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What is over 85s Travel Insurance?
Over 85s Travel Insurance can help protect you against unexpected holiday costs, including emergency medical treatment, repatriation, cancellation and lost luggage. Cover can also include pre-existing medical conditions that you declare and we accept.
Finding suitable Travel Insurance can become more challenging as you get older. AllClear has no upper age limit, with a choice of policies to suit your health and travel plans. The benefits and limits depend on the policy you choose.
Why do you need Travel Insurance if you’re over 85?
Unfortunately, accidents can happen at any time, and they’re more expensive when you’re abroad.
- As we get older, the risks of injuries like fractures can increase. According to the American Geriatrics Society, a person aged 85 or older is four times more likely to break a bone than someone between the ages of 65 and 75
- According to the ABI, a fall in Spain led to emergency repatriation back to the UK. This, along with the treatment, cost a shocking £124,000
This is why Travel Insurance is a must-have if you’re 85 and older and travelling abroad.
You’re in the right place for over 85s Travel Insurance with the UK’s Most Trusted Travel Insurance Provider¹. We offer cover to 99.5% of our customers² and our Gold Plus Travel Insurance is a Which? Best Buy.
Why choose AllClear for over 85s Travel Insurance?
Finding suitable Travel Insurance after 85 can take more searching, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions. At AllClear, we have no upper age limit and assess your medical circumstances alongside your travel plans, so you can explore cover that suits your next holiday.
With AllClear, you’ll benefit from:
Specialist cover for your health: We can consider more than 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions, including multiple diagnoses. Tell us about your health during your quote so we can confirm the cover available
A choice of medical cover limits: Gold includes up to £10 million for emergency medical expenses and repatriation, Gold Plus up to £15 million, and Platinum offers unlimited cover
Help when you need it abroad: Our 24/7 emergency assistance team can help you access appropriate medical care and coordinate eligible treatment and medically necessary transport home
Protection for your holiday investment: Cover can include cancellation, cutting your trip short, travel delay and lost or stolen baggage, with benefits and limits depending on your chosen policy
25 years of experience: We’ve helped more than 3.5 million people travel with confidence, including older travellers and people with complex medical histories
Which? Best Buy recognition: Our Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum have all been recognised as Which? Best Buys
Medical cover matters because treatment abroad can be costly. The UK Government estimates that hospital treatment for a stomach bug or infection in the USA could cost £150,000 or more, including medical evacuation or repatriation if needed.
Pre-existing medical conditions must be declared and accepted for cover. Check the Policy Wording for full details of benefits, limits, conditions and exclusions.
What does AllClear’s over 85s Travel Insurance cover?
Our Travel Insurance for over 85s is built to protect you against the risks that matter most. You’ll be covered for unexpected medical expenses abroad, including specialist care for over 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions, as well as trip cancellations, lost baggage, and more.
Check the Policy Wording for full details of what’s covered, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.
What’s covered?
- All ages – We believe Travel Insurance should be available to all. That’s why our policies have no upper age limit
- Medical cover – AllClear policies include emergency medical cover, even if you have an existing condition, as long as you have declared it. This includes any prescription medications and medical equipment
- Cancellation and cutting your trip short – Cover for your flight and accommodation costs if you have to cancel before you go. Also if you need to return home early following an emergency
- Your baggage – Protection against the cost of stolen, damaged or lost luggage and personal possessions. You can also choose to add extra cover for gadgets to your policy
- Travel delays and missed departures – We’ll compensate you for the time if your flight is delayed. We also cover accommodation and transport costs if you miss your flight
- Personal liability – Cover for your legal expenses. Plus any costs from accidentally injuring someone or damaging property while you’re away
What’s not covered?
- Deciding not to travel – We do not provide any cover if you can travel but choose not to
- Other regions – Your Travel Insurance won’t cover you if you travel outside your chosen region. You can, however, contact us to upgrade your policy at any time
- Claims below the value of excess – You’re not covered for claims that fall below the value of the excess stated in your policy
- Medical conditions you fail to declare – When you buy Travel Insurance, you need to provide us with an accurate medical history. This will help us provide you with the right cover. This is especially vital for senior travellers and those with long-term illnesses
Choose the right level of cover
Finding cheap over 85s Travel Insurance is only helpful if the policy still covers the risks that matter to you. Medical expenses, cancellation limits and personal belongings cover can vary considerably between policy levels.
The comparison below shows what you could receive with Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum, along with the optional protection available for particular trips.
Think about the value of your booking, the belongings you’re taking and the level of medical protection you want when comparing policies. Your quote will confirm the cover and optional extras available for your particular trip.
