Backpackers Insurance - Why Do I Need It?
Backpacking insurance is very often one of the last things that are thought about before venturing out on a gap year or backpacking trip abroad.
Every year more than 100,000 people travel abroad for more than one month many travelling for up to a year. The majority of these people are gap year students.
So if you are still contemplating the benefits of taking out a backpacker / gap year travel insurance policy we have listed a few questions and answers below.
Why do I need backpackers insurance?
Over the course of your travelling you are likely to visit a number of different countries and as exotic as they may be their standards of hygiene and healthcare may be of a different level than you would expect in the UK.
Some of the countries you visit may be poorer and less affluent than the UK and as such there is often a perception by the locals in these counties that we are more able to withstand the odd theft or loss and as such this petty crime is very prevalent in many of these areas.
The nature of backpacking is that you very often travel on a shoestring and therefore added expences for medical emergencies etc are not taken into account before you go abroad. Miscalculating your finances is not uncommon and with a backpacker travel insurance policy you can then rest assured that whatever your financial situation whilst abroad you will still get medical and emergency treatment and repatriation back to the UK when necessary.
Remember that not every country has a free health service like we do in the UK and without adequate insurance you could find yourself facing a large medical bill if you fall ill or have an accident abroad.
What should you expect to be included with your backpacker policy?
As a backpacker or gap year student travelling the world you should expect the following as a minimum to your insurance cover. All of the following are already included in our own policies:-
- Trips lasting upto 12 months
- Cover for working abroad
- Medical Cover of at least £1,000,000
- Sports and activity cover for the major hazadous sports and pastimes.
- Travel anywhere in the world, subject to current Foreign Office guidelines
- Repatriation if your illness is serious enough
- 24 hour a day, 7 days a week medical emergency helpline
- Personal lIability Insurance, so that you are covered incase you do something that injurs others or their property.
- Optional baggage cover
- Legal expences.
- Optional extras, for example adding in winter sports cover for skiing and snowboarding.
Do I need to have an EHIC ?
Yes if you are travelling in Europe the UK has as have the other European countries formulated a free or reduced-cost emergency treatment when travelling in the European Economic Area.
Many travel insurance policies are only valid if you have an European Health Insurance Card when travelling to an EU country. Please note however that Not all UK residents are covered in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
Remember though to take with you your travel insurance policy with all the emergency numbers. If you have purchased the cover online print off two copies and leave one with a relative or friend in case of an emergency.
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