Travel Insurance When Backpacking
Essential travel insurance information for Americans backpacking worldwide.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
- Why should I consider travel insurance when backpacking?
- What's covered when backpacking?
- What doesn't backpacker insurance cover?
- Travel insurance tips for backpackers
- Get a quote
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 might be setting out to find your crew or yourself, to connect with a destination or frolic at every festival.
But even if you can do without your creature comforts, travel insurance* may still be a good idea.
World Nomads covers backpackers as they travel all over the world, with travel insurance designed for backpacking in Thailand, Vietnam, South America, Europe and beyond.
Why should I consider travel insurance when backpacking?
If your travels take you on the wrong kind of adventure – like a sudden illness or injury, stolen or lost belongings, or an emergency that requires you to head home pronto – travel insurance may be able to help you with expenses. Plus, the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team is here for you in a crisis, providing guidance and pre-approving costs if necessary.
As dedicated backpackers ourselves, we’ve designed our plans to cover all sorts of backpacking trips, from week-long jaunts through Europe, to multi-month adventures across South America. And we don’t just cover you while you’re walking; we also cover over 250 other sports, activities and experiences you might want to engage in during your backpacking trip.
We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different levels of coverage. If your backpacking trip will include hiking, consider the different elevations covered with each plan. The Standard and Annual plans cover hiking activities up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters. The Explorer plan covers hiking activities up to 21,325 feet/6,500 meters. The Epic Plan covers hiking activities up to 26,247 feet/8,000 meters.
What’s covered when backpacking?
World Nomads supports backpacking adventures of all types, with protection for:
- Trip cancellation for the recovery of missed, prepaid, non-refundable trip costs when you cancel for a covered reason.
- Emergency medical expenses for accidents, injuries or sicknesses.
- Personal belongings including tents, sleeping bags, hiking and trekking gear, and more, should they get stolen or lost by a common carrier.
- Emergency evacuation for hospital transfers or a flight back to your home if your condition warrants it.
- Baggage delays of at least 12 hours on route to your destination.
- Trip interruption for emergencies that can cut your trip short.
- More than 250 activities, from water sports to snow-based adventure sports and more.
- Pre-trip medical support through our non-insurance service partner Runway Health to get travel medicines, like altitude sickness pills or malaria medication, delivered to your door before you leave on your trip.
Each benefit is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions. Be sure to read your plan documents to learn exactly what scenarios are covered.
What doesn't backpacker insurance cover?
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. Gear that is in use is not covered.
- Hiking or climbing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Mountaineering, high altitude climbing, hikes, treks, or expeditions above 26,247 feet/8,000 meters (Epic Plan), 21,325 feet/6,500 meters (Explorer Plan) or above 9,842 feet/3,000 meters (Standard and Annual Plans).
- Any activities that aren’t on our adventure sports coverage list.
- Search-and-rescue missions.
- If you travel against medical advice.
- Any pre-existing medical condition, unless you purchased your plan within the time-sensitive period and have a waiver.
- Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items.
- If traveling domestically, travel within 100 miles from your home.
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 select the right plan for your adventure sport or activities. Our article on covered sports and activities should help you decide on whether to buy a Standard, Explorer, Epic or Annual plan, as they have different levels of coverage. You can’t upgrade your coverage after you purchase a plan, 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 enjoy a drink and take the road less traveled, but incidents that occur while under the influence of drugs or alcohol may not be covered under your plan.
- If you want to work while you’re away, coverage for work such as teaching, bar work, or conservation work may be included in the Standard or Annual plan. However, volunteer activities such as NGO support, disaster relief, or construction and renovation work may only be covered under the Explorer or Epic plans. However, keep in mind that some types of work like professional mountain guiding are not covered at all.
- Going wherever the breeze blows? If you want to cross the border, check with our customer service team first as your plan may not apply in all countries.
Are you traveling 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. And if you plan to take numerous trips during the year, then the Annual Multi-Trip plan could be best for you.
Get a quote 24/7
With World Nomads, you can buy travel insurance before you go or when you're already traveling, anytime, 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 plan, rest assured that your coverage has been crafted by passionate travelers who have lugged backpacks, battled bedbugs, and fought with food poisoning along the way as well. For trip ideas and tips, check out our article on backpacking dos and don’ts and much more.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.We cover 250+ activities you love
- Scuba diving
- Mountain biking
- Surfing
- Bungee jumping
- Skiing
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- 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.
- Standard Plan: $125,500
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Runway Health
- FootprintID
- Blue Ribbon Bags
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about backpacking travel insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.
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Does my insurance pay for my accident upfront or do I have to pay and claim?
World Nomads plans provide secondary insurance and are in excess to any other insurance you may have. You should pay upfront and then claim reimbursement with your primary insurance first. Once your primary insurance makes a decision on your claim, you can make a claim with us for the difference (the amount they did not cover) up to your policy limits. Be sure to include your primary insurer’s Explanation of Benefits along with your claim. If you don’t have primary insurance, you’ll submit a claim to us for the full amount, up to the policy limits. If you have ay questions in an emergency, please contact our emergency assistance team for guidance.
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I'm on a longer trip. Can I claim for my baggage while I'm away?
You can claim whenever you like, while traveling or when you return home. But we encourage you to file a claim at your earliest convenience.
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Is there a time period that I have to claim within?
We recommend you make a claim as soon as you are able. The sooner you start your claim, the sooner our team can get working on it. If you're waiting on documentation, just let our customer service team know, so they can make a note. Plus, submitting your claim as soon as possible means less of a chance you’ll misplace your receipts or other required documentation.
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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 you to translate it, they'll let you know.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.