Travel Insurance for Over 65s NZ: Age Limits and Medical Conditions

How Travel Insurance Changes After 65

Travel insurance is available to people over 65, but buying it usually involves more steps: more health questions, sometimes a medical assessment, and in some cases a maximum age for a particular policy. What an insurer will cover, and at what price, depends on your age, your health and your trip. This guide explains what to check. It is general information and does not recommend any insurer or policy.

SafeTravel's general advice applies at every age: even minor medical treatment overseas can be expensive, and the New Zealand Government will not pay these costs. (Source: SafeTravel (MFAT) — Travel insurance, checked 30 September 2026)

What Age Changes

Maximum ages

Some policies, especially annual multi-trip policies, have a maximum age at purchase or renewal. Check the eligibility section of the wording.

Medical questions and assessments

Older travellers are more likely to be asked detailed health questions or to go through a medical assessment before cover for a condition is accepted.

Premium

Age and declared conditions are usually part of how a premium is calculated. Compare quotes for the same cover rather than headline prices.

Conditions attached to cover

A condition may be accepted, accepted for an extra premium, or excluded. Read exactly what the insurer has agreed to cover before you pay.

Common Medical Conditions: Preparing to Declare Them

Insurers ask about many conditions that are common later in life, such as those below. How each one is treated varies between insurers and depends on how stable the condition is. Before you apply, have the details ready: the diagnosis, when it started, recent changes, medications and any recent tests or hospital stays.

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart conditions, including a past heart attack or heart surgery
• Arthritis and joint replacements
• Cancer, current or in remission
• Kidney disease
• Lung conditions such as COPD
• Osteoporosis

Read our pre-existing medical conditions guide for how declarations and medical assessments work.

Travel Risks: Prevention and Cover

Illness or injury overseas

See your doctor before you go, declare your conditions, and carry a medical summary.

Complications of an existing condition

Check your policy covers the condition, carry enough medication, and know where to get care at your destination.

Falls and fractures

Wear suitable footwear, use mobility aids you rely on at home, and choose activities that match your fitness.

Lost or delayed medication

Pack extra in your carry-on, in its original labelled packaging, with a prescription copy.

Having to cancel before you leave

Buy cover when you book so cancellation cover applies, and check which reasons for cancelling are covered.

Travel delays

Carry enough medication for delays and check what the policy pays for delayed travel.

Preparing to Travel

The first two lists summarise SafeTravel's advice for older travellers. (Source: SafeTravel (MFAT) — Older travellers, checked 30 September 2026)

Before You Go (from SafeTravel)

• See your doctor to make sure you are fit to travel
• Ask for letters covering fitness to fly, prescription medication or equipment such as needles, and vaccinations
• Ask your doctor about deep vein thrombosis on long-haul flights, insect-borne and food-borne illness, and altitude or temperature risks
• Research visa and entry rules, local laws, accessibility and medical facilities at your destination
• Check whether airlines and tour companies have their own requirements

Medication and Money (from SafeTravel)

• Pack extra prescription medication in case you are away longer than planned
• Keep medication in its original package labelled with your name
• Take a spare pair of glasses or a copy of your prescription
• Have more than one way to access money, and check your cards work overseas

Applying for Insurance

• Gather details of your conditions and medications before you start
• Allow time for a medical assessment if one is needed
• Answer every health question fully and honestly
• Read what the insurer has agreed to cover, and any exclusions
• If one insurer declines a condition, others may assess it differently

Emergency Preparedness

• Save the insurer's emergency number in your phone and on paper
• Carry emergency contacts for family and your doctor
• Know how to reach emergency services at your destination
• Understand how to make a claim before you leave

NZ Super and travel

SafeTravel says that if you receive NZ Superannuation or Veteran's Pension and plan to go overseas for 26 weeks or less, you may need to let Work and Income know; for more than 26 weeks you must meet certain criteria and apply to keep receiving payments. (Source: SafeTravel (MFAT) — People receiving benefits or superannuation, checked 30 September 2026)

Ways to Manage the Cost

Single-trip or annual multi-trip

An annual policy covers several trips in a year, but usually caps the length of each trip and may have an age limit. Compare it with single-trip cover for your actual plans.

