Are you seeking travel insurance designed specifically for older people before embarking on your next cruise or adventure holiday? Perhaps you need comprehensive policies that cover Australian seniors with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, heart conditions or cancer? If so, it helps to know how to review all available options and identify the best travel insurance option for you.
At AllClear, we have put together our top tips to help seniors
What is Travel Insurance for Seniors?*
Travel insurance is designed to provide financial cover and protection whilst you’re away on a holiday or business trip. It can protect you in the event of a delay, accident, or emergency, delivering the support and peace of mind needed to remedy specific issues and get you back home safely.
Securing travel insurance that meets your needs and requirements for Australian seniors, however, can be a challenging process, particularly when you must factor in additional requirements, such as managing pre-existing conditions on a cruise or tour. As such, elderly holidaymakers can invest in specialised seniors travel insurance policies that provide them with further support whilst overseas.
With the right policy for those in their 50s, 60s and over 70s, travel insurance can not only mitigate risks of financial losses while travelling, such as lost luggage, but also medical emergency expenses cover.
Why Do Australian Seniors Need the Best Travel Insurance?*
Seniors are often the more experienced travellers, but as we get older, we must likely contend with a range of health concerns whilst on our trip. Sometimes, our pre-existing conditions will even dictate where and how we travel.
But while getting older is unavoidable, you should still be able to enjoy your next adventures with as little stress as possible. Finding the right travel insurance can help you do this.
Whether these policies help with sourcing new medication or support during unforeseen accommodation issues, taking steps to secure protection via travel insurance will help prevent any long-lasting financial or health impacts once your trip is over.
How to Find the right Australian Seniors Travel Insurance to suit your needs
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Match Your Destination with the Best Travel Insurance for the Elderly*
Many countries, including Thailand, Cuba, and the USA, won’t allow you to cross their borders without travel insurance**. This is because travel insurance will ensure senior travellers will receive the care they need without placing an unforeseen burden on the local healthcare and government systems. In some instances, facilities cannot even provide quality care to those with pre-existing conditions without proof of insurance. Holidaymakers can be left without the care they require, and for those with a condition needing management, this potential lack of care could have life-threatening consequences.
Finding the best level of cover, as well as understanding the overall costs involved, will vary depending on where you are headed, and an insurer may have some concerns. For example, not all travel insurance covers pandemics or epidemics, which can pose an issue in the post-COVID world, especially if future waves arise or new vaccinations become mandatory. Moreover, riots or civil unrest may not be covered in countries flagged with travel alerts, as travellers are deemed to have accepted the risk at their own cost.
In short, to secure the best travel insurance for the elderly, always research your holiday destinations and cruise tours to make yourself aware of any risks or pertinent safety advice. If in doubt seek advice.
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Research the Right Tier of Coverage for Travel Insurance for Australian Over 70s*
Most insurers offer a tiered approach to the way they present their travel insurance and medical coverage for older people. While the packages and policies may hold different names, there are typically three main levels of coverage to choose from when finding your best seniors travel insurance:
- Basic Coverage: This is the most straightforward level of travel insurance available, covering general health concerns for elderly people.
- Mid-Range Coverage: For older travellers looking for more in-depth coverage, mid-range cover can aid with additional areas, including cancellation costs and cover of luggage and personal belongings.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Those seeking the ultimate peace of mind on their holidays, comprehensive cover will explore a variety of areas, such as medical cover for the elderly, including planning for pre-existing conditions to covering cancellations on cruise and tour holidays.
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Multi-Trip Policies for Older People*
Are you an older person with a pre-existing medical condition looking to travel more often? It is then worth investigating annual multi-trip policies specially designed for the elderly. These policies can save Australian over 70s a great deal of money over the long term.
An alternative to single-trip policies, this option can provide greater flexibility and opportunities to work within a budget by providing one policy that covers multiple trips. A multi-trip policy can also secure the best price for your travel insurance by factoring elements like senior discounts and package deals offered by different insurers over a longer period.
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Check the COVID-19 Requirements to Receive Cover*
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented many eager travellers from exploring the world. To mitigate the spread and impact of this infectious disease, there are new travel requirements for going on a cruise or entering new countries, namely around our insurance policies. Fortunately, many travel insurance policies now offer a form of coverage for COVID-19.
However, different travel insurance policies offer varying coverage levels for older people. For example, some COVID-19 coverage may only include medical and repatriation costs. Other policies may also cover booking, flight cancellations, and other expenses due to COVID-19 disruptions.
If you plan on taking a cruise holiday, then requirements may also vary, as some insurers may not provide COVID-19 coverage for older people with pre-existing conditions on a multi-night cruise.
