Travel Insurance

Avanti Travel Insurance review

As we get older, some traditional travel insurance policies may not apply. For example, they may not recognise pre-existing medical conditions, or there may be age restrictions. While companies such as Avanti Travel Insurance cater to those over 50, what exactly is an offer for the older traveller?

 - 7 Min Read
Last updated and fact checked:
Avanti Travel Insurance review
  • Traditional insurance companies have age restrictions, but specialist providers are more flexible.
  • Whatever your age, there will be a suitable single, annual, or long-stay travel insurance policy for you.
  • Competition across the travel insurance market has increased dramatically, bringing premiums down.
  • Standard travel insurance policies for older travellers, or a bespoke approach, there are numerous options.

Avanti Travel Insurance: FAQs

  • Do Avanti Travel Insurance customers have regulatory protection?

    As part of the Howserv Group, Avanti Travel Insurance customers are afforded regulatory protection by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Consequently, in the unlikely event of fraudulent activity, customers would be eligible to apply to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

  • Can I travel anywhere around the world?

    There are restrictions. You will note that with individual policies, various areas of the world are grouped and either covered or not by different travel insurance levels. You should discuss this with your travel insurance advisor at the earliest opportunity.

  • Does Avanti Travel Insurance provide personal liability cover?

    All policies with Avanti Travel Insurance provide £2 million worth of personal liability coverage if you are involved in an accident on holiday.

  • Does Avanti offer winter sports cover?

    Yes, it’s available as an add-on to Avanti Travel Insurance policies.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Pension Times. Commissions do not affect our writers’ or editors’ opinions or evaluations. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Avanti Travel Insurance was created back in 2009, going on to win a raft of travel awards and a reputation for flexibility and innovation. Initially based in Braintree, Essex, the company was taken over by Howserv Group - now Staysure Group - in 2017, the same group that acquired Staysure and moved to Northampton. Throughout this time, the company’s approach to travel insurance has remained the same:

  • Never rushed
  • Buy with confidence
  • Not on price comparison sites

Before we look at the services in more detail, even the quickest glimpse at the website shows impressive attention to detail. Walking clients through every aspect of their travel insurance to ensure they are covered for any ailment on pre-existing health conditions, it is no surprise they keep coming back.

Check out how Avanti compares to other travel insurance providers here.

Now, what does Avanti Travel Insurance have to offer?

Whether you're looking for single-trip, multi-trip, or specialist cover, or need assurance about pre-existing medical conditions, our panel of travel insurance providers has you covered. Click on your chosen provider below to get started.

Types of travel insurance policy

As with most travel insurance companies, Avanti Travel Insurance offers single trip, annual multi-trip and long stay travel insurance. While the underlying benefits remain intact, there are specific terms and conditions attached to individual levels of insurance policies. Please note that these policies are only available to residents of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Single trip

As the term suggests, a single trip travel insurance policy will cover you for one trip. The details of the policy are as follows:

  • Covid cover as standard
  • Covered for pre-existing medical conditions
  • No upper age limit
  • Maximum trip limit 104 days

This is a relatively standard travel insurance policy. However, if you want to travel more often, it may be sensible to consider an annual multi-trip policy.

Annual multi-trip

For those looking to make multiple trips overseas in any year, it may be sensible to take a look at the annual multi-trip travel insurance policy. The conditions relating to this annual policy are as follows:

  • Covid cover as standard
  • Covered for pre-existing medical conditions
  • No upper age limit
  • 50-day maximum trip limit up to 70 years of age
  • 35-day maximum trip limit over 70 years of age
  • Maximum time spent abroad is 183 days per year

While there are restrictions on the maximum number of days per trip for those over 70, many travel insurance companies don't offer cover for this age group.

Long stay

Many travel insurance companies are now selling long-stay travel insurance policies that provide extended coverage for those planning to remain overseas for some time. While this policy is flexible, there are some restrictions:

  • Covid cover as standard
  • Covered for pre-existing medical conditions
  • The maximum age is 75 years
  • The maximum trip limit is 550 days

While there is an upper age limit, this policy allows you to stay overseas for a maximum of 550 days per trip. This is perfect for those who fancy some globetrotting or stopping off to see friends and family.

