Content Starts Here

What gappers should look for in insurance

What should ‘gappers’ look for in insurance?

Whether it’s a gap year insurance policy or even a backpacker-specific policy you’re looking for, any travel insurance for your time away needs to cover you for a whole range of eventualities. Some of the most common complaints include lost baggage, stolen passports, illness and injury from adventure activities. So are you well prepared?

If you’re about to start, the most effective place to get travel insurance is directly from an insurance company or broker, having searched on an internet comparison service first for the most competitive policy. Online comparison sites search almost the entire insurance market and allow you to compare insurers quickly and easily before approaching a provider directly and making the purchase.

Always buy your policy before you leave the country and make doubly sure that you have enough medical cover, which should include treatment at the destination, but also the cost of being flown home, by air ambulance if necessary. Medical costs are highest in United States. An air ambulance can cost more than £15,000 and intensive care beds up to £2,000 per day. There is no NHS equivalent anywhere abroad.

Top travel tips

Make sure you are covered for the full time that you will be abroad.
Be honest. If you have a medical history make sure you tell the insurer.
If you are travelling to Europe, get an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) form from the Post Office. This is not a substitute for travel insurance but it does give EU citizens access to medical care in other member states.
Enquire from your insurer about access to a help line that could put you in touch with a doctor who speaks English.
Make sure you have necessary Visas for the countries you are visiting.
Make sure you have specific cover for any planned ‘hazardous activities’ like rafting, scuba diving, bungee jumping or sky diving – some activities are completely excluded from policies unless you buy extra cover.
Make sure you know of any deadlines your insurer requires - for example reporting a theft to the police - some require you to do this within 24 hours others 48 hours. Don't lose out on your claim just because you failed to do fulfil the conditions within the required time.
If you are intending to work abroad, buy a policy that definitely covers you for this.
Make sure any expensive individual items are covered, such as cameras, mobile phones and iPods.
Again, you may have to pay extra and you may have already done this on your/your parents home contents insurance – check!
If you intend to return home during your trip, check that your policy allows this. It’s possible to get a home visit endorsement if you notify your insurer in advance.
Don’t travel to countries that have been declared unsafe to travel to by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). www.fco.gov.uk/travel
Don’t carry large amounts of cash
Keep your belongings and luggage with you and within your sight at all times. If you don’t, your insurer could refuse to pay out on a claim.
Take a photocopy of your passport with you and keep it separately from your passport - this can help you get a replacement more quickly if your passport is lost or stolen.
Be aware that the age bracket of taking out a specific backpackers policy varies between insurers. If you are out of the age range you should look into long-stay polices.
In general, always read the policy terms and conditions to see what is excluded from the policy you are about to buy. The exclusions vary between insurers and policies.
Don’t ruin a great trip because you didn’t think ahead!

And parents shouldn't forget that if their child runs out of money it is possible to make a money transfer to most places in the world.to bail them out of trouble. You can make a money transfer online.

Useful shopping

Two-person quick pitch tent
Foreign First Aid Kit - keep safe
The Gap-year Guidebook £10.99
Gap Year Volunteer £3.99
Travel backpacks
Top 10 MP3 players for music on the move
Pocket-sized Nikon digital camera £149