Seniors' Cruise Travel Insurance
Need travel insurance for your next cruise as a senior? Compare with Savvy.
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Savvy Editorial TeamFact checked
A cruise can be the perfect way to see the world's wonders in comfort and ease if you're a senior traveller. Whether cruising domestic waters or crossing international seas, Savvy can help you find the right travel insurance to give you peace of mind on your holiday.
Comparing with us helps you find the right coverage to protect you against those unexpected events while sailing the high seas. Before you pack your sunscreen and best visor, find the best coverage and compare it with Savvy today.
What does cruise travel insurance for seniors cover?
Many travel insurance companies give senior travellers the option of cruise coverage if they’re sailing the seas on an ocean liner. You can purchase cover for cruises sailing through domestic or international waters, giving you peace of mind while you’re aboard your ocean liner. Depending on your provider, cruise coverage is either automatically included in your policy or sold as an added extra.
The benefits you receive from taking out senior's cruise travel insurance will vary depending on what level of coverage you choose; however, most comprehensive policies will cover you for:
- Medical expenses: If you’re struck down with an injury or illness, you can be treated by an onboard doctor and your insurer will pick up the bill. Almost all insurers will offer you unlimited coverage for health-related expenses.
- Evacuation expenses: If you sustain an injury onboard or your illness deteriorates and you need to abandon ship, your insurer covers the cost. In some countries, the costs can total $300,000 if you don’t have insurance. However, comprehensive insurance covers you if you need emergency excavation.
- Emergency dental: If you chip or break a tooth while you’re off sightseeing, you can have your treatment covered by insurance. Usually, comprehensive policies cover you for treatment up to $1,000.
- Cruise-specific claims: Most insurers cover you if you miss the embarkation for your cruise or are confined to your cabin due to sickness or injury. They’ll also cover you if you miss an onshore excursion due to circumstances out of your control, such as mechanical issues with your boat.
- Booking deposits: It can be a real bummer when you need to cancel your cruise at the last minute. Luckily, if you’re calling off your trip for a covered reason, your insurer will be able to get you a refund on any hotel or tour deposits you’ve pre-paid.
- Lost or damaged luggage: When your luggage goes missing or is damaged while you’re in transit, your insurance company will pay you so you can replace what you’ve lost.
- Personal items: Never fear if your mobile phone or any other valuable possession goes walk about – your insurer will cover the cost of replacing your personal belongings if they are stolen or broken on holiday.
- Rental car excess: Hire cars can be a handy way to get around, whether you’re cruising the coast of Italy or driving the Great Ocean Road. If you have an accident, your excess is covered by your insurance company.
- Funeral costs: If you die overseas due to a covered incident, your insurance company can organise the safe return of your body and cover the cost of your funeral.
How do I compare cruise travel insurance for seniors?
When you’re doing your homework and trying to find the best travel insurance deal on the market, it pays to consider several factors which will help you make your decision easier. When you’re comparing travel insurance policies with Savvy, it’s important to look at the following:
Age limits
It’s widely accepted that you’ll pay a higher premium for your travel insurance the older you are. However, most policies have an age limit in place which can restrict mature-aged travellers from taking out cover.
Some policies limit those over 65 from taking out insurance, while others have limits on over-70s. However, certain companies set their age limits as high as 99 years old.
The prices
If you’re a senior itching to take a cruise but need travel insurance, it’s best to get a few quotes from different providers. This will allow you to price match and see which has all the cover you need for the most affordable cost.
Coverage
While they may seem stock standard no matter where you look, travel insurance providers all offer different benefits. As such, it pays to compare the lists of inclusions and exclusions to ensure you get the coverage you want from your policy.
Financial limits
Insurance companies put limits on how much you claim for certain areas of coverage, such as personal items and cancellations. For example, if your luggage is stolen or damaged, some comprehensive policies will let you claim up to $10,000, but this may extend to $15,000. These caps can vary from insurer to insurer, so it’s worth comparing with Savvy to find limits which satisfy you.
What can impact the cost of my cruise travel insurance as a senior?
No matter if you’re at sea or on land, the cost of your travel insurance will be dependent on several variables. It’s good to have a rough idea of how these factors work when determining the cost of the premium you’re expected to pay.
Excess
When you make a claim on your travel insurance, you’ll be required to pay a previously-agreed excess. Once this is paid, your insurance company covers the remainder of the cost up to your claim limit. Excesses range in price from $100 to $250, but some insurers won’t make you pay anything for certain claims. However, you can expect higher excesses as a senior traveller in general.
Pre-existing conditions
Almost 80% of Australians suffer from an ongoing medical condition. If you’re one of those people, coverage for those pre-existing illnesses will be vital. While most insurers automatically cover you for a range of illnesses, such as osteoporosis, you’ll need to pay extra if you have a more severe condition such as heart disease or multiple sclerosis.
Destinations
Some countries cost more than others when you’re taking out insurance. For example, you’ll pay more for travel insurance to America because the country doesn’t provide universal healthcare. Consider your destination if you’re looking at doing a holiday on the cheap.
