The Importance of Travel Insurance for Seniors
LT Globetrotter
As seniors embark on their well-deserved travels, it's essential to consider the importance of travel insurance. While exploring new destinations and immersing oneself in different cultures is undoubtedly exciting, unforeseen circumstances can disrupt even the best-planned trips.
Travel insurance provides seniors a safety net, ensuring peace of mind throughout their journeys. There is much significance regarding travel insurance for seniors, including its key benefits and factors to consider when choosing a suitable policy.
Before we get down to the details, it’s important to note that travel insurance is a smart addition for everyone, regardless of age. Travel mishaps can happen to anyone, whether you're on a college spring break blast or touring Europe after retirement. However, it's particularly crucial for senior travelers due to various reasons.
Why Seniors Need Travel Insurance
The many factors can include:
Pre-existing conditions may be covered for travelers 65 and up
Traveling with an existing medical condition can add extra pressure But with travel insurance that may include the existing medical condition benefit, you can have peace of mind from beginning to end. To qualify for this benefit, purchase insurance within 14 days of paying your first trip deposit and make sure to carefully read your plan documents to meet all coverage requirements, including being medically fit to travel at the time of purchasing the plan.
Medical emergencies become more frequent with age
At 65, it's feasible to have better physical fitness than at 45, but the likelihood of encountering a medical problem increases statistically. When voyaging, the most prevalent medical crises include fall-induced fractures, cardiovascular issues, trauma injuries, and pulmonary or respiratory complications.
If you experience a medical emergency overseas, travel insurance may cover various things like medical expenses, monitoring your condition, keeping your loved ones informed, paying for a family member to travel to your location, and the cost of medically necessary transportation back home.
Medicare doesn’t typically provide coverage overseas
It's important to note that Medicare typically does not cover medical expenses outside the United States, with only a few rare exceptions. If you're planning to travel, it's highly recommended that you consider purchasing travel insurance with emergency medical and dental benefits. This type of insurance can adequately reimburse or even cover your medical expenses during a covered medical or dental emergency while you're away.
Various ways things can go wrong
As someone who has traveled extensively, you have encountered numerous inconveniences and complications, such as delayed flights, missed connections, and mishandled baggage. While travel insurance cannot prevent these mishaps, it can help to improve the situation.
- With travel delay benefits, you may receive a reimbursement for any extra accommodation, travel expenses, meals, and lost prepaid expenses that result from a covered departure delay.
- If your baggage is delayed or misdirected by a common carrier for 24 hours or more, the baggage delay benefits might cover the reasonable cost of essential items you purchase during your trip.
- If your baggage is lost or damaged, you may be eligible for reimbursement under your plan. The amount you receive will be based on the actual price, actual cash value, and the repair or replacement cost of the lost/damaged items (whichever is less and within the limits of your plan).
Our Top Senior Travel Tips
- When selecting a travel destination, opt for an easily navigable location, or think about going on a group trip or cruise that can cater to any special service needs you may have.
- Take the quickest and most direct route while traveling, but allow enough time during layovers for basic needs like eating, restroom breaks, and short walks to avoid discomfort.
- Help ensure a comfortable experience by requesting special services or accommodations as needed in advance. This includes everything from wheelchair service at airports to hotel rooms with support bars in the bathrooms.
- For stress-free travel, bring your passport, boarding pass, itinerary, emergency contacts, and medical info. Don't forget insurance cards, too.
- Bring your medication on the plane and set reminders on your phone or watch to remember to take it while traveling.
Travel is Worth Protecting
Many Allianz Travel Insurance plans include 24-hour assistance and round-the-clock access to a trusted team of travel insurance experts. From helping with major emergencies, such as a lost passport or medical crisis to solving minor challenges, like locating a nearby pharmacy for a prescription, Allianz Travel Insurance protects all the ways you travel.
Disclaimer: This sponsored story was written by Liberty Travel on behalf of Allianz Travel.
Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. 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 Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) or its affiliates. AGA compensates their suppliers or agencies for allowing AGA to market or offer products to customers of the supplier or agency. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, 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
