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Novo-monde Travel around the World / Travel tips

all The BEST backpacker travel insurances compared

Last Update:28/12/20190 COMMENT

If you are reading this, it is because you have decided to buy a travel insurance for your round-the-world trip (or travel on a long period of time) and it is a great idea (if you are not sure you need travel insurance, read our guide about backpacker insurances which should answer all your questions). But now you have to compare and choose the best backpacker insurance for your trip around the world and it is not necessarily a simple task for you to make the right choice with the multitude of offers that exist in the insurance market.

better have a backpacker insurance while driving a scooter

Many of you are interested in comparing the coverages of the different backpacker insurance plans to make their choice (and it’s quite understandable, we were like that too). Still, it’s quite time-consuming (not to say boring) to go to all the websites of the different insurances, find each guarantee and compare each one by one (with the good old Excel sheet ๐Ÿ˜‰ ). So we thought we could make your life easier by creating an interactive comparative table of the best backpacker travel insurances! (sounds nice doesn’t it?)

Thanks to our backpacker Insurance Comparison table, you will be able to easily select the different coverage that correspond to your trip and compare the guarantees that are most important to you. Because as you were told in the guide, there is no perfect insurance, the ideal insurance will vary according to your trip and your priorities.

Table of content
  1. Important criteria to compare backpacker insurances
    1. Medical coverage
    2. Repatriation
    3. Civil liability
    4. Luggage ( theft, lost or destruction )
    5. Sports activities
    6. The price
  2. User manual of the comparison table for backpacker insurances
  3. The Backpacker Insurance Comparison table
  4. Our opinion
    1. the cheapest backpacker insurance
    2. Solo travelers and couples
    3. Families
    4. Best coverage insurance

Before we show you this table, let’s take a look at the criteria for comparing different travel insurances.

Important criteria to compare different backpacker insurances

Any good backpacker insurance must cover you for some essential criteria to ensure your safety while traveling. But it may also include additional coverage that may also be of interest to you.

Medical expenses abroad

emergencies sidney
Fabienne at the emergencies in Sidney

Any good backpacker insurance must cover 100% of the medical expenses (hospitalization, medicines, consultation) for an illness or injury that occurs during the trip. The parameter that will vary greatly between the different coverages is the maximum guarantee cap (maximum amount allocated per year). This criterion is important if you travel to countries where medical costs are very high such as the USA / Canada. Some insurances also offer interesting benefits such as an amount for emergency dental expenses, physiotherapy or osteopathic treatment. It is therefore important to be able to compare the coverage limits offered by the various backpacker insurances.

Repatriation

You must have a backpacker insurance that covers any medical repatriation. Whether to the nearest hospital or in your home country, these costs can be very high and are usually unavoidable in these emergency situations! In such cases, it is also important to have a close relative at your side.
It may also be interesting to have an insurance in case of non-medical repatriation (repatriation of the body in case of death, repatriation in case of war / terrorist attack / natural disaster, early return for the death of a relative) or a sum allocated for research in case of disappearance (during a trek for example).

Civil liability

It is the 3rd pillar of any good travel insurance for a round the world trip (with medical expenses and repatriation). You must have insurance that covers you if you injure someone or unintentionally damage someone else’s equipment. Imagine if you damaged a car or hit someone…. costs can rise very quickly. So for civil liability, it is important to have the best possible coverage limits (you can easily compare them in the comparison table below).

Luggage and valuable items

It is often the weak point of backpacker travel insurances and it is an interesting criterion to compare between the different coverages. Check carefully in the general conditions what is considered as luggage or valuables, what is the maximum coverage limit, when your luggage is insured (sometimes only during transport) etc…

Sports activities

There is also a great disparity between backpacker insurance. If you practice sports considered “more dangerous” such as mountaineering, paragliding, parachuting (etc…) make sure that your insurance covers you in case of an accident.

climbing mountains in Bolivia
Me at 6300m on top of Parinacota volcano in Bolivia

The Price

Since everybody doesn’t have the same budget and it is human nature to find the best quality/price ratio ๐Ÿ˜‰ , it is obviously an important selection criterion. It is even the first at the top of the backpacker travel insurance comparison.

