Best Travel Health Insurance for Digital Nomads Compared

When we decided to start travelling full-time in 2020, we were a bit reckless and did not have travel insurance for quite a few months.

But during the pandemic, we decided it was probably a good idea to have insurance while the healthcare system was under a lot of stress.

So we sat down and did tonnes of research to find the best travel insurance for digital nomads that covers open-ended travel with no fixed end date.

Luckily, we did because just a few months after we chose a plan, Katharina needed minor surgery on a toenail. It fell off after being smashed on an uneven Mexican footpath 🫣

The claim was covered and really gave us peace of mind that in the future, any other problems would be taken care of.

We went with SafetyWing and are still very happy with our choice. Our other close favorites are Genki, Heymondo and TrueTraveller.

They all offer great coverage, are tailored to digital nomads or long-time travelers and are easy to navigate, which we love!

But they are more insurance providers out there and we broke down all pros, cons and costs, so you can easily compare and pick the best one for you.

8 Factors to Consider Before Choosing Insurance

The best travel insurance is the one that covers your specific needs as a digital nomad.

During our research, we narrowed down 8 factors that we think are super important to look out for when comparing and choosing a plan.

These are the same criteria we used to compare different providers and ultimately why we decided to go with SafetyWing over the others.

#1 Flexibility

This is the number 1 reason why digital nomads need a health insurance provider made for nomads or long-term travelers.

Most traditional providers only let you get coverage with a fixed start and end date. They will also ask what countries you are going to visit.

But this is often impossible to answer. We go to multiple countries a year, which we often decide on the spot based on cheap flights, and we never stop traveling.

So if this is your lifestyle too, always look for a plan that allows flexibility on dates, countries, how long you sign up for, and when or how you can cancel your membership.

While most of the digital nomad insurance plans we compared come with this perk, you will still want to keep an eye on this, as some offer way more flexibility than others.

#2 Where You Can Sign Up From

We were already traveling for quite a while before we decided to get health insurance.

So we needed a provider who allowed us to get coverage after our trip had already started.

Most traditional providers won’t let you do this. They will also require you to be in your home country during the sign-up process.

So if you are on the road already, you will need an insurance plan made for nomads that is flexible with where you are signing up from.

#3 Deductibles

A deductible is an amount you have to pay before your insurance provider will start paying your bills.

For example, you have an $800 hospital bill and your deductible is $250. You will have to pay $250 and your insurance provider will pay the rest.

Some insurance providers offer zero deductibles, but then you have to pay a higher monthly rate. While others offer higher deductibles with lower monthly rates.

We prefer lower monthly rates, but this one is totally up to you.

#4 Luggage Coverage

We don’t own anything other than our luggage, so coverage for its loss, damage or theft is important to us.

Especially because we rely heavily on our laptops and other electronics to make a living.

We learned this the hard way while travelling in Mexico. After a flight, we opened Katharina’s checked luggage, and it looked like it had been run over by a truck!

Multiple plastic containers had been smashed into a million pieces, and her nail scissors were so bent they looked like an art project.

This is when we discovered most airlines take no responsibility for damage to bags or contents while they’re in their possession.

Luckily, we keep all our valuables in our carry-on. But if you want peace of mind for your luggage or electronics, it’s smart to choose a plan that includes loss, damage, or theft of personal possessions.

Some health care providers on this list only cover medical treatment, while others also cover extras like this.

#5 Adventurous Activities Coverage

This is where you will need to read the fine print.

While all providers on this list will cover you for accidents and some sports activities, it varies when it comes to classified adventurous activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, rafting, or skiing.

Many travel insurances for digital nomads do not cover these activities and it could leave you with a very big hospital bill if you get in trouble in the wrong country.

So make sure to check these individual activities before signing up for a plan, depending on your needs.

#6 United States Travel Coverage

No matter which insurance provider you choose, you will have to pay more for health insurance if you plan on visiting the United States.

And not just a bit, often double per month!

So make sure you check how much it costs and what your coverage is if you plan to travel there.

We barely travel to the U.S., but if we do, we just add the U.S. coverage to our monthly plan with SafetyWing.

#7 Ease of Making a Claim

Trying to make a claim is usually the worst part of dealing with insurance companies.

So you want to pick a provider with a proven track record of paying out claims and not making you jump through thousands of bureaucratic hoops.

Before we decided who we should sign up to, we read tons of reviews. While every provider will have some negative reviews on this, it still gave us a good idea.

We also clicked around every website, and the easier we found it to navigate and understand, the easier we think their claiming process would be.

Researching insurance policies isn’t per se fun, so we really value an intuitive and straightforward site.

