Seeing the sights: why old age no longer means travel insurance trouble

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by: bythesea
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Word Count: 393
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 Time: 9:23 PM
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Age discrimination is galling at the best of times but when it interferes with everyday rights like obtaining travel insurance then it really begins to become a major problem. The idea that anyone over the age of 65 is too doddery to be able to travel without having a mishap is a terrible blanket generalisation - and yet research from the likes of Age Concern suggests that more than 90% of insurance policies impose an upper age bracket.

Even if a policy does cover the elderly, premiums tend to increase steeply with each bracket as you reach the upper end of the scale and medical excesses often shoot up too. This idea that an average person transforms into a huge insurance risk overnight on their 65th birthday is preposterous and yet providers continue to target the elderly with huge price hikes - often more than doubling the premium.

Thankfully, there are some insurance providers out there who recognise this discrimination and specialise in travel insurance for over 65 year-olds, with some having no age restriction whatsoever.

So while it's upsetting that so many insurance companies discriminate against the older generation, it's heartening to find that with a bit of research and careful comparison would-be travellers of 65 and over can still find a favourable deal, allowing them to set out on their journey without worry. Don't fret if you've been turned down by a certain provider or are having difficulty obtaining the right policy for your needs - look for specialist insurance companies and you'll see that there are options out there for you.

Further discounts can also often be found when purchasing online, so if you're over 65 and in the market for travel insurance then your best bet is to boot up the computer and shop around for your best options. As always, read the small print carefully to ensure that your chosen policy meets your needs exactly; you don't want to be met with a nasty surprise if you find yourself in a position where you need to make a claim, so be thorough in your checking before you commit to anything. And if you're unsure about anything at all to do with your chosen policy, check with the provider - again, it's better to be safe than sorry.

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Going on your travels? Find out more about travel insurance for over 65 year olds.