Insurance for backpacking
Compare backpacker travel insurance
Discover the ins and outs of backpacker insurance, and get set for that trip of a lifetime
Discover the ins and outs of backpacker insurance, and get set for that trip of a lifetime
Travelling the world can be as unpredictable as it is fun, which is why backpacker travel insurance is so important for when you’re off adventuring. Whether you’re exploring a new city, hiking up a hill or swimming a picture-perfect shoreline, it pays to know what you’re covered for – so you can spend less time worrying and more just enjoying the journey.
Backpacker insurance is travel insurance that provides extra protection for people backpacking around the world. This means that, unlike many standard travel insurance policies, you’re likely to be covered for the following:
Stays in multiple destinations: 79% of backpackers who took out travel insurance using MoneySuperMarket picked a worldwide policy, according to quotes between January and May 2019.
An extended travel period: Backpacking used to be seen primarily as an extended trip option, usually for 12 months. However, more people are choosing to go backpacking for shorter periods, with the number of trips lasting 90 days or more having fallen by around 10% since 2015.
A wider range of activities: Backpacking gives you the chance to try new activities such as skiing or white-water rafting. On standard travel insurance policies, activities such as these generally need extra coverage, but many backpacker insurance deals offer them as part of the deal.
Backpacker insurance also covers all the things you’d expect from a travel policy, including:
What’s offered by backpacker insurance can vary however, so it’s important to read the policy documents to know exactly where your cover begins and ends.
Data collected by MoneySuperMarket between January and April 2019, accurate as of July 2019
Backpacker insurance is a good option for travellers going away for a long time or to several different countries. The majority of backpacker policies are generally taken out by individuals: in 2017, 89.4% of policies were bought by individuals. However, you can also get backpacker insurance policies for groups and couples.
Data collected by MoneySuperMarket between January and April 2019, accurate as of July 2019
It’s a good idea to buy travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your trip, however many people leave it late to organise: 15% of MoneySuperMarket customers took cover out on the day they left in 2018.
Booking travel insurance as early as possible often allows you to claim back the cost of your holiday if you have to cancel unexpectedly due to illness, injury, redundancy or bereavement.
However not all insurance policies include coverage for cancellations, so it’s important to check your policy documents for terms and conditions.
Destination is a big factor when it comes to the cost of backpack insurance. For example, the average price of a policy covering Europe was £27 by May 2019, but for worldwide cover it was £83, while Australia and New Zealand cost £102, according to quotes run on MoneySuperMarket between January and May 2019.
Data collected by MoneySuperMarket between January and April 2019, accurate as of July 2019
The price can also be affected by other considerations, such as: Data collected by MoneySuperMarket between January and April 2019, accurate as of July 2019 While backpacker insurance may be the most suitable type of policy for your trip, there will be various exclusions where the insurer won’t pay out. These can include: These can vary depending on the insurer and the coverage you take out, which makes it crucial to check the key facts and documents before selecting a policy. If you need to make a claim while you’re backpacking across the globe, there are a few things you can do to make the process as smooth as possible. Most of all, be sure to keep your policy documents at hand, either as a paper copy or online. When you claim: When you’re looking for the best deal on backpacker travel insurance, here’s what to consider: When you know exactly what cover you need, comparing backpacker insurance quotes is a great way to find the right deal for you. With MoneySuperMarket you’ll be able to see all the important details, from the activities you’ll be covered for while you’re away to your maximum excess payments and the policy’s Defaqto customer rating. When you find a policy you’re interested in, you can click on more details and see the variations of that particular insurance. This allows you to compare the different levels of backpacker insurance to see how much the cover changes if you were to upgrade the policy. You may be tempted to plump for the cheapest backpacker insurance, and for some people that will certainly be the best option. However, it’s more important that you compare by features rather than cost, as being under-insured or falling foul of exclusions can ruin a trip of a lifetime. And when you’re considering the excess level, you should weigh up whether choosing a higher excess to save a few pounds now is the most economical decision – if you have to claim, it could cost you much more than any saving.
Common backpacker insurance exclusions
How to claim when you’re abroad
Top tips for buying backpacker insurance
Compare backpacker insurance quotes