Seniors travel insurance guide

One of the greatest things about getting older is the freedom to travel and explore new parts of the world. Before adventuring across the globe to visit the grandkids or long lost friends, it is important to get the right cover.

Comparetravelinsurance.co.nz helps you compare a great range of seniors travel insurance policies for 'mature people', we'll save you time, worry and loads of money!

In this day and age, does age matter?

Orange is the new black and 60 is the new 50. We're staying younger for longer and more likely to stay active as we reach our golden years. Getting older doesn't mean retiring to bake cookies, but often means more time to get adventurous and explore the world.

Being over 60 can bring many perks, but finding inexpensive comprehensive travel insurance isn't one of them. In fact, it can be tricky with some insurers opting not to cover you once you hit the age of 75.

But don't fret, it's not all doom and gloom, there is good news. The travel insurance industry is competitive and New Zealand seniors are staying active and keen to travel. This has encouraged providers to offer better plans for seniors with affordable premiums.

With our seniors comparison you can compare heaps of reputable insurers with policies for ages 60 to 110! Our handy guide on senior travel insurance age limits will clear up any grey areas also.

5 things senior travellers should know about their cover

Right level? Right type? What's right for me?

Decisions, decisions. Choosing the right level and type of policy is important. So what are your options?

There are 3 main levels of cover to choose from:

• Basic (or medical cover only) is no-frills travel insurance that covers you for the most important thing on your holiday -- your health. Basics policies provide 24/7 emergency assistance; cover for overseas medical expenses; and sometimes, personal liability too.

• Mid-range cover for the essentials and some! Mid-range cover is suited for the budget conscious who have prepaid flights and accommodation and are going overseas to stay with friends or relatives. In addition to medical cover, you'll usually get cancellation cover and decent cover for luggage and personal belongings.

• Comprehensive cover is the (Grand) Daddy. Comprehensive travel insurance provides the highest level of cover suitable for those seeking maximum peace of mind for their trip. Check out the standard inclusions below.

Different travellers need different levels of cover. Choose a level of cover that best suits the type of holiday and activities you have planned. Choosing the cheap and cheerful option might mean you miss out on vital cover.

There are two types of policy options:

• Single trip policy which can cover you for just one day or up to a whole year.
• Annual multi trip policy which covers you for every trip you make, internationally or domestically over the course of a year but individual trip limits will apply.

If you're a retired baby boomer, or working part time and using that free time to travel more often, purchasing an annual multi trip policy can save you money. Remember to check the maximum trip length limits an annual multi-trip allows. These tend to vary from 15 days to 90 days per trip and often have lower age limits too. Check out our other nifty guide explaining these maximum trip limits.

Who offers the most cover at the best price?

Finding the most cover at the best price is easy when you use our seniors travel insurance comparison. You can easily compare a range of cover options to see who offers the best bang for your buck! Who comes out on top we hear you cry?

Compare seniors travel insurance and see for yourself! Use our site to see which insurers offer the most cover at the best price. You'll be getting dozens of quotes quicker than you can say 'pimms o'clock'!

Included or an optional extra?

You can choose to pay an additional premium to cover handy extras like your car hire excess, ski or golf equipment. Some insurers cover cruises automatically, while others have specialised policies for cruises...

Cruise holidays -- be informed before you leave the port

Cruise holidays are a popular holiday option. On a cruise everything is already thought of for you, all you need to do is pack your bag and hop on board. Right?

Well one thing to remember with cruisey holidays is that once your ship leaves the port you're no longer covered for hospital or medical expenses by Medicare or your usual private health care provider -- even if you're cruising in New Zealand waters. To be covered on an New Zealand cruise select 'Pacific' as your destination.

Comparetravelinsurance.co.nz allows you to compare 'senior friendly' cruise policies so you can be sure you receive affordable cover regardless of your age!

Comparing is great, but which companies are reliable?

Just because you haven't heard of a company before, doesn't mean that they aren't reputable or reliable.

In fact, many large insurers trade under a range of different names , or distribute their insurance policies through partners. All the insurers on our website are backed by reputable companies. A large insurance company you've heard of could actually back an unknown brand. If you want to check out who-underwrites-who see the travel insurance brands here.

If you're still unsure, you can always check out some travel insurance reviews to see what past shoppers think - they'll help you pick the rough from the smooth!

What's the deal with senior specific travel insurance companies?

Are they any different to other travel insurance companies? No.

Senior specific travel insurance companies have the same age restrictions (and underwriters) as non-senior specific travel insurance companies.

I have a pre-existing medical condition. Where do I stand?

While some pre-existing medical conditions are covered automatically , it's important to remember travel insurance exists to cover you in the case of unforseen incidents, not conditions you're already aware of.

However an additional fee may apply for certain conditions, so if you do have one (or two) you'll need to read the insurer's PDS to check whether your condition is automatically covered or whether you have to submit a medical declaration form.

Generally, automatically covered medical conditions tend to be things like osteoporosis, cataracts, diabetes and high blood pressure.

For some serious conditions, insurers may require you to complete a medical assessment. Even if you're sprightly some insurers require a medical form once you reach a vintage age.

Rarely covered are conditions such as a terminal illness, cancer, or mental illness. But don't let this news stop you cruising the Caribbean. If you're denied cover for your current condition you'll still be covered for all unrelated medical emergencies.

Exploring the world doesn't have to cost the earth

With Comparetravelinsurance you can be a silver surfer and save! Did you know travel agents and airlines often charge up to 50% commission on the cost of your travel insurance? So it pays to buy your travel insurance direct through a comparison.

What might seem like a cheap quote initially, can double when they found out you're over 60! We help you compare a great range of policies -- without surfing numerous websites or schlepping from shop to shop.

Time is of the essence

You don't need to be a baby boomer to know life is full of twists, turns and surprises. It's always a good idea to buy as soon as you've paid for your trip. Doing this means your cancellation benefits would cover you if anything unexpected happens out of the blue and you can't go on your trip as planned.

Spoil the grandkids. Go on, you know you want to

Did you know some policies cover dependant children and grandchildren for free?

These policies will generally cover them so long as they're under 21, not in full time employment and named on your policy. Make sure you check the PDS for the details, including the number of grandchildren that can be covered.

The devil is in the detail, so read the small print

It's vital to read the PDS and policy wording to ensure you understand what is and isn't covered. And if there's something you don't understand contact the provider directly.

Baby boomers aren't resigned to spending their retirement years knitting or woodturning. Many are using their freedom to travel more and they want the best insurance policy available.

Looking for senior's travel insurance? We'll clear up the grey areas!

Whether you're a youthful 60, a spirited 70, an adventurous 80, or 90 years young you can use comparetravelinsurance.co.nz to compare multiple seniors policies online and see which insurer will offer the best price for the level and type of insurance you're looking for. It's quick, easy and buying direct will save you time, worry and loads of money !

General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.