Travel and health insurance should be the first thing you purchase when planning a trip abroad, and there’s no exception when it comes to digital nomad insurance. Could you afford to pay an unforeseen $200,000 medical bill out of your disposable income? Probably not, and neither could I. I’m usually an optimist. However, it’s important … Read more
The post 10 Best Digital Nomad Insurance Options appeared first on Goats On The Road.
Travel and health insurance should be the first thing you purchase when planning a trip abroad, and there’s no exception when it comes to digital nomad insurance. Could you afford to pay an unforeseen $200,000 medical bill out of your disposable income? Probably not, and neither could I.
I’m usually an optimist. However, it’s important to remember that things can – and sometimes do – go wrong when you travel. In this post, I’ll list the best insurance for digital nomads.
I spend most of the year traveling internationally and if I had to give one piece of advice to anybody considering the location-independent lifestyle, it would be: never travel abroad without digital nomad insurance.
Many regular travel insurance policies aren’t especially suitable for digital nomads who spend a sizeable chunk (or even all) of their time abroad. That’s why I’ve written this post on the best travel insurance for digital nomads. Read on to find out more.
10 Best Digital Nomad Insurance Options
Digital nomad travel insurance might not be the most exciting topic. But, it’s important to protect yourself from potentially huge costs while you’re abroad. I never travel internationally without it.
This post reviews 10 of the best-known and most highly-reviewed insurance companies that offer health insurance for remote workers abroad. I’ve included a variety of insurers, offering a range of different prices and levels of coverage, so you can find the best option to suit you and your requirements.
Important disclaimer: In this article, I’ve summarized in general terms my understanding of the cover provided by various insurance companies as of the date of writing. It’s important to read the wording of each policy carefully and to take note of the coverage, exclusions, and limitations applicable to you before purchasing any policy. Nothing in this post should be construed as a recommendation to purchase any particular insurance policy.
1. SafetyWing (Best Budget Digital Nomad Health Insurance)
SafetyWing is one of the most popular digital nomad insurance providers, offering global health insurance specifically for digital nomads and other remote workers.
SafetyWing’s flexible and affordable Nomad Insurance covers travel in over 175 countries and protects you from a range of unexpected health and travel-related expenses. It’s the provider I use most often – I have an active policy with them right now.
One of my favorite things about SafetyWing is its coverage in your home country. Most travel insurance only covers you while you’re overseas, making SafetyWing especially good for people (like me) who bounce between their home country and new destinations.
I also really like how flexible and easy it is to set up – it took me less than 5 minutes! You can buy the policy after your trip has already started (not all providers allow this), and the policy automatically renews every month until you cancel it, meaning you can set it up and then forget about it knowing that you’re protected. Click here to learn more about SafetyWing.
What’s Covered With SafetyWing?
- Hospital visits and medical treatments (in a hospital of your choosing)
- Emergency flights back home
- Home country coverage (up to 30 days within a 90-day period)
- Trip interruptions and delays
- Emergency dental
- Lost or stolen travel documents
- Natural disasters and political evacuation
- Personal liability
- Ambulance and intensive care
- Lost luggage
What’s Excluded From SafetyWing Coverage?
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Routine medical check-ups
- Injuries from specific adventure activities
- Mental health conditions
- Damages/injuries caused due to the influence of drugs or alcohol
SafetyWing Insurance Costs
SafetyWing operates on a subscription model, with rates beginning around $45/month for those under 39, excluding US coverage. The cost rises to $83 for subscriptions including the USA.
The price of a SafetyWing digital nomad insurance policy also increases for those aged 40 and over, with tiers for different age brackets.
Pros of SafetyWing
- One of the most cost-effective options
- Specifically tailored for digital nomads
- Subscription model with automatic renewals
- Extensive coverage in over 175 countries
- Option to purchase during your trip
- Free coverage for up to two children aged under 10
- Home country coverage
Cons of SafetyWing
- Limited coverage for certain adventure activities
- No coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Some people have reported that it can take a long time for SafetyWing to process and pay claims
- Restrictions on certain common travel incidents, such as scooter accidents
- Maximum overall coverage caps at $250,000
- $250 deductible
3. Allianz Nomad Health Insurance (Best for Established Reputation and Reliability)
Allianz is a global giant in the insurance industry and is known for its reliability and extensive network.
They offer a range of different policies, including a Nomad Health Insurance “Flexicare” plan that caters specifically to the needs of digital nomads. You can pick from a 3, 6, or 9-month policy which costs various non-emergency medical costs.
Allianz also provides its Nomad Health Insurance customers with various other health and wellbeing tools, such as mental and emotional wellbeing support, a coaching app, access to an Expat Assistance program, and digital check-ups.
Click here to visit Allianz’s website and learn more about their Nomad Health Insurance coverage.
What’s Covered With Allianz Nomad Health Insurance?
- Medical emergencies
- Non-emergency medical treatment
- Hospital visits
- Prescription drugs
- Cancer treatment
- GP visits
- Trip cancellations or interruptions
- Missed departures
- Lost or stolen luggage
- Flight delays
- Weather disruptions
- Loss of passport
- Complications during unexpected pregnancies
What’s Excluded From Allianz Nomad Health Insurance Coverage?
- Certain pre-existing conditions
- Extreme sports
- Issues not reported within a set time frame
- Predictable events leading to losses
- Political unrest or war
- Events related to terrorism
- Events stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Allianz Nomad Health Insurance Costs
Allianz’s annual plans start from around $30 per month for their Basic coverage for younger adults, scaling up based on age and coverage specifics. The Basic plan mainly covers medical urgencies and some travel aspects, with no provision for trip cancellation or interruptions.
Their more expensive Prime plan offers both overseas medical and trip protection, while the Executive option includes additional benefits such as car rental coverage.
Pros of Allianz Nomad Health Insurance
- Trusted global brand
- Wide range of plans and customizations
- 24/7 global assistance
- Comprehensive and user-friendly online platform
Cons of Allianz Nomad Health Insurance
- Certain sports and activities are excluded
- Claim processing can be lengthy
- Rigid package structure, despite a broad array of choices
- You need to purchase the policy before your trip starts
4. World Nomads (Best for Adventurous Activities)
World Nomads is a great option for digital nomads who enjoy adventurous activities. It offers robust coverage for a wide range of extreme sports and higher-risk activities such as skydiving and backcountry skiing.
World Nomads has two main packages: Standard and Explorer. The Standard option covers over 150 adventures. The Explorer package covers an additional 60 activities, including paragliding, shark cage diving, and bungee jumping.
With a network of specialized travel insurance partners, World Nomads guarantees round-the-clock assistance. It has a multilingual team that’s accessible 24/7 to help in the event of emergencies wherever you are in the world.
However, the main drawback of World Nomads is they don’t offer coverage to residents of all countries. Certain countries (like France and Portugal, bizarrely) are excluded. Click here to see if you’re eligible to buy a policy with World Nomads.
What’s Covered With World Nomads?
- Over 150 adventurous activities
- Medical emergencies and evacuation
- Trip delays, cancellations, and interruptions
- Personal gear and electronics
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Damage to rental cars (only with their Explorer Plan)