Upper age limits on travel insurance - family member illness/death

[Horatio]

Hi

My wife and I will be overseas for a couple of weeks in Europe in April. We each have one living parent (me, dad, 86 - wife, mum, 92). They're both actually in decent shape, so a serious illness or death would be a big surprise. But you never know.

We've been thinking for the first about coverage in case something happens while we're away and we need to return quickly. I know for a fortnight the risks are low, but it's also something that will have more relevance the longer they're around, and if we're able to take a longer trip.

I rang Allianz who provide the policy for our St George credit card, and the cut-off age for family issues was 81. Closer with the AMEX Platinum, where the family member has to be under 91 when the trip commences. Another that a travel agent contact suggested also wouldn't suit. So no coverage for MIL at this stage.

Does anyone have direct experience of a company or policy that will cover family in their 90s if the travellers need to return for illness or injury?

I know there are some similar threads/questions in this forum, but all that I was 8+ years old, so perhaps there is some updated info or experience.

Thanks very much,
Horatio

 

[zig]

The upper age limit that I have seen is 81. My mother is 90, so a long way past that limit.

 

[Port Power]

I might be wrong but I think that is the age limit for the actual traveller. The OP is talking about when he is away and anything should happen to his elderly relatives if that would be covered for disruption of trip so he could return home. I’ve looked extensively and did not find any insurer willing to cover a relative aged over 90. Which seems a bit dodgy given I agree that many insurers will cover people actually travelling. I guess it’s because they can charge an informed premium for an older traveller but not for a traveller’s relatives.

But if you’ve found this, I’d love to hear about it.

No, the age limit also refers to the family member at home. I am well aware of the age limits with Allianz, so visited my mother in Melbourne at least three times a year. She knew that if something happened to her, I would not be flying back to Australia. Age aside, it is very hard not to have a pre-existing illness included in the death certificate. Kidney disease, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. The parent's death would have to be either an accident of some sort, or pneumonia (if under 81 years of age).

 

[Seat0B]

No, the age limit also refers to the family member at home. I am well aware of the age limits with Allianz, so visited my mother in Melbourne at least three times a year. She knew that if something happened to her, I would not be flying back to Australia. Age aside, it is very hard not to have a pre-existing illness included in the death certificate. Kidney disease, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. The parent's death would have to be either an accident of some sort, or pneumonia (if under 81 years of age).

Yes I think we are in agreement! The other poster seemed to think it was about insurance for an elderly traveller (which is quite possible to arrange) whereas the original poster was talking about what you and I said - if you go overseas and your elderly relative is suddenly ill or dies, you (the traveller) won’t be covered for costs incurred getting back and cancellations if your relative is over a certain age. Varies by company but seems all but impossible after 90.
One company I investigated ruled out covering any relative of the traveller that was receiving any kind of aged care support (including aged care in the home) no matter their age.