Older people "must" get travel insurance.

As older people are more likely to have pre-existing medical conditions, they are more likely to suffer from higher travel insurance premiums, but an industry expert has declared that it would be "very foolish" for someone of this age not to take out a policy.

Sean Tipton, press officer for the Association of British Travel Agents has said that with more and more older people going on holidays which are more adventurous and include more activities, then making sure that a travel insurance policy is taken out is a must.

He added that in the past the older generation were just happy to be going abroad for a break but now older people become bored just sitting on a beach and because they can live off their equity, older people are now taking longer breaks leading to more activities.

A Foreign Office survey recently carried out by the Association of British Insurers found that 65 per cent of over 55s failed to take out travel insurance for their last holiday.

Older people should be advised that there are policies available to help their specific requirements, which include specialist insurances such as travel insurance for over 65s.