Did you know that once you hit your 80s, your age alone bars you from nearly seven in ten policies reviewed by Which? in 2025? This shocking statistic reveals why finding the right travel insurance becomes increasingly crucial as we age – and why starting your search early could save you hundreds of pounds while securing comprehensive coverage.
If you’re over 50 or 60 and planning your next adventure, this comprehensive guide reveals the eight best travel insurance providers specifically tailored for mature travellers. We’ll uncover insider tips, compare real-world pricing, and show you exactly how to secure excellent coverage that won’t break the bank.
Why Over 50s Travel Insurance Matters More Than Ever
The travel insurance landscape shifts dramatically once you reach 50. A traveller shopping for cover on their 60th birthday has access to 99% of annual policies on sale, assuming other factors (such as pre-existing medical conditions) haven’t diminished their options, according to Which? analysis. However, this changes rapidly as you age.
The reality check: Over-75s paid 65% more than 65-74s for travel insurance in 2023. But here’s the silver lining – with the right knowledge and approach, you can still find excellent value coverage.
1. AllClear Travel Insurance – Best Overall for Medical Conditions
Why it’s special: All ages – We think Travel Insurance should be available to as many people as possible, that’s why our UK Travel Insurance policies have no upper age limit, and they’ve covered More than 3 million people to date with specialist medical coverage.
What makes them stand out:
- 1,300 different medical conditions covered
- AllClear Travel Insurance is the UK’s second highest-rated travel insurance provider for 2024 (rated 4.8 out of 5.0 Stars) on Trustpilot
- AllClear Gold Plus travel insurance has been named as the Which? Best Buy travel insurance policy twice in 2024
Coverage highlights:
- Emergency medical expenses with unlimited cover on higher tiers
- Repatriation: We’ll arrange your return to the UK if needed following a medical emergency
- Comprehensive cancellation cover
Pricing: Competitive for medical conditions, though not always the cheapest for healthy travellers
Best for: Anyone with pre-existing medical conditions or those seeking premium medical coverage abroad
2. Saga Travel Insurance – Best for Over 50s Specialists
Why it’s perfect for mature travellers: Our specialist cover for people over 50 offers additional benefits beyond what you’d find in a standard policy, and they’ve been serving the over-50s market for decades.
Key benefits:
- Saga is one of the insurers with no maximum age limits for new customers
- Saga’s Defaqto 5 Star rated cover levels, Standard and Plus
- Specialist understanding of mature traveller needs
What’s included:
- Emergency medical cover and repatriation
- Holiday cancellation and curtailment
- covers a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions
Best for: Traditional travellers who value established brands with proven track records
3. Staysure Travel Insurance – Best Customer Service
The standout factor: Staysure Insurance together with Silversurfers gives you really competitive prices and peace of mind, plus they’ve won the UK’s Best Travel Insurance Provider in the British Travel Awards, four years in a row.
Why customers love them:
- more 5 star reviews on Trustpilot than any other Travel Insurer
- Staysure has sold over 10 million travel insurance policies since 2005 and claims to specialise in over 50s travel cover
- No upper age limits on policies
Coverage features:
- Three levels of cover (Basic, Comprehensive, Signature)
- Winter sports coverage included as standard on comprehensive policies
- 20% off their travel insurance for Silversurfers members
Best for: Those prioritising excellent customer service and established reputation
4. Admiral Travel Insurance – Best Value for Money
The budget champion: During our research, Admiral was consistently the lowest-priced option for travel insurance for people aged 50 – 70. This was across single-trip travel insurance, multi-trip travel insurance, and couples travel insurance policies, with prices starting from just £9.48.
Value proposition:
- Admiral is a well-known and trusted insurance company in the UK, and their customers have rated their customer service as ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot. This is based on a score of 4.5 out of 5.0 Stars, with over 78,000 independent reviews
- Consistently low prices across age groups
- Decent level of benefits even on basic policies
Best for: Budget-conscious travellers seeking reliable coverage without premium features
5. Avanti Travel Insurance – Best for Flexibility
The flexible option: Avanti appears on Which?’s list of annual policies without maximum ages for new customers, offering Whether you’re planning a short break in the UK, a blissful continental cruise, or a worldwide tour we can help make sure you’re covered.
Flexibility features:
- No upper age restrictions
- My Avanti account for easy policy management
- Comprehensive pre-existing medical condition coverage
Best for: Travellers wanting flexible policy management and no age restrictions
6. Age Co Travel Insurance (powered by AllClear) – Best for Age UK Members
The charitable choice: Age Co is 100% owned by Age UK and gives its profits to the charity. In the last 5 years Age Co has donated more than £12m to Age UK, so your premium supports a great cause.
What you get:
- 99% of travellers offered cover and no upper age limits
- Up to unlimited emergency medical and repatriation cover
- 1,300+ medical conditions covered (powered by AllClear’s expertise)
Best for: Those who want their insurance purchase to support Age UK’s charitable work
7. Co-op Insurance – Best for Members
The member benefit: Co-op Insurance is among the providers offering annual policies without maximum ages, and as a mutual organisation, they focus on member benefits.
Member advantages:
- No maximum age limits for new customers
- Ethical business approach
- Competitive pricing for members
Best for: Co-op members seeking ethical insurance with good coverage
8. InsureandGo – Best for Worldwide Travel
The global explorer’s choice: InsureandGo offers annual policies without maximum ages and provides robust worldwide coverage options.
Global benefits:
- No upper age restrictions
- Comprehensive worldwide coverage options
- Strong reputation for international travel
Best for: Frequent international travellers exploring diverse destinations
How Much Does Over 50s Travel Insurance Really Cost?
