerable to bag snatchers and pickpockets. Secure your credit cards and passports in a money belt or under your clothes.

Information on luggage security and safety is available from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Government travel security website .

If you're travelling to the USA, make sure you understand its specific airline baggage lock requirements. Information is available from the US Department of Homeland Security .

Money and valuables

You can take a number of steps to protect yourself against loss and theft of money and valuables.

• Organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as debit and credit cards, traveller's cheques and cash.
• Check with your bank if your ATM card will work overseas.
• Register with your bank the period you expect to be travelling.
• Never let your credit card out of your sight.
• Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, travel insurance policy, visas and credit cards. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave the other with someone at home.
• Take your senior citizens card. It may be recognised in some places overseas.

Staying healthy overseas

Think about your health needs before you travel.

Make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic check-up at least eight weeks before you leave. Find out if you destinations require any vaccinations or health checks.

Be cautious of purchasing and taking medication overseas without consulting a qualified medical professional.

If you're taking medicines overseas, we recommend you:

• discuss with your doctor the medication you'll need to take
• carry a letter from your doctor detailing what the medication is, how much you'll be taking with you, and that it's for your personal use
• leave the medication in its original packaging so it's clearly labelled with your name and dosage instructions

If you're travelling with medication, make sure it's legal in the countries you're visiting. Do this by contacting the relevant embassy or consulate in Australia before leaving home.

If you need to travel with large quantities of medication, it's good practice to separate the quantity between your luggage, in case bags go missing. Keep medication in the original, labelled container to avoid customs problems.

If it’s allowed in the countries you're visiting, it may be preferable to carry your own needles and syringes for injections. If you buy needles and syringes overseas, make sure they’re sealed and sterile.

Take enough medication to cover the length of your trip. If you need to buy it locally, be careful not to buy imitation or counterfeit products. Packaging and labelling may be similar to that in Australia, but the strength and active ingredients can vary from country to country. Always check the strength of a medication with a doctor.

Unless it’s for your personal use or an immediate family member travelling with you, it’s against the law to carry or send Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medication overseas. Penalties include a fine up to $5,000 and two years in prison if you break the law.

More information on travelling with medication and medical devices:

• Sending PBS medicines overseas – Department of Human Services (Medicare)
• Travelling with medicines and medical devices – Therapeutic Goods Administration

Prescription glasses

If you wear glasses, take a spare pair and/or a copy of the prescription. That way you can replace them more easily if lost or broken.

Reciprocal health care agreements

Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

These agreements can cover or subsidise some emergency medical costs. This is usually for urgent treatment that can't wait until you get home.

Each country with an agreement decides what they'll cover or subsidise. The treating doctor determines if your condition is a 'medical necessity'. We can't intervene in their processes or policies.

It's important to remember that healthcare agreements are no substitute for travel insurance . They won't cover you if a doctor recommends medical evacuation back to Australia.

Department of Veterans' Affairs

If you receive a pension from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), advise DVA of your plans to travel overseas before you leave. Ask about the possible implications for your pension and healthcare entitlements. A DVA 'gold card' or DVA healthcare card does not guarantee that DVA will cover your medical costs while you're overseas. Further information is available on the Department of Veterans' Affairs website .

Overlapping risks

Different aspects of your identity can expose you to overlapping forms of discrimination and increase the risks you might face. This is sometimes referred to as intersectionality. Aspects of your identity can include your:

• nationality
• sexual orientation
• mental health.

Read this advice along with our advice about colour, race or religion ,  women , LGBTQIA+ , disability , and mental health to understand the different risks you may face.

Final tips before you go

• Read the travel advice for the countries you plan to visit and subscribe for email notifications of updates.
• Many guidebooks and online forums cover issues travellers may encounter. Talk to friends, family and colleagues who have travelled to the places you plan to visit.
• Leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home, and plan to keep in regular contact.
• Plan before you leave to choose a destination where you'll feel safe, comfortable, and prepared for any issues you might face.
• To find out more about healthy travel and vaccinations you can read the Australian Immunisation Handbook
• Further information about health care when travelling overseas and international health agreements is available at the Medicare website
• More information on current health emergencies on the World Health Organization website

Related content

Many countries don't have the same access, services or support for people with disabilities as Australia. Learn more about travelling with a disability.

When you go overseas, you may be exposed to a range of infectious diseases. Before you go, learn about the health risks in your destination and see your doctor.

Explore this page for travel health advice for Australians travelling overseas. Your health is your responsibility, and prevention is better than cure.

Travel insurance for over 85

Travel insurance for over 85s is vital to protect you from unexpected events linked to your trip. it can include cover for medical expenses, luggage, trip cancellation and some pre-existing medical conditions..

In this guide

What types of travel insurance cover are available?

Can i get travel insurance with pre-existing conditions, what else impacts the cost of my cover, receive quotes if you are over 85, frequently asked questions.

