Here’s the complete guide to backpacker travel insurance, why you need it, and what it should cover. You’ll find a detailed comparison of the 3 best insurance companies that offer specific policies and travel insurance for backpackers to help you choose the most suitable policy for your trip.
So you’ve packed your bag, you’re ready to embrace the life of a backpacker, and are headed off on a new adventure!
However, before you leave, no matter where your chosen destination may be, there’s no better way to protect yourself on your trip than purchasing backpacker travel insurance.
The number of insurance providers out there can be overwhelming but no need to worry, this guide has you covered!
Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!
1. What is backpacker travel insurance?
You might ask yourself, what exactly is backpacker travel insurance and how does it differ from regular travel insurance?
Backpacker travel insurance is a type of insurance specifically designed for people traveling long-term and/or on a budget and living the wanderlust dream.
Not only does it protect you from canceled flights, lost luggage, and emergency visits to the hospital whilst overseas, it’s more flexible than regular travel insurance and will usually cover a broader range of countries alongside more adventurous activities.
Long-term travelers will often have a lower budget and often look for cheap backpacker travel insurance deals to cover a more extended trip. Because of this, backpacker travel insurance tends to be less expensive and more affordable than traditional travel insurance.
2. Why do you need backpacker travel insurance?
Backpacking is a lifestyle of traveling that brings with it the unknown, excitement, and risks that you probably wouldn’t find yourself taking in your everyday life back at home.
It’s so essential that you have travel insurance to protect you in all unforeseen situations, including any accidents and emergencies you may find yourself involved in.
Covering yourself with a comprehensive travel insurance policy can save you from spending thousands of dollars on medical expenses.
Not only that, if you happen to miss an important flight or if some of your belongings are stolen, having insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that these things will all be covered.
3. What to look for when buying travel insurance
There are a few essentials that all travel insurance policies should cover:
- medical emergencies and protection (medicine, emergency evacuation, hospital fees)
- stolen, lost or damaged belongings (including documents and luggage)
- flight delays and cancellations
- trip cancellations (plus curtailment cover so that you can get home quickly if there is a death in the family)
- access to a 24-hour helpline
- Repatriation for you to get home (if you become ill, it covers the flight back home)
Other factors to look out for that could be really beneficial for you when included in your policy are:
- being able to extend your policy if you choose to stay longer than you originally intended
- a very high limit for medical expenses
- cover for any legal expenses whilst overseas
- a policy that covers most countries in the world
- high personal liability insurance (in case you cause any damage to someone else’s property or injure them)
It’s really worth doing the research and choosing a policy that is going to be relevant for the type of traveling and adventuring that you choose to partake in.
Read the small print and make sure that the policy covers everything that you need it to!
It’s worth paying extra for the peace of mind of knowing if something were to happen, your travel insurance is there to serve you properly.
4. What travel insurance for backpackers doesn’t cover
It’s also very useful to know and worth noting what many backpacker travel insurance policies do NOT cover.
This will differ slightly with each policy, however, there are a few common things that you won’t be able to get cover for.
Generally speaking, these are:
- any drug or alcohol-related incidents or accidents
- injuries or accidents sustained whilst participating in some extreme sports/high adrenaline activities which in some cases can include hill walking, so make sure that the policy you’re looking at covers you appropriately for the activities you will be doing
- Pre-existing medical conditions are sometimes not covered
- any stolen money
- traveling to areas that have been deemed dangerous (natural disaster zones, or places with armed conflicts
- pregnancy
- any flights bought with airline miles
- medical tourism (facial/body aesthetic operations )
- breakdowns due to poor mental health
5. Useful tips before heading off on your trip
Once you have organized and purchased your travel insurance, a smart tip is to make a note of the company’s helpline number along with the number of your policy. Keep it somewhere easy to find with your other travel documents.
On previous trips, I found myself printing out parts of my policy so that I had the important information close at hand alongside my passport.
Make an extra copy, or email a copy to your parents or friends at home just in case you happen to need assistance and end up in a sticky situation where you can’t advocate for yourself.
Another handy tip is to document EVERYTHING.
For example, if you’re planning on buying and taking some expensive kit with you i.e a camera, laptop, smartphone or any other pricey gadget, make sure to keep ALL of the receipts.
It’s helpful for the insurance company to see that you actually have proof of purchase for these items and in the event of any of these devices being stolen or damaged you may have an easier time claiming back your money.
6. If you need to make a claim whilst abroad
If you find yourself in a position where you need to make a claim whilst on your travels, it’s helpful to organize all of your necessary documents with time to spare.
Include any/all receipts, emails, documentation of hospital or doctor appointments, any purchases, take photos and images of everything that you think is relevant and include them in your claim.
As I mentioned above, by saving ALL of the appropriate documents, you can better support your claim.