#8 Review Score

We read tons of reviews! Because the best way to judge a provider is by knowing what real customers are saying.

I went through hundreds of reviews to see if companies are reliable, keep their promises, and offer an overall good customer experience.

Because if you need them, it shouldn’t be an extra burden.

I mainly checked Trustpilot, and if they were not on there, I checked other review sites. Every overall rating below 4.0 raised a red flag.

So with all the factors out of the way, let’s check out my list of the best travel insurance for digital nomads.

1. SafetyWing

SafetyWing was founded in 2017 and has become a well-known leader in the digital nomad insurance scene.

We have personally chosen SafetyWing because it is one of the best all-round travel insurance options for digital nomads and fits our needs.

SafetyWing was specifically made for nomads and remote workers. This means that it is super flexible and you can sign up from anywhere in the world.

Plus, trips home are covered up to 90 days a year!

Pricing

SafetyWing’s Essential Plan starts at $62.75 with zero deductible and covers you everywhere in the world, except the US. You can get coverage for the US, but it will almost double the price.

It works like a subscription, so you pay every 4 weeks instead of a fixed time frame. Your coverage auto-renews until you cancel or pause it, which you can do at any time.

If you pay for a full year of coverage, you get a 10% discount. This works out at $56.45 for 4 weeks and is what we do now!

What is covered?

• Max medical coverage $250,000
• Emergency dental care up to $1,000
• Physical therapy and chiropractic care up to $50 per day
• Trips home for up to 90 days a year
• Lost checked luggage up to $3,000
• Travel delays of up to $450 per trip
• Free coverage for up to 2 children under the age of 10

Nomad Complete

If you want to up your coverage, you can sign up for Nomad Complete. This plan costs $177.50 per month, and there is a one-year commitment.

But you get a lot more for your money, such as dental check-ups, doctor’s health screenings, mental health support, and cancer treatments.

You will also be covered for a far larger selection of sports and motorbike accidents, canceled accommodation, burglary, and delayed luggage.

Overall, you will receive generous coverage for all aspects of your nomad life if you want complete peace of mind.

Reviews & Our Experience

SafetyWing has a Trustpilot score of 4.2. Some reviews complain that the claim process is slow and communication is not the best. But so far we have only had a good experience.

Katharina filed a claim while in Mexico for a minor toenail surgery, and although it wasn’t the smoothest process, she received compensation for her claim quickly.

She also had fast and friendly customer service via live chat on their website. A feature we both love – no exhausting email threads or phone lines!

SafetyWing’s sign-up process is also super easy. No bureaucratic hoops to jump through or endless papers to fill out. We got coverage in under 15 minutes!

Check out SafetyWing’s plans or calculate your price here👇

2. Genki

Genki is very similar to SafetyWing because it is very flexible and made for digital nomads. You can sign up from anywhere and cancel at anytime.

But it doesn’t cover lost, stolen, or damaged possessions or other travel-related costs.

A big benefit of Genki’s Basic Plan is that you are covered for motorbike accidents and a wide range of sports at a lower price than traditional travel insurance plans.

This is particularly useful if you spend a lot of time in Bali or Thailand, where lots of foreigners get involved in scooter accidents.

The second big benefit is that you do not have to pay out of pocket for an emergency hospital visit. So if you have a serious accident, there will be no stress trying to pay the hospital, then waiting to be reimbursed later.

Pricing

Like SafetyWing, Genki has different monthly costs depending on your age. If you are aged 0-29 years, you will pay about $60 a month. The next age bracket is 30-39 years, where you will pay $75 a month.

Genki has a low deductible of $50 per outpatient visit but no deductible for an inpatient visit. So basically, you will be charged $50 per claim if you do not have to stay in the hospital, and not charged if you have to stay in the hospital.

What is covered?

• No cost limit for medical care
• Dental care up to $1,000
• Motorbike accidents
• Sports injuries, unless they are listed under dangerous activities

Reviews

Genki has a score of 4.1 on Trustpilot. People are overall happy with their customer service but also mention a hard time filing claims.

💡 Check out Genki’s Plans here

3. Heymondo

Heymondo is a well-established insurance provider that is great for nomads who do not mind being less flexible.

If you choose a Heymondo Long Trip Plan, you can get fairly comprehensive travel and health insurance for as low as $53 per month.

You can join up after you have left home. The main negative is that you have to sign up for a minimum of 3 months. So you cannot cancel at any time.

After the 3 months are up, you can extend your insurance. But rates may vary depending on how long you want to extend it and what countries you are visiting.

If you don’t mind this extra effort and inflexibility, you will get much wider coverage than SafetyWing or Genki.

