Travel insurance for backpacking
If something unexpected happens, we’ve got your back – pack or no pack.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
- Why should I consider insurance when backpacking?
- What's covered when backpacking?
- What doesn't World Nomads insurance cover for backpackers?
- Travel insurance tips for backpackers?
Just you and the open road, the basics on your back, the world at your feet. Backpacking is a rite of passage for many nomads seeking maximum experience for minimum expense.
You’ve packed your travel–size towel, trusty walking shoes, and clothes that can be worn again and again. But what about travel insurance? Even if you can do without your creature comforts, backpacker travel insurance may be a good idea. Especially if you are on a long-term trip, you never know when a medical emergency could pop up.
World Nomads covers backpackers as they travel all over the world with travel insurance specifically designed for backpacking adventures in Thailand, Australia, South America, the UK and more.
Why should I consider backpacker travel insurance?
If your travels take you on the wrong kind of adventure – like a sudden illness or injury, a freak natural disaster, stolen or lost bags, or an emergency that means you have to head home pronto – backpacker travel insurance may be able to help you with your unexpected expenses or may provide reimbursement for unused, non-refundable prepaid travel arrangements. Plus, the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team is here for you in a crisis, providing guidance and emergency medical and travel assistance.
What’s covered in a backpacker travel insurance plan?
World Nomads supports backpacking adventures of all types, with protection for:
- Trip cancellation for your prepaid, non-refundable, unused trip costs when you cancel for a covered reason.
- Emergency medical expenses for accidents, injuries or sickness.
- Baggage, personal effects and sporting equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, and hiking and trekking gear.
- Emergency ambulance transportation or medical evacuation home if your condition warrants it.
- Baggage delays of at least 12 hours enroute to your destination.
- Trip interruption for emergencies that can cut your trip short due to a covered reason.
- More than 250 activities, sports, work and volunteer experiences, from water sports to skiing, hiking, and more.
What isn't covered in a backpacker travel insurance plan?
Backpacker travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Here are a few things we don’t cover:
- Wear and tear from everyday use of sporting equipment.
- Hikes or treks over 6000 metres of elevation
- Any activities that aren’t on our adventure sports coverage list
- Any activities that are specifically excluded
- Search-and-rescue missions
- Certain items such as cash and credit cards
- Certain pre-existing medical conditions
Travel insurance tips for backpackers
Here are some pointers to help keep you covered while backpacking.
- For you, does backpacking = hiking or mountain climbing? Make sure you list all the activities you plan to participate in when you buy your policy. Level 1 activities are automatically covered when you buy your policy. You’ll need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and Level 3 activities like skiing and hiking between 3000 and 6000 metres. You cannot add activities after you’ve purchased your policy, so it's important to get this right on the first go.
- While having fun is a must-do, risky behavior isn’t covered. Yes, you can take the road less travelled but incidents that occur if you are not acting in a prudent manner or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol may not be covered under your plan.
- If you want to work or volunteer while you’re away, coverage for work such as teaching, nannying, office and bar work may be covered but higher risk activities like mountaineering, working on offshore oil rigs or with dangerous animals are not covered. Remember, you must list all activities, including volunteering, when you purchase your backpacker travel insurance policy to be eligible for coverage.
- Going wherever the breeze blows? If you want to cross borders and explore a new country or region, check with our customer service team first as your policy may not apply in all countries.
Are you travelling long-term, you lucky thing? You can buy more travel insurance while abroad (waiting periods may apply) even if you don’t have a return ticket. World Nomads policies for Canadian residents can cover you for up to 365 days. Remember, transportation expenses to return you to your home province are not covered under any section of the policy if, prior to your policy effective date, you did not purchase a return air ticket to return to your home province as part of your trip.
Get a quote 24/7
With World Nomads you can buy travel insurance before you go or when you're already travelling, any time anywhere, 24-hours a day. Fill out the quick quote form below to get an instant quote.
When you buy a World Nomads travel insurance policy, rest assured your coverage has been crafted by passionate travellers who have lugged backpacks, battled bedbugs and waited in line for the restroom too. For trip ideas and tips, check out our article on backpacking dos and don’ts and much more.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $5,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Explorer Plan: $10 million
- Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
- Return to Your Trip Destination
- Return of Remains
- Travel Accident
- Flight Accident
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
- LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Adventure Travel Hotline
- 24/7 Security
- Travel Medical Assistance
- Bag Trak
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Contact the team
FAQ
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions about backpacking. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can get in touch with our customer service team.
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Does my insurance pay for my accident upfront or do I have to pay and claim?
Who pays depends on what’s happened. In most cases, you’ll pay upfront and then file a claim reimbursement when you return home. If it’s an emergency where hospital admission and/or medical evacuation is required, the insurer may cover these costs upfront (provided the incident is covered as per the policy wording, of course). The insurer will make every effort, although they cannot guarantee, to pay providers directly. Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help you figure out the best course of action. Be sure to call them before you seek medical attention or an emergency evacuation.
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I'm on a longer trip. Can I file a claim for my baggage while I'm away?
You can claim whenever you like, while travelling or when you return home.
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Is there a time period that I have to claim within?
You're welcome to submit a claim whenever you're ready. If you're waiting on documentation, just let our customer service team know, so they can make a note. Remember, you must notify us immediately of a cancellation, interruption or delay no later than the next business day following a cancellation, interruption or delay and prior to any emergency medical treatment, evacuation or repatriation and prior to any surgery, invasive procedure or hospitalization.
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Does it matter if my receipts are in another language?
You can submit your claim with the receipts in another language. If the claims examiner requires has questions or requires additional information, they'll let you know.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.