Destinations

What you need to know

• As you age you are generally deemed to carry a higher risk. For this reason, travel insurance gets more expensive.
• For example, pre-existing medical conditions can raise the cost of your insurance. It is really important that you state any conditions you have when applying for cover.
• COVID insurance is a feature of about one in three travel insurance policies. Always check your policy with care so you are aware of any restrictions or exclusions.

Finding travel insurance can be a bit tricky as an older traveller. However, there are still options available to you in your golden years. The right travel insurance can cover overseas medical expenses, emergency transport back to Australia, lost or stolen passports and luggage, and more.

For overseas trips, many insurers offer a choice of the following levels of cover:

• Comprehensive cover. This type of policy covers trip cancellation, overseas medical and hospital expenses, luggage and personal belongings, cash and travel documents, travel and luggage delays, accidental death, personal liability, rental vehicle insurance excess, alternative transport arrangements and a whole lot more.
• Mid-range cover. This type of policy offers a number of the same cover features as a comprehensive policy but with a lower limit. These policies may not provide all the same benefits as comprehensive cover, but will usually protect against trip cancellation, overseas medical expenses, luggage and personal belongings and travel delays.
• Basic cover. Basic travel insurance is an inexpensive option as it only offers a very limited range of cover, such as overseas medical expenses and personal liability.

It is possible to get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition if you’re over 85. Pre-existing conditions are usually defined as an illness or injury you had prior to taking out a travel insurance policy.

Most insurers will require you to complete a medical questionnaire so they can assess the chance of needing to pay for a medical event while you’re overseas, and identify pre-existing medical conditions. From there, they will typically handle any pre-existing conditions in one of the following ways:

• They will offer you standard travel insurance cover
• You'll be offered cover, but without medical cover for your condition
• You'll be offered insurance at a higher cost
• The provider sets certain exclusions, restrictions or a higher policy excess
• You'll be turned down for insurance

The definition of a pre-existing condition

There may be differences between insurers. For example, one provider might define any surgery in the last 12 months as a pre-existing condition, while another will want to know about any surgery in the last 2 years. Generally, however, a pre-existing medical condition can be defined as any of the following:

• Any medical condition or illness of which you are aware
• Any condition for which treatment, medication or advice or has been received or prescribed
• Any chronic or ongoing illness or health condition, including dental ones.
• Any surgery you have received recently
• Any symptoms that you know about but have not yet been diagnosed
• Any condition that you should be seeing a doctor about

Pre-existing conditions that may be covered

Insurers will make exceptions for health issues that technically qualify as pre-existing conditions, but can be safely managed with medication, or aren’t causing further health complications. These can include:

• Osteoporosis
• Cataracts or congenital blindness
• Incontinence
• High blood pressure

Sometimes conditions might apply to these. In the case of diabetes, for example, you will often need to have been diagnosed more than 12 months ago so the insurer knows the condition is “stable”.

Pre-existing conditions that the insurer will want to know more about

If you have these, or other issues, the travel insurance provider might ask for more information and give you an additional questionnaire to fill out.

• Heart problems, or if you have a pacemaker
• Any recent surgery
• Lung disease
• Some types of diabetes
• If you have suffered from deep vein thrombosis, a stroke or other issues

Pre-existing conditions that are usually not covered

When a condition is not covered, the insurer will not pay out for claims related to it, even if the conditions of policy say they will. Conditions which are typically not covered include:

• Diagnosed terminal illnesses
• Chronic lung disease
• Chronic pain
• Mental illness, including dementia and related conditions
• Congestive heart failure

The exact pre-existing conditions in each category, and whether or not they are covered, vary depending on the insurer and the nature of the condition. It is important that you discuss these with your insurer to understand exactly what is covered.

• Conditions in the top category are more likely to be covered at no extra cost, or only a small price increase, because they are not as dangerous as the others.
• Conditions in the bottom, most severe, category are unlikely to be covered, but if they are they will typically cost a lot more.

Travel insurance premiums are influenced by a range of factors, including:

The length of your trip.

The longer your journey, the more your cover will cost.

Where you're going.

From natural disasters to political instability , some areas of the world are classified as riskier destinations and you'll have to pay more for cover there.

What you're doing.

Do you want to go skiing or parasailing? If so, don't be surprised if you have to pay more for cover. to take out extra cover.

Travel warnings.

If there is an advisory issued against the country you're travelling to, you will usually have to pay more for cover.

Your pre-existing conditions.

As mentioned above, you may need to pay extra if an insurer agrees to cover your pre-existing medical condition.

Raising your benefit limit.

If you want additional cover for valuables such as laptops and mobile phones, you may need to pay extra to raise the limits of your cover.

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How can I save money on travel insurance?

