Have you ever dreamed of hiking the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, which passes near Manchester, NH, or perhaps the 2,650-mile Pacific Coast Trail? Maybe you dream of traversing the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James) through France and Spain. While getting your gear together and making travel plans, you may not even consider insurance…but you should. These long-distance hikes take months to complete and, thus, present unique insurance needs.
Insurance for Long-Distance Hikers
Hiking is not without physical and financial risks. Even a broken ankle can cost thousands to treat. Snake bites, infections, falls, and diseases from drinking unfiltered water are just a few of the health perils you could encounter in the wild. Many hikers quit their jobs to tackle the trail for six months or more. That can leave them without health insurance. In addition, many health insurance policies, such as HMO policies, are regional and don’t cover out-of-network health expenses or pay as high a percentage of the costs for out-of-network services.
In addition to health insurance, single hikers should ensure that their homeowner’s insurance and auto coverage are set up so they won’t miss a premium while they are "off the grid." If you will be storing your vehicle in the garage for the duration of your trip, discuss that with your insurance professional. You may be able to save money by dropping some of your coverage while you’re not driving your car.
Contact AS Insurance Agency to learn more about insurance for your next adventure and your other insurance needs. We have been helping Manchester, NH, area residents with their insurance needs since 2016.
