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Do you need travel insurance?

Why Is Travel Insurance Important?

Travelling to somewhere new is a thrilling experience, but every journey comes with the risk of a few unpredictable downsides. These can be things like illness, injury, or delays and cancellations. They’re circumstances that most travellers would rather not think about — but should definitely plan for.

There’s confidence that comes with knowing you’ll have coverage as you travel. Your insurance can grant you access to assistance in an emergency at any time and in any time zone. This can help with things like medical coverage, trip cancellations and so much more.

What You Can Do To Feel More Prepared When Travelling

Luckily for all those who are constantly on the move, there’s a handful of options that can help you feel more comfortable when you’re away from home.

Coverage plans are designed to suit the needs of different kinds of travellers, so it’s important to think about what your travel style is. The main TD Insurance plans designed to suit the different designation of travel are:

•    Single trip 1  − You’ll have access to worldwide emergency assistance 24/7. There’s also an option for family or couple plans, and you’ll have coverage for up to 212 days of travel 2 .
•    Annual 3  −This is for the more frequent jetsetters among us. These plans allow unlimited trips of 9, 17, 30 or 60 days during the year and come with comprehensive medical emergency coverage of up to $5 million with no deductible required..

Whatever your travel style is, wherever in the world you’re heading, we’re happy to help you figure out which plan is best for you.  Visit TD Insurance online  to learn more about what travel insurance plan might suit you best and get a quote while you’re there.  We also offer tips and resources  to help you travel safely and comfortably.

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1  Coverage may be subject to exclusions and limitations. Refer to your Certificate of Insurance for full details of coverage. 2  Up to 212 days but not longer than the maximum number of days allowed under your Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) for travel outside of Canada. 3  Coverage may be subject to exclusions and limitations. Refer to your Certificate of Insurance for full details of coverage.

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• Best overall
• Best for expensive trips
• Best for older travelers
• Best for affordability
• Best for annual plans
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Travel Insurance for Seniors of September 2024: Travel Insurance Coverage & Tips for Seniors

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate travel insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Reaching your golden years doesn't mean your adventures have to end. In fact, in this stage of life, you'll hopefully have more time and resources to travel. But as a senior citizen, you'll want to ensure you have travel insurance that covers any health-related issues arise while you travel.

Best Senior Travel Insurance Companies of 2024 Summary

• Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for expensive trips: John Hancock Travel Insurance
• Best for age limits: TravelSafe Insurance
• Best for affordability: GeoBlue Travel Insurance
• Best for annual plans: Travel Guard

Top Travel Insurance for Seniors Comparison

Your health gets more unpredictable as you age, which makes travel insurance more important for seniors. Unfortunately, it's also more expensive. The best travel insurance for seniors won't have too steep of a price hike compared to rates for younger travelers. It will have high coverage limits for emergency medical coverage, trip cancellations, and and emergency medical evacuation. It's also important that your travel insurance offers pre-existing condition waivers , ideally at no extra cost to the traveler. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance coverage for seniors in 2024.

Best Senior Travel Insurance Overall

Allianz travel insurance.

Allianz is one of the most widely recognized names in travel insurance, and it stands out as one of the top travel insurance providers for seniors. It offers a wide range of policies covering medical treatments overseas and emergency medical transport.

Allianz also provides options for varying trip lengths. Its annual multi-trip policies, for example, cover any trip you make during your policy period, even if they aren't yet planned, making it an excellent option for seniors who vacation multiple times per year.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review .

Best Senior Travel Insurance for Expensive Trips

John hancock travel insurance.

John Hancock plans for seniors offer some of the best coverage available. It provides generous maximum benefit amounts while still offering affordable prices.

Each plan includes coverages like trip cancellation, emergency accident, and emergency medical, with the option to add benefits like CFAR (cancel for any reason) . Plus, getting a free online quote is a quick and straightforward process.

Read our John Hancock Travel Insurance review .

Best Senior Travel Insurance for Age Limits

Travelsafe insurance.

TravelSafe is a great choice for older travelers, even among seniors, insuring travelers up to 100 years old. TravelSafe also offers pre-existing condition waivers for all its tiers when you purchase your policy within 21 days of your initial trip deposit. With a great deal of flexibility, travelers don't have to worry about eligibility when purchasing travel insurance with TravelSafe. TravelSafe even has two tiers of coverage devoted specifically to golfers. 

Read our TravelSafe travel insurance review .

