If you are a student or just graduated from university, take the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). It is not expensive and pays for itself in just a few days. It is great for free or discounted admission to museums and attractions and stuff like climbing cathedral towers. Plus, it comes with a health and travel insurance. Visit www.myisic.com for details. Also, check your parents' policy: students are often covered, even when traveling. I have been backpacking and Eurailling for more than 25 years and have never, ever needed health or travel insurance, so if you're healthy and don't do risky stuff, you may not need it. But you never know...
Helps to know how long you are traveling for, where you plan to go and what country are you from.
General things to look for:
- What is the maximum period you can be covered for and can you extend it on the road if you increase the length of your trip.
- can you do work on it (are you going on a working holiday?)
- Check what activities will be covered as a lot aren't. If you are going to Nepal or other high altitude areas check what altitude you will be covered up to.
- If you are on the road a long time find out if you can do claims online and have them deposit any money owed into your account.
- Find out if you are in hospital do you need to pay the bill up front and then claim back or will they pay it directly for you.
- Your main concern should be medical cover as while it is annoying to lose things on the road - medical costs is what could potentially cost you the most.
- If you are going to the US make sure it covers you for a large sum as that is the most expensive place in the world for health care.
Some good ones to check out are World Nomads and Columbus.
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If you are a student or just graduated from university, take the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). It is not expensive and pays for itself in just a few days. It is great for free or discounted admission to museums and attractions and stuff like climbing cathedral towers. Plus, it comes with a health and travel insurance. Visit www.myisic.com for details. Also, check your parents' policy: students are often covered, even when traveling. I have been backpacking and Eurailling for more than 25 years and have never, ever needed health or travel insurance, so if you're healthy and don't do risky stuff, you may not need it. But you never know...
Helps to know how long you are traveling for, where you plan to go and what country are you from.
General things to look for:
- What is the maximum period you can be covered for and can you extend it on the road if you increase the length of your trip.
- can you do work on it (are you going on a working holiday?)
- Check what activities will be covered as a lot aren't. If you are going to Nepal or other high altitude areas check what altitude you will be covered up to.
- If you are on the road a long time find out if you can do claims online and have them deposit any money owed into your account.
- Find out if you are in hospital do you need to pay the bill up front and then claim back or will they pay it directly for you.
- Your main concern should be medical cover as while it is annoying to lose things on the road - medical costs is what could potentially cost you the most.
- If you are going to the US make sure it covers you for a large sum as that is the most expensive place in the world for health care.
Some good ones to check out are World Nomads and Columbus.