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Do Backpackers Need Long Stay Travel Insurance?

Backpacking is an exciting journey that is full of twists, turns, and the unexpected.

For these reasons and more, long stay travel insurance is highly recommended for backpackers, no matter where your destination is.

From emergencies like accidents, food poisoning, or even getting lost in the wilderness, travel insurance can provide assistance.

In this article, we're going to be taking a look at travel insurance for backpackers - what you should look for, what it covers, and where to buy it to make sure that you can travel with peak peace of mind.

Do backpackers need long stay travel insurance?

It's always recommended for backpackers to carry travel insurance, and sometimes it's even required.

Travel insurance helps protect you from financial setbacks when things don’t go as planned. It’s especially important for budget travelers who might not have the extra funds to cover emergency expenses while abroad.

Medical emergencies abroad can be expensive, and some locations might require upfront payment for treatment.

If you're getting a visa for your travels (which may be required for your trip), travel insurance might even be mandatory.

Travel insurance is a common requirement for visa applications. Make sure you check the list of visa requirements if you are applying for one.

If you’re applying for a visa and it's a requirement, you will need to show that you have sufficient coverage. The coverage will also need to meet specific criteria determined by country officials.

When should backpackers get travel insurance?

You need to purchase travel insurance before you leave for your trip, ideally once you book your tickets. While you can buy travel insurance any time before you leave (even the day before), some policies may have mandatory waiting periods before your coverage kicks in. If you are leaving on a trip tomorrow, there could be a multi-day waiting period, which will leave you without the coverage you need.

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You can find out whether or not a policy has a mandatory waiting period by checking the terms and conditions.

Pros and cons of travel insurance for backpackers

Like all things in life, there are pros and cons to travel insurance. Here are some things that you should consider when deciding whether or not travel insurance for your backpacking trip is right for you.

Pros

Covers medical emergencies, including emergency surgery, hospitalization, and evacuation/repatriation.
You'll have access to experts 24/7. Travel insurance comes with 24/7 travel assistance and support to answer your questions along the way.
Depending on the policy, you will be covered for sports/search and rescue costs. This can be invaluable to backpackers who plan on spending ample time outdoors.
Also, depending on the policy, you are covered for legal assistance, legal fees abroad, and even advance of bail. This can also be extremely helpful for backpackers who don't know the ins and outs of local laws.
Travel insurance can save you money in the long run. Emergencies abroad can be extremely expensive, but travel insurance will cover qualifying emergencies.
If you are applying for a visa and travel insurance is a mandatory part of the process, you need it.

Cons:

Some policies can be expensive for long-term travelers. However, there are flat-rate options that can provide 365-day coverage. Just keep an eye out for any trip maximums.
Adventure/extreme activities likely aren't covered.
Pre-existing conditions are excluded.

What backpackers should look for in travel insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are the same and you must look at each policy with a detailed eye so you understand it before you make your final decision.

The guarantees

A good backpacker travel insurance policy should include:

Medical expenses – also covering emergency hospital stays and emergency surgery. Make sure that the policy you choose meets any visa requirements (if applicable).
Emergency evacuation and repatriation – This is extremely important if you need to be airlifted or transported home.
Search and rescue – A must when spending time in nature, parks, or doing activities like skiing or hiking.

The claim process

Always look at the claim process before you choose the right policy for you.

Always keep receipts, medical reports, and police reports, just in case.
Report incidents as soon as they happen or when the official claim process says to report them.
Follow the insurer’s claim submission process carefully.
Understand the claim process before you purchase so you know what to do if and when an emergency occurs.

Cost

The price of travel insurance depends on several factors, including:

How many people you need coverage for.
The length of your trip.
The level of coverage and policy you choose.

While budget backpackers may be tempted to skip insurance to save money, the cost of an accident or illness abroad can be far greater than the policy price.

What backpackers need to know before taking out a travel insurance policy

Make sure you read the terms and conditions of a policy before purchasing it so you understand the exclusions. Pay close attention to the medical exclusions and search and rescue exclusions.
Ensure your policy meets visa application requirements (if applicable).
Travel insurance isn't the same thing as health insurance. Routine care, treatments, and preventative care is not covered.
Choose a 100% digital option. When backpacking, space is limited. A digital option like Insurte can live on your phone or laptop.
Travel insurance doesn't necessarily cover you worldwide. In fact, most do not. Make sure you check which countries each policy covers you in. Different policies cover you in different places. If you're backpacking in Iceland, you need to be covered in Iceland. Switzerland, you need to be covered there, etc. While it isn't a given, there are policies that offer worldwide coverage, such as Mutuaide through Insurte.