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Why Senior Citizens Pay Higher Travel Insurance Premiums - How to Lower Them?

Team AckoOct 31, 2025

Retirement opens the door to new adventures — but before you pack your bags, it’s worth understanding why travel insurance for senior citizens costs more. Many senior citizens look forward to exploring new places, visiting family abroad, or even ticking off bucket-list destinations. But when it comes to travel insurance, one thing quickly becomes obvious: the premiums for senior citizens are noticeably higher than for younger travellers.

Why is that the case? More importantly, is there a way to reduce these costs without compromising on coverage? We explain in this blog.

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Contents

Why Travel Insurance Costs More for Senior Citizens?
How to Reduce Travel Insurance Costs for Senior Citizens?
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Travel Insurance Costs More for Senior Citizens?

To put it simply, insurance costs go up with risk. Since senior citizens are more likely to need medical care during trips, whether due to age or health conditions, their travel insurance premiums are higher. Let’s break this down further.

1. Age-Related Health Risks

As people age, their chances of facing health issues increase. Even a minor medical problem during travel can require urgent attention, especially in a foreign country, such as the USA or any European country like France, where healthcare costs are often much higher than in India. Insurers consider these higher risks when calculating premiums.

2. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Many senior travellers live with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease. These conditions increase the chances of medical complications during a trip. Covering them means insurers must be prepared to handle potentially high claims, leading to higher premiums.

3. Greater Chances of Emergencies Abroad

Emergency hospitalisation, surgeries, or medical evacuations are far more likely among senior citizens. Imagine the cost of an air ambulance or specialised treatment overseas. These can run into several lakhs or even more. Since insurers have to be prepared for such scenarios, premiums naturally rise.

4. Longer Recovery Periods

When senior citizens fall ill or get injured, recovery often takes more time. This means longer hospital stays, higher treatment costs, and sometimes extended trips due to medical reasons. All of this increases the potential claim amount, which impacts the premium.

In short, insurers aren’t charging more simply because of age, but because the likelihood and cost of claims are higher.

How to Reduce Travel Insurance Costs for Senior Citizens?

While paying more is unavoidable to some extent, there are smart ways to make travel insurance for senior citizens more affordable. Here are practical tips to consider before buying a policy.

1. Compare Policies Before Buying

Not all insurers price their policies the same way. Premiums, coverage, and add-on benefits can vary significantly. By comparing multiple options, you can find a plan that offers the right balance between cost and protection.

2. Select Only Essential Coverage

Many policies come with optional add-ons like adventure sports cover or coverage for specialised equipment. If these aren’t relevant, skip them. For senior citizens, it’s better to focus on essentials like medical cover, baggage protection, and trip cancellation.

3. Consider Family or Group Plans

Sometimes, adding senior members to a family travel insurance plan can be cheaper than buying separate policies. Family policies spread the risk across multiple travellers, which may reduce the overall cost.

4. Keep Medical Conditions Under Control

Insurers may look at your medical history when offering coverage. Maintaining good health records through regular check-ups, medication, and lifestyle management can help when declaring pre-existing conditions. Being transparent also prevents claim rejections later.

5. Opt for Shorter Trip Durations

Premiums often rise with trip length. If possible, plan shorter trips instead of extended stays abroad. For example, a 10-day policy will almost always cost less than a 30-day one, even for the same traveller.

6. Look Into Annual Multi-Trip Plans

For senior citizens who travel frequently, whether to visit children or relatives abroad, an annual multi-trip policy can work out cheaper than buying separate policies for every trip. These plans offer continuous coverage throughout the year, as long as each trip falls within the duration limits set by the policy.

7. Buy Early

Getting travel insurance as early as the time of booking makes sure you are covered right from the start. This means you get access to benefits like trip cancellation cover that may not be offered if you buy closer to your travel date.

Final Thoughts

Senior citizens paying higher premiums for travel insurance is a reality, but it is not without reason. Age-related health risks, pre-existing conditions, and the higher likelihood of emergencies abroad make coverage more expensive. However, this should not discourage older travellers from buying insurance.

Travel insurance for senior citizens is essential as it provides peace of mind and financial protection when travelling outside the country. The good news is that costs can be managed effectively by comparing plans, avoiding unnecessary add-ons, and considering options like family or annual multi-trip policies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do senior citizens pay more for travel insurance?

Premiums are higher because insurers consider factors such as age-related health risks, pre-existing conditions, and higher chances of medical claims. The older a traveller is, the higher the perceived risk.

Is it mandatory for senior citizens to buy travel insurance?

While not legally mandatory, travel insurance is strongly recommended for senior citizens, especially for international trips. It covers medical emergencies, lost baggage, and trip cancellations, which can otherwise be very expensive.

Can pre-existing diseases be covered under travel insurance?

Yes, some policies cover pre-existing conditions, but usually under specific terms or after a waiting period. Always read the policy wording carefully and declare your health conditions before purchasing.

How can senior citizens reduce travel insurance premiums?

You can lower your premium by comparing multiple policies, opting for higher deductibles, selecting shorter trip durations, and avoiding unnecessary add-ons.

Is domestic travel insurance necessary for senior travellers?

Even within India, travel insurance can be useful. It provides coverage for trip delays, baggage loss, and medical emergencies, ensuring complete safety during the journey.

Which companies offer travel insurance for senior citizens?

For Indian travellers, ACKO offers senior-friendly travel insurance plans that include medical, cancellation, and baggage benefits tailored to older travellers.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes. Please check the policy document for cancellation reasons, and terms and conditions of the policy.