It’s also important to be aware that insurance companies can take some time to pay out and patience is a good thing to keep in mind.
7. What are the best travel insurance providers for backpackers?
There are literally hundreds of companies out there offering cheap backpacker travel insurance.
Whilst budget is an important factor for most backpackers, especially for people looking for student backpacking travel insurance, it’s vital that you purchase a policy that provides you with the protection that suits the nature of your trip.
There’s getting a ‘good deal’ and then there’s buying travel insurance for backpacking that doesn’t give you any cover for any of the activities you want to do whilst away and the relevant countries that you plan on visiting.
If you need to make a claim, you could end up thousands of dollars out of pocket instead of just paying that little bit extra at the start.
To head off WITHOUT travel insurance could prove to be a big mistake and according to statistics, if you plan on traveling for a long period of time, something is bound to happen.
I am not being pessimistic when I say this, it’s from my own experience and the advice of many other seasoned travelers and backpackers.
Bags will be lost, belongings may be stolen or damaged, you may become unwell and require medical care. At the end of the day, it’s just not worth the gamble.
If you have zero clue about where to start when it comes to buying backpacker travel insurance, please know that you’re not alone and that this guide is here to help.
I’ve gathered and researched for you my pick of the three best companies offering backpacker insurance policies and laid it out plain and simple for you to understand in order to make the right decision for your trip.
The top two travel insurance companies who I believe offer the best backpacker travel insurance cover are:
1) SafetyWing
SafetyWing is my first recommended travel insurance company.
Their Nomad Insurance has been specially created for backpackers, digital nomads, and long-term travelers.
They haven’t been around very long in comparison to other companies, however, they are quickly becoming a firm favorite in the backpacking community.
Not only are their plans affordable, with cover starting at $2 per day for short trips, they also offer long-term annual travel insurance plans for frequent travelers which is ideal if you travel regularly.
Unlike most policies on offer by other companies, SafetyWing doesn’t require you to provide a home address or a list of the countries that you plan on visiting which gives you the ultimate freedom to change your mind about your next destination.
They also offer a completely comprehensive travel medical insurance policy for full-time travelers and remote workers which is called ‘Remote Health’.
This plan covers any healthcare or medical care that you may require when traveling on a trip or if living and working abroad. It covers everything from giving birth to treatment for all kinds of illnesses, it also covers you for repatriation or evacuation too.
If you need it, you can add on dental cover, just in case you needed some work on your teeth whilst away.
The Nomad Plan is an ideal choice of travel insurance for backpackers who are already abroad because you can buy it or renew a policy during your trip at any point making it perfect for those spontaneous trips and life changes.
2) IATI BAckpacker
I only recently discovered IATI but I’m already a fan! That’s why it’s my third recommended company offering backpacker travel insurance.
IATI offers seven (!!) levels of cover, depending on your needs and the preferred way in which you like to travel.
They offer a wide range of different coverage for short holidays, destinations with high medical costs, long-term travelers, adventure travelers, families, and students alike.
Their IATI Backpacker policy covers you highly for any medical expenses and also gives you a high amount of personal liability. They cover you for all sorts of sports and adventurous activities, including scuba diving, rock climbing, trekking at altitudes up to 5400 meters and bungee jumping.
They also cover dental expenses, repatriation, travel and accommodation of a relative if you have to stay in hospital for more than 5 days, theft, damaged or lost luggage, travel delays, search and rescue and much more.
They are one of the few companies that offer backpacking travel insurance and cover any claims brought against you if you are held liable for any injuries or damage you involuntarily caused to third parties.
3) Heymondo
Heymondo is one of the latest top travel insurance providers for backpackers and long-term travelers.
Their policies are accessible and easy to understand and they offer a range of different coverage for short trips, annual multi-trips and flexible long-term trips. You can easily personalize your insurance to your type of trip and budget.
Their travel insurance plans already cover numerous outdoor activities and you can add Adventure Sports that will cover extreme activities from white-water rafting and trekking up to 5,000 meters altitude to bungee jumping and rock climbing.
Another benefit they offer is the ability to edit or extend your policy on the go which could come in handy for someone living the life of a backpacker.
8. Cover during a Pandemic (Covid 19)
A global pandemic isn’t something that many, if any travel insurance companies, would have probably ever covered you for pre-2019.
However, nearly three years on, here we are, the world a changed place for the foreseeable, and Covid 19 continues to affect people across the world. After numerous lockdowns, it’s natural that some people may be feeling anxious about the thought of being able to travel again.
Although numerous countries’ borders still remain closed, there are plenty of countries that are ready to welcome tourists and travelers back, in order to help rebuild their damaged economies.
We have all learned to adapt the way we live our lives around Covid 19 and travel insurance providers have had to change and adapt their policy offerings to support this.
