Heading off on a backpacking adventure? Compare backpacker travel insurance policies from leading New Zealand insurers – covering emergency medical expenses, lost luggage, trip cancellations, and more.
the benefits
A medical emergency overseas can derail even the most carefully planned backpacking trip. Hospital treatment, surgery, overnight stays, and medications can cost thousands of dollars and without insurance, those costs come straight out of your travel budget. Backpacker travel insurance covers your emergency medical expenses for the duration of your trip, typically with unlimited medical cover, so a broken bone or unexpected illness doesn’t mean heading home early.
Backpackers carry everything they need for months of travel in a single bag — so losing it can be devastating. A backpacker travel insurance policy covers loss, theft, and damage to your luggage and personal belongings, helping you replace what you’ve lost without blowing your budget. If you’re travelling with high-value items such as cameras, laptops, or expensive equipment though, check whether these can be listed separately for additional cover.
Unforeseen events – including illness, natural disasters, political unrest, and family emergencies – can force you to cancel or cut short your trip. Backpacker travel insurance covers the cost of pre-booked flights, accommodation, and tours if you need to cancel, so you’re not left out of pocket when plans change unexpectedly. And remember, cancellation cover activates from the day you purchase your policy, not the day you depart.
Your passport is the most important document you carry while travelling, and losing it overseas can be a stressful and costly experience. Most comprehensive backpacker travel insurance policies cover the cost of replacing a lost or stolen passport, as well as other essential travel documents (subject to the conditions of your policy). Always report a lost or stolen passport to local police and your nearest New Zealand embassy or consulate as soon as possible.
Backpacking trips often include a range of adventure activities, from scuba diving and trekking to motorbiking and sailing. Standard backpacker travel insurance policies may exclude higher-risk activities, so it’s important to check the specific activity inclusions of your chosen policy before you travel. Some activities require an optional add-on pack, while others – such as competitive sports and mountaineering – may be excluded regardless of cover level.
Our backpacker travel insurance comparison is completely free to use. You’ll be directed straight to the insurer’s website to complete your purchase at their direct price – no markups, no surprises.
Key Considerations
The right level of backpacker travel insurance depends on what you’re planning to do. If your trip is relatively low-key (think beach holidays, city breaks, and sightseeing) a standard comprehensive policy is likely to provide adequate cover. But if your itinerary includes scuba diving, trekking above 3,500 metres, skiing, cruising, or motorbiking, you’ll need to check that these activities are specifically covered under your policy or add the relevant optional packs before you travel.
Backpacker travel insurance comes with important exclusions worth understanding before you depart. Claims will generally not be paid if you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident, if you were engaged in reckless or illegal behaviour, or if you were travelling against a government Do Not Travel warning. Riding a moped, scooter, or motorcycle without a valid New Zealand licence is also typically excluded, as is sailing more than 10 nautical miles from shore or scuba diving without an open water certification or licensed instructor. Always read the Policy Wording carefully before purchasing.
Most backpacker travel insurance policies can be purchased for trips of up to 12 months at a time. If you’re planning a longer trip – such as an extended working holiday or a multi-year backpacking expedition – you may need to look into a long-stay or two year travel insurance policy instead. Always check the maximum trip duration of any policy you’re considering against the length of your planned journey before purchasing.
Pre-existing medical conditions must be declared when purchasing backpacker travel insurance. Given the length and physical demands of many backpacking trips, it’s particularly important to ensure your cover is valid for any relevant conditions. Some conditions may be covered automatically, while others require a medical assessment or attract an additional premium. Failing to declare a condition could result in a claim being rejected when you most need support.
If your backpacking plans include multiple trips throughout the year rather than one continuous journey, an annual multi-trip policy may offer better value than a single trip policy. However, if you’re heading off on one extended trip, a single trip backpacker policy is almost always the more appropriate choice. It’s worth comparing both options before purchasing though, as the right choice depends on how long you plan to be away and whether you intend to return home between trips.
Backpackers staying in hostels and shared accommodation face a higher risk of theft than those staying in private rooms. Most backpacker travel insurance policies cover theft of personal belongings, but cover may not apply if items were left unattended or unsupervised in a public or shared space. Always use the lockers or safes provided by your accommodation, keep your most valuable items secure, and never leave belongings unattended, even briefly.
further reading
Expert guides to help you make an informed decision about your travel cover.
Missed a flight? Find out exactly when travel insurance covers it, what's excluded, and how to claim, plus tips to avoid missing your next flight.
Read full guideget answers
Backpacker travel insurance typically covers emergency overseas medical expenses, trip cancellation and curtailment, lost or stolen luggage and personal belongings, passport and travel document replacement, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Some policies also include cover for travel delays and personal liability. The specific inclusions and limits vary between insurers and policy levels, so it’s important to compare policies carefully and read the Policy Wording before purchasing.
Most backpacker travel insurance policies cover trips of up to 12 months at a time. If you’re planning a trip longer than 12 months, you’ll need to look into a dedicated long-stay or two year travel insurance policy, as standard backpacker policies will not provide continuous cover beyond 12 months. Visit our two year travel insurance guide for more information.
This depends on your policy. Most backpacker travel insurance policies will cover you for riding a moped, scooter, or motorcycle overseas, but only if you hold a valid New Zealand licence to ride that class of vehicle, the vehicle is operated by a licensed driver, and you are wearing a helmet at all times. Riding without the appropriate licence or without a helmet will void your cover for any related incident. Always check your policy’s specific conditions before hiring or riding any motorised vehicle overseas and check out our motorbike travel insurance guide for more information.
Report the loss to the local police as soon as possible and obtain a police report. Contact your nearest New Zealand embassy or consulate or call the Consular Emergency Assistance number on +64 99 20 20 20 for urgent assistance. Most comprehensive backpacker travel insurance policies cover the cost of replacing a lost or stolen passport, provided the loss was not the result of reckless or negligent behaviour. And always keep a digital copy of your passport somewhere secure in case it’s needed.
Not automatically. Skiing, snowboarding, and cruising are commonly available as optional add-ons to standard backpacker travel insurance policies rather than standard inclusions. If your backpacking trip includes time on the slopes or at sea, make sure you purchase the relevant add-on pack before you travel. Travelling without the appropriate add-on and making a claim for a skiing or cruise-related incident is likely to result in a rejected claim.
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