Extended travel cover for backpacking, working holidays, and multi-destination trips
Planning an extended trip abroad requires travel insurance that accounts for longer durations, multiple destinations, and the kinds of activities gap year travellers typically undertake. Standard holiday policies often have maximum trip lengths that fall short of what extended travellers need.
This page helps UK travellers compare gap year travel insurance policies designed for extended trips, backpacking, and working holidays. Our editorial team reviews how providers structure long-stay policies, including activity and working-abroad cover.
If you're travelling for under 90 days, standard single trip travel insurance may be more suitable. Gap year policies are designed for journeys lasting several months, with different terms for duration, activities, and working abroad.
Gather these details before comparing gap year insurance:
This page is intended for travellers planning extended trips that go beyond what typical holiday insurance covers. You might be taking a year out before or after university, travelling between jobs, or embarking on a longer adventure that involves visiting multiple countries over several months.
It's also relevant if you're planning a working holiday, where you intend to combine travel with paid or voluntary work abroad. Not all policies include working, so understanding what's covered matters if that's part of your plan.
Parents or guardians helping younger travellers arrange cover may also find this page useful when understanding what gap year policies typically include and what questions to ask when comparing options.
Standard single trip policies typically have maximum durations of 31, 45, or 90 days. Gap year policies are specifically designed for longer journeys, often covering trips lasting 6, 12, or 18 months. Some providers offer even longer options or allow extensions while abroad.
Beyond trip length, gap year policies often include features relevant to extended travellers. Multi-destination cover is standard, allowing movement between countries without needing separate policies. Some include provisions for home visits during the trip, so cover continues if you return to the UK briefly and then resume travelling.
Activity cover tends to be more comprehensive on gap year policies, reflecting the range of experiences extended travellers pursue. However, higher-risk activities still often require additional cover or may be excluded entirely.
Working abroad is a common part of gap year travel, whether through working holiday visas, casual employment, or volunteering programmes. Some policies include certain types of work, while others exclude it entirely.
If you plan to work, check whether your intended employment type is covered. Manual labour, professional services, and work involving motorised equipment are commonly excluded or restricted. Volunteering is more often included, but terms vary.
Gap year policies typically include the core elements found in standard travel insurance, though limits and terms are adjusted for extended travel scenarios.
Medical cover is particularly important for extended trips where the likelihood of needing treatment increases with time spent abroad. Policies typically cover emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and repatriation to the UK if medically necessary. Check the cover limits, as medical costs in some countries can be extremely high.
Cancellation cover reimburses non-refundable costs if you need to cancel before departure for covered reasons. Curtailment covers the situation where you need to cut your trip short and return home early. Given the length of gap year trips, the financial exposure from cancellation can be significant.
Extended travellers often carry valuable equipment such as laptops, cameras, and smartphones. Check the per-item limits and total baggage limits on any policy you consider. Single item limits are often lower than you might expect, and high-value electronics may need to be listed specifically.
Personal liability cover protects you if you accidentally injure someone or damage property and are held legally responsible. This is standard on most policies but worth checking, particularly if you'll be participating in activities where accidents could affect others.
Several factors influence both whether you can get cover and how much it costs. Understanding these helps you compare policies more effectively.
Longer trips generally cost more to insure because the statistical likelihood of making a claim increases with time abroad. A 12-month policy will typically cost more than a 6-month policy for the same destinations and activities. However, gap year policies are often more cost-effective than buying multiple shorter policies.
Some regions are more expensive to insure or may be excluded entirely. Countries with high medical costs, such as the USA and Canada, increase premiums. Regions with travel advisories or ongoing instability may be excluded. Check that all your intended destinations are covered before purchasing.
Adventure activities are popular among gap year travellers, but many require specific cover. Standard policies may include hiking and swimming, while activities like scuba diving, skiing, or motorbiking often need to be added or are excluded. Some activities cannot be covered at all. Declare all planned activities when applying.
Most gap year travellers are in their late teens or twenties, which is generally a lower-risk age group for medical claims. However, some policies have upper age limits (commonly 35 or 45 for gap year-specific products). If you're older, you may need to look at long-stay or extended travel policies rather than those marketed specifically as gap year cover.
You must declare all pre-existing medical conditions, current medications, and recent investigations. Extended travel increases the relevance of health factors because you're away from UK healthcare for longer periods. Some conditions may result in higher premiums, exclusions, or the insurer declining cover.
Some providers allow you to extend your policy during your trip if you decide to travel for longer than originally planned. This isn't universal, and terms vary. If flexibility is important to you, check whether extensions are possible and what the process involves before you buy.
Many gap year travellers return to the UK briefly during their trip, whether for family events, visa requirements, or simply a break. Some policies include provisions for home visits, allowing cover to pause and resume. Others may not cover this scenario, so check the terms if returning home is part of your plan.
Baggage limits on travel insurance often don't reflect the value of electronics travellers carry. Consider what you actually need to take, check per-item limits carefully, and understand the security requirements for claims. Leaving valuables unattended in hostels or on beaches may invalidate cover for theft.
Keep your policy number, emergency contact number, and a summary of your cover accessible while travelling. Digital copies stored securely can be useful if you lose physical documents. Know how to contact your insurer's emergency line if you need medical treatment abroad.
When comparing quotes, you'll be asked about trip length, destinations, activities, and health. Providers will show what cover they offer and at what price. Not all insurers offer gap year policies, and terms for extended travel vary significantly between those that do.
Gap year policies typically offer cover for extended periods ranging from 6 months up to 18 months or longer, depending on the provider. Some insurers allow extensions while abroad, though this depends on individual policy terms. Maximum trip lengths and whether you can extend cover vary significantly between providers.
Some gap year policies include cover for certain types of work abroad, such as casual paid work, volunteering, or working holiday arrangements. However, coverage varies considerably. Manual labour, professional work, and certain industries may be excluded. You should check policy wording carefully and declare any planned work activities when applying.
Standard gap year policies typically cover common travel activities, but adventure sports and higher-risk activities often require additional cover or may be excluded. Activities like bungee jumping, scuba diving beyond certain depths, or motorbiking may need to be added specifically. Always check which activities are included before travelling.
Most gap year policies are designed for multi-destination travel and allow you to visit multiple countries during your trip. However, some destinations may be excluded or require additional premium, particularly regions with travel advisories. Check which geographical areas your policy covers before booking travel.
Yes, you must declare all pre-existing medical conditions, current medications, and recent investigations when applying. Failure to disclose accurately may invalidate your cover. Extended travel periods make medical emergencies more likely statistically, so insurers assess health carefully for gap year policies.
MySupermarketCompare is a comparison website and insurance introducer. We are not an insurer. We compare travel insurance policies from a panel of insurers and introduce you to providers who may be able to help. We may earn a commission if you buy a policy through our service.
Last reviewed: February 2026
Review process: Updated when gap year and extended travel insurance market conditions or policy terms change materially.
The information on this page is guidance only and should not be treated as financial, legal, or visa advice. Travel insurance eligibility, cover, and pricing are subject to individual circumstances and insurer discretion. You must declare all pre-existing medical conditions, medications, and recent investigations when applying. Failure to disclose accurately may invalidate cover. Working abroad may require appropriate visas and permits beyond insurance considerations. We cannot guarantee that any insurer will offer you cover or quote a particular price. Always read policy documents carefully before buying.
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