Travel insurance for older travellers
 

Most motorcyclists travelling around the various parts of the globe are younger than I will be when I start my journey through South America, Nth America, Europe and down to Africa i.e. 63 years old. I've never motorcycled overseas before but have travelled o/seas to numerous places (backpacking) previously. Travel insurance is the most troublesome item to obtain due mainly to a range of ailments affecting lots of folks my age (diabetes, slightly troublesome back, and so on. I fear it is impossible to obtain travel insurance, in fact. I tried World Nomads and the coverage offered was nowhere near adequate, for say the USA for example. I could risk it and take a chance but for a two-year trip covering the places I hope to go, it's a massive risk (yes, I will
be doing it solo). Tour packages in groups are fine but I don't want much of that. Any ideas? Ta M.

If you think it’s bad at 63 wait until you hit the wrong side of 65. When I was trying to get insurance for a UK to west Africa trip a year ago it proved to be all but impossible. I must have tried 50 insurance companies. If they’d cover my age (66 then) they wouldn’t cover the countries or if it was worldwide they wouldn’t cover biking or etc etc ... Mind you some of their exclusions were crazy - no cover for walking above 2000m for example. Our flat in France is at almost exactly 2000m so a pedantic interpretation would prevent me walking up the hill to the local shop.

The previous times I’ve been on similar trips I’ve had to ‘self insure’, ie taken my chances. I suppose I’m lucky in that I don’t have any medical issues that need to be covered but there’s always accidents and other unknowns so going without backup is a risk you take. We’ve got another USA bike trip in the planning and the only reason that’s possible is because my wife gets travel insurance thrown in with her posh bank account.

There’s no problem with getting cover for a cruise where I can eat and drink myself to death for two weeks but anything more active that might have positive health benefits - not just biking but many other sports - seem to be written off as high risk.

So, bottom line. If there’s an insurance co out there who takes a realistic view of what we’re doing I’ve yet to find them. If our EU health card gets binned post brexit I wonder whether even Euro bike travel for us oldies might become a problem.

See if you can buy travel insurance through DAN (Diver's Alert Network). With a $35 membership--don't need to be a diver, although I am--I was able to purchase a reasonable travel/medivac insurance for a couple of hundred US dollars per year.

I recently had to cancel a trip for medical reasons and to my astonishment the insurance reimbursed me for all flight cancellation fees along with the deposit paid to a motorbike rental company in the Caucasus which had ghosted me once I asked about refunds. The paperwork was a royal pain and it took 4 months, but it worked. On my policy all activities are covered, and I'm 63.

DAN has some sort of arrangement with the actual insurer, which is a separate company. Insurance varies greatly by country of residence and (in the USA) by state, so I don't know whether this sort of policy is available to either of you. If you do check into it, post back here with whatever you learn.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Travel insurance for older travellers
 

Thanks Backofbeyond for reply. I guess it's not just an issue here in Oz.?The country I am most concerned about is the US, although the driving habits are far worse in some other countries. I'll keep trying!

Travel insurance for older travellers
 

Thanks Markharf for your reply. I'll look into the company mentioned. Much appreciated! Mike

Hi smokey 123,

I am 66 and I managed to obtain insurance from 2 places, CGU and Travel Insurance Direct.

Thanks Foxy , I'll check out the two companies suggested. I'll post results of my enquiries. May the road have plenty of sweeping corners and the potholes be few!