Backpacker insurance

Backpacker insurance is a type of cover aimed at people who plan to travel for long periods, often to multiple countries in one trip.

It offers additional features and benefits compared with standard travel insurance, so your backpacking itinerary is fully covered.

If you’re travelling on a budget, we’re here to help you search for a great-value deal on backpacker travel insurance.

Backpacker travel insurance, also known as extended trip insurance, is ideal if you’re planning to go away for several months at a time.

It’s also designed to cover you in multiple destinations.

Backpacker insurance often covers a wider range of adventure activities as standard too. That means you could try scuba diving or go bungee jumping all without arranging extra cover.

As with standard travel insurance, backpacker insurance can help cover the cost of emergency medical expenses while you’re travelling. And medical care can prove costly in some countries.

It could also help you recoup your costs if you need to cancel your trip. And you may have paid a substantial amount upfront if you’ve booked round-the-world flights.

Whether you’re off to Europe, Australia, the USA, Africa, Southeast Asia, Central or South America, getting the right travel insurance policy for backpackers is key.

Always check your policy terms and conditions carefully to see exactly what you’re covered for.

No two gap year adventures are the same, and the price of backpacker insurance can vary a lot depending on where you’re going, what you’ll be doing, and how long you’ll be away for.

Here are the main things that impact the cost of travel insurance for travellers heading off on a backpacking trip:

• Where you’re going – you’ll typically pay less to insure a backpacking trip in Europe than for worldwide destinations such as Australia or Asia. Travelling to the USA 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 – backpackers insurance is often aimed at younger travellers. You may have to pay more if you’re over a certain age.

• Your health – you’re likely to pay more for backpacker insurance if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. But remember, it’s important to be honest about your health to avoid invalidating your insurance. It’s also vital to make sure you can access medical care while abroad.

• What you’ll be doing – you may have to arrange additional cover for some high-risk activities such as climbing, winter sports, extreme sports, or some water sports.

• 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.

You may have the option to add on extra cover to your backpacker insurance for an additional cost. Policies vary, but common extras could include:

• Trip disruption cover – can include compensation if unexpected circumstances, like a natural catastrophe or a global pandemic force you to change your plans.

• Trip extensions – some providers will let you add on extra time to your policy from overseas if you decide you’re not quite ready to return to reality just yet.

• Gadget cover – can make sure valuable tech like your smartphone, tablet, laptop or camera equipment is protected while you’re away. This could be particularly helpful if you’re a digital nomad or freelancer, planning to work your way around the globe.

• Winter sports cover – is necessary if you’re doing any skiing or snowboarding while you’re travelling. Make sure you’re covered for all the snow sport activities you have planned before you hit the slopes.

• Cruise cover – if your gap year plans include a cruise, this can cover you for specific issues like missing your departure or being confined to your cabin due to illness. It’s not just a good idea to add on this specialist cover – cruise operators may also insist on it.

• Excess waiver – if you’re worried about the cost of the excess putting you off making smaller claims, you may be able to get travel insurance with no excess for an additional premium. Read the terms carefully though as an excess may still apply in some cases.

• Volunteering cover – if you’re planning on doing any volunteering work while abroad, check your policy to make sure all the activities are covered or if you need to add on extra volunteer travel cover.

If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive.

Whatever happens, tell your insurance provider the truth. If you give false information or miss something out, your claim could be rejected.

When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers who will cover them, with no exclusions.

If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call them on 0800 138 7777.

Start a backpacker insurance comparison with us today and compare backpacker travel insurance features and prices to find a policy that suits your needs.

Remember, the cheapest backpacker travel insurance isn’t always the best.

Choose a policy that works for you based on where you’re going, what you’re doing, and how long you’re travelling for.

We compare quotes from 42 trusted travel insurance providers² so you can search for our best travel insurance for backpackers and get covered at an affordable price.

Compare extended trip insurance for backpackers today and get a quote in minutes.

To start comparing our best backpacker travel insurance quotes, just tell us:

• Where you’re going – you’ll need different cover for different continents and countries.

• How long for – backpacker insurance can cover you for trips lasting up to 18 months or up to two years in some cases.

• What you’ll be doing – do you have any extreme activities in mind? Will you be doing any volunteering?

• What you’re taking – it may be that you want to insure expensive gadgets or equipment.

We’ll also need to know a bit about you, including your age and details of any existing medical conditions you may have.