What Should Your Backpacker Travel Insurance Cover?

Now that you’re ready to embark on a worldwide backpacking adventure, you shouldn’t forget to prepare some of the most essential travel must-haves. One of the most important things that a backpacker must have before hitting the road is excellent backpacker travel insurance.

It is foolish to think that bad things will not likely happen to you while you’re travelling abroad. As much as we want to stay positive and always excited for new adventures, it is also a good thing to be prepared for unprecedented situations. Getting backpacker travel insurance is one of the most important things that you should invest in.

What should your backpacker travel insurance cover?

1. Medical expenses

Make sure that your insurer has ample coverage limit for medical expenses. Some of the best travel insurance companies provide coverage up to $ 1,000,000 or more. This is important because if you get very sick or seriously injured abroad, your medical bills will surely be expensive. This also includes a 24-hour emergency helpline. Additionally, the policy should also cover emergency evacuation and repatriation back to your home country, if needed. This means that if you’re too sick or injured to continue your travels, then your flight home will be covered.

2. Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage or valuable possessions

Lost, damaged, or stolen luggage is more common than you think, especially for backpackers. Most travel insurance policies include coverage to replace the items that you lost while you abroad and reimburse you for all the things you need for the trip until your baggage is recovered. Many insurance companies also offer customization such as extra cover for valuables like laptops, tablets, DSL cameras, or smartphones.

In case of lost or stolen passports and other important documents, your travel insurance company will be able to assist you in getting help from your country’s embassy and financial institutions concerned.

3. Hazardous activities are covered.

Your backpacker insurance policy often includes coverage for hazardous activities. Many backpackers engage in adventure sports. These pursuits are often grouped by the insurance company into categories. It is a good idea to check which activities are included in each category. More dangerous pursuits such as heli-skiing, kite surfing, paragliding, parachuting and skydiving will need additional premium.

4. Extendability feature

One of the best features of good backpacker travel insurance is the option it gives for the insured to extend their coverage. It is common for many backpackers to decide at the last minute to travel for longer than they originally planned. While the duration of backpacker insurance is commonly up to 15 months, you should be able to easily extend your policy up to 18 months.

Going around the world on a backpacking trip is one of the most unforgettable adventures that you will ever have. Travel insurance is something that you definitely need if you will be gone for months at a time. Since you never know what’s going to happen on a trip like this, it is best to be prepared with a good-quality and affordable backpacker travel insurance.