cota travel insurance for seniors

COTA Travel Insurance

Our verdict: with comprehensive cover for covid-19 and no age limit, cota travel insurance is a good option all-round, but particularly so for older travellers..

In this guide

Summary of COTA Comprehensive policy

How does cota travel insurance cover covid-19, what policies does cota travel insurance offer, here's a breakdown of cota travel insurance features, standard features, optional add-ons, how to make a cota travel insurance claim, here's the bottom line about cota travel insurance, frequently asked questions, compare your travel insurance quotes.

Destinations

• COTA Travel Insurance has comprehensive COVID-19 benefits and may cover cancellation costs, quarantine costs, transport costs, medical fees, childcare costs, and pet boarding fees.
• With no age limit and the option to take part in medical screening for some existing conditions, COTA Travel Insurance is a good option for older travellers.
• Although COTA Travel Insurance covers cruises as standard, the PDS doesn't include information about cruise-specific risks so it's not clear exactly what's covered.

Compare other options

Table updated September 2023

COTA Travel Insurance offers strong COVID-19 protection. Travellers will be covered in a variety of situations including:

• Overseas medical costs related to COVID-19
• -you or a travelling partner is diagnosed with COVID-19
• -a close relative or business partner is hospitalised or dies due to COVID-19
• -you're permanently employed as a healthcare worker, residential care worker or law enforcement officer, and your pre-approved leave is cancelled due to COVID-19.
• Travel and accommodation costs if a tour is cancelled due to your tour guide contracting COVID-19 or if your accommodation can't operate due to staff contracting COVID-19.
• Travel, meals and accommodation if you're not permitted to board your scheduled public transport due to being suspected of having COVID-19.
• Travel, meal and accommodation costs if you're required to enter compulsory quarantine due to COVID-19.
• Childcare costs if COVID-19 renders you unable to care for your dependent children while on holiday.
• Pet care costs if you can't travel back to Australia at your scheduled time due to COVID-19.

There are some scenarios that are not covered by COTA Travel Insurance including if you buy a policy knowing you already have COVID-19 or if you are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

COTA gives you the choice of four plans: Comprehensive, Essentials, Annual Multi-Trip, and Australian Travel.

Comprehensive

Annual Multi-Trip

The insurer of this product is Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd. It comes with a cooling-off period of 21 days and choice of $250 standard excess for international plans.

These are some of the main insured events that COTA Travel Insurance will cover.

Some of these inclusions are only available on the Comprehensive plan.

• Overseas medical expenses
• Travel delay
• Emergency travel and accommodation
• Lost, stolen or damaged belongings
• Stolen cash or credit cards
• Loss of income
• Personal liability
• Total permanent disability
• Accidental death

As well as the benefits above, COTA also lets you add Snow Sports Cover to your policy. It comes with a range of benefits including:

• Ski lift passes
• Ski run closure
• Hire costs for replacement snow equipment

Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn't cover everything. Generally, COTA will not pay your claim if it relates to:

• Unlawful, wreckless or unreasonably unsafe behaviour by you
• Behaviour while you were drunk or under the influence of drugs
• Expenses related to a pre-existing medical condition
• An act of war, invasion or revolution
• Insolvency of a travel agent , tour operator or accommodation provider
• Mandatory quarantines or isolations
• You being unfit to travel or travelling against medical advic
• Childbirth or pregnancy complications after the 24th week of gestation or if you have had previous pregnancy complications
• A multiple pregnancy or one where the conception was medically assisted
• An elective medical or dental treatment , cosmetic procedure or body modification (including tattoos or piercing)
• Self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide or attempted suicide

Make sure you review COTA's PDS for a detailed breakdown of what won't be covered, found under its list of general exclusions .

You can download a claim form from COTA's website and follow the instructions.

If you need help, you can phone 1300 625 229 within Australia or +61 2 8263 0487 outside Australia. Alternatively you can email [email protected].

COTA offers strong travel insurance, particularly in relation to COVID-19 related expenses. It also extends cover for pregnancy up to 26 weeks, longer than some other providers, and will consider offering cover for existing medical conditions, if you complete an online health assessment.

With no age limit, it's a good option for a wide range of travellers. However, with limited information about how exactly cruising is covered, anyone setting sail might want to clarify the PDS with a CODA representative or consider a specific cruise travel insurance.

Do I have to be a senior citizen to get a policy with COTA?

No. One of COTA's aims is to help older Australians but younger Australians are not excempt from its travel insurance policies.

What if I change my mind about COTA travel insurance?

If you cancel your policy within the first 21 days of buying it, you'll receive a full refund, as long as you haven't started your trip and you're not making any claims.

When would me COTA travel insurance start?

If you pay for your COTA travel insurance policy online or over the phone by credit card, you'll be covered as soon as you receive your certificate of insurance (which should be straight away).

