Why Consider Long Stay Travel Insurance for Seniors?
Many retirees want to travel long distances. Whether it's getting away from severe winters, seeing relatives abroad, or realizing a lifetime travel ambition, several-month vacations call for specific insurance issues. Standard travel rules often limit trip distances, leaving elders open to unanticipated problems, trip interruptions, and uncovered medical bills. Long-stay travel insurance covers these gaps and provides coverage specifically for longer trips.
Key Features of Long Stay Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 70
Policies for seniors over 70 can include more medical coverage restrictions since they acknowledge the more significant possibility of health issues at this age. Some other policies provide up to $10 million in emergency medical expenditures, including repatriation to the United States. One critical consideration is pre-existing medical issues. Some providers—like It's So Easy discussed above—may offer it as an add-on or have particular criteria, while others specialize in covering pre-existing conditions. Search for insurance with unambiguous pre-existing condition coverage rules, including look-back times or mandated medical exams. Senior passengers would benefit significantly from a 24-hour help team. Especially in foreign locations, immediate access to medical advice, translation services, and assistance with misplaced documents or crises can offer peace of mind. Specific policies cover trip interruptions and concealments brought on by unanticipated events such as family crises or medical ones. Ensure the policy addresses specific reasons pertinent to your circumstances, such as a waiting list for surgery discussed in one of the articles.
Essential Considerations for Seniors When Choosing a Policy
Age restrictions differ. While some businesses serve all ages, others could offer limited coverage or limits for visitors above a specific age—e.g., 80 or 85. Compare insurance meant especially for seniors or those without an upper age restriction. The limit of trip time also varies. While overseas, some long-stay insurance covers travel up to a year; others provide shorter terms or renewal possibilities. Match your trip schedule to the policy length. Give geographical restrictions great thought. Verify the policy covers all the countries or destinations your trip calls for. Certain suppliers might exclude some countries or areas. Winter sports, trekking, or scuba diving sometimes call for more coverage. If you intend to engage in any possibly dangerous activities, be honest and arrange suitable add-ons. Exercise close reading of policy language. Know the excess or deductible levels, particularly for medical bills. While a high excess lowers premiums, in case of a claim, it will raise out-of-pocket expenses.
Popular Providers and Policy Types
Companies such as Allianz, AIG Travel Guard, and It's So Easy offer long-stay or annual policies with differing degrees of coverage. Others focus on elders or pre-existing illnesses. For those up to 89 years old with coverage for several pre-existing diseases, Globelink, for instance, provides single-trip plans. For long-term visitors mainly, Cigna Global provides worldwide health insurance with no upper age restriction and guaranteed renewability. Think about single-trip vs. annual. An annual multi-trip coverage may be more affordable than buying several single-trip plans if you plan several long journeys within a year.
Real-Life Examples
To cover their asthma, a retiree spending six months in Spain seeking escape from winter may decide on a long-stay coverage with a pre-existing condition waiver. They should give coverage limits for medical bills and repatriation much thought. A nine-month senior backpacking trip around Southeast Asia would require a specialized backpacker or long-stay policy covering several nations and dangerous activities like scuba diving. Medical evacuation coverage and a 24/7 aid team should take the stage. A senior staying with family in Australia for a year could choose a yearly multi-trip policy with high medical coverage and repatriation restrictions to guarantee they are covered for the whole period and possible return trips to the U.S.
Provider | Plan Name | Max Trip Length | Max Age | Medical Coverage | Medical Evacuation | Repatriation | Pre-Existing Conditions | Cancellation Coverage | Baggage Loss/Damage | COVID-19 Coverage | Other Notable Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Able2Travel | Silver, Gold, Platinum (Single & Annual Multi-trip) | Single: Up to 365 days (under 65)45 days (66-79)31 days (80-85)23 days (86+)Annual: 31 days (under 75)31 days (76-79) | Single: Area 1, 2, 3 - No LimitArea 4 - 79Annual: 79 | Up to £10,000,000 | Included in Medical | Included in Medical | 1,000s covered | Up to £5,000 | Up to £3,000 | Yes (For cancellation, interruption, delay, and medical) | Optional cruise & winter sports cover |
