How to Choose Travel Insurance for Backpackers?

in life •  6 years ago 

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Are you new to backpacking? There are many things to take into consideration when you choose this way of travel (or of living for many). One of them is to select the proper travel insurance for backpackers.

Yes, frugal or low budget travel may be your thing but as you need water, you do need a way to be safe; you know, just in case.

It is fun and challenging to go around the world with under 35.5 USD per day, but do not neglect your safety.

It feels better and more comfortable to know that for a really small amount you can get covered during your trips.

Most travelers, especially those who change locations quite often, do spend a good chunk of their time planning their travels. What they rarely pay attention to, and which is equally – if not more – important, is the issue of travel insurance.

Indeed, it is not uncommon to fall sick, lose luggage, or sustain accidents on a journey.

If you are looking for travel insurance for backpackers, then you need to check SafetyWing for their travel medical insurance. Why? Because their key strengths (highlighted below) are the ones you really need. Read along and see why.

It is a Y-Combinator company, administered by one of the largest insurance companies in the world (Tokio Marine). This makes it reliable.
It is like subscribing to a service. Choose your start/end date or leave it open and stop the service when your trip ends or whenever you like. In other words, it’s very flexible!
Coverage starts from $37 per 4 weeks. That is less than 1.5 USD per day.
Coverage is provided worldwide – including in your home country if you go back for a limited period every 90 days.
They offer 24/7 support; crucial when you travel in different time zones.

By enrolling in a good travel insurance plan, it is possible to anticipate and even prevent unfortunate accidents from happening, or at least from having severe consequences. It is absolutely necessary to be well informed about travel insurance. We are here to help you out.

Tips to Know for Travel Insurance for Backpackers

-Tip #1: Make sure you are covered throughout your trip

Don’t forget to take up insurance for the whole duration of your trip. It is best to look into this as soon as possible to make sure you’re protected from day one. You don’t want to risk not being covered for part of your travels. Moreover, delaying or dragging your feet too much might leave you out of some benefits. For instance, your flight might be delayed or some disruptions might arise moments before commencing the traveling process.

-Tip #2: Go for sufficient medical cover while on international trips

An infinite number of medical issues might arise while traveling. These depend largely on the mode of transport you use, the route you travel, and the prevailing external environmental conditions. To be on the safe side, you should ensure that the travel insurance you choose includes sufficient medical cover. This will ensure that you are properly prepared for any issue.
Tip #3: Take up personal liability for self-driving trips

If you are going to drive on your travels, think of taking up personal liability. That is because most cars are covered by third-party policies only. In the event of an accident, only the pedestrian impacted by the accident is compensated.

-Tip #4: Opt for a round-the-clock insurance provider

Not every insurance provider is open for service round-the-clock. Even those whose customer care departments are available on a 24/7 basis may not really be able to help you outside the 9-5 time frame. You have to be sure that your travel insurer provides its services round-the-clock. Accidents happen any day and at any time without notice. You
cannot afford to gamble with your life!

-Tip #5: Adhere to the doctrine of ‘proximate cause’

While seeking the most appropriate insurance cover for your trip, take great care to adhere to the doctrine of ‘proximate cause.’ This means that the policy you ultimately settle on has to be as relevant as possible to the activities you are planning to engage in on your trip. Any inconsistencies might result in denied compensation, at least partial.

-Tip #6: Disclose any pre-existing medical issues and conditions

It is also good to disclose any pre-existing medical issues and conditions while applying for the appropriate travel insurance. These issues may predispose you to further problems while on your journey. Moreover, many insurance plans exclude these conditions from their insurance coverage. Your failure to disclose them could come to haunt you later.

-Tip #7: Consider the reliability of your insurance service provider

The financial health and reliability of your preferred insurer is just as important as the terms of their services. It affects their ability or lack of it to compensate you. If your travel insurance or airline files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent after you have already booked or paid for the insurance, you might not normally receive any compensation.

Why You Badly Need a Backpackers Travel Medical Insurance Cover

Travel insurance cover for backpackers is important for a number of reasons, including:

-Travel Insurance for Backpackers Comes With Peace of Mind

This perhaps is the most significant benefit of having travel insurance. As we have already stated, a typical journey is subject to all kinds of issues and problems. By taking up appropriate insurance, it will be possible for you to keep them at bay. Knowing that you are protected gives you greater peace of mind and allows you to enjoy your trip fully.

-Reduced Likelihood of Financial Losses

Most airlines will never refund you in the event of a trip cancelation, lost luggage, or any similar issues. With the relevant travel insurance, it may be possible for you to receive compensation for these and many more losses.

-Adequate Emergency Cover

Emergency situations are also often more likely to arise in the course of travel. These could be bouts of sickness, accidents, missed or canceled flights, lost luggage or travel documents, etc. It is only by taking up suitable travel insurance that you are armed to avoid or remedy these issues as they arise.

-Back-End Customer Support Services

The typical travel insurance company provider has a team of helpful and courteous customer service staff. These are professionals who are trained to receive any inquiries from you and to offer the necessary intervention in a timely manner. You will find these services handy while on longer trips that are ordinarily detached from your country of origin.

-Consultancy and Advisory Services

Other than their core business of covering your travels and trips, travel insurance providers will often also provide advisory and consultancy services. These could come in the forms of what to anticipate in the destination you are headed to, how to find your way out and about in your new destination, and some tips to guarantee your smooth stay in the host country, among others.

-Conclusion on Travel Insurance for Backpackers

Perhaps the best place to start out is to check out this insurance for Digital Nomads for all the benefits they point out. This is a cover that is designed for the frequent traveler. It is comprehensive and intended for those who change locations every now and then. Moreover, the cover has a wider geographical reach and will therefore protect you wherever or whenever you need.

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