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Nicola Middlemiss

Nicola Middlemiss is a contributing writer at Finder, with a special interest in personal finance and insurance. Formerly a business and finance journalist, Nicola has written thousands of articles helping Australians better understand insurance and grow their personal wealth. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including Domain, the Educator, Financy, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Insurance Business, MoneyMag, Mortgage Professional, Yahoo Finance, Your Investment Property, and Wealth Professional. Nicola has a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds. See full profile

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12 Responses

We are travelling to Kenya for 2 weeks on 3 October until 17 October 2024, and looking for travel insurance for that time. Can we please have a quote. Thank you

Hi Inga & Ron,

We currently don’t have COTA on our panel. You can obtain a quote from them directly, or you can get a range of quotes from other travel insurance providers here .

I have diverticular disease, is this condition covered under your policy

Thank you for your question.

Pre-existing conditions are assessed on a case-by-case basis. You may find our article about travel insurance for pre-existing condition helpful.

Cota Travel Insurance is not currently one of the brands in our panel of travel insurers so you will need to contact them directly. If you would like to receive a quote from the brands in our panel, please head to our travel insurance home page.

Cheers, Zubair

I only need to cover 2 airfares to Sydney 800 dollars

Thanks for getting in touch with Finder.

If you wish to get covered by Cota, please visit their website where you can get a quote or purchase their policy.

If you would like to compare the brands in our panel, please head over to our travel insurance home page . You may also find our travel insurance for flights only article helpful.

While looking for insurers, please make sure you read the terms and conditions of the policy to learn more and know if it is the right policy for you or not.

I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.

Have a wonderful day!

All the best, Richard

I am interested in taking out a travel cover. Is it necessary to join COTA membership to be eligible?

Thanks for contacting Finder!

I’m afraid we currerntly don’t have a partnership with COTA. If you would like to get cover from COTA, you will need to head to their site directly.

If you would like to compare your cover options from brands in our panel, you can do so by entering your travel details into the comparison tool on the travel insurance home page .

Hi there, I’m over 70, travel a lot overseas and am trying to find out if you have a yearly multi trip insurance. I have never had a claim, but finding it difficult to get yearly insurance at this age. For the next 12months I expect Asia and maybe Europe. Many thanks Eva

Thanks for your question. I’m afraid Cota is not currently one of the travel insurance brands in our panel.

However, many of the travel insurance brands in our panel do provide annual policies for people over 70 years of age. If you would like to compare these policies, you can do so on our annual travel insurance page . The comparison table does not only show the age cut-off but the maximum single trip length as well.

I hope this was helpful, Richard

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Travel Insurance for Seniors & Retirees: 5 Top Picks

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Trawick International »

GeoBlue »

IMG Travel Insurance »

WorldTrips »

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance for Seniors and Retirees.

Table of Contents

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• Trawick International

While anyone planning a trip overseas can benefit from having a travel insurance plan in place, older travelers need to prioritize this coverage more than others. The fact is, senior travelers and retirees have unique worries and risks to think about any time they travel far from home. These risks increase their need for travel health insurance and emergency medical coverage, as well as coverage for emergency medical evacuation that applies anywhere in the world.

Which travel insurance options work best for seniors? There are many travel insurance plans that were created with retirees in mind, although you'll want to compare them side by side. For example, you may want to look at coverage limits for medical expenses and coverage for preexisting conditions above all else.

U.S. News editors compared more than 20 of the top travel insurance companies to find the best plans for seniors. This list does the heavy lifting for you as you search for the best senior travel insurance of 2023, so read on to learn about the top picks.

• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Annual Coverage
• Trawick International: Best Premium Travel Insurance for Seniors
• GeoBlue: Best Travel Medical Coverage for Expats
• IMG Travel Insurance: Best for Short-Term Travel Medical Coverage
• WorldTrips: Best for Flexibility

Available to senior travelers of all ages

Coverage for preexisting conditions is offered

Relatively low limits for emergency medical expenses

• Coverage for COVID-19
• Trip cancellation coverage up to $3,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $3,000
• Emergency medical coverage up to $20,000
• Emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $100,000
• Baggage loss coverage up to $1,000
• Baggage delay insurance up to $200
• Travel delay coverage up to $600 ($200 daily limit)
• Rental car damage and theft coverage up to $45,000
• Travel accident coverage up to $25,000
• 24-hour hotline for assistance
• Concierge service
• Preexisting condition coverage (must be added to plan within 14 days of first trip deposit or payment)

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Customize plan with optional CFAR coverage

Incredibly high limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation

Coverage is for trips up to 30 days if you're age 80 and older

• Up to $15,000 in trip cancellation insurance
• Up to $22,500 in trip interruption coverage
• Up to $1,000 for trip delays ($200 daily limit for delays of 12-plus hours)
• Up to $1,000 for missed connections
• Up to $150,000 for emergency medical expenses
• Up to $1 million in emergency medical evacuation coverage
• $750 in emergency dental coverage
• $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects
• $400 in baggage delay coverage
• 24/7 noninsurance assistance services