User manual for our backpacker insurance comparison table

We hope that the interface of the comparison table is quite intuitive, but here is how to use this tool:

  • Tick the backpacker insurance coverage you want to compare (for better readability, do not tick more than 4-5 on desktop and 2-3 on mobile)
  • You can delete all the lines of guarantees that do not interest you by clicking on the crosses and hide the guarantees by criteria by clicking on the subtitles
  • To reset the comparison table, simply refresh the page.

The Backpacker Insurance Comparison table for your round the world trip

Choose the backpacker insurance you want to compare
CriteriaACS insuranceSee ACS Globe PartnerSafetyWingSee SafetyWingAVI internationalSee AVI Marco PoloAVI internationalSee Marco Polo sports and leisuresChapka insuranceSee Chapka Cap AventureGObyAVASee GObyAVA plan santé AVAntureWorld-NomadsSee World Nomads StandardWorld-NomadsSee World Nomads Explorer
CriteriaSee ACS Globe PartnerACS insuranceSee SafetyWingSafetyWingSee AVI Marco PoloAVI internationalSee Marco Polo sports and leisuresAVI internationalSee Chapka Cap AdventureChapka insuranceSee GObyAVA plan santé AVAntureGObyAVASee World Nomads StandardWorld-NomadsSee World Nomads ExplorerWorld-Nomads
Price per months
deleteSolo traveler, less than 35 (out of USA / Canada)34€33€ for 4 weeks (28 days)47€61€48€ to 54€ (cheaper if the trip gets longer)47€75€ to 90€83€ to 99€
deleteSolo traveler, less than 35 (USA / Canada included)34€59€ for 4 weeks (28 days)59€71€62€ to 68€ (cheaper if the trip gets longer)59€75€ to 119€83€ to 131€
deleteCouple, less than 35 (out of USA / Canada)68€66€ for 4 weeks (28 days)98€122€91€ to 103€ (cheaper if the trip gets longer)88€150€ to 180€166€ to 198€
deleteCouple, less than 35 (USA / Canada included)68€122€ for 4 weeks (28 days)118€142€118€ to 129€ (cheaper if the trip gets longer)109€150€ to 238€166€ to 262€
deleteFamily of 4 (outside of USA / Canada)136€66€ for 4 weeks (28 days) / if children are less than 10 years old128€176€182€ to 202€ (cheaper if the trip gets longer)158€150€ to 237€168€ to 262€
deleteFamily of 4 (USA / Canada included)136€132€ for 4 weeks (28 days) / if children are less than 10 years old150€198€252€ to 272€ (cheaper if the trip gets longer)199€150€ to 237€168€ to 262€
Medical expenses
deleteMedical expenses abroad (max per person/year)100% of expenses until 150’000€100% of expenses until 220’000€100% of expenses until 300’000€ outside Europe / 100’000€ in Europe100% of expenses until 300’000€ outside Europe / 100’000€ in Europe100% of expenses until 200’000€ outside USA Canada / 1’000’000 € in USA Canada)100% of expenses until 300’000€ outside USA Canada / 1’000’000 € in USA Canada)100% of expenses until 3’500’000€100% of expenses without limit
deleteDeductibleno deductible220€ (over the full contract period, not each claim)no deductibleno deductibleno deductible (just 35€ in USA Canada)no deductible (just 30€ in USA Canada)70€70€
deleteDaily amount in case of hospital staynot includednot includednot includednot includedincludednot included35€/day until 1500€70€/day until 2000€
deleteEmergency dental treatment300€880€150€150€600€300€250€350€
Assistance abroad
deleteMedical transport / repatriation home100% of expenses100% of expenses100% of expenses100% of expenses100% of expenses100% of expenses350’000€350’000€
deletePresence of a relative in the event of hospitalizationplane tickets plus 80€/night (max 8 nights)plane tickets plus local transports (max 1300€)plane tickets + accomodation (max 2000€)plane tickets + accomodations (max 2000€)plane tickets plus 80€/night (max 10 nights)plane tickets plus 50€/night (max 10 nights)plane tickets + accomodation (max 3500€)plane tickets + accomodation (max 3500€)
