Is Safetywing The Best Travel Insurance for Nomads?

I never travel without insurance, and even though I hope I don’t need to make any claims, it gives me peace of mind to know that whatever happens, I will be covered.

Remember that even when traveling in low-cost countries, and probably even more so, you will want to look for private health care, and medical bills can skyrocket.

SafetyWing is among the travel insurance companies I use, and I recommend it in some specific cases.

They have recently changed their plan structure, and in this post, I will tell you more about their new policy. However, I recommend before signing up to read their insurance documents thoroughly before deciding if this is the right insurance for you.

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What is SafetyWing Travel Health Insurance?

SafetyWing is a travel health insurance provider that caters to digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term travelers.

The company was founded by nomads for nomads, understanding the unique needs of those who embrace a location-independent lifestyle. SafetyWing’s primary goal is to provide a safety net for global citizens, ensuring they have access to quality healthcare and travel-related coverage wherever they roam.

SafetyWing Key Coverage Areas

Medical Coverage

SafetyWing offers comprehensive coverage for a wide range of medical expenses, including:

Emergency medical treatment
Hospital stays
Prescription medications
Emergency dental care

One of the standout features of SafetyWing is its coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. If you are in a situation where local medical facilities can’t adequately treat your condition, SafetyWing will cover the costs of transporting you to the nearest appropriate medical facility or back to your home country.

Travel-Related Coverage

Beyond medical care, SafetyWing offers protection for common travel-related issues:

Travel delay compensation
Trip interruption coverage
Lost checked luggage reimbursement

One unique aspect of SafetyWing’s coverage is its political evacuation and natural disaster protection. Find yourself in a country that suddenly becomes unsafe due to political unrest or a natural disaster. SafetyWing will cover the costs of evacuating you to a safe location.

Additional Protection

SafetyWing goes beyond basic travel insurance by offering:

Personal liability coverage
Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) benefits
Quarantine costs coverage (a precious feature in today’s travel landscape)

IMPORTANT NOTE

You must read the full inclusion and exclusion of the policy before purchasing it. Some items are tricky. For example, the Personal liability coverage sounds amazing, but what does that actually mean? If you go to the SafetyWing website, you can read the terms and conditions in which the Liability operates.

As you can see in the example below, from the SafetyWing full description of coverage, there are specific conditions and circumstances under which the liability is covered and NOT COVERED

When I read an insurance policy condition, I will focus more on what’s not covered because you can see more clearly if something specific you need to be covered is included. For example, when I read liability, I immediately thought about drone usage and thought it was included, but then I checked in the “what’s not included ” section and noticed that it wasn’t, in fact, included! Darn it!

“Liability is coverage for damage that you cause to something or someone else (a third person). So if you end up in a situation where you are legally liable to pay the costs associated with:

Accidentally hurting someone’s body including death, illness and disease (this coverage is not for a related third person)
Accidentally damaging or losing someone’s property or things (physical, tangible, material)

Important conditions

You (or your legal representatives) have to give us notice of any prosecution or inquest in connection with any circumstances that may give rise to liability under this section.
You must not admit, offer, promise, pay, or indemnify without our approval in writing.
All documents you receive related to the case, have to be forwarded to us immediately.
Upon our request, you have to give us the right to take over and act on your behalf and in your name, to defend, enter a settlement agreement or prosecute in your name, in any way we see fit. This includes, for our benefit, any claim for indemnity or damages against other parties or persons.
At any time we can pay you what you are covered for or a lesser amount needed to settle the case. Once this payment is made, we have no more obligations related to your case, and may choose to no longer participate in any way related to your case. You can still claim for costs that incurred prior to the payment date.

