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Backpacker Travel Insurance

Image layer Cover starts from as little as 40p per day¹ Image layer Trips up to 18 months are covered Image layer Cover for lost, stolen or damaged gadgets is included Get a Quote Retrieve a Quote

Backpacker Travel Insurance

We offer a range of specialist and low-cost backpacker travel insurance policies, from basic but essential levels of insurance to a more enhanced level of cover, to ensure you have complete peace of mind during your travels. With our extensive range of policies available, there is no need to risk travelling uninsured, as you’re sure to find a level of cover to suit your budget and trip.

Backpacker Insurance Benefits

  • Cover for trips up to 18 months in duration, in Europe or Worldwide. (Plus you can extend your policy whilst away, as long as your total trip does not exceed 18 months in total)
  • Cover included for lost, stolen or damaged gadgets including tablet computers and smartphones.
  • Cover for over 100 activities free of charge
  • Your policy will include two return trips home§ (up to 21 days each) without breaking your cover so you can return home for Christmas, Birthdays, or whenever you fancy a visit
  • Cover for studying, volunteering and working abroad§ included as standard
  • Cover includes: cancellation, medical expenses, repatriation, personal injury, legal expenses, personal belongings and personal accident
  • Discounts available for couples and families
  • If you haven’t booked your return ticket home yet, we can still cover you as long as you show intent (e.g. a place on a university course, etc.) to return to the UK. If you’re unsure, please contact our Customer Services Team
  • To find out more benefits of our travel insurance, read our dedicated travel insurance benefits page

Backpackers insurance cover is ideal if you are:

  • A student taking a gap year trip
  • Studying abroad
  • Taking a sabbatical
  • On a career break
  • A charity or volunteer worker
  • Taking a working holiday
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Cover Levels
Up to £5,000* Cancellation cover

This section of cover begins from the second you pay your premium when buying a Backpacker & Longstay policy, and from the start date you choose when purchasing a Multi-Trip policy. Cancellation cover can step in to cover pre-paid costs, for things like accommodation, transport and car hire, that you cannot recover from any other source (e.g. your tour operator) in the event that you cannot go on your trip. The section will cover cancellation for a number of reasons, but it is important that you read your policy wording for full details.

*(Under our Backpacker & Longstay Platinum policy)

Up to £10,000,000* Medical Cover

Injury or illness are inconvenient at the best of times, but imagine needing emergency medical attention abroad – you may not be able to communicate with doctors, and will most likely have to pay for your treatment. This is where our medical expenses section can help you, as we will consider medical bills up to £10,000,000 on many policies, including the cost of getting you back to the UK if medically necessary. Furthermore, every Holidaysafe policy comes with access to our doctor managed emergency medical helpline, which is available to help you 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

*(Under our Plus and Platinum Backpacker & Longstay policies)

Up to £3,000* Personal Possessions Cover

Some of the most common and annoying holiday disasters involve personal possessions, such as lost, stolen, damaged or delayed baggage. These policy sections can step in to cover the costs of these disasters, but you must check the cover to ensure the policy limits are enough to cover the items you are taking abroad. If you need cover for gadgets, make sure this is covered as standard on your chosen policy, otherwise you can add the cover as an extension on the options page of the quote process.

*(Under our Backpacker & Longstay Platinum policy)

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Medical Conditions

All Holidaysafe Travel Insurance policies are able to include cover for hundreds of medical conditions, and declaring them online is quick and simple thanks to the specialist Protectif medical risk rating service. Some of the most common ones include:

  • High blood pressure / hypertension
  • Asthma
  • High cholesterol
  • Underactive thyroid / hypothyroidism
  • Diabetes (both type 1 and type 2)
  • Food allergies and intolerance
  • Arthritis
  • Heart conditions
  • Stroke
  • And many more…
Activity Packs & Extensions

Activity Packs

If you wish to partake in any activities whilst on your trip abroad, you need to ensure you have the right cover.

We cover a number of activities as standard. You can view these by simply clicking our ‘view activity packs’ button below, and find your chosen activity. If your sport or activity does not fall into the list we have, you may be signposted to our sister company who will be able to cover you.

View activity Packs

Extensions

We offer a range of extensions on our Backpacker and Longstay policies, including;

Golf
Large Scale Events
COVID-19
Excess Waiver

To add any of these extensions to your policy, simply select them on the options page of the quote process.

Customer Reviews

Our Trust pilot reviews



Why Holidaysafe?
  • Featured in the Which? Best Rate tables since 2010 ᶤ
  • Award-Winning Travel Insurance
  • Save 15% Online!*
  • FREE and SECURE Customer Area
  • Discounts on Couples & Family Policies
  • 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance
  • And Much More

Award Winning Travel Insurance

  • Featured in the Which? Best Rate tables since 2010 ᶤ
  • Finalists - 'Best Travel Insurance Provider' in the 2022 Insurance Choice Awards
  • Your Money 'Best Online Travel Insurance Provider' in 2018
  • The British Travel Awards' Bronze Place in the 'Best Travel Insurance Provider' Category in 2017
  • Moneywise 'Most Trusted Travel Insurance Provider' in 2016
  • Moneyfacts ‘Travel Insurance Provider of the Year' 2014 & 2016
  • More Info

Our existing customers have used this policy for:

  • Volunteering, Studying and Working Abroad
  • Adventures and new Experiences Abroad
  • Adventurous Activities
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Backpacker's Insurance FAQs

Can I extend my cover whilst abroad?

