Travel insurance for seniors in Ireland

Which Irish insurers offer travel insurance for over 65s, 70s, and 80s?

While these insurers will offer you a quote for cover as a senior, the price will vary, so shop around to ensure you’re not paying more than you need to.

The following insurers all offer policies with a maximum age limit over 65:

Insurer	Single Trip Max Age	Annual Cover Max Age
vhi.ie	No upper age limit*	No upper age limit*
layahealthcare.ie	No upper age limit*	No upper age limit*
justcover.ie	No upper age limit	No upper age limit (tier dependent)
chill.ie	86	86
insureandgo.ie	86	86
insuremyholiday.ie	86	86
theaa.ie	79	79
getcover.ie	79	79
multitrip.com	79	75

Note: Providers like Vhi and Laya Healthcare often have no upper age limit for travel insurance, but you must hold an active domestic private health insurance policy with them to qualify.

Watch out for senior cover restrictions

Not only will your travel insurance be more expensive as you pass 65, but you may not get the same level of cover as when you were younger.

Some insurers restrict the cover they offer travellers from the age of 65.

Here is what you need to look out for before buying:

• Maximum trip caps: Even if an insurer offers an annual multi-trip policy to an 80-year-old, they might restrict any single trip to a maximum of 31 or 21 days. For longer holidays, a single-trip policy is usually required.
• Cruise insurance exclusions: Medical evacuation at sea is incredibly expensive and is not covered by standard travel insurance. If you are taking a cruise, you must add a specific ‘Cruise Cover’ add-on to ensure you are protected for cabin confinement or airlift evacuations.
• The “Fit to Travel” clause: Even with comprehensive insurance, your policy is invalid if you travel against a doctor’s advice, or if you are travelling specifically to receive medical treatment abroad.
• Restricted locations: Insurers may exclude certain regions (like the USA or Canada) where healthcare costs are exceptionally high.
• Reduced medical limits: Check your policy documents to ensure the maximum medical payout limit hasn’t been lowered based on your age.

Always check the policy documents before you take out your cover so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Can over 65s get cover for pre-existing conditions?

Yes, but the choice is likely more limited, and you will need to carefully check what is and isn’t included in your cover.

While the price of travel cover for pre-existing conditions can be high, it could save you hundreds of thousands of euros if you fall ill or need emergency repatriation while abroad.

What counts as a pre-existing condition?

Insurers define a pre-existing condition as any illness, injury, or medical condition you have experienced symptoms of, sought advice for, or received treatment for before buying your policy.

Common examples that you must declare include:

• Cardiovascular issues: Heart conditions, angina, a previous heart attack, or high blood pressure (even if controlled by medication)
• Respiratory conditions: Asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis
• Endocrine disorders: Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
• Cancers: Any past or present cancer diagnosis
• Joint and bone issues: Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, or waiting for a joint replacement

What is medical screening?

When you apply for [travel insurance]((/travel-insurance/), you may have to go through a “medical screening.” process. This is usually a short online questionnaire or a phone call where the insurer asks about your medical history.

You must declare everything. A common mistake older travellers make is assuming they don’t need to declare a condition because it is “managed” (like taking a daily statin for cholesterol) or because it hasn’t flared up in years.

If you fail to declare a condition, and you make a claim related to it while on holiday, your insurer will void your policy and refuse to pay the medical bills.

What if you develop a new condition after buying your policy?

If you buy an annual multi-trip policy and are diagnosed with a new medical condition mid-year, you must call your insurer immediately.

They will need to update your policy and may charge an additional premium to cover the new condition. Failing to tell them could invalidate your entire policy for future trips.

What if standard insurers refuse to cover you?

If you have a complex medical history or a severe condition, standard insurers (like those you find on basic comparison sites) might refuse to quote you.

If this happens, don’t panic. There are specialist travel insurance brokers in Ireland that specialise in covering seniors with severe or terminal pre-existing conditions.

Does having private health insurance in Ireland reduce costs?

Yes, it can. Some insurers only offer cover if you have private medical cover in place, meaning you’ll have more choices and may get cheaper quotes.

Some insurers also offer a discount on your travel insurance quote if you already have private health cover that includes overseas benefits.

How to get the right cover

Start by deciding what you need your travel insurance to include and what cover you can do without.

Once you know this, get as many quotes as possible from different insurers. While the choice may be more limited, shopping around could still help you save, especially because travel insurance is more expensive when you’re older.

For more help choosing the right type of cover, visit our main travel insurance page or read our in-depth guide How to choose the best travel insurance policy.

Senior travel insurance FAQs