What's the Best Backpacker Insurance?

Few trips could claim to be as exciting or as adventurous as a backpacking trip around the world. You could find yourself bungee jumping off a bridge in South Africa or perhaps skiing in Argentina amongst the Patagonian Mountains. Whatever your plans are, it’s worth taking precautions to ensure you have the best backpacking insurance no matter what death-defying sport you decide to have a go at.

So what criteria should you use to find ‘the best’ backpacker insurance? Well, most backpackers would say price is the most important factor. At the end of the day, most backpackers are travelling for a lengthy period on a small budget, the last thing they would want to do is blow that budget on travel insurance. With this in mind, most insurance companies tailor their insurance plans for small budgets while, at the same time, still providing adequate cover for the essentials such as comprehensive medical care. Good backpacking insurance policies will also include cover for those all important activities, such as scuba diving or a working on a fruit picking farm, at no extra cost. You should also have the option to add extra activities dependent on your needs – for example, perhaps you plan to go deep sea diving in Bali. Make sure you agree these extra activities with your insurance company before purchasing your policy.

Click here for a backpacker travel insurance quote online

You should also make sure your backpacker insurance policy provides adequate cover for your valuables. Unfortunately, backpackers are sometimes targeted by opportunist thieves who are aware of the high value of items often carried in a backpack. Whether it’s your digital camera or ipod, make sure you are covered if the items are stolen, lost or damaged. Also check the level of excess within the policy; this is the amount you must contribute towards the loss before any claim is paid out.

Backpacker insurance is also essential to cover you for delayed or missed flights. Imagine you’re stuck in Bangkok with protests preventing you from getting to the airport – without insurance you would have to pay for any replacement flights or missed connections plus additional hotel bills. It could get very expensive, very quickly! It’s also helpful if your insurance company offers a free twenty-four hour helpline to offer advice when you need it most – you’ll find most of the bigger insurance companies will offer this service as standard.

Medical cover whilst travelling around the world is essential. Perhaps if you buy backpacker insurance for no other reason than this, it would still be recommended. Outside of the UK you will no longer have access to free medical care. In many countries if you don’t have a method to pay your bill you simply won’t receive any medical care! Medical care overseas can also be extremely expensive and should you need repatriating home, the cost can run into tens of thousands. Put simply, don’t risk backpacking around the world without insurance – the relatively small sum it costs to get insured will give you and your family peace of mind whilst overseas.