Let’s admit it, insurance is probably one of the least enjoyable items you’ll need to address prior to taking your gap year. Nonetheless, that does not make it any less important. In fact, not only having the right amount of insurance will be a godsend if things were to go wrong, but it will also help you sleep at night better knowing you’re covered. With taking a gap year, there are many forms of insurance you’ll want to consider. This page will detail the most common types out there to help protect you. Each person’s (and family, if applicable) situation, needs and wants are different, so it is important you do your homework and research your insurance needs and options.

International Health Insurance

Being covered with proper insurance insurance for the country or countries you’re traveling to is an absolute necessity. You never know what medical issues could arise during your travels, and if you have an accident (e.g. broken bone, car accident) or illness and require further medical care, being insured could be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a complete financial catastrophe . If you already have medical insurance with your employer or elsewhere, I would recommend calling your insurance company to verify that they will provide coverage in your country. Some medical insurance providers will already have international health coverage included in their plan and some will not.

If you will not have insurance or will not when you go on your gap year, you will want to buy travel health insurance (sometimes known as international health insurance). When I quit my job in 2017, I lost my health insurance, so I purchased an individual policy. The two top options I found in my research is GeoBlue and IMG. I personally went with GeoBlue, as I like that it is linked to the Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance company, but IMG seemed to have pretty comparable insurance plans and was cheaper at the time. What I like about both of these providers, is they offer both short term (e.g. for a few weeks) and long term insurance coverage, and they cover both the US and other countries. This is great, if you have to transition back to the US and take some time to transition back into a job after your gap year. I never filed any claims during my gap year, so I cannot give any feedback on their handling of them.

Gap Year Travel Insurance

Travel insurance has a multitude of coverage options that every traveler should consider. It may cover anything from trip cancellation, loss, theft or damage to your personal belongings, act as a supplement to your current medical insurance, emergency medical evacuation and rental car coverage. I personally have not used travel insurance myself, as my personal situation has not required use of it.

Before utilizing travel insurance, I would recommend to check on your current coverage with your insurance companies (e.g. medical and renters/home insurance) to see if you’re  already covered for these items. Also, if you have a credit card, many of these insurance coverages may be already provided for you at no additional cost. With a couple of my credit cards, I have rental car protection, trip protection and lost luggage protection already included. Check with your credit card provider as well on your coverage, because this could save you money of not having to buy additional insurance.

For further detail on travel insurance, this article by NerdWallet gives a great breakdown of travel insurance.  I’ve heard good things about WorldNomads insurance, but have not personally used them. Before purchasing a plan, I would review at least 2-3 providers and compare costs and coverage amounts.

In Summary

It is vital to make sure you have the appropriate insurance coverage for you and your travel partner/family (if applicable). Doing so, will help take some of the worry of things that can go wrong while abroad. Shop around with multiple insurance companies, and work to find the best plan for your individual needs.

Have any insurance options you’d recommend? Feel free to add it in the comments!

Disclaimer: I am not an insurance professional. The information contained on this page is for entertainment/educational purposes only, and is not meant to be formal advice. Please contact an insurance professional for advice on choosing the right options for you.