Best Senior Travel Insurance for Affordability

Geoblue travel insurance.

GeoBlue is a travel insurance provider that specializes in travel medical insurance . Because it doesn't offer much trip protection or travel inconvenience coverage, it can charge cheaper premiums than its competitors, earning it a spot among the best cheap travel insurance .

GeoBlue's policies cover travelers who are under 95 years old, offering sizeable coverage for emergency medical treatments (up to $1 million) and medical evacuations (up to $500K). It's worth noting that while coverage for pre-existing conditions are available, it costs extra.

Read our GeoBlue Travel Insurance review .

Best Senior Travel Insurance for Annual Plans

Travel guard.

Travel Guard offers comprehensive insurance plans for shorter and longer trips. One of its more unique offerings is its Travel Guard Annual Plan.

This annual travel insurance policy comes with standard coverage benefits (trip delay, baggage loss, etc.) and substantial coverage amounts, which is important for seniors who travel multiple times per year. Travel Guard also offers a pre-existing medical condition waiver, meaning those with certain medical issues can still gain coverage.

Read our AIG Travel Guard Insurance review .

Understanding Travel Insurance for Seniors

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand what travel insurance is and why it's particularly important for senior travelers. The best travel insurance offers financial protection against unexpected events affecting your trip, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

Types of coverage

• Medical Coverage: Ensures your medical expenses are covered in case of illness or injury.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage: Provides reimbursement if your trip is canceled or cut short due to unforeseen events.
• Baggage Coverage: Covers loss, damage, or theft of personal items during your trip.
• Pre-existing condition coverage:  Can mean two different things: coverage for trip cancellations as a result of pre-existing conditions or medical expenses as a result of pre-existing conditions. Either way, policy must be purchased within a certain time frame from when you booked your trip, usually two or three weeks.

Benefits of travel insurance for seniors

• Peace of Mind: Knowing you're covered in case of emergencies can make your travel stress-free.
• Financial Protection: Shields you from potentially overwhelming medical costs and trip cancellations fees.
• Assistance Services: Many plans offer 24/7 assistance services, providing help whenever and wherever you need it.

Making the most of your plan

After choosing a plan, it's crucial to understand your policy fully and know what services are available to you in case of an emergency.

Understanding your policy

When you purchase a travel insurance policy, you'll be able to see a description of benefits, which is a long document that describes the exceptions and limitations to your coverage. You should carefully review this document so you're not blindsided by unexpected claim denials. 

For example, if you're canceling a trip because unexpected work, you may not be eligible for coverage if you haven't worked at your company for long enough. Additionally, you should review your policy to ensure that your pre-existing condition is covered, as companies often have very specific language around what qualifies as a covered pre-existing condition.

Emergency assistance services

Most companies offer a 24/7 concierge service that can help you navigate situations that arise during your trip, even issues beyond the scope of your policy. They can advise you on how to navigate these situations in accordance with your policy and make sure you acquire the necessary documentation when you need to file a claim down the line.

How to Pick Travel Insurance as a Senior Traveler

It's wise to compare several different travel insurance policies for the best coverage and pricing, as premiums vary widely between insurers and depend on factors like your age and travel destination.

That said, some of the more essential coverages to look for if you're a senior citizen include:

• Travel medical coverage - This coverage will pay for your medical bills outside the U.S.
• Medical evacuation coverage - If you're injured or become sick while traveling, this coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if your condition necessitates it.
• Pre-existing conditions - Coverage for known health conditions. You'll need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time period from when you book your trip to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver .
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) - The name says it all! It'll cost extra and you'll need to purchase insurance early, but it's the most comprehensive trip cancellation coverage you can get. Note that CFAR insurance usually only covers up to 75% of your trip fees.
• Trip cancellation insurance - This coverage provides reimbursement for your prepaid and nonrefundable costs if you cannot make your trip due to an unforeseen event.
• Baggage delay insurance - This coverage will reimburse you for essentials like toiletries and clothes if your bags are delayed.
• Lost luggage insurance - This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount if your bags get lost en route.

Of these, the most critical to note are whether or not your policy covers pre-existing conditions and the limits for travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation.

Some insurance companies offer a waiver that will cover pre-existing conditions. You'll have to follow the requirements for adding a waiver to your policy, like insuring the entire cost of your trip. Or purchase the policy within a specific time after making your first trip deposit payments.

