This post helps backpackers from the UK find the best and most affordable travel insurance options in 2025.
Ahhh, the dreaded travel insurance talk. Nothing kills the travel excitement quite like it!
However, it would be immoral of me not to encourage protection on your backpacking adventure.
So, while doing my best not to sound like a nagging parent, I’ve created this travel insurance guide to help!
This will assist you in easily understanding and finding great insurance options so that you can get back quickly to the more fun side of travelling preparation!
Why Is Travel Insurance Important?
Let’s keep this simple.
In my experience, it is extremely uncommon to find a backpacker who doesn’t have some crazy story where something has gone wrong on their travels (myself included).
No matter how careful you say you’ll be, unexpected events such as natural disasters, lost luggage on flights, or sudden illness, always have a chance of cropping up!
This is not to scare you. I absolutely LOVE travelling and would go through all these experiences again at the drop of a hat to travel (maybe without the unfortunate events next time though).
Just to give you more context of the travel-related accidents that my partner and I have experienced during our travels, we’ve:
- had a passport stolen in Vietnam (I have a post explaining what to do in this situation for any other fellow victims)
- contracted E. coli on Phi Phi Island
- lost our day bag during the Ha Giang Loop (the cord we tied our bags to the bike with was faulty)
- had to emergency land due to poor weather conditions (and waited 36 hours to board the next flight to our destination)
Conclusion: I would be lying if I didn’t say that I wasn’t relieved to have travel insurance when these incidents did occur!
How Expensive Is Travel Insurance?
The most common objection to travel insurance has to be the cost. After all, no one wants to spend their savings for travels on something they may never use!
However, when comparing the price of travel insurance to your overall budget for the trip, it isn’t expensive at all (and you get the added benefit of peace of mind for the entire duration of your trip!).
Quotes can vary on a range of factors, including your health, the duration of your travels, and what activities you’ll likely be doing while you’re away.
Many companies cover common activities as a standard. However, for more dangerous events such as skiing, bungee jumping, or motorcycling, you will likely be required to pay an additional premium.
Key components explained
Understanding these components can help you compare quotes from different insurers and choose the policy that best fits your needs and budget for your upcoming trip.
Here are the key components of a travel insurance quote explained in simple terms:
Coverage Type: This indicates the type of coverage you’re getting, such as single-trip, multi-trip, or backpacker insurance. Single-trip covers one specific journey, while multi-trip covers multiple trips within a set period. Backpacker insurance is tailored for longer-term travel.
Coverage Limits: These are the maximum amounts the insurance company will pay out for different types of claims, such as medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage loss, or emergency evacuation. Make sure these limits meet your needs.
Excess: This is the amount you must pay out of pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in. For example, if you have a $100 excess and make a $500 claim, you would pay $100, and the insurance company would cover the remaining $400.
Premium: This is the price you pay for the insurance policy. It can vary based on factors like your age, destination, trip duration, coverage options, and any pre-existing medical conditions.
Policy Exclusions: These are situations or events that are not covered by the insurance policy. Common exclusions may include pre-existing medical conditions, high-risk activities, or certain destinations under travel advisories.
Optional Add-Ons: These are additional coverage options you can choose to add to your policy for an extra cost. Examples include coverage for adventure sports, rental car damage, or cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.
Policy Duration: This indicates the period of time the insurance coverage is valid for. For single-trip policies, it’s typically the dates of your trip. For multi-trip policies, it’s usually a one-year period.
Emergency Assistance Services: This outlines the services provided by the insurer in case of an emergency while travelling, such as medical evacuation, repatriation, or 24/7 helpline support.
What Is The Right Travel Insurance Policy For Me?
Make sure you purchase your travel insurance before you go. This will cover you for any unexpected events that may occur before you arrive at your destination. It is also often a requirement by travel insurers that you purchase the insurance in your home country.
To find the right policy for you, you must first assess your needs, including whether you have any existing medical conditions and how long you intend your trip to be.
Next, take a look at the types of coverage typically offered by travel insurance policies. These typically include medical expenses, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss/delay, emergency evacuation, and gadget protection. Determine which types of coverage are essential for your trip and make sure that they’re included in your quote later on!
Then you can start researching various travel insurance companies. Use comparison sites and online reviews to build a better understanding of their offer and how good their service is!
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, check any policy exclusions and add any additional coverage you may need. This will ensure that you definitely have the right policy for you.
Check, and then DOUBLE CHECK!
Best Travel Insurance Recommendations For UK Backpackers
The section of the blog you’ve been waiting for… my insurance company recommendations for UK backpackers!
