Before we hit the age of 55 travel insurance is relatively easy to obtain. However for seniors, travel insurance isn’t as easy to get. Just like health and life insurance, travel insurance for elderly people becomes a higher risk so insurance companies aren’t as willing to write a policy that they have a higher likelihood of paying out.
However, while elderly travel insurance may be hard to find it isn’t completely unobtainable. You will just have to work a little bit harder to find coverage that you are happy with.
Start Your Search Early
Travel insurance for the elderly is going to take longer to get because you have to find a carrier that is willing to write a policy for you. You may get lucky and find that the first agent that you contact is ready to sign you up for coverage, but relying on luck isn’t always the smartest move.
If you want to make sure that you can find an insurance carrier that is a) willing to cover you and b) will offer you a policy that meets both your travel and health needs any agent will tell you that you need to start your search as soon as you know you are going to travel. Putting it off until the last minute can result in you purchasing travel insurance that you are not happy with or even worse, winding up with nothing at all. By giving your agent ample time to search out the policy that fits your needs is highly appreciated. They don’t want to be rushed either and may be less willing to work with someone who they think they may not be able to sell a policy to. If you give them only a week or two timeframe then that is exactly how you will be seen.
Work With Your Existing Companies
When people are looking to buy a new insurance policy the first thing they should do is contact a company that they already have insurance with. Since many travel policies deal with accidents or medical issues, start with your health insurance provider. The reason for this is usually for money saving purposes, but when it comes to travel insurance for seniors this can be a way to get quicker results.
If you have been with your current provider for a long time and have a record of good health your existing insurance provider may see you as less of a risk than someone they have no relationship with. Again, less risk means a higher likelihood of coverage. If your existing insurance carrier does not provide travel insurance they may be able to help you find someone who does. Having them in your corner certainly doesn’t hurt.
Plan For The Future
When you do find a company that will write a policy for you ask them if they offer a multi-trip policy. If you are able to buy a multi-trip policy then you will be covered during any trips you take for the life of the policy. This not only helps save the time you would have to spend looking for travel insurance, but you can usually save money when buying an extended policy as opposed to several single coverage policies.
When you do find a company that will write a senior travel insurance policy don’t let them convince you that your age should be a reason for you to accept a policy that lacks the coverage you want or need. Keep searching until you find travel insurance coverage that satisfies you.
Jeff Orloff writes on travel insurance (http://travelinsurance.org) and other insurance topics for the Consumer Media Network.
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