Get you covered! The best nomad insurance for your travel

Last update October 2025.

Unless you’re some bionic supernatural human, most likely you’ve encountered some unlucky circumstances in your life. While I wish all of you a safe trip — whether it’s for one week or one year (and especially if you’re long-term travelers like me), the reality is that bad things happen, to all of us. Have I ever told you the story of my butthole abscess in Thailand? No? Well… Let’s leave it at that. You already know too much. Let’s just say I’m glad I had some form of nomad health insurance then! Do you travel with a medical insurance or travel insurance plan? Here’s a brief summary of what’s possible.

Related: the best digital nomad visas for remote workers

It’s not the most fun subject, but an important one nonetheless — nomad travel insurance. Do you have one? Do you need one? Which travel insurance plan should you choose?

Before we get into all things digital nomad insurance, let us kindly tattoo this on your brain: “better safe than sorry” and “if you can afford to travel, you can afford travel insurance”. Take those in and let’s dive right into the wonderful world of travel insurance policies and medical coverage for digital nomads.

Why you need travel insurance

Life on the road is no different than when you’re living in your home country. Okay, maybe life is a bit different, but you’re not immune to having things stolen in New Zealand, the flu in São Paulo, broken bones in the Cayman Islands, and lost luggage in Puerto Rico. In fact, these things are even more likely to happen to you while you travel.

Traveling can deplete your immune system due to the late nights or lack of nutrition (and don’t forget to take supplements!) in the local food and not every person you encounter in your hostel is as honest as you’d expect. Fever hits and things get stolen. Unfortunately, these are the realities of being a digital nomad!And while insurance covers the big bills, having a backup for immediate cash, like knowing how to withdraw cash from credit card in an emergency, is the other half of staying prepared.

If you’re a smart digital nomad (like I know you are), you’ll invest in travel insurance now rather than be hit with hospital bills and medical treatment costs out of your own pocket later. Whether you’re dealing with medical emergencies abroad or trip protection issues, having the right coverage matters.

Travel insurance is always, always worth it!

What to look for when purchasing nomad travel insurance

When comparing travel insurance policies, here are some things to keep in mind:

* What type of medical coverage does it provide? Are hospital stays included? Emergency surgeries? Dental care? Routine checkups? Does it cover medical treatment and emergency evacuation if you need to be transported to better facilities?

* What type of liability coverage does it provide? Aka if you damage property or another person — how much money value do they cover if you get sued? We’re getting real here, people.

* Does it cover trip cancelation or interruption? If there’s a hurricane or other natural disaster and you’re unable to fly to your destination – will they reimburse you for the plane ticket? Trip protection benefits are crucial for long-term travelers.

* Does it cover (at least some) of any lost or stolen property? As a digital nomad, you need your laptop to live! What happens if it gets stolen? How much will your nomad insurance cover, if anything? Some travel insurance plans even offer coverage for electronics, which can be a lifesaver.

* Does it cover pre-existing medical conditions? Many travel insurance coverages exclude pre-existing conditions, so read the policy wording carefully before purchasing.

Which insurance should you choose? What’s the best option?

With those things in mind, let’s look at two of the most popular expat insurance and nomad travel insurance providers out there: World Nomads Travel Insurance and SafetyWing Travel Insurance.

World Nomads digital nomad travel insurance

First off is the well known and often blogged about World Nomads Travel Insurance. Administered by Trip Mate, an insurance services brand of Generali Global Assistance, and underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, World Nomads inc. has been a trusted name for travelers worldwide. While I encourage you to read more into it yourself, here are the basic ins and outs of World Nomads:

* Price: World Nomads offers three different travel plans to suit various budgets and needs. Their Standard Plan starts at around $81 for basic coverage, but rates depend on where your home base is, the region you’re traveling to, your age, and what type of coverage you’re after.

* What’s covered?: World Nomads’ travel insurance benefits include worldwide coverage, with no specific country exclusions. Travel insurance includes any travel delays (missed, delayed, or canceled flights), lost or damaged baggage, and trip protection. Medical coverage includes adventure sports injuries (over 250+ activities covered on all plans, with the Explorer Plan covering 300+ activities), unexpected injuries or illnesses, dental emergencies, hospital stays, medical evacuation and emergency evacuation (up to $100,000-$300,000 depending on your plan), and prescriptions. Their new Epic Plan offers the highest coverage limits with up to $250,000 in medical treatment coverage.

