Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a requirement for leaving Ukraine for most countries in the world. Older travellers do travel, often to visit family abroad, and they need a policy like anyone else — relatives holding cover in another country does not extend any protection to a visitor from Ukraine. Pensioners, as a category, must also hold a medical insurance policy.

Are there any discounts on the price?

Insurers usually charge more for this age group rather than offering a discount. Because travel abroad is voluntary, the state does not subsidise any part of the price. The higher cost reflects a greater exposure to illness and injury among older travellers.

What does a medical insurance policy cover?

A travel policy covers emergency medical assistance, emergency inpatient care, emergency dental treatment (within a limit), medical repatriation from abroad, and repatriation of the body if the insured person dies abroad. Accident cover typically sits between EUR 1,000 and EUR 5,000. Older travellers have the most to gain from this product, since it stands between them and a very large hospital bill. The policy for a visa, as it is sometimes called, guarantees cover for expensive medical treatment abroad. The insured person is not tied to one city or region — they can use medical facilities anywhere within the covered zone, for example anywhere in Europe. Round-the-clock support is provided by the international assistance company the insurer works with.

Are there age limits?

Insurers in Ukraine generally increase the premium from age 65, and from 72 some decline cover altogether. Polis24 can place full travel medical programmes up to age 85, because the volume of business we place gives us access to programmes a single customer could not reach on their own. We also apply a discount for older clients.

What should I look out for when buying travel insurance?

1. The reliability of the insurer, above all. This matters more given how exposed this age group is. Some companies on the Ukrainian market sell purely on price — a formality, a piece of paper for the border guard, not real protection. Whether you want that or genuine cover is for each buyer to decide.

2. Whether the contract has a deductible. Saving UAH 100 on the premium can mean paying up to EUR 1,000 yourself at claim time. Travel agencies that bundle a policy into a package are frequent offenders here — read the small print.

3. That the region and dates in the contract match your actual trip. Medical care is exceptionally expensive in some countries, for example Israel and the USA — check the destination country is correctly reflected in your travel policy.

4. Check the round-the-clock support contact details. They are given in the insurance policy.

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