![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/seniortraveler3a.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
When it comes to planning a trip, there is one expense far too many travelers overlook: travel insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a boring topic to research and read about \u2014 and it is an added expense many budget travelers aren\u2019t excited about paying. Chances are nothing is going to go wrong, right? Why not just save the money and spend it on more travel?<\/a><\/p>\n Unfortunately, as many people have learned the hard way \u2014 myself included \u2014 things can go wrong at the drop of a hat. I\u2019ve had my luggage lost, had brand new gear broken, and needed emergency medical help while traveling (on multiple occasions).<\/p>\n And these are just the \u201cserious\u201d incidents. I\u2019ve also experienced countless flight delays and cancellations \u2014 events that are also covered by travel insurance.<\/p>\n In short, things can (and will) go wrong on the road. Why not make sure you\u2019re prepared?<\/p>\n This is especially important for older travelers. <\/p>\n While older travelers generally have a bit more sense than younger backpackers (when was the last time you saw a 65-year-old jumping a burning skipping rope at the Full Moon Party in Thailand or bombing down Death Road in Peru?), there are often health and medical issues that need to be considered.<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re a healthy 55+ traveler, buying travel insurance is a necessary step in your planning. It will cover you for delays and cancelations, injuries, and worse. It\u2019s a safety net for you and your loved ones that will not only help you avoid massive medical expenses but also provide you with peace of mind so you can enjoy your trip without worry.<\/p>\n I never leave home without it. You shouldn\u2019t either.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s everything you need to know about buying travel insurance as an older or senior traveler. Insurance is a billion-dollar business, and everyone wants their hand in the cookie jar. Consequently, you face a mind-numbing number of companies and policies, some with terminology that can be confusing and overwhelming.<\/p>\n So, what should you do?<\/p>\n First, make sure your travel insurance offers a high coverage limit on your medical expenses. Most travelers can get by with $100,000 USD in coverage. However, if you\u2019re older or have a medical condition, then you may want more ($250,000-500,000 USD would be my suggestion). <\/p>\n High coverage limits are important because if you get sick, injured, or need serious attention and have to seek professional care, you\u2019ll want to make sure your high hospital bills are covered. The worst thing you can do is go cheap and get a policy with a $20,000 USD coverage limit, then break a leg and reach that limit before they are done taking care of you. <\/p>\n Second, you want to make sure your travel insurance policy covers emergency evacuation and care that is separate from your medical coverage. For example, if you are hiking in the woods and you break your leg, your policy should cover your evacuation to the nearest acceptable medical facility.<\/p>\n If a natural disaster occurs and you need to be evacuated to somewhere else, your plan should cover that as well, ideally up to $300,000 USD.<\/p>\n Additionally, make sure you understand if your evacuation coverage will pay for you to get home or if it will just send you to the nearest acceptable facility. For example, if you break your leg abroad, most insurance policies will pay for your hospital bills. However, they won\u2019t pay for you to get home since it\u2019s not a life-threatening injury requiring advanced care.<\/p>\n Standard emergency evacuation coverage frequently only pays for a flight home if your current facility is inadequate or if it\u2019s \u201cmedically necessary.\u201d <\/p>\n In short, double-check if your company will cover the cost of your flight back home if you need it.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d prefer not to stay in a foreign hospital for treatment and recovery, you should look into a medical transport membership program like Medjet<\/a>, which ensures that, should you be hospitalized abroad, you\u2019ll be able to be repatriated \u2014 something many travel insurance policies can\u2019t guarantee (read more about Medjet in my comprehensive review<\/a>). <\/p>\n Third, great travel insurance plans always include the following provisions:<\/p>\n A quick note on electronics: Most companies only have a small limit (usually up to $500 USD per item), as part of their basic coverage. You can often buy supplemental insurance for more coverage. If you\u2019re traveling with lots of expensive gear, make sure you buy supplemental coverage.<\/p>\n Additionally, as an older traveler, you may also want:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick overview of Medjet<\/a>:<\/p>\n As an older traveler, this is the best place for you to shop around and get a quote. You\u2019ll be able to find policies for travelers over 70 as well as plans that have a \u201ccancel for any reason\u201d clause. It also offers policies that include coverage for certain pre-existing conditions.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick overview of IMT<\/a>:<\/p>\n One of the best things about them is that they comprehensive coverage that\u2019s helpful for anybody over the age of 60, which is something not a lot of insurance offer.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick overview of Visitor’s Coverage:<\/p>\n As many travelers learned the hard way in 2020, most travel insurance policies historically did not cover pandemics. Until recently, that really wasn’t a concern for most travelers, including me. Prior to 2020, I never really gave the “pandemic clause” much thought when reading my insurance policies.<\/p>\n Fortunately, insurance companies have adapted and most companies now provide limited coverage for COVID-19. This limited coverage usually includes trip cancellation or delay, though some also have medical coverage for COVID or transportation home (as is the case with Medjet<\/a>). <\/p>\n Before you buy a plan, read the fine print regarding pandemics and COVID-19. Make sure you fully understand what is and is not included so you can take appropriate action should a situation arise. When in doubt, call them and speak to a representative. Don’t risk your health on assumptions!<\/p>\n Everyone should buy travel insurance before they leave home \u2014 regardless of their age. While most travelers only experience minor hiccups, such as delayed flights or lost baggage, it\u2019s always better to be safe rather than sorry should a health emergency arise.<\/p>\n However, older travelers in particular should make sure they have the coverage they need in case something goes awry. While their options are usually less robust (and more expensive), there are still plenty of affordable ones to ensure you are protected as you enjoy your well-earned travels.<\/p>\n Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Want to Travel for Free?<\/strong> Need a Rental Car?<\/strong> Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?<\/strong>
\n <\/p>\nWhat to Look for in a Comprehensive Insurance Policy<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
The Best Travel Insurance Companies for Senior Travelers<\/h2>\n
Medjet<\/h3>\n
![\"Medjet](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2020\/medjetlogo.jpg\")
\nMedjet isn\u2019t an insurance company per se. Rather, it\u2019s a membership program that offers comprehensive medical transportation services all around the globe. Members have 24\/7 access to hundreds of air ambulances and expert medical transport escorts and staff, located all over the world. While most insurance companies make sure you get to the \u201cnearest acceptable facility\u201d after an injury, Medjet ensures you get home. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nInsure My Trip<\/h3>\n
![\"IMT](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2020\/imtlogo.jpg\")
\nInsure My Trip is an insurance aggregator that compiles policies from over twenty different companies to help you find the best policy for your needs and budget. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nVisitor’s Coverage<\/h3>\n
![\"IMT](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/VCLogo.png\")
\nVisitorsCoverage allows senior travelers to compare travel insurance plans from multiple top carriers (not just one provider) saving time and explaining plan benefits in an easily understandable way. They have plans for travel to almost every country on Earth. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nA Note on COVID-19 (and Other Pandemics)<\/h3>\n
\nBook Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nFind a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. <\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nTravel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation \u2014 all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites<\/a> to get started and see the latest best deals.<\/p>\n
\nDiscover Cars<\/a> is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best \u2014 and cheapest \u2014 rental for your trip!<\/p>\n
\nGet Your Guide<\/a> is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. <\/p>\n