YOU ASK:

What’s the difference between standard travel insurance and travel insurance for backpackers?

WE ANSWER:

Well, there are specific types of risks to be covered for those who want to go backpacking. To cover these risks, specialized backpacker travel insurance products have been created to answer the needs of avid adventurers who want to explore the world.

This kind of insurance can cover anyone anywhere in the world. You can go camping in the forests in Germany, hiking along the nature parks in Australia, getting to know the terrain of Canada's lakes, and so much more. Backpackers are people who usually want to go off the beaten track. And as such, the risks are higher.

Backpacker travel insurance usually provides a longer duration of coverage (up to 1 year), as compared to what single trip travel insurance provides, the maximum of which is 6 months.

The backpacker's insurance also provides coverage for a longer list of sports and activities, which are normally excluded in a standard travel insurance product. These may include winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, as well as bungee jumping, scuba diving and paragliding. But first, you have to look into your policy to know what exactly is covered.

Other benefits focused on the needs of backpackers may include:

Emergency medical cover
Emergency search and rescue, as well as emergency repatriation (this will include rescue by helicopter or Medevac)
Personal liability, which comes especially handy if you inadvertently injure or harm other persons or property during your trip
Personal money, which covers stolen or lost cash and travelers' checks
Temporary car insurance

There are a lot of advantages for backpackers insurance, but there are also some disadvantages. For one, there is a high excess level required for most medical benefits. Also, there are age limits to this policy. The common age limit set is at 40 years of age. If you are above this age, you can still buy this insurance but at a higher premium.

There may be countries excluded from the coverage. These are countries that are considered to pose a higher level of risk for the traveler.

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