Cheap Backpackers
Travel Insurance

"Cheap backpackers travel insurance" was last updated on May 07, 2013

In this article I'll be talking about why you need a backpacker insurance, useful tips on how to choose the right travel insurance and what an insurance should cover.

Let's cut to the chase.

Why should you buy a backpacking insurance?

If you don't have 2 millions to donate foreign hospitals, then it's obvious that you need a backpacking insurance.

Anything can happen and the best way to prepare yourself is... with travel 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 travelers can afford this loss. But it's a completely different thing if you experience accidents.

Think about this:

• There is loads of cool stuff to do in Asia, but it can go wrong in a split second!
• If you don't buy a travel 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.

So, remember this: If you can't afford insurance, you can't afford traveling.

Before purchasing a backpacking insurance,
ask yourself these questions:

1) Where am I going?

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

2) How long am I staying abroad?

Example: If you're away from October - April, don't purchase insurance for exactly 6 months. Extend it with at least a couple of weeks.

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.

3) 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, bungee jumping, mountain-biking, elephant riding etc.

And have in mind that ordinary insurance don't cover professional sporting activities.

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Heard about World Nomads?

A tip to cheap backpackers travel insurance: World Nomads is recommended by Lonely Planet and it's catered towards backpackers.

Make a difference in the places you travel

When you travel in Asia you often receive generous and gracious hospitality from local people, even when they don't have much themselves.

World Nomads believe, we have a moral obligation to give something back to the people who live in the communities that we visit. It is simply the right thing to do to help people who struggle with basic needs for food, water, housing, health and safety.

How? We support WorldNomads.com Footprints program to fund local community projects to end poverty.

You can also get an insurance quote right here:

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General tips on
how to choose a travel insurance

• Don't automatically pick a cheap traveling insurance, it's not necessarily the best Buy insurance from a company that has been around for many years.

• To get the best travel insurance ALWAYS compare prices! There are so many policies and coverage resulting in heavy competition and price differences.

• How valuable are you? This is important in terms of coverage. You should also compare cash limits and try to find the suitable limit. Choose a travel insurance that covers the total sum of your valuables.

• 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!

• Some banks offer "free" travel insurance if your trip is paid with their bank card. So check if your bank has these kind of offerings! You can save money by doing this.

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Cheap Backpackers Travel Insurance:
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

Trip cancellation isn't usually included in an ordinary travel insurance, and you have to buy this as well.

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When you get home
- Claim your right

Want to make an insurance 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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Options for cheap traveling insurance
and cheap holiday insurance quotes:

Here are some of your options for CHEAP backpackers travel insurance!

Note: They're cheap, but necessarily not the best when it comes to making a claim.

• World Nomads (recommended by Lonely Planet): Backpacking Insurance
• Read good and bad reviews of World Nomads insurance
• Short Break Insurance (recommended by Lonely Planet)
• Or you can try well-known Rough Guides through Columbus Direct.

For student travel insurance, here's one of your options:

STA Travel is well-known for cheap backpackers travel insurance:

• STA Travel Student travel insurance
• World Nomads Quick quote

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