Travel insurance policies with similar medical coverage can offer substantially different levels of protection, with some plans introducing additional benefit restrictions for travelers as young as 50, according to insurance comparison platform and broker Policybazaar.

The differences extend beyond overall sums insured and premiums to individual expenses such as hospitalization, surgery and emergency treatment. Policies that appear comparable at the point of sale may therefore provide different levels of reimbursement when medical claims arise.

Policybazaar's comparison of entry-level and premium plans identified substantial variations in medical sub-limits, which cap the amount insurers will reimburse for specific expenses regardless of a policy's overall sum insured.

Surgical benefits ranged from $12,500 under entry-level plans to $22,500 under premium policies, while daily hospital room allowances varied between $1,500 and $2,500. Intensive care unit limits ranged from $3,000 to $4,000 per day, and diagnostic coverage from $750 to $2,500.

Although sub-limits allow insurers to offer policies at different price points, a higher overall sum insured does not necessarily translate into proportionately higher reimbursement for every treatment.

Age adds another layer of complexity. Policybazaar found that some plans introduce medical restrictions from age 50, while others begin at 56. Several insurers apply additional limits from age 61, including through products designed specifically for senior travelers.

Similar disparities have been documented in Hong Kong. An April 2025 Consumer Council study of 27 single-trip travel insurance plans found that 22 of the 24 products that did not charge seniors higher premiums reduced medical expense and/or personal accident benefits for seniors and/or children.

Some reductions reached 75%, while certain benefits were excluded entirely. Only three of the 27 plans offered seniors the same benefits as other adults, although premiums were 27% to 36% higher.

The council acknowledged that such differences may reflect insurers' risk management considerations but called for regular reviews of coverage adequacy for older travelers and children.

Insurers have also taken different approaches to age-based coverage. In June 2025, Prudential Hong Kong revised its travel insurance offering to provide equal personal accident benefits across age groups.

Manas Kapoor, head of travel insurance at Policybazaar, said consumers should look beyond headline coverage when evaluating policies.

“Checking limits for benefits such as room rent, ICU, surgery, diagnostics and ambulance expenses can give travellers a clearer picture of how the policy works. These limits can vary across plans and age groups, so considering them alongside the overall sum insured and premium can help travellers choose coverage that is aligned with their individual needs and budget,” Kapoor said.

In Hong Kong, the Insurance Authority's Code of Conduct for Licensed Insurance Brokers requires recommendations to be suitable for clients based on their circumstances, with age, destination and trip duration among the relevant considerations for travel insurance.