deleteNon-medical repatriation (natural disaster, terrorism, war)not includedrepatriation in a safe placenot includednot includednot includedrepatriation in a safe placerepatriation in a safe place
deleteAccidental death / repatriationRepatriation of remains (100% of expenses) and 8’000€ Accidental death compensationRepatriation of remains (100% of expenses) and 22’000€ Accidental death compensationRepatriation of remains (100% of expenses) and 15’000€ Accidental death compensationRepatriation of remains (100% of expenses) and 15’000€ Accidental death compensationRepatriation of remains (100% of expenses) and 8’000€ Accidental death compensationRepatriation of remains and funeral expenses (until 10’000€)Repatriation of remains and funeral expenses (until 10’000€) and Accidental death compensation
deleteEarly return in the case of death or
hospitalization of a parent
Return ticket in case of death onlyReturn ticketReturn ticketReturn ticketReturn ticket plus ticket to come backReturn ticket plus ticket to come backReturn ticketReturn ticket
deleteSearch and rescue costs3’000€not included2’000€2’000€5’000€5’000€Included in repatriation coverageIncluded in repatriation coverage
Civil liability insurance
deletePhysical damages to a person4’575’000€22’000€750’000€750’000€until 4.5 millions €4’500’000€700’000€1’750’000€
deleteMaterial damages450’000€22’000€450’000€450’000€450’000€700’000€1’750’000€
deleteDeductible80€no deductibleno deductibleno deductible80€70€70€
deleteLegal assistance3’000€not includedincluded in civil liabilityincluded in civil liability3’000€included in civil liabilityincluded in civil liability
luggage / high value items
effacertheft or destruction of luggage1’150€ (only for the go and return trip)2’600€ (max 400€ per item and only for plane trips)2’000€ (max 300€ per item)2’000€ (max 300€ per item)2’000€2’000€1’700€ (max 350€ per item)2’500€ (max 500€ per item)
deleteHigh value itemsCamera, phone and computer not coveredyes but only for checked luggagesmax 300€ / itemmax 300€ / itemmax 1’000€ / itemmax 1’000€ / itempossibility to insure up to 10 additional items (max 700€ / item until 1400€)possibility to insure up to 10 additional items (max 700€ / item until 1400€)
deleteDelayed baggage deliverynot includednot includednot includednot includednot included100€ / day until 3 days100€ / day until 5 days
Activities included / excluded
delete2-wheel motor vehicles < 125cm3yesyesnoyesyesyesyesyes
deleteTrekking / Hikingyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
deleteMountaineeringnoyes (less than 4500m)nononononoyes
deleteSurfyesyesnoyesyesyesyesyes
deleteKiteSurfyesnonoyesyesnonoyes
deleteRafting / Kayakingyesnonoyesyesyesyesyes
deleteDivingyesyes until 10mnoyes until 45myes until 40myesnoyes until 50m
effacerskydivingnononoyesnononono
deleteparagliding / hang-glidingnononoyesnononoyes

Note: If you are over 36 years old, you can of course subscribe to one of the backpacker insurance coverages presented above (you will easily obtain a quote online). But as the age ranges differ according to the insurances, it was difficult for us to compare prices above 36 years in the table above. Obviously, the benefits do not change according to age ๐Ÿ˜‰

Our opinion about the best backpacker insurances

Cheapest backpacker insurance for small budgets

acs insuranceIf your travel budget is very tight and you want to be properly covered in case of a serious problem (medical expenses, repatriation, civil liability), ACS Globe Partner might be coverage you are looking for. This is the minimum to have if you go backpacking around the world!

