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Backpacker
Backpacker Travel Insurance: Long-Stay Cover for Gap Years and Round-the-World Trips
Backpacker policies are built for trips of 6–18 months. Here's what they cover that standard policies don't.
11 March 20257 min readby Goat Travel Team
Standard travel insurance maxes out at 30–60 days per trip. If you're heading off for six months in South-East Asia or a year-long round-the-world adventure, you need a dedicated backpacker policy.
What makes a backpacker policy different?
- Trip length up to 18–24 months
- Multiple home returns allowed within the trip
- Long list of activities included as standard (trekking, scuba to 30m, surfing, bungee, elephant rides)
- Casual work cover — bar work, fruit picking, ski instructor
- Equipment cover for backpacks and electronics
What's not covered as standard
- Motorbike or moped riding without the correct UK licence and helmet
- Professional or paid sport
- Manual or hazardous work (construction, oil rigs)
- Trekking above 4,000m without an upgrade
The motorbike trap
Half of backpacker insurance claims involve a moped accident in South-East Asia. To be covered you almost always need:
- A full UK motorbike licence (a CBT or car licence is rarely enough)
- To wear a helmet at all times
- To not be under the influence of alcohol
Returning home mid-trip
Most backpacker policies allow 1–2 home returns of up to 14 days each, with cover continuing when you fly out again. Confirm this is included if you plan to come back for Christmas.
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