One of the non-negotiables when traveling as a digital nomad is getting the right type of travel and/or health insurance. Even better if you can knock out both at the same time with a single insurance option. With more and more digital nomads packing up their suitcases for a life on the go, there are many more insurance options perfect for the modern digital nomad. But which one should you get?
In this article, we’ll go over 10 of the best digital nomad insurance options, what they offer, their pros and cons, pricing, and more! Let’s dive in!
Disclaimer: This blog post includes affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission – at no extra cost to you. Don’t worry; this doesn’t affect our recommendations whatsoever. It just helps us keep the lights on.
10 Best Health and Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads
- SafetyWing: Best Overall
- World Nomads: Best for Adventure Sports Coverage
- Insured Nomads: Best for Various Trip Lengths
- Heymondo: Best for Young Digital Nomads
- PassportCard: Best for Immediate Help
- Genki: Most Budget-Friendly
- GeoBlue: Best for US Digital Nomads
- True Traveller: Best for UK and EEA Digital Nomads
- Allianz: Best for Multi Trips
- Cigna Global: Most Customizable
1. SafetyWing (Best Overall)
Kicking the list off strong, we’ve got Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing as the best overall digital nomad insurance option. A travel health insurance for nomads by nomads, Nomad Insurance is a great insurance option for digital nomads around the world. While this may not be as relevant anymore, SafetyWing also offers COVID-19 coverage, which may come in handy if you travel someplace with stricter restrictions. Plus, you can purchase your coverage while you are already abroad!
SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance works like a subscription. You pay every 28 days or until you set an end date, with a maximum policy length of 364 days. You’ll even be covered when you visit your home country – up to 30 days for most and up to 15 days for the U.S. For digital nomads who want to travel to the United States, don’t worry; this insurance will cover you in the States as well – albeit for a slightly higher monthly cost.
Here’s a snapshot of what SafetyWing offers:
- Unexpected illness or injury
- Ambulance and emergency transportation
- Medical evacuation
- Emergency dental
- Trip interruption
- Trip delay
- Lost checked luggage
- Accommodation due to natural disaster evacuation
- Evacuation due to political unrest
- Personal liability
- Arrangement for your body if you die
- Cash payment of up to $25,000 to your beneficiary if you die
Notable SafetyWing exclusions:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Metal health disorders
- Birth defects and congenital illnesses
- STDs
- Cancer/neoplasm
- Pregnancy
- Substance abuse
- Self-inflicted injury or illness
Pros and Cons of SafetyWing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – You can purchase coverage while abroad – Relatively cheap monthly payments – Covers most digital nomad needs – Coverage for your home country for every 90 days abroad – Free coverage for up to 2 children under the age of 10 – You can cancel your policy at any time – User-friendly website | – Does not cover high-risk sports – Does not cover pre-existing diseases or injury – Does not cover cancer treatment – No coverage options for digital nomads aged 69+ |
How Much Does SafetyWing Cost?
SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance has a deductible of $250 and a max limit of $250,000 for people under 65 and $100,000 for people over 65.
This company has a relatively straightforward pricing system:
For 4 weeks of the Nomad Insurance, if you are between 10 and 39 years old, it costs $56.28.
Pricing for other age ranges is as follows:
- 40 to 49 years old: $92.40
- 50 to 59 years old: $145.04
- 60 to 69 years old: $196.84
Note that you would need to pay more for coverage for U.S. travel, adventure sports, and electronics theft.
Here’s a handy SafetyWing calculator if you’d like to check out pricing for specific dates:
2. World Nomads (Best for Adventure Sports Coverage)
Another digital nomad insurance option we highly recommend is World Nomads. Also created by travelers for travelers, the World Nomads Travel Insurance offers coverage for residents of most countries around the world and also has the advantage of extending your coverage while already abroad. This insurance company offers plans that cater specifically to you; you can choose between the Standard and Explorer Plans.
As you might be able to guess from its name, the Standard Plan has lower coverage limits, but it still includes more than 200 sports (some adventure sports, too)! On the other hand, the Explorer Plan is better suited to those digital nomads who love adventure, as this plan covers 60 more activities and sports, including shark cage diving and skydiving. The Explorer Plan also has higher reimbursement limits.
