The game changes for over-65s, primarily because insurers' risk charts predict more claims are likely. Sadly, this means even those in perfect health pay more. Those rejected on grounds of health should see the pre-existing conditions note below.
Age 65-69 from £36 (or free)
Europe only - must use state hospital. EHIC Plus* is £35.64 for individuals and £58.80 for a couple. All policyholders need a free EHIC card too, or you're likely to not be covered for medical costs). Also, you must insist you're taken to a state hospital not a private clinic, as only treatment in state-run institutions is covered by the policy.
Europe only - any hospital. Top Dog* (31 days per trip policy) at £44.80 for individuals, or £69.90 for couples.
Get free European cover... by switching to Nationwide FlexAccount
New and existing holders of Nationwide's FlexAccount* can get free European travel insurance for customers up to age 75 (must be max age 73 at account opening). To get the cover, you must either switch all your direct debits and standing orders from another account to it or pay in at least £750 each month.
Option to upgrade to worldwide, family and/or winter sports available.
For details of other packaged accounts to suit you, see our top packaged bank account guide and analyser.
Worldwide: The Top Dog* premium is £72.20 for an individual. For couples, this increases to £108.32.
The Top Dog policy is via comparison site MoneySupermarket* (you could pay more direct).
Via £10/mth bank account... Nationwide FlexPlus (worldwide cover, w/sports and more)
This recently launched Nationwide FlexPlus* account charges £10/mth and you get worldwide family cover for the year (max age 74). This includes winter sports, travel disruption (caused by weather, ash clouds or airline/travel company failure) and golf cover. On top, it also gives mobile phone insurance cover, extended warranty, as well as UK & European breakdown cover for your car.
For details of other packaged accounts to suit you, see our top packaged bank account guide and analyser.
Age 70-74 from £57 (or free)
Europe only - must use state hospital. EHIC Plus* is £57.26 for individuals and £94.49 for a couple. All policyholders need a free EHIC card too, or you're unlikely to be covered for medical costs.
Europe - any hospital. Elect Travel Insurance* from £74.42 for individuals and from £119.36 for couples. Use the discount code 'save5now' to obtain the reduced Elect Travel Insurance rate.
Get free European cover... by switching to Nationwide FlexAccount
New and existing holders of Nationwide's FlexAccount* can get free European travel insurance for customers up to age 75 (must be max age 73 at account opening). To get the cover, you must either switch all your direct debits and standing orders from another account to it or pay in at least £750 each month.
Option to upgrade to worldwide, family and/or winter sports available.
For details of other packaged accounts to suit you, see our top packaged bank account guide and analyser.
Worldwide: For individual worldwide cover, its cheaper going direct as Elect Travel Insurance* is £96.07. For couples, the premium increases to £161.94. Use the code 'save5now' to obtain the 5% discount on the Elect Travel Insurance rate.
Single or couple via bank account £120... (w/wide with w/sports, disruption & more)
This recently launched Nationwide FlexPlus* account charges £10/mth and you get worldwide family cover for the year (max age 74). This includes winter sports, travel disruption (caused by weather, ash clouds or airline/travel company failure) and golf cover. On top, it also gives mobile phone insurance cover, extended warranty, as well as UK & European breakdown cover for your car.
For details of other packaged accounts to suit you, see our top packaged bank account guide and analyser.
Age 75-79 from £62
Europe only - must use state hospital. EHIC Plus* is £62.24 for individuals and £102.71 for a couple. All policyholders need a free EHIC card too, or you're unlikely to be covered for medical costs.
Europe - any hospital. Planet Earth* (via MoneySupermarket) from £110.95 for individuals and from £195.95 for couples.
Single or couple worldwide via bank account £155
For travellers under 80, the Bank of Scotland (Gold) & Lloyds (Gold) accounts protects you and your partner up to age 79, for no more than 31 days per trip with a maximum of £40 excess. It includes compensation for travel disruption and bus trips.
You also get mobile phone cover with AA breakdown protection included in the monthly cost.
For details of other packaged accounts to suit you, see our top packaged bank account guide and analyser.
Worldwide: For individual worldwide cover, its cheaper going direct as Planet Earth* charges a premium of £202.40 (individual) but increases to £364.32 for couples.
80 to 85 from £232
This is where it gets really pricey. Castle Cover* gives online quotations. For an individual, it ranges from £232.24 for European cover to £348.42 for worldwide cover. For couples, you get a combined discount, meaning the price per person is £197.45 for cover in Europe, or £278.96 (per person) for worldwide cover, but is still the cheapest we've seen.
Over 85
Annual cover is available but here it becomes really, really pricey. This is when you may need to consider a policy per trip, rather than a 12-month policy. You could consider Age UK, while an alternative is All Clear Travel, which would consider a wide age range, as well as pre-existing conditions.