Backpacking is a great way to explore the world, but it also comes with some risks and uncertainties. You never know when you might get injured, sick, or have to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances. That’s why it’s important to have travel insurance that covers your specific needs as a backpacker.
But how do you choose the best travel insurance for backpackers in the USA? There are many factors to consider, such as the coverage for adventure activities, emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation and interruption, personal belongings, and the cost of insurance.
In this article, we will help you find the best travel insurance for backpackers in the USA by reviewing the top 7 options and explaining what they offer.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Travel Insurance for Backpackers
When you are looking for travel insurance for backpackers, you should pay attention to these factors:
Coverage for Adventure Activities
As a backpacker, you might want to try some adventure activities, such as hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, or even bungee jumping. However, not all travel insurance plans cover these activities, or they might have some limitations or exclusions. You should check the policy details carefully and make sure that the activities you plan to do are covered. Some plans might require you to pay an extra fee or buy a special add-on for adventure activities.
Emergency Medical Coverage and Assistance
One of the most important reasons to buy travel insurance is to cover your medical expenses if you get sick or injured while traveling. Medical costs can be very high in some countries, especially in the USA, and you don’t want to end up with a huge bill that you can’t afford. You should look for a plan that offers adequate medical coverage, preferably with no deductibles or co-pays. You should also check if the plan covers pre-existing conditions, dental emergencies, and repatriation of remains.
Another thing to consider is the emergency medical assistance that the plan provides. This includes services such as 24/7 phone support, referrals to local doctors and hospitals, evacuation to the nearest suitable facility, and transportation back home if needed. You should choose a plan that has a reliable and responsive emergency assistance team that can help you in case of an emergency.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
Sometimes, things happen that force you to cancel or cut short your trip, such as a family emergency, a natural disaster, or a travel warning. If you have already paid for your flights, accommodation, tours, or other non-refundable expenses, you might lose a lot of money if you don’t have trip cancellation and interruption coverage. This type of coverage reimburses you for the unused portion of your prepaid expenses if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason. You should check what reasons are covered by the plan and what documentation is required to file a claim.
Personal Belongings Coverage
As a backpacker, you probably carry some valuable items with you, such as your passport, camera, laptop, phone, or money. These items can be lost, stolen, or damaged while traveling, and it can be very stressful and costly to replace them. That’s why you should look for a plan that covers your personal belongings up to a reasonable amount. You should also check if there are any limits or exclusions for certain items or categories of items. Some plans might require you to provide receipts or proof of ownership for your belongings.
Cost of Insurance and Budget Considerations
The cost of travel insurance depends on many factors, such as your age, destination, duration of travel, level of coverage, and optional extras. Generally speaking, the more coverage you want, the more expensive the plan will be. However, this doesn’t mean that you should skimp on travel insurance or buy the cheapest plan available. You should compare different plans and find one that offers the best value for your money and meets your needs as a backpacker.
You should also consider your budget and how much you can afford to spend on travel insurance. Travel insurance is not mandatory in most countries (except for some visa requirements), but it is highly recommended for backpackers who travel long-term or to remote areas. You should think of travel insurance as an investment in your safety and peace of mind rather than an unnecessary expense.
Top 7 Travel Insurance Options for Backpackers in the USA
Based on our research and comparison of different plans and providers, here are our top 7 picks for the best travel insurance for backpackers in the USA:
1. World Nomads
World Nomads is one of the most popular and trusted travel insurance providers among backpackers worldwide. They offer two levels of coverage: Standard and Explorer. Both plans cover emergency medical expenses (up to $100K for Standard and $100M for Explorer), emergency evacuation (up to $300K for Standard and $500K for Explorer), trip cancellation (up to $2.5K for Standard and $10K for Explorer), trip interruption (up to $2.5K for Standard and $10K for Explorer), and personal belongings (up to $1K for Standard and $3K for Explorer).
One of the best features of World Nomads is that they cover over 200 adventure activities, from hiking and biking to skiing and scuba diving. They also have a flexible policy that allows you to buy, extend, or change your coverage online while traveling. You can also make a claim online and get support from their 24/7 emergency assistance team.
World Nomads is ideal for backpackers who travel for up to six months and want comprehensive coverage for adventure activities. The cost of World Nomads depends on your age, destination, duration of travel, and level of coverage. For example, a 30-year-old backpacker traveling to the USA for one month would pay $146 for the Standard plan and $215 for the Explorer plan.
