The sky's the limit for over-55s

The over-55s are travelling further afield (and more frequently) according to customer data from Age UK Enterprises, the commercial services arm of charity Age UK.

Between 2009 to 2010 sales of annual worldwide cover increased by 21 percent (1) demonstrating that more and more over-55s are planning multiple trips to long-haul destinations. Over the same time period, sales of annual European cover increased by 11 percent (1). While consumers in later life are saving money by purchasing annual policies when going on multiple trips (2), they are also increasingly using the internet to buy insurance. Web sales of travel insurance continued to increase between 2009 and 2010 (3).

Gordon Morris, Managing Director, Age UK Enterprises said: 'Travelling is no longer the preserve of the young, with over-55s increasingly holidaying in far flung corners of the world. We're delighted that more and more people in later life are exploring Europe and beyond.'

He continued: 'The Travel Insurance we offer has been specifically developed for those over 55 who historically have found it difficult to find appropriate travel cover. We look forward to supporting customers of all ages in realising their travel dreams.'

Age UK Enterprises offers single and annual multi-trip Travel Insurance, provided by Ageas Insurance. Age UK Travel Insurance has no age limits and is designed especially for the mature customer, however its benefit levels make it an attractive proposition for travellers of all ages.

For more information call 0845 602 91844 or go to our website.

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For further information, case studies or an interview, please contact Jo Roberts on 0207 360 7878 or email us.

Notes to Editors

1. All figures, unless otherwise stated are Age UK Enterprises sales figures. Figures relating to 2009 look at the period between 19.10.08 - 19.10.09 and those figures quoted for 2010 look at the sales period between 19.10.09 - 19.10.10.
2. If you travel abroad several times in a year you could save money with Annual Multi-trip cover - Customers aged over 69, with no medical conditions, travelling to Europe, including Spain, 3 or more times in year. Excludes winter sports cover. Actual premium will depend on destination, individual circumstances and medical history. Information collected November 2010.
3. Internal data of web sales of all travel policies sold online between 15.10.09 and 14.10.10 for single European trip, showed an increase.
4. If you call the 0845 number you will be dealing with Ageas Insurance Limited, which provides and manages Age UK Travel Insurance. Registered address: Ageas House, Tollgate, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO53 3YA, England. Registered number 354568.

About Age UK

Age UK works in partnership with Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI. For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is inspired by the belief that it can improve the lives of people in later life. It celebrates ageing and believes it presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges at home and abroad. Age UK will challenge ageist prejudice in society, provide services that address market failures and support the public and private sectors to design age-friendly products and services. It will support people to remain in their own homes through campaigning and practical services and its Information and Advice service will offer millions of people support on a range of issues from claiming benefits to staying fit and healthy.

Age UK will fund biomedical research that helps tackle the ill health and poor quality of life that are too common as people age. Working with over 350 partners across the country, Age UK helps influence local decisions and delivers the most appropriate services. Its network of 475+ shops will act as a focal point for the local community, providing information and help with local services.

Age UK works across the globe as well as in the UK, with its international partner, Help Age International, championing older people's rights and needs and as an active member of the DEC.

Age UK Enterprises

To fund its charitable activities, Age UK needs a constant flow of independent income. It seeks to achieve this through a balance of traditional fund raising and trading activities. The trading activities, through Age UK Enterprises, enable it to meet the needs of older people, through products specifically designed to meet these needs; quality products such as general insurance and energy Services. Age UK Enterprises is the commercial services arm of Age UK. Age UK Enterprises incorporates: Age UK Energy, Insurance Services (car, home, travel and motor breakdown) and Age UK Guaranteed Funeral Plans. Log on to our website for details.

Age UK Motor Insurance is now proudly on Which? Magazine's Recommended Providers List of car insurers. Which? Magazine analysis the whole UK car insurance market to find out which brands offer the best policies. Instead of picking Best Buys based on specific scenarios (that are only relevant in specific cases), the experts at Which? magazine focus on the quality of policies.

