Best Backpacker Insurance, Reviewed by Travelfreak

When I was a backpacker, my low-budget lifestyle often took me off the beaten path and I rarely followed a fixed itinerary. Everything can happen, and that’s the point.

Again, it is important that backpacker travel insurance coverage meets a lower budget, but is flexible enough to use a changing plan.

I have cashed in the currency of my travel insurance policy several times in the fourteen years of my trip. Although the industry did change at that time, general policies and coverage demands did not.

Based on years of travel, first-hand experience, extensive industry knowledge and in-depth research, I believe the following five companies provide the best insurance for backpackers as they are both flexible and affordable.

Heymondo: Best Backpacker Travel Insurance Overall

The term “insurance” can be daunting, and it’s easy to assume that buying insurance for your trip will be a frustrating process that will make your head (and your wallet) painful.

Fortunately, more and more companies there are trying to create a more user-friendly way to travel insurance. Heymondo is a modern travel insurance provider with a simple process for buying plans and its insurance policies are very affordable.

Plus, their coverage is great. The lowest level plan pays up to $100,000 in emergency medical expenses and $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage. This is much better than the upper level plans of most companies!

In addition to emergency evacuation and medical expenses, you can also protect travel cancellations, missed flights, lost luggage, electronic equipment and more. Heymondo also includes several benefits that many travel insurance companies do not cover (or charge you an extra fee), such as adventure sports and pre-existing conditions.

I also like that Heymondo has an easy-to-use app that allows you to manage your plans and submit claims directly from your phone. It’s much easier than waiting for a phone call to talk to an agent on the phone. I am a big fan of anything that simplifies my travel experience.

Heymondo also has a medical-only plan that does not include coverage for cancellation of travel, baggage loss, flight delays or other travel protection benefits. The program is very affordable and provides the most important protection for your health if you don’t need or want anything else.

Heymondo doesn’t offer a lot of customization options, but their basic plan is great than most of its competitors and is much cheaper. This was awesome for our backpackers who were pinching a few pennies and saving money on our next flight!

Tin Legs: Best International Backpacker Travel Insurance

If you are traveling abroad, it is especially important to be able to rely on your travel insurance to cover any unexpected things. Tin Leg is a highly responsible travel insurance company with a strong reputation for providing high-value policies and paying claims when needed.

When it comes to international travel, Tin Legs have some of the best backpacker insurance policies. They offer a huge balance of comprehensive coverage and affordable prices.

With the tin legs, you will get all the coverage you want. Flight delays, luggage protection and cancelled trips are all covered, although you must for “covered reasons”, such as natural disasters or serious illnesses. This does not include civil strife, bad weather or change of mind. Fortunately, they offer optional upgrades to cancel coverage for any reason.

Unlike many other travel insurance providers, Tin Leg has a wide variety of plans to suit your needs (actually 9).

My best bet is their luxury plan, which despite the name, is actually still affordable. The program offers excellent emergency medical protection and travel insurance at amazing prices.

Want to save your penny? The basic plan for tin legs is amazing for travelers on low budgets.

They also offer an adventure plan that includes high medical restrictions and coverage including extreme sports and adventure activities. This is the perfect backpacking insurance for many adventure travelers out there.

Tin Legs are one of the best overall backpacker insurance companies on the market. They are flexible, provide good coverage, and (most important to many of us) are very affordable.

Why Backpackers Need Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may be the last thing you think of when planning a once-in-a-lifetime backpacking trip. Honestly, isn’t it fun to take the time to pick your right backpack or book the coolest hotel?

Well, your health and safety are also things to consider. That’s why travel insurance is the most important thing to take you on a trip. It protects you from any unforeseen accidents or emergencies you may encounter on your journey.

• A scooter crashed and fractured? Your backpacker insurance policy covers your medical expenses.
• A stolen camera on the train? Backpacker insurance reimburses the cost of your items.
• Tropical Thunderstorm Cancel your flight to Thailand? You will repay on the next flight and schedule it on the next flight.

It’s easy to see why travel insurance is worth it and how insurance protects you in all kinds of unfortunate situations. It can also save you thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Travel insurance is absolutely worth it for this reason alone.

What to look for in backpacker insurance

From digital nomads to adventure seekers, everyone traveling abroad needs good insurance to cover unexpected events during backpacking trips. However, there is no suggestion that a single plan will be beneficial to everyone. There are several key factors to consider when looking at backpacker insurance.

Some travel insurance providers offer specific benefits that cater to adventure backpackers and long-term travelers, while others offer medical protection specifically for those with the condition. Maybe a good luggage cover and cancellation cover is important to you, or you just need a low-cost travel insurance policy to cover the basics of your backpacking trip.

Take some time to find the right plan for your travel plan.

Flexibility is key

Backpackers, digital nomads and long-term travelers usually don’t stick to a fixed backpacking itinerary. Just like your plan, your backpacker insurance should be flexible.

Let’s look at an example.

You decide to ski in Germany and Austria at the last minute, two countries that were not initially on your itinerary. Or, maybe you spontaneously decide to extend the holiday for a few months.

In these cases, you will be happy to be able to adjust your insurance while on the go. You may be looking for backpacker insurance that pays for installments, or can be updated and changed midway through the trip.

This flexibility is great and it allows you to travel on your own terms.

Coverage of medical expenses

Your health is your most important asset, and it is important to take care of it, especially when traveling. The most important thing to look for in a good travel insurance is reliable coverage for medical emergencies. If you are sick or injured while traveling, you don’t want to be stuck with a lot of hospital bills.

Most travel insurance will provide cover for specified benefits restrictions. I like to look for an insurance policy that offers at least $100,000 in health care and $250,000 in emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance. In this case, more is always better.

Of course, no one expects to be seriously ill or injured during a backpacking trip, but the worst happens (and does). Good health insurance is absolutely essential. That way you will know that if there is any problem, you will be taken care of without having to pay.

Coverage of extreme sports and adventure activities

Let’s face it; backpackers love their extreme (sometimes reckless) activities. Did you know that if you think they think the activity of extreme sports or other risky activities is injured, most travel insurance will not provide medical insurance?

That’s why you should look for backpacker insurance to protect any adventures you might encounter on your trip. From rock climbing in Indonesia to Morocco, you need to cover all the fun and exciting moments.

However, many traditional travel insurance companies do not provide protection for these activities. So if you plan to do any extreme sports, make sure your backpacker insurance provides event coverage.

Some quick safety tips: Never attend activities that your insurance does not cover, or you may end up paying potential hospital bills with your own money.

Affordable price

Finally, good backpacking travel insurance should be affordable. Flights, hotels and food costs quickly add up. This can make price an important factor when choosing a plan.

Even if you want to keep traveling at a low cost, you should still invest in travel insurance. Fortunately, there are several backpacker insurance companies that offer comprehensive insurance that won’t break the bank.

The ultimate idea about the best travel insurance company for backpackers

Apart from your passport, backpacker insurance is one of the most important things on the journey. It protects you from bicycle accidents and unexpected events of food poisoning, which can cause your suitcase to be stolen and misplaced on your smartphone. It can save you a lot of money on hospital bills, legal expenses and lost things.

One of my best travel tips is to buy good insurance.

And you don’t have to spend an arm and leg to protect your arms and legs! There are many companies and policies that offer decent coverage for just a few dollars a day.

World Nomads is our preferred backpacker insurance provider with affordable and comprehensive coverage. However, you may find some other companies that are more suitable for your trip.

Check out different policies, compare companies, and shop around for good deals. But at the end of the day, just make sure you buy insurance from somewhere. Because if you can’t afford travel insurance, you really can’t afford to travel!