Backpacker and Gap Year Insurance

Backpacker insurance is a refined travel insurance policy designed specifically for younger people, perhaps taking a gap year to travel or work abroad, or for those that are simply looking to take an extended backpacking trip.

As well as covering extended periods of time - usually up to 12 months - they can be personalised to cover a wide range of activities commonly associated with a year-long trip of a life time such as:

  • Sky diving
  • Bungee jumping
  • Scuba diving
  • Trekking
  • Extreme sports

When planning a trip like this, no one likes to dwell on the potential problems that can arise but unfortunately in life, unplanned problems will surface and when they do it is important to be adequately prepared to minimise the negative impact on your plans.

The typical backpacker will be frequently on the move and changing environments, which increases the potential for personal items to become lost or stolen. It's a sorry state of affairs but when 10 strangers are put together in a shared dorm room commonly found in hostels, things will go missing or can be damaged accidentally.

If you are on the receiving end of this and are not protected through a backpacker insurance policy then the unpleasant situation will only become compounded.

As well as the risk of theft and accidental damages, travellers are at risk from situations of a potentially more serious nature that can require the assistance of foreign emergency services.

While backpacking around the world people will undertake a whole host of exciting activities that could cause both minor and serious injuries. Although the majority of tour companies will have strict standards of safety, there are those that will not be as safety minded as we would like to believe, but regardless of the level of safety provided accidents can still happen.

For example with a relatively safe activity such as trekking, it only takes the slightest lapse in concentration to lose your balance on a slippery rock and to end up suffering a broken ankle. Depending on the country and remoteness of your location you could require specialist rescue assistance on top of the necessary medical aid and hospital stay.

Without suitable backpacker insurance to cover the costs you could be left financially liable and at the minimum have to abandon the remainder of your once in a life time trip.

Policy Considerations

Before committing to any backpacker policy it is important to read all of the small print and double check that the policy clauses are perfect for the unique plans and expectations of each individual trip:

  • Insurance excess: how much will you have to pay in the event of a claim.
  • Medical coverage: the maximum monetary values which can be reclaimed for medical treatment incurred.
  • Missed/cancelled Flights: what happens in the event of missing a flight either inside or outside of your control.
  • Age limitations: some police are only open to people aged between 18 and 35 years of age.
  • Minimum and maximum policy durations: can vary up to a maximum of 12 or 18 months in length for a continuous trip.
  • Regions covered: whether the policy is worldwide or excludes travel to certain countries or continents.
  • Pausing of policy: in the event of a family bereavement or wedding, can the policy be paused to allow travel home and reinstated at a later date.
  • Covered activities: the inclusion of extreme sports coverage etc. or any specific activities you may or may not be thinking at the moment of undertaking.