Guide

Senior Travel Insurance Guide (70+ Years)

By the Travel Insurance Comparison NZ editorial team

Travellers aged 70 and over can usually still buy travel insurance, but age limits, medical assessments and premiums vary more between insurers at this age. Start early so there is time to complete assessments and compare.

Official advice for older travellers

MFAT's SafeTravel advice for older travellers says not to travel without travel insurance, because if you are sick or injured without it you will have to pay for your medical care — and to make sure the policy covers any pre-existing conditions and the activities you have planned (SafeTravel (MFAT): Older travellers). It also recommends seeing your doctor to make sure you are fit to travel, carrying a doctor's letter for medication or equipment if needed, packing extra medication, and registering your travel.

What to compare

  • Age limits for the policy type you want, including annual multi-trip policies.
  • How pre-existing conditions are assessed and whether they are accepted.
  • Medical, evacuation and repatriation cover, including any limits that apply at older ages.
  • Cancellation cover if you, a travelling companion or a relative at home becomes unwell.
  • Cruise cover, if you are cruising — see our cruise guide.
  • Any maximum trip length that is shorter for older travellers.

See also: cruise travel insurance, pre-existing conditions and our over-65 guide.

ACC is not a substitute

ACC does not cover overseas treatment costs, illness, or disrupted travel plans (ACC: If you're a New Zealander injured overseas). Conditions related to ageing, such as arthritis, are not covered by ACC at all (ACC: Injuries we don't cover).

Insurers

Frequently asked questions

Is there an upper age limit for travel insurance?

Some policies have a maximum age for buying cover, or for particular policy types such as annual multi-trip, and others do not. Age limits differ between insurers and change over time, so check the eligibility section of the current policy wording.

Do I need to declare my medical conditions?

Yes. Answer the insurer’s medical questions fully and accurately. Conditions that are declared and accepted can be covered; claims connected with undeclared conditions are commonly declined.

Does travel insurance cost more as I get older?

Premiums generally rise with age because the likelihood of medical claims increases, and medical conditions can add to the premium. The only reliable way to know the cost is to get quotes for your trip.

This page is general information, not financial advice, and does not take your personal circumstances into account. Cover, limits, excesses and exclusions differ between insurers and policies. The policy wording (and any policy schedule or endorsement) is what decides a claim, so read it — or ask the insurer — before you buy.

Sources

Official sources cited on this page, checked 30 September 2026.

Compare travel insurance policies

See how the main New Zealand travel insurers set out their cover, then check the policy wording for the points that matter to your trip.

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