Backpacker travel insurance guide

We make finding cheap travel insurance easy. Compare online, save time, worry and loads of money.

Backpackers are accustomed to travelling lightly - and often on a very tight budget. They are well versed in finding the best deal and spending little to no money on accommodations - like bunking with friends or camping outdoors. They are super savvy when it comes to getting the best deals on flights and other travel arrangements and know a great deal when they see it.

But, true to their nature of travelling lightly, backpacking travellers often don't see a need for travel insurance. The irony in this is that if you can't afford a travel insurance policy, how will you afford medical treatment or emergency interventions, should you need them abroad? You don't need to be travelling with a suitcase full of possessions for things to go awry on your trip.

Since backpack travellers tend to explore areas that traditional travellers don’t, often they are exposed to greater risks for injury or property loss. Even though they are travelling lightly, most backpackers will have some small electronic items on hand, like a GPS system, cameras or cell phones. For these reasons, backpackers should always invest in a minimum policy that covers medical expenses and the replacement of lost, damaged or stolen personal items.

We make finding the best backpacker travel insurance easy by comparing insurance policies specifically designed for the budget conscious. Backpack travel insurance policies are sold and underwritten by the same reputable companies that provide more elaborate and detailed policies to traditional travellers, but realize the need for a backpacker's policy to include only the basics. In the end, the cost of a minimum policy is well worth the peace of mind you get knowing that the necessities are covered, wherever you should roam - be it within New Zealand or some uncharted frontier.

Also, be sure to check out our quick tips when you're backpacking before you embark on your next adventure.