Insurance for age group 65+ travellers (Very interesting information)

• Age 65-74: The Preferential Travel* policy (via MoneySupermarket; click the quotes for over-65s link) is £24 for an individual in Europe (£37 for a couple), and £36 worldwide (£61 for a couple).

• Age 75–80: Above 75 and the cost jumps. CIS home option cover allows individuals travelling in Europe a policy for £84 and worldwide for £154; this is technically supposed to be part of its home insurance package, but it will allow you to opt for standalone travel insurance. For couples in Europe InTune is £160 and worldwide Bradford and Bingley is £225.

• Over 80: InTune has an annual policy for individuals costing £120 in Europe (£180 for a couple) and £380 worldwide (£570 for a couple). Though at these prices it's worth trying for single cover.

If you’re planning a trip in Europe there's an alternative route; first grab a free government EHIC card, which enables you to get free or discounted treatment in a State-run EU hospital.

Then add insurer the Medical Screening company’s special EHICplus* annual travel insurance, which has no top age limit, and for over 75s costs £40 for an individual or £66 for a couple. It’ll cover any costs you incur for treatment when using the EHIC card in a State-run hospital, plus private ambulances and medication costs.

Thus, should the worst happen, you must insist you're taken to a state hospital not a private clinic. The rest of its cover is on a par with similar policies, with baggage, cancellation, curtailment & repatriation cover offered as standard.

Cost cutting for those with pre-existing medical conditions

Anyone who has had a past serious medical condition or disability is likely to be quoted ludicrously high amounts from most traditional insurers, and it's even worse for those who are also over 65. Yet there are a number of ways to cut the cost and still ensure you’re protected:

• Staying in Europe? Get an EHIC card.

  The EHIC card gives you free or discounted medical treatment in any state run European Union or Swiss hospital.

• Consider single trip cover.

  Different countries' medical costs vary, and annual policies need to price this in, putting the average cost up. Therefore, unless you’re going to a country with high medical costs, like the USA and Spain, it's often worth getting a quote for a single trip policy rather than annual.

• Use specialist insurers.

  There are a number of good specialists for those with pre-existing conditions, MIA Online, Orbis and Travelbility, which also offers good rates to customers with disabilities.

  Get benchmark quotes from them and then see if you can beat it using Cover My Travels, Saga, Age Concern , and InTune.

• Get cheaper limited cover with EHICplus

  Alongside getting an EHIC card get a quote from insurer the Medical Screening Company’s special EHICplus annual travel insurance. It’ll cover any costs you incur for treatment when using the EHIC card in a State run hospital, plus private ambulances and medication costs.

  Thus, should the worst happen, you must insist you're taken to a state hospital not a private clinic. The rest of its cover is on a par with similar policies, with baggage, cancellation, curtailment & repatriation cover offered as standard.

  It’s often the cheapest route, as it has a higher tolerance of pre-existing conditions than many other insurers, though of course the cover is more limited.

• The worse case scenario solution

  If cover is still unaffordable, the price may drop considerably if you ask insurers to exclude pre-existing conditions; though it’s then your judgment call on the risks of going with limited cover.

Pls share pre-existing condition travel insurance tips & successes with other MoneySavers.
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