The importance of travel insurance when backpacking

Every year, thousands of young people jet off to foreign destinations seeking the experience of a lifetime with a backpacking trip. Travelling 'on a shoestring' to remote destinations, discovering far-off lands and meeting likeminded people to soak up the local culture and party. It's the ultimate adventure, a life-changing journey immortalised in countless books and films... Pack your bags, make a vague plan, and seek out the unknown. That's it. Some thrillseekers and intrepid travellers even pass up the opportunity of taking out travel insurance for their worldwide trip, even though it can cost as little as £40.

Hang on a second, though. Surely travelling is all about the uncertain, not knowing what's around the corner - living for the moment? Who needs to spend their hard-earned cash on insurance for something that, in all likelihood, isn't going to happen? Isn't it all about freedom, and not being tied down by the shackles of life?

Well yes, maybe it is about those things. But travel insurance is the one key item you really can't do without when embarking on a backpacking trip (except a passport and plane tickets of course). Insurance provides the freedom many travellers crave from their trip - to live day by day, decide which town they're hitting next by the toss of a coin, the ability to seek the ultimate buzz in extreme sports or nowhere locations. Because, let's face it, when you decide to catch the plane to Hanoi instead of Heathrow, your airline isn't going to be too impressed when you don't turn up. Plus you probably haven't done your homework on the city you're visiting.

And when recent research by AA travel insurance shows that gap year holidaymakers and backpackers carry upwards of £1billion worth of valuables in their rucksacks, (that's an average of £450 each, if you're wondering), it would be crazy to embark upon such a trip without cover. Hostels come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny, family-run rooms, to monster dormitory party centres. They're great places to meet people and exchange travelling stories, and insuring your valuables from possible theft allows you peace of mind and time to relax.

Although you won't want to think about it, by its very nature, budget travel means backpackers are liable to accident, illness or injury. Whether you're climbing on to a crowded bus in a remote corner of Asia or limbering up to the world's longest bungee jump, shoestring travel carries risks. Insuring yourself against these dangers before you leave means that you won't need to think about it when you're out there on the road. Take a look at AA travel insurance to get comprehensive cover on the kind of adventure you're planning.

Your peace of mind (and your i-Pod) depends on it...

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Tags: TRAVEL INSURANCE, HOLIDAY INSURANCE, AA TRAVEL INSURANCE, INSURANCE

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Title:	The importance of travel insurance when backpacking
Author:	Neon Glory
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The importance of travel insurance when backpacking