Age Concern calls for fairer travel insurance for the elderl

The Age Concern charity has called for an end of travel insurance discrimination against the elderly

Travel Insurance News - 29/03/2010

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Age Concern has called for travel insurance agencies to be fairer to the elderly by scrapping the maximum age limit from policies. The old people’s charity is claiming that a third of both car and travel insurance companies discriminate against the elderly by putting a cap on ages or imposing higher premiums.

Head of public policy for Age Concern Andrew Harrop said that insurers should be made to serve people of all ages and that refusing older customers sends a harmful message and places a restriction on the lives of the aged.

He went on to say that such measures can isolate the elderly and make them either unable or afraid to visit family and friends in other countries. Travel insurance is considered as a must for most sensible people, so why should an older person go without?

Insurance companies have hit back, however, saying that the costs imposed on older travellers reflect the risk that insurers take. People in their 80s are said to be eight times more likely to make a claim than someone under 65.

A 2009 Age Concern survey found that over 55s could lose thousands of pounds if they have an accident abroad and have failed to get travel insurance. Insurance companies are warning that it is always best to avoid the risk, whatever the price.

<< Travel insurance won’t cover cancelled trips from Irish pass | Travel News | Canada gives advice to stranded skyservice passengers >>