Standard travel insurance covers trip cancellation/interruption, emergency medical expenses abroad, emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss or delay, and trip delay. Senior-specific policies also address pre-existing medical conditions through waiver provisions. Cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) upgrades provide maximum flexibility but cost more and typically reimburse only 75% of trip cost.
Purchase within 10–21 days of your initial trip deposit (this window varies by insurer) to qualify for pre-existing condition waivers. Compare policies at InsureMyTrip.com or Squaremouth — both allow filtering by pre-existing condition coverage.
Expect 4%–10% of total trip cost for standard coverage, with higher percentages as age increases. A $10,000 trip for a 70-year-old might cost $400–$800 to insure. Medical-only or evacuation-only plans are less expensive but do not protect trip investment.
For domestic travel, trip cancellation and interruption coverage still protects prepaid non-refundable costs. If your trip involves significant non-refundable expenses (a cruise, tour, or resort package), domestic travel insurance is worth considering, particularly for seniors with health conditions that could cause cancellation.
