by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 10:20 AM ET, Thu March 9, 2023
New data from travel insurance marketplace squaremouth.com has found that travelers aged sixty and up are returning to travel in 2023, with the number of travelers in this age category rising by 125 percent from 2020.
These travelers comprise the largest age group of travelers purchasing travel insurance this year, something that hasn't been seen since before the pandemic began.
Between December 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020, travelers over sixty made up 46.32 percent of all travelers purchasing travel insurance; during the same period in 2021, that number fell to just under 17 percent; and leading into 2022, that number rose to just under 22 percent.
According to insurance policy search data, travelers over the age of sixty are predominantly worried about contracting COVID-19 while traveling - 31 percent of these travelers are concerned about it, over and above any other age group (though it should be noted that the highest concern of any age group still remains contracting COVID-19).
Other concerns include emergency medical (17.38 percent); medical evacuation (13.96 percent); trip interruptions (13.83 percent); and cancel for any reason coverage (11.68 percent).
"This time last year, the country was dealing with an Omicron outbreak which led more vulnerable demographics to stay home and avoid travel. As those fears have subsided, we've seen a 34% year-over-year increase in travelers aged 60+ book trips and purchase insurance," said James Clark, Content Specialist, Squaremouth.
"So far this year, we've witnessed senior travelers reclaim their status as the biggest purchasers of traveler insurance for the first time since the pandemic hit in 2020," Clark continued. "Today, our data shows a 134% increase in senior travelers compared to 2019. This shows us that travel insurance, specifically medical coverage, will continue to be a valuable investment for seniors as they resume their normal travel behavior."
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