Why Seniors Need Specialist Travel Insurance

Travel can be incredibly rewarding in later life, allowing senior travellers to make lovely memories in exciting new places. Nevertheless, there are a few things older travellers should bear in mind. They can often face higher risks and stricter requirements. Here are a few examples: 

Most couples’ travel insurance policies include
cover for: 

  • Medical claims are more common: According to the
    ABI, the average travel medical claim is over £1,700
    and costs can skyrocket without cover.   
  • Emergency treatment and repatriation are expensive:
    Private care overseas or air ambulance repatriation can
    cost tens of thousands of pounds. This is a big
    financial burden! 
  • Some countries require proof of insurance:
    Destinations like the USA, Cuba and some parts of
    Asia won’t issue visas without it. 
  • With Gigasure, senior travellers can find reliable policies tailored to their trip, without confusing
    jargon or hidden limits. We know that when you set out on an adventure, you want things to be
    as simple and seamless as possible. 

    Which Policy Type Suits Your Trip?

    The prices below are based on a 60 year old with no medical conditions disclosed 

    Trip pattern Recommended policy Sample premium
    One-off city break
    or short cruise
    Single Trip £25–£50
    (10 days, Europe)
    Multiple holidays
    per year
    Annual Multi-Trip £40–£90
    (Europe-wide)
    Single-Trip
    Trip pattern:
    One-off city break or short cruise
    Sample premium:
    £25–£50
    (10 days, Europe)
    Annual Multi-Trip
    Trip pattern:
    Multiple holidays per year
    Sample premium:
    £40–£90
    (Europe-wide)

    What’s Covered and What Isn’t 

    Covered as standard 

    Check £10–20 million medical & repatriation 
    Check Cancellation / curtailment 
    Check Baggage & mobility aids 
    Check Personal liability & legal 
    Check Delays & missed departure 

    Usually excluded

    Cross Claims related to the reason why the FCDO
    have advised against or all but essential travel.  
    Claims related to circumstances known to you at the
    time of buying your policy or booking your trip,
    whichever is later
    Cross Adventure Sports and Activities (without add-on) 
    Cross Undeclared medical conditions or being unfit to
    travel or travelling against medical advice
    Cross Substance, drug, alcohol abuse or drinking too much
    alcohol 
    Cross Losses below policy excess 

    Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

    It’s very important to declare any pre-existing medical conditions when applying. This
    ensures your cover is valid and gives you peace of mind if something happens abroad. 

    • Full medical screening: Gigasure’s online form makes
      it easy to disclose conditions, with no need to call
      unless requested. We like to keep things as simple as
      possible, so you can typically do things in one place. 
    • What to take on your trip: A copy of your repeat
      prescription list or GP summary letter can help speed
      up treatment overseas. 
    • `

    Skipping disclosure could invalidate your policy, so it’s always better to be upfront. 

    Age Limits and Cost Factors with Gigasure

    • Single Trip cover up to the age of 85. Maximum age
      varies by destination.
    • Annual Multi-Trip policies available up to age 79.
    • Winter Sports cover provided up to the age 65.
    • Adventure Sports and Activities cover typically
      matches the age limit of the policy that you buy. 

    What Affects Your Premium?

    Your quote is based on a few key factors: 

    • Destination (Europe vs worldwide) 
    • Trip length 
    • Your medical history 
    • Add-ons (like cruise or car hire excess) 
    • Policy excess amount chosen  
    • The level of cover you require – Core, Pro and Max
      plans that have different levels of core from the lowest
      to the highest we offer 

    Example trip Age Duration Indicative premium
    Spain beach break 72 10 days £56–£116
    Cruise in the Med 75 10 days £73–£150 (with add-on)
    Annual cover (Europe) 78 <31 days/trip £115–£250
    Spain beach break
    Age:
    72
    Duration:
    10 days
    Indicative premium:
    £56–£116
    Cruise in the Med
    Age:
    75
    Duration:
    10 days
    Indicative premium:
    £73–£150 (with add-on)
    Annual cover (Europe)
    Age:
    78
    Duration:
    <31 days/trip
    Indicative premium:
    £115–£250

    Extra Cover Options Seniors Often Add 

    At Gigasure, we are proud to offer several add-ons that help travellers tailor their policy to their
    unique needs; no size fits all, so your policy should be customised for you. We offer several policy
    add-ons popular with older travellers:

    • Cruise cover – protects against missed port stops,
      medical evacuations, cabin confinement and more. 
    • Golf cover – protects clubs and green fees. 
    • Gadget upgrade – for smartphones, tablets and e-
      readers (especially valuable when travelling with
      grandkids). 
    • Another product - Car Hire Excess – great for road
      trips in Europe or the US.  
    • Winter Sports Boost – for skiing trips (usually up to
      age 65). 

    Add only what you need! The result? Better value for
    money and a tailored fit, so you can be sure your policy is
    working for you every step of your journey. 

    GHIC/EHIC & Reciprocal Care

    The UK’s Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) offers some limited reciprocal healthcare across Europe, which is helpful. However, it’s not a substitute for having insurance. 

    Here’s why: 

    • GHIC doesn’t cover these: private hospitals,
      repatriation flights, or delays/cancellations.  
    • One card per traveller: family members must each
      apply. 
    • Always combine GHIC with full insurance for complete
      protection, so you are in the best possible position
      should you find yourself in a tricky situation. 

    Gigasure App, the Fastest Way to Make a Claim

    The Gigasure app takes the hassle out of submitting claims. Simply log in, select the relevant policy, and kickstart the process. The app pre-populates most of the required information available on your account, eliminating the need to search through old emails or documents. From there, just follow the remaining steps, and you can submit your claim in moments. It's a seamless, streamlined experience that gets your claim submitted quickly, saving you valuable time and frustration.

    1

    Your Policy

    Find and select your policy
    2

    Your Trip

    Provide details
    of your trip
    3

    Your Claim

    Tell us more
    about the claim
    4

    Supporting Documents

    Attach all your claim
    supporting documents
    5

    Submit

    Add your payment
    details and submit your
    claim

    Why Choose Gigasure 

    1
    Tailored for mature travellers 
    2
    No upper age limit on single-trip cover 
    3
    Clear, honest policies with easy claims 
    4
    Helpful UK-based support team 

    5
    Optional add-ons to suit your lifestyle 

    Gigasure also proudly offers Gigashield. GigaShield is a set of instant cash benefits designed to support travellers
    facing flight or baggage delays. It includes two key features: GigaShield Flight Delay and GigaShield Baggage Delay.