Allianz Global Assistance | OneTrip Prime, Others | Up to 180 days (OneTrip Prime)Up to 366 days (OneTrip Premier) | Up to 99 (Select Plans) | Up to $50,000 (OneTrip Prime) | Up to $500,000 (OneTrip Prime) | Included in Medical Evacuation | Yes (select plans) | Up to $100,000 (OneTrip Prime) | $1,000 (OneTrip Prime) | Yes | Annual multi-trip plans available; child 17 and under travels free on some plans. Concierge. |
Heymondo | Long Stay | 90+ days (renewable) | 49 | Up to $2,500,000 | Included | Included | Not Covered | Not Included | Up to $1,200 | Yes | 24/7 assistance, Travel assistance app |
IMG (International Medical Group) | GlobeHopper Senior Single-Trip, Patriot Multi-Trip | GlobeHopper: 5 days - 12 monthsPatriot Multi-Trip: 30, 60, or 90 days per trip (annual) | GlobeHopper: No age limitPatriot: Up to 75 for Multi-Trip America (non-US to US)79 for Patriot Multi-Trip International, No age limit (other Patriot Multi-Trip plans) | GlobeHopper: $50,000-$1,000,000 (65-79), up to $100,000 (80+)Patriot: Up to $1,000,000 | GlobeHopper: $250,000Patriot: Up to $1,000,000 | GlobeHopper: IncludedPatriot: $50,000 | GlobeHopper: Yes Patriot Multi-Trip: Acute onset up to $5,000, no lookback | GlobeHopper: Not IncludedPatriot: Varies | GlobeHopper: $250Patriot: Varies | GlobeHopper: YesPatriot: Yes | GlobeHopper: For US citizens/residents on MedicarePatriot: Annual multi-trip plan for frequent travelers. |
InsureandGo | Single Trip, Annual Multi-Trip | Single Trip: 365 daysAnnual Multi-Trip: Up to 55 days (Black policy)45 days (Silver & Gold)31 days (Budget) | No upper age limit | Unlimited (on Black level policies) | Included | Included | Yes, 1300+ conditions | Up to £10,000 | Varies by plan | Yes (Medical only for some policies if FCDO advises against all/all but essential travel). Additional COVID-19 cover available. | Cruise & winter sports add-ons |
John Hancock | Bronze, Silver, Gold | 90 days | 99 (Gold)69 (Silver, Bronze) | Up to $250,000 (Gold) | Up to $1,000,000 (Gold) | Included | Yes (waiver on all plans if purchased within 14 days) | 100% of trip cost | Up to $2,500 (Gold) | Yes (if purchased before deemed foreseen) | CFAR add-on available |
Nationwide | Essential, Prime, Cruise Plans | 90 days (Essential, Prime)120 days (Luxury Cruise) | No upper age limit | Up to $75,000 (Essential Single-Trip) | Up to $250,000 (Essential Single-Trip) | Up to $250,000 (Universal Cruise)$500,000 (Choice Cruise)$1,000,000 (Luxury Cruise) | Yes (Choice & Luxury Cruise plans) | Up to 100% (Cruise)Up to $30,000 (Single) | Up to $1,500 (Essential Single-Trip) | Yes, if purchased before deemed foreseen. | Specialized cruise plans |
PayingTooMuch.com | Various | Varies by plan (up to 365 days for single trips, varies for annual) | No upper age limit (most plans) | Up to unlimited | Included | Included | Yes | Up to £10,000 | Varies by plan | Emergency medical only, if FCDO does not advise against travel | Single trip, annual multi-trip, cruise cover, winter sports cover |
RBC Insurance | TravelCare, Deluxe | Single: 60 days (75+), 183 days (under 75)Multi-Trip: 9, 16, or 30 days per trip | 85 (single-trip) 74 (multi-trip) | Unlimited (for eligible expenses) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes, if stable | Yes | $1,000 (Deluxe, TravelCare) | Yes, for trips booked after certain dates (restrictions apply) | 24/7 worldwide assistance, direct payment of medical bills (where possible) |
Seven Corners | Liaison International, RoundTrip Choice, RoundTrip Elite, Others | Varies by plan. Up to 364 days for some. | Up to 84 (Voyager Choice)No age limit (GlobeHopper) | Up to $500,000 (RoundTrip Choice) | Up to $1,000,000 (RoundTrip Choice) | Included (Most plans) | Yes (Roundtrip Choice, others have lookback period), must purchase within 20 days of initial trip payment. | Up to $100,000 (RoundTrip Choice) | Up to $2,000 (RoundTrip Choice) | Yes | Group plans available. |
Travel Guard (AIG) | Essential, Preferred, Deluxe, Annual | Annual: Unlimited trips up to 90 days each. Others: Up to 180 days (some plans) | No maximum age | Up to $50,000 (Preferred) | Up to $500,000 (Preferred) | Up to $500,000 (Annual) | Yes (if purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment). Not for Annual plans. | Up to 100% of trip cost (most plans). Not for Annual plans. | Up to $1,000 (Preferred) | Yes, if policy purchased before deemed foreseen | 24/7 assistance, specialized coverages available (car rental, CFAR, etc.) |
WorldTrips | Atlas Journey Plans (Economy, Preferred, Premier) | 180 days | No upper age limit | Up to $150,000 (Premier) | $250,000 (Economy)$1,000,000 (Preferred, Premier) | Included | Yes, if purchased within 21 days of initial trip deposit | 100% (Economy, Preferred)150% (Premier) | Up to $2,000 (Premier) | Included for certain plans (restrictions may apply). | Many add-ons available |