Welcome to the first part in a three-part special series looking at the considerations and concerns for travellers in three separate age brackets.
Travellers in their 60s are steadfastly rejecting the idea of slowing down, with many still skiing, cycling, cruising and seeking out adventurous itineraries at home and overseas. But that appetite for exploration and adventure brings a different set of considerations when it comes to travel insurance – not because travel is riskier, but because it is often more varied.
According to travel insurance expert and Travel at 60 Head of Operations, Cola Maurirere, the starting point for travellers in their 60s wanting to properly cover their travels is not age, but activity.
“What they should be really looking at is what additional activities they are doing,” Maurirere said. “That includes ensuring policies cover cruising, snow sports and what insurers may classify as adventure activities.”
“If they are cruising, make sure they have cruise cover,” she said. “If they’re in the snow, that includes snow cover. If they’re bike riding, whether that be push bikes or motorbikes, that needs to be explicitly covered under the policy, and these things need to be checked.”
Cruising in particular is an area where misconceptions remain common – especially for Australians travelling domestically. Maurirere said many travellers assume Medicare or private health insurance will apply once they step on board.
“’Why do I need it? I’ve got Medicare. I’ve got private insurance’,” Maurirere said.
“That does not cover you for any costs that you incur on board.”
Even relatively minor medical issues at sea can be expensive. “You could be looking at about $320 just to see the doctor [onboard],” she said, adding that medication costs could quickly push the total into the thousands.
More serious incidents can trigger significant repatriation costs, particularly if evacuation from a ship is required. “If you have a heart attack or a stroke or anything that requires you to be taken off the ship, you’re responsible for those repatriation costs,” Maurirere said. “They can be ridiculously expensive if you’re being taken off the ship.”
A spokesperson for Allianz Travel Insurance told Starts at 60 that while age is “a meaningful driver of medical risk,” it isn’t so much about restricting cover as making sure the premium reflects the level of risk.
“The chance of a medical event increases as people get older. That’s a big part of the expected claims cost,” Allianz said.
“Pre-existing screening is essential. It isn’t designed to decline cover to customers – it’s simply a way to understand their health profile so we can price the cover fairly and avoid issues at claim time. Most conditions can be covered with an additional premium; some conditions have no additional premium for cover.”
Honesty around health remains another critical factor for travellers in their 60s – not because they are unwell, but because insurers rely on full disclosure to provide effective support.
“Travellers need to make sure they are 100% honest with any insurance company with pre-existing conditions,” Maurirere said. “Because obviously if you’re not honest…they can decline you if you need to make a claim.”
She stressed that this principle applies regardless of age but is particularly important for travellers who are active and mobile. “I think once again, it’s the same type of considerations – that you’re actually covered for what you are doing.”
Allianz advised travellers to ensure they are not paying for things they don’t need by carefully reading the policy wording, especially the definitions of pre-existing conditions and policy exclusions.
Travellers should also declare all pre-existing conditions is also a wise way to go – even if conditions are stable, along with any high-value luggage or personal items, as some travel insurers can increase the limits they will cover for a higher premium.
Insurance can also provide practical support beyond emergencies. Lost or damaged medication, language barriers and unfamiliar medical systems are common issues for older travellers on long trips or river cruises.
“Your travel insurance company would be the first port of call,” Maurirere said. Insurers can assist with interpreters, recommended doctors and even transport to and from medical appointments, she explained.
Beyond medical care, she said many travellers underestimate the broader value of comprehensive cover.
“Travel insurance is your best friend when something happens,” she said. “They will direct you to the best possible place for you to go.”
That guidance is particularly important in countries such as the United States, where medical costs are well known to escalate rapidly. In many parts of the country, hospitals have been known to deny assistance to people who can’t pay in non-emergency situations. Federal law prevents hospitals from denying help in an emergency.
“You don’t fly to the US unless you’ve got travel insurance,” Maurirere said. “A heart attack in the US can cost…half a million dollars is not unusual.”
She also cautioned against choosing policies based solely on price. “The cheapest product is not always the best product,” she said, urging travellers to examine insurers’ claims history and response times.
Ultimately, Maurirere said travel insurance should not be viewed as a constraint on travel in one’s 60s, but as the mechanism that allows people to keep exploring with confidence.
“It’s just about making sure that you’re covered for what you’re doing.”
Next, this series focuses on travel insurance concerns for your 70s and concludes with a look at travelling in your 80s.
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.