6 Tips to Find Affordable Travel Insurance for Over 80s with Heart Conditions
Understand the Need for Specialized Coverage
Everybody needs travel insurance, but especially those over 80—especially those with heart problems. Medicare does not provide coverage overseas; regular health insurance could have restrictions. Unexpected medical events such as stroke or heart attack can result in outrageous medical expenses, particularly in nations like the United States, where healthcare prices are high. Furthermore, statistically, seniors are more prone to medical problems and travel interruptions; hence, specialized coverage is even more critical. Regular coverage does not cover a significant outlay, and repatriation can run tens of thousands of dollars.
Declare All Medical Conditions Honestly
When seeking travel insurance, be honest about your heart condition and other pre-existing medical issues. Information withheld can void your coverage and cause claims denials. Medical questionnaires let providers covering pre-existing diseases evaluate risk and customize quotes. Appropriate coverage requires accurate responses. Some businesses focus on providing coverage for the elderly and people with pre-existing ailments, including cardiac diseases, arrhythmia, angina, and pacemakers or past heart surgery.
Compare Quotes from Multiple Providers
Don't accept the first quotation you come upon. Considering coverage limitations, prices, and exclusions, comparison websites provide a handy approach to side-by-side insurance assessment from several providers. Specialty providers like AllClear, IMG, and GeoBlue sometimes offer senior pre-existing condition insurance. If bought within 14 days of the initial trip payment, be careful to compare plans, including AXA's Gold and Platinum options, which include pre-existing condition waivers. Search for policies covering transportation back home, fees, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation.
Consider Single-Trip vs. Annual Coverage
While yearly policies cover several journeys during a year, single-trip coverage covers one particular trip. For over 80 passengers, single-trip policies could provide more options since some companies restrict annual coverage for this age range. If you travel often, an annual plan could be more affordable. For yearly plans, however, evaluate travel time limits. Some restrict the length of individual trips, which could be inappropriate for longer ones.
Look for Policies with No Upper Age Limit
Several policies from Able2Travel and several travel insurance companies, including Total Travel Protection, give coverage without an upper age limit. This guarantees availability even for travelers over 90 and releases limitations. Find out whether your selected supplier has age restrictions. AXA provides coverage up to 99; others may have varying limits. See your eligibility before you buy.
Explore Additional Coverage Options
Many insurance companies provide extras for specific needs such as cruise travel, winter sports, or luggage coverage. Think about them depending on your travel schedule and needs. Cruise insurance addresses other cruise-specific problems, such as missing port departures. Based on your luggage and schedule, assess the worth of these extras. For further security, consider purchasing gadget coverage if you carry pricey devices. Before including any additions, carefully go over exclusions and restrictions.
Provider | Plan Name | Pre-existing Condition Coverage | Medical Coverage | Medical Evacuation | Trip Cancellation | Other Benefits | Age Limit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aegis | Go Ready | Covered if purchased within 14 days of trip deposit | $50,000 | $500,000 | 100% Trip cost | 24 Hour AD&D $10,000, Identity Theft Included, 24 Hour Assistance Service Included | Up to 84 | |
Aegis | Go Ready Choice | Optional coverage | $50,000 ($1,000 Dental) | $250,000 | 100% Trip cost | 24 Hour AD&D $10,000, Identity Theft Included, 24 Hour Assistance Service Included | Up to 100 | |
Aegis | Go Ready Pandemic Plus | Covered if purchased within 14 days of trip deposit | $50,000 ($750 Dental) | $500,000 | 100% Trip cost | Pandemic Coverage | Up to 84 | |
Able2Travel | Silver, Gold, Platinum | 1,000s of conditions covered | Up to £10,000,000 | Included | Up to £5,000 | Cruise, winter sports, and sports options | No limit on single trips (Areas 1, 2 & 3); Area 4 up to 79; Annual multi-trip up to 79 | COVID-19 covered under certain sections |
AllClear | Various | All heart conditions considered | Up to unlimited | Included | Up to unlimited | 24/7 medical emergency helpline, up to $1,000 medical inconvenience benefit, personal belongings cover up to $10,000 | No age limit on Gold and Gold Plus | |
Allianz Global Assistance | OneTrip Prime, OneTrip Premier, AllTrips Premier | Available with waiver | Up to $75,000 (Premier) | Up to $1,000,000 (Premier) | Up to $200,000 (Premier) | 24/7 assistance, SmartBenefits, CFAR available | Varies by plan | Waiver requirements apply |
AXA | Silver, Gold, Platinum | Waiver available (Gold & Platinum) | Up to $250,000 | Included | Included | 24/7 assistance, CFAR (Platinum) | Up to 99 | Purchase within 14 days of first trip payment for waiver |
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection | ExactCare, WaveCare | Available | Up to $75,000 (WaveCare), $25,000 (ExactCare) | Included | Included | 24/7 travel assistance | None | |
InsureandGo | Black, Gold, Silver | Must be declared | Up to unlimited (Black) | Included | Up to £10,000 (Black) | 24/7 emergency helpline, covers 100+ activities | Up to 100 (some policies up to 79) | |
IMG | Patriot America Plus, Patriot International Lite, Visitors Protect, etc. | Acute onset covered, varying limits and age restrictions | Up to $8,000,000 (Platinum) | Included | Included in some | Vary by plan | Varies by plan | Specific plans for students and expats |
Just Travel Cover | Various | Hundreds of conditions covered | Up to £10,000,000 | Included | Included | Smart luggage option | No upper age limit | |
Seven Corners | Trip Protection Choice, Trip Protection RoundTrip Choice, Liaison Travel Plus, etc. | Covered with waiver (Choice plans), available with other plans | Up to $1,000,000 | Included | Included | CFAR, IFAR available | Up to 99 on most | Lookback period and waiver requirements apply |
Total Travel Protection (Ancile Insurance) | Various | All heart conditions covered up to high severity | Up to £10,000,000 (Platinum) | Included | Up to £6,000 (Platinum) | 24-hour medical assistance, covers mobility aids and prescriptions | No upper age limit | Cruise covered as standard |
Travelex | Travel Basic, Travel Select, Travel America | Acute onset covered, some plans require pre-certification | Up to $500,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | 100%, 150%, or 200% of trip cost depending on plan | 24/7 travel assistance, varying limits for trip interruption, baggage, etc. | 99 | |
UnitedHealthcare Global | SafeTrip plans | Not specified, varies by plan | Up to $1,000,000 (International Medical) | Included | Included in some plans | 24/7 support, options for extreme sports and rental car coverage | 85 |