Age UK Enterprises is part of the Social Enterprise Coalition; an organisation that represents a wide range of social enterprises with the overarching aim of working in partnership for the creation of effective sector products, services and knowledge-sharing networks to help stimulate and encourage growth, development and sustainability of social enterprises in England.

Age UK Enterprises scooped up the ‘Customer Care Award' at the prestigious 2010 British Insurance Awards. The judges singled out Age UK Enterprises for its exceptional customer service which is provided by Ageas Insurance Ltd (formerly Fortis Insurance Ltd), as well as for glowing customer testimonials with a ‘world-class' customer satisfaction score of 85 per cent, and 89 per cent of customers saying that they would recommend Age UK Enterprises/Ageas Insurance Ltd.

Age UK Enterprises Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for insurance mediation (311438). Age UK Enterprises Limited is registered in England and Wales No. 3156159, registered office: Astral House, 1268 London Road, London SW16 4ER. VAT Number: 710 3843 66. Age UK Enterprises Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Age UK (registered charity No. 1128267 and registered company No. 06825798) and donates its net profits to Age UK. Age UK Enterprises is based at 4th floor, 207 - 221, Pentonville Road, London, N1 9UZ.

Age UK Travel Insurance Age UK Travel Insurance is provided by Ageas Insurance Limited and provides a choice of policies: Single-Trip Insurance or Annual Multi-Trip Insurance (for frequent travellers). There is no upper age limit for Age UK Travel Insurance. For more information please visit our website. 

Special features include:

• Cover for travel costs of up to £5,000 including irrecoverable costs if the trip is cancelled as a result of unforeseen event*
• Bond Plus Financial Failure which protects customers for the financial impact of failure of travel providers (airlines, hotels etc) for both package and non package holidays.
• Claims will be subject to the standard £50 policy excess. The excess for medical and emergency expenses is £75.
• Available for all the family
• Free cover for children (under 18) subject to terms and conditions • No upper age limit
• Annual multi-trip travel insurance including an Annual UK only option
• £250 for mugging involving hospitalisation
• Pre-Travel Advice Line
• 24 hours a day, 7 days a week access to helpline in case of medical emergencies whilst abroad
• Discount for deleting personal baggage cover

*Subject to Terms and Conditions About Ageas Ageas UK (formerly Fortis UK) is a leading provider of award-winning Personal, Commercial and Protection insurance solutions in the UK. Ageas UK distributes both its non-life and life products through a range of channels including brokers, IFAs, intermediaries, affinity partners and the Internet, as well as through its retail strategy via its wholly or partially-owned companies (RIAS, Ageas Insurance Solutions, Kwik-Fit Insurance Services, Text2Insure and InsureTech Systems). Insuring in the region of 7.6 million customers and working with a range of partners, Ageas is recognised for delivering consistent and high-quality customer experiences. It employs almost 4,000 people with a head office based in Eastleigh and others based in Belfast, Bournemouth, Gloucester, Haywards Heath, London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Redditch, Reigate and Stoke-on-Trent. Ageas is an international insurance company with a heritage spanning more than 180 years. Ranked among the top 20 insurance companies in Europe, Ageas has chosen to concentrate its business activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the largest share of the global insurance market. They are grouped around four segments: Belgium, United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Asia. It is an undisputed leader in the Belgian market for individual life and employee benefits, as well as a leading non-life player, through AG Insurance. Internationally Ageas has a strong presence in the UK, where it is the third largest player in private car insurance. The company also has subsidiaries in France, Germany, Turkey, Ukraine and Hong Kong. Ageas has a track record in developing partnerships with strong financial institutions and key distributors in different markets around the world and successfully operates partnerships in Luxembourg, Italy, Portugal, China, Malaysia, India and Thailand. Ageas employs more than 11,000 people and has annual inflows of almost EUR 16 billion.