You'll also want to find a policy with high maximum limits for travel medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage. These types of expenses can be substantial, so you want to have appropriate coverage.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Senior Travel Insurance

When comparing senior travel insurance options, we looked at the following factors to evaluate each travel insurance provider:

• Coverage limits: We looked at each travel insurance company's coverage amounts for benefits like medical emergencies and trip cancellation.
• Flexibility: We looked at how customizable a policy is, so you can choose what your travel insurance policy covers and how much coverage you receive. We also looked at the age limits for a company's policy. 
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions are one of the more critical factors for travel insurance for senior citizens, so we looked at travel insurance companies that offer the best coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Price: We compared travel insurance providers offering reasonable basic and comprehensive coverage rates. We also looked at how travel insurance companies price senior travel insurance compared to travel insurance for younger travelers.
• Benefits for seniors: We compared travel insurance companies that offer solid coverage for senior citizens, like medical evacuation, COVID-19 coverage, and trip cancellation.

You can read more about Business Insider's travel insurance rating methodology .

Best Senior Travel Insurance FAQ

Seniors should look for travel insurance policies that offer comprehensive medical coverage, including for pre-existing conditions and emergency medical evacuation. They should also consider policies with higher coverage limits to ensure adequate protection. Additionally, seniors should seek travel insurance plans that provide 24/7 assistance services, as well as coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and baggage protection.

When it comes to saving money on senior travel insurance, you should only be covering the services that you need. For example, if your plane ticket and hotel stay are refundable, there's no need to purchase trip cancellation. Seniors can also look into multi-trip insurance, which can save you money if you're planning multiple trips in a year.

All travel insurance companies included in this guide offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as long as you buy your policy within the qualifying period from when you placed your trip deposit.

The best travel insurance for seniors is Allianz due to its wide array of medical coverages and emergency medical transport. Allianz also offers multi-trip insurance policies, which could make sense for seniors who travel frequently.

Most travel insurance companies will have an age limit, often only insuring people 80 years old and younger. However, many of the insurance companies in our guide have higher limits or no age limit at all.

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3 Best Travel Insurance Options for Seniors

Seniors should consider travel insurance since they may experience a medical emergency and need a medical evacuation. When choosing travel insurance, be sure to research each plan's medical coverage, including preexisting conditions, emergency assistance, evacuations, and non-medical coverage, such as lost luggage and trip cancellations .

Discover and compare three of the best travel insurance companies offering seniors standard and tailored coverage for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Travel insurance can be particularly valuable to seniors, who generally experience more health issues than younger travelers.
• When preparing for a trip, consider the best travel insurance plans that cover medical emergencies and potential transportation costs.
• Other coverages to consider are transportation for potential evacuation and toll-free calls for medical advice back home.

When preparing for a trip, individuals should consider the best travel insurance plans that cover medical emergencies, plus these offerings:

• Trip cancellations : Besides personal reasons, a trip may be canceled due to weather disturbances and other unforeseen circumstances that can leave travelers on the financial hook.
• Stolen luggage : In addition to clothing, luggage may contain medicines and other valuable items that travel insurance should cover.
• Preexisting conditions : Those with preexisting medical conditions may need to purchase waivers if their basic travel insurance doesn’t provide holistic coverage.
• Medical emergencies : Because seniors are more subject to medical emergencies than younger travelers, they should secure full medical coverage that pays for potential transportation costs.
• Medical evacuations : Medical coverage might not automatically pay for transportation in the event an evacuation necessitates an emergency trip back home.
• Travel advice/emergency assistance : In the event of a language barrier, senior travelers may need to make toll-free calls to obtain medical advice in their native tongues.

Typically, travel insurance costs 4% to 10% of the total cost for the trip, meaning a $10,000 trip could cost you $400 to $1,000 for travel insurance.

It is vital to thoroughly scrutinize policies, which often mandate the purchase of coverage at least 10 to 14 days before starting travel dates. Ensure there is a free look period , with an option to cancel and receive a full refund. Other important fine print items include:

• Exceptions. No single insurance policy covers all expenses, so it’s wise to examine the exceptions listed in the fine print to learn about hidden additional costs. 
• Exclusions. Exclusions restrict coverage in certain situations, such as self-inflicted injuries, trauma from extreme sports like bungee jumping, or losses incurred due to intoxication or criminal activity. 
• Incomplete Documentation. When filing a claim, be sure to fill out the paperwork thoroughly and accurately. Failure to do so may result in delayed or canceled coverage. 

