People who have joined the popular internet group CouchSurfing could buy
online travel insurance before setting off on their trip.
CouchSurfing offers an online community where members, many of whom have purchased
gap year travel insurance, can arrange to spend a few nights on the couch of a fellow community member completely free of charge.
Popular among backpackers on a budget and also among those who are simply keen to meet people, the New York Times reports that the website recently celebrated gaining its one millionth member by holding a party in New York.
Irina Linetskaya, a medical resident living in New York, told the paper during the gathering: "My personal preference at my house - I live in a little studio in the Bronx - is for people to come stay for over two weeks."
According to the paper, the general feeling is that the activity is perfectly safe, with members having to confirm their address when they join and then being able to rate each other as hosts.
Staying on other people's couches could offer an even more popular experience than choosing to stay in a low-cost hostel.
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