Best Travel Insurance for Australians Over 60 — What You Need to Know Before You Travel
Travel insurance is the one thing every Australian over 60 should never travel without — and yet it’s also one of the most confusing purchases older travellers face. Pre existing conditions, age loadings, coverage limits, and exclusions can make choosing the right policy feel overwhelming. This guide cuts through the confusion and tells you exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and how to find the best travel insurance for your specific situation.
Why Travel Insurance Matters More After 60
The older you are the more important travel insurance becomes — for several interconnected reasons.
Medical costs abroad are extraordinary Australian Medicare does not cover medical treatment overseas. A hospitalisation in the United States can cost $10,000 to $50,000 per day. Medical evacuation from a remote location or a cruise ship at sea can cost $100,000 or more. Without travel insurance these costs fall entirely on you.
Pre existing conditions create complexity Most Australians over 60 manage at least one pre existing health condition — high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, joint replacements, and so on. Standard travel insurance policies may exclude these conditions unless specifically declared and covered. Getting this right is critical.
Cancellation risk increases Unexpected health events — your own or a family member’s — become more likely with age. A comprehensive travel insurance policy covers non refundable trip costs if you need to cancel for covered medical reasons.
The peace of mind is worth it Travelling with adequate insurance means you can focus on enjoying your holiday rather than worrying about what might go wrong. That peace of mind has genuine value — particularly for longer or more adventurous trips.
What to Look for in Travel Insurance for Over 60s
Pre existing condition coverage This is the most important factor for older Australian travellers. Every policy handles pre existing conditions differently — some exclude them entirely, some cover them with a loading, and some cover them fully after a medical assessment.
Always declare every pre existing condition honestly when applying. Failing to declare a condition that leads to a claim will result in the claim being denied — leaving you with potentially enormous costs.
Medical coverage limit Look for a minimum of $5 million in medical coverage for international travel — more is better. For the United States specifically the higher the better given the extraordinary cost of American healthcare.
Medical evacuation coverage Make sure your policy includes emergency medical evacuation — the cost of flying home on a medical flight can exceed $100,000 without insurance.
Cancellation coverage Look for coverage that reimburses non refundable costs if you need to cancel due to illness, injury, or a family emergency. Check exactly what events are covered as cancellation triggers.
Cruise specific coverage If you’re cruising make sure your policy includes cruise specific cover — cabin confinement due to illness, missed ports, itinerary changes, and ship to shore medical evacuation. Not all policies include these automatically.
Age limits Many standard travel insurance policies have age limits — typically 75 or 80 years. Specialist insurers cover older travellers but at higher premiums. Check the age limit of any policy before purchasing.
24 hour emergency assistance Your insurer should provide 24 hour emergency assistance — a phone number you can call at any time from anywhere in the world if something goes wrong.
Understanding Pre Existing Conditions
This is where many older Australians get caught out — so it’s worth spending time getting it right.
What counts as a pre existing condition: Any medical condition you have been diagnosed with, treated for, or sought medical advice about before purchasing your travel insurance policy. This includes conditions that are well managed and stable.
Common pre existing conditions for Australians over 60 include:
- High blood pressure — hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart conditions — including past heart attacks or stents
- Joint replacements — hip or knee
- Cancer — including past cancer
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Sleep apnoea
What to do: Declare everything. Every single condition. Even conditions that seem minor or are well controlled. The insurer will then either cover the condition, cover it with a loading, or exclude it. You can then decide whether the policy provides adequate coverage for your needs.
Never assume a condition is too minor to declare. The insurer makes that determination — not you.
Best Travel Insurance Options for Australians Over 60
Specialist senior travel insurers:
Several Australian insurers specialise in travel insurance for older Australians and offer more comprehensive pre existing condition coverage than standard policies:
Cover-More One of Australia’s most recognised travel insurance brands. Cover-More offers comprehensive pre existing condition assessment and is widely used by Australian travellers over 60. Available through travel agents and directly online.
Allianz Travel Insurance Allianz offers comprehensive international travel insurance with pre existing condition assessment. Their policies are well regarded for medical coverage limits and emergency assistance.
1Cover A popular online travel insurer that offers competitive pricing and comprehensive coverage for older Australians. Their pre existing condition assessment process is straightforward.
Insure and Go Offers policies specifically designed for older Australians including Seniors Plus policies with enhanced pre existing condition coverage.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance A New Zealand based insurer popular with Australian travellers offering comprehensive coverage and competitive pricing for older travellers.
How to Compare Travel Insurance Effectively
Use a comparison site Comparison websites allow you to compare multiple policies side by side — including pre existing condition coverage, medical limits, and pricing. We’ll be adding specific comparison links to this page shortly.
Compare medical limits not just price The cheapest policy is rarely the best value. A policy with a $250,000 medical limit might save you $100 in premium but leave you exposed to potentially catastrophic costs if something goes wrong.
Read the Product Disclosure Statement The PDS — product disclosure statement — contains the full details of what is and isn’t covered. It’s worth reading the key sections particularly around pre existing conditions and medical coverage before purchasing.
Consider an annual multi trip policy If you travel more than twice per year an annual multi trip policy is often significantly better value than individual trip policies. These policies cover unlimited trips up to a specified duration per trip — typically 30 to 90 days — within a 12 month period.
Cruise Travel Insurance — Special Considerations
Standard travel insurance policies don’t always cover cruise specific risks. If you’re cruising make sure your policy includes:
Cabin confinement Compensation if you’re confined to your cabin due to illness and unable to participate in the cruise activities you paid for.
Missed port Coverage if the ship skips a port due to weather or mechanical issues and you’ve pre paid shore excursions or activities.
Ship to shore medical evacuation Emergency medical evacuation from a ship at sea is one of the most expensive medical scenarios imaginable. Make sure your policy specifically covers this.
Pre purchased shore excursions Coverage for non refundable shore excursion costs if you’re unable to participate due to illness or injury.
Tips for Reducing Premium Costs
Travel insurance for older Australians with pre existing conditions can be expensive — but there are legitimate ways to manage the cost:
Shop around Premiums vary enormously between insurers for equivalent coverage. Always compare at least three to four policies before purchasing.
Consider excluding some conditions If a pre existing condition is well managed and you’re willing to accept the risk of that specific condition not being covered you may be able to reduce your premium by excluding it. This should be a considered decision made with full understanding of the risk.
Choose a higher excess Agreeing to pay a higher excess — the amount you contribute to a claim — reduces your premium. This can be worthwhile if you’re primarily buying insurance for catastrophic coverage rather than minor inconveniences.
Buy early Purchasing insurance at the time of booking rather than just before departure provides cancellation coverage from the moment of purchase and can sometimes be cheaper.
Look for senior discounts Some insurers offer specific senior discounts or have loyalty programs worth investigating.
The Bottom Line
Travel insurance is not optional for Australians over 60 travelling internationally — it is essential. The potential financial consequences of being uninsured or underinsured are simply too significant to risk.
Take the time to compare policies properly, declare every pre existing condition honestly, and choose a policy with adequate medical and evacuation coverage. The premium cost — even for comprehensive senior policies — is a small fraction of what a single serious medical event abroad could cost without insurance.
Travel confidently. Travel insured.
Have questions about travel insurance for your specific situation? Come and ask in The Good Years Club community on Facebook — our members have a wealth of travel experience to share.