You are NOT covered for
Something you intentionally did.
Something that happened because of you being under the influence of alcohol or drugs (unless the drug was prescribed by a licensed physician).
Something caused directly or indirectly in connection to any of the following:
- Motorized vehicle (for example car or moped)
- Aircraft
- Hovercraft
- Watercraft (boat, vessel
- Parachute, parasail, glider
- Firearms, fireworks, explosives, deadly weapons
- Racing activity
- Hunting activity
- Gambling, gaming, or betting of any kind,
Dishonest or criminal acts done by you or someone authorized by you.
Breaching an agreement you have agreed to follow (verbal or in writing).
Fine or penalty imposed by a governmental authority or other regulatory body, or an obligation to cover punitive or exemplary damages.
Something caused by animals in your custody or that you own.
Hurting someone’s body who is under a contract of employment, service or apprenticeship with you.
Hurting someone’s body in connection with any trade, business or profession.
Hurting someone’s body with a property, building, caravan, or trailer, you are currently in control of (rent, own, borrow).
Damaging someone’s property while you are renting it, using it, or that you are in the custody or control of (except your temporary accommodation where you currently are staying, such as a hotel room or Airbnb).
Damaging someone’s property through fire, flood, wind, hail, water leak, gas leak, an explosion or similar events.“

The moral of the story is: no matter what you read in these reviews, such as my article, always make sure you read the terms and conditions of the insurance you are going to purchase and that what you need is included.

Another example is diving. If you are a diver and know you are going to dive on your next trip, you would need to check whether diving is included and if there are depth or kinds of dive limitations. In this particular case, I would recommend using DiveAssure instead because they cover all kinds of dives and general travel-related issues.

Pricing and Plans

Choosing the right plan depends on your needs, budget, and travel style. SafetyWing offers two options: Nomad Insurance (Essential) and Nomad Insurance Complete. Here below, you can find how they compare and compare both plans to help you decide which one is best for you.

At the bottom of this article, you can also find my personal thoughts.

Coverage Comparison: Essential vs. Complete

Feature	Essential Plan	Complete Plan
Medical Treatment & Hospitalization	Covers emergency medical treatment and hospitalization up to $250,000.	Provides comprehensive medical treatment and hospitalization coverage up to $1,500,000.
Preventative & Routine Care	Not covered.	Includes routine check-ups, preventative care, and doctor/specialist visits.
Mental Health Support	Not covered.	Covers psychologist and psychiatrist visits, as well as wellness therapies like chiropractic care.
Maternity Care	Not covered.	Provides maternity care after a 10-month waiting period.
Cancer Treatment	Not covered.	Covers cancer screenings and treatment.
Adventure Sports Coverage	Available as an add-on.	Included in the standard coverage.
Dental Care	Covers emergency dental treatment only.	Covers both emergency and routine dental check-ups.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption	Covers trip delays, interruptions, and lost checked luggage.	Offers extended trip protection, including trip cancellation due to illness, injury, or unforeseen events.
Lost or Stolen Luggage	Covered for checked luggage only.	Covers lost, stolen, and delayed baggage, including electronics.
Electronics Theft Coverage	Available as an add-on.	Not currently available.
Home Country Coverage	Limited coverage after 90 days abroad (30 days for non-U.S. residents; 15 days for U.S. residents).	Coverage in your country of residence (with some restrictions)

Cost Comparison: Essential vs. Complete

Essential Plan: Starts at $56.28 per 4 weeks for individuals aged 18-39.
Complete Plan: Begins at $150.50 per month for individuals aged 18-39.

What does the Complete Plan Include

The SafetyWing Nomad Insurance Complete plan is a comprehensive insurance package designed for digital nomads and remote workers, offering both travel and health coverage. This plan is divided into two main components:

Nomad Travel: Underwritten by SafetyWing Insurance I.I., this section provides coverage for various travel-related incidents.
Nomad Health: Underwritten by VUMI Group, I.I., this section offers international health insurance benefits.

Eligibility and Coverage Area:

Age Range: Available to individuals aged 18 to 65.
Residency Restrictions: Not available to residents (those living more than six months per year) of Belarus, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ireland, Palau, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the USA and its territories.
Geographical Coverage: Covers most global locations, with notable exceptions:
- No coverage in your primary residence.
- Travel to the US, Hong Kong, or Singapore requires an optional add-on for coverage.
- Excludes countries under United Nations or specific international sanctions.

