Over 70 Travel Insurance

Age no longer is the limiting factor it used to be when it comes to travelling. Seniors of all ages are travelling more, well into their 80’s. They’re going places they always wanted to see but never had the time. Now they’re making time to do those things and see those places they have always dreamed about. So as you make those plans, part of your preparation must be to make sure you are adequately protected when you’re away from home.
 
Over 70 travel insurance is a must. It’s important not only for the basic protection of trip cancellation and interruption and delayed or lost baggage but also for medical protection. Especially for senior travelers potentially more susceptible to injury or illness, adequate medical travel insurance is a must.
 
As we get older, especially as we get into our 70’s, we need to expect to pay a little more for medical travel insurance. But that should be no surprise. We pay more for our regular health insurance or life insurance as well. When you travel outside the U.S. there are some different things you need to think about.
 
First, Medicare and Medicaid do not provide coverage when travelling abroad. You are going to have to have a Medicare supplement plan that does or get an over 70 travel insurance plan that does. It just doesn’t pay to skimp on this. You need to do a little research and comparison shopping. You need to read the fine print and understand what is covered and what is not before you buy.
 
There are some coverages that are recommended for seniors when travelling. First, make sure that the plan you select covers emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains. Don’t overlook the importance of this type of coverage. This covers the expense of flying you home if it is necessary for proper medical treatment. Even if you are planning on relying on your own medical supplemental insurance, many do not cover medical evacuation. Make sure you check. If you don’t have this coverage, it can be very expensive if you have to pay for this yourself.
 
The other important consideration for over 70 travel insurance is pre-existing medical conditions. Most travel insurance packages do not cover pre-existing conditions. However, some will allow for a waiver of the pre-existing conditions for an additional fee. Depending on your health status, this can be a major consideration and even a limiting factor for your travel plans. If this affects you or your spouse, you need to research the specific benefits and restrictions in each plan. If you have questions make sure you contact the plan’s customer service to discuss your particular situation.
 
There are several other coverages you will find as part of a good over 70 travel insurance plan. The need to compare covered benefits and cost can’t be over emphasized. You have to expect to pay more than if you were in your 40’s but with a little shopping you can find the right plan for you. Make sure you compare coverage limits on each covered benefit. Some plans may appear to offer lower rates but they do this by placing limits on the benefit coverage. Make sure you understand the tradeoffs.