Travel Insurance to Georgia for Ages 66-85: What to Check Before Buying

Travellers aged 66-85 need the same mandatory insurance for entry as other tourists: it must cover the entire period of stay, have an insured amount of at least 30 000 GEL, and be available in English or Georgian. Age does not remove the legal requirement.

Age does affect the terms of a specific product. An insurer may use a separate tariff, limit the available coverage period, or narrow the list of covered risks. Therefore, you should check not only the successful price calculation but also the issued policy and its terms and conditions.

The current terms of the mandatory GPI travel insurance product specifically state that for persons over 75, coverage is limited to listed events resulting from an accident. This is an important distinction for an article covering travellers aged 66-85.

Before purchasing, check which risks remain covered after age 75. GPI's terms specify, for this age group, assistance related to accidents: covered outpatient or inpatient expenses, medical evacuation, and repatriation in the event of death resulting from an accident.

Sudden illness and an accident are different grounds for coverage. If a person becomes ill and the policy for their age only covers the consequences of an accident, having a policy does not guarantee that the treatment will be covered.

Do not apply the terms shown in an advertising card for a younger age group to a person over 75. If it is unclear from the issued document whether a specific risk is covered, request written confirmation.

Travel insurance is generally not intended for planned treatment of chronic or previously diagnosed conditions. Under GPI's terms, such conditions and their exacerbations are listed among the exclusions.

The contract contains a narrow provision for emergency assistance when the person's life is in immediate danger and death may occur without treatment. This provision does not turn a chronic condition into a fully covered condition. Further treatment after stabilisation may not be covered.

Before the trip, ask the treating doctor to assess the person's condition, prepare a medical summary, and bring a sufficient supply of regular medication. This is medical preparation, not part of the insurance coverage. If a medication requires a prescription or special conditions for transport, clarify them in advance.

First, enter the person's actual age on the date the trip begins. If a birthday falls during the insurance period, clarify which date the insurer uses to determine the age group. Do not reduce the age to get a lower price: incorrect information creates a risk of denial of coverage.

Then compare the list of covered risks, not just the overall insured amount. For an older traveller, sudden illness, injury, hospitalisation, transportation between medical facilities, and assistance in a life-threatening situation are particularly important.

Check the deductible, sub-limits, and payment arrangements at partner clinics. A large overall limit provides little benefit if the required service is excluded for the traveller's age or the reason for seeking assistance.

• maximum age covered by the product;
• rule used to determine age;
• coverage for illness and accidents;
• conditions for people over 75;
• exclusions related to chronic conditions;
• hospitalisation and evacuation limits;
• prior approval requirements.

The policy must remain valid without any gaps. Do not shorten the coverage period, even if the first or last days are spent staying with relatives. The law links insurance to the entire period of stay in the country, not only to hotel accommodation or excursions.

Save the PDF, passport details, and medical assistance number on the traveller's phone and with their companion. Add a brief list of medications, allergies, diagnoses, and the contact details of a close relative. The insurance operator does not replace a medical record.

If the person is travelling alone, prepare a simple instruction sheet: the GPI number, 112, the accommodation address, and the procedure for making a call. In a stressful situation, a short note can be more useful than a lengthy contract.

In case of illness or injury, first call the number stated in the policy. For GPI, the medical assistance line is +995 32 2 505 111. Provide the person's name, policy number, address, symptoms, and the circumstances of the event.

If there is a threat to life, call 112 and then notify the insurer. If the patient was unable to do so themselves, a companion or another interested person can make the call. The reason for any delay in notifying the insurer must be supported by documents.

At a non-partner clinic, the patient will generally pay for the treatment themselves and then submit the documents for reimbursement. Keep Form No. 100, the detailed cost calculation, and the receipt. Reimbursement depends on the traveller's age, the cause of the event, the applicable limit, and compliance with the contract.

Open the policy and make sure the system has accepted the traveller's age without any restrictions that were not visible during the price calculation. Check the name, passport details, dates, and territory. Find the section describing coverage for people over 75.

Do not treat payment as proof of full coverage for illness. The final document should answer three questions: what constitutes an insured event, which services are covered, and which rules apply to the traveller's age.

If the answers are unclear, request clarification before the trip begins. It is better to receive a written response and choose another product than to discover an age-related restriction after hospitalisation.