Travel insurance age limits raised for adventure generation

As more elderly people are becoming increasingly adventurous, insurer Bradford & Bingley has increased its upper age limit for travel insurance.

Although a great deal of holidays taken are for visiting families and friends, a growing number of people over 65 are choosing adventure holidays with activities such as scuba diving and trekking.

As such the insurer has raised the upper limit for single trip and annual policies from 79 and 74 respectively to 85 and 79.

"We are enjoying better health for longer, and this generation has more money to spend in retirement," commented Dave Foyle, head of general insurance for Bradford & Bingley.

"We have lots of calls from retirees planning holidays which include activities such as swimming with dolphins in Florida, or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef."

Research released earlier this year by Saga Travel Insurance found that one in ten people over 50 already take part in an extreme or high-energy sport, including snowboarding, skiing or mountain climbing.

A further 60 per cent are keen to learn a new activity.

With the main insurers offering a variety of upper age limits, more elderly people are encouraged to shop around to find a deal that is most suitable for their age and offers them the greatest benefits.

© Adfero Ltd