I hit my 60th birthday in Lisbon and got a polite email from my insurance provider: “Your policy will not renew.” Suddenly, my $60/month premium disappeared, replaced by quotes for $400/month. The “Nomad” insurance market is ageist, and finding coverage over 65 is a crisis.
Key Takeaways
- The “65 Cliff”: Most budget travel insurance (SafetyWing, World Nomads) either denies coverage or doubles/triples the price after age 65 (sometimes 60).
- Benefit Reductions: Even if they cover you, the maximum payout often drops from $1,000,000 to $50,000.
- Pre-Existing Scrutiny: Over 60, insurers assume you have high blood pressure or cholesterol. Claims are investigated aggressively for pre-existing links.
- Global Health is Mandatory: You are no longer a “backpacker” to the algorithm. You need “Expat Health Insurance” (Cigna, GeoBlue, Allianz) which calculates risk based on medical history, not just age.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Risk Pooling.”
Cheap nomad insurance relies on healthy 25-year-olds not claiming. A 60-year-old is statistically guaranteed to claim eventually. Travel insurers don’t want that risk.
- The Genki Trap: Genki’s popular monthly plan has an age limit (usually 55 or 60 depending on the version).
The Investigation: I Called Them
- SafetyWing: Coverage extends to age 69, but the price jumps from ~
56to 56to137 (60-69). At 70, it enters “Senior” pricing which is significantly higher. - World Nomads: Covers up to 69 (sometimes 70+ depending on state/country), but premiums skyrocket.
- Cigna Global (Silver): This was the best option. They cover up to age 80+. Yes, it was $450/month with a deductible, but it included full cancer/heart coverage, which travel insurance skimps on for seniors.
- Insured Nomads: Good middle ground. They have plans up to age 70 that feel like nomad plans but priced for older demographics.
Comparison Table: Nomad Insurance by Age
| Feature | Under 40 Cost | Age 60-69 Cost | Max Age Limit |
| SafetyWing | ~$56 | ~$137 | 69 (Standard) |
| Genki (Resident) | ~$200 | ~$400+ | No Limit (Price rises) |
| Cigna Global | ~$150 | ~$500+ | Lifetime |
| World Nomads | ~$120 | ~$350+ | 69 (Varies) |
[IMAGE: Line graph showing insurance premiums flatlining until age 50, then spiking vertically at 60 and 65]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Lock in “Lifetime Renewal”: If you are 58, buy a policy NOW that guarantees renewability regardless of age (like Cigna or GeoBlue). Do not rely on monthly trip insurance.
- Medicare Part B (US Citizens): Do NOT cancel Medicare Part B. Keep paying it. If you ever move back to the US, the penalties for re-joining late are permanent and expensive.
- Consider “Evacuation Only”: If medical insurance is too expensive ($800/mo), buy a “Medjet” membership for evacuation and pay cash for minor doctor visits abroad.
- Look for “Senior” Specific Plans: Companies like “GlobeHopper Senior” (IMG) cater specifically to traveling retirees.
FAQ
Can I get insurance if I already have heart disease?
Travel insurance: No (for that condition).
Global Health: Yes, but with a surcharge or exclusion.
Does SafetyWing cover me at 70?
Currently, their standard Nomad Insurance stops or becomes very restricted. Check the “Remote Health” plan instead.
Is it cheaper to just pay cash?
For checkups, yes. For a stroke? No. A stroke in Thailand can still cost $50,000. You need catastrophic coverage.