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Picture this: you’re traveling abroad and living out your retirement dream, and suddenly, your health is starting to get in the way of your voyage to see the Great Pyramids. That’s not a good feeling, but is it really that surprising when you might end up seeing a doctor’s lobby instead? It’s only natural, as with age, while we are gifted with wisdom, the drawback is our health is not what it used to be.
The problem while traveling abroad, medical emergencies are costly, and your general state or government plan may need to be more to save the day. Travel health insurances for seniors give the financial shelter that older adults need when faced with the storm of sudden medical crises or any other travel-related problems while journeying abroad. According to a survey by Insider, about 38% of seniors bought insurance for their travels this year. The average insurance cost for a $2000 trip is $80 to $160. You will want to know…
What are the pros and cons of travel insurance for seniors?
According to the survey, around 35% of tourists buy travel insurance to cushion themselves from any potential disasters with their travel agencies. An estimated 29% of seniors were worried about a possible health issue ruining their dream trip. So,
Here are the pros:
- Emergency medical checkup cost coverage: The costs incurred for medical checkups due to pre-existing medical conditions or sudden illnesses are covered during your travels.
- Emergency medical evacuation and transport: Travel insurance covers emergency medical evacuation, transport to nearby facilities, and consultation costs in case of injuries or illness during your travels.
- Coverage is beyond Medicare: Medicare protects you when it comes to healthcare within U.S. borders (with the exception of a few cases), but on international land, travel health insurance can be your protector.
- Delay or cancellation cost coverage: If you have to cancel your trip or delay it because your physical health is not ready to let you travel, there is an issue of incurring costs. Having such insurance can lift that burden off your shoulders.
- Lost/delayed baggage cost support: Many travel insurance plans, e.g., AXA Travel Insurance, offer lost or delayed baggage coverage up to $3000 so that you can get your essentials so that your trip can go smoothly.
Know about the cons of travel insurance:
- High Premium: Seniors may have to pay a high premium to enjoy travel insurance. We always recommend checking in with an expert finance adviser to make the correct financial plan. If your trip goes well, the insurance may become an expense.
- Complex policies and conditions: The terms and conditions may be complicated for seniors to comprehend, and we suggest you read the fine print. There are policies in some travel insurance plans that may not offer support for selective health issues, so it is best to be prepared.
- Limited coverage: When applying for insurance, you may find that your plan is not responsible for certain travel activities.
- Certain Destinations excluded: Some insurances may not protect you if you travel to countries labeled as “high-risk.”
- Potential loophole and claim denial risks: An inability to understand any terms or conditions may create loopholes for the company to deny your insurance.
Learn about the types of seniors travel health insurance plans
Type 1: Limited coverage visitors plan
If you travel less and are generally in good shape, this can be a good backup for emergencies. Here are the features:
- Expense support: Get expense support for essential services.
- Doctor restriction: No restriction on the doctor you choose for visitation. The hospital costs are covered based on rates by policy.
- Consultation limits: There are consultation limits with the doctor and services taken.
- Travel-related assistance: None.
- Premium Cost: You have to pay a low premium.
|
Age of Seniors |
Insurance cost range per month |
|
60 – 70 |
$ 50 – 150 |
|
70 – 80 |
$ 100 – 250 |
Please note that these costs have been given as an average estimation. The costs vary largely due to the package, the senior’s age, requirements, etc.
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Type 2: Comprehensive coverage visitors plan
Comprehensive coverage insurance plans can be an option for adventurers at heart or seniors who regularly travel beyond the U.S. You get a better plan, more flexibility, and services, and as a bonus, you save more money in the long run.
Here are the features below:
- Expense support: Get expense support for advanced services.
- Doctor restriction: You can visit any doctor, but hospitals are recommended based on the insurance plan, and you get a higher discount rate. The hospital costs are covered based on rates by policy.
- Consultation limits: No consultation limits with the doctor and services taken.
- Travel-related assistance: You can get financial assistance for trip cancellations, baggage loss, and unexpected crises, such as political lockdowns.
- Premium Cost: You have to pay a higher premium.
|
Age of Seniors |
Insurance cost range per month |
|
60 – 70 |
$ 75 – 200 |
|
70 – 80 |
$ 150 – 300 |
Travel medical insurance for seniors over 80 years
The available travel insurance facilities (irrespective of plan) for those over 80 years are applicable, but the need for treatment may be even greater.
As a result, a key difference to expect is a higher monthly premium. Also, some policies may make finding the right plan tailored to your needs challenging.
|
Cost per month for limited coverage plan |
Cost per month for a comprehensive coverage plan |
|
$ 200 – 500+ |
$ 300 – 600+ |
Type 3: International Medical Insurance for Seniors
Are you considering relocating to a different country for a prolonged period? From medical emergencies to regular checkups, international medical insurance is a comprehensive coverage plan that can financially support you in a foreign land.
