Backpacking Travel Insurance

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” – Martin Buber

Backpacking Travel Insurance

During my travels, I met some backpackers that opted not to travel with backpacking travel insurance. I also met a few that were forced to use their insurance for some reason or another. Thankfully most of the injuries were minor, but many used their coverage for stolen bags and cameras.

Backpacking travel insurance is much cheaper than staying home and paying for health insurance!. Unless you plan to sit in the TV room at the hostel for your entire trip, its a pretty good idea to get at some type over coverage.

Why?
It could cost $100K to evacuate you back to your home country if you are seriously injured.

Once you are brought home, your travel insurance stops and all treatment will go onto your health insurance. The bill will not be pretty.  If you do not have cheap health insurance at home (ie..you quit your job for this trip), then consider at least getting a free quote on a high deductible policy for emergencies fromeHealthInsurance.com.

Some damn good reasons for getting backpacking travel insurance:

• More people get hurt in simple bus accidents than in extreme sports like rock climbing.

• The #1 cause of fatalities and injuries to Americans while traveling is automobile accidents. (cnn.com) That won’t be a surprise if you have ever seen the way they drive in Beijing, Cairo, or India.

• Many policies cover your backpack if it is lost or stolen, as well as things like your IPOD and camera.

• Many policies cover your trip in the event that you have to cancel for some reason.

• Backpacker insurance is typically far cheaper than health insurance.

• You will not be spending most of your time watching TV or sitting in an office.  While traveling, you will be more active and more exposed to the chance for minor injuries.

• You may want to use the coverage for small, unexpected things you pick up while traveling – like this parasite that infected my travel mate’s bare foot in Laos.

BEFORE YOU BUY BACKPACKING TRAVEL INSURANCE

Make sure the company provides coverage for any adventures you think you want to do, like white water rafting, rock climbing, and trekking. If you are going to Nepal, check to see that there are no altitude restrictions in the policy. World Nomads, one of the leading insurers, has a useful adventure tool telling what they do and do not cover.

It is very nice to get a policy that allows you to extend coverage instantly online in case you decide to stay longer.

HOW DO I GET TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR MY BACKPACKING TRIP?

Here are three excellent backpacking travel insurance providers; I have personally used all of these in past trips.

• World Nomads – This Australian company is run by travelers; a little more pricey, but the best out there.

• InsureMyTrip.com – This site gives a great rundown of plans from many providers and lets you compare them.