The term ‘backpacking’ when used in a traveling context usually refers to a low-cost method of travel where ‘backpackers’ must adhere to a tight budget. However, no matter how tight the budget of the backpacker, travel insurance must be included as a base cost.

By its very nature, backpacking is adventurous and involves risk. Staying in hostels at different international locations and getting from place to place on public transportation to get there puts the backpacker at greater risk of theft or injury. There are many professional scam artists who prey on the unsavvy backpacker and injuries can come about simply from lugging around the heavy backpack. That’s why it’s so important to invest in backpacking travel insurance before embarking on a trip.

Backpacker travel insurance is available at very low cost. It is important that a policy is purchased that specifically covers the backpacking method of travel to ensure there are no issues, should a need to use the insurance arises. Plus, the backpacking policy can be customized to cover the specific needs of the backpacker should a mountain trip be planned, or scuba diving, or skydiving, etc.

Every backpacker policy must have the provisions covering emergency medical should medical attention be needed, and rescue and repatriation should a rescue be required in the case of a mountain climbing trip, for example. Additionally, the policy needs to cover personal liability should the backpacker accidentally cause damage or injury to another’s property or person and it should cover cancellation should a situation arise where the whole trip must be cancelled, this would ensure you recoup any money spent on the trip before you went on the trip. Finally, a backpacker policy must cover baggage/personal belongings, money, and travel delays. Baggage and personal belongings must be covered in case of theft occurring while traveling, as should personal money be covered for the same reasons. If the policy covers travel delays, then any finances lost due to a delay in a connecting flight where a reservation is lost, for example, than that reservation cost can be recovered.

It’s easy to see after understanding what a backpacking travel policy can cover the peace of mind that the policy delivers. Since travel is on such a tight budget it is very important that no invested money on the trip is lost and the policy will guarantee that and guards against any other possible unfortunate events like theft, sickness, or injury. Just be sure to get a policy and have the policy on hand when traveling.

There are several online web sites available for the specific policies. One site is Travel Insurance World where a 3 month European backpacking travel policy can be purchased for £38.49 ($79.21 US) that covers emergency assistance, medical expenses (up to £5 million), personal injury, cancellation, curtailment/delays (up to £100), legal expenses (up to £15,000), baggage (up to £1,500) and personal money (up to £300). It’s very little cost considering what is expressly covered and should one of these situations arise. Other sites that offer the insurance are World Nomads, and Travel Guard. The peace of mind with a backpacking travel policy is priceless.

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