Travel insurance
for people over 65 needs special attention and detailing. There are
several companies that have come up with policies for older people who
want to travel. But these come more expensive than the others because
companies expect more claims from this group than any other.
Buying travel insurance
for older people needs a fair amount of research. There are several
individual differences and policies need to be a bit more cautiously
drafted than usual. Health is the biggest factor here as is financial
difficulties.
There are two types of insurance available to senior citizens:
1) The
single trip travel insurance: this is valid for just one trip, as the
name suggests. It is useful for people who do not travel too often. They
can take out a policy each time they travel.
2) The
annual travel insurance: if you travel more than twice a year, this
kind is most useful and convenient for you. It will also prove much
cheaper to you.
Apart from these categories, there are some things to consider when buying a policy:
1) Different
companies offer different types of coverage. Think ahead and see what
kind you will need, given your health status and finances. Put them side
by side and see which works the best for you. You can always ask to
remove clauses that you will never need so you can pay lesser.
2) Check
if you are sheltered against the associated risks of traveling.
Insurers tend to neglect this clause to save money. Only insuring the
trip will not do, there are several things that can go wrong apart from
lost luggage.
3) The
technical terms in the policy are enough to confuse anyone. Be careful
about reading them and make notes of everything that you do not
understand. You can call up the company or meet in person and get them
explained. Remember to be clear, you are, after all, paying for the
policy.
4) Get
the clauses in the policy lucid. The majority of them should apply to
you. If they skip many things you consider important, then dump this one
and move on. Many companies have a restriction on the upper limit on
age. They do not insure beyond a point. So if say, you and your husband
are traveling together and there is some disparities in your ages, see
if both of you are covered.
5) Companies
will not pay for a treatment that can be delayed until after the trip.
So do not hope to come across a clause like that.
6) Some companies offer 24 hour telephone assistance. It is very useful to know you can call them up any time of the night.
7) And
finally, start looking out for policies well before you schedule the
trip. Policies for the elderly are difficult to come by and you will
have t be patient and give yourself a wide berth before settling on
anything.