If a U.S. citizen becomes ill or seriously injured abroad, the U.S. State Department can help locate medical services, contact family, and transfer money. Contact the U.S. embassy within the country you're visiting if you need a list of medical providers, but the State Department will not pay overseas medical bills.

Online brokers offer advantages over travel agents or booking sites when purchasing travel insurance because the former lets you compare various plans and choose the most suitable one. Online brokers also feature sales reps who can present sample policies and answer individual coverage questions.

The following four popular online brokers top the list:

• InsureMyTrip : This site lets users compare hundreds of policies from 20 carriers .
• TripInsuranceStore : This site offers side-by-side policy comparisons from ten different insurers.
• QuoteWright : Quotewright screens insurance companies before listing them to provide an additional quality control layer. The site lists 12 insurance companies.
• Squaremouth : This site offers more than 90 policies from 32 providers and features thousands of customer reviews.

The following companies consistently offer highly-rated travel insurance offerings:

• Travel Guard Travel Insurance : In addition to offering standard cancellation coverage, this company features plans that cover preexisting conditions and full medical expenses. Users may tailor plans to meet their individual needs. This provider’s underwriter is National Union Fire Insurance Company, which boasts an AM Best rating of A, which is considered excellent.
• Travelsafe Travel Insurance : Travelsafe offers basic, classic, and classic plus full-featured plans, all of which offer both trip and medical coverage, with a full menu of options. This insurer has a BBB rating of A+.
• Allianz Travel Insurance : This provider covers domestic and international travel, including cruises. Coverage options include medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost baggage, rental cars, and change fees. The company is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company, which has an A rating. Allianz has a BBB rating of A+.

Should Seniors Buy Travel Insurance?

Seniors should consider travel insurance since they are more likely to experience a medical emergency and need a medical evacuation versus younger travelers. However, comparing plans, coverages and limits is essential before buying travel insurance.

What Are the Three Top-Rated Travel Insurance Companies?

• Travel Guard Travel Insurance offers tailored plans for your needs, plus coverage for preexisting conditions and full medical expenses.
• Travelsafe Travel Insurance provides plans with trip and medical coverage within their basic, classic, and classic plus, as well as full-featured plans.
• Allianz Travel Insurance provides coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, rental cars, and lost baggage for domestic and international travel, including cruises.

What Coverage Should Be Included in Travel Insurance for Seniors?

When choosing travel insurance, seniors should consider plans that cover medical costs, including preexisting conditions, medical emergencies, emergency assistance, evacuations, transportation costs, and non-medical expenses, such as travel advice, trip cancellations, and stolen luggage.

Travel insurance costs typically range from 4% to 10% of a trip’s total cost. It’s important to remember that Medicare generally does not provide coverage outside the U.S . Finally, online brokers can help source the most suitable insurance for seniors.

The Washington, D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB). " Taking a Trip? Information about Travel Insurance You Should Know before You Hit the Road ."

U.S. Department of State. " Your Health Abroad ."

SevenCorners. “ Travel Insurance Companies vs. Travel Comparison Sites .”

SquareMouth. “ Travel Insurance Providers .”

AM Best. " AM Best Upgrades Issuer Credit Ratings for American International Group, Inc. and Its Property/Casualty Subsidiaries ."

Better Business Bureau. “ TravelSafe Insurance ."

AM Best. “ BCS Insurance Company .”

Better Business Bureau. " Allianz Global Assistance ."

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Best Travel Insurance for Seniors in July 2024

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Traveling at any age can be a stress-inducing event, especially when you’re leaving the country. For that reason, many travelers opt to purchase travel insurance before they go.

Depending on your age, you may want to consider different types of coverage, whether that’s one oriented to emergency medical care or one refunding you in the event your plans change.

To make sure you’re covered, we’ve compiled a list of the best travel insurance for seniors. Here’s which companies made the cut:

Trawick International . 

Nationwide .

Travel Insured International .

Factors we considered when picking a travel insurance policy

Choosing the right travel insurance plan can be overwhelming, especially when there are so many options. To whittle down the choices for top dog, we took a few factors into consideration:

Available policy types . Depending on the type of plan you’re interested in, not all insurance companies may work for you. Some won’t offer emergency medical coverage, while others provide only a fixed amount of reimbursement. 

Policy coverage limit . Are you interested in comprehensive coverage or the bare minimum? If you’re heading out on a longer trip, a higher maximum may be more prudent. 

