Award-Winning, Flexible
BACKPACKER INSURANCE
- Specialist Backpacking Travel Insurance
- Single & Annual Trip cover available
- For travellers aged 18 to 74
Our Backpacker Insurance policy options
Put simply, we offer three different policy options…
1. Travel Insurance
We provide a Single and Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance which will cover you whilst backpacking in destinations around the world. Our policy includes cover for medical and repatriation costs, trip cancellation, and more.
2. Travel Insurance Bolt-On
If you have an existing travel insurance policy in place with another provider such as your bank but it does not include cover for backpacking, we can provide a bolt-on style of protection for your trip.
3. Sports Accident Insurance
Our Sports Accident Insurance is designed to protect you whilst backpacking in the UK. The policy provides a range of benefits including personal liability and income protection. Get a quote online now.
Our claims record
HIGHEST PAID CLAIM
£174,984.64
FOR AN INSURANCE CLAIM**
AVERAGE PAY OUT
£1,295.07
FOR EACH INSURANCE CLAIM**
OUR AVERAGE CLAIMS RATING
4.9/5
ACCORDING TO OUR FEEFO SCORE***
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Join thousands of sports enthusiasts who choose us every year
Or Call us on 01494 484800
Why choose us
30 Years Experience
We have been providing tailored Sports Insurance policies for over 30 years, and today protect more than 57,000 customers a year.
Professional Claims Handling
We work with leading claims handlers to make sure our customers experience a prompt and professional service when making a claim.
Underwritten by Experts
We’re pleased to offer tailored cover from AXA XL, a leading provider of insurance in the sports and leisure industry.
UK Based Customer Service Team
Our highly experienced Sales team are available to help support you with any questions that you might have.
5-Star Customer Service Rating
Thousands of happy customers have awarded us a 5-star customer service score on the independent feedback platform, Feefo.
500+ Sports Covered
Being a specialist in Sports Insurance, we provide cover for over 500 different sports & activities, far more than other providers.
What's covered?
Our Backpacker Insurance will protect you whether you are heading abroad or staying in the UK.
Very few countries around the world have free healthcare, and most outside the EU don’t have reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK. Therefore, the cost of receiving medical care is likely to be extremely expensive.
With a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place for backpacking, you can depart safe in the knowledge that you would be financially protected should an accident happen.
In addition, our Travel Insurance provides trip cancellation cover, personal liability and baggage cover.
- Emergency Medical Expenses & Repatriation
- Cancellation & Curtailment
- Personal Liability
- Baggage and Personal Effects
- Delayed Baggage
- Sports Equipment
- Activity & Race Entry Fees
- Legal Expenses & Advice
- Search & Rescue
- Personal Accident
- Travel Delay, Abandonment, and Missed Departure
- Money and Documents
- Catastrophe
- Hijack
- Inconvenience Benefit
- Personal Assistance
We offer a bronze, silver and gold package to account for different levels of cover you might need.
For more details on what is included and any exclusions in our sports travel policy please request a quote.
Why do backpackers need insurance?
Backpackers’ insurance is essential for anyone planning to travel, especially for those venturing into unfamiliar territories with limited resources at their disposal. Backpacking often involves exploring remote areas, engaging in adventurous activities, and carrying all your essentials in a single bag, which makes travellers particularly vulnerable to a wide range of potential risks such as:
- Lost or stolen passport: Replacing a passport can be expensive and disruptive; insurance covers the cost and related expenses.
- Valuable items: Insurance can help replace or repair lost, stolen, or damaged items like phones or cameras.
- Medical assistance: It covers costs for treatment, hospitalisation, and even evacuation during illness or injury.
- Search and rescue: Insurance can fund costly search and rescue operations in remote or wilderness areas.
- High-risk activities: Cover for injuries from adventurous sports like scuba diving or bungee jumping ensures peace of mind.
- Trip disruption: Cover for the costs of cancelled or interrupted trips due to incidents such as illness, travel disruption, adverse weather and a rang of other scenarios.
Discover the full extent of our cover
Or Call us on 01494 484800
What can impact the cost of backpacking insurance?
The cost of backpacking insurance varies based on several factors, reflecting the level of risk and coverage required for your trip:
- Age: Older travellers generally face higher premiums due to increased health risks and likelihood of claims.
- Location: Travelling to regions with higher healthcare costs, political instability, or natural disaster risks can increase the cost of insurance.
- Activities: High-risk activities like bungee jumping, skiing, or scuba diving may require additional coverage, raising the policy price.
- Duration of Travel: Longer trips result in higher premiums, as extended coverage increases the likelihood of incidents.
By tailoring your policy to match your travel plans and needs, you can better manage the cost while ensuring comprehensive protection.
What activities are covered with Backpacker insurance?
Our insurance for backpackers allows you to choose from over 500 different sports and activities, many of which are not covered in a standard travel insurance policy. Here’s a list of popular activities you can include with our sports travel insurance:
- Skydiving
- Bungee Jumping
- Kitesurfing
- Rock Climbing
- Skiing and Snowboarding including off-piste
- Cycling including road and mountain biking
- Hiking or trekking up to 4500m
- Scuba Diving
Request a quote for further information on the sports and activities we can cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Backpacker insurance is a form of travel insurance that is designed to protect individuals whilst backpacking around the world. In most cases, it will cover the costs of emergency medical treatment and repatriation, plus more.
Our Sports Travel Insurance Policy provides up to £2,500 worth of baggage cover. You should, of course, be sensible and act as though you weren’t insured at all times. This means keeping your valuables, such as cash, phones or tablets on your person at all times, rather than leaving them unattended in a tent, or in a hostel dormitory. But if the unexpected does happen, you would have the reassurance of being able to claim under the policy.
Yes, our Backpacker Travel Insurance can generally be taken out even if you have a medical condition. We can almost always offer cover at no extra cost, but occasionally our underwriters may apply special terms if you subsequently needed to make a claim relating to your condition.
Our policies will cover anyone up to the age of 74 at the time of purchase. An applicant aged 75 or over cannot be covered.
* 10% online discount applies to our Sports Travel Insurance and Activity TopUp policies only.
** Data relates to all SportsCover Direct Insurance claims from Jan 2010 to Dec 2024 inclusive.
*** Feefo rating relates to all SportsCover Direct Insurance claims review score from Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 inclusive. Feefo score rounded up to 1 decimal place.
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