If you're planning your next adventure as a solo female traveller, it's important to make sure that choosing a travel insurance policy is on your to-do list. Preparation is key when it comes to solo travel. While travel insurance is the one thing you should pack but hope you'll never have to use, it does make a difference to have that safety net there to catch you if things go wrong. Solo travel loves to throw a challenge our way, and while every travel mistake is a learning opportunity, it can sometimes be really hard to face these challenges alone. Travel insurance means that you never have to feel alone, you will always have a support system in place to help you if your bags go missing, or if you suddenly need medical help.
I'll be honest, I spent many years travelling without adequate travel insurance (I didn't even realise!). I was young and naive, I thought I was invincible and to be honest I didn't really care about the *boring* parts of travel. I've had countless things go wrong over the years including bags going missing and a series of bus crashes, but it wasn't until I became a digital nomad and started carrying expensive equipment around with me that I realised the true value of travel insurance. Don't get me wrong, if you needed medical help abroad it could easily save you thousands in medical bills, but for me, it's about protecting my business and my sanity when it comes to travel going wrong.
Why do you need travel insurance as a solo female traveller?
As a solo female traveller of 10+ years, this is now one of the top things I recommend to those considering a solo adventure. Travel insurance can be expensive but I see it as an investment in my trip, and myself. As a solo female traveller, you can feel more vulnerable and having the right travel insurance as back-up can really help to give peace of mind and to grow your confidence as a solo female traveller. Every traveller is different, so it's important to find a travel insurance package that suits your individual needs as a woman travelling solo.
No matter what challenges come your way (and we know there are always more challenges when travelling as a woman), you will be equipped to deal with theft, bag loss, unexpected cancellations, the impact of natural disasters, illness, injury and so many more challenges that could come your way. Even if you're not bothered about bag losses or trip cancellations, it's worth getting a policy that covers your for injury, illness and medical treatment.
5 things to watch out for when choosing solo travel insurance:
Choosing the right travel insurance for your solo travel adventure can feel like a minefield, but it's important to not let yourself feel overwhelmed by the options available. There are five important things to remember – these will help you to easily know whether you are choosing the right package for you:
- Always remember that if you are travelling long-term and not returning to the UK between each destination, you will need a special type of insurance which is often referred to as "backpacker insurance". If you buy the standard travel insurance, it won't actually be valid and you could lose out if you need to claim. Look for terms like "overseas days" or "trip duration".
- You might already be covered for some trips through your bank/credit card or through another insurance policy. It's always worth checking before buying a new policy as so many banks now offer this as perk. However, always read the small print to ensure that the type of trip you are going on is covered – longer trips, multi-destination trips and adventure/extreme sports style trips will likely not be covered.
- Watch out for different excess amounts for different types of claims – some providers will expect yo to pay more depending on what you are claiming for but this could mean you get caught out with a hefty up-front bill if you're not careful. Always check the amounts!
- Always look for any mention of baggage receipts as some insurance companies will ask for receipts for everything above a certain value when claiming for lost or damaged baggage. Either make sure you have receipts for all items (not always possible) or choose a policy that doesn't ask for receipts as proof of value.
- If you are over 65, or have a pre-existing medical condition or disability, you may find that premiums are higher and it can be more expensive or difficult to find a policy that will cover you. It's important to shop around and make sure you're getting the best possible deal and there are certain providers who specialise in these types of policies.
It's also important to always check government advice before you travel and travel alerts – if the government are advising you to not travel to your destination it can invalidate your travel insurance so always check before you travel.
Choosing Travel Insurance for Solo Female Travellers
World Nomads Travel Insurance
World Nomads Travel and Holiday Insurance is designed by travellers and for travellers. It's an insurance package that is flexible and simple for international travel, and suitable both for solo female travellers, solo backpackers and even travelling families. They give you the option to buy before you travel, extend while you're already travelling and claim from anywhere in the world. Travel smarter and safer with World Nomads and benefit from 24/7 emergency assistance including a multi-lingual team who can help connect you with medical assistance and transport if needed. If you love staying active when you travel, you can also get cover for 200+ adventure activities – perfect for any adventure travellers and backpackers. I particularly love their new features such as Air Doctor and SmartDelay which gives you access to on the ground medical care and prescriptions, and airport lounges if you face travel delays. World Nomads also support local communities with donations to community-run projects where they are most needed.
You're covered for:
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Multi-lingual support
- Trip cancellation
- Emergency abroad medical expenses
- Emergency medical transport
- Lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech
- 200+ adventure activities
> Click here to find out more about World Nomads Travel Insurance
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
I thrive on adventure, but when it comes to my well-being, I don't compromise. SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance provides coverage in 175+ countries, and I have complete control over when my policy starts and stops at any time. Its ideal for solo travellers, backpackers and digital nomads and they've recently expanded coverage to include adventure sports and electronics theft too.
One thing I love about this policy is that you can buy it before you start your travels, or at any point in your journey. So if you touchdown in your destination and suddenly realise you forgot, you can still get a valid insurance policy while already abroad. You also have the option to choose continuous coverage and multiple destinations if you like, so it's perfect for those planning a longer solo adventure trip.
If you're travelling for longer, you might also want to visit home between destinations, so through SafetyWing, you're covered for a visit home of up to 30 days (15 for US citizens) every three months. Last but not least, you can also include 2x children under 10 (or 1 per adult) on the same policy which is huge for those solo mothers travelling the world. Prices start from $45.08 for up to 4 weeks.
You're covered for:
- Travel delays
- Lost checked luggage
- Emergency response
- Natural disasters
- Personal liability
- Accidents
- Illness and medical treatment abroad
> Click here to find out more about SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
There are a lot of insurers out there to choose from, but these are two that I really rate and would go for every time. Choosing the right travel insurance can be overwhelming, so it's important to do your research before committing to a policy or provider. Make sure you have access to all your documents and terms when you travel, it could save you a lot of money. If you ever have problems with claims being rejected, it's worth checking out this FREE complaints tool Resolver, which can help manage your complaint. If you feel your claim has been rejected unfairly, you can also escalate your complaint to the free Financial Ombudsman Service.
