Many young backpackers travel uninsured, with “irresponsible” parents putting their children’s lives at risk by not insisting they are properly covered, according to new research.

Of the 250,000 backpackers aged 18-24 leaving the UK over the next six months, one in three will travel without insurance.

With their most popular activities being adventure sports, moped riding and drinking, backpackers are more likely to suffer accident and injury than holidaymakers, warned the gapyear.com website.

It added that, considering that air ambulances alone cost more than £15,000, it was very easy to rack up a medical bill of over £100,000. Without travel insurance, families would have to find money to fund this privately, meaning that more than 75,000 family homes will potentially be put at risk this year.

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