Backpacker & Gap Year Travel Insurance

Some insurance companies have experience of insuring young people for extended trips in which they may do what some consider as hazardous activities.

This experience means that they have the inside track on the level of claims associated with this type of risk based on real experience rather than prejudice and supposition. As a result they are able to offer premiums at reasonable rates.

Before you buy your insurance make sure that you have a clear idea of what you are going to be doing and where you are going to be going and make sure that the policy that you buy covers you for all of those things. Ask yourself "what if my plans change, will I still be covered?", if there is a chance that you will be working either for pay or voluntarily check that this is covered.

Be particularly careful to check for significant exclusions. These can be for all sorts of things but the most common that you should be aware of is that most insurers will not pay a claim if you are under the influence of drink or drugs at the time of the incident leading to the claim. There may be other specific exclusions that may affect you, make sure that you read the small print.

Here are some travel insurance company sites that offer cover for backpackers and gap year travellers.

ACE Backpacker Insurance
Endsleigh backpacker insurance
DownUnder backpacker insurance
Columbusdirect Backpacker Travel Insurance

General Backpacker, and Gap Year information web sites

Backpacking sites
Independant advice for backpackers
Irish backpacker magazine
Travel planning guide for Europe
The backpackers ultimate guide

Gap year
GAP organisation offering voluntary work experiences overseas for 17-25 year olds.
The Gap Year Directory
Gap year travel portal
Detailed information for your volunteering gap year
Gap year jobs

Student Travel
Hostel booking

More travel insurance guides and information on this site.

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Don't leave reading the small print until you need to make a claim. If you do it may be too late if you find that you have not complied with a specific requirement of the policy......................

FCO's "Know before you go" Campaign Top Tips

* Check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice or call 0845 850 2829.
* Get travel insurance and check that the cover is appropriate.
* Check what vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you go and consider whether you need to take extra health precautions - Department of Health
* Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs.
* Ensure you have a valid passport that is in good condition and the necessary visas.
* Make copies of your passport (including any visa pages), insurance policy plus 24-hour emergency number, and ticket details. Leave these copies, your itinerary and contact details with family and friends.
* Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds eg travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars.

ACE Insurance have a useful guide in .pdf format for download here: Travel check list

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office web site has “Country specific travel advice”. Follow this link and click on “Travel Advice”. http://www.fco.gov.uk/