Maybe you've put a pause on your career to see the world. Or maybe you've just completed your studies and you're ready for a break. Whatever the reason for going on a gap year adventure abroad, we're sure the last thing you want on your mind is insurance.
But, finding the right level of cover for your backpacking trip could take just 2 minutes of your time. And if you're ready, you can start comparing quotes now. If you want to learn more before you do that, read on. We've covered everything you need to know about gap year travel insurance.
Gap year travel insurance is worth considering when you book your trip, because it could help you financially if things go wrong.
Picture this: you're trekking through a rainforest and suddenly you get a nasty bug bite. With travel insurance, you could be covered for medical treatment and evacuation if needed.
Alternatively, imagine you're walking through a bustling street market and suddenly your bag gets stolen. Or, you make it to the airport, only to discover that your flight has been cancelled due to extreme weather.
There's plenty of things that can go wrong while abroad. But, with travel insurance for your gap year, your policy could help cover the costs if the unexpected happens. Phew!
It's key to remember that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) aren't replacements for travel insurance.
Both provide state healthcare at the price citizens pay in certain European countries. But, without insurance, you could be left with extra costs to pay. For example, if you need to come home for medical treatment, it could cost thousands of pounds without the appropriate policy in place. Travel insurance could help cover some of these costs.
Exactly what's covered by gap year insurance will vary between insurers and policies. It'll also depend on your personal circumstances. But, gap year policies typically offer slightly different cover to standard travel insurance. Here's what could be covered or excluded:
Gap year travel insurance prices:
Solo traveller1
£4.36
Couples2
£5.92
Groups3
£5.92
1Cheapest price for a single traveller, aged 21 with no medical conditions, travelling to Europe for 3 months. Prices correct as of November 2024.
2Cheapest price for a couple, both aged 21 with no medical conditions, travelling to Europe for 3 months. Prices correct as of November 2024.
3Cheapest price for a group of 5 travellers, all aged 21 with no medical conditions, travelling to Europe for 3 months. Prices correct as of November 2024.
Gap year insurance could set you back as little as £x. But what you pay could be different, as there are many factors that go into calculating your policy price like:
"Amid the excitement of going on a gap year adventure, it's easy to forget about the importance of travel insurance.
But with the appropriate policy in place, you could be covered financially if things go wrong. For example, if you need emergency medical treatment, or if your travel tour was cancelled unexpectedly."
While your gap year insurance policy should cover for lower risk activities like swimming close to shore or hiking, you might need policy add-ons for riskier activites. These can include:
We offer customer support from our team in Cardiff. If you need any help during the quote process, we'll be there for you. Just visit our contact page to get in touch.
All the travel insurance companies that we work with are regulated by the FCA, too. This means that we follow strict guidelines to make sure that you get the best policy for your personal needs, and you're treated with fairness.
We have a strong security and privacy policy set up, and we promise to look after your personal details. In other words? We've got your back.
We're not owned by any insurance companies, so the prices you see are the most affordable based on the information you've provided.
1Correct as of October 2024
Means you can get one policy that covers everyone, rather than buying individual policies.
Includes cover for any cancellations, green fees you've paid upfront and specialist cover for your clubs. <style> </style>
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