2. Safety Wing
Safety Wing is a travel insurance provider that specializes in long-term travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers. They offer a subscription-based plan that covers emergency medical expenses (up to $250K), emergency evacuation (up to $100K), trip interruption (up to $5K), and personal belongings (up to $3K). They also cover COVID-19 related medical expenses as long as you are not traveling to a country with a level 4 travel advisory.
Safety Wing does not cover trip cancellation, pre-existing conditions, or adventure activities. However, they have some unique benefits, such as coverage for children under 10 at no extra cost, coverage for visits to your home country (up to 30 days every 90 days), and access to a global network of doctors and hospitals.
Safety Wing is an option for backpackers who travel long-term (up to 364 days) and want affordable and flexible coverage. The cost of Safety Wing is $40 per month for travelers under 39 years old, plus an additional $31 per month for travel to the USA. You can start, stop, or pause your subscription at any time.
3. Battleface
Battleface is a travel insurance provider that caters to adventurous backpackers who travel to challenging destinations. They offer a customizable plan that covers emergency medical expenses (up to $500K), emergency evacuation (up to $1M), trip cancellation (up to $5K), trip interruption (up to $5K), and personal belongings (up to $3K). They also cover COVID-19 related medical expenses as long as you are not traveling against government advice.
Battleface covers a wide range of adventure activities, such as mountaineering, skydiving, bungee jumping, and surfing. They also cover travel to countries with high-risk ratings, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, or Yemen. You can choose your level of coverage and add optional extras, such as crisis response or political evacuation.
Battleface is an option for backpackers who travel to adventurous or dangerous destinations and want high-level coverage for extreme activities. The cost of Battleface depends on your age, destination, duration of travel, and level of coverage. For example, a 30-year-old backpacker traveling to the USA for one month would pay $106 for the basic plan and $163 for the comprehensive plan.
4. Allianz Global
Allianz Global is one of the largest and most reputable travel insurance providers in the world. They offer several plans for different types of travelers, but the best one for backpackers is the Annual Plan. This plan covers emergency medical expenses (up to $50K), emergency evacuation (up to $250K), trip cancellation (up to $2K per trip), trip interruption (up to $2K per trip), and personal belongings (up to $1K per trip).
The Annual Plan covers unlimited trips within a year, as long as each trip is no longer than 45 days. It also covers some adventure activities, such as hiking, biking, skiing, and snorkeling. However, it does not cover COVID-19 related expenses or high-risk activities, such as mountaineering, skydiving, or scuba diving.
Allianz Global is an option for backpackers who travel frequently within a year and return home often. The cost of the Annual Plan is $135 per year for travelers under 35 years old and $179 per year for travelers between 35 and 59 years old.
5. Seven Corners
Seven Corners is another well-known travel insurance provider that offers various plans for different types of travelers. The best one for backpackers is the Wander Frequent Traveler Plus plan. This plan covers emergency medical expenses (up to $1M), emergency evacuation (up to $500K), trip cancellation (up to $5K per trip), trip interruption (up to $5K per trip), and personal belongings (up to $500 per trip).
The Wander Frequent Traveler Plus plan covers unlimited trips within a year, as long as each trip is no longer than 30 days. It also covers COVID-19 related medical expenses and some adventure activities, such as hiking, biking, skiing, and snorkeling. However, it does not cover high-risk activities, such as mountaineering, skydiving, or scuba diving.
Seven Corners is an option for backpackers who travel frequently within a year and want COVID-19 coverage. The cost of the Wander Frequent Traveler Plus plan is $175 per year for travelers under 35 years old and $225 per year for travelers between 35 and 59 years old.
6. Cat 70
Cat 70 is a travel insurance provider that focuses on adventure travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. They offer a single-trip plan that covers emergency medical expenses (up to $100K), emergency evacuation (up to $500K), trip cancellation (up to 100% of trip cost), trip interruption (up to 150% of trip cost), and personal belongings (up to $2.5K).
The Cat 70 plan covers over 100 adventure activities, such as mountaineering, skydiving, scuba diving, and surfing. They also cover COVID-19 related medical expenses as long as you are not traveling against government advice. You can also add optional extras, such as sports equipment coverage or rental car damage coverage.
