Compare travel insurance for backpackers

You’ll still need to think about backpacker insurance if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). As it currently stands, an EHIC will give you access to the same medical treatment as people residing in that European country would receive. But having this card won’t pay to get you home (from Spain, an air ambulance can cost £25,000). Nor will it pay for any other costs linked to a medical emergency.       

After Brexit, and the UK officially left the EU with a deal in place, things have changed. You won’t be able to apply for an EHIC anymore, but, if you have one already, issued before the end of 2020, then it’ll still be valid until the expiry date.

However, the UK government has introduced a replacement called the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). If you don’t have an EHIC, or once yours expires, you can apply for a GHIC here, and it should arrive within 10 days. The GHIC will offer the same cover as the EHIC did in EU countries.

It’s worth being aware that while travel insurance isn’t compulsory in Europe, it may be a requirement in other parts of the world. For example, if you’re visiting Cuba you’ll need to show proof of travel health insurance.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should always tell your insurance provider. A medical condition doesn’t mean you won’t find cover. But in some cases, your premium may cost a little more.

If your provider finds out that a medical emergency you suffered abroad was linked to a condition you knew about and didn’t declare, they might not pay out. That’s why it’s always best to be honest about your medical history.

Here are seven things for backpackers to bear in mind before they begin their adventures. 

• Visas – find out if you need a visa and make the necessary arrangements to get one if you do.
• Vaccinations – check with your GP whether you need any vaccinations. If you do, make sure you get an appointment in plenty of time before you travel.
• Cash – ensure you have enough money to fund your trip.
• Safe places – see whether the Foreign Office cautions against travel to any of the regions you’re planning to visit. If you do visit a country or an area with restrictions or warnings in place, you could invalidate your insurance.
• Behave yourself – insurance providers take a dim view of incidents that occur because you were affected by drink and drugs and are highly unlikely to pay out for any claims made. The authorities in some countries can also be very severe if you commit a drug-related offence.
• Respect – understand the local customs and follow them.
• Learn – If English isn’t widely spoken where you’re going, think about brushing up on a few key phrases in the local language, before you travel.

The sooner you buy your backpacker insurance, the better. It may seem like an inconvenience. But if you buy beforehand, you may be able to recoup some (or all) of the holiday costs, if your trip is cancelled due to an unexpected illness, injury or bereavement. Policies vary though, so check the cancellation terms carefully.  

​The cost of backpacker insurance depends on: 

• Where you’re going. Typically, you’ll pay less to insure a backpacking trip within Europe than for worldwide destinations like Australia or Asia. Travelling to the US will likely cost more to insure due to the high cost of medical treatment there.  
• How long you’re going for. The longer you’re away, the more expensive the insurance. 
• Your age and health. Backpackers insurance is often aimed at younger travellers. You may have to pay more if you’re over a certain age bracket. Also, you’re likely to pay more if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. But remember, it’s important to be honest about your health, to avoid invalidating your insurance.  
• What you’ll be doing. You may have to arrange additional cover for some high-risk activities like climbing, winter sports, extreme sports, or some watersports.  
• What you’re taking with you. If you’re taking expensive sporting equipment or fancy gadgets, you might need to pay more to make sure you’re fully covered for loss or damage.​ 

There are some common exclusions that apply to all types of travel insurance. Backpackers insurance might not pay out if you:

• break the law or behave maliciously. 
• are under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time.  
• ignore official advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) or the World Health Organisation. 
• leave your bags or possessions unattended and they’re stolen. Check your policy carefully as your insurance provider may insist you take certain safety precautions while you’re away. Also, you might not be covered for theft from hostels. 
• mislead or fail to inform your insurance provider about any pre-existing health conditions or other key details. 
• try to claim for any medical care in Europe that’s currently covered under the EHIC/GHIC agreement.  
• change your plans and decide to come home early, unless this is due to Government or FCDO advice. 

Backpacker insurance may cover many adventurous activities as standard, but check your policy carefully to see exactly what’s included.  

You may have to buy additional or specialist cover for high-risk activities or extreme sports. It’s worth remembering too that, for insurance purposes, even activities like horse riding or swimming with dolphins could be considered ‘extreme’.​​ 

​When you go away, make sure you take a copy of your insurance documents, so you have all the details you need to make a claim. It could be either a paper copy or an online version that you’ve downloaded. 

If you do have to claim: 

1. Speak to the local authorities, if necessary. If you’ve been a victim of theft, for example, you may need to get a police report within a certain time frame to support your claim. 
   
   
2. Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible – there’s usually a 24/7 emergency helpline on your documents. If you think you might need non-urgent medical care, it could be worth speaking to your insurance provider beforehand, to be sure your claim would be covered.  
   
   
3. Keep any evidence you need to support your claim, such as bills, police reports or medical forms. If you’re claiming for lost luggage, keep the receipts for any replacement items you buy, as you may be able to claim back the cost.  

​When you speak to your insurance provider, they’ll inform you of the next steps.