Best Senior Travel Insurance for Elderly Travellers (2020)
Travelling with seniors? Then be careful which travel insurance you choose, because most providers reduce their coverage drastically for those over 70 years old. Here are the travel insurance plans with the best coverage for senior folks.
4 Best Travel Insurance Policies for Senior Travellers
These travel insurance plans have the most comprehensive coverage for travellers over 70 years old.
4 Best Travel Insurance Policies for Senior Travellers
NTUC Income Enhanced PreX Basic
Emergency Medical Evacuation + Medical Coverage (Overseas)
Medical Coverage (Singapore)
However, be prepared to fork out a bit more for this coverage compared to other basic travel insurance plans.
For the cheapest NTUC Income Enhanced PreX Basic plan, here are the key claim limits for those aged 70 and above.
Note that there is a separate sublimit of S$150,000 for claims directly related to pre-existing conditions.
MSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex Standard
Medical Coverage (Overseas)
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Medical Coverage (Singapore)
Note, though, that the claim limits are lower than that of NTUC Income's PreX plan, so there is a trade-off.
Still, the coverage is decent considering that pre-existing conditions are covered. Below are the claim limits for persons aged 70 and above.
Aviva Travel Lite
Emergency Medical Evacuation + Medical Coverage (Overseas)
Medical Coverage (Singapore)
Because of this, the coverage for senior travellers even on their cheapest plan, Aviva Travel Lite, is quite good, especially for medical coverage back in Singapore.
However, note that pre-existing medical conditions are not covered, which could be a dealbreaker if the traveller has a chronic illness such as hypertension or asthma.
Allianz Travel Insurance Bronze
Medical Coverage (Overseas)
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Medical Coverage (Singapore)
Among the insurers on this list, Allianz has the highest allowance for this benefit: S$500,000 on its cheapest plan (Bronze).
However, note that pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Travel Insurance Benefits for Elderly Travellers
| Travel Insurance | Medical Coverage (Overseas) | Emergency Medical Evacuation | Medical Coverage (Singapore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTUC Income Enhanced PreX Basic | S$300,000 (combined) | S$300,000 (combined) | S$2,000 |
| MSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex Standard | S$50,000 | S$100,000 | S$5,000 |
| Aviva Travel Lite | S$250,000 (combined) | S$250,000 (combined) | S$10,000 |
| Allianz Travel Insurance Bronze | S$100,000 | S$500,000 | S$1,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fly without travel insurance?
- Yes, you can. It is not compulsory to buy travel insurance when you travel; some people do skip the travel insurance especially for short trips such as a day trip to Johor. However, since most travellers fail to plan and budget for emergency expenses, travelling without insurance can be quite financially risky. You may find yourself having to pay thousands of dollars for medical treatment abroad, or losing all your belongings and money. Travel insurance helps mitigate such risks.
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
- Unless the insurer states otherwise, it is safe to assume that most travel insurance plans do NOT cover pre-existing medical conditions. Pre-existing conditions include diagnosed diseases or illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, asthma or hypertension. They also include conditions such as injuries, that were known at the point of purchase. If you have a condition that may flare up, such as asthma, then it might be worthwhile to look for a plan that specifically covers pre-existing conditions.
How do you choose the best travel insurance?
- Since travel insurance is primarily for financial protection, it is important to know what financial coverage you are getting. Use MoneySmart's handy comparison tools to compare price, insurance coverage limits and covered scenarios so make sure that you are getting good value out of your plan. Apart from the financial benefits, it is also good to compare the purchasing, support, and claims experience of each insurer.
How much should you pay for travel insurance?
- The premium you pay for your travel insurance plan should be commensurate with the amount of financial coverage you need. If you are travelling to a low-risk and low-cost destination, you may be happy with just a basic travel insurance plan. However, if you are travelling to a place with potentially expensive healthcare, like the US for example, you may want to pay more for a deluxe plan with higher coverage limits.
