Insurance Curator Travel insurance for seniors must prioritize emergency medical coverage, medical evacuation (MedEvac) and policies that account for age-specific underwriting and pre-existing conditions. This guide — focused on U.S. residents traveling from hubs like Miami, FL; Los Angeles, CA; and New York City, NY — explains what to buy, who to consider, typical costs, and how to pick the best plan for your age and itinerary.
Why seniors need specialized travel insurance
- Older travelers have a higher risk of needing emergency medical care abroad or a costly MedEvac.
- U.S. Medicare usually does not cover health care overseas.
- Air ambulance and international repatriation can cost tens of thousands of dollars, often exceeding $50,000 for long-distance international evacuations. Source: NPR reporting on air-ambulance costs.
(See: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/03/24/292393413/air-ambulance-bills-can-be-heart-stopping)
Typical cost benchmarks (U.S. market)
- Travel insurance premiums normally run about 4–10% of trip cost for most travelers; seniors typically pay higher rates depending on age and medical history. Source: Squaremouth and TravelInsurance.com.
- Example: on a $5,000 trip, expect roughly $200–$500 for a 40–60-year-old; $350–$900+ for travelers 65+ depending on coverage level and pre-existing condition waivers.
(See: https://www.squaremouth.com/news/how-much-does-travel-insurance-cost and https://www.travelinsurance.com/travel-insurance-cost.asp)
- Example: on a $5,000 trip, expect roughly $200–$500 for a 40–60-year-old; $350–$900+ for travelers 65+ depending on coverage level and pre-existing condition waivers.
- MedEvac-only memberships (no insurance) are cheaper annual options (often under $300/year) but do not replace medical expense coverage.
Core coverages seniors must evaluate
1) Emergency medical expense
- Look for policy limits of at least $100,000 for international travel; $250,000–$1,000,000 for high-risk or long-stay travel.
- Confirm coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization, and prescription drugs abroad.
2) Emergency medical evacuation (MedEvac)
- Evacuation by air can cost $20,000–$200,000+ depending on distance and level of care. Always verify evacuation limits (commonly $100,000–$500,000). Source: NPR and MedEvac provider pages.
- Consider a standalone MedEvac membership (e.g., MedjetAssist) if primary concern is transport home; memberships often cost an annual fee and cover repatriation to a designated hospital in the U.S. (visit provider for current pricing: https://www.medjet.com).
3) Pre-existing medical condition coverage
- If you have a chronic condition, seek policies offering a pre-existing condition waiver (commonly requires purchase within a set “look-back” window and full trip prepayment). See related coverage in our guide on pre-existing conditions: Best Insurance For Travel With Pre-Existing Conditions: Waivers, Look-Back Periods and Best Providers.
4) Trip cancellation / interruption and cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR)
- CFAR is often worth considering for seniors on costly trips; it generally reimburses 50–75% of non-refundable costs and costs ~40% more than standard policies. See deeper guidance in: Best Insurance For Travel: Trip Cancellation, Interruption and How to Pick the Right Policy.
Top providers for seniors — quick comparison
| Provider | Strength for Seniors | Typical age handling | Indicative price notes (U.S., single-trip, $5,000 trip) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz Global Assistance | Strong brand, easy claims, plans with evacuation | Offers plans for older travelers; some plans available beyond 70 | $200–$700+ depending on age & plan level |
| Seven Corners | Good international medical coverage; flexible plan options | Policies available for older ages; some plans with higher limits | $300–$900+ for older travelers with higher medical limits |
| IMG (International Medical Group) | Good for extended international stays & high medical limits | Often used by retirees abroad; flexible age limits depending on plan | $400–$1,200+ for high-limit, long-duration plans |
| MedjetAssist (membership) | Best for MedEvac-only protection | Memberships available to all ages | Annual membership often under $300 (check site) |
| GeoBlue | Excellent international medical for travelers who want near-U.S. quality care | Typically oriented to expats & travelers who want high medical benefits; age limitations vary | Higher premiums; often used for long-term expatriate coverage |
Notes:
- Prices above are indicative ranges based on market norms; exact premiums depend on age, trip cost, trip duration, destination, medical history, and chosen plan limits. For cost studies see Squaremouth and TravelInsurance.com pages: https://www.squaremouth.com/news/how-much-does-travel-insurance-cost and https://www.travelinsurance.com/travel-insurance-cost.asp.
Age-specific considerations and underwriting
- Premiums escalate with age; expect the biggest increases after ages 65, 70, and 75.
- Some insurers impose maximum age limits for certain coverages (e.g., CFAR or full medical benefits). Always confirm maximum insured age before purchase.
- Look for plans marketed as “senior-friendly” that specifically list benefits and limits for travelers aged 65–85.
- If you are 85+, options narrow; purchase early and compare specialty carriers.
How to choose the best plan (step-by-step)
- Identify primary needs: emergency medical vs MedEvac vs trip cancellation.
- Collect your trip facts: total trip cost, destination(s), dates, and age(s).
- Get age-specific quotes from at least three carriers—compare medical limits, evacuation limits, deductible, and pre-existing waivers.
- Read exclusions carefully: activities (e.g., skiing), pre-existing condition rules, and COVID-era clauses.
- Consider standalone MedEvac membership (MedjetAssist) if only worried about repatriation.
- Purchase early to qualify for pre-existing condition waivers and CFAR where available.
Use-case examples (U.S.-based senior travelers)
- 68-year-old couple, Miami to Rome, 10 days, $6,000 trip: look for a plan with $250,000–$500,000 medical and $100,000+ evacuation; premium estimate $400–$900 depending on waiver and CFAR.
- 72-year-old solo traveler, Los Angeles to Alaska cruise, 7 days: prioritize cruise-related medical & evacuation coverage and trip interruption for cruise delays; Allianz and AIG Travel Guard have cruise-special provisions (see related: Best Insurance For Travel for Cruises: Trip Protections, Onboard Medical and Excursion Coverage).
- 80-year-old U.S. resident living in NYC traveling long-term to Europe: consider IMG or GeoBlue for high medical limits and long-duration coverage; expect higher premiums and some underwriting requirements.
Final checklist before you buy
- Confirm whether Medicare or your Medicare supplement covers anything (usually not).
- Verify MedEvac limits and whether the policy requires transport to nearest appropriate facility vs. repatriation home.
- Check the policy’s age limits, look-back period for pre-existing conditions, and purchase window for waivers.
- Keep digital and printed copies of policy ID, emergency numbers, and your primary care contact.
Reliable resources and further reading
- Squaremouth — How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost? (market averages): https://www.squaremouth.com/news/how-much-does-travel-insurance-cost
- TravelInsurance.com — Travel insurance cost guidance and age impacts: https://www.travelinsurance.com/travel-insurance-cost.asp
- NPR — Reporting on air-ambulance/MedEvac costs: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/03/24/292393413/air-ambulance-bills-can-be-heart-stopping
- Medjet — MedEvac membership information: https://www.medjet.com
For more details on medevac-specific considerations, see: Best Insurance For Travel With Medical Evacuation: When MedEvac Is Essential and Who Offers It.
Choose carefully — for U.S. seniors, the difference between a policy with strong MedEvac limits and one without can be financially decisive.