Best Gap Year Travel Insurance for 2025

Heading off on a gap year? Compare long-stay travel insurance that covers you for trips of up to 24 months, adventure sports, and working holidays. Find the right policy in minutes.

Compare Gap Year Insurance

Planning a gap year adventure?

Whether you’re backpacking across Southeast Asia, volunteering in Africa, or working abroad on a holiday visa, gap year travel insurance is essential. Standard travel insurance often won’t cover trips longer than 30 or 60 days — but specialist policies protect you for extended travel, adventure sports, and even working holidays. Compare trusted UK insurers below to find the right cover for your journey.

Who Needs Gap Year Travel Insurance?

Gap year insurance is essential if you plan to:

Travel for longer than 60 days
Take part in adventure activities (trekking, diving, skiing)
Work abroad (teaching, farm work, etc.)
Visit multiple countries in one trip

What Does Gap Year Insurance Cover?

Typical cover includes:

Trip cancellation or interruption

Emergency medical expenses

Adventure sports (varies by insurer)

Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage

Always read the policy wording to check exactly what’s included.

How to Choose the Best Policy

When choosing gap year cover, consider:

Trip length – make sure the policy covers your full trip.
Adventure sports – check what’s automatically included vs optional extras.
Work cover – if you’ll be working, confirm whether it’s covered, or if they provide this as an extra.
Medical limits – at least £5m–£10m is recommended.
Reputation – look for insurers with strong customer service and claims reviews.

FAQs

Do I need special insurance for a gap year?

Yes. Standard travel insurance usually only covers trips up to 30–60 days. Gap year policies cover extended trips and are built for backpackers, students, and long-term travellers.

Does gap year insurance cover working abroad?

Some policies cover certain types of work (like teaching or volunteering) but may exclude manual or hazardous jobs. Always check policy wording.

What if my trip lasts longer than expected?

Some insurers allow you to extend your policy while you’re abroad, but it’s best to buy cover for your full expected trip length upfront.

Compare the Best Gap Year Travel Insurance Providers

Gap year travel insurance is designed for trips lasting 6 to 24 months. Unlike standard travel insurance, it covers long-term travel, adventure activities like trekking and scuba diving, and sometimes even working holidays.

Max trip Length	Adventure cover	Work Abroad cover	Get Quote
up to 18 months	Cover over 230 sports & activities	Cover for some types of work as standard	Get a quote
up to 18 months	Over 100 sports & activities covered	Non-manual working holidays covered. Manual labour cover available	Get a quote
up to 90 days	Cover over 100 sports and activities as standard whilst on your trip	Cover for some types of work as standard	Get a quote