Always check the different COVID rules at your destinations and read the terms and conditions your airlines, cruise accommodations and travel companies put forward before confirming any bookings. This will put you in a stronger position for potential claims and provide a greater understanding of what to expect on your travels, particularly for older people managing pre-existing medical conditions.
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Familiarise Yourself with Product Disclosure Statements for Seniors’ Travel Insurance Policies*
Whilst it’s tempting to skip the fine print and move on to the exciting cruise brochure, it is in the product disclosure statements that you will find the specifics of your policy. A Target Market Determination (TMD) describes who the product may be suitable for, based on likely needs, objectives, and financial situation, this can be found on travel insurance providers’ websites. This may seem daunting or tedious, but familiarising yourself with these statements is one of the best ways to stop you from being caught out while travelling. To gain a better understanding of your policy, look for the following:
- Any general exclusions in your policy relating to Australian over 70s
- The requirements for seniors with pre-existing conditions on a cruise or tour
- Information regarding the claims section, as well as any relevant paperwork to be collected on your travels, including travel documents, doctors’ notes, or prescriptions
- COVID-19 information and guidelines for the elderly with pre-existing conditions
- Any emergency medical contacts or assistance numbers to best support you in the event of an incident
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Choose a Claims Process to Suit Your Travel Needs*
A clear claims process can alleviate some stress and anxiety during a medical emergency. Part of securing the best travel insurance for over 70s is finding policies with a straightforward process. This will allow you to avoid unnecessary confusion related to a potential claim, whether on a cruise ship or in a hotel.
After you have lodged your claim with your provider, it will be processed, and your insurer will contact you regarding any additional documents or information required. Response times vary, but a simple process boasts shorter turn-around times of roughly ten business days. If you’re not content with the claim’s result, you can refer it to the Complaints Team as part of the Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) process. Should the issue remain unresolved through IDR, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) offers an external review. Their determinations are binding on the insurer, but not the consumer. It is a free service for consumers.
Visit third-party platforms like Trust Pilot for reviews and insights into insurers’ policies for the elderly. For example, on Trust Pilot, AllClear Travel Insurance currently holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating based on our user-friendly and simple claims process for our older Australian customers. https://legal.trustpilot.com/for-reviewers/guidelines-for-reviewers
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Secure the Best Travel Insurance & Medical Coverage for Australian Seniors*
Finding travel insurance for seniors with pre-existing conditions can prove essential. Without it, many older people will not be able to enjoy a carefree cruise or fun-filled holiday.
Unlike unexpected accidents, such as broken bones, you must factor pre-existing conditions into your travel plans. You may need a medical declaration signed by a doctor, depending on the severity of your condition. When purchasing travel insurance for the elderly, you must also disclose any information regarding pre-existing conditions, medical histories, and ongoing treatments to your insurer, ensuring your process includes the required coverage.
Find Out More About Travel Insurance for Over 70s with AllClear Travel Insurance*
When you choose to invest in seniors’ travel insurance with AllClear, we offer benefits such as 24/7 emergency assistance and unlimited coverage of medical emergency expenses. Our seniors’ travel insurance offers a unique combination of benefits and optional extras to tailor your coverage to your specific travel needs.
Our AllClear policy benefits include:*
- A consideration of all medical conditions
- Access to a 24-hour medical emergency helpline
- Up to unlimited medical emergency expenses cover
- Up to $1,000 “medical inconvenience” benefit should you be an in-patient in hospital
- No age limit on our AllClear Gold and Gold Plus policies
- Up to unlimited cancellation cover
- Up to $10,000 on personal belongings cover
Contact our team at AllClear Travel Insurance to learn more about policies designed for our senior clients.
Get in touch with us today by calling 1800 78 58 70 or requesting a quote online.
Important Notice
Any advice provided is general in nature and does not take into account of your particular needs and circumstances. Before purchasing the insurance, decide whether this product is right for you by reading the combined Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide available here. A Target Market Determination for this product is available here. We also recommend consulting with relevant governmental and local authorities, including checking the Smart Traveller website, before making any travel decisions – https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/disclaimer
This insurance is underwritten by the insurer Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited (MSI), ABN 49 000 525 637, AFSL 240816. Europ Assistance Australia Pty Ltd (EAA) ABN 71140219594, AFSL 552106 holds a binding authority from the insurer, MSI to issue contracts of insurance and to deal with or settle claims on MSI’s behalf and as MSI’s agent.
AllClear Insurance Services Pty Ltd, ACN 165 270 066, trading as AllClear Travel Insurance, is an Authorised Representative (AR number 1311154) appointed by EAA to distribute and administer this insurance product.