Backpacking Insurance

"Chance takers are accident makers"
- Quote by Uknown Author

Why buy backpacking insurance?

If you don`t have 2 millions to donate foreign hospitals, then it`s obvious that you need a backpacking insurance...

Think of it as an investment, rather than annoying paper work...!

I mean, if someone steals your backpack with all your dirty
t-shirts and underwear -- So What?

Most travellers can afford this loss. But it`s a completely different thing if you experience accidents.

Think about this:

• There are loads of cool stuff to do in Asia, but it can go wrong in a split second!!

• If you don`t buy insurance, you won`t be able to relax during your trip.

• If you don`t buy insurance, it`s extremely expensive if you get involved in a serious accident. Worst case scenario is medical evacuation.

  So, hospital expenses + evacuation expenses + flight ticket to get home = BROKE AND MISERABLE.

Your parents have to sell their house to cover your bills from foreign hospitals, instead of saving the money for their dream house, or for your college tuition.

An example of this is a case where a younger man was involved in an accident in Thailand. But he couldn`t be brought home because he didn`t have any travel insurance... The transportation would have cost his family 142.000 USD dollars...

So, remember this: If you can`t afford insurance, you can`t afford traveling...

Before purchasing a backpacking insurance, ask yourself these questions:

Where am I going?

This website is about Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and India.

So, the point of asking this question relates to insurance coverage and price. Your insurance must cover the countries you`re travelling to. And it`s likely more expensive for a European traveller to purchase a worldwide insurance, than a Japanese traveller who`s already in Asia...

How long am I staying abroad?

Example: If you`re away from October - April, don`t buy for exactly 6 months… Extend it with at least a month.

Unpredictable happenings can occur while you`re away. And if this happens, you have to extend the trip...

A good reminder is the political demonstrations in Bangkok.

The protestors occupied both of the airports in Bangkok, back in November 2008. Thousands of backpackers and tourists were stranded at the Suvarnabhumi international airport…

What kind of activities will I be doing?

Check if your insurance company covers the activities you`ll be doing in Asia.

Like, diving (check their rule for depth), rock-climbing, bungy jumping, mountain-biking, elephant riding etc.

And have in mind that ordinary insurance don`t cover professional sporting activities.

Heard about World Nomads?

World Nomads is recommended by Lonely Planet and is specially designed for backpackers all around the world.

If you`re interested in looking at what activities World Nomads cover, click on this link (opens in a new window), or get a quote by filling out the form below!

Some General Tips:

• Don`t automatically pick the cheapest insurance, it`s not necessarily the best.

• Before departure, write a complete list of every item that`s valuable and expensive. In cases of lost baggage, you`ll know what you`ve lost and you can make an insurance claim.

• Speaking of insurance claim, you should save receipts of items you purchase during your trip!

  This way, you`ll have proof of how much the lost items cost. It`s not a must to show receipts to cover your loss, but it`s way better than none at all...

  Usually the insurance companies will try to cut their costs, not yours!

• There are many insurance companies that offer travel insurances, so make sure you shop around for prices. Tough competition means that insurance companies will offer different prices!

• You should also compare cash limits and try to find the suitable limit.

• Some banks offer "free" travel insurance if your trip is paid with their bank card. So check if your bank offers this!

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What should my backpacking insurance cover?

Backpacking Insurance Checklist:

• Seriously illness during your trip

  Inform the insurance company if you already have an illness, or else the insurance won`t cover it.

• Accidents

• Emergency dental work

• Lost glasses/contact lenses?

• Free evacuation if you need special medical attention

• Lost baggage

• Accommodation if there are flight delays/cancellations

• If you miss your flight, does it cover that?

• Loss of passport

• Theft (your camera, MP3, mobile, expensive backpack etc)

• Lawsuits (like if a local claims that you damaged his/her property)

• Evacuation if there are natural hazards/armed conflicts/terrorism

• Regular/extreme sports/activities

• Can you extend the period of your insurance for free?

• Accidents while working abroad

  Trip cancellation should cover:

• Serious illness or death in your nearest family

• If your one and only travel companion gets seriously ill or injured

• If you get fired from work

• Your home seriously damaged by fire, storm or flood

• Being called for jury service or witness to a case

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When you get home

Want to make a claim?

• File a report immediately and I hope you saved the receipts for the lost belongings, medical expenses etc. If you have a police report, file it as well.

• If the insurance company rejects you, they have to tell you why! If you don`t agree, take the complaint to a higher level.

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You can check out these backpacking insurance options:

World Nomads (recommended by Lonely Planet): Backpacking Insurance.

Short Break Insurance (recommended by Lonely Planet)

Or you can try well-known Rough Guides through Columbus Direct.

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