Long stay travel insurance for over 70s: The biggest myth in the industry? | Travel Insurance | Pension Times (2024)

When looking for travel insurance for over 70s, there appear to be several restrictions at first glance. You will notice that some of the leading travel insurance companies reduce the maximum cover for single travel and annual policies for older clients. So, where do you start if you are over 70 and looking to take an extended break?

While there are no age restrictions with Free Spirit, there are limitations on extended travel. On the surface, it would appear that Free Spirit does not offer extended travel insurance for those over 76.

However, if the duration of your trip extends beyond the time or age limit restrictions, you can contact the company directly. They will be able to quote you for single trip cover for an extended duration, moulded around your particular requirements.

Whether you're looking for single-trip, multi-trip, or specialist cover, or need assurance about pre-existing medical conditions, our panel of travel insurance providers has you covered. Click on your chosen provider below to get started.

Globelink

While long stay travel insurance for over 70s can be challenging to find with some insurance companies, this is not the case with Globelink. This is available through the company's comprehensive annual insurance policy, offering:

• Trip durations up to 15 months, extended to 18 months with prior approval
• Long stay insurance is available up to 89 years of age

If you have any questions or queries, you can contact the company directly for more information.

Avanti

Staysure

Staysure offers a standalone long stay travel insurance package allowing over 70s to travel for extended periods. If you're between 71 and 75 years old, you can:

• Travel to European destinations for up to 366 days
• Travel to Bermuda, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, islands of the Caribbean and the USA for up to 123 days
• Travel elsewhere for up to 184 days

Over 75s can travel anywhere for up to 104 days with a standard single trip policy.

Saga

Whether travelling in the UK or overseas, a Saga single trip insurance policy covers you for up to 120 days. The Saga annual travel insurance policy traditionally covers you for trips up to a maximum of 45 days. However, there is the option to extend this to 60 days or 90 days for an additional payment.

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz offers both single trip insurance, up to 180 days cover, and annual travel insurance, limited to 31 days cover per excursion. However, it may be possible to request an insurance quote moulded around your requirements.

AllClear Travel Insurance

Medical Travel Compared

As Medical Travel Compared allows you to compare travel insurance policies from various providers, we cannot provide a definitive outline of cover parameters. However, such is the variety of policies available that you’re sure to be able to find a long-stay travel insurance policy for your needs, along with any other type of travel cover you may require.

Insurewithease.com

While not one of the mainstream insurers, Insurewithease.com offers an excellent package for those over 75 looking at long stay travel. The policy covers single trips of up to 3 months in length without any age limit.

RAC

RAC travel insurance is very competitive for over 70s looking at extended trips. There is no upper age limit on the single trip policy, which covers up to 94 days for any one trip. It is a little different for the annual multi-trip cover, with two of the three options offering up 62 days' cover per trip. However, the RAC Black Travel Insurance package covers a maximum trip of 92 days. The upper age limit for the annual multi-trip cover is 80 years of age at the start of the policy.

Post Office

Post Office travel insurance caters for over 70s, with some restrictions. When looking at economy, standard and premium single trip policies, they cover maximum trip durations for different age groups:

• Up to 70 years of age, one trip of 365 days
• 71 to 75, maximum trip duration of 90 days
• 76 to 85, maximum trip duration of 31 days

esure

esure offers two packages:

• Single trip policies for those aged up to 84 with a maximum trip limit of 90 days.
• Cover for up to 45 days per trip for those aged up to 74 with a multi-trip policy.

Sainsbury's

Many people prefer to deal with recognised brands, which prompted the likes of Sainsbury's to enter the travel insurance market. The single trip travel insurance policy has no upper age limit with a maximum trip duration of 94 days. The platinum annual multi-trip policy offers cover for a maximum of 92 days per trip. However, there is an upper age limit of 80 for this policy.

Keen-eyed readers will also note that Sainsbury's offers an extended stay travel insurance package. Unfortunately, while providing cover for up to 548 days, this policy has an upper age limit of 65.

Busting the myths of long stay travel insurance for over 70s

Thankfully, competition in the UK travel insurance industry has prompted the emergence of numerous companies offering long stay travel insurance for over 70s. While many people focus on overseas travel, most of these policies also cover UK trips. The only condition with UK trips is a minimum of two consecutive nights in recognised accommodation facilities.

• Single trip policy
• Annual multi-trip policy
• Standalone long stay insurance package

Some travel insurance companies also offer an ad hoc service where they can provide a specific quote around the duration and destination of your intended trip. However way you look at it, there is significant competition and availability for those over 70 looking at extended travel insurance.