Exclusions . Many travel insurance companies will exclude pre-existing conditions as well as coverage for risky activities. 

Cost . With a huge range in costs, we focused on plans that provided value for money. 

Website usability . Nothing is more frustrating than trying to make a claim through a clunky website, which is why we’ve included this. 

Customization . Cancel For Any Reason, rental car, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), sports coverage, rented electronics coverage — the more customizations a plan offers, the better. 

Of course, the most important thing is that you find a plan that suits your needs. If you’re not planning on taking a cruise, then choosing a plan with cruise coverage makes no sense.

What to know before you shop

No matter your age, you’ll want to make sure you compare a variety of plans before purchase. However, as an older adult, this advice is more pertinent than ever. As you’ll see below, coverage levels and costs can vary hugely between insurance companies.

Policy premiums can vary widely based on the length of coverage and your age. If you frequently travel, buying an annual policy instead of policies for each trip may make more sense. Additionally, your premiums may be much different as a new retiree at 65 compared with someone in their 70s or 80s.

A simple way to compare multiple quotes at once is through a travel insurance aggregator, such as Squaremouth. This website allows you to type in your details just once, then spits out plan options from multiple businesses so you can peruse them easily.

You may be able to save money on your travel insurance policy by taking advantage of credit card benefits. For example, many travel cards include trip cancellation, delay and interruption benefits, luggage protection and rental car coverage at no additional charge when using the card to book flights and rent cars.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

An overview of the best travel insurance for older adults

To find the best travel insurance for seniors, we generated quotes from a variety of companies. Our sample trip consisted of a 65-year-old from California heading to Spain for 10 days in August 2024. The total trip cost was $8,000.

Among our top companies, the average cost for a plan cost $389. However, that number is skewed slightly by Travelex Insurance Services, whose Travel Med program offers medical protection but is otherwise limited.

Here is the basic coverage cost, broken down by provider.

There are various coverage options and price points when comparing travel insurance policies for older adults. While the lowest-priced options in the chart are the most affordable, their policies offer different levels of coverage.

Comparing these coverage limits and exclusions when selecting a policy is important so you are satisfied when making a claim.

Top travel insurance options for older adults

Let's look at our six travel insurance policy recommendations for older adults.

1. Travelex Insurance Services

Travelex Insurance Services

• Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.
• Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.
• Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan.
• Fewer customization opportunities on the Basic plan.
• Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, keep in mind the Travel America plan only covers domestic trips.

What makes Travelex great:

Plan is much cheaper than average.

Offers emergency medical insurance. 

Medical coverage is primary. 

Here’s a snippet from our Travelex review :

“Travelex’s primary goal is to provide travel insurance protection that’s personalized to the type of trip you’re taking and the style of traveler you are. And regardless of which plan you choose, you’ll always have 24/7 access to travel assistance.”

Since Medicare doesn't cover healthcare needs when traveling outside the United States, some travelers purchase healthcare-only policies such as this one from Travelex. However, keep in mind that its Travel Med plan doesn’t include trip cancellation insurance , and its policy limits are fixed rather than a percentage of what you’ve paid. This means you’ll get up to $1,000 for trip interruption and a maximum of $10,000 in emergency medical.

If you want insurance for things like baggage delay, you'll need to purchase a different plan.

» Learn more: Is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

• Annual or single-trip policies are available.
• Coverage available for adventure travelers.
• Offers direct billing.
• Claim approval can be lengthy.

What makes IMG great:

100% reimbursement for trip cancellation.

125% reimbursement for trip interruption.

Lower-than-average cost.

Here’s a snippet from our IMG review :

“Some policies provide emergency medical evacuation coverage, while others skip this benefit entirely. This benefit may be more important to you if you travel to a remote location or engage in physical activity such as trekking.

“More comprehensive plans may include other benefits such as assistance with acquiring a new passport, reimbursing reward mile redeposit fees or coverage for pre-existing conditions. If these are something you’re interested in, be sure to check that your policy includes these options.”

Be aware that IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Essential plan, which we looked at, doesn’t include any emergency medical coverage , so you’ll want to make sure you’re protected elsewhere.

3. Trawick International

• Many different plan options.
• CFAR available as an add on.
• Specialty coverage for adventure sports (SafeTreker Basic).
• Reports of long resolution processes.
• Low customer service rating on SquareMouth.

What makes Trawick great:

Primary medical coverage.

