"Backpacker" Travel Insurance

[shanig]

What's the best Insurance for backpackers to the USA, Central America, Canada and Columbia?

 

[samh004]

Welcome to AFF, have you done any research yourself, or are you hoping we'll do all the work for you? If you've read these forums before you'll note there's not many backpackers amongst us, as we all like flying in the pointy end of the plane and the little luxuries of life, so getting an answer might be interesting.

 

[Dreamliner]

re: Travel Insurance

Hello there. I have been backpacking with all the luxuries of the airlines. It's excellent!! Especially after weeks without a hot shower or any decent food!!I find that 'travel insurance direct' have the best value for money. All your higher end credit cards have complimentary insurance if you buy your flights with that card. Bankwest zero platinum offers this service and doesn't even have an annual fee. Good luck and enjoy your trip!!

 

[serfty]

TID has quite a reasonable product at a very good price. You can do a search for some discount codes on this site.

Of course, like many insurances, there are time limits on how long you can stay overseas and still be covered.

You can try 1cover or itrek ...

 

[BAM1748]

re: Travel Insurance

Be aware of your travel policy's fine print regarding Columbia. The corp travel policy where I work covers Iraq but not Columbia due to gringos being held for ransom.

 

[stomplad]

Re: Travel Insurance

Welcome to AFF, have you done any research yourself, or are you hoping we'll do all the work for you? If you've read these forums before you'll note there's not many backpackers amongst us, as we all like flying in the pointy end of the plane and the little luxuries of life, so getting an answer might be interesting.

Well thats a backhanded welcome. I find this site a great resource for all travellers, pointy end of the plane to back in coach. I see no problem with asking a question from people with experience and knowledge. ...Ohh and look productive answers not just an elitist sledging, far more productive.
Enjoy yr travels Shanig and return to this site which mostly has a lot of really helpful people to answer yr queries. I have use TID and found them terrific to deal with.

 

[lmere12]

What's the best Insurance for backpackers to the USA, Central America, Canada and Columbia?

Hi Shanig, I've been using TID and their promotion codes. Price and cover I was happy with. Am in the middle of making my first claim from a trip to Europe, so far it is very slow. Can let you know of the outcome.

 

[Sprucegoose]

What's the best Insurance for backpackers to the USA, Central America, Canada and Columbia?

Regardless of how you label yourself, you still spend money and expect value for it.I like TID, many people here do as well.We are all united because we want value for money!

 

[acoolbreeze]

I've used Nomads and Southern Cross Travel Insurance in the past and claimed with SCTI with no issues. Insurance that covers USA is generally more expensive regardless of who you chose to cover you.

 

[enajohn]

Travelling is good for you because it gives confidence to deal with a range of situations. People have always been curious about travelling to different places. You often see backpackers who travel all over the world even If they have not enough budgets in their pocket because they love to go on an adventure. But sometimes you stuck into dangerous situations and feel helpless during your trip. In such case you are recommended to have backpacker travel insurance.

 

[straitman]

Travelling is good for you because it gives confidence to deal with a range of situations. People have always been curious about travelling to different places. You often see backpackers who travel all over the world even If they have not enough budgets in their pocket because they love to go on an adventure. But sometimes you stuck into dangerous situations and feel helpless during your trip. In such case you are recommended to have backpacker travel insurance.

Hi enajohn,

Welcome to AFF.

An interesting first post.

 

[icebox]

What's the best Insurance for backpackers to the USA, Central America, Canada and Columbia?

There are many reliable insurance providers and you can google them. You might want to check insurance firms such as allstate, reassure, national, monumental insurance. Just make a research first and check feedbacks to be 100% sure on their service when it comes to satisfaction.

 

[casanovawa]

Depends how long you are going for, but the US is always expensive for travel insurance... I did 2.5 months travelling around the world this year and all but 2 nights were in backpackers/hostels...

I had always bought travel insurance from dedicated companies, usually Covermore (but that was before i found this site)... This year i ended up getting an ANZ Plat VISA/Amex, got 20k QFF points and although it cost $295, it was much cheaper than the comparable cost of a dedicated travel insurance policy for that amount of time and all you had to do was spend was $250 of pre trip expenses before you left Australia...

Have to claim a few thigns so will see how they are in terms of actually delivering, but they were rated pretty highly in the traveller magazine that looked at various credit card insurance policies... Proof of the pudding is in the eating i suppose...

 

[addisonclark]

I agree with you all but a Insurance quote is very important to consider before purchasing any insurance policy, that are rather easy to obtain, though. Quotes can be acquired from most major insurance agents by filling out a general information form on their respective website.

 

[johntoo]

Welcome to AFF, have you done any research yourself, or are you hoping we'll do all the work for you? If you've read these forums before you'll note there's not many backpackers amongst us, as we all like flying in the pointy end of the plane and the little luxuries of life, so getting an answer might be interesting.

<redacted> This is an interesting point of view! Those of us a little less sophisticated than yourself are amused. Let me explain MY point of view by outlining my plans for the next year:- I am a professional (medical) person and I, with my mates (anaesthetists, mostly), are "transitioning to retirement" by spending our kids inheritance and accumulated frequent flyer points - it's better known as "growing old disgracefully". In my case, I will be taking a year off, booking a round the world ticket, and travelling as far and as long as my funds will allow. Obviously I will have to be frugal, and be a backpacker again, but that's a small price to pay for the privilege of seeing Machu Pichu for the first time, the Mayan ruins of Guatemala, the adelie penguins and much, much more!


I hope that the rest of "us" have broader horizons than just the view from the "pointy end of the plane".

What are you doing next year, Sam?


John

"Adventure before Dementia"

 

[haivee]

World Nomads is great as it covers a lot of 'adventure' activities. Check out their website for a nice long list (i'm unable to post any links as i'm a newbie to this forum).

You can also apply for it and extend it while you are overseas. Most insurers won't let you apply for a policy once you've already left the country (found this out the hard way when travelling with my parents and realised that they hadn't booked us any insurance!). The option to extend your travel insurance while overseas is great if you're backpacking and decide that you want to stay longer