Always check the Policy Wording for more information.
Levels of Travel Insurance cover
Buying a Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip policy? Choose from three levels of cover: Gold, Gold Plus, and Platinum.
Gold
Endorsed by Which?
Emergency Medical & Repatriation Cover
£10,000,000
24/7 English-speaking emergency helpline
Cancellation and cutting your trip short
£2,000
Gold Plus
Endorsed by Which?
Emergency Medical & Repatriation Cover
£15,000,000
24/7 English-speaking emergency helpline
Cancellation and cutting your trip short
£5,000
(Up to £15,000 available)
Platinum
Endorsed by Which?
Emergency Medical & Repatriation Cover
Unlimited
24/7 English-speaking emergency helpline
Cancellation and cutting your trip short
£10,000
(Up to £25,000 available)
All these figures are per person, and per trip.
What should you compare when choosing over 85s Travel Insurance?
Start with the cover you need for your health and holiday plans. When reviewing quotes, look at the benefits, exclusions and costs you could face if you claimed. These checks can help you compare your options.
- Confirm the policy covers your age and travel dates: Check eligibility before comparing prices. For Annual Multi-Trip cover, review the maximum length of each holiday and any restrictions linked to your age
- Check how your medical history is covered: Complete each insurer’s medical questions accurately. Compare the cover offered for your declared conditions and note any specific exclusions or additional terms
- Review medical treatment and repatriation together: Look at the emergency medical expenses limit and the arrangements for getting you home if medically necessary. Check when the assistance team needs to authorise treatment or transport
- Allow for the full cost of cancelling: Add up your prepaid, non-refundable bookings and compare this with the cancellation limit. Read the covered reasons for cancelling or returning home early, including those involving close relatives
- Account for your whole itinerary: Include every country you’ll visit, including stopovers. If you’re taking a cruise or joining activities and excursions, check the cover and any extras you need
- Work out your share of a claim: A lower premium may come with a higher excess. Check the amount payable and how it applies to each person, incident or policy section
- Look beyond the total baggage allowance: Check individual item and valuables limits, along with rules for unattended belongings. If you take mobility aids or medical equipment, look for the specific protection available
- Find out how support works abroad: Check for a 24/7 emergency medical helpline, how to contact it, and the steps to follow if you need help. Review the evidence required for a claim, such as receipts and medical reports
Read the Policy Wording alongside your quote and medical declaration. If anything is unclear, ask the insurer to explain it before you buy.
How much does Travel Insurance for over 85s cost?
Your quote is calculated using information about you and your holiday. Age can affect the price, but your medical history, destination and level of cover also play a part.
The main factors that influence your premium include:
Your health and age: Your answers to the medical screening questions help us assess your individual circumstances, including any pre-existing conditions, medication and treatment
The places you’ll visit: Medical treatment costs vary between countries. Your quote takes your destination into account, including any countries you’re visiting along the way
Trip length and frequency: Longer holidays can cost more to insure. If you’re planning several trips, compare Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip options, checking the trip limits for each
Your chosen benefits: The policy level you select affects the price, with different limits for medical expenses, cancellation and baggage. Optional extras can also increase your premium
The excess you select: An available excess waiver may cost extra but reduce what you would need to contribute towards an eligible claim
To see the options available, get a personalised quote online or speak to our team. Review the price alongside the benefits, limits and exclusions so you understand the level of cover you’re buying.
Trip-length limits for travellers over 85
Planning an extended holiday or several shorter breaks? The length of time you can be away depends on the type of policy you buy and the region your journey falls within.
For travellers over 85, Single Trip Travel Insurance can cover one journey lasting up to 104 days. Annual Travel Insurance covers multiple holidays over 12 months, but each trip must stay within the applicable limit below.
| Age | Single Trip Regions 1 & 2 |
Single Trip Region 3 |
Single Trip Region 4 |
Annual Multi-Trip USA, Canada, Mexico & Caribbean |
Annual Multi-Trip Other destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 85 | 104 days | 104 days | 104 days | 35 days per trip | 45 days per trip |
With Annual Travel Insurance, you can travel for up to 183 days in total during the policy year. Individual holidays must remain within the relevant per-trip limit, and your selected region must include every destination on your itinerary.
Travel Insurance for over 85s with medical conditions
Taking regular medication or managing several diagnoses can mean there’s more to consider when arranging a holiday. Your Travel Insurance should account for your pre-existing medical conditions, as well as where you’re going and how long you’ll be away.