Understanding the true cost helps you budget effectively and spot genuine value. Here’s what you can expect:
Age-based pricing reality:
- The cheapest price for single-trip travel insurance. Based on 1 adult aged 50 with no pre-existing medical conditions, travelling in Spain for 1 week. Confused.com data, January 2025 shows competitive starting prices
- Those aged 65-74 paid, on average, 28% more than 55-64s
- The biggest jump occurs in your mid-70s
Money-saving insider tip: Good to Go’s prices are higher for 50-year-olds, they did have the lowest priced quotes for customers aged 90 and over (£94.84). This is a saving of more than £211.17 compared to the highest priced quote, which was from Post Office (£306.01). This highlights why comparing quotes is essential.
Essential Features to Look For
Medical Coverage That Actually Works
- Emergency medical expenses: Look for at least £2 million in Europe, £10 million worldwide
- Repatriation cover: Essential for serious medical emergencies
- Pre-existing condition coverage: You need to declare all of your pre-existing medical conditions when buying your travel insurance – even if you feel as though your conditions will not cause any problems
Cancellation Protection
- Trip cancellation: Coverage if you can’t travel due to illness, injury, or bereavement
- Trip curtailment: Protection if you need to return home early
- FCDO advice coverage: Protection if travel becomes inadvisable
Additional Benefits for Mature Travellers
- Baggage and personal effects: Higher limits for valuable items
- Travel delay compensation: Coverage for missed connections and delays
- 24/7 emergency assistance: Crucial when dealing with overseas emergencies
The Medical Conditions Challenge (And How to Win)
The reality: more than 80% of customers who compared cover with us in 2019 were over 50, and many have pre-existing conditions. Here’s how to navigate this:
Declaring Conditions Properly
A pre-existing medical condition means a condition that you have been diagnosed, or treated for, prior to you taking out your travel insurance policy. Always declare everything – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Finding Specialist Providers
- AllClear leads the field with 1,300 different medical conditions covered
- If we’re unable to help you find cover for a pre-existing medical condition, the Money Helper Directory has listings of companies that may be able to assist you
Single Trip vs Annual Policies: Making the Right Choice
When to Choose Single Trip
- Designed to cover you over the course of a single holiday, this type of policy is best suited to anyone who only has one or two trips planned for the year
- You can buy single-trip travel insurance up to 12 months before your holiday
When Annual Makes Sense
- Typically, if you have three or more trips planned for the year, annual cover can be a cost-effective way of protecting yourself
- Remember: Some insurers will provide single-trip policies for customers they wouldn’t offer annual quotes to
Regional Coverage: Europe vs Worldwide
European Coverage
European holidays are very popular with UK holidaymakers due to the shorter flight times and low-cost deals that are available. Expect:
- Lower premiums due to GHIC coverage
- The company selling the best European travel insurance is Coverwise with prices starting from as little as £7.15 for a 7-day trip to France
Worldwide Coverage
- Significantly higher premiums, especially for USA/Canada
- Europe tends to be cheaper than the USA due to America’s expensive healthcare system
- Essential for destinations with expensive private healthcare
Expert Shopping Tips That Save Money
1. Use Multiple Comparison Sites
You might be able to save by using multiple comparison sites. Some insurers don’t sell through comparison sites – these include NFU Mutual, Direct Line and specialist medical insurers.
2. Buy Early for Cancellation Protection
You should buy over 50s Travel Insurance as soon as you have booked your holiday. This will mean you’ll be covered if any issues arise between booking and taking your holiday.
3. Consider Your Total Trip Value
Factor in all non-refundable costs: flights, accommodation, tours, and experiences. Your cancellation cover should match these amounts.
4. Check Age Limits Early
We recommend casting as wide a net as possible, which means beginning with comparison websites, but remember that choices narrow with age.
Red Flags to Avoid
Age Discrimination Disguised as Policy Terms
- Excessive age-related exclusions
- Sudden premium jumps without justification
- Artificially low maximum trip durations for older travellers
Hidden Medical Condition Exclusions
- Vague wording around “stable” conditions
- Exclusions for conditions you’ve never been treated for
- Blanket exclusions for common age-related conditions
Poor Claims Track Records
Look for providers with strong claims statistics. AllClear Insurance Services Ltd accepted 90-95% of claims on annual European policies. This was better than the average rate of 82.20%.
Your Action Plan: Getting the Best Deal
Step 1: Assess Your Needs (15 minutes)
- List all pre-existing medical conditions
- Calculate total trip value
- Determine coverage areas needed
- Consider annual vs single trip
Step 2: Get Multiple Quotes (30 minutes)
- Start with comparison sites covering up to 431 travel insurance providers
- Contact specialist providers directly
- Don’t forget to check your bank or existing insurance providers
Step 3: Read the Fine Print (20 minutes)
- Check medical condition coverage carefully
- Verify age-related terms
- Understand excess/deductible amounts
- Confirm 24/7 emergency contact details
Step 4: Buy and Prepare (10 minutes)
- Purchase as soon as you book travel
- Download policy documents to your phone
- Save emergency contact numbers
- Carry policy details when travelling
The Bottom Line: Your Next Steps
The over-50s travel insurance market offers excellent options if you know where to look. AllClear leads for medical conditions, Saga excels for specialist over-50s service, and Admiral wins on value for healthy travellers.
Remember: Whatever your age, it’s always worth shopping around for travel insurance, but in your 70s the savings could reach hundreds of pounds.
Ready to secure your coverage?
Start with our recommended providers above, get quotes from at least three options, and don’t forget to factor in your specific medical needs and travel patterns.
Your adventures shouldn’t be limited by age – with the right insurance, the world remains your oyster.