In addition, we heard from one of our colleagues at CheapFlights.com and they’ve put together a set of travel tips on getting senior discounts, including links, phone numbers, rules and more.

We hope this information helps all senior travelers get back on the road – safely, of course.

For U.S. and non U.S. Senior Citizens

• Patriot executive from IMG is designed for frequently traveling executives up to age 75. It provides medical coverage with a fixed deductible (waived for accidents) and it’s available for individuals or groups of five or more. It includes some trip protections as well.
• Reside from Seven Corners is designed to provide worldwide medical coverage for up to one year for travelers leaving their home country and those up to age 74. Up to two kids under age 9 are free with two covered parents.
• Liaison Silver from Seven Corners is excellent travel medical coverage for active travelers over age 50, providing a few travel insurance package benefits and low premiums for dependent children and grandchildren.
• CitizenSecure from Travel Insured International is international major medical coverage for travelers up to age 74 leaving their home country. Coverage for ages over 75 available as well.
• CitizenSecure Economy from Travel Insured International is international major medical coverage for travelers up to age 74, and a senior option is also available.

U.S. Seniors

• Liaison Silver from Seven Corners provides travel medical coverage up to a $1,000,000 maximum for seniors traveling abroad. It includes discounted premiums for dependent children and grandchildren too.
• TravelGap Excursion from HTH Worldwide offers choices of medical limits and coverage for trips up to six months long for travelers up to age 85. This plan requires travelers to have a primary health plan back home.
• TravelGap Voyager from HTH Worldwide offers single-trip travel medical for trips up to six months long for travelers up to age 75. This plan does not require a primary health plan.
• Global Citizen from HTH Worldwide is annual international major medical health coverage for world travelers up to age 75. It includes global travel benefits such as evacuation, repatriation, and AD&D too.
• TravMed Abroad from FrontierMEDEX offers full medical and evacuation coverage benefit limits up to age 85. This is comprehensive, short-term travel medical and evacuation coverage with worldwide travel assistance services. Available with an annual option.
• The Complete Plan from MH Ross provides premium travel insurance coverage for travelers up to age 75 and trips costing as much as $100,000 per person.

Non U.S. Citizens

• Inbound Guest from Seven Corners is offered at four plan levels with two over-70 levels. It provide for hospital expenses, surgical expenses, ambulance services, prescription drugs and more.
• Visit USA HealthCare from Travel Insurance Services offers strong medical coverage for non U.S. citizens up to age 70 traveling inside the U.S. This is single-trip coverage for up to one year of international travel.

House-sitting arrangement vary according to the homeowner and house-sitter, but of course a formal document outlining who will pay for what expenses and the responsibilities of the house-sitter is a must. In most cases, the homeowner will pay at least part of the utility costs (depending on the length of their trip), costs for pet care and home maintenance. In return, the house-sitter may agree to pet-sitting duties and light home maintenance and upkeep.

This type of arrangement can work well for travelers of all ages and it comes with a number of benefits:

• Cheap living
• Freedom to live alone
• Greater space than a hotel room
• Company of pets

A site called Mind My House matches homeowners to house sitters from all over the world and has indicated that there is increased demand for house-sitters who are wiling to do a bit more to earn free long-term accommodations in another location. Some of these responsibilities may include care taking duties like mowing the lawn and more.

Of course, if you are choosing this method of travel, be sure to keep in mind what you may need in travel insurance: medical coverage in a foreign country, flight protection, and repatriation are likely.

The news reports, however, were providing a different story and the U.S. State Department was warning citizens to defer all non essential travel to Egypt.

What’s a nervous traveler to do when their travel supplier leaves them high and dry by refusing to cancel and refund the travel costs? Purchasing travel insurance coverage that included trip cancellation coverage that included terrorism or mandatory evacuations as a covered reason for canceling a trip would have helped this couple.

In all likelihood, having ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage would have been the best coverage because they could cancel their trip for a refund even if the travel supplier wants to go forward with the trip.  This coverage must be purchased soon after making your initial trip deposit and in some situations (like this one), it can be worth every penny.

Making Plans: To have a memorable and stress free holiday, it’s necessary to make plans. For senior citizens, planning is especially important because there are many more things to consider. As time passes more quickly as one gets older, it’s also helpful to plan the itinerary in detail, allowing ample time to enjoy a certain place of interest at a leisurely pace. Make flight and hotel bookings early and ask about area attractions.

