Why Is Travel Insurance Important When Backpacking?
Whether you’re having a year out between studies, taking a sabbatical from work, or you’re just heading away on an adventure of a lifetime, backpacking is the perfect way to explore the world.
If you’re off on an extended trip to foreign climes, the likelihood of an incident occurring that’s outside of your control could be pretty high. But who would you turn to if something happened while you were thousands of miles from home?
While you might take out travel insurance and find that you don’t need it, it’s always best to have the peace of mind that a policy provides if things don’t go to plan, such as needing emergency medical assistance or being the victim of a theft.
It’s something that you don’t want to risk not having. Below are just a few ways in which travel insurance will cover you whilst backpacking.
Illness, injury, and medical expenses
Backpacking can have its risks and taking out the right travel insurance can make all the difference. You may have an accident and injure yourself or fall ill, which could disrupt or even put your plans on pause. Depending on the medical care you need, if you don’t have insurance, you could be faced with covering medical bills which could potentially run into the thousands. Also, how would you cope if there was a language barrier when discussing your care? Travel insurers have teams of highly trained multi-lingual professionals who can act as your interpreters and will ensure you get the best care possible.
If you’re travelling around Europe, you should also get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Some providers will waive their excess if you use one when seeking medical care in the relevant countries, but it’s not a replacement for travel insurance as it doesn’t cover aspects such as repatriation. Keep the things that you want to do in mind when choosing your insurance policy to ensure that you’re covered for all of the activities and sports you plan to partake in. Many activities and sports are covered as standard by travel insurance policies, including bungee jumping and scuba diving.
However, additional cover may be required for some sports, such as skiing or snowboarding.
Also, make sure that you declare any pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, because if you don’t, and you need to seek medical care as a result of that condition, this may result in your claim being declined.
Theft or loss of personal belongings and important documents
You may be faced with some problems while you’re away, and theft or loss of your personal items or valuables could be one of them, no matter how careful you are. Whether you are pickpocketed, leave your phone in a taxi or your bags are misplaced at the airport, you could need something replacing. Some belongings can be costly to replace and insuring your items makes covering the costs that much easier.
Certain policies don’t cover gadgets such as laptops, tablets, eReaders, phones and game consoles or the standard cover provided may not be high enough for your specific needs, but you can often purchase additional coverage. Make sure you check for exclusions.
If anything happens to your personal travel documents, file a report with the local authorities and contact the local embassy and they’ll issue you with a replacement passport and emergency travel documents. You may have to pay a fee for these replacements, however your travel insurance will normally cover these, but again, make sure that you have checked the policy details.
Cancellations, curtailment and disruptions
There can be a myriad of reasons why your trip could be impacted. Bad weather could cause flights to be cancelled or delayed, your bus could break down, or other unforeseen circumstances may mean you need to cancel or cut your trip short. To ensure you are protected should the worst happen, it’s best to purchase your travel insurance as soon as your trip is booked. That way, if anything happens to disrupt your travel plans before you leave, you’ll be covered and you won’t lose out.
Coverage for Extended Stays and Travel to Several Destinations
Backpacking is all about travelling and being flexible so you can head to different places when the opportunity arises. Make sure that your insurance is relevant to the nature of your trip. If you plan on visiting a lot of places in a short amount of time, check that your insurance will cover you for those destinations. Also, some travel insurance policies will allow you to return home for a short period of time without it affecting your cover, so if you have a special birthday, wedding or another reason you need to head home, this will be of benefit to you.
Different travel insurance providers will all offer different kinds of coverage and different levels, and it’s up to you to find the right policy for you. If there’s something you’re unsure of, ask plenty of questions so you know that you have a policy that suits your needs while you’re off on your next great backpacking adventure.
Coverage for extended stays and travel to several destinations
Backpacking is all about travelling and being flexible so you can head to different places when the opportunity arises. Make sure that your insurance covers you for long stays and for multiple destinations. If you plan on visiting a lot of places in a short amount of time, check that your insurance will cover you for those destinations. Also, some travel insurance policies will allow you to return home for a short period of time without it affecting your cover, so if you have a special birthday, wedding or another reason you need to head home, this will be of benefit to you.
Different travel insurance providers will all offer different kinds of coverage and different levels, and it’s up to you to find the right policy for you. If there’s something you’re unsure of, ask plenty of questions so you know that you have a policy that suits your needs while you’re off on your next great backpacking adventure.
