People generally take a gap year or a deferred year abroad to take some time off between two important junctures in life are being urged not for forget about taking out a travel insurance policy.

There is a sharp rise in the number of people who are becoming more and more cautious when in their gap years.

According to figures from Direct Travel Insurance, there has been a 25% increase in the number of backpacking policy sales.

Jonathan Cooper, the MD for Direct Travel Insurance stated that the sales for the insurance policy has been on the rise despite the trend of global recession.

This rising trend serves as an effective counter point in highlighting the fact that people do not over look travel insurance any more said Cooper.

This sort of gap year is preferably for purposes like taking a break, or in order to hone capabilities. The most eminent example of a gap year is when in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, students took a year off to volunteer to help those affected.