If you decide to extend your trip, there is the possibility to extend your cover whilst abroad; however, your entire trip can be no longer than 18 months in duration. For example, if you originally planned to travel for nine months, we could potentially extend your cover for a maximum of nine months more, if you decided to stay. Simply contact our friendly our customer service team to arrange the extension of cover.

I haven’t booked a return flight yet, can you still insure me?

Yes we can insure you, however, in the event of a claim you would have to provide written evidence that you intended to return to the UK i.e.

  • Confirmation of a college or university placement
  • Contract of employment commencement date
  • Rental agreement
  • Consultant appointments in UK
  • Copy of log book confirming ownership of vehicle, with proof of current tax.
  • Court summons or appearances
  • Mortgage agreement
  • Current home or contents insurance (in your name).
  • Future travel plans (flight bookings) leaving and returning to the UK.

Please note that this policy is not intended to offer cover if you are emigrating.

What is ‘proof of intent to return home’ and why do I need it?

At Holidaysafe we understand that backpacker and longstay travellers very rarely have their flight home booked at the start of their trip. However our policies cannot cover emigration, and so in the event of a claim our team would need to see some type of written evidence that you intend to return to the UK.  Examples of the types of evidence our claims team will accept are listed in the FAQ above.

Can I return home for a visit during my time away without breaking my cover?

Yes, our Backpacker & Longstay policies automatically include two return trips home, just in case you get homesick or want to spend Christmas with your family. As long as the return trips are no longer than 21 days each, your cover will not be affected.

Am I covered to work abroad?

Cover for working abroad, for example bar or restaurant work, is included automatically. However, we do not provide cover for manual labour, which is defined as work that is physical, including, but not limited to construction, installation, assembly and building work. Including working with domestic or wild animals. Humanitarian, carer or work in any medical capacity. This does not include bar and restaurant staff, non-professional musicians / singers and fruit / vegetable pickers.

Our Backpacker policies cover anyone up to 40 years with a range of cover from the basic but essential levels of insurance to a more enhanced level of cover. The Longstay policy offers a more complete cover with higher sum insured and a greater age range covering the up to 75 years old.

Our policies are suitable for people studying and/or working abroad – subject to the work not being manual labour which we define as which is defined as work that is physical, including, but not limited to construction, installation, assembly and building work. Including working with domestic or wild animals. Humanitarian, carer or work in any medical capacity. This does not include bar and restaurant staff, non-professional musicians / singers and fruit / vegetable pickers.

What is the difference between Longstay and Multi Trip insurance?

Longstay and Backpacker travel insurance is intended for people taking longer than average trips abroad, for 1 – 18 months. Multi Trip insurance is best for people who are planning to take multiple trips during a 12 month period, but each trip will be limited to 31, 45 or 60 days in total duration.

How do I make sure I’m covered to participate in activities during my trip?

We provide cover for 100 common sports and activities as standard, however if you require cover for something more adventurous, we can signpost you to our sister company with an exclusive discount. Simply choose the relevant activity during the quote process.

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Travel Tips & Advice

How to find the best kids club for your family holiday

Sometimes when you’re on holiday quality time alone is needed. Kids clubs are a good option to keep children entertained and allows them to make new memories, holiday friends, and lets you sit back and enjoy a moments peace.

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¹ Pricing based on a 35-year-old travelling to ‘Europe excluding Spain’ for three months, if the policy is taken out within 93 days of travelling on a Holidaysafe Backpacker Longstay policy. Prices correct as of 01/12/2023

The Which? Best Rate feature applies to Holidaysafe’s Premier cover, based on a 24-day Single Trip policy with Worldwide excluding Mexico cover. The table was last updated on Which?’s website on 30/06/2023.

ƗPlease note, Holidaysafe’s online prices automatically include a 15% discount against our Customer Service Centre prices. This is discounted from our core policy price before you add any additional cost of optional extensions or additional medical premium.

§When using the return home feature all cover is suspended on clearance of customs in your home country and restarts after the baggage check in at your international departure point for your return flight, international train or ferry to your overseas destination. This extension will not cover the costs of your return home

§Excludes manual labour, which is defined as work that is physical, including, but not limited to construction, installation, assembly and building work. Including working with domestic or wild animals. Humanitarian, carer or work in any medical capacity. This does not include bar and restaurant staff, non-professional musicians / singers and fruit / vegetable pickers