Cat 70 is an option for backpackers who travel for a single trip and want extensive coverage for adventure activities. The cost of Cat 70 depends on your age, destination, duration of travel, and level of coverage. For example, a 30-year-old backpacker traveling to the USA for one month would pay $114 for the basic plan and $156 for the premium plan.
7. HTH Worldwide
HTH Worldwide is a travel insurance provider that specializes in health and medical coverage for travelers. They offer a multi-trip plan that covers emergency medical expenses (up to $1M), emergency evacuation (up to $1M), trip cancellation (up to $5K per trip), trip interruption (up to $5K per trip), and personal belongings (up to $500 per trip).
The HTH Worldwide plan covers unlimited trips within a year, as long as each trip is no longer than 70 days. It also covers COVID-19 related medical expenses as long as you are not traveling against government advice. It does not cover adventure activities or pre-existing conditions.
HTH Worldwide is an option for backpackers who travel frequently within a year and want high-level medical coverage. The cost of HTH Worldwide is $450 per year for travelers under 35 years old and $600 per year for travelers between 35 and 59 years old.
Why Do Backpackers Need Insurance?
Backpackers need insurance because they face more risks and uncertainties than regular travelers. Backpackers tend to travel longer, farther, and cheaper than other travelers. They also tend to engage in more adventure activities, visit more remote areas, and interact with more local people. These factors increase the chances of encountering accidents, illnesses, thefts, scams, or other problems while traveling.
Without insurance, backpackers might have to pay out of pocket for expensive medical bills, legal fees, or replacement costs. They might also have to cancel or interrupt their trip due to unforeseen events and lose their prepaid expenses. They might also have to deal with stressful situations without any support or assistance from their insurance provider.
Insurance can help backpackers avoid these problems by providing financial compensation and protection in case of emergencies. Insurance can also provide peace of mind and confidence for backpackers who want to enjoy their travel experience without worrying about the unexpected.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
Travel insurance covers different types of expenses and losses that might occur while traveling. The exact coverage depends on the plan and provider you choose, but generally speaking, travel insurance covers:
- Emergency medical expenses: This covers the costs of treating injuries or illnesses that happen while traveling, such as hospital bills, doctor fees, medication costs, or ambulance charges.
- Emergency evacuation: This covers the costs of transporting you to the nearest suitable medical facility or back home if you need urgent medical care that cannot be provided locally.
- Trip cancellation: This covers the costs of canceling your trip before departure due to a covered reason, such as a family emergency, a natural disaster, or a travel warning.
- Trip interruption: This covers the costs of cutting short your trip after departure due to a covered reason, such as a family emergency, a natural disaster, or a travel warning.
- Personal belongings: This covers the costs of replacing or repairing your personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged while traveling, such as your passport, camera, laptop, phone, or money.
- Other benefits: Some plans might also cover other benefits, such as accidental death and dismemberment, legal liability, missed connection, travel delay, baggage delay, or rental car damage.
What Does Travel Insurance NOT Cover?
Travel insurance does not cover everything that might go wrong while traveling. There are some limitations and exclusions that apply to most travel insurance plans, such as:
- Pre-existing conditions: This refers to any medical condition that you have or had before buying the insurance, such as diabetes, asthma, or cancer. Most plans do not cover any expenses related to pre-existing conditions, unless you have a waiver or an endorsement from the provider.
- High-risk activities: This refers to any activity that involves a higher level of risk or danger than normal, such as mountaineering, skydiving, scuba diving, or surfing. Most plans do not cover any expenses related to high-risk activities, unless you have a special add-on or an endorsement from the provider.
- Travel against government advice: This refers to any travel that goes against the official travel advisory or warning issued by your government or the government of your destination. Most plans do not cover any expenses related to travel against government advice, unless you have a special add-on or an endorsement from the provider.
- Fraudulent or illegal acts: This refers to any act that is dishonest, deceptive, orunlawful, such as lying on your application, making a false claim, or breaking the law. Most plans do not cover any expenses related to fraudulent or illegal acts, and they might also cancel your policy or deny your claim.
- Alcohol or drug abuse: This refers to any act that is influenced by excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs, such as driving under the influence, getting into a fight, or overdosing. Most plans do not cover any expenses related to alcohol or drug abuse, and they might also cancel your policy or deny your claim.
You should always read the policy wording carefully and understand what is covered and what is not covered by your travel insurance plan. You should also contact your provider if you have any questions or doubts about your coverage.
