I write this as a warning to be careful! Insurance is the business of selling you confidence while avoiding all responsibility through the careful use of small print terms. Unfortunately being careful means having to read your policy document in full. It is not enough to assume that most of the terms are reasonable, I have found a few which had the potential to directly impact me. I am from the UK, and so this is relevant to UK retail policies. If you see cheap 'backpackers insurance' check the following:
Is there a requirement for a return flight ticket?
Many insurance companies specify this, or some other proof of intent to return to the UK. Not all backpackers will have return flights booked, who can know where they will be in 6-18 months? Even if they accept other forms of proof, do they give a full list?
Some of the companies now warn you of this requirement before purchase. I suspect the ombudsman had something to say about selling 18 month backpacker insurance with a hidden term to avoid covering most 18 month backpackers.
What is their definition of UK resident?
I recently had to buy travel insurance shortly after returning to the UK. I was surprised to discover that most policies excluded me! The reason was, deeply buried in terms and definitions, that I had spent more than 3 or 6 months in the last year out of the country. If you are a backpacker coming back to the UK between trips, or even taking a short holiday in the year after completing your trip, you must watch out for this! You can find reasonable terms, but cheap products on price comparison websites are highly restrictive.
Don't think you are covered to ride a scooter, unless you have a UK motorcycle license. Even if your policy mentions motorbikes, it generally also specifies that you need the correct UK license. Depending on the wording that means either a motorcycle license or an in-date CBT.
There are many other nasty little terms within policy documents, but I have written about these before. Read your document well. As a note, in the UK you have 14 days? to change your mind after buying insurance. Even after this period, if either of the first two terms apply to you and the website didn't make them clear I would still kick up a fuss and try and get your money back.
Is there any hope?
There are decent companies but you will have to pay more money for them. I use 'True Traveller' for my travel insurance. Their terms seem reasonable, and to avoid mistakes they highlight requirements for residency, return, motorcycle license, and trekking limits during the buying process.
Is there a requirement for a return flight ticket?
Many insurance companies specify this, or some other proof of intent to return to the UK. Not all backpackers will have return flights booked, who can know where they will be in 6-18 months? Even if they accept other forms of proof, do they give a full list?
Some of the companies now warn you of this requirement before purchase. I suspect the ombudsman had something to say about selling 18 month backpacker insurance with a hidden term to avoid covering most 18 month backpackers.
What is their definition of UK resident?
I recently had to buy travel insurance shortly after returning to the UK. I was surprised to discover that most policies excluded me! The reason was, deeply buried in terms and definitions, that I had spent more than 3 or 6 months in the last year out of the country. If you are a backpacker coming back to the UK between trips, or even taking a short holiday in the year after completing your trip, you must watch out for this! You can find reasonable terms, but cheap products on price comparison websites are highly restrictive.
Don't think you are covered to ride a scooter, unless you have a UK motorcycle license. Even if your policy mentions motorbikes, it generally also specifies that you need the correct UK license. Depending on the wording that means either a motorcycle license or an in-date CBT.
There are many other nasty little terms within policy documents, but I have written about these before. Read your document well. As a note, in the UK you have 14 days? to change your mind after buying insurance. Even after this period, if either of the first two terms apply to you and the website didn't make them clear I would still kick up a fuss and try and get your money back.
Is there any hope?
There are decent companies but you will have to pay more money for them. I use 'True Traveller' for my travel insurance. Their terms seem reasonable, and to avoid mistakes they highlight requirements for residency, return, motorcycle license, and trekking limits during the buying process.
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