Travel Benefits:

Delayed Transportation: Reimbursement for expenses like meals and accommodation due to transportation delays.
Delayed Luggage: Compensation for essential items if luggage is delayed.
Lost Checked Luggage: Coverage for lost checked baggage.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption: Reimbursement for non-refundable expenses if a trip is canceled or interrupted due to covered reasons.
Evacuation from Local Unrest: Assistance and coverage for evacuation in case of local unrest.
Theft and Robbery: Coverage for stolen personal items, including wallets and passports.

Health Benefits:

Emergency Medical Treatment and Hospitalization: Coverage for unforeseen medical emergencies.
Routine Check-ups and Preventative Care: Includes regular health assessments and preventive services.
Mental Health Support: Access to psychologists, psychiatrists, and wellness therapies.
Maternity Care: Coverage for maternity services after a specified waiting period.
Cancer Treatment: Coverage for cancer screenings and treatments.

Important Considerations:

Pre-existing Conditions: Not covered under this plan.
Adventure Sports: Coverage for injuries from leisure sports and activities.
Home Country Coverage: Limited; primarily designed for use outside your primary residence.

Please refer to the full policy document for a detailed breakdown of benefits, exclusions, and claim procedures.

What does the Essential Plan Include

SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance Essential plan is designed for travelers seeking coverage for unexpected medical issues while abroad. It offers standard travel benefits with an overall maximum limit of $250,000.

Key Features:

Medical Treatment and Hospitalization: Covers medically necessary treatments for unexpected illnesses or injuries, including hospital stays, nursing services, diagnostics, and emergency dental care (up to $1,000).
Emergency Medical Evacuation: Provides up to $100,000 for emergency medical evacuations to the nearest suitable medical facility.
Trip Interruption: Offers up to $5,000 for trip interruptions due to family emergencies, covering the cost of a return ticket home.
Travel Delay: Reimburses up to $100 per day (maximum of 2 days) for unplanned overnight stays due to travel delays exceeding 12 hours.
Lost Checked Luggage: Covers up to $500 per item, with a maximum of $3,000 per certificate period, for lost checked luggage.
Natural Disaster: Provides up to $100 per day (maximum of 5 days) for accommodations if displaced due to a natural disaster.
Political Evacuation: Offers up to $10,000 for evacuation due to political unrest.
Personal Liability: Includes coverage with a lifetime maximum of $25,000 for third-party injury or property damage.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D): Provides benefits up to $25,000 depending on the severity of the injury.

Optional Add-Ons:

Adventure Sports Coverage: Extends coverage to include activities like scuba diving, skydiving, and white-water rafting.
Electronics Theft Coverage: Offers reimbursement for stolen electronics.
U.S. Coverage: Available for non-U.S. residents traveling to the United States.

Exclusions:

Pre-existing Conditions: Not covered under this plan.
Cancer Treatment and Maternity Care: Not included in the coverage.
Home Country Coverage: Limited to 30 days after being abroad for 90 days (or 15 days if your home country is the U.S.).

The Nomad Insurance Essential plan is ideal for travelers seeking short-term coverage for unforeseen medical emergencies and standard travel-related incidents while abroad. For more comprehensive coverage, including routine check-ups and ongoing health needs, consider exploring SafetyWing’s Complete plan. (safetywing.com)

Which Plan is Right for You?

Essential Plan: Ideal for short-term travelers or digital nomads seeking emergency medical coverage during their trips. If you already have health insurance in your home country and only need coverage for unexpected incidents abroad, this is a cost-effective choice.
Complete Plan: Designed for long-term travelers, digital nomads, or remote workers needing comprehensive health insurance, including routine check-ups, mental health support, maternity care, and extensive travel protection. This plan is the better option if you need a single, all-encompassing policy.

Limitations and Exclusions

While SafetyWing offers broad coverage, it’s important to understand its limitations:

Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered (just like in any insurance)
High-risk or professional sports activity,
cancer treatment,
lost or stolen personal belongings,
trips that were canceled before you left

These exclusions are fairly standard in the travel insurance industry, but it’s crucial to be aware of them when considering your coverage needs. You can choose an add on for stolen items and certain sports, but make sure you read the details.