AllClear specialises in medical Travel Insurance, with no upper age limit. During your quote, we’ll ask questions about your health to assess the protection we can offer. We can consider more than 1,300 conditions, including:
Heart and circulation problems – From high blood pressure managed with tablets to atrial fibrillation, we’ll ask about your diagnosis and treatment
Breathing conditions – Include asthma and COPD in your declaration when prompted, even if inhalers or other medication keep your symptoms under control
Diabetes and digestive conditions – We can consider diabetes, Crohn’s disease and gallstones, including alongside other health conditions
Bone and neurological conditions – Our screening can also assess osteoporosis, a previous stroke or epilepsy to establish the cover available for your trip
And if the unexpected happens while you’re away, our 24/7 medical emergency assistance line is ready to help, offering expert support to you or anyone named on your policy.
Do you need to declare a condition if you feel well?
Feeling well doesn’t always mean there’s nothing to declare. Medication, previous treatment and ongoing check-ups may all be relevant when you apply for over 85s Travel Insurance.
Use the medical questions to guide you through the information we need. For each condition, we may ask about how it’s managed and any recent changes. Your answers help us assess the cover available for your trip.
It can help to have a prescription list and details of appointments nearby. Follow the time periods in the medical warranty, and ask our team if you’re unsure about anything.
Full and accurate answers matter. Missing relevant details could affect your policy’s validity or mean a claim is declined.
Find the best over 85s Travel Insurance for your trip
We tailor our policies to match your trip. We’ll cover you, your companions, and even your golf clubs in an emergency.
- Single Trip Travel Insurance: Our Single Trip policies cover you for a single trip of up to 365 days of consecutive travel
- Annual Travel Insurance: Choosing an Annual Travel Insurance policy could save you time and money if you’re planning a few trips a year.
- Family Travel Insurance – Planning a holiday with different generations of your family? You can include eligible relatives of different ages on one policy
- Group Travel Insurance – Going away with friends or other travel companions? Group cover can keep everyone together on one policy while allowing each person to declare their own medical conditions
What optional extras are available for over 85s?
You can add extra cover to suit the type of holiday you’re taking and the things you’re bringing with you. Your quote will show which options are available for your trip.
- Cruise Cover: Protects against cabin confinement and unused excursion fees. We’ll even cover the cost of airlifting back to the mainland. Simply add it to your policy when getting your quote
- Gadget Cover: Standard baggage insurance often does not include any of your gadgets. Gadget Cover is a must-have for anyone travelling with laptops or tablets
- Golf Cover: Don’t fret about your unused Greens Fees or damage to your beloved clubs. Our Golf Cover covers you for up to £750 for any Golf Equipment
- Natural Disaster Cover – Can help if an unexpected natural event disrupts your holiday. The event must not have been known when you booked your trip or purchased the cover
- Excess Waiver – Available with selected policies and removes the excess you would usually need to pay towards an eligible claim
Do you need Travel Insurance if you have a GHIC card?
Taking a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to Europe is a sensible step, but it shouldn’t be your only form of protection.
A GHIC gives you access to medically necessary state healthcare in participating countries on the same terms as local residents. This means treatment is not always free, and private healthcare is not included.
Over 85s Travel Insurance can provide protection beyond the scope of a GHIC, including eligible costs relating to:
- Emergency private medical treatment
- Medical repatriation to the UK
- Cancelling or cutting short your holiday
- Lost, stolen or delayed belongings
- Travel delays
- Personal liability
Travel Insurance can also cover pre-existing medical conditions that have been declared and accepted. Carry your GHIC and your policy details during your trip, as they serve different purposes if you need help.
How our Travel Insurance for over 85s works: A simple 3 step quote process
Need over 85s Travel Insurance? Simply complete our quick 3-step screening process to receive your quote.
Here’s how it works.
1. Get a quote online or by phone.
Once you’re ready to start the quote process, the first step is to provide your personal details and information about your holiday. You can complete this over the phone with one of our team members or online.
2. Complete our simple medical screening process.
You must declare any medical conditions you have and any medications you and your travel companions are taking here. This way, we can provide the cover that best suits your needs.
3. Get your quote
You can either proceed to buy or save your quote at this stage.
Our experts say…
”Travel Insurance is about more than cover. It’s about peace of mind and fully relaxing on your holiday. Even if something does go wrong, we cover a wide range of unexpected events. This protects you from surprise medical costs or the expense of replacing belongings if your bags go missing. We’ll even cover new flights home if you need them in an emergency. This leaves you free to enjoy your trip, worry-free.”
Letitia Smith MSc, Travel Insurance expert
Making a claim on your over 85s Travel Insurance
If something unexpected happens, contacting the right people early and keeping a clear record of events can help your claim progress more smoothly.
