Travel insurance for over 90s can help protect older travellers from unexpected medical costs, cancelled trips, lost luggage and other travel problems. This guide explains who can get cover, how much it may cost, what medical conditions need to be declared, and what to check before buying a policy.
Being over 90 does not automatically mean you cannot get travel insurance. However, policies can become more expensive and some insurers may have age limits or require medical screening.
Can You Get Travel Insurance Over 90?
Yes, some UK travel insurers provide cover for people aged over 90. The available options depend on your age, health, destination, trip length and the type of cover you need.
There is no single age at which everyone becomes unable to get travel insurance. Some insurers specialise in older travellers and may offer cover at higher ages than standard travel insurance providers.
The most important point is to compare policies carefully rather than choosing the first quote you receive.
For travellers over 90, insurers may consider:
- Your age
- Existing medical conditions
- Current medication and treatment
- Destination
- Length of the trip
- Planned activities
- Whether you need cruise cover
- Whether you need single-trip or annual insurance
- The level of medical and cancellation cover
If you’re closer to 80, you may also find our travel insurance for over 80s guide useful.
How Much Does Travel Insurance for Over 90s Cost?
Travel insurance for over 90s is usually more expensive than insurance for younger travellers because insurers may consider older travellers more likely to need medical treatment or make a claim.
However, there is no fixed price for someone over 90.
Your actual premium can depend heavily on your health, destination and trip length. A short European holiday may cost considerably less than a longer trip to the USA, especially when medical conditions are involved.
What Can Affect the Price?
Several factors can change the cost of your policy:
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Age | Older travellers may pay higher premiums |
| Medical conditions | Some conditions require additional screening |
| Destination | Healthcare costs vary between countries |
| Trip length | Longer trips can increase the premium |
| Cancellation cover | Higher limits can affect the price |
| Cruise travel | Cruise cover may require additional protection |
| Activities | Some activities may need extra cover |
| Excess | A higher excess may reduce the premium |
Instead of looking only for the cheapest policy, check what protection you are actually receiving for the price.
Real Example: What Over 90s Travel Insurance Actually Costs
Fewer providers offer cover at this age, but here’s a realistic idea of pricing for a one-week trip to Spain, based on published example quotes:
| Provider | Example Price (1-week, Spain) | Notes |
| Staysure | ~£55 | No upper age limit |
| Alpha Travel Insurance | ~£45 | Budget option |
| Explorer Travel Insurance | ~£72 | Gold Plus tier |
| AllClear | No fixed price — quote-based | No upper age limit, 1,300+ conditions covered |
Prices are indicative only and based on published example quotes. Actual premiums depend on your health, destination and trip length always get a personalised quote before buying.
Travel Insurance for Over 90s With Medical Conditions
Medical conditions are one of the most important things to consider when buying travel insurance over 90.
You normally need to tell the insurer about relevant pre-existing medical conditions. This can include conditions that are currently being treated, controlled with medication or being monitored.
Examples can include:
- Heart conditions
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- COPD
- Previous stroke
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Other long-term conditions
- Regular medication or ongoing treatment
You should answer medical screening questions honestly and accurately.
Failing to declare a relevant condition could create problems if you later need to make a medical claim.
Why Medical Screening Matters
Medical screening allows an insurer to assess the risks associated with your health and decide whether it can provide cover.
Depending on your answers, an insurer may:
- Provide standard cover.
- Increase the premium.
- Add a medical-condition excess.
- Exclude a particular condition.
- Ask for additional medical information.
- Decline to provide cover.
If one insurer cannot provide suitable cover, that does not necessarily mean every insurer will refuse you.
What Does Travel Insurance for Over 90s Usually Cover?
The exact benefits depend on the policy, but travel insurance can commonly include several important areas.
| Type of Cover | What It Can Help With |
|---|---|
| Emergency medical expenses | Eligible medical treatment while travelling |
| Repatriation | Returning you home when medically necessary |
| Cancellation | Certain covered reasons for cancelling your trip |
| Curtailment | Certain covered reasons for cutting a trip short |
| Baggage | Loss, theft or damage subject to policy terms |
| Travel disruption | Certain delays or travel problems |
| Personal liability | Certain claims if you cause injury or property damage |
| 24-hour assistance | Help during an emergency |
Always read the policy wording because exclusions, limits and excesses can vary considerably.
Single-Trip vs Annual Travel Insurance for Over 90s
For most people over 90, single-trip travel insurance may be easier to find than annual cover.
Single-Trip Insurance
Single-trip insurance covers one specific holiday.
It can be useful if you:
- Take one or two trips a year
- Have a longer holiday planned
- Need cover for a specific destination
- Want to have your medical screening assessed for one trip
Annual Travel Insurance
Annual travel insurance can cover multiple trips during a policy year.
It may be useful for frequent travellers, but age limits and medical conditions can make annual policies harder to find.
Before buying an annual policy, check:
- Maximum age
- Maximum trip length
- Destination restrictions
- Medical-condition rules
- Cruise cover
- Cancellation limits
Do not assume annual insurance will automatically be cheaper.
Travel Insurance for Over 90s Travelling to Europe
European travel can be relatively straightforward, but you still need suitable travel insurance.
If you are travelling from the UK, a GHIC or valid EHIC can provide access to certain state healthcare services under the applicable rules.
However, a GHIC or EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance.
It does not provide the same protection as travel insurance for things such as:
- Repatriation
- Private medical treatment
- Cancellation
- Lost baggage
- Travel disruption
- Other policy benefits
You should therefore consider both your healthcare card and travel insurance when travelling in Europe.
Travel Insurance for Over 90s Travelling to the USA
Medical treatment can be extremely expensive in the USA, so travel insurance becomes particularly important.
