Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 50

For seniors over 50 traveling internationally, there can definitely be some uncertainty surrounding medical care and coverage while abroad. An international travel insurance plan can offer a safety net for seniors in a variety of situations, ranging from emergency medical care to trip-related coverage such as trip cancellation or lost baggage. For older travelers, the peace of mind and security that travel medical insurance provides is one of the biggest benefits that comes along with an insurance policy.

However, older travelers often wonder where they can find the best travel insurance for seniors to fit their needs, which is why many aged travelers often turn to associations for people over 50 without knowing all of their options.

Do Senior Citizens Associations Offer Travel Insurance?

Some associations for people over 50 may offer certain types of insurance such as domestic health insurance, home insurance, car insurance, or life insurance, however they typically don’t offer travel insurance for seniors.

Instead, they often only offer resources to help older travelers to find the right travel insurance policy for their needs. This ranges from helpful travel tips to general advice on choosing medical travel insurance for seniors. However, with a little bit of personal research into travel insurance, seniors over 50 can find additional options for coverage abroad within minutes online.

Is There AARP Travel Insurance For Seniors?

While there are no travel insurance AARP products or discounts available for seniors, members can use the AARP website for trips and tricks on how to plan for international travel and information regarding how to choose the right insurance plan for older travelers. Since travel insurance is a price-regulated industry in the United States, there are no available AARP travel insurance member discounts for plans. 

AARP member travel planning benefits include:

• Guides to traveling to popular cities around the world
• Access to special travel guides, articles, and blogs
• Insider access to tips and planning travel
• Exclusive deals on travel through Expedia
• Vacation ideas
• Discounted off-airport parking deals
• Savings on US passport renewal packages

While AARP is primarily for seniors over 50 years of age, AARP membership is available to any individual 18 years or older. Membership gives you access to travel discounts and resources that can be helpful when planning a trip.

MedjetAssist Membership

One such helpful perk of AARP for seniors is access to a discounted MedjetAssist membership, which offers global air medical transport for seniors if they are hospitalized both domestically or internationally, bringing them to a well-equipped hospital in their home country for treatment.

Does Medicare Cover International Travel?

If you are a senior on Medicare, it’s important to note that Medicare typically does not cover any medical expenses that are incurred outside of the U.S., except under very certain circumstances.

Specific circumstances in which Medicare may offer coverage abroad include:

• A medical emergency in the U.S. requires you to be transported to a foreign country for treatment
• You’re traveling to Canada while on route to Alaska and need emergency care in Canada, if closer than a U.S. hospital
• If you need medical care on a cruise ship in U.S. territorial waters, as long as the ship is no further than six hours from a U.S. port
• If you’re in the U.S. and the nearest hospital to your home is a foreign hospital that is capable of treating your medical condition

Since the circumstances in which Medicare could offer coverage abroad are very specific, it is best to opt for a travel medical insurance plan to ensure that you have accurate coverage abroad.

What Are the Benefits of Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance offers a wide range of benefits for international travelers. While exact benefits will range from plan to plan, on a basic level, travel insurance for seniors provides financial protection in the event of an unexpected emergency injury or illness that may occur while out of one’s home country. You’ll travel internationally knowing you have medical coverage if you need to seek healthcare while abroad.

Key benefits of travel insurance can include: 

• Coverage for new and unforeseen illnesses or injuries
• Acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Urgent care visits
• Repatriation of remains
• Lost luggage
• Additional coverage options (added costs) for adventure sports, trip cancellation, and more

Travel insurance for seniors is especially important when going abroad. In general, the older a person gets, the higher their risk of injury or illness. Not only that, but many insurance companies are reluctant to give higher policy maximums and flexible benefits to older individuals, especially those over 70.

However, excellent travel medical insurance options for older people do exist. Utilizing a company like VisitorsCoverage, travelers are able to compare plans side by side and customize plans based on individual needs, which is the best way for seniors to purchase a plan tailored to them.

What to Look for in Medical Travel Insurance for Seniors

When searching for travel insurance for seniors, there are certain things to look for and consider in order to find a plan that meets your specific needs.

Comprehensive Coverage

A comprehensive plan that offers a high policy maximum is a great choice for seniors traveling internationally. You may also look for certain included benefits such as emergency medical evacuation or trip-related coverage.

Adventure Sports Add-on Coverage

Additionally, consider your travel plans when choosing a policy. For example, if a traveler wants to participate in high-risk activities, they should consider a plan with an Adventure Sports add-on.

Cancel For Any Reason Insurance

Travelers who have more flexible travel dates might not need to add additional cancellation coverage to their policy, while those with less flexibility might benefit from a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) add-on if purchasing a trip protection plan.

Cruise Travel Insurance

Those who enjoy going on cruises for vacation should consider cruise travel insurance for seniors.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

Likewise, associations for seniors over 50 often encourage travelers to consider things like emergency evacuation coverage, which is included in most travel insurance plans.

Best Travel Insurance For Seniors

GlobeHopper Senior

For senior travelers, GlobeHopper Senior is an excellent solution for international travel insurance. GlobeHopper Senior is a comprehensive insurance policy, meaning that it will pay 100% of in-network expenses after the deductible is met. This insurance plan offers coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions. However, this plan excludes COVID-19 specific benefits.

Patriot International

Patriot International is also a great option. Patriot International provides comprehensive coverage, includes acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage for travelers, and also offers COVID-19 coverage.

Stay Protected While Abroad

Although associations for seniors over 50 may not offer their own travel insurance policies, they do provide resources and recommendations to help their customers select plans that are the best fit for their individual needs. 

Traveling can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with an element of risk. Travelers can become ill or injured at any time, no matter where they are. Because of this, purchasing travel insurance helps provide the security and peace of mind that will allow travelers to have the trip of a lifetime no matter where they’re going.

Frequently Asked Questions