Here’s a snapshot of what World Nomads offers:
- Trip cancellation, interruption, and delay
- Emergency healthcare
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- COVID-19
- Adventure sports and activities
- Baggage delay and loss
- Pregnancy complications
- Emergency dental
- Stolen, lost, or damaged tech
- Natural disaster cover, including trip cancellation, interruption, delay, medical expenses, baggage, and 24-hour emergency assistance (inclusions depend on your country of residence)
Notable World Nomads exclusions:
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Non-emergency medical expenses
- Unsupervised items
- Gear damaged while in use
- Intentional acts
- Electronic malfunctions
- Items you can’t prove you own
Pros and Cons of World Nomads
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Covers “high-risk” sports and activities – Coverage for the loss and theft of electronics – Covers COVID-1924/7 emergency assistance – You can purchase additional coverage during your trip | – More costly than other digital nomad insurance options – No coverage for pre-existing medical conditions – No coverage options for digital nomads aged 70+ |
How Much Does World Nomads Cost?
The pricing structure for World Nomads is not as straightforward as other digital nomad insurance options. But, thankfully, it’s relatively easy to get a quote.
We’ll use an example of a digital nomad aged 32 from the USA who wants to travel to Thailand, Colombia, Italy, and Australia:
- Standard Plan: $173.77 per month
- Explorer Plan: $324.17 per month
Alternatively, the same digital nomad only traveling in Italy and Spain for the same month will get a quote of:
- Standard Plan: $152.80 per month
- Explorer Plan: $285.05 per month
3. Insured Nomads (Best for Various Trip Lengths)
If you’re looking for an insurance company that will give you different options and plans, Insured Nomads is a great choice. Insured Nomads has four different plans, each with their own function and coverage. Depending on the plan you choose, you can optionally add coverage for adventure sports, pets, and even car rental insurance.
The World Explorer plan is perfect for digital nomads looking to leave their country of residence for anywhere between 7 and 364 days.
The World Explorer Multi is ideal for digital nomads looking to jump back and forth, as it offers coverage for multiple trips within a year.
The World Explorer Guardian plan, on the other hand, is only available to U.S. residents.
And finally, the World Explorer Hotspot is the perfect digital nomad insurance to get if you plan to travel to areas of conflict, warzones, or other hotspots, such as Israel, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
Here’s a snapshot of what Insured Nomads offers:
- Medical expenses for emergencies
- Repatriation costs
- Outpatient care
- Telemedicine
- Emergency and non-emergency medical care
- Preventative care
- Vision care
- Maternity care
- Mental health support
- COVID-19 coverage
- Acute onset of a pre-existing condition
- Emergency dental
- Local ambulance transport
- Airport lounge access
Notable Insured Nomads exclusions:
- Pre-existing conditions within the last 24 months
- Hazardous activities, such as bungee jumping and scuba diving
- Travel against medical advice
- Terminal illness
- Travel to Cuba, Iran, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, or the Crimea
- Claims for personal belongings when there is no written police report
- Claims incurred while in home country
Pros and Cons of Insured Nomads
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Telemedicine – Airport lounge access – Easy sign-up – $0 deductible available – Plan customization – Covers COVID-19 | – Relatively expensive – Add-ons add to the total cost – Does not cover pre-existing conditions |
How Much Does Insured Nomads Cost?
The pricing structure for Insured Nomads depends on a variety of factors, including your trip length, your age, and your destination(s). The cost will also depend on what plan you ultimately choose. Most digital nomads will likely choose the World Explorer Plan.
For 4 weeks, the World Explorer Plan for a 32-year-old digital nomad from the USA traveling to Italy, the premium is around $109.33. This is for a deductible of $100 and a total coverage of $250,000.
4. Heymondo (Best for Young Digital Nomads)
If you’re looking for comprehensive digital nomad insurance that is perfect for both short-term and long-term travels, check out Heymondo. It is relatively affordable, though it may not be the best choice for U.S. digital nomads. As a plus, the company’s website is super easy to navigate and understand, so you know exactly what kind of product you are getting without having to search the remote corners of the website. The app is a huge advantage also!
Heymondo offers three main types of travel insurance plans for digital nomads: Single Trip, Annual Multitrip, and Long Stay, all of which are self-explanatory. Most digital nomads will likely opt for the Long Stay Plan, as this plan covers even those who are already abroad and can be extended. But note that some of these plans may not be available, depending on your country of residence. Furthermore, you can add additional coverage for your electronics and any adventure sports if needed.
