When I was a backpacker, my low-budget lifestyle often took me off the beaten path, and rarely did I follow a fixed itinerary. Anything could happen, and that was the whole point.

In that same vein, it’s important that backpacker travel insurance coverage fits a lower budget yet is flexible enough to work with changing plans.

Within my fourteen years of travel, I’ve cashed in a travel insurance policy more than a few times. And while the industry has certainly changed in that time, general policy and coverage needs haven’t.

Based on years of travel, first-hand experience, extensive industry knowledge and deep research, I believe the following five companies offer the best insurance for backpackers because they are both flexible and affordable.

Heymondo: Best Backpacker Travel Insurance Overall

The word “insurance” can be intimidating, and it’s easy to assume that buying insurance for your trip will be a frustrating process that will leave your head (and wallet) aching.

Fortunately, there are more and more companies out there trying to create a more user-friendly approach to travel insurance. Heymondo is a modern travel insurance provider that has a straightforward process to buy a plan, and their insurance policies are very affordable.

Plus, their coverage is great. The lowest level plan pays up to $100,000 for emergency medical bills and $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage. That’s better than most companies’ upper-tier plans which cost much more!

In addition to emergency evacuation and medical costs, you also get protection for trip cancellations, missed flights, lost baggage, electronic equipment, and more. Heymondo also includes several benefits that many travel insurance companies don’t cover (or charge you extra for) like coverage for adventure sports and pre-existing conditions.

I also love that Heymondo has an easy-to-use app that lets you manage your plan and submit claims straight from your phone. It’s much easier to deal with than waiting for hours to speak to an agent on the phone. I’m a big fan of anything that streamlines and simplifies my travel experience.

Heymondo also has a medical-only plan that doesn’t include coverage for canceled trips, baggage loss, flight delays, or the other trip protection benefits. This plan is extremely affordable and is a great way to get the most important protection for your health if you don’t need or want anything else.

Heymondo doesn’t offer a ton of customization options, but their base plans are great and much less expensive than most competitors. That’s awesome for us backpackers who are pinching pennies to save up for our next flight!

Tin Leg: Best International Backpacker Travel Insurance

If you’re traveling overseas, it’s especially important to be able to rely on having your travel insurance cover anything unexpected. Tin Leg is a highly-respected travel insurance company that has a good reputation for offering high-value policies, and paying out claims when you need them.

When it comes to international travel, Tin Leg has some of the best backpacker insurance policies out there. They offer a great balance of comprehensive coverage and affordable prices.

With Tin Leg, you get all the coverage you expect. Flight delays, baggage protection, and canceled trips are all covered, though you have to cancel for a “covered reason,” like natural disasters or severe illness. This doesn’t include civil unrest, severe weather, or changing your mind. Fortunately, they offer an optional upgrade to Cancel for Any Reason coverage.

Unlike many other travel insurance providers, Tin Leg has a wide range of plans to fit your needs (9, in fact).

My top pick is their Luxury Plan, which is actually quite affordable despite the name. This plan offers great emergency medical protection and trip insurance at an impressive price.

Looking to save your pennies? Tin Leg’s Basic Plan is awesome for low-budget travelers.

They also offer an Adventure Plan, which includes high medical limits plus included coverage for extreme sports and adventure activities. This is perfect backpacking insurance for many of the adventurous travelers out there.

Tin Leg is one of the best overall backpacker insurance companies on the market. They are flexible, offer good coverage, and (most important for many of us) are very affordable.

Why Backpackers Need Travel Insurance

When it comes to planning your once-in-a-lifetime backpacking trip, travel insurance may be the last thing on your mind. Honestly, isn’t it more fun to spend time picking out the right backpack or booking the coolest hostel?

Well, your health and safety is also something to consider. That’s why travel insurance is the single most important thing to bring on your trip. It protects you against any unforeseen accidents or emergencies that you may encounter on your journey.

Broken leg from a scooter crash? Your backpacker insurance policy covers your medical bills.
Stolen camera on the train? Backpacker insurance reimburses the cost of your belongings.
Tropical thunderstorms cancel your flight to Thailand? You’ll be reimbursed and scheduled on the next flight out.

