In the lead up to my trip, backpacker travel insurance felt like one of those boring extras you buy at the end of booking a holiday — the tick-box thing you half-heartedly add on so your mum doesn’t stress.

But after months on the road, seeing so many people bandaged up from motorbike crashes in Thailand, and hearing horror stories of backpackers ending up needing medical treatment for the Norovirus and/or Dengue Fever, I realised something: travel insurance isn’t just a box to tick. It’s the safety net that makes the whole adventure possible and less anxiety ridden.

And yet a lot of backpackers often get it wrong. Here are some of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to travel insurance — and how you can avoid them.

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1. Choosing the Cheapest Policy

I get it. When you’re budgeting for a long-term trip, every pound matters. The temptation to pick the cheapest option is huge. But the problem with bargain-basement policies is that they usually cover the bare minimum.

If you need emergency medical treatment, or if your backpack gets stolen, that “cheap” policy can suddenly cost you thousands. Paying a little more for comprehensive cover is always worth it — especially when you think about how much you’ve already invested in your trip.

👉 If you’re not sure which backpacker policy to go for, I’ve broken down the best options in this post.

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2. Not Reading the Fine Print

This is a classic. You think you’re covered for everything… until you actually need to make a claim. Then you discover your policy doesn’t cover motorbikes, or adventure sports, or even lost electronics.

Most backpackers don’t read the fine print, but it’s where the important details hide. Things like whether you’re covered if you drink alcohol (yes, really), or if your bag is left unattended in a hostel.

Take ten minutes before you buy to scan through what’s not included. It could save you a world of stress later.

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3. Forgetting About Pre-Existing Conditions

This one can be tricky. If you have asthma, anxiety, or any kind of ongoing condition, you need to declare it. Lots of travellers don’t, because they think it’ll push up the price.

But if you get sick abroad and it links back to that condition, your insurer can refuse your claim. Being honest upfront is always better than being left with a massive medical bill.

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4. Not Covering Adventure Activities

Backpacking and adventure go hand-in-hand. Whether it’s renting a scooter in Laos, hiking in the Himalayas, or scuba diving in Bali, these are the moments that make the trip.

But here’s the catch: standard policies often don’t cover them. Anything “high risk” can fall outside your policy unless you add it on.

This happens more than you think. Take the Ha Giang Loop. So many crashes and accidents have happened to backpackers that a lot of travel insurance companies now won’t insure you specifically if you are doing the Loop. Thankfully we found a way around this as our insurance didn’t cover us, despite if being the best pick for what we wanted.

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5. Forgetting to Extend Your Policy

If you’re anything like me, your “three-month trip” may have a way of stretching into six. Or more.

Lots of people buy a short-term policy and then forget to extend it. The problem? Once it lapses, you might not be able to buy a new one while you’re abroad. Some companies won’t let you take out a policy if your trip has already started.

Always double-check if your insurance can be extended, or buy a long-term backpacker policy from the start.

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6. Assuming “It Won’t Happen to Me”

This is the biggest mistake of all. Nobody books a flight thinking they’ll end up in a hospital, or that their phone will get stolen. But these things happen. I’ve seen it again and again.

Travel insurance isn’t about expecting disaster. It’s about giving yourself the freedom to really enjoy your trip, knowing that if something does go wrong, you’re not on your own.

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Travel insurance isn’t the most exciting part of planning a backpacking trip. But it might be the most important.

I’d rather spend a little more upfront than lose everything I’ve worked for because I didn’t take it seriously.

If you’re still unsure which backpacker insurance to go for, I’ve put together a full guide with the best options right here.

Because trust me — peace of mind is worth it.

Enjoy your Travels!

Em x

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