IT is a problem that many of us may face in future.

We have an ageing population who, having worked hard and saved for much of their lives, want to enjoy their later years by travelling and enjoying holidays.

Yet when people arrive at a time in their life when they are not bound by work routines and could plan a break at the touch of a button on their computer keyboard, they are hampered by the inability to get travel insurance.

For younger travellers buying travel insurance isn't a problem, but over the age of 70 you start to be seen as a potential liability due to the health risks which can arise at that time of life.

Those with pre-existing health issues have a greater struggle, but those who are relatively healthy are finding it a tough task too.

Pensioners' champion Jean Walker, founder of Bradford and District Senior Power, says she spent a day trying to get travel insurance for a recent three-week trip to see family in Canada.

And only then could she find one company that would insure her after being turned down by the several she tried, including some high street banks.

Jean isn't alone. Insurance costs for older people escalate, partly with age and the amount they pay is also determined by how healthy they are. And it isn't just travel insurance - car insurance escalates too.

Aged 82, Jean is relatively fit and healthy. She has Type 2 diabetes and takes medication but is more sprightly than many other people her age. Yet, aside from the cost of her flight, Jean had to fork out more than £500 for travel insurance - something travellers of any age cannot afford to boycott.

Failing to take out travel insurance can lead to a range of problems, the greatest being if tourists need emergency healthcare.

Some insurance specialists say they are finding it a struggle to get a deal for their customers too.

Kevin Stevenson, an insurance broker at T L Dallas & Co Ltd in Bradford, says: "It is an issue and we have very limited markets to place. We have got one or two that will do it but you do have to pay a premium and it is the increase in health risks, especially if you are travelling to America because the health costs are so high in America.

"We have lots of really loyal customers and they are ageing and we are having this problem more and more.

"They say we are living longer, we are more active into our later years as well, so it is a problem that is going to get worse."

Insurance is based on previous statistics so if there have been significant amounts of claims for a certain age group this may impact on whether insurers are in future prepared to take the risk. It seems the hesitation creeps in as soon as you hit 70.

"The attitudes aren't going to change unless someone asks them to change. People are living longer and that needs to be reflected. It really does but it is a problem and it is a big headache for us trying to find cover for people," adds Kevin.

Paul Russell, secretary of the Yorkshire and Humber Pensioners convention says insurance is an issue regularly raised at the national pensioners conventions.

"It is very difficult to see a simple answer to the question, it really is. It is so unfair on people who have worked hard, paid their taxes and always done the right thing that they cannot afford to visit their children on the other side of the world," he says.

Sharon Jones, business development manager at Age UK Bradford and District, says there are instances where customers have had insurance cover through their bank for many years, yet when they reach a certain age their bank will no longer provide cover for them. Other companies have similar policies.

"The cost of a policy can depend on someone's age, health, where they are travelling to in the world and the length of the trip," explains Sharon.

"We provide cover for the UK, Europe, Worldwide (excluding America, Canada and the Caribbean). The pricing can differ greatly, and generally we find that the latter (worldwide including America, Canada and Caribbean) can be most costly for cover. Some areas of Europe can also be costly and some are unsurprisingly low. Every area will be different, and as mentioned previously it totally depends on the individual and where they are travelling to and what medical conditions they have."