16 Mar 2011

Travel insurance is a must on gap year trips, says expert

Category: Backpacker Insurance News
Gap year travel can be exciting

People setting off on a long trip should make the most of the experiences available, says a Lonely Planet spokeswoman.

Anyone considering an extended holiday, such as a gap year, must take out travel insurance before they leave home.

That is the recommendation from Heather Carswell, a spokeswoman at Lonely Planet, who said gap years can be exciting, but holidaymakers should make some preparations before they leave home.

Visa requirements must be considered for any country on the itinerary and it may be worth making a doctor's appointment to check whether any vaccinations are needed.

Long trips can be flexible, Ms Carswell states that a round-the-world ticket might be the best option for those hoping to explore far off nations. Actual flight dates and times can be changed during the excursion, so fixed plans are not required, which may appeal to travellers unsure about whether they will enjoy certain areas.

Volunteering, learning a new language and picking up transferable skills are just some of the things visitors can enjoy on a long holiday and the expert suggests making plans for such activities before leaving home.

"The beauty of long trips is that you can do it all at your own pace," Ms Carswell continued, adding that people can find tickets offering good value for money that "allow you to tailor-make your own trip".

Young people might appear to be keen on a gap year holiday and research from Continental Tyres recently revealed the modern-day 20-something will see nine countries before they reach the age of 25 and 83 per cent think they are more likely to visit somewhere new than their parents.

By Dennis Clarke ADNFCR-2301-ID-800465159-ADNFCR

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