Besides the types of travel insurance, Heymondo has two plans to choose from: Top and Premium. Heymondo Top is the basic plan, but the Premium plan essentially doubles the max reimbursement amounts for everything the travel insurance covers.
Here’s a snapshot of what Heymondo offers:
- Emergency medical coverage
- Emergency dental coverage
- Medical transport and repatriation
- Luggage delay, loss, and theft
- Travel disruption
- Natural disaster assistance
- Accidental death or disability
- Personal liability
Notable Heymondo exclusions:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Routine checkups
- Some extreme activites, such as bungee jumping (but this can be added on if necessary)
Pros and Cons of Heymondo
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Heymondo app – 24/7 medical chat – Medical expenses covered up front – Competitive price – COVID-19 coverage – You can easily extend coverage – Coverage in multiple countries | – Does not cover pre-existing conditions – Strict age limit: 69 for trips up to 29 days, and 49 for trips of 30 days or more – Long Stay Plan requires 90 days upfront payment -Long Stay Plan is not available for U.S. citizens |
How Much Does Heymondo Cost?
For a U.S. traveler on a Single Trip Plan, a month in Italy will cost around $110 for the basic plan and $140 for the premium plan. Unfortunately, the Long Stay Plan option is not available for U.S. citizens.
For a UK traveler, a month abroad (excluding the U.S.) will set digital nomads back around €97 per month for the basic plan or €116 for the premium plan. And for a UK digital nomad looking to travel around the world, excluding the U.S., the insurance costs around €140 for 90 days. And renewal prices are as follows:
- 30 days – €46
- 120 days – €184
- 180 days – €276
- 240 days – €420
5. PassportCard (Best for Immediate Help)
Here’s the crazy thing about PassportCard, and the reason why it’s one of the best digital nomad insurance options out there: There is a $0 deductible and no claims process! PassportCard is one of the most innovative travel insurance for digital nomads. With this insurance option, you receive a debit card. And anytime you find yourself in a situation where you have to pay your medical bills, contact PassportCard using the app and get them to load up the debit card. Since you use the debit card to pay for your medical bills in real time, zero money is coming out of your pocket! Pretty cool, right? No more waiting to get your reimbursement from the insurance company weeks or months later after you submit a claim.
There are three PassportCard insurance plans: Compact, Comfort, and Premium.
Here’s a snapshot of what PassportCard Compact offers:
- Pain relief dental coverage
- Limited outpaitent prescriptions
- Cancer treatments
- Semi-private hospital bed and boarding costs
- Outpatient doctor’s appointments (limited)
- Therapy treatments
- Childcare and dog sitter during hospitalization
Here’s a snapshot of what PassportCard Comfort offers in addition to the above:
- Emergency dental treatment
- Prescription medication (inpatient and some outpatient)
- Maternity and newborn care
- Doctor’s visits and checkups
Here’s a snapshot of what PassportCard Premium offers in addition to the above:
- Extensive inpatient and outpatient coverage
- Bone marrow and organ transplants
- Hospital accommodation and boarding in a private room
- Comprehensive therapy and psychotherapy
- Wellness services
- Hearing and vision services
Notable PassportCard exclusions:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Travel-related claims
Pros and Cons of PassportCard
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – 24/7 support – No out-of-pocket expenses – No claims forms – Maternity and childbirth – No deductible – Simple application process – Generous plan limits | – Cannot use in the U.S. – Expensive premiums – No coverage options for digital nomads aged 64+ – You will need to separately purchase travel insurance |
How Much Does PassportCard Cost?
Noting the major benefits you get with the PassportCard, it’s no surprise that this insurance is not the cheapest option for digital nomads. While pricing can change depending on the individual, pricing is as follows:
- Compact: €169.06 per month, excluding the US
- Comfort: €225.77 per month, excluding the US
- Premium: €289.86 per month, excluding the US
You can lower the amount you pay per month by adding a deductible, which can be €1,000, €2,500, or €5,000.
6. Genki (Most Budget-Friendly)
Genki offers a comprehensive and budget-friendly health insurance plan tailored for digital nomads. It’s super easy to sign up, efficient, and, best of all, it’s affordable. Plus, since it operates on a monthly subscription model, it adds to its flexibility, making it a great fit for long-term travelers or digital nomads with changing plans.