• Find discounts. There are always a lot of special deals and limited offers. Check this list of current deals to see if you can get a discount or free extras.
• Don't buy from a travel agent. Travel agents attach a hefty commission to the price of the travel insurance they sell, so buy a policy direct from an insurer either online or over the phone – it'll save you heaps.
• Choose a lower level of cover. Comprehensive cover obviously costs more than basic travel insurance, so ask yourself whether a policy for budget-conscious travellers might be sufficient.
• Know what you need. Consider where you're going and what you're doing before you go shopping for a policy. Doing so will help ensure that you only end up paying for policy benefits you actually need.
• Increase your excess. The excess may be thought of as an administration fee you need to pay when making a claim. Some insurers offer the option of choosing a higher excess in return for lower premiums.
• Get annual multi-trip cover. If you're a frequent traveller who is likely to take more than two trips in the next year, you can save a substantial amount of money by taking out an annual multi-trip policy . This type of policy covers all the trips you take over a 12-month period and is more affordable than taking out a single policy for each trip.
• Consider credit card cover. You may not know it but many credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance. Just be aware that you'll need to satisfy certain conditions in order to activate cover, such as paying for your flights using your card.
• Compare quotes. It's easy to receive a quote for travel insurance online, so get several quotes to make sure you've found the right policy.
• Read the PDS. Of course, you shouldn't choose a policy based on price alone. The product disclosure statement (PDS) has a lot of important information. If you're having trouble understanding it, or if the fine print is simply too small to read you can call the insurer and ask them for assistance.
• Shop around. Travel insurance for over 85s is important, so it's worth taking the time to shop around and compare policies.

I'm heading overseas, can I get travel insurance to cover COVID?

Several travel insurers do offer some form of cover for COVID. It can be fairly limited, so it's advised that you read a policy's wording carefully to see what is and isn't included. Some providers will cover trip cancellations, medical costs and repatriation expenses if you get COVID. We'd encourage you to visit our guide to COVID travel insurance for more information.

What should I know about cruise travel insurance?

Taking a cruise isn't the same as flying to your destination, because large parts of your vacation will be spent on a boat. Cruise travel insurance can provide effective cover of some of the special conditions where standard travel insurance might not.

• Not covered in Australian waters. The moment a cruise ship sets sail for a foreign port you are no longer covered by Medicare or health insurance, and your travel insurance kicks in instead.
• Medical expenses on a cruise can be high. Receiving medical treatment on a cruise ship might be even more expensive than staying in hospital would be. Facilities are also limited, so for a serious health event they might need to call in a (very expensive) medical airlift to get you to a real hospital. Cruise travel insurance can cover these costs, and can even pay out an allowance for compensation if you get confined to your cabin for medical reasons.
• Cruise holidays are at the mercy of the weather. If Mother Nature decides to play up in the middle of your cruise there might be missed shore excursions, missed ports, travel delays and other unwanted interruptions. Cruise travel insurance can cover these.
• What if you're running late? You've probably heard the stories of cruise travellers getting stuck in traffic and missing their boat after a shore excursion. Sometimes it's possible to fly ahead to the next port, while well heeled travellers might even charter a helicopter to fly them back out to the ship. Your insurer probably won't rent a helicopter for you, but will often pay for more sensible ways of getting back on track.
• Formal attire cover. If your formal wear is lost, stolen or damaged, you can receive cover for the cost of buying or hiring replacement attire.
• Finding a policy. Some insurers offer special cruise travel insurance policies while others will require you to purchase a cruise pack with your regular policy. A cruise travel insurance policy also covers many of the same things as normal travel insurance, such as luggage and personal belongings, money and travel documents, and personal liability.

Richard Laycock

Richard Laycock is Finder’s insights editor after spending the last five years writing and editing articles about insurance. His musings can be found across the web including on MoneyMag, Yahoo Finance and Travel Weekly. Richard studied Media at Macquarie University and The Missouri School of Journalism and has a Tier 1 Certification in General Advice for Life Insurance. See full profile

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2 Responses

Could you please advise if you have to be an Australian resident to be eligible for any of these travel insurance policies that cover you if you are over 85. I am trying to find travel insurance for my healthy active 86 year old mother who will be visiting in January 2018 for 3 months and cannot find any insurer in Australia that will give her travel insurance. Unfortunately there is no company in South Africa that offers travel insurance for over 85 years of age either. The Australian Dept of Immigration in SA say they will not issue her with a visa unless she has travel insurance. Age discrimination :(

Thanks for reaching out to Finder.

I understand where you’re coming from and indeed age is one of the factors considered by the insurers in offering a cover and setting insurance cost. This is because of the higher risk and likelihood of claims as one gets older.

Some of the insurance brands featured on this page offer policies to nonresidents provided that their trip is within or commencing from Australia. We have a list of Australian insurers that offer inbound travel insurance to those who are visiting Australia, however, as of the moment none of them covers over 75-year old travellers. While insurance options for older seniors are limited, a good travel insurance broker might be able to help you find the right cover for your mom.

I hope this has helped in a way.

Cheers, Liezl

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