Medical cover

Thankfully, Avanti Travel Insurance provides travel cover for those with various pre-existing medical conditions. It is essential to make the insurer aware of any pre-existing conditions before taking out your policy. Most pre-noted medical conditions should not impact your travel insurance, although Avanti may not cover certain conditions. If you fail to declare a pre-existing condition and require emergency medical support overseas, this may not be available, or you could be charged separately.

All of those applying for a travel insurance policy with Avanti Travel Insurance must:

  • Be fit and well to undertake the trip
  • Not be travelling against the advice of a doctor
  • Not be travelling intending to have medical treatment, tests or consultations abroad

The company will provide additional advice if a standard Avanti Travel Insurance policy does not cover a pre-existing medical condition. It may be possible to acquire a bespoke policy or remove a pre-existing medical condition from your standard cover.

Covid cover

The travel insurance industry quickly learnt that excluding Covid travel cover would decimate future business in the short term. Consequently, companies such as Avanti Travel Insurance now offer Covid cover as standard. You will be covered for:

  • Covid-related medical expenses
  • Trip cancellation as a consequence of a Covid diagnosis, up to 14 days before departure
  • Cancellation of the trip if unable to complete vaccine course
  • Repatriations back home
  • Additional accommodation/transport if required
  • Daily benefits if forced to self-isolate overseas

In essence, you are covered if you have to cancel your trip due to you or a member of your travelling group developing Covid.

Different levels of cover

With all of the above travel insurance policies, there are different levels of cover, known as Essentials, Classic and Deluxe. The following table compares and contrasts the relevant benefits of the different types of cover:

Essentials CoverClassic CoverDeluxe Cover
Cancellation cover/cutting your holiday short£1000£5000£7500
Medical emergency and repatriation£5 million£10 millionUnlimited
Discounted Covid tests10% off10% off10% off
Personal baggage£1000£2000£3000
Missed departure-£1000£1500
End supplier failure cover-£2500£2500
Money and passport cover£300£500£600
Personal liability£2 million£2 million£2 million
Excess£150£75Nil

One of the critical factors to consider when looking at Avanti Travel Insurance is that you are only covered for places not on the Foreign Office's restricted list. Therefore, your travel insurance cover would be invalid if you go to a country where the Foreign Office advises against travel.

Are there any age restrictions?

As we discussed above, there are some age restrictions regarding Avanti Travel Insurance policies. While there are no age restrictions for single trip policies, there are restrictions on the trip duration for those over 70 with an annual trip policy. There is also a maximum age of 75 for long stay policies.

Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?

Avanti will cover most pre-existing medical conditions, but you must declare them in your initial application. If, further down the line, it emerges you suffered from one or more pre-existing conditions but failed to inform the insurance company, Avanti could cancel your policy. In the rare event that a medical condition is not covered, Avanti Travel Insurance may be able to advise you of an alternative. There is also the option to take out a traditional policy but exclude a particular medical condition.

Avanti Travel Insurance could offer you value for money

Comparing and contrasting some of the restrictions placed on customers by other travel insurance companies, Avanti Travel Insurance has the potential to offer good value for money, depending on your circumstances. While some age-related restrictions exist, these tend not to be as prohibitive as some of the company's competitors. As a result, you will have peace of mind when on your travels, which is priceless!

The group provides various travel insurance policies, split into cruise and non-cruise cover. If you have any questions, or perhaps you have a pre-existing medical condition, it is essential to disclose this at the earliest opportunity. This is unlikely to impact your travel insurance cover, but if you fail to declare if needed, this element of cover would be invalid.

The content on pensiontimes.co.uk is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial advisor. Any references to products, offers, rates and services from third parties advertised are served by those third parties and are subject to change. We may have financial relationships with some of the companies mentioned on this website. We strive to write accurate and genuine reviews and articles, and all views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors
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