Backpacking Insurance
ravel insurance is an essential extra no matter where you are planning to go outside the UK. Whilst we are used to the comforts of the National Health Service and the sophisticated and ever present support structure in the event of an accident or mishap, many countries provide their health and emergency services on a completely different basis – and in many cases, it can be expensive.
Backpacking is an adventure all to itself and infers a carefree attitude and wonderlust approach to life. However, it would be wise and sensible to take out travel insurance to cover the worst eventualities and many companies now offer specialist policies designed especially for this market.
The assumption is that backpackers are under 36 years of age. If you are older than this, then you will need to look for extensions to more traditional travel insurance policies. For those younger travellers, there are many features that you need to be aware of and look for in your cover.
Medical and healthcare cover should be the first thing you look for. Even in Europe (where reciprocal basic cover is available under the European Health Insurance Card scheme), you will find that getting repaired after an accident can cost a considerable amount of cash. Once outside Europe, obtaining medical treatment is almost certainly going to involve paying for services and drugs. Therefore, make sure that the financial limits to the cover are adequate for the parts of the world that you intend to travel to the USA and many Far East countries are amongst the most expensive in the world! The government recommends at least a £1m cover for the EU and £3m elsewhere. Consider £5m or more for the US, China and other more remote countries. Try to find a policy that offers telephone support rather than just reimbursing any costs. Getting expert help in a foreign country can not only save time but also get the best treatment to you quicker than you may be able to do for yourself.
If you plan to do some adventure sports whilst backpacking, make sure that policy does provide medical cover for the activity you are contemplating. Be it rock climbing, bungee jumping or jet skiing, cover is available and the additional premium cost is not significant.
It is unlikely that you will have many expensive or valuable possessions with you as you backpack. But that doesn`t mean that you shouldn`t get appropriate levels of cover put in place. Travel documents, cash or travellers cheques are just as valuable as cameras to replace since there may be charges involved in getting replacements to you. Do not rely on airline travel compensation plans. They take ages to pay out and the claim process is tortuous.
Any policy that you put in place will provide some level of third party liability insurance. No one expects to damage or cause injury, but having the ability to pay in the event of an accident may well save you a longer than planned visit!
As with all insurance policy application forms, make sure that you fully disclose all relevant information before you sign the declaration. Any incorrect or withheld information could lead to the policy being invalidated and you with no cover when you most need it.
Buy from a reputable insurance company, such as American Express Travel Insurance, and always read the policy small print so that you know what is covered and, more importantly, what is not. Make sure to take a copy of the policy and all contact details with you. Save a copy of these details on your e-mail account so that if you do lose them, a visit to any internet café should be that you can get the necessary information when needed.
