Travel insurance for backpacking
Protect the freedom of carrying everything on your back.
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Backpacking is a pilgrimage many nomads embrace - the call of the open road with just the basics on your back. You might be in search of your people, the path less travelled, or setting out to find your ‘why’. 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 the world’s most captivating regions from wild Patagonia to mystical Japan, 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, if your transport carrier damages or loses your much-needed pack, or if a brazen 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 to your country of residence.
- Loss, theft or damage to baggage or personal items.
- Checked-in baggage being delayed for more than 24 hours and the costs of buying essential clothing and toiletries while waiting for your baggage (remember to keep your receipts).
- Your non-refundable costs of curtailing or cancelling your trip due to sudden injury or illness to you or your travelling companion.
- Cover for cancellation caused by official travel warnings of 'Do not travel' advice issued for your destination after you’ve received your Certificate of Insurance.
- Cover around transport carrier delays, missed connections and natural catastrophe.
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 spitalization benefits.
- Our Explorer Plan also offers cover for some coronavirus-related events such as cancellation, trip interruption expenses and some quarantine costs, as well as additional cover for healthcare workers, residential care workers and law enforcement officers who have their pre-arranged leave cancelled by their employer due to Coronavirus. Benefit limits apply.
What’s not covered for backpacking?
Some things we do not cover include:
- Pre-existing medical conditions.
- Expenses that can be recovered from other sources e.g. transport carriers, accommodation providers or other insurance policies.
- Damage, loss or theft of jewelry, devices, cameras and specified items if checked in as baggage with a common carrier.
- The policy excess amount as shown in the policy wording.
- Personal liability on some activities.
- If you don’t have the necessary visas and/or licences for the activity or study you undertake.
- 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 the loss to the police and appropriate carrier or authority as soon as possible after the loss is discovered. You must get written reports.
- Personal baggage stolen from an unattended vehicle between 9pm and 9am (local time).
Choose a plan to suit your needs
World Nomads offers two plans with different levels of cover and benefit limits: the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. The Explorer Plan has benefits not available in the Standard Plan and also offers travellers higher benefit limits and/or sub limits. If you’re planning on doing something extra on your trip such as scuba diving or farm work, for example, our article on covered sports and activities may help you select the optional upgrades you’ll need to add 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 find out if your policy will extend to that region.
What happens if my item/s are lost or damaged?
You must get a Property Irregularity Report from the relevant supplier 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 baggage tickets. Any reimbursement will allow for depreciation (wear and tear) as per the policy wording except if the item has been specified as high value on your Certificate of Cover.
This is only a summary of cover 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, please get in touch.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.
- Explorer Plan: USD $10,000
- Standard Plan: USD $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Overseas Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling overseas.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited, up to 12 months
- Standard Plan: USD $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
We'll get you to hospital quickly.
- Explorer Plan: USD $500,000
- Standard Plan: USD $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: USD $3,500
- Standard Plan: USD $2,500
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- 24 hour Emergency Assistance
- Emergency Medical Transport
- Repatriation & Travel Expenses
- Pre-Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Resumption of Trip
- Travel Delay
- Missed connection (Explorer)
- Hijacking (Explorer)
- Baggage & Personal Items
- Passport & Travel Documents
- Personal Liability
- Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
- Personal accident (Explorer)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency 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 assistance right now?
Phone:+353 21 237 8008 or +353 21 237 8003 (calls are not toll free. You can claim your itemised call costs)
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.