Trying to find the best backpacker insurance can be quite a task with so many brokers, agents and other assorted companies coming at you from all directions. With this article I hope to make it that much smoother because lets face it… Choosing travel insurance for a gap year or extended trip isn't the most exciting part of planning!
Although travel insurance is not a legal obligation yet there is not a doubt in my mind that you will need it. I won't go into detail but often people think they will be fine, "It's a safe city trip" or something to that effect. If you can fall ill or have an accident at home you can do the same anywhere. The main difference being that only the smallest of accidents can run bills into the thousands whilst travelling.
"Choosing the right insurance has the potential to save you thousands…"
So what do you need to get cover for? "How do I know that my insurance covers everything I want to do?" So many questions where to find the answers. Well… The very first step when choosing a policy is getting an idea of what kind of trip you plan on taking.
Some ideas to get you started…
- How long are you Traveling for?
- Where are You going?
- Might you travel somewhere else?
- Will you be driving?
- Is there a chance you will play any sport?
- Any extreme sports? (Some things that may seem harmless like football sometimes aren't covered)
- Will you be working?
- How much money will you have on you?
All of the things listed above can have a huge impact on the type of insurance you go for. Perhaps if you havn't already got a plan of your trip work list down all of your answers so that you can compare against potential insurance deals you find.
Once you have an idea of what you might be doing on your holiday and will need cover for it's good to realise that there are still some things you probably havn't even thought of. In my honest opinion you must make sure your insurance covers every possible eventuality. It's better to be covered for something that never happens than to get robbed and find out you are stuck without money, a passport, flight tickets, practically anything to survive on and get yourself out of the situation.
Things you may not have thought of…
- What if you miss a flight?
- What if your passport were stolen?
- What if you baggage were lost/delayed?
- What if you are injured and need to be flown home?
- What if you get caught up in something and need legal cover?
- What if you injure somebody else?
If you get a good policy you absolutely will not have to worry about these things!
Okay, so now you know exactly what kind of things you wil need cover for it's time to compare your list of requirements against a few policies. I have included a general guide to what is a good amount of cover below.
This is the Minimum that I personally would take…
- Medical Expenses - £2.5 Million
- Personal Liability - £1 Million
- Cancellation - £3,000
- Baggage - £1,500
- Cash - £250
- Travel Documents £200
On top of that you will have to add anything extra that you may need cover for. In my case I have actually gone with a great insurance broker that has actually included most extreme sports that I plan to do in my cover for no extra cost.
For those who want to be sure they have the best cover…
These are two additional features that if you can find them are a great addition to your policy. They are by no means necassary but can definitely help to make a great deal. I managed to snag both for my upcoming trip.
The first is what is called an excess waiver. For those who don't know an excess is an amount that you have to pay on any bills before your insurance will kick on. This can be as high as £60 which won't be ideal when you have just had your wallet or purse stolen. When you have an excess waiver you will pay slightly more when initially purchasing your insurance but when it comes down to making a claim you will not have to pay the excess first.
The second benefit is being able to change your mind whilst away. Some insurers actually allow you to make changes to the policy whilst you are away just by making a call or editing your policy online. This is great say if you decide to visit a neighbouring country whilst away or have a rush of inspiration to try a sport that you are not covered for. This is great because it really gives you the freedom to just let the fun times roll.
So who gives The Best Backpacker Insurance quickly and Easily?
I'm not going to lie to you, there are many good providers who will be great for different types of trips. As a UK resident going to Australia for a year I found Downunder Insurance the best match for me. It gave me everything I needed and more, including the two additional benefits I mentioned above. Personally I went for their comprehensive cover as I like to make sure that I am absolutely getting the best deal. i don't want to be caught short.
I recommend that you check out a few insurance companies for yourself and make sure they have all you need but if you're going to take a look at Downunder Insurance I'd appreciate it if you could use the link below.
|
Quick and Easy Travel Insurance? Downunder Insurance is available for residents in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Offering Affordable Policies for Backpackers, Gap-Year Students and more up to 55 years of age. |
After I signed up with them I found a link which enabled me to recommend them to others and get some money back on my insurance. You really should choose the best insurance for your trip but if it happes to be Downunder why not help a fellow traveller in the process?
Best of Luck,
Daniel McClure