Travel Insurance for pensioners

[Chris]

Has anyone had difficulty in obtaing travel insurance without it costing a bomb and being excluded from a raft of conditions that had previosly affected you?

[philmac41]

I had this problem for the first time this year, I had a heart attack in 1995 and have taken medication since then,it has not previously been a problem,until I reached 65! what a change in attitude from previously keen Insurors, I eventually got excellent cover from the good old CooP, what price loyalty when you reach 65?

[copey]

A friend of mine has had this problem this year,and despite years of good health struggled to get cover for a recent trip to Spain,I hit it next year and with my history of problems it should be very interesting to see how things go....is this the latest form of ageism.?

[Finn]

Try Saga: cost  £49 for 2  over 65s with medical histories for two weeks, which was about £50 less than anyone else

[DriverScotty]

I am 72 and dread applying for travel insurance, occasionally the insurance cost more than the holiday becuase I am being treated for cancer apart from this I enjoye very good health.

[Elder Rebel]

I am 72 with three noteworthy medical conditions.  I used to have major problems finding realistic travel insurance quotes.

With years of experience of the problem I would now recommend either the Co-op, Age Concern,  Insure for All and Saga

Each trip I check with all the the above and choose the most competitive each time.

Their competitive positions change regularly so it is important to check with them all.

Elder rebel.

[ElliotClark]

Well, I got it 2 years ago for my vacation without any complications

[UK]

I have just lost my long term worldwide travel insurance because I became 65. Having carried out a lot of research the best I could find was with the Coop Bank. They have 4 different current accounts with differing benefits, some of them are utterly useless it has to be said, however with the top 2 accounts you get worldwide travel insurance, but there is a charge for these 2 accounts, £9 and £13 per month.

I went for the £13 option because you also get full UK and EU breakdown cover as well. I spend a lot of time 'overseas'. The travel cover is for single journeys up to 45 days and the upper age limit is 79. The cost of the breakdown cover for the car and travel insurance for me and the missus elsewhere is far in excess of £13 per month, I previously paid £95 pa just for the car.

[Hugh]

I have travel insurance free with a Nat West credit card. Once past 70 you have to pay £50 a year which a few health questions are asked. It even covers me for scuba diving down to 30 metres.

[Hugh]

PS. Up to 70 years of age have a look at Flexicover Insurance

[cheddar-caveman]

Avanti! Had heart attack in 2004 and a few more problems in 2006 but they even cover me for any repeat of the problems.

Going skiing in Canada (have done USA as well) for two weeks, Cost of full travel cover, cancellations, ski accidents and any heart problems, £105.00. Very happy to pay that for peace of mind.

http://www.avantitravelinsurance.co.uk/

[John]

It is only when you come to claim that you will find out the loopholes (against payment).

The risk carried must be on deceased repatriation costs.

These should be cheaper then the transport of many hospitalisation cases (depending on that condition where a hospital space can easily be found here).

[Hugh]

Have to be very careful to read the small print. and there always seems to be a few pages which  you must check carefully. If I am not happy about any thing I email them to get the answer back in print They will refuse a claim if they get half a chance. One person got a claim refused because she didn't mention she had been treated for stress many years ago, although the claim had got nothing to do with this problem.

[jk]

 I had a heart attack in 2004, the same year as I turned 65.  Previously, I had been able to obtain both European or Worldwide Travel Insurance without any issue.  When I tried to get Travel Insurance in 2005, it was a nightmare.  Costs had escalated, and I had to go through Medical Screening with each company that I approached.  I am now using Age Concern.  We are looking at going to the USA next year, and the news about the cost of Travel Insurance is not encouraging.

[Hugh]

Hello jk welcome to the forum.

USA one of the worsed places for travel insurance. My wife got heart proplems but we got round it all by using Nat West Credit Card. Yes you do have a monthy credit card fee plus £50 health check but we  also saved money on green flag break down cover which comes with the credit card. All in all it cover travel insurance problems. Just check it out cost nothing for doing so.

Best of luck and hope you enjoy your USA trip.