Camping Travel Insurance

Key Points

• Camping travel insurance can provide financial protection for medical emergencies, lost or stolen gear, and wilderness evacuation.
• Policies cost an average of 4% to 10% of your total trip cost.
• Purchase travel insurance for camping within 14 to 21 days of your first trip payment to access benefits like a pre-existing condition waiver.

Travel Insurance for Camping

Pitching a tent beneath the stars, exploring remote campsites, and embarking on a rugged backcountry adventure are incredible ways to vacation. But nature is unpredictable, and when the unexpected happens, camping travel insurance can keep your outdoor getaway on track.

There are flexible policy options to fit every camper’s journey. With coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and even gear delays, camping trip insurance gives you peace of mind so you can focus on making memories under the open sky.

What Is Camping Travel Insurance?

Camping travel insurance provides financial protection against trip-related risks such as medical emergencies, weather-related delays and cancellations, lost camping equipment, and trip interruptions.

SOVENTURE tip: When comparing travel insurance, filter your best available options by selecting “camping” as a covered activity.

What Does Travel Insurance for Camping Cover?

Every travel insurance policy is unique, but camping trip insurance typically includes the following coverages:

• Trip cancellation and interruption: Reimburses prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you must cancel or cut your trip short due to covered reasons like illness or severe weather
• Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage: Covers camping gear and equipment at their depreciated value, often with a per-item limit and a maximum limit
• Emergency medical expenses: Pays for treatment costs if you get injured or sick; look for emergency medical expense benefits with primary coverage if you want to bypass filing a claim with your domestic health insurance before filing a travel insurance claim
• Medical evacuation and repatriation: Covers emergency transport from remote locations, which can cost up to $25,000 for domestic air ambulance trips and $100,000 or more for international flights
• Natural disaster: Protects your prepaid costs and can reimburse for additional expenses if certain severe weather events disrupt your travel plans

These benefits are sometimes included:

• Search and rescue: Covers expenses for locating and recovering travelers in wilderness areas
• Sports equipment rental: Pays for loss, theft, or damage of rented equipment, sometimes with a per-item limit

Optional upgrades can include:

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR): Allows you to cancel your trip for reasons not listed in a standard policy, typically reimbursing up to 50% or 75% of prepaid costs
• Baggage upgrade: Increases the baggage insurance limits, including those for sporting equipment rentals and sporting equipment delays

Do I Need Camping Trip Insurance?

If your camping plans include prepaid, nonrefundable expenses like flights, RV or trailer rentals, equipment rentals, and tours, travel insurance for camping is a smart investment. It’s especially important for campers heading abroad, into backcountry areas, or participating in adventure activities where the risks and potential costs can be higher.

SOVENTURE tip: Many domestic health insurance plans offer limited or no coverage outside your home country. A camping travel policy can help cover those gaps, so you’re not left unprotected in case of a health emergency or accident far from home.

How Much Does Camping Travel Insurance Cost?

The average cost of camping travel insurance is 4% to 10% of the total amount of your trip’s prepaid, nonrefundable costs.

The cost of your policy will depend on factors like:

• Trip duration and destination (domestic or international)
• Total nonrefundable costs (flights, gear rentals, campground fees, RV deposits)
• Your age and the age of other travelers on your policy
• Level of coverage selected

Use SOVENTURE’s online quote tool to compare policies, review benefits, and find the best plan for your outdoor adventure.

When Should I Buy Camping Insurance?

For the most comprehensive protection, you should purchase camping travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of making your first trip payment.

This purchase window is essential if you want to take advantage of benefits like pre-existing condition waivers, which cover medical conditions you had before buying your policy, and some optional upgrades like cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

Buying early also ensures you’re covered for any issues that arise before departure, like wildfires, severe weather, or unexpected health concerns. The sooner you purchase, the broader your protection.

What Is the Best Travel Insurance for Camping Trips?

The best camping trip insurance for you depends on your destination, type of camping, and how much protection you want. Every camping trip is different, and that’s why comparing travel insurance plans is key.

Key factors to consider when comparing policies include:

• If you need high medical limits and medical evacuation coverage, especially for a vacation with high-risk activities, travel to a remote area, or an international camping trip
• If you want the extra flexibility to cancel for any reason, with a CFAR upgrade
• If you want coverage for search and rescue
• If you want a plan with sports equipment rental coverage
• If you want rental car coverage

SOVENTURE tip: When comparing policies on our site, you can view policy certificates in the “details” section of each plan. This will help you understand its specific coverages and exclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Regular Travel Insurance Cover Camping?

A comprehensive travel insurance plan will cover general camping trip risks, such as cancellation due to illness and emergency medical coverage. However, you’ll want to look for a policy that covers your specific trip needs.

For example, you might want a camping trip insurance plan with sports equipment rental coverage or rental car coverage. If you’ll be in a remote area, consider buying a plan with high limits for emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage.

Is Camping Gear Covered by Travel Insurance?

While most camping travel insurance policies include coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged camping equipment under baggage protection, specific coverage varies by plan. When comparing policies, take a close look at each plan’s per-item limit and maximum limit to make sure they work for you. With some plans, you can pay more for higher limits.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Domestic Camping Trips?

Camping trip insurance can be a good idea even for domestic trips, particularly if you have high-value prepaid, nonrefundable costs or will be traveling far off the beaten path.

In addition to providing coverage for trip cancellation, delay, and interruption, a comprehensive plan can cover medical costs and evacuation from remote areas where your domestic health insurance may have limitations.

What Does Medical Evacuation Cover for Campers?

Medical evacuation coverage pays for emergency transport from a remote campsite or wilderness area to the nearest appropriate medical facility. For backcountry campers, this can include a helicopter rescue, which can cost thousands of dollars or more.