Heymondos coverage includes transport delays, baggage theft, public transport delays, missed flight transfers, sports accidents and medical bills up to $2.5 million.

But there is a $250 deductible for medical expenses.

Overall, Heymondo is a great option if you are looking for comprehensive coverage at a low monthly rate and don’t mind more paperwork and committing to several months.

Unfortunately for residents of the United States, Heymondo is not available. It is only available to residents of Europe and other developed nations.

Pricing

Heymondo’s Long Trip Plan is the best plan for digital nomads and costs about $53 per month. If you include travel to the US, this goes up to about $76 per month.

You must book your insurance for a minimum of 90 days, and then the plan renews as you like.

What is covered?

• Emergency medical and dental up to $2,500,000
• Lost or damaged baggage up to $1,200
• Up to $350 for costs incurred due to travel disruptions such as missed or canceled transfers
• Natural disaster coverage up to $1,250
• Passport replacement, even if you lose it

Reviews

Heymondo has a score of 4.1 on Trustpilot from over 3,500 reviews. So it has a proven track record of being a reliable company.

💡 Check out Heymondo’s Plans here

4. Atlas Travel Insurance by World Trips

Atlas Travel Insurance is has been in the travel insurance industry for years. They usually only had traditional travel insurance for fixed trips.

But they recently started customizable plans such as Atlas Nomads that are aimed at digital nomads who are not U.S residents.

Unlike Safety Wing or Genki, Atlas is still not super nomad-friendly because you have to choose exact departure and finish dates. You also cannot cancel anytime.

But as with Heymondo, if you are willing to sacrifice flexibility, you get a wide range of coverage options.

Pricing

When choosing a plan with Atlas, the monthly price will depend on your age, destination and excess. But when I selected different countries and deductible amounts, it usually came to around $50 per month.

Considering the benefits you get from Atlas that this is a very reasonable price.

What is covered?

• You can choose from $50,000 – $2,500,000 max coverage
• Emergency dental up to $300
• Lost luggage $1,000
• Lost passport $100
• Up to $10,000 to return home after the death of a close relative

Reviews

Atlas Travel Insurance has a score of 4.6 from over 2,000 reviews on InsureMyTrip. So they seem like a very reliable company with great customer service.

💡 Check out Atlas Travel Insurance Plans here

5. IMG

IMG is an international insurance provider that serves over 190 countries and has been operating for over 25 years. They offer a wide range of insurance options for all types of needs.

Because they are a huge established player in the game, IMG is the best choice if you want the highest possible coverage – all the way up to $8,000,000!

So no matter how complicated the surgery or rare the disease, you will be covered.

Another benefit is that there is no geographical restriction. So residents of the USA, UK and Europe can sign up.

Overall, IMG is great for older nomads who want the most complete health coverage possible and do not mind sacrificing flexibility.

Pricing

The Patriot International Lite Plan, which will cover most digital nomads’ needs, costs about $50 per month. The Patriot International Platinum Plan is about $72 per month.

The main difference between the plans is that the Lite Plan has a policy maximum limit ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000. Whereas Platinum has maximum limits from $2,000,000 to $8,000,000.

The amount you pay will increase depending on the maximum limit you want for your insurance.

The Lite Plan can be extended up to 24 months, whereas the Platinum Plan can be extended up to 36 months.

So, apart from the medical max limits and renewal period, the plans are quite similar.

What is covered?

• Medical maximum $50,000 to $8,000,000 depending on your plan
• Deductible $0 to $25,000 depending on what you choose
• Emergency Reunion with selected family member $100,000
• Return travel home for the death of a close relative $10,000
• Dental care $300. For emergency dental care coverage up to plan maximum
• Lost luggage $50 per item and $500 in total

There are also some optional coverage options such as cell phone coverage. For just $90, you can be covered for loss, damage, or theft of your cellphone.

Reviews

IMG has a score of 4.6 on Trustpilot from over 7,000 reviews. So you can see that it is a reliable company with a large customer base.

💡 Check out IMG’s plans here

6. True Traveller

TrueTraveller is a trusted insurance provider with some of the best travel insurance for digital nomads if you are from the UK or the EU. Unfortunately is not available for citizens outside of these regions.

The insurance plans they offer are created by travelers for travelers, and you can really see that in the options they offer.

For example, they offer plans for people taking gap years or doing working holidays in Canada. So it is not just great for digital nomads but all travelers in general.

What stood out to me was how customizable True Traveller’s plans are. You can choose to ensure yourself for winter sports, lost or stolen possessions, trip delays, and more.

So if there is something particular that you want to be insured for, then True Traveller is a great option.