For someone over 90, medical cover should be one of the first things to check before booking a policy.
Look for:
- High emergency medical cover
- Repatriation protection
- Cover for declared medical conditions
- 24-hour emergency assistance
- Suitable cancellation cover
- Appropriate excess levels
Do not select a policy simply because it has a low price.
A cheaper policy may have lower limits or exclusions that could become important during an emergency.
Worldwide Travel Insurance for Over 90s
Worldwide travel insurance can provide cover for destinations outside Europe, but the definition of “worldwide” can differ between insurers.
Some policies may divide destinations into areas such as:
- Europe
- Worldwide excluding USA, Canada and Caribbean
- Worldwide including USA, Canada and Caribbean
Always check the exact geographical area before buying.
This is especially important if your journey includes several countries or transit stops.
Cruise Travel Insurance for Over 90s
If you are over 90 and planning a cruise, standard travel insurance may not provide everything you need.
Cruise holidays can involve additional risks and may require specific cruise cover.
Depending on the policy, cruise protection may cover things such as:
- Missed port departure
- Cabin confinement
- Certain itinerary changes
- Medical emergencies
- Repatriation
- Other cruise-related risks
Check the policy wording carefully and confirm that your age, medical conditions and cruise itinerary are covered.
How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance for Over 90s
The “best” travel insurance is not necessarily the cheapest policy.
Instead, look for a policy that matches your health, destination and travel plans.
Step 1: Check the Age Limit
Make sure the insurer accepts travellers over 90.
Step 2: Complete Medical Screening
Declare relevant medical conditions and answer the questions accurately.
Step 3: Check Medical Cover
Look at the emergency medical limit and whether repatriation is included.
Step 4: Check Your Destination
Make sure every country you will visit is included.
Step 5: Check Trip Length
Some policies have maximum trip durations.
Step 6: Check Cancellation Cover
Make sure the cancellation limit is enough to cover your non-refundable holiday costs.
Step 7: Check the Excess
The excess is the amount you may have to pay towards an eligible claim.
Step 8: Read the Exclusions
Pay particular attention to medical exclusions, activities, alcohol-related exclusions and destination restrictions.
Step 9: Check the Policy Before Travelling
Keep your policy documents and emergency assistance details with you.
What If an Insurer Refuses to Cover You?
Do not assume that one refusal means you cannot get travel insurance anywhere.
Specialist travel insurers and medical-cover providers may consider travellers who have been declined elsewhere.
If you are struggling to find suitable cover because of a medical condition, a specialist provider may be worth considering.
You should also check that any company you use is properly authorised and regulated.
Common Mistakes When Buying Travel Insurance Over 90
Older travellers can make several mistakes when choosing a policy.
Choosing Only by Price
The cheapest policy may not provide the level of medical or cancellation protection you need.
Not Declaring a Medical Condition
Leaving out relevant medical information can create problems with a future claim.
Forgetting About the Destination
Make sure your policy covers every country you plan to visit.
Ignoring the Excess
A policy can look cheap but have a high excess.
Buying at the Last Minute
Buying travel insurance soon after booking can provide cancellation protection earlier in your travel plans, subject to the policy terms.
Assuming a GHIC Is Enough
A GHIC can help with certain healthcare arrangements in Europe, but it does not replace travel insurance.
Forgetting Cruise Cover
If you are taking a cruise, check that your policy specifically provides the protection you need.
Travel Insurance for Over 90s Checklist
Before buying your policy, check the following:
- The insurer accepts your age
- Your medical conditions have been declared
- Your medication and treatment have been considered where required
- Your destination is covered
- Your trip length is within the policy limit
- Emergency medical cover is suitable
- Repatriation is included
- Cancellation cover is sufficient
- Baggage cover meets your needs
- The excess is affordable
- Cruise cover is included if needed
- Your planned activities are covered
- You understand the main exclusions
- You have the emergency assistance number
FAQS
Yes. Some insurers and specialist providers offer cover for people aged 90 and above, depending on age, health, destination, trip length and eligibility rules.
It can be. Insurers may consider age and medical risk when calculating premiums, and medical conditions or destination can also affect the price.
Yes, specialist insurers may cover older travellers with pre-existing conditions. You’ll normally need medical screening and must declare conditions accurately.
Some policies do, but worldwide cover including the USA can cost more. Check your policy includes the USA with suitable medical and repatriation cover.
Some insurers offer annual policies, though age limits can make them harder to find. Frequent travellers should compare annual and single-trip options.
No. A GHIC can provide access to certain state healthcare in eligible European countries, but it doesn’t replace travel insurance.
If you’re cruising, check whether your policy includes suitable cruise protection, as some cruise-related risks need specific cover.
Follow the insurer’s screening questions and declare what’s asked, including long-term conditions, past illnesses, and ongoing treatment or medication.
Another insurer may still help. Specialist providers can sometimes cover travellers that standard insurers turn down.
Compare suitable policies, choose the correct destination area, consider the excess carefully, and avoid unnecessary extras — without cutting essential medical cover.
Conclusion
Travel insurance for over 90s can still be available, but finding suitable cover may require more careful comparison than it does for younger travellers.
Age, medical conditions, destination and trip length can all affect your options and price. The most important step is to declare relevant medical conditions, check the medical and repatriation limits, understand exclusions and make sure your destination and activities are covered.
For European holidays, remember that a GHIC or EHIC does not replace travel insurance. For destinations such as the USA, strong medical protection can be especially important.
The right policy is not simply the cheapest one. It is the policy that gives you suitable protection for your health, destination and travel plans.
About the Author
Rahib Naqvi researches and writes about travel insurance for UK and international travellers, with a focus on senior cover, pre-existing medical conditions, and destination-specific policies.