Are you seeking the best travel insurance provider to keep you safe during your upcoming trip abroad? From ensuring medical and financial assistance in an emergency to canceling protection and personal effects coverage, choosing a reliable travel insurance company should be an important part of every backpacker's journey.
With countless options, it can take time to decipher which ones offer the most suitable coverages for your unique needs. We've researched and identified the top five best travel insurance companies for backpackers worldwide. Read on to discover their features, policies, and ratings that may help make deciding which is right for you easier—safe travels.
Travel Insurance and Why it's Important for Backpackers
Travel insurance protects travelers from unforeseen risks during their trips abroad. Depending on the plan, it can cover lost or stolen baggage, emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, and more.
For backpackers venturing out into unexplored territories with limited resources, travel insurance provides financial support and peace of mind in case of unexpected incidents during their journeys. It also offers protection against any currency fluctuations that could affect the cost of a trip, covers pre-existing conditions like asthma, diabetes, or allergies, and acts as supplemental health insurance when traveling outside one's own country.
With so much at stake while traveling around the world without familiar surroundings or support networks nearby, having a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place can make a difference in providing safety and security to travelers.
Now that you know the importance of travel insurance for backpackers, let's take a look at the top five companies offering it:
World Nomads
is one of the most popular names in travel insurance specifically designed for adventurous travelers like backpackers who require more coverage than what other insurers provide. They offer various coverage options, from medical assistance to personal effects protection, with no upper age limit or pre-existing condition exclusions.
Some of their key benefits include 24/7 emergency assistance, unlimited medical cover, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, loss and theft protection, and access to their online health advice hub.
Allianz Global Assistance
Allianz Global Assistance is a multi-award-winning travel insurance provider that focuses on providing superior customer service and quality coverage tailored to the specific needs of travelers like backpackers.
Their policies offer coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, interruptions, baggage, personal items protection, and access to their 24/7 emergency assistance line with multilingual staff. Moreover, they also provide flexible plans that allow customers to increase or decrease coverage depending on their individual needs.
AXA Travel Insurance
AXA Travel Insurance provides comprehensive protection for travelers of all ages with special offers specifically designed for backpackers, including personal accident insurance, repatriation of remains coverage, and identity theft protection. They also offer various online services, such as instant medical assistance, personal accident cover for adventure activities, and 24-hour access to their multilingual helpline.
Insure & Go
Insure & Go offers a range of travel insurance policies designed with backpackers in mind that provide cover both within the EU and worldwide. Their policies include standard benefits like trip cancellation/interruption coverage, personal liability protection, and emergency medical expenses while covering up to 31 days per trip outside the UK.
What sets them apart is their Adventure Pack which provides additional benefits such as loss or theft of valuables during outdoor activities and repatriation costs in case of an accident.
Coverwise
Coverwise is a leading travel insurance provider that offers comprehensive coverages and flexible packages for backpackers with features such as extended coverage for activities like mountain biking, bungee jumping, or scuba diving and access to their 24/7 medical emergency helpline. They also provide financial protection in case of trip cancellation or interruption and personal liability protection should an accident happen while traveling.
With these five companies offering various levels of coverage tailored to the needs of backpackers, it's easier than ever to find a suitable policy that fits your budget and provides adequate protection while traveling around the world.
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Travel Insurance Provider
When choosing a travel insurance provider, it's important to consider the following factors:
- Coverage: Check each policy's coverage and determine which has the most suitable features for your trip.
- Cost: Compare prices of different policies carefully and choose the best value for money.
- Trustworthiness & Reputation: Look into customer reviews of each provider and gauge their trustworthiness and reputation in the industry.
- Customer Service: It's also important to consider customer service since you may need to help understand a policy or file a claim in an emergency. Check if they have 24/7 live support or any other options available for contact should you ever need assistance.
- Network of Providers: A good travel insurance provider should have a wide network of providers and specialists worldwide to ensure prompt and efficient medical care in an emergency.
By considering these factors, you can be sure to find the best travel insurance provider for your adventure. With so many options available, it's important to research before choosing one that meets all your requirements at an affordable price.
Tips on how to get the most value from your travel insurance package
- Research different policies and compare coverage before purchasing a travel insurance plan.
- Look for plans that cover pre-existing medical conditions, as some providers may require you to purchase additional coverage for these conditions.
- Buy your travel insurance as soon as you book your trip to be covered from the start of your journey.
- Check what activities or sports the policy covers and if any additional coverage needs to be purchased for high-risk activities such as bungee jumping or skiing.
- Read over the policy details carefully and ensure you understand the coverage offered.
- Keep all of your travel documents, including your insurance policy, in a safe place while traveling.
- Contact your provider to activate the cover before seeking medical help in an emergency. This will help to ensure that any medical bills are covered by the policy and not out-of-pocket.
- After returning from your trip, immediately file a claim with your provider. Make sure that you have all relevant documents ready for submission.
- Contact customer service for assistance if you have any questions or concerns about filing a claim.
FAQS
Do you need insurance when backpacking?
Yes, it is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance when backpacking as it provides financial protection in case of cancellation or interruption, medical emergencies, and liability protection if an accident occurs.
How much does travel insurance cost?
Travel insurance costs depend on the provider, coverage type, and trip duration. Generally, basic policies start from around $50 for a week-long trip.
Can I have 2 travel insurance policies?
Yes, you can purchase multiple travel insurance policies if they provide different types of coverage. However, check with each provider, as some may not allow this.
Conclusion
After reviewing the best travel insurance companies for backpackers, it's clear that securing the right type of insurance coverage can be a potential lifesaver when traveling. Traveling can present certain risks that are impossible to predict, so having travel insurance is an absolute must for any traveler. The best travel insurance companies for backpackers provide their customers with the peace of mind they need when carrying out lengthy and unfamiliar journeys. Additionally, at relatively modest costs, covering yourself with a good policy can save travelers substantial amounts of money and stress if things go wrong while traveling.
