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Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.
Amy Danise is the managing editor for the insurance section at Forbes Advisor, which encompasses auto, home, renters, life, pet, travel, health and small business insurance. She is a highly experienced editor, writer and team leader with an extensive background in the insurance sector. With a career spanning more than three decades, she has focused her work on consumer-oriented publications.
Amy Danise is the managing editor for the insurance section at Forbes Advisor, which encompasses auto, home, renters, life, pet, travel, health and small business insurance. She is a highly experienced editor, writer and team leader with an extensive background in the insurance sector. With a career spanning more than three decades, she has focused her work on consumer-oriented publications.
Managing Editor, Insurance
Reviewed
Updated: Apr 15, 2024, 6:12pm
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
We analyzed 24 policies and found that Seven Corners offers the best senior travel insurance, earning five out of five stars in our analysis.
A solid travel insurance policy can safeguard your trip investment if delays and emergencies derail your trip. You’ll also want a policy that provides robust travel medical expenses and coverage for pre-existing conditions.
We analyzed senior travel insurance costs, emergency medical expenses, travel delay benefits and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions to find the best senior travel insurance. Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology for the ratings below.
24 travel insurance policies evaluated
984 coverage details analyzed
220 rates scored
102 years insurance experience on the editorial team
Best Senior Travel Insurance Companies
Seven Corners
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's benefits and coverage levels. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Best plan for seniors
Trip Protection Choice
Average price for seniors per trip
$483
Medical expenses/medical evacuation limits per person
We picked Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice as the top scoring plan for seniors because it has the lowest average price among top-rated policies and has an all-around exceptional package of benefits. We also like its optional add-on coverage choices, which include sports equipment rental coverage, event ticket coverage and rental car coverage.
“Interruption for any reason” and “cancel for any reason” upgrades available.
Pet kennel benefit of $500 if your return home is delayed by six hours or more due to qualifying interruption, missed connection or delay problems.
Change fee compensation of $300 per person if you have to change your flight or travel arrangements because of a qualifying event.
The average cost for seniors for the Trip Protection Choice plan was about average among the top plans we evaluated, but it provides superior levels of coverage.
Closer Look
Here’s a look at the top coverage types in the Trip Protection Choice policy.
Coverage type
Coverage limit
Emergency medical
$500,000 per person
Deadline for pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver
Within 20 days of your first trip deposit
Medical evacuation & repatriation
$1 million per person
Non-medical evacuation
$20,000 per person
CFAR reimbursement level
75%
Travel delay
$2,000 per person $250 daily limit Covered after 6 hour delay
Concierge services
None
We’re showing top coverage types that can be important to seniors. Other benefits are also included in this plan. Check the policy for more details.
Tin Leg
4.8
Our ratings take into account a product's benefits and coverage levels. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Best plan for seniors
Gold
Average price for seniors per trip
$436
Medical expenses/medical evacuation limits per person
We like Tin Leg’s Gold plan for its good medical benefits and competitive price—its average cost for seniors is the fourth-cheapest policy among the top-scoring policies.
Excellent medical evacuation coverage limits.
Great travel medical expense coverage limits.
Airline ticket change fee benefits of $200 with a minimum delay of one hour.
We picked the Worldwide Trip Protector plan because of its robust evacuation benefits: $1 million for medical and $150,000 for non-medical. We also like that it’s the third cheapest plan, on average, among those we evaluated. If you have pets, we recommend this policy because pet kennel benefits of up to $500 are included if you return three hours or more later than your planned return date.
“Interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
Offers travel inconvenience benefits that reimburse you for closed attractions and beaches, rainy weather, tarmac delays and more.
Offers ticket protection that pays up to $1,000 if you can’t attend due to a problem covered by your policy.
Offers bed rest benefits that pay up to $4,000 if a doctor requires you to stay on bed rest for at least 48 hours during your trip.
We’re impressed with USI’s Ruby plan for its variety of top-level benefits, including excellent coverage for medical and evacuation expenses. We also like its competitive average cost. The Ruby plan is the fifth-cheapest among 12 top-scoring policies we assessed.
Excellent coverage limit of $250,000 for medical expenses.
Excellent coverage limit of $500,000 for medical evacuation.
Good travel delay coverage of $1,000 per person.
Decent missed connection coverage for cruise and tours of $750 per person after 3-hour delay.
We recommend seniors take a look at Generali’s Premium plan for its good prices, excellent trip interruption insurance and superior medical evacuation benefits. Those with pre-existing conditions can get coverage as long as you buy a Premium policy up to or within 24 hours of your final trip deposit.
