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• Ninety-two per cent of travel insurance policies impose upper age limits¹
• Thirty-six per cent increase in over 65s’ travel in five years²
• Many older travellers face frustrating insurance search 
• Age Concern Insurance Services offers travel cover tailored to suit the needs of older people with no upper age limit

An estimated 15 million people will have booked their holidays in the last two months³‚ but for many older people the uphill struggle to secure travel insurance has just begun.

Ninety-two per cent of travel insurance policies impose upper age limits¹‚ refusing to provide cover for older people. With over 65s now making 5.5 million trips abroad each year³ - a 36 per cent increase on five years ago – upper age limits present a stumbling block for a growing number of older travellers. 

Antony Osborne from Age Concern Insurance Services said: “Many people over the age of 65 are well aware of the frustrations involved in securing travel insurance‚ particularly when the vast majority of providers operate upper age limits. It’s no surprise that many people are delighted to learn that we offer travel insurance tailored for the needs of older travellers‚ and for those looking for sufficient cover for their medical conditions⁴.

With these obstacles making it more difficult for older people to get travel insurance‚ Age Concern is urging frustrated travellers who may be planning to go on holiday perhaps without any insurance at all‚ to make sure that they are properly covered.

Government research shows that up to one in seven travellers – of all ages - fail to take out adequate travel insurance⁵. This is particularly concerning considering the recent trend towards visiting more exotic destinations – where it is even more important to ensure travellers have adequate insurance in place.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics reveal that over 65s’ travel to Turkey has almost doubled in five years with 83‚000 trips made in 2005 – up from 48‚000 in 2001.  Egypt saw 8‚000 visits from the over 65s in 2001‚ but this figure is now five times as high with 42‚000 visits in 2005.²

Age Concern Travel Insurance policies have been tailored for older people‚ therefore no upper age limit applies. Age Concern will endeavour to offer travel cover for most pre-existing medical conditions⁴.  The policy operates in conjunction with a medical screening line‚ charged at a local rate‚ which enables older people to get the right cover before they take out a policy.

Age Concern Travel Insurance policies cover for short European breaks starts from just £6.90⁶‚ with annual multi-trip policies available from £50 per adult.

Profits generated by Age Concern Insurance Services go directly to Age Concern‚ raising additional funds for invaluable support services such as day centres‚ home visits and transportation as well as helping the charity campaign for the well-being and rights of older people.

All Age Concern travel insurance is arranged by individuals who are trained to meet the requirements of the FSA’s regulatory framework. Customers buying Age Concern travel insurance also enjoy the protection of the Financial Ombudsman Scheme. 

To find out more about Age Concern Travel Insurance‚ call 0845 601 2234 or visit your local Age Concern*.

¹ Defaqto research‚ August 2006 – for multi trip and single trip travel policy
2 Office of National Statistics research‚ November 2006
3 Sainsbury’s Bank‚ December 2006
4 Medical Screening Information Line is available to assess the appropriate travel cover and any excesses that may apply. Acceptance will be subject to under-writing
5 Foreign & Commonwealth Office – Know Before You Go‚ Launched in June 2001
6 Ensure your travel policy is appropriate for your destination
* Not all Age Concerns offer all Age Concern products. Please check by telephoning your local office‚ before arranging a visit. Trading Age Concerns are appointed representatives of Age Concern Enterprises Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for general insurance

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For further information‚ please contact George Morrison or Derya Filiz on 020 7404 6777  / george.morrison@trimediahc.com or derya.filiz@trimediahc.com

Notes to editors

Age Concern Travel Insurance provides a choice of policies: Single-Trip Insurance (for individual trips) and Annual Multi-Trip Insurance (for any number of trips taken in a year‚ of up to 31 days for each trip). There is no upper age limit for Age Concern Travel Insurance.

Special features include:

• Cover for travel costs of up to £4‚000 including irrecoverable costs if the trip is cancelled as a result of unforeseen event  Available for all the family
• Free cover for children (up to the age of 17) under the Single-Trip policy (when insured with a family member under the same policy) 
• No upper age limit 
• Annual multi-trip travel insurance including an Annual UK only option 
• £250 for mugging involving hospitalisation 
• ‘New for old’ cover for personal possessions but subject to original proof of purchase/receipts being provided (subject to limits of policy) 
• Pre-Travel Advice Line 
• 24 hours a day‚ 7 days a week access to helpline in case of medical emergencies whilst abroad 
• Discount for deleting personal baggage cover 
• Local call rate medical screening to clarify availability of cover for people with pre-existing conditions

Age Concern Insurance Services

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS) was created in 1983 to offer better value insurance for older people. General insurance was an area in which over-50s had been ill served for a long time. Starting as a local service‚ it has grown to be one of the UK’s leading brands regarding general insurance for older people.

Today ACIS plays a dual role. It endeavours to offer some of the best value policies available while ensuring that these products are designed to meet the specific needs of older customers.  All profits generated by Age Concern from selling products and services go directly to support Age Concern’s charitable activities.

ACIS’ product has developed through demand to include home‚ contents‚ travel‚ motor‚ and motor breakdown insurance.

Policies can be bought either direct by phone‚ or through any of the around 250 trading locations operated by participating Age Concerns. In an age which is becoming more technology driven‚ Age Concern is invaluable in offering older people a personal service at a local level with which many feel most comfortable.

Age Concern & Why it trades:
At a local level‚ Age Concern offers a range of services for older people‚ such as day centres‚ luncheon clubs‚ and advice and information services.

At a national level‚ Age Concern campaigns with and for older people: developing policy; influencing Government; training care professionals; supporting local Age Concern bodies‚ financially and professionally.

To fund this work‚ Age Concern needs a constant flow of independent income. It seeks to achieve this through a balance of traditional fund raising and trading activities.

Age Concern’s trading activities enable it to meet the needs of older people‚ through products specifically designed to meet these needs; quality products such as General Insurance and Energy Services.

Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for general insurance (311438) Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is registered in England and Wales No. 3156159. Registered Office: Astral House‚ 1268 London Road‚ SW16 4ER Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is a trading company of Age Concern England and gives any profits to that registered charity.