Best Backpacker Travel Insurance In UK 2024

A backpacking trip lasts significantly longer than a typical vacation and can include a broader range of experiences and activities. This is why specialist backpacker insurance is required.

These policies cover long-term vacations of up to 18 months and include adventure sports and activities. Many policies also cover flights back home and paid or unpaid work while gone.

Top backpacker insurance

While the ideal policy will depend on your specific circumstances, compiled a list of the top backpacker policies (February 2024) based on the important parameters outlined in the methodology below. You can also learn more about how backpacker policies function and what crucial elements to look for.

• Holiday Extras Elite
• Oasis Insurance Silver Single
• RAC Silver Travel Plus Single Trip

Methodology

The online comparison tool, supplied by the travel insurance partner, CYTI, to compare single-trip backpacker insurance policies. Our research was based on a solitary traveler in their mid-20s who spent three months backpacking across Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos.

The traveler had no pre-existing medical issues and only considered insurance that provided at least £5 million in medical coverage and £2,000 in cancelation coverage.

Researchers then scored each policy according to the following factors:

• Price: The premium (one-off payment) charged for cover
  Gadget cover: How much protection is available for personal devices such as smartphones and laptops as standard
• Excess: the amount deducted from any successful claims payout

Each policy was awarded a Forbes Advisor star rating out of five.

• What is backpacker insurance?

Backpacker insurance is a form of travel insurance policy that is specifically designed to cover extended excursions to multiple countries and a variety of activities.

A backpacker travel insurance policy covers any medical treatment you may require while away, as well as disasters like cancellation and lost or stolen luggage.

Many insurance include standard coverage for gadgets such as phones and laptops. However, it is not guaranteed, and limits vary, so please review the policy conditions and exclusions.

• What does backpacker travel insurance cover?

The coverage provided by backpacker travel insurance policies varies. Policies normally cover the following as standard:

• medical expenses and repatriation back to the UK
  cancellations and delays
• personal liability (should the policyholder injure someone or damage their belongings on holiday)
  baggage and personal belongings
• extreme sports such as white-water rafting and bungee jumping
• winter sports such as skiing.

Please keep in mind that not all insurance will cover extreme or winter activities, so double-check your coverage before applying. Depending on your goals, you may want to consider purchasing a separate winter sports insurance policy. If you intend to volunteer, make sure your insurance covers it as well.

• How much does backpacker insurance cost?

The cost of backpacker insurance is determined by several factors. As with all types of travel insurance, premiums tend to rise with the policyholder’s age and if they are traveling with a medical condition they had before to purchasing the policy.

Destination also influences the price of a policy. Insurance for Europe is typically the cheapest, whereas coverage for travel further afield (particularly to countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, where medical costs are quite high) is more expensive.

While the cost of a coverage would vary depending on the traveler, the table below shows how much a backpacker insurance policy might cost for an 18-year-old with no pre-existing problems traveling for a year.

• Are there any exclusions?

As with any form of insurance policy, there are a few gaps to be aware of. Again, these will vary based on the policy and the insurer, but the following are likely to fall outside the insurance’s coverage:

• claims resulting from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• medical treatment for pre-existing conditions
• claims because vaccination requirements are not met
• claims arising from travel to a destination the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO)
• unattended possessions (eg. leaving a bag unattended and it is stolen)
• claims arising from taking part in illegal activity or acting maliciously.

How can I get the best backpacker insurance policy?

When comparing backpacker travel insurance, consider the following to get the best coverage:

• are all planned activities, such as snowboarding, skiing, scuba diving or quad biking covered?
• are all the trip destinations covered? Premiums may be higher for visiting certain countries
• will the policy cover a change of plans such as extending the trip?
• is there a 24/7 customer helpline for support while away?
• what’s the single item cover limit for personal possessions? Do valuable items require separate cover?

When applying for backpacker insurance, it is critical to notify the insurer of any pre-existing conditions. When you file a claim, the insurer will investigate. And it may refuse to pay if it discovers that misleading information was submitted during the application process or that required information was not disclosed.

Consider the excess, which is the amount payable to cover the expense of any claim. The higher it is, the lower the policy premiums usually are. However, keep in mind that it may be safer to keep the excess modest because the amount to pay would accumulate if repeated claims are filed.

• How do I claim on backpacker insurance?

To make a claim while away, take the following steps:

• Report the incident

For claims involving the theft of belongings, the first step should be to report the incident to the police. Often this needs to be done within 24 hours.

• Contact the insurer as soon as possible

Contact the insurer with details of the incident and make the claim as soon as possible. Often there is only a short window in which to do this.

• Get the insurer to accept medical claims

Where medical attention is required, providing it’s not an emergency, get the insurer to accept the claim before going any further.

• Retain any evidence

Many insurers will ask for evidence to support the claim such as medical bills or police reports. It can also be worth keeping receipts for any essential items bought in the interim, such as food and drink, as many insurers will allow these to be added to a claim.

FAQs

• What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may be eligible for backpacker travel insurance. However, it may make it more difficult to find inexpensive coverage.

Shop around and compare insurance, or, depending on the nature of the ailment, contact a specialized travel insurer for coverage. In either scenario, you must be completely honest on the travel insurance application or risk losing any policy you purchase.

• Do I still need backpacker cover if I have a GHIC?

Even if you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), backpacker insurance is still required. That’s because a GHIC only provides you with the same level of coverage for emergency or necessary state healthcare as a citizen when you visit an EU country (as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland).

Some nations do not provide free state healthcare, therefore you may have to pay for medical treatment (that would otherwise be free under the NHS) just like a local citizen. A GHIC does not cover the expense of returning to the UK for urgent care. A standalone backpacker coverage will also cover non-medical incidents including as cancellations, delays, and loss or theft of personal goods.

• When should I buy backpacker insurance?

As with other travel insurance, you should purchase your backpacker policy as soon as you arrange your trip. This is because you will be entitled to claim for any expenses incurred as a result of having to cancel the trip prior to your departure.

Backpacker insurance begins as soon as you leave the UK, therefore if you wait until your journey begins before purchasing coverage, it is too late. However, while purchasing in advance is suggested, as long as you have coverage in place before leaving the UK, your insurance will remain valid.

• Does where I am going affect the cost of backpacker travel insurance?

As with regular travel insurance, the countries you visit will influence the cost of your backpacker insurance policy. Backpacking policies in Europe, for example, are often less expensive than those in more distant destinations like Asia and Australia. Backpacking in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean (and occasionally Mexico and Greenland) will be more expensive due to the increased cost of medical care in these areas.

• Do I need additional cover with backpacker travel insurance?

Whether or whether you require additional coverage with backpacker travel insurance will be determined by the activities you want to undertake.

For example, plans will not cover extreme sports like bungee jumping as standard. This means you may need to purchase the necessary add-ons to ensure the appropriate level of coverage for your trip.

Before obtaining a backpacker policy, double-check what is included. Insurers will not accept claims for anything that is not stated, potentially leaving you thousands of pounds out of pocket if you have already paid the first cost.

• Is there an age limit on backpacker travel insurance?

Backpacker travel insurance normally has an age limit of 50 to 60 years. However, it varies between carriers, so if you are older than the average backpacker, be sure your policy covers you.

• Can I return home and still be covered?

Some backpacker insurance coverage cover temporary vacations home. However, there are limits to the number and duration of visits.

These vary per provider. For example, the Post Office’s backpacker policy allows you to return home for up to seven days on three separate occasions, whereas Outbacker’s coverage allows you to return home for up to 14 days in one visit. During your stay at home, the coverage is normally suspended until you travel for your next abroad destination.

Source: Forbes Advisor)