High limit for medical evacuation .

Pre-existing conditions covered.

Here’s a snippet from our Trawick review :

“Trawick International has been in business for about 25 years and is a legitimate travel insurance provider. Trawick International reviews on Trustpilot and Squaremouth are generally good, with scores around 4.5/5 and 4.15/5, respectively.”

For those who aren’t familiar with these terms, primary coverage means this entity is the first one to pay out; secondary means the insurance will only cover costs not already paid for by other policies.

At the lower end of costs for our quote — though still above average — Trawick still provides a hefty $50,000 in primary medical coverage with its Safe Travels Defend plan.

• Lowest-cost plan includes some medical coverage.
• Pre-existing conditions waiver add-on available for higher-cost plans.
• No add ons are available for Silver-level policyholders.
• CFAR upgrade is only available for highest-cost plan.

What makes AXA great:

$100,000 emergency medical limit.

Here’s a snippet from our AXA insurance review :

“The Gold and Platinum levels are also the two plans that offer Schengen zone coverage and a collision damage waiver . The Platinum plan is the only one that offers a Cancel For Any Reason add-on, so keep that in mind if you need more protection.”

With $100,000 in primary medical coverage and the inclusion of pre-existing conditions , those who have ongoing health issues may want to opt for AXA Gold’s comprehensive coverage.

5. Nationwide

What makes Nationwide great:

Reimburses cruise excursion changes.

150% reimbursement for trip interruption. 

Eligible sports and other activities covered. 

Here’s a snippet from our Nationwide review :

“Are you looking for strong coverage over a wide range of incidents? Nationwide could be a good travel insurance option for you, but only if you’re willing to shell out for its more expensive policy.”

Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan includes comprehensive coverage for all your trip needs. However, it’s at its best for those who plan to cruise, since it offers unique insurance should problems arise. This even includes a payment for you if you’re inconvenienced by a ship breakdown.

» Learn more: Is cruise travel insurance worth the cost?

6. Travel Insured International

Travel Insured International

• Higher-level plan include optional add-ons for event tickets and for electronic equipment
• Rental car protection add-on for just $8 per day, even on lower-level plan.
• Many of the customizations are only available on the higher-tier plan.
• Coverage cost comes in above average in our latest analysis.

What makes Travel Insured International great:

Multiple customizations available.

Offers a Cancel for Work Reasons upgrade option.

Rental car insurance is included in the quote, but is generally sold as an upgrade. 

Here’s a snippet from our Travel Insured review :

“Plan benefits offered by Travel Insured International include trip cancellation or interruption, mileage or rewards reimbursement, Interrupt For Any Reason, travel delay, missed connection, change fee coverage, itinerary change, accident & sickness medical expense, baggage delay, rental car damage and more. Each plan is different and has the option for add-ons.”

Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector Edge plan offers a great deal of flexibility. Along with full-scale trip protections and medical coverage, you can also choose to double your policy limit for medical care or add on Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage for your flight.

Check your card for existing travel insurance

Many travel rewards cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express , offer some kind of trip protection, see more on their benefits in the comparison module below. Terms apply.

Having one of these in your wallet is a good start to protecting your trip-related investments and preventing expensive accidents; however, savvy travelers check card terms closely and sometimes supplement with a third-party policy, like from one of the companies above, to better protect themselves.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Best travel insurance for older adults recapped

We’ve done the work for you to figure out the best travel insurance for seniors, whether you’re looking to hop on a cruise or want comprehensive coverage for the trip you’re about to take.

American Express travel insurance disclosures

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

The Best Senior Travel Insurance for 2024

Trawick International »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide »

WorldTrips »

GeoBlue »

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance for Seniors and Retirees.

Table of Contents

• Trawick International
• Allianz Travel Insurance
• AIG Travel Guard

Key takeaways

• Senior travelers can benefit from a plan that offers coverage for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation first and foremost.
• Other benefits to look for include coverage for lost or delayed baggage, trip delay protection, and coverage for trip cancellation and interruption.
• Older travelers may also want to look for travel insurance plans that cover preexisting medical conditions.
• Some plans for seniors let individuals add on cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage that reimburses up to 80% of prepaid travel expenses when a trip is canceled for any reason at all.

While anyone planning a trip overseas can benefit from having a travel insurance plan in place, older travelers need to prioritize this coverage more than others. The fact is, senior travelers and retirees have unique worries and risks to think about any time they travel far from home. These risks increase their need for travel health insurance and emergency medical coverage, as well as coverage for emergency medical evacuation that applies anywhere in the world.

