Travel Insurance for Backpackers

Don't let an unexpected incident ruin your backpacking trip. WAS Travel Insurance can protect you from various backpacking travel nightmares.

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The reasoning for backpacking travel insurance

Embark on your backpacking adventure with confidence as you protect yourself from the unexpected with WAS Travel Insurance. We have policies for backpackers who love exploring the world on a budget but want to guard against unforeseen circumstances.


Unpack These Benefits

Trip Cancellation or Interruption
Global Coverage
Emergency Medical Coverage


What Does Backpacking Travel Insurance Cover?

Make getting a WAS Travel Insurance policy part of your planning process as you prepare for your whirlwind adventure.

Our comprehensive cover includes:

  • Overseas Emergency medical expenses — This benefit provides coverage for unexpected medical costs whilst travelling abroad. This can include hospital expenses and emergency medical evacuation. You want this benefit if you fall ill in a remote location.
  • Trip cancellations — If you need to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, this benefit means you can be reimbursed for a range of prepaid, non-refundable expenses. This comes in handy if you fall sick before your trip.
  • Lost or stolen baggage and personal effects - This benefit can provide compensation for the loss or theft of your backpacking gear and personal items. If this travel nightmare happens to you, at least you know you have some financial protection.
  • Additional cover options - You can customise your policy with add-ons like cruise or motorcycle cover to suit your adventure needs. Just make sure you share these details when you go through your application.

Note: Not all benefits apply and will depend on whether you have selected them (and they are reflected on your Certificate of Insurance). Terms, conditions, exclusions, sub-limits, and limits apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for further details.

Why You Need Backpacking Travel Insurance

No one wants to think about what could go wrong on their trip. But unfortunately, anything can happen, and things go wrong all the time. You could:

  • get injured or sick
  • lose your belongings
  • have your flights cancelled
  • Experience delays due to severe weather or civil unrest

Travelling abroad exposes you to these risks that are out of your control. On top of this, your private health insurance likely doesn't cover some of these situations. This is why backpacking travel insurance is critical. Without sufficient coverage, you could:

  • face substantial medical bills if you get sick or injured abroad.
  • Be left with no emergency support network in remote locations
  • Face significant costs due to travel delays or other disruptions

Avoid these stressful scenarios with a comprehensive backpacker insurance plan.

Why Choose WAS Travel Insurance?

At WAS Travel Insurance, we understand the spirit of adventure that drives backpackers, so we’ve designed our policies to provide essential cover. This coverage lets you focus on experiencing new cultures and landscapes with confidence.

From basic travel insurance to comprehensive plans, you can choose a policy that suits your budget and travel style. We know insurance isn’t the exciting, snazzy part of planning your travels; that’s why we try to make it as streamlined as possible for you to get the coverage you need.

And, no matter where your backpacking takes you, our global emergency assistance team is just a call away, ready to support you in any emergency.

Travel Insurance for Backpackers FAQs

Browse answers to the most common questions we get asked about backpackers travel insurance
What should I do if I experience a medical emergency while backpacking?

You should immediately contact our emergency assistance team for guidance. We’ll kick things into gear and organise any necessary medical treatment or an evacuation for you. We can then help you through your claims process.

How do I handle pre-existing medical conditions with my travel insurance policy?

You can see a list of pre-existing conditions that are automatically covered under our policies (in our PDS). If you have a condition that isn’t on our list, we won’t be able to cover your pre-existing condition as part of our policy

Can I afford travel insurance for a long backpacking trip?

We offer affordable travel insurance policies that you can customise. Change your coverage depending on what you’re doing and how long you’re doing it for, as long as you purchase before you head out on your journey. This approach means you only pay for the coverage you need. Also, we consider insurance a wise investment anyway given the protection it offers against further potential unforeseen costs.

What happens if I need to cancel my backpacking holiday last minute?

Our trip cancellation cover can reimburse you for travel and accommodation expenses if you must cancel for a covered reason. Check your policy document for details about covered reasons.

Are activities like snow sports covered under backpacker travel insurance?

We offer additional cover options for some adventure activities, like snow sports. This add-on requires an additional premium.

What is the process for claiming lost baggage or equipment?

File a claim through our claims department. You’ll need to provide evidence to support your claims. This could be:

  • Details of the lost items
  • Any police or tour operator reports
  • Photo evidence

If approved, we’ll process your reimbursement under the terms of your policy.

Remember, reading the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) is crucial to understand all the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits of your policy.

Note: Not all benefits apply and will depend on whether you have selected them (and they are reflected on your Certificate of Insurance). Terms, conditions, exclusions, sub-limits, and limits apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for further details.

Take us with you on your next adventure
Learn more about our backpacker travel insurance plans

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