Gap year travel insurance is long-stay cover for a single trip that may take you through several countries. True Traveller offers gap year insurance for backpacking, working holidays, volunteering and career breaks, with activity options to match what you plan to do.
You do not need a return ticket to arrange cover. Policies include medical and repatriation cover of up to £10 million for UK policies, or €10 million for European policies, and 24-hour emergency medical assistance. Baggage cover is optional, so you can choose whether to include it.
Up to £10M medical and repatriation cover for UK policies (€10M for European policies)
Long-stay cover with duration options shown in your quote
Home visits permitted under the policy terms; cover is suspended while you are home
24-hour emergency medical assistance while abroad
No return ticket required
92 activities included as standard, with activity pack upgrades available
Cover for backpacking, working holidays and career breaks
A gap year does not have to start after school or university, or last exactly twelve months. You might be backpacking across Southeast Asia, working in Australia, joining a volunteer project or taking a career break to travel. Choose cover for the whole journey, including the countries you will visit and the activities you will do.
True Traveller offers insurance to eligible residents of the UK and Europe. Your country of residence, age, destination and trip length affect the cover available. Enter those details in your quote and check the policy wording for your circumstances.
How long can your gap year trip last?
Whether you are planning three, six or twelve months away, choose Single Trip cover for one extended journey. A single trip can include several countries. An annual Multi-Trip policy is designed for separate trips with an individual trip-length limit; it is not a substitute for one continuous year abroad.
For many gap year trips, cover is available for up to 18 months, subject to age and destination. The maximum period available is shown when you get a quote. If your plans change, you can apply for an extension policy while travelling, subject to the applicable terms.
Working, volunteering and adventure activities
Check the type of work as well as the places you are visiting. Non-manual work, including bar and restaurant work, is included in the standard Traveller Pack. The Adventure Pack covers specified permitted manual work and volunteering; restrictions apply to machinery, tools, working heights and the way a project is organised.
The standard Traveller Pack also includes trekking up to 3,000 metres. Higher treks and other activities may require an upgrade. Read the activity pack list before choosing your cover, and see our trekking insurance page if you are planning a trek. Winter Sports cover must be selected separately for skiing or snowboarding.
Medical cover, baggage and your travel bookings
Medical and repatriation cover helps with eligible emergency treatment abroad and getting you home when medically necessary. Keep your policy documents and emergency assistance details accessible throughout your trip. Complete the medical screening accurately and check which conditions have been accepted.
If you choose baggage cover, check the overall and individual item limits against what you are taking. Compare cancellation and curtailment benefits with the flights, tours and accommodation you have paid for or agreed to pay for. Limits and excesses vary by policy; flexible travel plans do not remove the need to check these benefits.
Home visits and extending your gap year insurance
You can return home for a visit during your trip and resume your journey under the same policy, within its original end date and subject to the terms. Cover is suspended while you are in your home country. The policy does not pay for the visit, and time spent at home does not extend its end date. Returning home because of an insurance claim has separate rules.
If you want to stay away longer, apply for an extension policy before your current insurance expires. It does not renew automatically. If your policy has already expired, you will need a new policy and the Already Travelling terms will apply.
Buying gap year insurance when already abroad
Eligible travellers can apply after leaving home, but must select the Already Travelling option. A 48-hour waiting period applies before the insurance takes full effect. During that period, medical cover is limited to serious accidental injury verified by an independent witness, and baggage cover does not apply.
Illness or minor injury existing or occurring in that period is treated as pre-existing. Incidents that have already happened cannot be insured retrospectively, and cancellation cover does not apply to the trip you are already on. Read the Already Travelling guidance and your policy terms before buying.
Before you set off
Check your dates, area of cover, activity packs, medical declarations and selected benefits against your itinerary. Read the policy wording for your residence and purchase date. If you are unsure about a job, volunteer placement or activity, contact True Traveller before arranging it.
The True Traveller was originally a travel company, not an insurance company, and although we believe we’ve designed the best value gap year travel insurance we possibly can, we understand that the price of insurance does put people off taking it out to start with. Our maxim is, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is gap year travel insurance?
Gap year travel insurance is long-stay Single Trip cover for one extended journey, which can include several countries. It can suit backpacking, working holidays, volunteering and career breaks, provided you choose the appropriate cover and activity options.
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How long does cover last?
For many gap year trips, True Traveller offers cover for up to 18 months, subject to age and destination. Check the maximum duration available in your quote. You can also apply for an extension policy while travelling, subject to the terms.
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Do I need annual Multi-Trip cover?
Annual Multi-Trip insurance covers separate trips, each with a maximum trip length. For one continuous gap year journey, choose Single Trip cover for the full duration. A single trip can include several countries.
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What medical cover is included?
True Traveller policies include up to £10 million medical and repatriation cover for UK policies, or €10 million for European policies. The policy wording sets out the terms, excesses and exclusions.
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Can I work or volunteer?
Non-manual work, including bar and restaurant work, is included in the standard Traveller Pack. Specified permitted manual work and volunteering require the Adventure Pack. Check the activity list and its conditions for your duties and placement before buying.
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Do I need a return ticket?
No. True Traveller does not require a return ticket. You still need to select dates and an area of cover that match your plans and meet the policy eligibility requirements.
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Is baggage cover compulsory?
No. Baggage cover is optional. If you include it, check that the overall and individual item limits suit the belongings you are taking.
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Can I visit home?
Yes, subject to the policy terms. Cover is suspended while you are in your home country and resumes when you continue your journey abroad, within the original policy period. The visit does not extend your end date or mean your travel home is paid for. Returning home because of an insurance claim has separate rules.
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Can I extend my cover abroad?
You can apply for an extension policy before your existing True Traveller Single Trip cover expires, subject to the terms. Cover does not renew automatically. If your policy has expired, you need a new policy and the Already Travelling terms apply.
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Can I buy after leaving home?
Eligible travellers can apply, but must select Already Travelling. A 48-hour waiting period applies before full cover takes effect; medical cover during that period is limited to serious accidental injury verified by an independent witness, and baggage cover does not apply. Existing incidents are not covered retrospectively, and cancellation cover does not apply to the trip already underway. Read the full Already Travelling terms.