You can qualify for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions if you buy the policy prior to or within 24 hours of making your final trip payment, as opposed to a deadline of 10 to 20 days after making your first trip deposit, which is typical from top competitors.
Excellent trip interruption coverage of up to 175% of your trip costs.
Very good baggage loss coverage at $2,000 per person.
We like Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan for its array of generous evacuation benefits at a decent price. It has great baggage delay benefits of $1,000 per person, and good travel delay benefits of $1,000 per person covered after only a 6-hour delay.
“Interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
Excellent medical evacuation coverage, and includes $25,000 in non-medical evacuation benefits.
Excellent missed connection coverage of $2,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay.
We choose GoReady Pandemic Plus because of its competitive cost. It has the second lowest average cost for seniors among the policies we looked at. If you want a bargain and aren’t concerned about very low coverage amounts for some core benefits, the GoReady Pandemic Plus plan is worth checking out.
Decent medical evacuation benefits of $500,000.
Very good trip interruption benefits of 150% of insured trip cost.
We recommend seniors take a look at the TripProtector Preferred plan for its high level of medical coverage and a superior compensation level if your trip is interrupted. If you travel with your pet, we suggest you consider this policy because it includes pet medical expense coverage of $250 if your cat or dog traveling with you gets sick or injured during your trip.
Includes rental car theft and damage coverage of $35,000.
Excellent trip interruption coverage of 200% of the trip cost.
Great hurricane and weather benefits apply after only a 6-hour delay.
We like the Atlas Journey Preferred plan for its solid coverage across the board. This policy is especially worth considering if you’re interested in upgrades or are a pet owner. Available upgrades include extra coverage for pets traveling with you, adventure sports, destination weddings, hunting and fishing equipment and more.
The Atlas Journey Premier plan earned 4 stars in our analysis—it costs about $110 more than the Preferred plan but provides higher limits for medical expenses ($150,000) and missed connection coverage ($2,000). Premier also offers an “interruption for any reason” upgrade.
Includes travel inconvenience benefits of $750 per person.
Superior medical evacuation benefits of $1 million per person.
Very good missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person after 3 hours.
We recommend seniors take a look at John Hancock’s Silver plan for decent coverage at a low average price. It has the fourth-lowest average cost for seniors of the 12 top-scoring policies we evaluated.
The John Hancock Gold plan costs $100 more than the Silver plan but is also worth checking out if you want higher limits for travel medical expenses ($250,000) and medical evacuation ($1 million).
Excellent evacuation coverage limits.
Decent missed connection benefits of $750 per person after a 3-hour waiting delay.
Very good trip interruption reimbursement of 150% of insured trip cost.
We like USI’s Diamond plan for its variety of top-level benefits, although its pricing is higher than the other top travel insurance policies for seniors.
Superior coverage levels for medical expenses and evacuation.
Very good travel delay coverage of $1,500 per person.
Superior baggage loss coverage of $2,500 per person.
Here’s a look at the top coverage types in the Prime policy.
Coverage type
Coverage limit
Emergency medical
$150,000 per person
Deadline for pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver
Within 21 days of first trip deposit
Medical evacuation & repatriation
$1 million per person
Non-medical evacuation
No coverage
CFAR reimbursement
75%
Travel delay
$2,000 per person
$250 daily limit
Covered after 6 hour delay
Concierge services
None
We’re showing top coverage types that can be important to seniors. Other benefits are also included in this plan. Check the policy for more details.</small
How Much Does Senior Travel Insurance Cost?
The average cost of senior travel insurance is $416 per trip, based on our analysis of rates for the best travel insurance policies for seniors. Your exact cost for travel insurance will generally depend on the travelers’ ages, length of trip and trip cost.
In our analysis, travel insurance for seniors often costs around 7% to 9% of the trip cost being insured. Remember that you’re insuring only the portions of the trip that are pre-paid and non-refundable. You can’t make a claim on expenses that you can get refunded, like refundable airline tickets.
Average Cost of Senior Travel Insurance
Company
Plan name
Average travel insurance cost for seniors, per trip
Source: Forbes Advisor research of travel insurance sales data. Average costs are based on rates for two different trips for travelers ages 65 and 70, both with CFAR coverage and without. Note that plans have different levels of benefits, which can account for price differences.
Case Study: Unexpected Vet Visit in Portugal
During a flight from Israel to Portugal, my dog Coco developed an eye infection. I was worried about finding a reliable vet in a foreign country, but thankfully, I located a highly-rated clinic near my Airbnb. The visit and prescription cost me 45 euros out of pocket, but filing a claim through my travel insurance app was a breeze. I gave details about the incident and uploaded the vet's note and prescription receipt. To my surprise, my claim was approved just three business days later—over the Thanksgiving weekend. I was reimbursed 100% directly to my digital wallet. The claims process ended up being the easiest part of the entire situation.
