Backpacking is a popular method of holidaying, enjoyed by all ages - from students to young professionals.

Whether it be trekking through Thailand, surfing the coasts of Australia or exploring the more spiritual side of India, these trips offer the opportunity to get away from it all and experience other cultures.

But travelling on a budget means that backpackers have an increased risk of crime and suffering some kind of injury abroad - from slips and trips to nips and bites from the local fauna.

It is important to ensure that suitable travel insurance is in place before setting off on such an excursion. Before setting off, travellers should be wary of the costs involved and also ensure they have the correct type of cover for their trip.

There are a number of different cheap travel insurance policies which are specially tailored to meet the needs of backpackers. These policies cover a wide range of factors associated with travelling, and can vary in timescales - ranging from a week to two years.

Backpacker policies can prove to be more affordable than single trip travel insurance policies. It is advisable that potential packers double check the policies and ensure that a number of factors are in place to help cover them through their trip:

• Emergency Medical Cover - helps cover any costs in the event of you requiring medical assistance
• Rescue and Repatriation - helps to cover costs in the event of a medical emergency rescue
• Baggage and Possessions Cover - an essential part of your cover that helps cover costs of valuables should they be lost or stolen during the trip. Check that the policy also covers admin costs should your passport need to be reissued.
• Personal Money - provides compensation cover for any lost cash or travellers' cheques, although the limit tends to be low
• Personal Liability - legal cover for any accident or injury you might accidentally inflict on another person
• Holiday Cancellation - should you need to cut your trip short early due to unforeseen circumstances, provides compensation for any monies lost as a result
• Travel Delay - helps provide compensation for any money lost due to a delayed departure, although this may only apply after a certain amount of time

A wide range of special cover options can be selected to cater for the needs of a backpacking excursion - including protection to cover extreme sports such as bungee jumping and scuba diving, as well as winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

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