Based on my own experience and research, I have found two travel insurance companies that have great coverage, are reasonably priced, and, most importantly, have lots of excellent reviews!
1. Outbacker
Outbacker was the insurance company that I took out a policy with on my first backpacking trip!
I took out their ‘Premier’ package for 6 months, and was positively surprised to see the extremely high cover for medical expenses and lost baggage!
What I also liked about Outbacker (besides their extremely competitive premiums) is the low excess that I would pay in the case of making a claim.
You can add on their ‘Extended Gadget Cover’ for a reasonable price too!
The only slightly negative thing I would say about Outbacker is that they don’t clearly state if you are covered for mopeds/scooters (unless you have a license for them in the UK and are wearing a helmet).
Moped/scooters are a very common means of transport used by backpackers, and so I was a little disappointed that this wasn’t completely covered by the insurer (however, this is the case for most companies that I’ve found).
If this is a major concern for you, then definitely contact Outbacker to be clear about where you are covered!
Get an instant quote with Outbacker here!
Side note: Scooters/ mopeds are great fun. They are an easy and affordable way to explore the area you are in! However, IF you are planning on using a moped/ scooter, please wear a helmet and drive carefully. I’ve witnessed so many terrible accidents from people who are not driving with caution!
2. Go Walkabout
I haven’t used Go Walkabout before, but after researching the company, I am eager to use this insurer for my next trip.
Go Walkabout is a great option for backpackers and working holidaymakers. They provide tailored plans to suit each individual at very affordable prices (one of the lowest I’ve seen!).
I especially like their ‘Walkabout Plus’ plan. This offers great standard coverage and the option to add additional gadget insurance at a value that suits you!
Walkabout allows you to tailor your policy even more to your individual needs. You can choose from 4 activity packs that cover various activities you may do while travelling.
For the most dangerous activities, you would need Activity Pack 4. However, this, of course, would increase your premium.
They also cover mopeds/scooters on their Activity Pack 2 (provided you wear a helmet, are not on a tour, and this is not your main mode of transport).
The excess is also relatively low compared to other insurers.
Additional Travel Insurance Tips
➡️ Since it’s so important, I will repeat: make sure you know your coverage limits. Read the fine print so you know where any exclusions apply.
➡️ I’d also recommend taking a plastic wallet to keep your documents safe and handy for when you may need them! Take note of any emergency contacts that could come in useful too.
➡️ If an incident occurs for which you could make a claim, keep a record of the events and any receipts for expenses. These will all be used as evidence!
Travel Insurance For UK Backpackers FAQs
The best travel insurance for UK backpackers offers flexible coverage, affordable pricing, and protection for adventurous activities. Outbacker Travel Insurance is a top choice, specifically designed for backpackers and long-term travellers.
It covers multiple countries, extended trip lengths (up to 24 months), and includes essentials like medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage loss, and over 100 sports and activities as standard. You can also adjust your policy to include higher-risk activities for a small premium, making sure you’re completely covered no matter what you get up to!
Yes, many backpacker travel insurance policies include coverage for working abroad, but it depends on the job type. Outbacker offers optional working holiday cover, which is ideal if you plan to take on casual or temporary jobs (like bar work, fruit picking, or hospitality) during your travels. This extra cover gives peace of mind by protecting you in case of illness or injury while working.
Backpacker travel insurance costs vary based on your destination, trip length, and level of cover. On average, you might pay £50–£150 for a 3-month trip, with longer trips costing more. Outbacker is known for its affordable rates and flexible plans, making it perfect for budget-conscious travellers. You can choose from Silver, Gold, or Platinum tiers depending on the level of protection you want.
Standard travel insurance is typically for short holidays and usually covers trips up to 30 days. In contrast, backpacker insurance is designed for long-term travel (months at a time), often across multiple destinations. It also tends to include cover for more adventurous activities and allows for working abroad.
For long-term travel, you’ll need a policy that supports trips longer than the standard 30–90 days. Outbacker Travel Insurance is a great option for UK travellers going abroad for several months or more. Their policies can cover up to 24 months in a single trip, include worldwide destinations, and offer flexibility to extend if your plans change. It’s ideal for gap years, round-the-world trips, or digital nomads looking for affordable, reliable protection during their travels.
Final Thoughts
As you can tell from this post, a lot of unexpected moments can take place while backpacking, so make sure you budget some of your travelling savings for this coverage.
I cannot recommend Outbacker’s services enough. I guarantee they’ll be the first company I’ll get a quick travel insurance quote from before leaving to travel the south of Thailand later this year!
If you have any questions about travel insurance, don’t hesitate to comment below, and I’ll do my best to help out.
Safe travels!
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