* What’s not covered?: Any type of pre-existing medical conditions such as cancer treatment. Routine checkups and preventive care are also not covered on the Standard Plan.

Overall: World Nomads is a solid option for long-term travelers! They provide extremely comprehensive travel insurance coverages (with three travel plans: Standard, Explorer, and Epic) and overall reviews are great. They work hard at making sure you’re reimbursed for any out-of-pocket medical expenses. The next day claims processing through their partner Trip Mate makes getting reimbursed faster than many competitors.

SafetyWing’s digital nomad travel insurance

A popular choice in the digital nomad health insurance world, SafetyWing offers travel insurance created by nomads, for nomads. They’ve recently updated their offerings with two distinct plans: Essential and Complete.

* Price: SafetyWing’s Essential Plan starts at $56.28 USD per 4 weeks for travelers aged 18-39, making it one of the most affordable options out there. Their Complete Plan, designed as a comprehensive international health insurance plan for long-term nomads, starts at around $150.50/month with a 12-month commitment.

* What’s covered with the Essential Plan?: SafetyWing’s Essential Plan includes trip protection for travel delays but not missed flights. They’ll cover lost luggage but not for your pricier items such as laptops and cameras (though you can add electronics coverage as an add-on for about $20/4 weeks). Medical coverage includes unexpected injuries, hospital stays, emergency medical evacuations (up to $100,000), medical treatment up to $250,000, and covers you for 30 days in your home country (perfect for digital nomads visiting home). US Citizens have 15 days of coverage in the United States every 90 days. The plan also includes emergency dental care up to $1,000.

* What’s covered with the Complete Plan?: This is SafetyWing’s comprehensive international health insurance plan with medical treatment limits up to $1.5 million. It includes everything in the Essential Plan plus routine healthcare, mental health support, maternity care, cancer treatment, and full coverage in your home country with no restrictions. It’s designed for digital nomads who want both emergency and preventive medical care covered.

* What’s not covered by these travel insurance policies?: Coverage in North Korea or Iran. The Essential Plan doesn’t cover pre-existing medical conditions, routine checkups, or preventive care. Adventure sports injuries require an add-on, and missed flights aren’t covered. Electronics theft also requires the optional add-on coverage.

Overall: SafetyWing provides excellent medical coverage at competitive prices, especially for younger travelers. Their Essential Plan is perfect for budget-conscious nomads who primarily need emergency medical coverage and trip protection, while their Complete Plan works well for long-term travelers who want a full international health insurance plan that covers routine care. Both plans offer the flexibility that digital nomads need, with easy online sign-up and cancellation options.

While I’ve used World Nomads for myself and can attest that they are great, SafetyWing has become incredibly popular in the nomad community for their affordable pricing and flexible subscription model. Both offer solid travel insurance benefits – the choice really depends on your specific travel plans, budget, and coverage needs. Whichever one you choose, please make sure to always read the full description of coverage and policy wording of your travel insurance plan to avoid bad surprises.

What about other nomad insurance options?

The digital nomad insurance landscape has evolved significantly. While providers like Passportcard Nomads were once popular options, the market has shifted. Many travel insurance providers now offer specialized coverage for remote workers and long-term travelers, including options that combine travel insurance and health coverage.

When shopping for the best nomad insurance, consider whether you need just emergency medical coverage or a more comprehensive international health insurance plan. Some nomads prefer traditional travel insurance policies for shorter trips, while others opt for full health insurance that covers routine medical treatment alongside emergency care.

The key is finding travel insurance benefits that match your lifestyle. Are you constantly on the move or based in one location for months at a time? Do you need coverage for adventure sports? What about electronics protection? These factors will help determine which travel insurance plan works best for you.

Disclaimer: Some of these links may be affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you click through and use the service at the other end. This will never cost you any extra and helps me run this blog for your viewing and tasting pleasure!

Amélie

Amélie is a health and wellness junky. Certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance in the Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles, she has a Yoga Instructor Certification – Level I (300 hours) and Yoga Instructor Certification – Level II (200 hours) under her belt. She also has a certified Open Water Diver certification with PADI and SSI Scuba Schools International Freediving Level I certification with SSI Scuba Schools International. She’s been vegan for over 15 years and is obsessed with anything wellness-related.