When seniors plan trips to locations abroad, many seek a relaxing, enjoyable experience filled with food and leisurely activities. Europe can bring exactly that, with unique architecture, food, and activities for older travelers. However, there can be times where medical situations and emergencies occur during travel. With travel insurance, senior citizens can get the help they need, even when abroad.
What This Guide Will Cover:
- What travel insurance is and what it covers
- How the 24/7 assistance service offers help
- Example medical situations travel insurance can cover
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions under travel insurance
How Can Seniors Be Covered For Medical Conditions Abroad?
When traveling abroad, seniors are often concerned about their health or physical conditions, and how they can get the help they need. With travel insurance, medical emergencies can be covered. Here are some examples of how travel insurance can help seniors:
Accident and Sickness Coverage: Let’s say you and your husband are traveling in Europe, and your husband falls terribly ill, needing a doctor’s visit and medications. Under travel insurance, these medical expenses can be covered abroad.
Pre-existing conditions: While travel insurance typically does not cover pre-existing conditions, you can be covered under a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.
- This waiver is offered by some trip insurance plans, where if you meet certain criteria, the insurer will waive their pre-existing condition exclusion.
Emergency Medical Evacuation: If during your trip to Europe you require evacuation to a medical facility or even back home, emergency medvac can offer coverage under trip insurance.
How Can 24/7 Travel Assistance Help Seniors in Europe?
Let’s say something goes terribly wrong on your trip to Europe, and you require further assistance, have questions, or need help with a medical emergency. In this case, 24/7 travel assistance can be beneficial. Travel assistance is a service included with your travel insurance, allowing travelers to get immediate help if needed.
Example Situations Where Travel Assistance Can Help:
Situation 1: You are terribly injured while on a hike in Spain, and are seeking medical help. However, you are unable to communicate with the local authorities. In this case, travel assistance can provide professional translation services so you are able to get the medical help that you need.
Situation 2: Your husband becomes ill during a couples trip to Italy, but feels too sick to seek medical help nearby. Travel assistance can offer telemedicine services, giving you the chance to consult with medical professionals by video or phone call.
Situation 3: Your wife has a case of food poisoning during a trip to Italy, but you are unsure of who to contact to find reliable, trustworthy medical service. Through travel assistance, you are able to access a network of medical professionals who can provide guidance.
Situation 4: You are on a hike in Europe, but being of old age, you are struggling with a medical emergency due to a pre-existing condition where you require medical evacuation. In this case, travel assistance can help with the arrangement of emergency medical transportation, medical referrals, hospital admission, and so on. If medical treatment abroad is not up to par with your medical situation, travel assistance can help coordinate transportation to a facility that is a better fit.
Can I Get Coverage For Pre-Existing Conditions As a Senior in Europe?
If you are a senior traveling to Europe and suffer from a medical emergency due to a pre-existing condition, you can receive coverage under travel insurance if the policy includes a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.
A pre-existing condition exclusion waiver is a benefit included with certain trip insurance plans that will waive this, as long as:
- You purchase your insurance policy within 14-21 days after making your initial trip deposit
- Are medically stable during purchase, and insure the full cost of the trip
What If I Get Injured or Sick Before My Trip to Europe?
Let’s say a week before your trip to Europe, you become either incredibly sick or injured. Through trip cancellation insurance, you can cancel your trip and receive reimbursement for 100% of your non-refundable, prepaid costs.
However, with standard trip insurance, the reasons you can cancel your trip and be reimbursed for financial losses may be limited to the ‘covered reasons’ listed as covered in your plan documents. So, if your illness or injury is not listed as covered, you may not receive reimbursement.
However, trip insurance plans may offer Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR), allowing you to cancel your trip for literally any reason and still be reimbursed 50-75% of your prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. This can be essential for a situation where an individual becomes sick, but there is not an official doctor’s note or record that can be submitted when filing a claim.
Top Insurance Plans For Seniors Traveling to Europe:
Best Overall Travel Insurance For Seniors Traveling to Europe: Pathway Premium
Best Affordable Travel Insurance For Seniors Traveling to Europe: Trip Protection Choice
Best Travel Insurance For Seniors Seeking Medical Coverage: iTravelInsured Travel LX
- Seniors traveling abroad can receive medical coverage in Europe for accident and sickness, pre-existing conditions, and emergency situations under travel insurance.
- 24/7 travel assistance can provide support, answer questions, and help with medical emergencies if seniors need it while abroad.
- Seniors can get coverage for pre-existing conditions through a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.
- Cancel For Any Reason is a good add-on to consider if you get sick or injured before your trip to Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Seniors Traveling to Europe Can Get Medical Coverage
What is the best affordable senior travel insurance for Europe that includes medvac?
For seniors traveling to Europe, a specialized policy like Trip Protection Basic is the most affordable, while still providing solid medical coverage. This plan can offer medical coverage up to $100,000, and up to $250,000 for medical evacuation.
What is the best Europe travel insurance for seniors with pre-existing conditions?
For seniors with pre-existing conditions, a policy like iTravelInsured LX is recommended, with up to $500,000 for medical coverage and up to $1,000,000 for medical evacuation.
Will an ambulance be covered under emergency medical evacuation in Europe?
Yes, there are plans that will provide coverage for transportation (like an ambulance) under emergency medical evacuation. Costs for additional medical care may also be covered if you have a medical emergency during travel, but be sure to review your plan details and exclusions.
What pre-existing conditions are not covered under travel insurance?
Under travel insurance, pre-existing conditions that may not be covered include: mental health conditions, injuries related to substance use or self harm, terminal illnesses, conditions related to an injury or illness already known, and so on.
As a senior, do I have to document my medical conditions when purchasing travel insurance?
Plans and policies may have different requirements when it comes to documenting medical conditions when buying travel insurance. Not all of them will require this, as insurers will determine whether or not a condition can be marked as pre-existing when you are filing a claim or seeking treatment.
Do I need a Schengen visa when traveling to Europe?
While travel insurance is required for most individuals applying for a Schengen visa, there are many other countries, like the U.S., China, Canada, and so on, that do not mandate travel insurance for their citizens visiting a Schengen country. However, travel insurance for Europe is still recommended, offering protection for travelers traveling internationally – especially for medical emergencies.
How can I file a claim as a senior in Europe?
Filing a claim is an important step when it comes to receiving reimbursement under travel insurance, especially for travel abroad. Learn more about the step-by-step process of filing a claim.
Is travel insurance worth it for seniors traveling to Europe?
Yes, travel insurance is highly recommended for seniors traveling to Europe. With pre-existing conditions, medical issues, and physical limitations, it can be beneficial for older travelers to have additional support when needed. During international travel, travel insurance can provide a safety net, allowing for a peace of mind.
