Q: I'm 77 years old and want travel insurance for a tour in the USA. Where do I find it? DJ Timber, by email

Times Online travel insurance expert Elizabeth Colman responds: A good place to find deals is online, with travel insurers such as the AA and Direct Line are offering discounts of up to 15%, with certain conditions, if you buy a policy on their website. Other insurers offering policies to the over 75s include Help the Aged, Saga, Churchill, Marks & Spencer Money, Rias, and Aged Concern. Premiums for a four week trip range from £118.64 (M & S Money) to around £323.25 (Saga) between April and July. Help the Aged, which specialises in cover for older travellers, offers a two week single trip policy to USA for 77 year-old for £142.99

It's also a good idea to consider if you are planning to travel again within twelve months, as some insurers offer a cheaper rate for annual multi-trip cover than for a single trip. For example, AA's single trip cover to the USA for the over 75s is £214.66, but a one-year policy covering multiple trips is £177.15. However, many insurers offer multi-trip cover for trips to Europe only.

Q: My parents, a young 74 and 82, are generally fit and wishing to spend two/three periods of four weeks at our flat in Spain. However, the cost of travel insurance-quotes of between £450-£650 for each visit are too high to allow them to go. They are really only concerned about: being repatriated if one of them were to die and obtaining health treatment locally. Is there any insurance that would cover them for this on annual policy? Helen Warren, by email

Times Online travel insurance expert Elizabeth Colman responds: There are cheaper options available for your parents if they purchase an annual policy. It would also be worth taking advantage of discounts for a couple.

For example, an annual European policy from Help the Aged Travel Insurance for a couple is £180.30. The policy covers for unlimited number of trips during the year with a maximum of 31 days away for each trip. Repatriation is covered and wherever possible, health treatment can be obtained locally.

Q: Help! My 82 year old mother is looking for travel insurance to USA. She had heart surgery in 1997, has been in good health since, and we have reached the end of our tether trying to get insurance for her. Even with a large excess we are struggling. A reasonable request surely. This ever increasing older population with disposable income and the will and aspirations to travel, and all we get are barriers. I see this as discriminatory. Do you have any ideas. We have tried the usual Aged Concern, BUPA etc, they direct us to a medical questionnaire and there the rot starts. You have been crusaders for lost causes in the past - please help. Hazel Mackenzie, by email

Times Online travel insurance expert Elizabeth Colman responds: When we looked around for a policy for your mother online, we found that unless she is still taking prescription medication for her condition, she may not need to fill out a medical questionnaire.

However to be certain that she is covered, it would be wise to approach an insurer which specialises in pre-existing medical conditions. Some examples include Free Spirit: 0845 230 5000, and Mediquote 01243 534400 and Medicover, 08707353600.

If you have a complaint about an insurer or if you feel that you have been discriminated against you can make a report the insurer to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Elizabeth Colman is a business reporter for The Times

Do you have a question for our experts? Email any travel-related question to us at yoursay@timeosnline.co.uk

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