Welcome to the second part in a three-part special series looking at the considerations and concerns for travellers in three separate age brackets.
Travellers in their 70s should look beyond price when purchasing travel insurance, with experts warning that falls, medical evacuations and undisclosed health conditions can quickly lead to claims running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
At this age, specifics relating to each individual can vary broadly, with many people in their 70s often as active as younger travellers, however the risks they may face overseas tend to differ, according to experts interviewed for this series.
“I’ve had a lot of clients that are in their 70s and are probably more active than some people in their 60s,” said travel insurance expert and Travel at 60 Head of Operations, Cola Maurirere.
“That said, age alone should not determine cover choices.”
However, she noted that claims data and personal experience point to a consistent trend among this age group. “Areas of concern tend to be more along the lines of falls…that seem to be really common one with that age group,” she said, alongside “your standard heart attacks, strokes, those types of things”
Across an extensive career in travel, tourism and business, Maurirere said travellers over the age of 70 have some unique considerations to keep in mind when it comes to selecting the right travel insurance policy. Shaping these beliefs has come from extensive experience working with senior travellers to plan and book holidays all over the world, during which time she has encountered and assisted with her fair share of emergencies.
One example involved a woman in her 70s travelling in Italy on a land-and-cruise itinerary who fell down a flight of stairs early in her trip, losing consciousness and breaking her wrist. The resulting claim, which included hospital treatment, medical evacuation and business-class flights home with an escort, “ended up in the hundreds of thousands” of dollars.
Maurirere said the case highlighted two critical issues for older travellers: full disclosure of medical conditions and making sure family and friends back at home know where insurance details are stored.
“The lady hadn’t shared her travel insurance details with either her travel companion or her family back home,” she said, describing it as a mistake that complicated the response when the accident occurred.
According to NIB Group General Manager of Travel, Dylan Wilkinson, honesty around pre-existing conditions is non-negotiable at any age, but particularly important for travellers in their 70s.
“We cover about 40, I think it’s about 43 at the moment, pre-existing medical conditions, and there’s some predetermined criteria that the customer needs to meet to have that automatic coverage,” Wilkinson told Starts at 60.
“But that’s really the consideration from that perspective, so there’s no age-related considerations when it comes to the assessment of the policy.”
Wilkinson said he understands and encourages travellers over 70, particularly those who don’t consider themselves tech-savvy, to speak to a travel agent such as Travel at 60 to get expert advice and to ensure they are taking out the right policy.
Travellers looking to take a cruise or engage in snow sports also need to make sure this activity is covered in their policy, as not every insurer automatically covers these.
“Cruise is automatically covered under our policies,” Wilkinson said.
“So that’s certainly something for consideration. Snow sports and skiing, they are add-ons, so I mean in terms of consideration for the policy, it’s important to either have a conversation or look at the Product Disclosure Statement to understand what’s covered [and] whether it’s suitable. If somebody is going on a skiing trip, for example, you’d want to make sure you’ve got that kind of cover.”
Cruising was singled out as a risk area for older Australians, including on domestic itineraries. Many travellers mistakenly believe Medicare or private health insurance will cover them onboard,” Maurirere said.
“That does not cover you for any costs that you incur on board,” she said, noting that even a minor illness could cost “thousands” once shipboard medical fees and medications are added.
Medical evacuation from cruise ships can be eye-wateringly expensive. If a passenger needs to be taken off a vessel due to a heart attack or stroke, “you’re responsible for the repatriation costs, and they can be ridiculously expensive,” she said, especially when helicopters or emergency services are involved.
Maurirere cautioned travellers in their 70s against choosing insurance solely on price.
“The cheapest product is not always the best product,” she said, encouraging older travellers to look closely at insurers’ claims history, response times and ability to deal directly with hospitals overseas.
She contrasted well-known providers such as NIB, Go Insurance and Cover‑More with cheaper policies that may be slower to approve payments or provide medical guarantees, adding that delays can place extra stress on injured travellers and their families.
Ultimately, she said travellers in their 70s should focus on coverage that reflects how and where they travel, rather than their age alone. “It’s really, really important” to understand the claims process, ensure family members know who to contact, and use insurers as an active support service rather than a last resort.
As overseas medical costs continue to rise, particularly in Europe, the United States and on cruise ships, experts say careful planning and comprehensive insurance remain essential safeguards for older Australians heading abroad.
Check out Starts at 60s first part in this series, focusing on travellers in their 60s.
The above advice and commentary is general in nature, does not consider your specific, individual needs and should be taken separately as it relates to buying travel insurance.