Over 50s travel insurance

Why choose Howden for over 50's travel insurance?

Here at Howden, when it comes to arranging your travel insurance, we pride ourselves on doing the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.

Howden is delighted to introduce travel insurance via Sunworld, who can provide single-trip or annual cover. Thanks to the great relationship we have with their team, when you get in touch with us, we make the process of getting you a quote simple and straightforward.

As an experienced insurance broker, we also know that each travel policy needs to be as individual as its owner and their travels. That’s why we provide a personalised service focused on getting to know you and finding out exactly what you want from your cover.

Ultimately, whether you need to make a claim, purchase a new travel policy, or renew an existing one, just know that we’re here to help.

Benefits of working with Howden:

• You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
• We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
• Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
• Speak with your local branch, within your community.
• We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.

Why over 50s need specialist travel insurance

As we age, our travel needs change. Many standard travel insurance policies have upper age limits or exclude certain medical conditions, making it harder for older travellers to get comprehensive cover.

Specialist travel insurance providers understand these challenges. They offer policies tailored for people over 50, often with higher age limits, flexible trip lengths, and cover for pre-existing medical conditions. This means you can enjoy your holiday without worrying about medical emergencies or unexpected costs.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

Choosing the right policy depends on your travel plans:

Single trip travel insurance

Ideal for one trip, whether it’s a short city break or a longer cruise holiday. Single trip cover is often cheaper if you only travel occasionally.

Annual multi-trip policy

If you take multiple holidays each year, annual travel insurance can save money. Annual multi-trip policies typically cover 31 or 45 days per trip and offer flexibility for different destinations. This is valid for one year and allows multiple trips from and back to the UK within this period; however, duration restrictions per trip will apply.

What does over 50's travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance covers you financially if something happens to you while you’re away or before you travel. This could include the costs of cancelling your trip if you become ill and can’t go, emergency medical treatment while you’re away, or if your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen during your trip.

Your specific travel plan will ultimately dictate the travel insurance coverage you’ll get. By providing us with as many details as possible about your travel plans and those who need to be covered, we can provide a bespoke policy tailored to your needs.

But what’s generally covered under a standard travel insurance policy?

• Lost money from cancelled trips – in case you need to cancel travel plans at the last minute, perhaps due to illness or injury.
• Emergency medical expenses – if you fall ill or get injured while travelling.
• Evacuation costs – covers the cost of getting you or someone you're travelling with back home safely.
• Baggage and delays – if your flight arrives late or your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen during your trip.
• Legal expenses cover.
• Personal liability and accident cover.
• 24/7 medical assistance – you can contact someone about your policy whenever you need to.

That’s not all either. Anyone who takes out a travel policy through one of our insurers could also benefit from:

• Support if you lose your passport.
• Automatic inclusion for many minor medical conditions plus an online health screening facility with access to medically trained nurses.
• Cover for financial failure of your airline, hotel, or travel company.
• Cover for if your accommodation is uninhabitable.
• Many sports are automatically included, with the option to include winter sports and high-risk activities.
• Option to include business travel and working abroad
• Cover for trips being disrupted by a pandemic.

As an insurance broker, it’s our job to help our clients find the right cover for their travels plans. Anyone can access this cover either online through our website or by speaking to our knowledgeable travel insurance team in branch or over the phone on 01252 728316.

Extra policy add-ons you can choose from:

• Cruise cover
• Cancellation cover
• Baggage and gadget cover

What is not included in travel insurance?

As an insurance broker, we work with a range of insurers to ensure all policies are as comprehensive and protective as possible. However, there are some aspects generally not covered in travel insurance policies:

• Alcohol and drugs – most travel insurance policies do not cover events that happen after you have drunk excessive alcohol or taken recreational drugs or other substances.
• High-risk destinations – many travel insurers will not cover travel to destinations where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel or all travel.
• Age restrictions – check whether there are any age-related restrictions.
• Extreme sports – activities like bungee jumping, jet skiing, quad biking, winter sports, or skydiving are not usually included in standard policies.
• Driving overseas – if you’re hiring a car, check what cover the hire company provides. If you are driving your own vehicle, check your motor insurance policy to see what it covers.
• War and terrorist acts – most policies offer only limited cover for emergency medical expenses required as a consequence of war or terrorist acts.
• Unattended baggage – restrictions apply to losses from public vehicles, beaches, public areas, and unattended motor vehicles.

It’s worth noting that some standard travel insurance policies may exclude cover for claims related to a pre-existing medical condition.

What should you consider before getting a travel policy quote?

When comparing travel insurance policies, consider the following about the trip and the travellers:

• The trip length and destination.
• Maximum age limit and upper age.
• Medical history of travellers and pre-existing conditions.
• Declare all medical conditions.
• Extra cover options like gadget cover or legal expenses cover.
• Check emergency medical assistance included: 24/7 support is vital.
• Annual cover? If you take multiple holidays, annual travel insurance options can save money.

How much does over 50s travel insurance cost?

The cost of travel insurance for over 50s depends on several factors, including:

• Pre-existing medical conditions: If you have certain medical conditions, your premium may be higher as there’s a greater chance you’ll need medical treatment while abroad.
• Destination: Where you’re travelling matters. For example, Europe is usually cheaper than the USA because of America’s expensive healthcare system.
• High-risk activities: Activities like skiing often require extra cover, which adds to the cost. For example, Saga’s Ski Travel Insurance includes protection for many winter sports.
• Length of holiday: Longer trips typically mean higher premiums since more time away increases the likelihood of a claim.
• Add-ons: Adding extras such as gadget cover or cruise cover will increase the overall price.

Clients with more serious pre-existing medical conditions

Talk to us and we’ll help you get quotations which can cover many pre-existing medical conditions.

If you’re struggling to find suitable cover, the Money and Pension Service (MaPs) also provide a list of specialist insurers on the MaPs Directory Website or you can call the British Insurance Brokers Association on 0370 950 1790.