Determined over-50s travellers are leading the way when it
comes to faraway travel - but many of them find securing value for money travel
insurance a long haul.
Recent figures from market researchers Mintel show that over
a five-year period 55 to 64-year-olds were the only age group to increase the
number of long-haul holidays taken. Meanwhile, over-50s travel insurance
experts Staysure warns travellers to be wary of certain travel insurance
offers, which are not always what they seem.
Gina Rudd of Staysure explains, “There remain many myths
about some of these offers and travellers need to be made aware of potential
pitfalls, particularly when undertaking long-distance travel and holidays.
Insurance is an essential part of any trip and it need not be a complicated,
time-consuming or expensive exercise.”
Myth One: I get free cover with my bank, so I don't need to
pay for extra travel insurance
Travel insurance is often provided as a free extra by banks
and building societies looking to entice new customers, but the cover that this
insurance provides is rarely adequate. Pre-existing medical conditions are
rarely taken into account.
Myth Two: I am going to Europe and so will be covered by my
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
The EHIC gives you access to the same amount of treatment
that a national of the country they are visiting would receive - so, if the
resident would ordinarily pay for prescriptions and visits to the doctors, or a
proportion of hospital fees, then so would you. EHIC is not an alternative to
travel.
Myth Three: Travel insurance is prohibitively expensive
because of my medical history
For anyone with a pre-existing medical condition, which can
include anything from bunions to high blood pressure, diabetes to cancer, it is
often a struggle to find affordable travel insurance. There are now many
companies providing insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions,
which will help keep the costs down.
Myth Four: My age makes travel insurance less affordable
A common complaint relating to travel insurance is that the
price becomes prohibitively expensive the older the traveller gets. Many
companies now specialise in products and services for the over 50s, provide
competitive policies and able to tailor cover to suit your needs.