Concessions and Discounts: In an effort to reach out to senior citizens, many players in the travel industry offer special concessions and discounts to draw them in. Senior citizens aged 62 years or older can take advantage of discounted airfares from most airlines. There are also restaurants and hotels that offer special concessions for senior citizens so it’s worthwhile to seek out these places.

Identity Theft and Money Issues: According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 10 million Americans fall victim to identity theft each year and 40% of these cases involve senior citizens. As a precautionary measure, senior citizens are advised to carry not more than two credit cards and only the identification cards that are the most important. If you lose your credit cards, call your bank and cancel the cards as soon as possible. Don’t carry too much cash or wear too much jewelry because you may be a target for crooks. Make special effort to protect your Social Security number and personal information.

Senior Travel Insurance: As with all travelers, senior citizens should not overlook the matter of travel insurance. If you are going to travel abroad, explore the option of acquiring travel medical insurance so you are covered in case medical assistance is needed. Medical bills in some countries can be unbelievably high so it’s best to be properly insured.

Maintaining Communication: It’s important to maintain communication with family and friends so they know where you are and how you are doing. To facilitate open communication, remember to bring your mobile phone along. In case of emergencies, inform your family members so they can arrange for assistance.

Pack Lightly: Don’t pack as many things into your luggage as possible. It’s not to go on vacation and drag around heavy suitcases that you cannot carry. The last thing you want to do is injure yourself with a heavy suitcase. Make sure to pack your medications preferably in a carry on, should your luggage get lost.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkeyc/

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As with most travel insurance plans, you can choose comprehensive benefits to cover everything from medical emergencies to lost baggage and concierge services. Or, you can stick with the basics and just obtain emergency medical and evacuation, depending on your needs.


Senior travel insurance coverage that you need to consider
Of course, every plan is different, but most travel insurance plans provide a basic level of coverage including the following benefits:

• Senior travel insurance should include emergency medical, including hospital room and board, and local ambulance services
• Emergency medical reunion to bring a family member to your bedside if you are hospitalized
• Acts of terrorism that occur in destinations on the traveler’s itinerary
• Trip cancellation, interruption, and delays that can occur for a variety of reasons
• Emergency medical evacuations and repatriation
• Return of minor grandchildren traveling without their parents with the insured
• Loss of baggage and personal effects
• AD&D
• Coverage for loss or damage to rental cars
• Pre-existing medical conditions*

Senior Travel Insurance Coverage Matrix

The following table lists the providers who offer travel insurance plans to seniors. Most plans that are designed for seniors offer the same travel protection as the company’s plans for younger travelers, but in some cases with slightly reduced maximums or higher deductibles.

• you or your traveling companion get sick and cannot travel
• a death in the family prevents you from traveling
• your home is damaged by fire
• you or your travel companion lose your job

Travel insurance provides cancellation coverage that covers pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs up to the policy limit.

2. Medical emergencies

This provides medical coverage while you are away from home. Most people do not know that their health insurance from home does not work in foreign countries, and any medical expenses must be paid out of pocket, often even before treatment is received. An accident or illness in a foreign country can be a scary experience without the proper medical coverage. Travel insurance policies provide up to $1,000,000 of medical emergency coverage, depending on the plan and insurance company.

3. Trip interruption

When an accident or illness does effect your trip, coverage for trip interruption will help pay the unused portion of the trip as well as last-minute expenses for heading back home.

4. Lost, damaged, stolen baggage

Baggage coverage includes personal items, baggage, and travel documents. If your baggage is lost, stolen, or damaged and you need to replace items, baggage coverage will provide benefits up to the policy limit, usually between $500-$2000.

5. Medical evacuation

If you are in a foreign country and suffer an accident or illness, there will most likely be some medical evacuation expenses. From simple transportation to the nearest suitable hospital to an extensive medical flight back to the US, evacuation costs can easily cost over $100,000. Medical flights are specially staffed with trained professionals, and stocked with medical supplies and equipment. It is not as simple as hopping on the next commercial flight. Medical evacuation coverage provides up to $1,000,000 in evacuation expenses, depending on the company.

Comparison sites are the best way to shop for travel insurance

There are several websites where travelers can compare policies from all major companies (see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

Medicare provides no coverage outside the US

First, if you are depending on Medicare and plan on traveling abroad, you need to understand there is no Medicare coverage outside of the United States. Medicare will just does not provide any coverage abroad, and even a private plan will most likely not work outside the US. This is why is it important to purchase a travel insurance plan to cover you.