The three companies that I mention in this article each have different components within their policies that state what you are covered and not covered for when taking Covid 19 into consideration.
Therefore, it’s important that you read through all of the information carefully and find out exactly what applies to you and what your specific policy covers you before you leave on your trip. If you’re unsure about something, phone the helpline and discuss the specifics with someone.
All three travel insurance companies state that they will NOT provide you with any cover if you decide to travel against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office including any travel restrictions enforced by the government in relation to Covid 19. This would be, for example, if your country were to be in lockdown. As I said before, I know it’s a brand new world…
Heymondo states that their insurance plans cover all emergencies related to Covid. These include trip delays or interruptions, emergency medical expenses and cancellation charges.
If you were to contract Covid and become sick and require emergency medical care, any expenses in this instance would be covered by your policy just like any other illness.
Their trip cancellation even covers you if you test positive or if a close relative gets seriously ill or dies due to COVID-19 and you’ll be able to get a reimbursement for your pre-paid, non-refundable expenses related to your trip.
SafetyWing now offers coverage for Covid 19 under their Nomad insurance policy, which means you would be covered if you become sick and need medical care.
You would receive $50 per day for up to 10 days if you were to test positive for Covid if your policy was at least 28 days or longer. They will now cover you for lockdowns as well as quarantine coverage which is a more comprehensive type of Covid cover than other plans.
And with their Annual Nomad Plan, you can cancel it at any time. If you were to enter a country that went into ‘lockdown’ due to Covid, you’re not tied into a plan when you can’t actually travel.
All IATI‘s policy plans offer coverage for coronavirus during the trip. This coverage includes diagnostic tests (PCR) prescribed by health professionals in case of symptoms compatible with the disease, medical assistance, medical transport, hospitalization, quarantine and repatriation.
A 10-day quarantine in a hotel is contemplated with the convalescence coverage included in all their plans.
9. The 3 best backpacker travel insurance companies compared
So I’ve briefly mentioned a little about my top three choices for backpacker travel insurance. Now let’s go into more detail about what each of these companies actually offers you and compare these backpacker travel insurance policies.
I want to help you get the best insurance deal that will cover you fully for your exciting adventures abroad.
1) Safety Wing
Safety Wing uses a monthly payment scheme that is subscription-based meaning that if you need to, you can stop or pause your cover when not using it.
It’s flexible because you can organize coverage for a specific date, monthly or annually until the end of your trip with their auto-renewal service. This is ideal if you’re not totally certain about the length of time you will be traveling for.
Safety Wing lists what activities and adventures are not covered on their website in a really clear and simple way which is really refreshing in comparison to trawling through the fine print of some other companies’ policies.
However, unlike World Nomads, Safety Wing does NOT cover any electronics. I would suggest that if you choose their backpacker insurance cover, insure your tech through a secondary insurance company such as a Gadget Cover.
Safety Wing also does NOT provide cover for any pre-existing medical conditions with the exception of cover for Acute Onset of a Pre-existing Condition – see here for more details on this.
Their Nomad Insurance Policy includes:
- $250,000 in emergency medical coverage
- $100,000 in medical evacuation
- $5,000 for trip interruption
Their policy also includes:
- coverage up to the age of 69 years old
- coverage from 5 days – 1 year
- great value for money at $42 USD per month
- cover for a huge list of activities and sports but NOT many adventurous activities such as paragliding, white water rafting or skiing off piste for eg. See the full list here.
- covers travel anywhere in the world (except for Cuba, Iran, Syria and North Korea)
- They offer home country coverage, including the USA
- You can include up to 2 kids under age 10 per family at no extra cost
- 24/7 assistance
Safety Wing – Is this the best travel insurance for long-term travelers?
2) IATI BAckpacker insurance
IATI offers seven different types of insurance plans, depending on your budget, type of travel and the duration of your trip.
The IATI Backpacker Insurance is specially designed for backpackers who are setting off to see the world without knowing exactly which countries they will visit or how long the trip will take. You can also purchase this travel insurance if your trip has already started.
However, it’s important to know that if you’re not a Spanish citizen (this insurance company is located in Spain), you can only take out insurance for trips up to 4 months.
Their monthly policies start at €127 covering nearly all destinations in the world. They offer 24/7 customer care.
This policy combines high medical coverage of €500,000 with and other specific upgrades such as adventure sport, search and rescue, and computer equipment in your luggage. You can also take out a new policy when you arrive if you decide to extend your trip.
