yes, in most cases you can still buy a backpacker travel insurance policy if you have a medical condition. a backpacking journey can be filled with exploration and adventure, and having a medical condition shouldn’t stop you from experiencing this.

if you’re looking to buy a backpacker travel insurance policy, it’s important that you declare any and all medical conditions that you have whilst taking out a quote. this will allow us to offer you the most suitable policy based on your travel needs, and help keep you protected from any hefty medical fees on your journey, should you unexpectedly fall ill.

to declare any pre-existing medical conditions, simply answer a short list of questions during the quote process. depending on the complexity of the condition, we may need to arrange a call so that we can talk through your answers and get a better understanding of your overall health. failing to disclose any existing medical conditions may leave you unprotected in the case that you do have an emergency (or submit a claim) related to the undeclared medical condition.

some of the policies available through albert & eddie provide backpacker travel insurance cover for travellers up to the age of 55 years old. simply let us know your age and the type of holiday you’re planning, and we’ll direct you to the most appropriate policy for your adventure from our own suite of brands.

as with all travel insurance policies, it’s important to make sure the cover you intend to buy meets your exact needs, so please do check that the policy you select has the right age limit.

yes and no. when travelling the world, it’s not uncommon for people to work whilst they travel to get some extra cash. but if you are looking to take up a temporary job while away, you should keep in mind that all of the policies brought to you by albert & eddie will contain restrictions on the type of work you can be covered for, for example if the work involves being underground, working at height, or using machinery, then you are unlikely to be covered. please therefore check carefully that you are covered for any work you intend to do, otherwise you risk not being covered.

if you are planning to earn a few pounds during your backpacking adventure and have any questions on what type of work you’ll be covered for, just get in touch with our team and they’ll be happy to help.

one of the many benefits to most backpacker travel insurance policies is that you can usually travel for up to 18 months under one policy. if, when taking out your backpacker travel insurance, you’re not sure how long you’ll be away for, you’re welcome to take cover out for one year and then extended your policy while abroad if needed. that being said, you won’t, be able to get a refund on any additional months of cover taken out if you decide to come early – so it’s best to have protection in place for the time needed.

as always, please do check that the policy you plan to buy meets your travel needs, before you commit to it.  

you can travel to most destinations on a backpacker policy (provided you do not travel against the advice of the FCDO*).

however, it is important that you let us know which destinations you plan to travel to during your trip when taking out a quote, so that we can offer you the most suitable policies available.

this depends on the policy that you choose. in this day and age, everyone has gadgets that they want to take away with them, but many people also have cover available for these types of products elsewhere. for example, under their phone, home or even contents insurance.

if you need protection for your gadgets under your backpacker travel insurance, simply let us know during the quote process and we’ll only show you the policies that include this cover as standard, or offer it as an optional policy add-on.

whether connecting flights are covered under a backpacker travel insurance policy will depend on the policy you choose. but let’s take this back a step and understand what the term ‘connecting flights’ really means.

in a nutshell, a connecting flight is where you stop over to get a new flight rather than flying directly to your intended destination. this can be a cheaper option for travelling long-haul but doesn’t come without risks of flight delays or even cancellations, which is why many people choose to have a travel insurance policy that offers cover for missed or delayed connecting flights.

here’s an example: you’re flying from London Gatwick to Munich, and then Munich to Dubai.  if there is a delay at Gatwick, which causes you to miss your flight from Munich, then that is where this type of cover can step in and either cover the cost of a new flight or provide you with some compensation. some policies on albert & eddie include this cover, but it’s best to check that your selected policy meets your needs and requirements. if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

‘proof of intent to return home’ is a phrase that many people hear when looking for a backpacker travel insurance policy. but what does this mean and why do you need evidence of this?

basically, the policies available through albert & eddie do not cover emigration, and although we know most backpackers or travellers taking a backpacker policy out will not have a return flight booked, we will need written evidence that you intend on coming home but only in the event of claim. this can be any of the below:

• confirmation of a college or university placement
• contract of the employment commencement date
• rental agreement
• consultant appointments in the UK
• copy of logbook confirming ownership of the vehicle, with proof of current tax.
• court summons or appearances
• mortgage agreement
• current home or contents insurance (in your name).
• future travel plans (flight bookings) leaving and returning to the UK.

yes. most backpacker travel insurance policies offer the option to return home once or twice during your trip, for up to 21 days a time (this may vary depending on the policy you choose). 

we understand that when you set off backpacking you can be gone for a while and may feel homesick from time to time. this benefit gives you the best of both worlds – the freedom to travel the world and the option to return home once or twice, when needed.

most of the travel insurance policies on albert & eddie provide a basic level of protection against Covid-19. this includes any emergency medical expenses related to Covid-19 during your trip. most policies available also offer the option to enhance your protection against Covid-19, if this is something that you are interested in.