Travel Insurance for Backpacking
Protect the freedom of carrying everything on your back.
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For many nomads, backpacking is the bedrock of adventure; roaming forgotten streets with just your trusty pack to sustain you.
Even if you like to travel with everything you need on your back, travel insurance is still a good idea in case backpacking mishaps (or worse) surprise you on the road. World Nomads travel insurance is designed for backpacking abroad – whether you’re heading to Spain and Italy or Australia, South America, the Caribbean and further afield.
- Why buy travel insurance for when you’re backpacking?
- What’s covered when backpacking?
- Does my plan include cover for Coronavirus related events?
- What’s not covered for backpacking?
- Choose a plan to suit your needs
- Some FAQs
Why buy travel insurance for when you’re backpacking?
World Nomads travel insurance plans offer cover for sudden and unforeseen costs such as if you’re injured in a traffic accident and need urgent medical treatment, or if your transport carrier damages or loses your much-needed pack with everything in it, or a crafty pickpocket swipes your phone from under your nose.
What’s covered when backpacking?
Our plans offer cover (up to the benefit limits) for:
- Overseas emergency medical expenses for sudden injury or illness.
- Overseas emergency medical evacuation or repatriation back home.
- Loss, theft or damage to baggage or personal items. Always get a Property Irregularity Report from the relevant travel supplier or carrier as soon as you discover the loss or damage. You’ll need it to submit your claim along with a police report, copies of the original receipts and any luggage tickets.
- Checked-in baggage delayed for more than 24 hours and the cost of buying essential clothing and toiletries while waiting for your baggage (keep those receipts!).
- Your non-refundable costs of cancelling or curtailing your trip due to sudden injury or illness to you or your travelling companion.
- Cover for cancellation caused by official Department of Foreign Affairs travel warnings advising against all travel or all but essential travel issued for your destination up to 7 days before the certified departure of your trip (Explorer Plan only).
- Cover for travel delays and natural catastrophe (Explorer Plan only).
Does my plan include cover for Coronavirus-related events?
Our Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for emergency medical assistance if you get sick with Coronavirus (COVID-19) overseas (excluding pre-existing medical conditions, as defined in the policy wording) – cover includes medical assistance, repatriation and hospitalisation benefits.
What’s not covered for backpacking?
Some things we do not cover include:
- Pre-existing medical conditions, as per the policy wording.
- Expenses that can be recovered from other sources e.g. transport carriers, accommodation providers or other insurance policies.
- The policy excess amount as shown in the policy wording.
- If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated.
- Any loss from being intoxicated with drugs or alcohol.
- Reckless behavior such as heading somewhere remote or into a war zone.
- If you don't keep your gear safe and secure at all times.
- If you don't report any loss to the police and appropriate carrier or authority as soon as possible after the loss is discovered. Don’t forget to get written reports to support any claim you may make.
- Personal baggage stolen from an unattended vehicle unless locked away and not visible from the outside.
Choose a plan to suit your needs
Both our Standard and Explorer Plans have many of the same benefits, while the Explorer Plan offers travellers further covered events and higher benefit limits and/or sub limits.
If you’re planning on doing extra activities such as scuba diving, rock climbing or manual work, for example, our article on covered sports and activities can help you select the optional upgrades you’ll need to add to your plan when you buy your policy. Keep in mind some types of work and high-risk activities may not be covered at all.
Some FAQS
Am I covered if I travel to a country not specified on my policy?
Backpacking often means going wherever the breeze blows you, but before you decide to cross the border into a country not specified on your Certificate of Insurance, check with our customer service team to check if your policy will extend to that region.
Can I extend my policy while still travelling?
Yes, it’s possible to extend your existing Single Trip policy while still travelling and before its expiry date, for up to 12 months from the start date.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, get in touch.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest suitable medical facility is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Disruption
- 24-Hour Medical Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation, our teams 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 Medical Assistance right now?
For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024:
Phone: +353 4 69 017 022
For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
+353 (0) 90 640 6460
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.