Whether you’re planning a week in the sun, a long-haul adventure or a cruise, getting the right travel insurance in place before you go is one of the most important steps you can take. It can protect you against unexpected medical costs, trip cancellations, lost belongings and more while you’re away.
In this guide, we cover what travel insurance for over 50s looks like, how age and health can affect the cost, and how to choose the right policy for your trip.
In this guide:
At Post Office, the process of getting travel insurance for over 50s is no different than anyone else getting travel insurance. You'll need to provide some basic information about your health and travel plans to take out a policy, but you can do it online in a matter of minutes.
When you apply, you’ll be asked about:
At Post Office, we consider all medical conditions, but it’s vital that they’re declared when you take out a policy. If something is not disclosed and you later need to make a claim, your policy may not be valid.
If we can’t cover your holiday due to your specific medical needs, we’ll refer you to a partner provider which specialises in travel insurance for those with long-term conditions. We have no upper age limit on single-trip travel insurance, and if you’re looking to book for an older traveller, we also have guides on travel insurance for over 60s, travel insurance for over 70s and travel insurance for over 80s.
If you’re ready to get a quote, you can do so online in a matter of minutes. If you would prefer to speak to someone over the phone, you can also call our UK team on 0330 123 13871.
Travel insurance can become more expensive as you get older. Insurers take into account the increased likelihood of medical treatment being needed while abroad, which can be reflected in the premium you pay.
That said, the cost of medical treatment overseas can be a lot higher than any travel insurance premium. Emergency medical care abroad, particularly in countries without reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK, can run into tens of thousands of pounds. Travel insurance helps protect you from those life-changing costs should something unexpected happen.
What’s more, age is just one of the factors when it comes to determining the price of your insurance. It can also be affected by:
In other words, a 55-year old with no health conditions will pay more for a relaxing week in the Costa del Sol than a 25-year-old with no medical conditions. However, if that 25-year-old was spending three weeks snowboarding in Japan, their premium would be much higher.
The easiest way to see what you would pay is to get a personalised quote based on your trip.
The core elements of travel insurance don’t change based on your age. Post Office Travel Insurance covers the things that matter most when something goes wrong on a trip. Limits apply depending on your policy level, and not every situation will be covered, so it’s always worth checking the full policy information before you travel.
Depending on what you’ve got planned, you might want to consider adding:
Many people in their 50s travel more than once a year, whether it’s a couple of European breaks, a longer trip further afield or a mix of both. If that sounds familiar, it’s worth weighing up whether a single-trip or annual multi-trip policy makes more sense.
A single-trip policy covers one trip with a fixed start and end date. It’s a good fit if:
An annual multi-trip policy covers multiple trips (31 days or fewer), within a 12-month period for a single annual premium. For people who travel regularly, it can work out cheaper than taking out separate policies each time. It also means you’re automatically covered whenever you book, which removes the risk of forgetting to arrange insurance.
Annual multi-trip insurance may be better for you if:
It’s perfectly common for people in their 50s to have certain health conditions and that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get insured. At Post Office, we consider all health conditions, and on the occasions where we can’t offer you a policy, we’ll direct you to a specialist provider.
The key thing to remember is to be transparent and open when you get a quote, which will ensure your policy is valid if you need it.
When applying, you may be asked about:
All conditions need to be declared, even if they’re minor or have no symptoms that impact your day-to-day life. Examples of this include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions and joint or mobility issues. Declaring these may increase the premium, but this additional cost is nowhere near the cost of certain overseas medical bills.
Post Office Travel Insurance has been helping UK travellers stay protected for years. Here’s a summary of what we offer:
Issues on a well-earned holiday are frustrating enough, but being out of pocket makes it even worse. That’s where travel insurance can help, giving you the peace of mind that should things not go to plan, you have some protection in place to help out.
1 Customer services: 0330 123 3690. Mon to Fri 8:30am to 6:30pm, Sat 9am to 5:30pm, Sun closed.
2 Medical Assistance Plus is not available for trips taken in the UK, only for international travel. The service allows up to 3 separate medical events per person listed on the policy, and up to 3 appointments per event. All appointment charges are covered by your travel insurance policy. You will not need to pay any excess fees for this service. You may need to pay for your prescription upfront and claim on your return home.
3 Post Office has won the following awards:
Post Office won a “Best Travel Insurance Provider” award at the Your Money Awards in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2026
Post Office won a ‘Best Travel Insurance Provider’ award at the MoneyFacts Awards in 2025
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