The policy coverage is global, with an option to include or exclude the USA and Canada. Genki’s insurance plan has a price guarantee for up to two years. It covers medical emergencies, medically necessary treatments, initial mental health issues, and sports injuries while excluding pre-existing conditions and professional sports. But for the average digital nomad, this should be more than enough to cover everything you’ll need.
You can choose between the Genki Explorer and Genki Native plans.
The Genki Explorer plan is a temporary health insurance for digital nomads that cover most basic needs, including:
- Medical emergency treatment
- Hospitalization
- Medical transport
- Worldwide coverage: Flexibility to include or exclude the USA & Canada
- Up to 2 years of cover
- Sports injuries
- Pregnancy
- Initial mental health issue coverage
- COVID-19
- Emergency dental
This option is best for you if you want to be covered for anywhere between 1 month and 2 years.
However, if you’re looking for a more long-term solution with more extensive coverage, you should opt for the Genki Native plan, which covers in addition to the above (depending on whether you get the Basic or Premium plan):
- Worldwide health cover, including in your passport country
- Preventative healthcare
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Mental healthcare
- Pregnancy
- Rehab
- Direct billing
- And more!
Notable Genki exclusions:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Dangerous activities
- Professional sports
- Travel-related claims
- Drugs and excessive alcohol
- Addiction
- Treatment not prescribed by a doctor
- Self-inflicted
Pros and Cons of Genki
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Affordable and flexible plans – Easy sign-up process – Effective customer service – Transparent claims handling – Positive user reviews in various countries | – Dangerous activities, such as diving, bungee, and parachuting, are not covered – Travel issues, such as baggage delay, not covered – Pre-existing conditions (including pregnancies) are not covered |
How Much Does Genki Cost?
Genki offers two main insurance plans tailored for digital nomads and long-term travelers, each with distinct pricing structures.
Genki Explorer Plan:
- Ages 0-29: €48.30 monthly (excluding U.S.), €96.30 (including U.S.)
- Ages 30-39: €57.30 monthly (excluding U.S.), €114.30 (including U.S.)
- Ages 40-49: €72.30 monthly (excluding U.S.), €156.30 (including U.S.)
- Ages 50-59: €105.30 monthly (excluding U.S.), €231.30 (including U.S.)
- Ages 60-69: €168.30 monthly (excluding U.S.), €378.30 (including U.S.)
Additionally, Genki offers a €0 deductible option, which can increase the monthly premium by approximately €30 to €115 but eliminates upfront costs during a medical event.
Genki Native Plan:
- Standard Plan: Starts at €180 per month
- Premium Plan: Starts at €260 per month
7. GeoBlue (Best for US Digital Nomads)
GeoBlue has been a reliable health insurance provider for over two decades, particularly for US citizens, expats, and residents traveling to or from the US for extended periods. In particular, their Xplorer plan offers unlimited lifetime maximums on medical expenses and is perfect for nomads leaving their home country for more than three months. Alternatively, Geoblue also offers the Voyager plan for single trips and the Trekker plan for multi-trips.
These plans also include extensive worldwide healthcare access, with a network of internationally-qualified, English-speaking doctors in over 190 countries. And since you can set up prepayments with these doctors, you don’t have to pay any out-of-pocket costs. Pretty impressive, right? You can also take advantage of the telehealth features. Customize your plan to your preferences, and you can even add dental and vision. If you plan to visit home for some time, you can add coverage in the United States.
Here’s a snapshot of what GeoBlue offers:
- Unlimited lifetime maximum on medical expenses
- Emergency dental coverage
- Emergency evacuation coverage
- Repatriation benefits
- 24/7 assistance services
- Ambulatory services
- Accidental death and dismemberment coverage
- Coverage for the ambulance, physical and occupational therapy, and mental health
- Coverage for dependents up to their 26th birthday
- Emotional, mental, or functional nervous disorders
- Substance abuse (with conditions and limits) and alcoholism
- Preventative care
- Maternity care
- Copays are waived when visiting a GeoBlue contracted provider outside the US
Notable GeoBlue exclusions:
- Non-medically necessary hospitalization
- Pregnancy
- Routine examinations
- Cosmetic surgery
- Immunizations
- Non-prescription drugs
- Travel-related claims
Pros and Cons of GeoBlue
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Extensive global healthcare network – Coverage for a wide range of medical services – Flexible plan options – Unlimited lifetime maximum coverage – Coverage within the US | – Pre-existing conditions waiting period of 6 months – Certain limitations in coverage in the US – No trip protection – Only available to US citizens and residents |
How Much Does GeoBlue Cost?