SafetyWingYou could also choose SafetyWing which is in the same price range and offers higher limits for medical expenses (and almost everything else) but lower for civil liability

see on ACS Globe Partner’s website

See on SafetyWing’s website

Solo backpackers and couples

If you have a little more budget and you are travelling alone or as a couple, the following 3 offers might interest you:

  • GObyAVA: Their offer plan santé AVAnture has very good coverage limits for the most important points such as medical expenses and civil liability for slightly lower prices than Chapka and AVI. The only small drawback is the 25€ deductible (there is no deductible anymore since the end of 2019). One drawback is that it’s only valid for people resident of the European Union… but otherwise, really excellent quality/price ratio. And in addition, they offer you a 5% discount with the promo code: NOVO
    See on GObyAVA’s website (-5% with the code: NOVO)
  • Chapka insurance: Chapka coverage is very extensive with excellent coverage limits. On the other hand, the prices become really interesting only if you travel long enough (decreasing prices according to the duration of the trip) and it’s only valid for people resident of the European Union (Switzerland, Andorra… as well)
    See on Chapka’s website
  • AVI international: Between Chapka and GObyAVA in terms of prices (but we give you 5% discounts ๐Ÿ˜‰ ), it offers coverage limits that are perhaps a little lower than these 2 offers. However, there is no deductible with AVI.
    See on AVI’website (+5% discount)

I really recommend that you compare these 3 offers in the interactive table to make your choice if you are travelling alone or as a couple.

Backpacker families

AVI internationalAVI’s Marco Polo insurance offers special family prices, which makes it the insurance coverage with the best quality/price ratio for families (same guarantees as for solo travellers and couples). In addition, AVI offers an additional 5% discount to all Novo-monde readers. All you have to do is subscribe through one of our links (on this page or the insurance guide). Nice isn’t it? ๐Ÿ™‚

And if you travel with children under 10, then nothing can beat SafetyWing, which includes 1 child under 10 in each contract, making it by far the cheapest travel insurance to travel with young children.
See on AVI Marco Polo’s website

See on SafetyWing’s website

The best overall coverage

world nomadsAs you can imagine, it is the most expensive backpacker insurance in this list but it is also the most extensive! No max for medical expenses, almost all sports are covered and still lots of small extras that we didn’t even have the space to add in the table ๐Ÿ™‚ … In short, if you can afford it, with World-Nomads Explorer, you don’t take any risks ๐Ÿ™‚ (a little downside, though, the €70 deductible). On the other hand, we still find that it is really too expensive compared to the other offers mentioned above but this is only our opinion ๐Ÿ˜‰ .

See on World-Nomads’s website

 

So, I think that after this, if you don’t find the travel insurance that suits you, there’s nothing we can do for you ๐Ÿ˜‰ ! And when you think you have found the right backpacker insurance, don’t forget to read the terms and conditions once. We know it’s annoying, but in case of a problem, you’re supposed to know what’s written there so don’t neglect this step.

And we would like to add that this backpacker insurance comparison table is a work in progress. We have obviously integrated the insurances that we think are best suited for a round-the-world or long-duration trip. But if you think that another insurance would deserve a spot here, don’t hesitate to say so in the comments or write us a short e-mail. We will be happy to improve this page ๐Ÿ™‚

So which backpacker travel insurance did you choose for your travels ?

 

P.S. If you buy an insurance through one of our links, you will pay the same price (or even cheaper ๐Ÿ˜‰ ) but we will receive a small commission. This has in no way influenced the choice of insurances presented above but will help us to continue our work on this site and to offer this kind of free and independent tool on our blog. So if you appreciate the information you found on this page for free, don’t hesitate to support us by buying through our links.

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