The IATI Backpacker Plan includes:
- €500,000 in emergency medical coverage
- 100% coverage in medical evacuation and repatriation (including natural disasters)
- €1,500 for stolen or lost baggage
- up to €500 in trip delays
- €15,000 in search and rescue expenses
- €60,000 in personal civil liability
- €2,000 in cancellation costs, provided that you cancel before the trip starts and for one of the reasons set out in the policy
This policy also includes:
- emergency medical and dental coverage
- personal injury in motor vehicle accidents
- travel/accommodation of a relative in case you need to stay more than 5 days in hospital
- coverage up to age of 69 years old
- convalescense in a hotel
- sending medication abroad
- stolen passports & tech gear
- delayed departure and delivery of luggage, and missed connections
- extended trip costs if you’re stuck somewhere due to bad weather, natural disaster, political problems
- cover for a huge list of activities and sports. See the full list here.
- covers travel anywhere in the world
- 24/7 assistance
3) HeyMondo Travel Insurance
Heymondo offers three different types of insurance plans with policies starting at 65 EURO per month for European Citizens and 116 USD per month for USA Citizens.
Heymondo also offers an app service which comes with a 24/7 medical chat, free worldwide emergency assistance calls, extra lodging expenses due to medical quarantine, coverage of non-refundable expenses in case of serious illness and simple claims management options.
The Heymondo Medical Plan includes:
- $500,000 in emergency medical and dental expenses
- $500,000 in medical evacuation and repatriation
The Heymondo Top includes:
- $500,000 in emergency medical and dental expenses
- $500,000 in medical evacuation and repatriation
- Up to $1,700 for lost or stolen baggage.
- Up to $450 for travel disruption and $3500 for cancellation and interruption due to serious illness
Their policies also include:
- Natural disasters
- Medical transportation
- Personal liability
- Compensation for death or permanent disability as a result of an accident that takes place during the trip.
- Cover for over 140 countries
- You can add-on cover for expensive belongings and adventure sports.
The Heymondo Premium includes:
- $500,000 in emergency medical and dental expenses
- $500,000 in medical evacuation and repatriation
- Up to $2,500 for lost or stolen baggage.
- Up to $1500 for travel disruption and $7000 for cancellation and interruption due to serious illness
Their policies also include:
- Search and rescue
- Natural disaster
- Medical transportation
- Personal liability
- Compensation for death or permanent disability as a result of an accident that takes place during the trip.
- Rental car access
- You can add-on cover for expensive belongings, adventure sports and cruises.
10. Which is now the best backpacker travel insurance?
You must think properly about all the things you’d like your policy to cover you for when comparing travel insurance.
Shop around and do some research first and then be sure to read through the terms and conditions carefully before purchasing your policy.
However, I wholeheartedly want to say that it is equally just as important that we keep our minds open to traveling and keep dreaming and planning epic adventures.
Backpacking can be absolutely life-changing and provide you with so much joy and give you a new thirst for life, meeting new people, exploring new places, and pushing the boundaries of your comfort zones.
Regarding the BEST backpacker travel insurance, my top pick depends on the duration of my trip and the type of activities I plan on doing.
Every summer, I travel for 3 to 4 months to Central Asia to guide my adventure tours and to go trekking in the mountains.
These activities sometimes include heights over 4000 meters, so I take out IATI Backpacker Insurance. This insurance policy covers everything I need and so much more for “only” €127 per month.
If something happens to me in the mountains or I get stuck due to natural disasters, pandemics or political issues (nowadays we never know what’s coming…), at least I know I’m fully covered with the IATI Backpacker Plan.
If I’m going on a trip longer than 4 months or on a shorter trip that doesn’t include me doing extreme activities or hiking above 4000 meter, I take out the Nomad Insurance Policy by Safety Wing.
Their plans are very affordable, and their unique subscription service also offers you a modern and ultimately a more flexible way to insure yourself whilst away compared to other types of cover on the market.
With rates starting at $42 per month (28 days) and covering you for most of the basics, they are a fantastic option for anyone working with a tight budget. Not only do they offer great travel insurance for backpackers, but they are also a good option for any digital nomads out there too.
I hope this guide helped you understand what backpacker travel insurance is and what to look out for when purchasing one.
Even if you choose not to go with any of the companies mentioned in this article, please don’t travel without insurance.
Make sure that you’re covered, even if you don’t end up needing to claim whilst away, knowing that you’re covered (just in case) is totally worth it!
You might also want to read:
The Ultimate List of 23 Countries with Digital Nomad Visas (for remote workers)
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The Complete Guide to Teach English Online with 37 Online Teaching schools and Platforms
4 Realistic and Best Ways to Find Free Accommodation for Travellers
How to Make Money While Traveling the World including the 12 Best Travel Jobs
I read your long post and realised than none of your three companies would insure me as a 64 year old long time backpacker. Shocking? Back to World Nomads I suppose as they insure backpackers till 70. What will I do then though?
Hey Linda, I’m sorry to hear that they all put an age limit for long-term travelers… I double-checked and indeed, they only insure long term until a certain age…