Travel Insurance for Backpacking
If something unexpected happens to Canadians, we’ve got your back – pack or no pack.
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At a glance
- Backpacking can come with risks—injuries, stolen gear, or trip interruptions—travel insurance can help cover the unexpected.
- World Nomads offers plans with coverage for emergency medical expenses, baggage loss, trip cancellations, and 250+ adventure activities.
- Coverage varies by plan and corresponding activity level purchased. The maximum elevation covered is 6,000 metres.
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team is available in dozens of languages.
Just you, your pack, and the open road. Backpacking is a rite of passage for nomads chasing big experiences on a small budget. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or making your way across Southeast Asia, these trips may last longer than a month—recent stats say around 41 days on average - and time is often spent exploring nature and navigating big, busy cities.
With so many destinations, experiences, and moving parts along the way, a little preparation can go a long way.
Whether you're out to find your crew or yourself, travel insurance may help if things go off track.
Why you may want to consider travel insurance to protect your backpacking trip
Backpacking is all about freedom and spontaneity—but that flexibility also comes with risk. From sprained ankles on rocky trails to food poisoning in rural villages or stolen gear on overnight buses, the unexpected can derail your trip fast. That’s where travel insurance for backpackers can help—covering emergency medical expenses, trip interruptions, emergency medical evacuations from high-altitude regions, and lost or stolen passports. If you have to cancel your trip before departure due to a covered reason—like sudden illness or injury—trip cancellation coverage may help reimburse your prepaid non-refundable expenses. Whether you're trekking through South America or hopping between coasts in the US, having the right coverage gives you the confidence to go wherever the trail takes you.
How can I protect my backpacking trip with travel insurance?
Backpacking looks different for every traveller. Maybe you’re trekking through high altitudes in the Andes where emergency medical expense coverage could be very helpful, or you need to protect your gear from getting stolen in city hostels. That’s why World Nomads offers four flexible travel insurance plans for backpackers (including the Annual Multi-Trip Plan), with coverage designed to match your style of adventure. Plus, our plans include coverage for 250+ other activities you might do along the way, so you can explore confidently, wherever your backpack leads you.
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Emergency Medical Coverage:
For broken bones or food poisoning while on the road -
24/7 Emergency Assistance:
Your first call when things go wrong -
Baggage & Gear:
Damaged or stolen gear and checked luggage -
Optional Cancel for Any Reason:
Want ultimate flexibility? Cancel your trip for any reason and receive partial reimbursement (available on the Explorer and Epic plans only)
Nomads tip: Already travelling? You can buy when already on the road! Read more here
We cover 250 activities you love + more
- Scuba diving
- Mountain biking
- Surfing
- Bungee jumping
- Skiing
Choosing the Right Backpacking Travel Insurance Plan
- World Nomads offers four plans for Canadian residents – the Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip – each with different levels of coverage.
- Standard Plan – Best suited for budget travellers. Includes up to $1,500,000 CAD in emergency medical expenses and up to $2,500 CAD for trip cancellation and up to $2,500 CAD for trip interruption. This is our most basic plan, but it packs a punch.
- Explorer Plan –Provides increase benefit limits, such as trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage for trip costs up to $10,000 CAD. You can also choose to purchase additional ‘cancel for any reason coverage’ with this plan.
- Epic Plan – For those trips you’ll be talking about for years to come! Big backpacking trips can get complicated, and this plan offers the most coverage to protect it. This plan included higher maximum benefit limits compared to the Standard and Explorer plans. This plan also includes a higher benefit limit for travel inconvenience and security evacuation coverage compared to the Explorer plan.
- Annual Multi-Trip Plan – If you have multiple trips planned throughout the year – including just to different provinces – you may want to consider this plan. World Nomads Annual Multi-Trip Plan provides travel insurance coverage for an unlimited number of trips, up to the plan’s maximum trip duration, within a 365 day period.
What doesn't backpacker insurance cover?
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Here are a few things we don’t cover:
- Any alcohol related sickness, death or injury or the abuse of medication, drugs, alcohol or any other toxic substance.
- Travel within your home province
- Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items.
- Wear and tear from everyday use of sporting equipment. Gear that is in use is not covered.
- Backpacking over 6,000 metres.
Top travel insurance tips for backpackers
Here are some pointers to help keep you covered while backpacking.
- For you, does backpacking = hiking or mountain climbing? Make sure you select the right plan and level of coverage for your activity. Our article on covered sports and activities should help you decide what to pick.
- Going wherever the breeze blows? If you want to cross the border, check with our customer service team first as your plan may not apply in all countries.
- Travelling long-term: You can buy more travel insurance while abroad (waiting periods may apply) even if you don’t have a return ticket. Note that your total trip duration cannot exceed 365 days (14 days on the Annual Multi-Trip Policy).
- Stay healthy: hiking requires a certain amount of strength and stamina, and in some cases (like the Inca Trail or trekking in Nepal), the ability to handle altitude. It’s best to be sure you are physically capable of it. Consider going to the doctor before your trip to make sure you are medically able to travel and have all the necessary medications.
- Keep your receipts and paperwork: any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases and a loss or theft report. Keep these with you in printed or digital form if you need to make a claim.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for backpacking. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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What does backpacking travel insurance cover?
Backpacking travel insurance plans can help cover emergency medical expenses, trip cancellations, stolen gear, emergency evacuations, and more. World Nomads offers flexible plans that include coverage for 250+ activities you might encounter on the road.
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Do I need travel insurance for a backpacking trip?
Only you can decide your travel insurance needs; however, our plans were created with backpackers – and their unique circumstances - in mind. Whether you're trekking in high altitudes or navigating unfamiliar cities, the right travel insurance coverage can protect you from unexpected medical bills due to injuries, illness, theft, and trip disruptions.
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Is emergency evacuation included in backpacking travel insurance?
Yes, all four of our plans include emergency medical evacuation. In addition, the Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip plans also include security evacuation coverage. Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team must arrange and approve all emergency medical or security evacuation.
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Does backpacking travel insurance cover stolen backpacks or gear?
Yes, baggage and personal effects coverage may help reimburse you for stolen or damaged backpacks, gear, or checked luggage—just be sure to keep receipts and file a report to support your claim.
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Can I cancel my backpacking trip and get reimbursed?
If you cancel for a covered reason—like sudden illness or injury—your plan may reimburse non-refundable trip costs with the ‘trip cancellation’ benefit. If you want ultimate flexibility to simply change your mind about your trip, you may be able to get optional ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage as well.
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Am I covered for high-altitude trekking while backpacking?
Yes, but coverage depends on the activity level you purchased. All plans cover backpacking up to 3,000 metres. You must add an additional level of protection for hikes up to 6,000 metres. You can do this when you get a quote for travel insurance.
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Can I buy travel insurance after my backpacking trip has started?
Yes, with World Nomads you can purchase travel insurance even if you’ve already started your trip. Waiting periods may apply for certain benefits, so it’s best to buy coverage early.
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What should I do if I get sick while backpacking abroad?
If you become ill while backpacking, your travel insurance may help coordinate your medical care, arrange transportation to the most suitable medical facility and cover your medical expenses. All of this is subject to plan terms and conditions. The first step is always to call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team, if at all possible.
Need destination inspiration?
Not sure where your next hiking adventure should take you? Check out some of our favorite trails around the world and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
High-altitude hiking: prepare and train
Travel insurance coverage for Asia
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $5,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Explorer Plan: $10 million
- Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
- Return to Your Trip Destination
- Return of Remains
- Travel Accident
- Flight Accident
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
- LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Adventure Travel Hotline
- 24/7 Security
- Travel Medical Assistance
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.