Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70 – How to Buy the Right Coverage
Buying travel insurance for seniors over 70 is not nearly as difficult now as it was many years ago. As more and more seniors take the time to care for their health and remain mobile at the same time, many of them are enjoying their retirement by going on dream vacations that they were never able to fulfill while at the peak of their careers. Advances in medicine have made seniors 70 years and older much more capable of shuttling between continents and as a result, a more enlightened seniors insurance industry is now offering policies made especially for those in this age group.
Nevertheless, it’s still a known fact that some insurance companies utilize an age cap when issuing policies, which can sometimes pose a challenge when it comes to finding travel insurance for seniors over 70. Some do not issue policies for those over 65 years of age or when they do, the premiums cost way more than what a 30 year old adult would pay. It seems that with how these companies operate, age is often treated as a disease in and of itself!
Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70 – The Challenges
It’s a fact that as we age, our bodies grow weaker and we are more prone to sickness and disease. Our bodies are not as resistant to stress compared to when we were 20 or 30 years old — something that certainly doesn’t help when it comes to finding travel insurance for seniors over 70. Travel is inherently stressful, and add to this the fact that when you’re already in your 70′s you probably have some pre-existing medical conditions that will act up when triggered by a taxing event.
Therefore, providers are aware of the fact that whenever they provide travel insurance for seniors over 70, they will have an increased risk of providing medical attention which translates to the insurer having to pay out a claim. We all know that insurance companies want to avoid this as much as possible so they can remain viable, so therein lies the challenge when it comes to these types of policies.
Senior Travel Insurance – There’s Still Hope
Thankfully, many companies offering travel insurance for seniors over 70 are seeing that age, per se, does not always translate to medical emergencies for the elderly while they’re on the road. Other factors such as the individual’s state of health, the destination, and the kind of travel he or she plans to undertake will spell the need for medical assistance and hence, the payout of a policy.
With all these factors in mind, there are now elderly travel insurance companies who provide coverage for the elderly beyond the age of 65. You will still have to do your research and be on the lookout for the best offers, but rest assured, you won’t have to spend your entire retirement days sitting on your front porch. To help you accomplish this, here’s a short guide on how to buy the best travel insurance for seniors over 70:
Stay on Top of Medical Conditions and Visit Your Doctor
You should include comprehensive health checks and regular visits to your doctor as part of your travel plans. If you have any health issues or pre-existing medical conditions that can be treated, it would be more beneficial for you to get treatment before you travel or purchase any senior citizen travel insurance policy.
Moreover, if you’re looking for travel insurance for seniors over 70 that would cover your pre-existing medical conditions, the insurance provider will be more likely to sell you a policy if they know that you put a premium on your health. Keep in mind that insurers will usually require some form of health screening before providing you with a quote, and this visit to your doctor should help you considerably.
Aside from ensuring that you’ll be issued travel insurance for senior citizens, visiting your doctor also achieves the more important purpose of asking your doctor if you really are fit to travel. There’s no sense in forcing yourself into going on a trip if your doctor advises against it.
Get Cheap Senior Travel Insurance by Comparing Quotes
Travel insurance for seniors over 70 has become an extremely competitive market, but this does not mean that you should simply settle for the first policy that comes along. The Internet has made it possible to compare quotes from different seniors travel insurance companies with the click of a mouse. Remember, obtain at least three quotes and compare each rate closely before making a final purchase.
When you do your senior travel insurance comparisons, do more than just look at the price of the premium. Carefully consider the coverage as well. Cheaper premiums usually come at the expense of coverage — whether it’s in the exclusion of a pre-existing medical condition or some other exception. If you have to pay a little extra to obtain the full coverage you’re looking for, by all means do so.
Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70 – Get the Right Coverage
Seniors over 70 who want to travel should ensure that the kind of medical coverage they have on their policy will cover all of their pre-existing medical conditions and will cover emergency evacuations back to the United States should the need arise. Some policies only specify transport to the nearest medical facility in the event of an emergency but won’t pay for medical transport to their home country, which in some cases can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000.
As far as declaring all pre-existing medical conditions are concerned, make sure that you are upfront about all of your conditions if you want them to be covered. If something flares up during your trip and you did not declare it (even if it was really pre-existing), your insurance may not cover it.
When Buying Seniors Travel Insurance, Keep Your Destination in Mind
While you really have the final say as to where you want to go for your vacation, understand that destination matters. Premiums become more expensive the further away you go, and the less developed the countries, the more costlier a policy will become. Regardless of whether you still decide to go for the more exotic places or not, always make sure that you learn all you can about the country you’re traveling to and take special note of their medical facilities, that way you’ll at least have an idea as to where to go should emergencies arise.
Keep yourself healthy, do your research, compare policies, and keep your destination in mind — each of these is an important step when it comes to helping you buy the best travel insurance for seniors over 70.
