Starting from June 25, 2024, we will no longer be offering Backpacker insurance. We are continuing to offer Single Trip travel insurance, which you may find is suitable for your trip. Please review the Terms and Conditions for futher details on the coverage. If you purchased a Backpacker policy before this date, you will be covered until the policy’s expiration.
Backpacker Travel Insurance
What is backpacker insurance?
Nothing's quite as exciting as embarking on a journey to uncover and explore new corners of the globe. Whether you're travelling for adventure, escapism, self-discovery or curiosity, we know that part of the excitement comes from not knowing exactly what lies ahead, throwing routine out of the window and leaving the ordinary behind.
Our Backpacker insurance provides you with cover if your trip doesn't go to plan. If you're under 50 and you're planning the adventure of a lifetime, our Backpacker travel insurance offers protection against risks such as cancellation, delays, missed departures, lost or stolen baggage, medical expenses and repatriation to the UK. Whether you're trekking around , discovering Asia, wandering the outback of Australia or exploring every corner of the globe on a gap year, our Backpacker insurance is appropriate for most travellers.
What does Backpacker travel insurance cover?
Our Backpacker insurance can protect you against potential risks from the moment you book your holiday to the second you return home.
You should buy your backpacker or gap year travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, because then you're protected if you need to cancel it.
While you're away, your Backpacker travel insurance provides cover if you need to curtail your trip and fly home. Plus, there's cover if you miss your departure, or if your departure is delayed. The policy will also help protect you if your personal items are delayed, lost, stolen or damaged. This includes your personal money and your passport.
There's also no need to worry if you suffer from an illness or an injury while you're away. Our Backpackers travel insurance includes personal accident cover, and will pay for emergency medical expenses if you need medical treatment abroad. Repatriation cover helps if you need to be flown back to the UK for medical reasons. We'll also provide you with legal support for any personal liability claims made against you.
Please see the policy handbook for full terms and conditions.
Backpacker without ski
Backpacker with ski
Delayed Departure
Cover if your departure is delayed by more than 12 hours. Benefits apply after the first 12 hours delay and additional benefits apply after each extra delay of 12 hours. Your policy will specify the maximum payable. The circumstances covered are listed in the Policy Document. Alternatively, you may receive up to the amount specified in your policy, if you chose to abandon your journey or cancel your holiday after a 24 hour delay.
£250
£250
Personal Possessions
You are covered for up to your policy limits if your personal possessions are damaged, lost or stolen on your journey. Your policy will state the maximum amount you can claim for a single article, as well as the total amount you can claim for all your valuables. A deduction may be made for wear, tear and loss of value.
£1,500
£1,500
Frequently Asked Questions
We know that you’re heading on a backpacking holiday to enjoy an adventure and try new things. That’s why our Backpacker insurance comes with many sports and leisure activities included, such as snorkelling, scuba diving and bungee jumping.
But, if you’re planning to take part in some high impact winter sports while you’re away, then you’ll need our Winter Sports and Ski add-on. This will cover you for adrenaline-pumping activities such as skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing. Additionally, it provides cover for things like piste and avalanche closures, and lost, damaged or delayed ski equipment.
To understand exactly which sports and leisure activities are covered by your Backpacker policy, take a look at your policy handbook and our sports and leisure activities list.
If you’re searching for travel insurance for working abroad, our Backpacker insurance could be the right fit. The policy covers non-manual work, including professional, administrative and clerical duties (although claims under the Personal liability section will be excluded).
If you’re planning on working while you’re away and you’re unsure if your job will be covered under your policy, please contact us.
Our Backpacker insurance can last for a full 365-day period, so if you’re travelling on a gap year, it may be the right type of insurance for you.
If your trip lasts for longer than 365 days, then we’ll sadly be unable to cover you. Please note that no part of a trip booked to last longer than 365 days is covered.
To qualify for our Backpacker insurance, you need to be aged 50 or under on the day your policy is issued.
If you’re aged over 50, then unfortunately we won’t be able to provide you with Backpacker cover. But, depending on the type of holiday you’re taking, we may still be able to cover you under our Single Trip and Annual travel insurance policies, where the age limit is 80 or under and 65 or under respectively (at the time of booking).
Our Backpacker insurance policies can protect you all over the world in multiple countries*. You can select just the countries you're travelling to, which will help make sure you only pay for the cover you need.
Check your confirmation email to make sure that all the destinations you are travelling to are listed.
*Please note that you will not be covered to travel to a country or region that the FCDO have advised against all travel or against all but essential travel.
At the moment, we are not able to provide backpacker cover for any pre existing medical conditions travellers may have. If you are in need of insurance cover for this, consider our travel insurance for medical conditions.
The best time for you to take out Backpacker insurance is as soon as you’ve booked your trip.
Sadly, accidents do happen and there might be a reason why you can no longer travel. But, if you’ve taken out Backpacker travel insurance, you’ll have cover for cancellation. Your cover starts as soon as you buy your policy, and we’ll pay up to the amount shown in your policy documents for unused accommodation, transport, excursions and other travel expenses you have paid or will have to pay, and that you cannot recover from anywhere else.
Terms and Conditions apply.
How to ensure you have the right cover
HealthHero 24/7 GP telephone and video consultations
Our travel insurance policies provide you access to HealthHero – a 24/7 GP telephone and video consultation service* – which connects you with a UK GP to provide the reassurance and professional medical advice you need while you’re travelling abroad.
*For video consultations, time restrictions apply and UK Bank Holidays are excluded.
Insurance options for backpackers
Backpacker insurance for popular gap year destinations
Travel guides and advice
Read our latest news and articles for your next backpacking adventure.
Understanding our claims process
Join us today
Get a quote online
Get protected with travel insurance online in as little as 3 minutes.
Speak with our team
Our team are available to help Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Alternative Cover Options For Pre-existing Medical Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition that we are unable cover under our own policies, you may be able to obtain an alternative travel insurance policy through one of the providers featured in the MoneyHelper directory of specialist travel insurance providers for people with serious medical conditions. Do take time to study and compare the terms and conditions to ensure you have the cover you need. To contact the Money Advice Service for further details of the directory
Call: 0800 138 7777 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
or
Email: traveldirectory@maps.org.uk
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