In many countries, people are now living longer lives and remaining healthier and more active into their old age. Not only has this caused a boom in the travel industry, with many companies and tour operators offering special packages suited to senior travellers, but health insurance companies have also diversified their policies to make sure they provide all the cover needed for older people travelling overseas.

International health insurance is designed to offer comprehensive protection for people travelling in many parts of the world, whether on a short trip or for a longer duration, and depending on the policy it may cover aspects such as medical treatments and prescriptions administered abroad, access to the best practitioners, and even emergency evacuations and repatriation in the event that policyholders need to be flown back to their country of origin in order to receive the proper care.

There are a number of factors that need to be accounted for when applying for international health insurance at any age, including if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. If you have a serious condition that could put you at risk of needing emergency treatment abroad, for example, this may not be covered by standard international health insurance, and this may mean it's necessary to take out a more comprehensive policy or one specialised for your needs. Alternatively, if you wish to reduce the cost of your health insurance, you may be able to find policies that do not require you to disclose certain types of conditions if you prefer.

Although the medical side of health insurance and travel insurance may cause these policies to be more expensive for the over 60s, insurers are also aware of the differences in travel habits between the age groups - and this could mean you receive discounts in other areas, when buying insurance for a holiday during which you will not be taking part in hazardous activities that put you at risk of making a claim. If you're travelling on a specialised senior holiday, this could also mean you benefit from additional insurance at no extra cost, helping to cover other aspects of your trip such as flight and hotel cancellations.

You should also check whether there are senior discounts available for international health insurance when comparing policies, as you may be eligible to receive your insurance at a lower rate due to your age or circumstances - particularly if you are retired or have a low income.

The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Bupa. The contents of this article are of a general nature only and do not constitute specific advice.  This article does not take into account your circumstances or needs and must not be relied upon in place of appropriate professional advice.