Travelling around the world during a gap year is not for the faint of heart. You are likely to encounter a multitude of people and situations you did not expect. This is part of the adventure, but it also leaves you open to the possibility that something difficult will happen as part of your trip.
These situations will be moderated somewhat for you because you are smarter than the average traveler – you are purchasing travel insurance to cover your financial obligations in the event something unwelcome occurs. Designed for those who want to travel for more than 60 consecutive days away from home (up to 365 days), a Backpacker’s travel insurance policy from Columbus Direct is an epic policy for an epic adventure.
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Why Trust Columbus Direct?
Columbus Direct has been a leading specialist provider of travel insurance for more than 25 years. During that quarter-century of experience, they have served more than 15 million customers worldwide by providing award-winning products and services. To put it simply, Columbus Direct knows what they’re doing. In the latest customer survey, more than 95 percent of Columbus Direct customers said they would recommend the company to their friends and families.
They have also won multiple awards over the years, including the Best Customer Focus Award, the Best Internet Travel Insurance Provider and the Best Travel Insurance Provider.
How Much Does Columbus Direct Backpacker Travel Insurance Cost?
To determine accurate costs for a travel insurance policy, you will have to submit your travel plans (including number of countries, trip dates, etc.) and personal information (including age) on the quote page on the Columbus Direct website.
As a point of reference, a Backpacker policy that included three months worth of coverage for worldwide travel for a 25-year old resident of Great Britain cost about £115 ($174). Costs will vary according to the length of your trip, the age of the traveler, the number of travelers, the countries you visit, the level of coverage you require and more.
What Is Covered by Columbus Direct Backpacker Travel Insurance?
Columbus Direct offers a Backpacker Travel Insurance policy (known as the “Globetrotter Policy”) that perfectly fits the needs of gap year students. Coverage includes 24-hour medical assistance services – you will have access at all times to a multi-lingual staffed medical emergency company which can provide you help even in the middle of the night.
Medical expenses up to £1 million ($1.5 million) are also covered, including expenses incurred for injury or illness. This includes emergency inpatient and outpatient surgery, non-routine prescription charges, physiotherapy, consultations and even emergency dental treatment.
If you have to cut your trip short for certain reasons, you can also be compensated for unused accommodation and travel expenses up to £1,000 ($1,516). The travel insurance policy also covers the loss, theft of or damage to your luggage and personal belongings up to £750 ($1,137).
Coverage for more than 150 sports and activities is also included at no extra cost.
Making a Claim With Columbus Direct
Filing an insurance claim can often be a long, arduous task that requires courage and fortitude to complete. Thankfully, this is not the case at Columbus Direct. The company has designed their claims process to run as smoothly as possible for you. They realize that if you are filing a claim, something has gone wrong during your trip, so their goal is to minimize further difficulties for you.
To make a travel insurance claim, call or email the company. When you call, you should have the following information ready: booking invoices, a letter from the transportation company (if you’re claiming a delay, cancelled flight, etc.), medical receipts and medical reports. Claims up to £350 ($530) may be approved directly over the phone with no further review necessary.
Our Columbus Direct Travel Insurance Review
Columbus Direct is a great insurance choice for those who want to travel the world during their gap year. Insurance can keep you from dealing with exorbitant bills that can result from medical issues, problems with travel arrangements and unexpected circumstances.
From our perspective, Columbus Direct is a great antidote to these problems. After more than 25 years in business, the company is experience in properly evaluating and protecting clients who want the freedom to travel in the way they see fit. The company’s Backpacker policy offers perfect protection for the traditional gap year student who wants to travel the world. The policy provides generous coverage levels for medical treatment, travel arrangements, lost luggage and more.
Whether you travel with a friend or on your own, Columbus Direct and their award-winning service will help you make the most of your experience around the world. You’ll have a great time, but you’ll also have peace of mind, and that’s worth celebrating!
Interested in travel insurance for your trip? Click here to get a quote from Columbus Direct.
Amar was born and raised in England and embarked on an 11-country round-the-world gap year after graduation and then became well and truly hooked. The first gap year inspired a second, which ended up being a 23-country down-the-world trip from Canada to Antarctica. Since then, Amar has spent the last 14 years traveling the 7 continents.