Before you leave
- Save your policy number and assistance telephone number in your phone and keep a paper copy in your luggage
- Make sure a travelling companion or relative knows where to find your policy details
- Bring an up-to-date list of your medication and medical conditions
- Check the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination
If you need help during your trip
- Call the local emergency services first if you require urgent assistance
- Contact our 24/7 emergency assistance team as soon as you can if you need medical treatment abroad
- Speak to the team before arranging non-urgent treatment, alternative transport or an early return to the UK
- Report theft to the local police and request a written report
- Ask airlines, hotels and other travel providers to confirm delays, cancellations or missing belongings in writing
- Keep medical reports, receipts, invoices and any other documents connected with the incident
Things that could affect your claim
- Travelling against medical advice or after being told you’re not fit to travel
- Waiting until you return home to report an overseas medical emergency
- Discarding receipts or being unable to provide supporting evidence
- Failing to tell us about a change in your health or medication before departure
Claims are assessed against the terms, limits and exclusions of your policy. Visit our claims page for contact details and further guidance.
What our customers say
There’s a reason we’re rated ‘Excellent’ or ‘Great’, with over 230,000+ reviews³. Here’s what our other customers had to say about us.
Very, very satisfied customer
“As an 85 year old getting travel insurance for a 6 month visit to Australia to see my daughter and 3 year old grandson was proving to be a daunting and discouraging process. AllClear proved to be the exception to the the rule. Every phone contact I had with their agents was the essence of helpfulness in providing me with the cover I needed. Particularly Rabai and Daniel. 5 Star + for me.”
Travel Insurance for Over 85s FAQs
As you age, you may find that the cost of Travel Insurance increases. However, it’s important to consider what’s covered if something unexpected occurs while you’re on holiday, like a medical emergency.
While the average emergency medical treatment claim is around £1,750, claims payouts also increase with age, according to the Association of British Insurers. Treatment for a kidney infection in Spain could cost £15,000. One report of a serious blood infection in Thailand led to medical and travel expenses of £250,000.
These types of costs will be a real blow if you’re paying this out of your hard-earned pension fund. A Travel Insurance policy that covers the cost of medical emergencies could end up saving you a fortune.
With some insurers, yes, but not with AllClear. Many providers set upper age limits due to the increased likelihood of medical claims in later life. We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. That’s why our Travel Insurance has no upper age limit, and we offer cover to 99%+ of customers, even those living with complex or terminal medical conditions.
Yes, even if you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), it’s still essential to take out over 85s Travel Insurance. The GHIC only covers basic emergency healthcare in participating European countries and doesn’t include vital things like medical repatriation, cancelled holidays, lost baggage, or hospital transport.
That’s why the UK Government strongly recommends taking out comprehensive Travel Insurance before travelling abroad, especially for those over 85 who may face higher risks while away. With AllClear, you’ll get tailored protection that fills in the gaps the GHIC can’t.
The cost of a Travel Insurance policy is based on a few different factors, including:
- Your age
- Your medical history
- The destination of your trip
- How long you’re going for
These all affect the price of a policy. While you can’t do much about your age, you can change other factors, such as your destination. For example, some countries, like the US, have notoriously expensive healthcare systems. As a result, a Travel Insurance policy for the US could cost more.
If you’re considering buying a cheap Travel Insurance policy, it’s important to look at what is covered and what is not. The cheapest policy could only cover up to £100 of medical expenses. This won’t be worth much if you end up in A&E and face medical costs in the thousands.
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Letitia is a Travel Insurance expert with more than 20 years experience in science and medical communication and helping people find specialist insurance. As Head of Communications at AllClear, she brings in-depth knowledge on medical cover. Letitia cares about supporting people with medical conditions to travel with confidence.
Dr Anisha Patel is a general practitioner with a specialist interest in women’s health and a bowel cancer survivor. She’s a speaker, health educator, writer and media doctor and works hard within a variety of media outlets to push health education agendas and break down stigmas and taboos.
Our content is created and reviewed by a dedicated team of experts
^ Based on UK companies in the 'insurance' category on Trustpilot, as of July 2025. AllClear Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum policies achieved Which? Best buy. AllClear Gold Plus and Platinum has been 5 Star rated by Defaqto.
1 Based on Trustpilot reviews of all companies in the Travel Insurance Company category that have over 75,000 reviews as of July 2026.
2 Based on completed quotes between March 2025 and February 2026.
3 Based on 230,000+ Trustpilot responses, as of July 2026.