Choosing the excess

A higher excess usually lowers the premium, but you pay that amount towards each claim. Only choose an excess you could afford.

Travelling together

Some insurers offer couple or family policies. Each traveller still has to meet the health and age rules.

Checking cover you already have

SafeTravel notes some credit cards include travel insurance, but says to check how it is activated, its excess, and whether it covers your trip length and activities. Card policies may also have their own age limits.

Destination Guide for Older Travellers

Australia

SafeTravel notes the reciprocal healthcare agreement gives New Zealand citizens subsidised healthcare for medically necessary treatment in Australia, but it still recommends appropriate travel insurance. (Source: SafeTravel (MFAT) — Australia travel advice, checked 30 September 2026)

USA

SafeTravel says medical costs in the US are extremely high and the New Zealand Government cannot assist with medical expenses. Read the medical and evacuation sections of any policy carefully. (Source: SafeTravel (MFAT) — United States of America travel advice, checked 30 September 2026)

Europe and the UK

Check medical cover, cancellation cover and how the policy treats travel disruption. Long itineraries may need a policy with a longer maximum trip length.

Asia and the Pacific

Medical facilities vary, especially outside cities and on smaller islands. Check that medical evacuation is covered.

Cruises

Some policies need cruise cover to be selected or added. Check cover for medical treatment on board and for evacuation from a ship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get travel insurance over 65?

Yes, travel insurance is available to people over 65, but some insurers set maximum ages for certain policies (annual multi-trip policies in particular), and older travellers are more likely to be asked medical questions. Age limits differ between insurers, so check the eligibility section of each policy wording.

How much does travel insurance cost for over 65s?

Premiums generally depend on age, health, destination, trip length, the excess and the level of cover, so there is no typical price. Get quotes for the same trip and cover level, and compare what each policy covers for your declared medical conditions, not just the price.

Which travel insurance is right for someone over 65?

That depends on your health, where you are going and what you plan to do. This page explains what to check; it does not rank insurers or recommend a policy. If you want help, you can send a quote request with your trip details.

Do I need travel insurance if I have health insurance?

Do not assume your New Zealand health insurance covers you overseas; check its policy wording. SafeTravel's advice for older travellers is not to travel without travel insurance: if you are sick or injured overseas without insurance, you will have to pay for your medical care.

Do I have to declare pre-existing medical conditions?

Answer every health question the insurer asks, fully and honestly. SafeTravel advises making sure your policy covers any pre-existing conditions. A claim linked to a condition you did not declare may be declined, so keep a copy of what you declared.

Travel Insurance Checklist for Over 65s

Cover:

□ You meet the policy's age rules
□ All conditions declared and the outcome read
□ Medical and evacuation cover checked
□ Cancellation reasons understood
□ Cruise or activity cover added if needed

Preparation:

□ Doctor visit and any letters you need
□ Extra medication in original packaging
□ Work and Income told if you receive NZ Super
□ Emergency number saved
□ Travel registered on SafeTravel

Suggested Timeline

When you book: buy cover so cancellation cover applies before you leave

A few weeks before: see your doctor and complete any medical assessment

The week before: pack medication, save emergency numbers and register on SafeTravel

Want Help With Your Options?

Send a quote request with your trip details. The form explains who receives your details and how they are used.

Request a quote

Sources

All sources checked 30 September 2026. Advice can change; check the source before you travel.

General information only. This page does not take your personal circumstances into account and does not recommend any insurer or policy. Cover, age limits, exclusions and prices vary by insurer and change over time: read the policy wording before you buy. See the disclosure at the foot of this page for who operates this site and how it is paid.