Over 65s have special medical coverage needs

Second, even though they are more active than any retiring generation in history, over 65s simply have greater medical needs than younger travelers. They are also more active and willing to get out and travel. Travel insurance is designed to give travelers from the US the same type of coverage they receive here at home. Don’t get stuck in a foreign country with the right kind of medical coverage.

Trip cancellation coverage protects your vacation investment

Finally, many things can go wrong before leaving for your trip, any one of them can cause you to cancel and lose your non-refundable trip payments. This can easily cost thousands of dollars, unless you purchase trip cancellation coverages. This insurance can cover cancellation due to an illness, accident, death in the family, or even a home fire. Trip cancellation coverage costs more than just medical coverage, but the extra premium can save you thousands of dollars.

Boomers have special considerations when shopping for travel insurance

• Shop online and compare different companies. Use a comparison site  (see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site) where you can look at quotes from all insurance companies at once without visiting a dozen different sites.
• Travel insurance companies limit the amount of coverage depending on the travelers age. This lets the over 65 traveler get some level of coverage, and for a reasonable price.
• Pre-existing medical conditions can effect the policy coverage. Call the insurance company with specific questions if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

A young woman traveling with a group slipped and fell down some stairs at a train station. Since she was towards the rear of the group, it was not discovered until they were on the train and realized she was not with them.

The group was able to exit the train in time and find their friend. She was taken to a hospital for treatment, where she remained for two months.

Her distraught family flew to Japan to take care of her, where she remained unstable in a coma. After two months, the family paid $90,000 for a medical evacuation flight to take her home for further care.

After two additional months of care, she died last Wednesday. She had just turned 33 years old.

Even though money is of no importance to the family after such a tragedy, there is also no need for the additional stress. Their thoughts should be with each other in this difficult time. In the end, that is what is important.

This story truly illustrates that anything can happen.

So you are planning your trip and researching travel insurance. After browsing a dozen plans, you think you’ve found the right one and are ready to buy. At the last minute though, you get that little hint of hesitation.

It’s natural to have a little anxiety; you want the right policy that will protect your trip, you don’t want to make any mistakes.

Free-look period allows travelers to check out the policy and return for a refund

Package plans from many different companies offer a free-look period. This means you can purchase the plan, get the actual policy and read through it, and return it for any reason for a full refund (minus a small admin fee, usually only 3-5 dollars)

The free-look refund only applies if you have not departed on your trip, and if you have not filed a claim.

The free-look period is usually 10-15 days

Buy the plan and read all the small print. Take your time because most companies offer the free-look period for 10-15 days. This allows plenty of time to look at all the details and make your final decisions.

Check out the free-look policy before buying

Most policies will clearly state the length of the free-look period. Also look for exceptions and fees, such as the small administrative fee stated earlier.

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How to find out if pre-existing medical conditions are covered

This is a very common question. Even travel insurance novices have heard that pre-existing conditions are one of the most common reasons for a claim being denied.

Imagine you’re enjoying your trip aboard a cruise ship, enjoying the ports of call, sightseeing, and relaxation. Out of nowhere, an old condition acts up and puts you in the hospital. You need to cut the trip short, receive medical treatment in a foreign country, and eventually be flown home on a special medical evacuation flight.

Sounds expensive right? It is, and if the expenses are not covered by your travel insurance policy, there is a serious bill to pay. You have travel insurance, but will it cover the expense, even though it was from a pre-existing condition?

Some policies will cover pre-existing conditions

The key is to do some research and ask some questions first. Check out one of the comparison sites (listed at end of post) and see how the different products stack up against each other.

To cover pre-existing conditions, a travel insurance policy must be purchased at the right time

You will see some that have pre-ex coverage, but only if the policy was purchased within a certain time frame. Usually, this time frame is within a couple weeks of the initial trip deposit date.

In other words, once you started planning and paying for the trip, buy your travel insurance and get covered

Once you have compared some policies online, call the company and ask specific questions. Have them go over the actual policy wording with you so you understand what is covered, and what is not.

Be honest about pre-existing conditions. If a claim is made, the insurance company will research your medical history. The best policy is to be honest upfront, and avoid a bad situation later