Pricing

The Basic Plan costs around $50 per month and will give you all the basic health care coverage you need.

True Traveller also has Plus plans, which offer more comprehensive coverage for a slightly higher price.

What is covered?

There are 3 main plans available for digital nomads. For a more detailed list of coverage, you will have to visit their website.

	True Value	Traveller	Traveller Plus
Medical Expenses	€10,000,000	€10,000,000	€10,000,000
Baggage (optional)	€1,200	€2,500	€3,000
Cancellation	€1,200	€3,500	€9,000
Personal Liability	€1,000,000	€2,000,000	€2,000,000

Reviews

True Traveller has a 3.8 on Trustpilot from over 3,000 reviews. When we originally wrote this post a few years back, they had a 4.2.

They have a long track record, and we know people who are happily using them, but it seems that customer satisfaction has declined over the last few years.

💡 Check out TrueTraveller’s Plan here

7. Insured Nomads

Insured Nomads offers a wide range of plans for digital nomads with varying needs. You can even get coverage for entering a warzone!

So if there are any digital nomads out there wanting to go off track, then this is the insurance for you.

But the plan that most people will want is the World Explorer Plan, which offers medical insurance for single trips from 7 to 364 days.

This plan offers the usual medical coverage that does not differ too much from other providers.

But one thing that stood out to me was that if your flight is delayed by more than 90 minutes, you get free use of an airport lounge, which is a great feature.

There is also a World Explorer Guardian Plan, which includes cover for costs associated with having to cancel a trip. But this is only available to US citizens.

However, it could be a good option if you are booking an expensive trip such as a safari and are worried it may be canceled.

Pricing

On the Insured Nomads website, they state that the typical cost for the World Explorer Plan is about $86 per month. But this price will vary depending on your age, nationality, etc.

What is covered?

• Medical Expenses: Up to $2,000,000 USD max limit.
• 24-hour emergency medical care
• Acute onset of a pre-existing condition
• Instant Airport Lounge Access: Free executive lounge pass provided if your registered flight is delayed by 90 minutes or more
• Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions: Covered up to the policy medical maximum (for those under age 65).

Reviews

Insured Nomads have a score of 3.3 on Trustpilot from only 200 reviews. So lots of room for improvement!

💡Check out Insured Nomads Plan’s here

8. Passport Card

Passport Card is an insurance provider with a unique concept. When you sign up, you receive a debit card that can be used for medical expenses.

If you need some medical treatment, you call Passport Card, and they will preload your card with money, and then you pay directly with the card.

To me, this is the main benefit of choosing Passport Card. But overall, I find their plans a bit confusing and not flexible enough.

Pricing

The pricing per month depends on what country you are traveling to and what deductible you choose. Expat plans start from as low as $70 per month.

I personally found the passport card website very hard to navigate. It seems like that the best way to get an accurate quote is to call them, which isn’t my cup of tea, but it might not be a dealbreaker for you.

What is covered?

• 24/7 telemedicine services
• Medical care up to $1,000,000 on the basic plan
• Dental care up to $3,000 for pain relief
• Vaccinations up to $100
• Up to 5 physiotherapy visits per year

Reviews

Passport Card has a score of 4.0 on Trustpilot from fewer than 200 reviews so it’s hard to judge based on that.

💡Check out Passport Card here

9. World Nomads

World Nomads has been covering world wanderers for a long time. It used to be one of the only options for backpackers to get covered for long-term trips.

They used to be the market leader but have lost a lot of ground to SafetyWing and Genki because they are just not as flexible or affordable.

You will have to choose a fixed start and end date for your travels, and your quote will depend on what country you are from.

The benefit of World Nomads is that you are covered for a wide range of adventure activities. But the coverage is no better than other options further up the list.

Pricing

After playing around on their website, the World Nomads Standard Plan came up to about $85 per month.

You can choose the Explorer plan, which gives you much more coverage for about $125 per month.

What is Covered?

• Medical expenses up to $5,000,000
• Dental care up to $1,000
• Cancellation of trip $5,000

Reviews

World Nomads have a 4.3 on Trustpilot from over 6,000 reviews. They are clearly the longest on the market and have a clear track record.

💡 Check out World Nomads Plan’s here

Ready to Get Insured?

Insurance is easy to put off, but you never know when you will need it. So it’s better to sort it out before an accident happens.

Luckily, there are dedicated options for digital nomads out there, which makes living on the road so much easier!

We went for SafetyWing because it’s super easy to use, covers what we need, and includes short trips home which most of the others don’t!

READ ALSO

• How SafetyWing’s App works
• Why Nomads Need Flexible Insurance