U.S. News compared more than 20 of the top travel insurance companies to find the top plan options for seniors and retirees. This list does the heavy lifting for you as you search for the best senior travel insurance, so read on to learn about the top picks.

• Trawick International: Best Overall
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Cancel for Any Reason
• AIG Travel Guard: Best Annual
• Nationwide: Best for Cruises
• WorldTrips: Best Budget
• GeoBlue: Best Medical

Incredibly high limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation

Customize plan with optional CFAR coverage

Coverage is for trips up to 30 days if you're ages 80 and older

• Up to $15,000 in trip cancellation insurance
• Up to $22,500 in trip interruption coverage
• Up to $1,000 for trip delays ($200 daily limit for delays of 12-plus hours)
• Up to $1,000 for missed connections
• Up to $150,000 for emergency medical expenses
• Up to $1 million in emergency medical evacuation coverage
• Up to $750 in emergency dental coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects
• Up to $400 for baggage delays of 12-plus hours

SEE FULL REVIEW »

High reimbursement for CFAR coverage

Coverage for preexisting conditions is offered

Relatively low limits for baggage delays

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $150,000
• Trip change protector coverage up to $500
• Emergency medical coverage up to $50,000
• Emergency medical transportation coverage up to $500,000
• Baggage loss coverage up to $1,000
• Baggage delay insurance up to $300
• Travel delay coverage up to $800 ($200 daily limit)
• $100 per day in SmartBenefits coverage per person for fixed inconvenience payments
• 24-hour hotline for assistance
• Concierge services
• Preexisting condition coverage (must be added to plan within 14 days of first trip deposit or payment)

Year-round comprehensive travel insurance coverage

Generous limits for medical and emergency medical evacuation

Does not include trip cancellation coverage

• Up to 100% of insured trip cost for trip interruptions (maximum of $2,500 per trip)
• Up to $1,500 for trip delays ($150 per day)
• Up to $500 for missed connections caused by delays of at least three hours
• Up to $2,500 for lost baggage
• Up to $1,000 for baggage delays of 12-plus hours
• Up to $50,000 for travel medical coverage ($500 dental sublimit)
• Up to $500,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Up to $50,000 for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• Up to $100,000 for security evacuation coverage

Cruise-specific coverages and benefits

High limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation

May be expensive compared to other coverage options

• Trip cancellation coverage up to 100% of prepaid trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage up to 150% of prepaid trip cost
• Trip interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage worth $1,000 if conditions are met
• Missed connection coverage up to $2,500 for delays of three-plus hours
• Trip delay coverage up to $1,000 for delays of six-plus hours
• Itinerary change coverage worth $250 to $1,000 (depending on reason for change)
• Emergency medical coverage up to $150,000 (secondary with $750 dental sublimit)
• Emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $1 million
• Up to $25,000 for AD&D
• Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost or stolen baggage ($1,000 maximum for special items and $500 limit per article)
• Baggage delay coverage up to $1,000 for delays of six-plus hours
• Nonmedical evacuation coverage up to $25,000

Customize your deductible and premiums

Generous medical limits for travelers ages 65 to 79

Limited medical coverage for travelers older than 80

• Up to $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage
• Medical benefits like hospital room and board, chiropractic care, and more
• Coverage for repatriation of remains
• Up to $25,000 in personal liability coverage
• Up to $10,000 in trip interruption insurance
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost checked luggage
• Up to $100 per day in coverage for travel delays of 12-plus hours
• Up to $1,500 in coverage for bedside visits
• Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency reunions

Get comprehensive health insurance that applies overseas

Preventive and routine care included

Age limits apply for new applicants and renewals

Medical-only coverage

• Preventive and routine care
• Professional services like surgery
• Inpatient medical care
• Ambulatory and therapeutic services
• Rehabilitation and therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

You can purchase some travel insurance plans (but not all) if you're older than 80 years old. However, your premiums may be higher and you'll typically qualify for lower coverage limits overall. Make sure you compare the best travel insurance plans for seniors to find the right fit for your needs.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered international travel and travel insurance for more than a decade. Johnson has researched and compared all the top travel insurance options for her own family for trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and she has successfully filed claims during that time. Johnson lives in Indiana with her two children and her husband, Greg – a travel agent who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states.

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