Travel insurance for backpackers

Average customer rating: 4.3/5

A guide to travel insurance for backpackers

Last updated March 7, 2024
Written by Tiana Lee-Collins
Reviewed by Adrian Taylor

Expert tips for managing your travel insurance for your backpacking trip

Our Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor, has some travel tips to help you choose a suitable policy for your backpacking adventure.

Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance

Keep an eye on your belongings

Never leave your luggage and other belongings unattended in public as any theft claims may not be accepted if you haven’t taken reasonable care of your belongings.

Declare your pre-existing medical conditions

Not declaring any pre-existing medical conditions you have can mean you won’t be covered for any related-losses that occur during your trip. However, even when declaring, coverage isn’t automatically included and not all conditions can be covered. Your insurer will need to confirm that they are willing to provide cover and it may come with an additional cost. Always check what you’re covered for before departing on your trip to avoid being caught out by unexpected expenses while overseas.

Reduce your premium by increasing your excess

You might want to consider a higher excess to reduce your premium. Your excess is what you pay out of pocket if you need to make a claim, so be sure to choose a manageable excess amount.

About travel insurance for backpackers

Should backpackers consider travel insurance?

Basic versus comprehensive cover: What’s the difference?

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance exclusions

What to consider when taking out travel insurance for backpackers

Where you plan to go

The time of year you’re travelling

Your itinerary

Your trip length

Meet our Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor

Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance

As the Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.

1 Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Smartraveller. Reciprocal health care agreements. Accessed October 2023.

2 Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Smartraveller. Thailand. Last updated June 2023. Accessed October 2023.