Discriminatory, disheartening and downright unfair. That's how representative groups for older people describe the lack of provision of travel insurance to the over-65s.

The Federation of Active Retirement Associations has complained of recent disimprovements in travel insurance schemes.

Mr Bill Murphy, secretary of the federation, said the changes appeared to be ageist and, therefore, discriminatory.

"In some cases, this involves the doubling of premiums for persons aged between 70 and 74 and the rejection of those over 74."

The federation recently made a complaint to the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) and the Equality Authority about the move by some insurance companies.

The federation is the umbrella organisation in the Republic for active retirement associations. It co-ordinates the activities of more than 160 associations with a total membership of 13,000.

"It's the principle rather than the cost that bothers us," Mr Murphy said. "We just don't want to be told you can't travel after 74,"

Mr Murphy said the federation was willing to compromise by, for instance, confining travel to the EU or providing medical certificates.

The Retirement Planning Council is also concerned about travel insurance restrictions and loading of premiums for older people.

Mr Eamon Donnelly of the council said thousands of older Irish people enjoyed travelling and it was an important part of their lives.

"It seems ridiculous that people are required to pay such exorbitant premiums when they are actively more careful," he said.

Mr Michael Horan of the IIF said higher premiums might be necessary for older people because of the higher medical claims risk they present.

He said medical cover was the core of travel insurance.

The IIF believes that there is no standard practice on the level of premiums or acceptance criteria among insurance companies.

Mr Horan said insurance companies tried to charge a premium that reflected the level of risk. He asked whether low-risk people were prepared to subsidise high-risk people.

The Equal Status Act 2000 does cover insurance, but there is an exemption built into the Act for charging higher levels of premiums provided there is sound actuarial evidence supporting the charges.

An Equality Authority spokesman said it had dealt with five insurance cases last year relating to age.

He said the criteria for setting premiums or providing cover were open to challenge and the burden of proof was on the insurance company.

Those who feel they have been discriminated against on the grounds of age are free to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Director of Equality Investigations.

They must do so within six months of the problem arising and they have to inform the insurance company within two months of the day they sought cover.