By Vicky Anscombe on 08 April 2016

It’s amazing how travel improves as you get older. Suddenly, you’re not in such a hurry to run from place to place; you can take your time and really relish the sights. This is your opportunity to get to know the country you’re visiting – and why not? Life’s too short to miss anything; why not enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by.

It’s a familiar holiday scenario – you reach into your pocket to grab your wallet, and realise you’ve left it in a local café. Well, it’s just one of those things – and you’ve got the ability to quickly sort it out. When you book Columbus Direct’s holiday insurance for over 65s, you can rest assured we’ll be there for you. We’re able to compensate you if you mislay some cash, so you can carry on enjoying your trip.

Plenty of over 65s come forward with questions; we’ve listed some popular ones below. If you can’t see the answers you need, make sure you try our travel FAQ section. If you’d rather talk to a person about your query, give our customer service team a call on 0800 0680 060.

Couple in the pool swimming

What’s the age limit for Columbus Direct policies?

We’re always happy to insure people aged 85 or under! If you’re over 85, please contact Insure For All, who will be pleased to help you.

Can I still get an annual policy?

That’s totally fine. We offer annual multi-trip cover for people aged 74 or under when they book with us.

What’s a pre-existing medical condition?

Lots of people wonder what a pre-existing condition is; here’s a clear and simple definition. In the past year, if your medical condition has required you to:

  • Take medicine
  • Have treatment
  • Have reviews or check-ups
  • Have surgery, tests or investigations (other than common coughs and colds)

You will need to tell us about it when booking, to ensure your policy will fully protect you.

I’ve added in details of my medical condition, and it’s been declined – what next?

We’d recommend that you speak to our sister company, Goodtogoinsureance.com.

Couple exploring town together

Will we be given the same quality of treatment as younger travellers if we need it?

Of course – age has absolutely no impact on the quality of the care you’ll receive. Whether you’re four or 84, you’ll be given the same high standard of customer service and medical attention.

What can I do if I run out of my prescription when I’m abroad?

We’d recommend that you take plenty of medicine with you, in case you’re delayed or you have to extend your trip. This way, you can always feel confident that you have everything you need.

We are currently unable to cover the cost of extra medication for a pre-existing condition.

We’d like to take a cruise – will you cover us?

Definitely – you’re free to set sail, knowing we’re here if you need us!

If you’re taking a UK-only cruise, you’ll need to buy your policy from our friendly call centre staff. You can call them on 0800 068 0060.

Will you help us get home if one of us needs a stay in hospital, and we miss our flight?

Yes, we can – we’ll make sure that you get home safely. Our 24 hour assistance team will find and book you a return flight home, and pay for your hotel in the meantime.

What about if we need a nurse or a doctor on the flight with us?

Of course – if you need the help, we’ll make sure that you’re with a medical escort for the journey home. We’ll sort this out, as well as arranging your partner’s travel.


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