Level of coverage
The level of coverage you choose to purchase will play a major role in the average cost of your travel insurance premium. It’s important to remember cheapest isn’t always better, so it’s a good idea to look at whether your trip is better served by comprehensive or basic cover rather than focusing on the price tag.
Number of travellers
If you’re heading off on a cruise with your golfing pals or some family members, most insurers will allow you to roll up to 25 people into one policy. While it’s more expensive as a whole, if you divide the costs between travellers, it can actually work out to be much cheaper.
Length of your trip
The longer you’re away from home, the more you’ll pay to take out travel insurance. Longer trips tend to include more non-refundable bookings such as hotels and tours.
Types of travel insurance
International travel insurance can offer cover for a range of events, including medical expenses, lost luggage or items, cancellation fees and more when you're overseas and a long way from home.
If you're journeying within Australia, domestic policies are designed to offer many of the same protections as international travel insurance (with the exception of medical expenses).
The most standard and common type of travel insurance, this policy can cover you for one trip starting and ending in Australia (and is available for both international and domestic travel).
As the name suggests, this type of travel insurance covers multiple trips over a 12-month period. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to take an unlimited number of trips up to 90 days each.
You don't have to have a return ticket booked to take out cover while you're overseas. One-way travel insurance enables you to access cover without a set end date, such as if you're moving temporarily.
You may need to take out specialist coverage if you're setting sail on a cruise. Fortunately, cruise insurance can cover emergency evacuation, cabin confinement and more.
Just because you're older doesn't mean travel insurance isn't still important. If you qualify for cover, seniors' travel insurance can offer greater peace of mind for included events while you're travelling.
Adding winter sports or ski cover to your policy can add protection against damage to your equipment, piste closure due to bad weather and activities such as back-country skiing, heliskiing and more.
Looking to enjoy some adventure sports on holiday? An adventure sports pack can grant you cover for a range of activities, such as hiking, scuba diving and motorcycle or scooter riding.
Jetsetting with the whole clan in tow? Some insurers offer family travel insurance, which enables you to include yourself, your partner and your dependent children under one policy to help you save.
If you're travelling interstate or overseas with your partner (or simply another friend or family member), you may be able to access a discount by taking out a joint or duo travel insurance policy.
Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?
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Regardless of the type of insurance you’re looking for, we can help you compare between competitive quotes.
Top tips for saving money on my cruise travel insurance
Compare with Savvy
If you want to save money when you’re purchasing travel insurance, one of the best ways is to shop around. By comparing with Savvy, you can easily differentiate between the policies offered by some of Australia’s leading insurers.
Pay a higher excess
Choosing to pay a more significant excess will reduce the price of your premium. This is because you’re offering to stump up more of your money towards any claim you may have to make. As always, make sure the excess you choose is affordable for you.
Think about your pre-existing conditions
It may be worth getting a medical check-up before you head on your cruise if you’re over 65. Doing so will enable you to get a clear read on any pre-existing conditions you may have so you know what you have to declare when buying your travel insurance. Not declaring a pre-existing condition could see you left with the medical bills if your claim is voided.
Consider the countries you’re visiting
Insurers give you the choice of worldwide coverage or cover for specific countries you’ll be visiting. If you’re wanting to cut costs, you can handpick the countries you’ll be visiting and just be covered for those.
Frequently asked seniors' cruise travel insurance questions
Yes – most insurers will cover you for any COVID-19-related expenses if you’ve taken out comprehensive coverage. Most basic packages cover you for medical treatment, while top-level cover will also cover you if you need to cancel or delay your trip due to a positive diagnosis or becoming a close contact.
Many travel insurance companies won’t allow you to take out specific extras beyond a certain age. Ski cover and other ‘high-risk’ activities are generally off-limits to those over 70 or 75.
If you need to make a claim through your insurance company, it’s pretty simple to do online. Once a claimable incident occurs, you will need to:
- Double-check your PDS: Cross-check with your Product Disclosure Statement that what you’re about to claim is covered by your policy.
- Gather your documents: Insurers will need to see some documents to back up your claim. These can include photos, police or medical reports or receipts.
- Fill out your claim form: Complete your insurer’s online claim form with ample detail and respond to any requests for additional information promptly.
- Wait for approval: Your insurer should get back to you within 10 working days. If your claim is approved, your refund will be deposited in your bank account very soon after.
Most travel insurance companies treat cancer as a pre-existing condition and won’t cover you unless you pay a higher premium. However, while you won’t be able to take out cover for terminal cancer-related expenses, you can be insured for other areas under your policy. Your claims will be voided if you’re advised not to travel, though.
Yes – you can include children in your policy for free with most cruise travel insurance policies. Many will allow you to roll those under the age of 20 and not working full time into your policy for free.
Unlike other types of insurance, such as home and contents or car insurance, making a claim won’t impact the price of your premium because it’s calculated on different factors.
Helpful travel insurance guides
Disclaimer:
We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.
Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.
Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.