Are you thinking considering a gap year, a backpacking trip or round the world adventure? Have you been taken aback by the cost of insurance?
It might be an additional expense, but ask any seasoned traveller, it’s worth the cost. This is one of the most important things you can buy before you go away.
Did you know up to 25% of all insurance claims are due to cancellation of travel?
Don’t leave home without it! Accidents happen – and they can happen in the strangest places at the strangest times, like in an alley in Chinatown. Travel insurance can cover you for all sorts of mishaps during your trip, and even before you leave.
Check out our guide with important information about why need to get covered, what policies to consider, how to get affordable cover and also our reviews for the most reputable companies to buy with.
Best Gap Year and Backpacking Travel Insurance Companies
These are some of the companies we recommend who offer a range of different and affordable travel insurance policies for short and long term gap years, backpacking, working holidays and world trips.
1. SafetyWing
SafetyWing are travel insurance specialists and offer insurance that covers you for extended travel all over the world, while outside your home country.
If you’re taking a gap year from your studies to travel the world or live abroad for several months, SafetyWing travel insurance is the ideal choice.
SafetyWing insurance is ideal for:
• Students – taking a gap year;
• Adults after a career break;
• Charity or volunteer workers;
• Backpackers;
• People who want to work or study abroad;
• Adrenaline and adventure junkies – our policies automatically cover hundreds of activities free of charge, with the option to extend your cover to include many more;
• Anyone aged 55 or under who wants an extended holiday.
SafetyWing think travel insurance should be available to as many people as possible, which is why they can offer you a policy whatever your age, consider any medical conditions you might have, and cover multiple adventure activities as standard.
SafetyWing is really popular with travel bloggers and they provide coverage for if you get sick or injured while abroad. Policies have been specifically designed for backpackers, digital nomads and gap years.
Buy anytime online and receive ongoing coverage for the duration of your trip.
The usual type of insurance for a gap year is single trip insurance. This will cover you for a one-off trip of up to 365 days, and includes cover for medical expenses, lost baggage, and lots more. Just let us know the countries you’ll be travelling to and we’ll quote you a price for the whole trip.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to travel to multiple places but return home after each trip, annual multi-trip travel insurance could save you time any money.
These policies allow you to travel as often as you want on the same policy, although each individual trip will have a maximum duration, depending on which level of cover you choose.
If you’re going on a gap year, you can’t just choose any old travel insurance. That’s why SafetyWing have created a range of long stay policies, to save you the endless search for the perfect insurance and to meet all your travelling needs.
Unlike annual or multi-trip policies, Long stay policies provide cover for those travelling across numerous destinations over a period from 1 to 24 months (depending on the insurer).
Gap years can be unpredictable, and often you’ll end up going to a destination spontaneously which wasn’t in your original travelling plans. When you purchase your policy with Safetywing, you’ll have the flexibility to travel to any that are included, or extend and cover even more!
And, if you thought policies couldn’t get any better, they also provide cover for cancellation, curtailment, emergency medical attention and repatriation, personal possessions and activities- so you can travel knowing that everything is taken care of!
2. World Nomads
Since 2002, World Nomads have been offering travel insurance designed by travelers for travelers.
World Nomads have been protecting, connecting and inspiring independent travelers all around the world. World Nomads are obsessed with travel, and passionate about helping you explore your curiosity and gain a deeper understanding of the world.
Choose between flexible travel insurance and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Because we believe in giving back to the places we travel to, we also enable you to make a difference with a micro-donation when you buy with us.
Policies have been designed by travellers for Holidaymakers, Adventure Travellers and Backpackers. They offer a specific gap year insurance to cover you for a year or more, and it also includes activities like volunteer work and manual labour.
Anyone can take out insurance, from young backpackers to career gappers too, with outstanding medical cover including medical repatriation to your home country, personal liability and personal accident cover as well as legal expenses. It also covers activities as standard, including trekking.
Oh, and if you’re sitting in an internet café in Hanoi and you realise your insurance is about to expire, you can extend your policy as well. And if you’re already abroad and don’t have any insurance at all, World Nomads can usually still cover you.
Reasons to Buy Travel Insurance
Whether you are planning a gap year or want to travel the world you really need to make buying travel insurance a priority.
After buying flights, accommodation, possibly a tour, you might be not keen to have the added expense of insurance, like do you really need it? The simple answer is yes.
Being covered for any emergencies overseas can help save you a lot of money, it also gives you peace of mind if anything does happen to you that you will be okay.
Whether you are going backpacking, studying, volunteering or working abroad, there are so many different companies offering policies to match your trip.
Make sure you have travel insurance that covers your valuables if something were to happen. Get it from a trusted insurer that offers extras, such as those for your laptop, phone and gear.
As long as you stay aware of your surroundings and are careful while traveling, you will be fine and able to enjoy your travel.
To get a good deal, have a look online on the websites we featured above, and select the policy that is the most affordable, as well as most suitable.
Once you’ve got all that covered, all you need to do is start your packing and begin counting down the days. Travelling abroad can be an incredible experience, as long as you’re organised about it, that is.
To ensure that you have everything under control, take note of the tips above.