Get comprehensive health insurance that applies overseas

Preventive and routine care included

Age limits apply for new applicants and renewals

• Preventive and routine care
• Professional services like surgery
• Inpatient medical care
• Ambulatory and therapeutic services
• Rehabilitation and therapy

Get overseas medical coverage for single trips or multiple trips

Plans were created with seniors and retirees in mind

Lower maximum coverage limits for travelers ages 80 and older

Limited nonmedical travel insurance benefits

• Inpatient and outpatient medical coverage such as for physician visits, hospitalization and surgery
• Emergency and nonemergency medical evacuation coverage
• Coverage for emergency reunions
• Return of mortal remains
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $5,000
• Lost luggage coverage worth up to $250 (up to $50 per item)
• Coverage for terrorism worth up to $50,000
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage worth up to $25,000

Customize your deductible and premiums

Generous medical limits for travelers ages 65 to 79

Limited medical coverage for travelers older than 80

• Up to $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage
• Medical benefits like hospital room and board, chiropractic care, and more
• Coverage for repatriation of remains
• Up to $25,000 in personal liability coverage
• Up to $10,000 in trip interruption insurance
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost checked luggage
• Up to $100 per day in coverage for travel delays of 12-plus hours
• Up to $1,500 in coverage for bedside visits
• Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency reunions

Frequently Asked Questions

You can purchase some travel insurance plans (but not all) if you're older than 80 years old. However, your premiums may be higher and you'll typically qualify for lower coverage limits overall. Make sure you compare the best travel insurance plans for seniors to find the right fit for your needs.

Since seniors and retirees are more likely to face a medical emergency during a trip, most travel insurance plans for seniors include coverage for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. Coverages vary among plans, as do limits, so make sure to compare options before you book a trip overseas.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered international travel and travel insurance for more than a decade. Johnson has researched and compared all the top travel insurance options for her own family for trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and she has successfully filed claims during that time. Johnson lives in Indiana with her two children and her husband, Greg, a travel agent who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states.

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We exist to support COTA and older Australians About Us

COTA (Council on the Ageing) exists to enhance the quality of life and well-being of older Australians.

Within each State and Territory there is a COTA office dedicated to this cause, providing benefits and services for their local constituents. For over 60 years, COTA has been the peak body advocating for seniors’ rights and interests to all levels of government, business and in the community at large.

The funds raised by COTA Insurance support COTA’s work in these important areas, along with programs that can improve the health and wellbeing, social connectivity and participation of older people.

We are not-for-profit — and your insurance supports our great cause

COTA Insurance earns insurance commissions on the policies we provide. It is what we do with those funds that makes us unique. We are one of very few Australian insurance agencies that operates on a not-for-profit basis. All surplus funds that we generate after deducting our costs are returned to COTA to support their great work to support older Australians. So your insurance policy with us goes beyond protecting you and your assets – it also supports our great cause.

Our long history

The COTA network entered into the insurance business in the 1980’s, after recognising clear gaps in the insurance market for older Australians.

COTA Insurance was then established in 1992, becoming the first insurance specialist to focus on the needs of older Australians. Today, we are the most experienced insurance agency in this area, insuring home, contents, motor, travel, caravans and boats.

We are backed by leading business partners

COTA Insurance policies are backed by leading insurers, who have worked with us to offer insurance products with a range of features and benefits designed to suit customers with different needs.

Experience great service - the way you like it

Our online service is a convenient option for some. Others value talking directly with our wonderful staff. Most of our team have been with us for many years. They are experts who are generous with their time and enjoying talking to people about insurance .

Our History

For over 60 years, COTA (Council on the Ageing) has been the peak body advocating for seniors’ rights and interests to all levels of government, business and in the community.

The COTA network commenced distributing insurance in the 1980’s, after recognising clear gaps in the insurance market for older Australians.

COTA Insurance was then established in 1992 to focus on the needs of older Australians. Today, we provide customers with insurance products for home, contents, landlord, motor, travel, caravans and boats.

We partnered with nib in 2013 to distribute travel insurance to cater to the needs of older Australians as they travel domestically or internationally. If you’d like to find out more information about coverage or our travel insurance products, you can learn more and get a quote here .

Testimonials

I appreciate being able to deal with Karen, when phoning COTA Insurance, and the minimal need to speak to machines.

Dimi , Adelaide

I had a flat battery the other day and called Allianz Roadside Assistance. They came in around 40 minutes and replaced my battery. I was even able to track the driver on my phone. I was back on the road without any hassle. Thanks COTA Insurance and Allianz Roadside Assistance.

Rebecca went the extra mile to provide outstanding service…. You have definitely gained a permanent customer.