GeoBlue’s pricing for their plans isn’t as readily available since your specific situation and needs can significantly affect the cost. On average, a digital nomad might pay $200 or more per month for a plan that doesn’t include US coverage.
To get the most accurate and current price, it’s best to request a personalized quote.
8. True Traveller (Best for UK and EEA Digital Nomads)
Another insurance company that is founded by fellow travelers is True Traveller. If you’re a UK or EEA resident or citizen, this is one of the best digital nomad insurance options out there. While this company may be newer and not as flashy or well-known as SafetyWing or World Nomads, it certainly holds its own and has a stellar reputation for its services. Seeing their wildly positive reviews on reviews.io, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, is a big draw, too.
True Traveller offers three different types of travel coverage: True Value, The Traveller, and Traveller Plus. You can not only pick the plan that best fits your needs and budget, but you can also further customize them to your needs!
True Value is the most budget-friendly option and is ideal for travelers under 40 years of age. Traveller is a great medium option, and Traveller Plus offers enhanced medical and cancellation cover.
Here’s a snapshot of what True Traveller offers:
- Medical expenses
- Baggage
- Trip cancellation
- Personal liability
- Accidental disability
- Repatriation
- 92+ activities covered
- Activity and high risk cover
Notable True Traveller exclusions:
- Travel against medical advice
- Medical tourism
- Terminal illness
- Alcohol abuse
- STDs
- Epidemic or pandemic
- Planned sports activities (unless you have added this package on)
Pros and Cons of True Traveller
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – You can purchase after you’ve already started traveling – 24/7 – Customizable plans – £0 excess/deductible option | – Only available to UK and EEA residents – Add-ons can make policy pricey |
How Much Does True Traveller Cost?
True Traveller costs a bit more than SafetyWing or World Nomads, especially if you start adding on some extra coverage to your plan. However, it’s still a moderately priced digital nomad insurance. For example, for a 32-year-old digital nomad traveling worldwide (excluding the U.S. and Canada), here is the pricing structure:
- True Value: £78.45
- Traveller: £98.04
- Traveller Plus: £116.51
9. Allianz (Best for Multi Trips)
Allianz is a huge name in insurance for a reason. Allianz Travel Insurance provides a mix of emergency and travel-related coverages, with their plans perfect for digital nomads who take multiple short trips throughout the year. While Allianz might be more costly than digital nomad-specific insurance, it is still cheaper than taking out multiple short-trip policies. Allianz’s multi-trip plans cover trips up to 45 days long (up to 90 days for Premier only).
Additionally, Allianz stands out as it covers pre-existing medical conditions—a rare feature in insurance, to be sure! However, the plans lack flexibility as they are fixed and cannot be customized. They tend to be more expensive, especially for older travelers and need to be purchased before you begin your trip.
The travel insurance you’ll want to get is AllTrips, of which there are four plans: Basic, Prime, Executive, and Premier.
Basic is sufficient for most digital nomad needs, including emergency medical as well as trip delays and baggage coverage. Trips cannot be longer than 45 days.
Prime also includes trip cancellation and interruption, in addition to the benefits already listed for the Basic plan. Trips cannot be longer than 45 days.
Executive is a plan made for business travel, offering benefits for business equipment in addition to the above. Trips cannot be longer than 45 days.
Premier is perfect for frequent travelers who will be gone for a maximum of 90 days.
Here’s a snapshot of what Allianz offers:
- Emergency medical
- Emergency medical transportation
- Baggage loss, delay, or damage
- Travel delay
- Rental car damage and theft
- Travel accident coverage
- 24/7 assistance
- Concierge
Notable Allianz exclusions:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Intentional self-harm or suicide
- Pregnancy
- Use or abuse of alcohol or drugs
- Mental health disorder
- Professional sports
- Amateur sports
- High-risk sports and activities
Pros and Cons of Allianz
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – One of the biggest and most reliable insurance companies – Coverage for baggage loss and travel delay – Covers pre-existing medical conditionsMulti-trip policy beneficial for frequent travelers | – Limited plan flexibility – Generally higher cost – Mandatory pre-trip purchase – Only for US residents |
How Much Does Allianz Cost?