-Lauren G., California
Expert Round-Up: What to Look for in the Best Senior Travel Insurance
Senior travelers may have more medical issues than younger travelers, so superior medical and evacuation coverage is a must. I recommend at least $150,000 in travel medical insurance per person.
A medevac ride may not be on your travel itinerary, but I wouldn’t skimp onmedical evacuation coverage. This coverage pays the cost of getting to an adequate medical facility if you’re in a remote area or somewhere with poor medical care.
I would make sure your policy offers a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, which removes exclusions for conditions you already have. You typically need to buy travel insurance soon after your first deposit to get the waiver, such as two to three weeks.
When life throws you a curveball, you’ll appreciate flexibility, which is why I recommend buying a policy that offers a “cancel for any reason” upgrade. This upgrade reimburses you a portion of your trip costs (often 75%) if you cancel for any reason not listed in the base policy.
I recommend an annual travel insurance plan to senior travelers who are planning multiple trips in a year. All your trips will be covered under one policy and it’s more affordable than buying multiple policies during one year.
Methodology
Using travel insurance sales data for policies offering CFAR, we scored the best travel insurance policies for seniors based on:
Average price (up to 35% of score):We analyzed travel insurance quotes for two different trips, both with CFAR coverage and without, for travelers ages 65 and 70, to develop an average price for each plan:
• Couple, age 65, for Italy trip costing $6,000 • Couple, age 70, for Mexico trip costing $3,000
Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver (20% of score): Points were given to policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if purchased within a required timeline.
Medical expenses (10% of score): Travel medical insurance was evaluated by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with travel medical expense benefits of $250,000 and up per person were given the highest points.
Medical evacuation (10% of score): Emergency medical evacuation/transportation coverage was evaluated by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 and up per person were given the highest points.
“Cancel for any reason” travel insurance (10% of score): Policies offering a “cancel for any reason” upgrade with 75% reimbursement for canceled trips were awarded the most points.
Required waiting period for travel delay benefits (5% of score): Points were awarded for a required waiting period of 6 hours or less for travel delay insurance to kick in.
Trip interruption travel insurance (5% of score): Points were given if trip interruption reimbursement was 150% or higher.
“Interruption for any reason” travel insurance: (5% of score): Plans earned points if an “interruption for any reason” upgrade was available.
Best Senior Travel Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important insurance coverage for senior travelers?
Seniors should put priority on the medical coverage within a travel insurance policy—specifically travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. This is especially important if you’re traveling outside the U.S., where Medicare will work only in very limited situations.
Look for high maximum limits for these two coverage types. For example, you can find plans that offer $500,000 for medical expenses and $1 million for emergency medical evacuation.
How can seniors save money on travel insurance?
Comparison shopping to find cheap travel insurance can save you money without sacrificing coverage. If you want to lower costs even more, though, focus on getting trip cancellation and good medical coverage, and de-prioritize coverage for baggage, missed connections and other non-medical coverage.
Remember to insure only the prepaid and non-refundable parts of your trip. For example, if your plane tickets are fully refundable, don’t pay to insure those. Travel insurance won’t reimburse you for deposits that were refundable.
Does Medicare cover me when I’m traveling outside of the U.S.?
Medicare generally does not cover your health care when you’re traveling outside of the U.S. That means if you get sick or injured while vacationing in another country, you usually won’t be covered.
We recommend seniors buy travel insurance with generous amounts of travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. For example, look for plans that offer $500,000 for medical expenses and $1 million in emergency medical evacuation coverage.
Does travel insurance for seniors cover pre-existing conditions?
Travel insurance for seniors typically excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions, but you can get pre-existing conditions covered with a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver. You can generally only get this waiver within 14 to 21 days of making your initial trip deposit and only if you insure the full nonrefundable costs for your trip.
Some problems are not covered by travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, dementia, depression, or any illness or injury related to alcohol or drug abuse.
Does senior travel insurance cover my grandchildren?
A standard travel insurance policy covers up to 10 travelers and typically any traveling companion can be included on a travel insurance policy, including your grandchildren. But some travel insurance may require everyone on the policy to live in the same household.
Some policies cover children for free as long as they’re under a certain age and accompanied by an adult. For example, the Allianz One Trip Premier plans cover children age 17 and under if they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent.
Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.
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Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.
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