Claims Process

Filing a claim with SafetyWing is straightforward, but like most insurance processes, it requires some patience and documentation. You’ll need to provide receipts and medical reports to support your claim. SafetyWing has a dedicated customer support team to assist travelers through this process, which can be particularly helpful when dealing with foreign healthcare systems.

Another significant and positive change in the new policy is that it no longer comes with a deductible. This means that once they determine that your claim is applicable, they will refund the entire amount of expenses. So that’s a win.

Alternative Travel Insurance companies

Dive Assure

Dive Assure is explicitly tailored for scuba divers and water sports aficionados. It provides extensive coverage for dive-related accidents and medical emergencies. They also offer a non-diving option if you are not going to dive and include evacuation and trip cancellation benefits. Personally, I choose this insurance when booking expensive liveaboard trips; it gives me peace of mind knowing I can get a refund if I have to cancel for any valid reason. I’ve just booked a trip to Norway to swim with the killer whales, and I got Dive Assure insurance for my 6-day trip.

Pros:

Customized for Diving Activities: No depth limits for recreational divers.
Comprehensive Coverage: Includes hyperbaric chamber treatments, equipment damage, and interruptions related to diving trips.
Trip Cancellation Protection: Offers reimbursement options if your plans change.
Available for non-divers with a reduced premium.

Cons:

Higher Cost for Non-Divers: More expensive for travelers not focused on diving activities.
Limited General Coverage: Less comprehensive for travel incidents unrelated to diving.

Best Suited For:

Scuba divers and water sports enthusiasts who require specialized coverage for their activities and expenses liveaboard trips.

Travel Insurance Master

Travel Insurance Master is not an insurance company per se, but an aggregator platform that allows travelers to compare and purchase insurance policies from multiple providers.

Pros:

Customizable Options: Ability to compare different plans based on specific needs.

Cons:

Complex Navigation: This may be more complicated for those who prefer a straightforward, one-stop solution.

Best Suited For:

Travelers who need highly customizable and comprehensive insurance for short trips with specific requirements. Senior travelers may benefit from this comparison tool as well.

So Which Option Should You Choose?

SafetyWing : Ideal for digital nomads and long-term travelers seeking affordable, flexible health coverage with essential travel protections. Great for those who don’t require extensive gear or trip cancellation coverage.
Dive Assure is best for scuba divers and water sports enthusiasts who need specialized protection against dive accidents and water-related mishaps and coverage for costly trips.
Travel Insurance Master: Perfect for short-term travelers who want to compare various policies to obtain the most comprehensive travel coverage tailored to their specific needs.

Travel Insurance Comparison Table

FEATURE	SafetyWing	Dive Assure	Travel Insurance Master
Best for long-term travel	Yes	No	No
Best for adventure travel	No (Adventure add-on for non-U.S. residents)	Yes (Specialized for diving)	Yes (Depending on the selected plan)
Best for electronic coverage	No	Yes (Dive gear)	Yes (Depending on the selected plan)
Best for trip cancellation coverage	No	Yes (For dive-related interruptions)	Yes
Most affordable	Yes	No	Possibly

My Thoughts

If you’re primarily concerned with medical emergencies and trip interruptions, the SafetyWing Essential Plan offers a budget-friendly solution. However, if you need broader coverage, including routine medical care, mental health services, and trip cancellation for various reasons, the Complete Plan provides more peace of mind. Assess your travel style and medical needs before choosing the best option for your journey.

Having said that, we need to point out that it’s not so convenient anymore for senior travelers. If you are over 50, you may want to check out other options as well and compare rates and coverage. I love to use Travel Insurance Master, a platform that allows you to compare prices among different insurance companies based on the features you need.

If you are a diver or going on a cruise, Dive Assure is probably the best option.

Last but not least, I recommend checking with your credit card; some offer travel insurance.