The Importance of Travel Insurance
Twin sisters Jeanne and Madeline had saved for years to travel to Ireland to visit the homestead in County Sligo, Ireland their grandmother had left for the New York in the late 1890s. They couldn’t wait to meet the cousins they had contacted years earlier, and were excited to take in the sights and sounds of their Irish heritage.
But less than four hours into their visit, Madeline, who had not eaten or slept in many hours, tripped over a tree root in the sidewalk and fell, suffering a nasty break to her elbow. The complexity of the break required her to return home to the States the next morning.
Fortunately, the sisters had taken out travel insurance, which partially reimbursed Madeline for medical expenses and both sisters for the bulk of their travel costs. Understanding what is covered by your current insurance policy and what travel insurance would cover is an important part of planning any trip.
Getting the Most for Your Travel Dollar
- Travel Groups and Tour Packages often offer excellent rates. Local senior centers and other senior nonprofit groups can be a good source of information on reputable travel groups for seniors, as can local Councils on Aging.
- Shoulder and Off-Season travel can be less expensive—and less crowded. “Shoulder season” refers to that time between off-season and peak travel time, usually spring and fall in the US and Europe. According to TripSavvy.com, travel during shoulder season is a good value, adding that shoulder season travel can offer good prices and weather, open and accessible attractions, and fewer competing visitors.
- Senior Discounts are another cost-saving option, with AARP and AAA offering discounts. Inquire about military discounts also. Some airlines, including Southwest, Delta, and American, offer senior discounts on some flights, and some hotels and car rental companies offer senior discounts as well.
- Airbnb and Vacations Rental by Owner (VRBO) can offer extensive savings over hotels—and offer some novel accommodations, including houseboats and treehouses! Home exchange and even hostels—some are much more polished and try to appeal to older travelers—offer additional ways to save on accommodations.
Be Aware of Local Restrictions
Jeanne and Madeline did their homework, and they knew they would need to budget for a driver when planning their trip to Ireland.
According to SmartTravel.com, various overseas companies have placed restrictions on senior drivers’ ability to rent a car, with some companies in Ireland and Aruba capping the rental age at 75, Jamaica at 65, and Morocco at 60. These age restrictions can vary by company as well as by country.
Additional Considerations
- Make sure vaccinations are up to date
- The CDC advises seeing your doctor a month before international travel
- The US Department of State has specific recommendations for senior travelers, including information about documents, medical information, and scams at travel.state.gov
Determined Sisters
Undaunted by her mishap and completely recovered from her fall, Madeline has insisted that she and her sister, Jeanne, plan another trip to Ireland.
