Backpacker travel insurance – is it really worth the money?
[su_box title=”BIG UPDATE:” box_color=”#f7bcbc” title_color=”#000000″]World Nomads is still a great option. But after 2 years with them, I decided to switch over to SafetyWing travel insurance because it’s WAY cheaper. So far, my experience with SafetyWing has been wonderful—I had no problems getting my $15,000 wrist surgery covered after a gnarly moto accident in Thailand. For more info, check out my full Safetywing review. And for a more detailed comparison of all your best options, check out my complete travel insurance comparison guide.
If you’re interested in Safetywing, get a quick quote using the form below:
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Let me tell you a little story.
Once upon a time, there was an extremely handsome man named Mitch (maybe you’ve heard of him). Mitch wanted to go traveling, but he didn’t have much money. He’d just graduated college and had a literal buttload of debt.
He slaved away pouring cement.
He received a (disappointingly small) insurance check for a near-death motorcycle accident he’d been in.
And, with tears rolling down his cheeks, he even sold his beloved car, Delilah.
It was hard saying goodbye to her, but he was desperate for adventure.
Time passed, and he finally thought he’d saved enough money. That’s when he was hit with an unpleasant realization.
His health insurance was worthless overseas. If he wanted protection, he needed to buy travel insurance.
But travel insurance isn’t exactly cheap.
Purchasing a plan meant cutting his trip short by one month (or more). Did he really even need it?
After all, he was young and healthy. Some might even consider him a “stud”. Maybe he could skip it. He’d probably be fine. As long as he was careful, right?
Wrong.
Mitch came to his senses. He realized his health was way more important than an extra month of travel. It wasn’t worth the risk. No matter how careful he was, he knew he’d face situations out of his control (images of a rickety chicken bus swerving along death road kept popping in his mind).
So, Mitch bit the bullet.
After doing tons of research, comparing different travel insurance policies, and studying the fine print—he chose World Nomads travel insurance.
🏄‍♂️ Their plans are designed for adventurous travelers and cover a wide range of adventure sports and activities.
🌎 They allow you to buy a plan, extend it, or make a claim—even if you’re already traveling.
🧳 They protect your luggage. They even have coverage options for expensive electronics (like a laptop) in case you’re working on the road.
đź’° And best of all, by focusing on what travelers really need (and leaving out what they don’t), they offer competitive prices.
It’s exactly what Mitch needed.
He bought it, left on his trip, and felt peace of mind. And guess what happened?
Mitch ended up having bad luck.
He crashed a dirtbike in Thailand and needed stitches.
He came down with a weird lung infection in Colombia and got sent to the hospital.
His arm swelled up to the size of a balloon and turned purple after blasting his biceps at the gym (#swole).
Mitch was sure happy he’d decided to buy travel insurance. Not only did it save him thousands of dollars, it also gave him peace of mind so he could enjoy his trip.
Mitch is now a true believer in travel insurance. He doesn’t leave the country without it. For him, it’s not worth the risk.
Is World Nomads travel insurance right for you? Check it out and see for yourself.
World Nomads’ legal team requires me to add this disclaimer:
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.