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Backpacker Travel Insurance
Backpacker Travel Insurance
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettEasily compare Travel Insurance
Save time and effort by comparing a range of travel insurance policies with iSelect
What is backpacker insurance?
Long story short
Protect your backpacking adventure with travel insurance
From lost passports to cancelled flights, travel insurance can cover any medical bills, thefts, and more while you’re travelling.
Choose a backpacker travel insurance policy that fits your needs
From medical-only policies to comprehensive ones, choose from a range of policies that cover your destinations, travel dates and budget.
It’s worth spending a little more for better coverage
Cheaper policies aren’t always better. A few extra dollars could save you a lot of money if something goes wrong.
Working while backpacking? Check your cover
Backpacking policies can sometimes include working holidays and volunteering; make sure to double-check that your insurer covers the work you’re doing.
What is backpacker insurance?
Backpacker insurance is your travel safety net when things hit the fan. Lost luggage in Lebanon, delayed flights in Jakarta or a surprise hospital visit in Hanoi – it’s all a part of the backpacker experience. Travel insurance can help these situations become a funny story to tell your friends back home, not a traumatic life lesson.
Whether you’re living like the locals, working overseas, or ticking off your bucket list, backpacker insurance is built for long trips, tight budgets and unique adventures. All while covering your luggage, medical treatment, cancellations, and more (depending on your coverage). From budget-friendly medical-only policies to more comprehensive plans for those who want to trek off in the jungle, there’s a policy to match your style of travel.
Why should backpackers get travel insurance?
For most backpackers, money is a big consideration while travelling. Spending extra cash on travel insurance (that could be going towards another week of hostels) might feel like an unnecessary luxury, but it’s the opposite. Unlike a road trip at home, where Medicare and your mates are on standby, being overseas mostly means flying solo. And if things do go wrong, you’ll be glad you’re not calling your mum from a dingy hostel to help rebook your cancelled flights. You can leave that convo for your travel insurer.
Even Smartraveller says it’s just as important as your passport. So, while it might feel like ‘just another cost,’ it could be your lifeline in a worst-case scenario. So instead of having to fly home with empty pockets, you can continue your gap year wandering from Phuket to Ubud.
What are different types of travel insurance for a backpacker?
Basic
Basic travel insurance, sometimes known as medical-only, is often a go-to for backpackers counting every dollar. It usually includes medical cover (a must-have), and maybe some low limits for baggage, if you’re lucky. Which means it’s best for travellers who travel light and just want a safety net without all the bells and whistles.
Comprehensive
Just like it sounds, comprehensive policies have all your bases covered. They’ll protect you from medical costs, cancellations, lost or stolen belongings, and more, but that doesn’t mean every single thing will be covered. Extras like adventure sports or pre-existing conditions might still need to be added on top of your comprehensive plan.
Single-trip
A single-trip policy will have your back from the moment you leave Australia until you touch back down (even if you’re visiting more than one country). This is a great choice for travellers who have their itinerary locked in and know exactly where they want to go – and when they’re coming home.
Annual multi-trip
An annual multi-trip policy will cover you across a range of trips in the year, no matter where you’re going – you’ve just gotta choose the regions you plan to explore on your backpacking trip. However, these policies usually have a cap on the length of each trip (often about 60 for international trips).
Helpful tip
A multi-trip policy might seem like a backpacker’s choice, but it might not be ideal. While it can be more cost-effective than taking out multiple single-trip polices, most trips cap at around 60 days which doesn’t really line up with the slow and spontaneous plans of a backpacker.
Single-trip policies, on the other hand, are usually good for about 12 months and can cover multiple countries in one go. So, if your plan is one big trip with no return flights booked, the single-trip option might suit you more.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
What does backpacker travel insurance cost?
There’s no one-size-fits-all price when it comes to backpacker travel insurance. The cost of your policy depends on where you’re going, for how long, your age, your excess, and the level of coverage you want. While scoring a bargain is great when it comes to your hostel or happy hour beers, it can backfire for travel insurance. You might save some money up-front, but if something does go wrong, you’ll be wishing you could turn back time and spend that extra dough on a better travel insurance policy.
So, when you’re weighing up policies, think value over price. You can still try and find something within your budget, just make sure it actually works for the kind of trip you’re planning (not just one that looks good on your budget spreadsheet).
What is included and excluded in travel insurance for backpackers?
