Travel Insurance for Over 70s in New Zealand
How to compare policies: age limits, pre-existing conditions and what to check in the wording
No single policy suits every traveller over 70
We do not rank insurers or name a winner. Which policy suits you depends on your age, your health, where you are going, how long you are away and what you plan to do. The useful question is not “which insurer wins?” but “which policies will accept me, cover my conditions, and pay out for the things most likely to go wrong on this trip?” This page sets out how to answer that, using each insurer’s current policy wording.
SafeTravel, the New Zealand Government’s travel advice service, puts it simply for older travellers: don’t travel without travel insurance — if you are sick or injured overseas without insurance, you will have to pay for your medical care.
Source: SafeTravel (MFAT), "Older travellers" (accessed 30 September 2026)
Age limits differ between insurers
Age limits are set by each insurer and can differ between its policy types. Two examples, taken from the insurers’ own websites:
Cover-More NZ
In its website FAQ, Cover-More says it covers travellers up to 99 years old.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance
Southern Cross says its age limit is 118, and that travellers over 85 going overseas can get a quote for its International Comprehensive, Domestic or Working Overseas policies and find out whether they meet the eligibility criteria.
Source: Southern Cross Travel Insurance, "Seniors travel insurance" (accessed 30 September 2026)
Other insurers set lower age limits, limit older travellers to certain policies, or shorten the maximum trip length with age. An age limit only tells you whether you can apply — the medical questions, exclusions and benefit limits decide what you are actually covered for. Check the current wording for each insurer you are considering, for example Cover-More’s policy wording documents.
What to compare
Age limits and trip length
Check the maximum age for the policy type you want, and whether older travellers are limited to certain policies or a shorter maximum trip.
Pre-existing conditions
Check which conditions are covered automatically, which need assessment, whether an extra premium applies, and what is excluded if a condition is not accepted.
Medical limits by age
Some policies reduce certain benefits for older travellers. Southern Cross Travel Insurance’s own tips for seniors say to check coverage limits, as medical cover could be reduced for people over 70.
Cancellation cover
Check how cancellation cover treats illness of you, a travelling companion or a relative at home, and what happens if your health changes between buying the policy and leaving.
Activities and cruises
SafeTravel advises getting a policy that covers any activities you have planned. Cruises, hiking and scooter hire can need specific cover.
Emergency assistance
Check that the policy includes a 24-hour emergency assistance service, and save the number before you travel.
Source: Southern Cross Travel Insurance, "Seniors travel insurance" (accessed 30 September 2026)
Source: SafeTravel (MFAT), "Travel insurance" (accessed 30 September 2026)
Pre-existing conditions and medical questions
Most people applying for travel insurance later in life have at least one condition to declare. Insurers ask health questions when you apply, and the answers decide which conditions are covered, which are excluded, and whether an extra premium applies. Be complete and accurate: a condition that was not declared can affect a later claim.
SafeTravel advises buying travel insurance that covers any pre-existing conditions and the activities you have planned, and checking that your insurance provider knows about your needs.
Source: SafeTravel (MFAT), "Travel insurance" (accessed 30 September 2026)
If your health changes after you buy the policy but before you leave, tell your insurer — Southern Cross’s seniors page gives this reminder for its own policies, and other wordings have similar requirements.
Source: Southern Cross Travel Insurance, "Seniors travel insurance" (accessed 30 September 2026)
Read more in our pre-existing conditions guide.
What affects the price
We do not publish price ranges, because premiums change often and depend on your details. The main factors are your age, where you are going, how long you are away, the conditions you declare and whether the insurer charges extra for them, the excess you choose, and the level of cover.
- Get quotes for the same trip dates and destination from several insurers so you are comparing like with like.
- A higher excess usually lowers the premium but raises what you pay on each claim.
- If you travel several times a year, check whether an annual multi-trip policy is available at your age and what its maximum trip length is.
Before you go: SafeTravel’s advice for older travellers
- • See your doctor before you travel to make sure you are fit to travel. You might need a letter confirming your fitness to fly, your need to carry prescription medication or equipment, or your vaccinations.
- • Pack extra prescription medication in case your plans change, and keep it in its original package labelled with your name.
- • Take a spare pair of prescription glasses or a copy of your prescription.
- • Have more than one way to access money overseas.
- • Register your travel with SafeTravel so it can send you updates about the places you are visiting.
Source: SafeTravel (MFAT), "Older travellers" (accessed 30 September 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Which travel insurance is right for someone over 70?
There is no single answer, and this site does not rank insurers. The right policy depends on your age, health, destination, trip length and activities. Compare each insurer’s age limits, how it treats your pre-existing conditions, any medical limits that change with age, the excess, and the maximum trip length, using the current policy wording.
Do travel insurers have age limits?
Many do, and they differ. For example, Cover-More NZ says it covers travellers up to 99 years old, and Southern Cross Travel Insurance says its age limit is 118, with travellers over 85 able to get a quote for its International Comprehensive, Domestic or Working Overseas policies subject to eligibility criteria. Other insurers set lower limits or restrict trip length for older travellers, so check each wording.
Will I need a medical assessment?
Insurers ask about your health when you apply, and older travellers or people with existing conditions may be asked more questions or need an assessment. SafeTravel says to buy travel insurance that covers any pre-existing conditions and to make sure your insurer knows about them.
Is travel insurance more expensive after 70?
Premiums generally depend on factors such as age, destination, trip length, the conditions you declare and the excess you choose. Prices change often, so get current quotes rather than relying on published price ranges.
Source: Southern Cross Travel Insurance, "Seniors travel insurance" (accessed 30 September 2026)
Source: SafeTravel (MFAT), "Travel insurance" (accessed 30 September 2026)
Comparing policies for your next trip?
Read each policy wording against the checklist above.
General information only, not financial advice. Insurer details were checked on the insurers’ websites on 30 September 2026 and can change — the current policy wording decides what is covered.