Travel insurance industry snubs the elderly

People aged over-65 are struggling to find travel insurers willing to take their business, the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has revealed.

In fact, even when pensioners do find companies willing to insure them they then face paying over-the-odds for adequate cover.

BIBA fears the problems older travellers face when purchasing insurance may mean they leave for holidays without cover, or stay at home.

BIBA revealed people aged 65 and over will be turned down for around 30 of the 140 annual travel insurance policies currently available and when they hit 70 they will be rejected for more than 105 policies.

Peter Staddon, head of technical services at BIBA, said older travellers need travel insurance as their claims can be more severe.

"Travel insurance is as important as their suitcase and they should always attempt to arrange cover," he said.

"The over-65s need help and advice to find the best policy for them. A broker will save them time and money by doing the shopping around," he added.

BIBA recommended older people use a broker to shop around for the right policy for their needs, inform insurers of any pre-existing medical conditions and not take higher excesses on the policy to save money off the insurance.

Failure to disclose all previous medical conditions can invalidate the policy.

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