Backpacker travel insurance policy is like ordering coffee – you can’t assume it comes with your usual oat milk unless you ask. So why assume you’ve got cover for everything you need without asking the question? You might think your policy includes medical cover, so you’ll be sweet, but what if medical evacuation isn’t covered? or if you have to fly to the nearest capital to get the care you need? That’s why it pays to ask a few questions to make sure you get what you need (just like that oat latte you grab every morning). Here are a few things that generally will and won’t be included on your policy.
| Usually included | Not usually included |
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How to choose a great travel insurance option?
Whether you’re looking for hidden ancient ruins to explore or just the cheapest backpacker’s hostel in town, the right travel insurance should cover what you need. Backpackers often take the scenic route on their travel to stretch their budget for as long as they can, so you’ll want a policy that works for the ‘figure it out as we go’ type of trip. Here’s what to keep in mind when picking your backpacker policy:
Make sure it covers all your bases
Think about what you actually need cover for. Are you just looking for medical only, or do you want to be covered for every worst-case scenario in case your bag gets stolen or your flight gets cancelled?
Think about where you’re going (and for how long)
Whether it’s six countries in six weeks or nine months in one region, make sure your policy covers the places you’re headed and will stick with you the entire way.
Do you need multiple country coverage?
No one wants to sort new insurance every time they cross a border. If you’re planning to hit up a few destinations, make sure you’re covered for them all. It could save you a whole heap of trouble once you’re there.
Any adventures planned on your backpacking trip?
Your itinerary might be up in the air, but if you’re planning anything adventurous like bungee jumping or some jungle ziplining, make sure it’s covered in your policy. Insurers might include a few low-risk activities in your general cover, while others are an extra to add on top.
Look at value, not just the price
Backpackers are on a budget, we get it. But the cheapest option isn’t always going to be the most suitable option. Look around at a few options to see if you can find more value for the same price. Even if it ends up costing you a little bit more than planned, it could save your backpacking fund from wrapping up early if things go sideways.
Read the fine print
No one loves reading all the little details of a policy, but you’ll thank yourself later. Check what’s not included, like existing medical conditions, so you know exactly what you’re working with.
Frequently asked questions
What if I’m going on a working holiday?
If you’re trying to scrape up some more cash for your travel fund by picking fruit in Spain or pouring pints in London, most travel insurance providers will cover you on a working holiday. Some will have this covered in a backpacker policy, while others will have a specific working holiday policy. If you’re spending some time volunteering, you should be covered as long as it involves low-risk activities. Depending on the work you’re doing, your employer might already have your insurance covered (most during work hours), so make sure to check whether you need it or not.
What if I’m studying abroad?
If you’re studying abroad, you’ll still need travel insurance to protect you. Some providers will offer student-specific policies, while others let you roll with a regular travel insurance policy that covers your needs while studying and travelling. Just make sure you tick off the student requirements, and you’ll be all good to hit the books abroad.
What if I’m taking a gap year to travel?
Whether you’re finding yourself in South America or just taking some time off to see the world before joining the workforce, you’ll still need to organise your own travel insurance before jetting off. Even if you’re not sure exactly where your gap year will be taking you, you should still organise some coverage.
What if I’m going on a Contiki tour?
Just because a touring company like Contiki has all your accommodation, transport, and itinerary booked, it doesn’t mean you can skip out on travel insurance. In fact, for some companies, like Contiki, it’s actually mandatory to take out your own travel insurance policy. Whether you need a basic policy or a comprehensive one, it might be a smart idea to check, especially if your tour group has some adrenaline-filled fun planned.
Can I get travel insurance if I’m already overseas?
Of course! If your backpacking trip has turned into a bit of an extended odyssey, you can buy an ‘already overseas’ policy, which most providers will offer. These are policies for people who have already been overseas for less than 14 days, or if your last policy ran out no more than two weeks ago. But if you’ve missed that window, you might not be able to get coverage.
Can I use my Medicare card while I’m travelling overseas?
Medicare cards won’t be needed. But if you’re in one of Australia’s reciprocal healthcare countries, you might get access to publicly funded medical treatment for urgent care, or if it can’t wait until you fly back home. It won’t cover all medical care, so it’s still important to have a backpacker travel insurance policy to back you up. The countries Australia has an agreement with include Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the UK.
Find backpacker travel insurance that pulls its weight
From tuk-tuks in Thailand to the winding paths of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, you never know where your backpacking adventure will take you next. No matter what you do (or don’t) have planned, travel insurance is your plan B when the hostel loses your booking or your hiking boots get left behind at a train station.
Whether you’re flying solo for a month or travelling with a group of friends for half the year, you can find a travel policy that meets your needs with iSelect. Start comparing online from a range of providers and plans today, because your backpack’s weight should be the only burden you need to think about on your trip.
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