Here’s how this plan differs from travel insurance:
|
International Medical Insurance |
Medical Travel Insurance for Seniors |
|
|
What is it |
This insurance plan is applicable to people living for short periods of time abroad who may require occasional access to medical treatment. |
A long-term or short-term medical insurance plan for people on holiday or frequently going on vacations. |
|
Coverage plan |
|
|
|
Cost |
$200 – $900 per month. This depends on the applicant’s health, policy plan, and age. |
$50 – 600. This depends on the applicant’s health, policy plan, and age. |
This article can be pretty interesting:
er health factors before offering coverage. Seniors with major medical issues or genetic predispositions may be ineligible for coverage.
Medicare Supplemental Insurance, usually known as Medigap, is a part of private insurers. You can expect Medigap coverage from expenses outside Medicare. They can also help to cover Medicare deductibles and co-pays. They also sell long-term care insurance to cover services that
Check out the 5 best travel health insurance for seniors
We’ve explored the pros and cons of travel health insurance, insights into the popular insurance plans available, and a comparison of costs. Here are our top 5 choices for the best travel health insurance companies for seniors:
1. AXA Assistance USA
AXA Assistance USA is part of the AXA Group and has over 60 years of experience in this industry. They have a 24/7 hotline and provide quality resources coupled with expertise, ensuring the quality of comfort for travelers in popular destinations like Thailand, France, Mexico, and so on. They usually have an insurance plan that meets most customers’ needs.
Rating: 4.49/5
Types of travel insurance offered:
- Cruise travel insurance.
- Schengen travel insurance.
- Domestic travel insurance.
- International travel insurance.
Offered plans:
|
Type |
Silver Plan |
Gold Plan |
Platinum Plan |
|
Best for |
Domestic Travel |
Cruise |
Optional Cancel For Any Reason Coverage |
|
Cost |
From $16 |
From $36 |
From $52 |
|
Features |
|
|
|
2. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
Berkway Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) is one of the best insurance services for its commitment, efficient communication, and care for its customers. With BHTP, you can get comprehensive travel insurance plans, experience fast claims processing, and more. In addition, you get a 15-day free Look period so that you can evaluate its offerings risk-free.
Rating: 4.64/5
Types of travel insurance offered:
- Road Trip Travel Insurance
- Adventure Travel Insurance
- Luxury Travel Insurance
- Flight Travel Insurance
- Cruise Travel Insurance
Offered plans:
|
Type |
ExactCare |
ExactCare Value |
|
Best for |
General Travel |
General Travel |
|
Cost |
From $200 |
From $200 |
|
Features |
|
|
3. Crum & Forster – Travel Insured International
With over 20 years of experience, this insurance company is well known for predicting, interpreting, and fulfilling the needs of its customers. Its comprehensive travel insurance plans are customer-friendly and have received great reviews for customer service.
Rating: 4.57/5
Types of travel insurance offered:
- Road Trip Travel Insurance
- Adventure Travel Insurance
- Luxury Travel Insurance
- Flight Travel Insurance
- Cruise Travel Insurance
Offered plans:
|
Type |
Worldwide Trip Protector |
Worldwide Trip Protector Plus |
FlexiPAX |
|
Best for |
General Travel |
General Travel |
General Travel |
|
Cost |
From $500 |
From $300 |
From $150 |
|
Features |
|
|
|
4. Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance was formerly CSA Travel Protection but is now renowned for premium customer service and high-quality travel insurance plans.
Rating: 4.57/5
Types of travel insurance offered:
- Standard Travel Insurance
- Preferred Travel Insurance
- Premium Travel Insurance
- Vacation Rental Damage plan
Offered plans:
|
Type |
Premium |
Preferred |
Standard |
|
Best for |
General Travel |
General Travel |
General Travel |
|
Cost |
From $500 |
From $300 |
From $150 |
|
Features |
|
|
|
5. GeoBlue
GeoBlue has been serving customers for over 25 years and is dedicated to making international healthcare smooth and accessible. It is well-loved by its customers for its modern technology and 24/7 world-class medical facilities.
Rating: 4.70/5
Offered plans:
|
Type |
Voyager Essential |
Voyager Choice |
Trekker Essential |
Trekker Choice |
|
Best for |
General Travel |
General Travel |
General Travel |
General Travel |
|
Cost |
From $500 |
From $300 |
From $150 |
|
|
Features |
|
|
|
|
5 More travel health insurance providers in the USA
While we have shared our top 5 picks, here are 5 more insurance providers that we highly recommend that you keep on your radar:
- Global Underwriters.
- GoReady Insurance
- HTH Worldwide
- International Medical Group
- International SOS
Final Thoughts
You deserve to live out your dream retirement, travelling without worry. One of the best ways to stay prepared for medical emergencies is through getting travel health insurance. There are diverse insurance plans tailored to seniors’ needs that do not break the bank.
Contact BoomersHub if you have more questions!
For related blogs, check out:
FAQ
Why is travel insurance so expensive for senior citizens?
Seniors are more prone to accidents and unexpected health complications during travel, causing medical coverage costs to be higher. Seniors may have to pay a higher premium as older adults may have pre-existing health issues needing more comprehensive insurance plans.