It’s easy to see why travel insurance is worth it how insurance can protect you in a variety of unfortunate situations. It can also save you thousands of dollars in medical expenses. For this reason alone, travel insurance is absolutely worth it.

What to Look for in Backpacker Insurance

From digital nomads to adventure seekers, everyone traveling abroad needs good insurance to cover unexpected events on their backpacking trip. However, there is not a recommendation for a single plan that’s good for everyone.There are several key factors to consider when looking at backpacker insurance.

Some travel insurance providers offer specific benefits that cater to adventurous backpackers and long-term travelers, while others specialize in medical protection for folks with a pre-existing condition. Maybe good baggage cover and cancellation cover are important to you, or maybe you just want low-cost travel insurance policies that cover the basics for your backpacking trip.

Take the time to look for a plan that fits your travel plans.

Flexibility is Key

Backpackers, digital nomads, and long-term travelers often don’t stick to a fixed itinerary for their backpacking trips. Just like your plans, your backpacker insurance should be flexible.

Let’s look at an example.

You decide at the last minute to go skiing in Germany and Austria, two countries that weren’t originally on your itinerary. Or perhaps you spontaneously decide to extend your vacation by a few months.

In these situations, you’ll be thankful to have insurance that you can adjust on the go. You might look for backpacker insurance that is paid in installments, or that can be updated and changed midway through your trip.

This flexibility is great, and it lets you travel on your own terms.

Coverage for Medical Expenses

Your health is your most important asset, and it’s important to take care of it, especially when you’re traveling. The most important thing to look for in good travel insurance is solid coverage for medical emergencies. If you get sick or injured while traveling, you don’t want to be stuck with hefty hospital bills.

Most travel insurance will provide cover for up to specified benefit limits. I like to look for an insurance policy that provides at least $100,000 in medical care and $250,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation cover. More is always better in this case.

Of course, no one expects to get severely ill or injured on their backpacking trips, but the worst can (and does) happen. Good medical coverage is an absolute essential. That way you know that if anything goes wrong, you’ll be taken care of and not have to foot the bill.

Coverage for Extreme Sports and Adventures Activities

Let’s face it; backpackers love their extreme (and sometimes reckless) activities. Did you know that most travel insurance won’t provide medical cover if you’re injured in what they deem extreme sports or other risky activities?

That’s why you should look for backpacker insurance that provides protection for whatever adventure you may encounter on your trip. From scuba diving in Indonesia to rock climbing in Morocco, you’ll want coverage for all those fun and exhilarating moments.

However, many traditional travel insurance companies don’t offer protection for these events. So if you plan on doing any extreme sports, make sure your backpacker insurance provides activity coverage.

Some quick safety advice: never participate in an activity that isn’t covered by your insurance, or you may end up paying potential hospital bills with your own money.

An Affordable Price Point

Finally, good backpacking travel insurance should be affordable. Flights, hostels, and food costs quickly add up. This can make price a big factor when choosing a plan.

Even if you’re hoping to keep your trip low-cost, you should still invest in travel insurance. Fortunately, there are several backpacker insurance companies that offer comprehensive insurance that won’t break the bank.

Final Thoughts on the Best Travel Insurance Companies for Backpackers

Besides your passport, backpacker insurance is one of the most important things to take with you on your trip. It’s there to protect you against unexpected incidents from bike accidents and food poisoning to stolen luggage and misplaced smartphones. It can save you serious money on hospital bills, legal expenses, and lost stuff.

One of my top travel tips for anyone is to buy good insurance.

And you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to protect, well, your arms and legs! There are plenty of companies and policies that offer decent coverage for just a few dollars a day.

With affordable and comprehensive coverage, World Nomads is our backpacker insurance provider of choice. However, you may find that there are other companies that are better suited for your trip.

Check out different policies, compare companies, and shop around for good deals. But at the end of the day, just make sure you purchase insurance from somewhere. Because if you can’t afford travel insurance, you really can’t afford to travel!