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Senior Travel: A Round-Up of Our Most Popular Guides

Travel is the long-awaited dream for millions of retirees. Many 65+ travelers are adventurous, active, and ambitious in their travel planning, with some even planning “golden gap years” abroad.¹

We’ve gathered our best advice for senior travelers, all in one place.

What is the best travel insurance for seniors?

The answer depends on where you’re traveling, who’s going with you, and how often you travel.

If you’re a globetrotter on a budget, OneTrip Basic has all the crucial protections you need for international travel for an affordable rate.

If you’re traveling in the U.S., OneTrip Cancellation Plus protects you from trip cancellations and delays without the expense of emergency medical benefits.

If you’re traveling with grandchildren, consider OneTrip Prime, which can cover children 17 and under for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent. (One child per insured traveler; not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents.)

If you’re planning two or more trips in the next 365 days, your best option will probably be annual travel insurance. These plans can protect almost every trip you take 100+ miles from home, whether you’re driving, flying, cruising, or taking the train. (More on annual plans below.)

Is annual travel insurance a good choice for seniors?

If you’re a frequent traveler, AllTrips annual plans are a smart travel insurance buy. One plan can protect almost every trip you take: domestic or international, long or short, spontaneous or planned. There are a few key things to know before you buy, however:

There’s no limit on the number of trips you can take in 365 days. RV trips, road trips, weekends at the beach, and weeks with the grandkids: They all can be covered, as long as you’re 100+ miles from home.
There is a limit on the length of trips that annual travel insurance can cover. AllTrips Basic, AllTrips Executive, and AllTrips Prime all can protect trips up to 45 days in length, while AllTrips Premier protects trips up to 90 days.
If you’re heading overseas, make sure you buy an AllTrips plan that includes emergency medical coverage: AllTrips Prime, AllTrips Executive, or AllTrips Premier.
Trip cancellation and trip interruption benefit limits are per insured person, per year (or per policy, per year for AllTrips Premier). Make sure your annual plan has enough coverage for your most expensive trip.
One nice perk is that AllTrips plans include up to $45,000 in rental car damage and theft coverage. This alone can make annual travel insurance worth the cost. However, this coverage is not available for residents of all states. See your plan details for additional information.

How do pre-existing conditions affect senior travel insurance rates?

We have good news: They don’t. Allianz Travel Insurance plans for American travelers don’t consider your prior health history when you’re getting a quote.

Travelers with existing medical conditions do need to meet certain requirements in order for travel insurance to cover losses related to those conditions. however. We define an existing medical condition as an illness or injury that you (or a family member or traveling companion) were seeking or receiving treatment for or had symptoms of on the day you purchased your plan, or at any time in the 120 days before you purchased it.

Find out what you need to do to ensure you’re protected, and learn about the best travel insurance options for seniors with pre-existing conditions.

What’s the best cruise insurance for seniors?

Avid cruisers know that travel insurance is a must. That’s because cruise lines’ cancellation policies are strict; on-board medical emergencies are expensive; and if something happens to delay your trip, the ship won’t wait at the dock for you.

But which plan is best? Cruise lines offer their own travel protection plans, but this protection is generally limited to the cruise itself and flights you purchase through the cruise line. Travel insurance for cruises from Allianz Partners gives you whole-trip protection for all your eligible non-refundable pre-paid trip costs: airfare, hotel stays, excursions, etc. You also can get much higher limits on emergency medical benefits — see our cruise line insurance comparison for details.

What should 65+ travelers consider when retiring overseas?

The average monthly cost of living for a retired American is just over $5,000. In many retirement destinations overseas, it’s possible to live well on half that amount. Popular countries for retirement living include Mexico, Panama, Thailand, Greece, Belize, and Portugal. But which one is right for you?

To find out, plan a trip to the country at the top of your wish list, so you can get a feel for what it might be like to live there. Use these travel tips for to finding your personal best retirement destination.

Do snowbirds need travel insurance?

For hundreds of thousands of 65+ travelers, retirement means fleeing cold winter weather. Some snowbirds spend part of the year in southern states: not only Florida, but also Arizona, Texas, and southern California. Others head overseas to Mexico, Central or South America, the Caribbean, or Europe.

Travel insurance with emergency medical benefits is a must for U.S. snowbirds traveling internationally. That’s because Medicare and Medicaid do not cover health care received while traveling abroad, except in a few rare circumstances. Medigap protection for medical emergencies overseas is limited.

Is it possible to buy travel insurance that protects you for months at a time? Yes! Find out which plans can cover longer trips, and which are best for snowbirds who travel back and forth from home to warmer destinations.

What should 65+ travelers know about traveling with grandchildren?

Whether your grandchildren are toddlers or teens, planning a trip with them can be an experience you cherish forever. For the best travel experience, it’s important to set the right expectations and plan ahead. Questions to consider:

Do you want to organize the trip yourself, or join a cruise or tour?
What limits do you want to set on devices?
What travel documents will you need?

Travel insurance is a must—for you and the grandkids—and our travel concierge services can even help you plan the trip.

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Popular Travel Insurance Plans

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply, including for pre-existing conditions. Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best’s 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Travel Insurance is a mark of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Partners or its affiliates. Allianz Partners compensates their suppliers or agencies for allowing Allianz Partners to market or offer products to customers of the supplier or agency. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by AGA Service Company, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at 800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or customerservice@allianzassistance.com.