The U.S. Travel Association recently indicated that mature travelers (those who are 65 years of age or older) represent 21 percent of all leisure travelers in 2010. In addition, multi-generational vacations are becoming more common – this is where grandparents are traveling with their children and grandchildren, often with the older generation picking up more of the tab due to the tight economy.

U.S. seniors are more active than in generations past. They are also more physically fit and more able to afford vacations. And, as they join the ranks of the retired, they have more time on their hands for exploring.

What travel insurance protections are most important to senior travelers?

1. While seniors have fewer concerns about having to cancel their trip due to work conflicts, they may still face a situation where they are forced to cancel a long-planned trip due to other reasons. Trip cancellation coverage helps travelers who have to cancel trips due to illness (your own, or that of a family member), natural disasters (such as tornadoes and hurricanes that destroy your destination), financial default of a travel supplier (such as a cruise operator), and even school year extensions (if you’re traveling with the grandkids).
2. Trip interruption coverage is a little different – this coverage lets a traveler abandon their trip after it has started and even return to the trip if there’s time left. This coverage is useful in situations where you have to return home, perhaps to visit a sick relative or take care of an issue back home. It reimburses up to 150% of your unused trip costs and provides additional money for return airfare if you have to end your trip for a covered reason (the reasons are outlined in the policy certificate and listed for plans on this page).
3. Medical coverage is crucial for travelers – especially senior travelers. U.S.-based health insurance coverage, including Medicaid, does not extend beyond American borders. So any travel outside our borders is subject to the rules and payments of that country. This coverage provides money for medical benefits, emergency transportation, physician charges, drugs, X-rays, and more.
4. Evacuation and repatriation coverage is vital for travelers as well and not simply for the evacuation expenses, which can be very expensive. This coverage pays for medically necessary evacuations or the repatriation of a traveler’s remains to their home country. In addition, this coverage usually provides for a chaperoned return of minor children and bringing a friend or relative to your hospital bedside. If you’re traveling alone with the grandkids, you can’t ask for a better safety net.

See our complete Senior Travel Insurance Buying Guide to understand the common risks for senior travelers, a list of useful coverage, and the best travel insurance plans for seniors.

Pre-existing conditions always seem to complicate things when it comes to getting any kind of travel insurance policy. In almost all cases, it’s safe to say you will qualify for travel insurance even if you have a pre-existing condition, though it’s not quite so simple. Other than its more expensive, there are a few things that have to be done before you can get it.

Firstly, you have to be completely honest when you are reporting to an insurance company about any pre-existing condition. There is something called a “Look-Back Period” that usually spans anywhere from 60 to 180 days. If your illness was diagnosed, appeared, or treated within this period, it counts as pre-existing and must be reported. Not reporting will result in any and all policies being null and void.

Single Trip Travel Insurance
In most single trip travel cases – and all instances of travel – you have to be safely cleared for travel before your insurance policy begins. This means you cannot be ready to travel at some point in the future. You have to be fit and ready to travel when the insurance is obtained. Otherwise, should something happen, you will not be covered.

Travel Medical Insurance
Buying medical insurance for the time you’re traveling abroad can be a bit tricky but, once again, not impossible. It’s just going to be more expensive because you are a higher risk for the company than someone without the conditions. Medical coverage abroad covers prescription medications and any emergency medical or dental needs which may arise. They even cover lost luggage as well as trip cancellation.

Annual Insurance
Annual trip insurance is going to be more expensive when it comes to pre-existing conditions because it’s more expensive for a company to cover you. Annual insurance plans cover prescription medication which is very important for those with pre-existing conditions. It also covers pregnancies and maternity-related needs plus other common medical needs. These policies usually last at least a year and can be extended.

Rental Car Policies
Pre-existing conditions should not affect your ability to rent a car while traveling unless it is the type of condition that affects your insurance in the United States ; for instance, narcolepsy. Any condition that is likely to cause you to be a danger to other commuters on the road will make it a bit harder to obtain a car rental policy, but it’s far from impossible.

Flight Accident Insurance
Since pre-existing conditions have no bearing on whether a plane crashes or not, flight accident insurance is usually not affected by these conditions. Bear in mind the insurance company has to be aware of the pre-existing condition and the person who is on plane has to have been fit for travel at the time of the accident; otherwise the policy is completely void.

Overall, it can be seen that you can qualify for most types of travel insurance even if you have a pre-existing condition.