Yes, you absolutely need travel insurance even if you have life insurance, as they serve completely different purposes. Life insurance provides a payout to your beneficiaries in the event of your death, but offers no protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost belongings while travelling. Travel insurance covers emergency medical treatment abroad, which can cost tens of thousands of euros, along with repatriation to Ireland if you become seriously ill. Your life insurance won't pay for helicopter evacuations, hospital stays overseas, or help you get home if you're injured. The two types of insurance complement each other but cannot substitute for one another.

Yes, many insurers offer annual multi-trip policies for seniors, allowing unlimited trips throughout the year under one policy. These policies typically limit each individual trip to a maximum duration, commonly 31, 45, or 60 days per journey. Annual cover often proves more economical than purchasing separate single-trip policies if you travel two or more times per year. However, availability and cost depend on your age and medical history, with some insurers setting upper age limits for annual policies. You'll need to declare all pre-existing conditions when purchasing annual cover, and the policy will only protect trips that fall within the maximum trip duration specified.

Most senior travel insurance policies provide cover for lost or stolen medication, allowing you to claim the cost of replacement prescriptions obtained abroad. You'll typically need to report the theft to local police and obtain a crime reference number to support your claim. Cover is usually subject to policy limits on baggage and personal belongings, which may cap the amount you can claim for medications. Keep receipts for any replacement medication purchased abroad, along with copies of your original prescriptions. Some policies may also cover the cost of emergency medical consultations needed to obtain replacement prescriptions overseas.

Your policy may cover your cancellation or curtailment costs if a travelling companion needs to return home early due to a medical emergency or other insured event. However, this typically only applies if the person is named on your policy or is a close relative whose illness or death would entitle you to claim. If someone in your travel group who isn't covered by your policy needs to leave, you generally won't be able to claim unless their situation directly affects your ability to continue the trip. Always check your policy wording for specific definitions of who qualifies as a travelling companion. Some policies require all members of a group to be insured with the same provider for companion cover to apply.

Upper age limits vary significantly between insurers, with some specialist providers offering cover to travellers well into their 90s. Many mainstream insurers set age limits between 70 and 85 years old, after which cover becomes harder to obtain or significantly more expensive. Some insurers don't impose upper age limits but will assess each application individually based on medical history and destination. Specialist senior travel insurance providers typically offer more flexibility for older travellers who may be declined elsewhere. If you're approaching your insurer's age limit, consider switching to a specialist provider before your current policy expires.

Medical questionnaires typically ask about any conditions you've consulted a doctor about in recent years, usually the past two to five years. You'll be asked about specific conditions including heart problems, diabetes, respiratory issues, cancer, stroke, and high blood pressure. Questions cover whether you're awaiting test results, specialist appointments, or treatment for any condition. Insurers will ask about medications you take regularly and whether your dosage has changed recently. You may need to provide details about hospitalisations, surgeries, or emergency department visits within a specified timeframe.

Yes, having mobility issues doesn't automatically prevent you from obtaining travel insurance, though you must declare any related medical conditions. If you use a wheelchair, walking stick, or mobility scooter, you can still get cover, but the premium may reflect any underlying conditions affecting your mobility. Your policy should cover you for incidents related to your mobility issues, provided you've declared the conditions causing them. Some insurers may exclude claims directly related to known mobility conditions, so read your policy carefully. Equipment like wheelchairs and mobility aids are typically covered under baggage protection, subject to policy limits and conditions.

Yes, you can often obtain travel insurance after recent hospitalisation, but you must declare this when applying for cover. Insurers will ask detailed questions about why you were hospitalised, what treatment you received, and your current medical status. If you've been discharged and your doctor confirms you're fit to travel, many insurers will provide cover, possibly with an increased premium. However, if you're awaiting test results, further treatment, or specialist review following hospitalisation, insurers may decline cover or exclude the related condition. Always wait until your doctor confirms you're well enough to travel before purchasing insurance or booking your trip.

Failing to declare medical conditions can invalidate your entire travel insurance policy, leaving you with no cover whatsoever. If you need to claim and the insurer discovers you didn't disclose a relevant medical condition, they can refuse to pay out, even for unrelated claims. You could face substantial medical bills running into tens of thousands of euros if you require treatment abroad without valid insurance. Non-disclosure is treated seriously by insurers, who may view it as misrepresentation, potentially affecting your ability to obtain insurance in the future. Always declare all medical conditions honestly, even if you think they're minor or unrelated to your trip.