The pricing for Allianz’s AllTrips plans are as follows (this is for a 32-year-old Texas resident):
- AllTrips Basic: $63
- AllTrips Prime: $280
- AllTrips Executive: $485
- AllTrips Premier: $435
10. Cigna Global (Most Customizable)
Cigna Global provides digital nomads with extensive health insurance coverage. Their plans come with a minimum annual limit of $1,000,000 and international coverage, including inpatient and daycare. Furthermore, Cigna has partnered with 1.65 million doctors and hospitals in over 200 countries (that’s practically every country!), ensuring wide-reaching coverage for digital nomads.
The plans are super customizable, allowing you to tailor your coverage according to your needs and wants. They offer competitive pricing (though definitely on the pricier side than your average digital nomad insurance) and a secure online portal for managing medical documents, making it a practical choice for digital nomads around the world.
While Cigna Global offers many plans, as digital nomads, we’ll be looking specifically at the Cigna Global Health Options, of which you can chooe from the Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. Silver has an annual maximum of $1,000,000, Gold has a limit of $2,000,000, and Platinum is fully covered.
Here’s a snapshot of what Cigna Global offers:
- Maximum limit of at least $1,000,000 USD annually
- Hospital charges
- COVID-19 and other pandemics, epidemics, and outbreaks of infectious illnesses
- Transplant services
- Rehabilitation
- Home nursing
- Acupuncture and Chinese medicine
- Palliative care
- Mental and behavior healthcare
- Cancer care and preventative surgery
- Congential conditions
Notable Cigna Global exclusions:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Preventative treatment
- Travel costs for treatment
- Prosthetics
- Foetal surgery
- Treatment that arises from attempted suicide or self-harm
- Developmental problems
- Travel-related claims
Pros and Cons of Cigna Global
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Comprehensive plans – Various coverage levels – Global coverage options – Deductible and cost-sharing to lower costs – Mental health and COVID-19 coverage | – Expensive premiums – Limited area coverage in affordable plans – Complex quote process |
How Much Does Cigna Global Cost?
Cigna Global health insurance plans are tailored to individual needs. So, prices can vary based on a huge range of factors like location, age, coverage choices, and deductibles. For a general idea of the annual cost for Cigna Global, here is how much it would cost monthly for a 32-year-old with worldwide coverage:
- Silver: $112
- Gold: $151.46
- Platinum: $199.28
Do You Need Digital Nomad Insurance?
Do you need digital nomad insurance in the first place? Even if you are the healthiest person on Earth, the reality is you never know what may happen. You may be involved in a traffic accident or need emergency surgery. Whatever it may be, you want to be covered, just in case. What are some of the main reasons you need digital nomad travel and health insurance?
- Healthcare: Of course, one of the main reasons to get insurance is to access quality healthcare services while traveling. After all, health emergencies can happen at any time.
- Protection for valuables: Traveling as a digital nomad often means carrying expensive gear such as laptops, cameras, and other expensive equipment, which will be covered with travel insurance in the unfortunate event of theft or damage.
- Travel cancellations and delays: From canceled flights to unexpected delays, the right travel insurance will cover these inconveniences and compensate you.
- Visa applications: Many digital nomad visa applications require you to have some form of health insurance that covers you during your stay.
- Peace of mind: Last but certainly not least, digital nomad insurance offers peace of mind. Knowing you have a safety net for unexpected circumstances can help you fully enjoy your digital nomad life!
Travel Insurance vs. Health Insurance
There are two different types of insurance for digital nomads: travel insurance and health insurance. Let’s go over the differences between the two so that you have a better understanding of the protection you have.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance covers the journey and is designed to safeguard your travel plans. It typically provides coverage for a range of scenarios, including trip cancellations, lost baggage, travel delays, and emergency medical expenses.
Here’s an idea of what travel insurance covers:
- Trip interruption and cancellation
- Travel delays
- Lost or delayed baggage
- Emergency medical coverage
Health Insurance
On the other hand, health insurance protects your health and well-being and is designed to provide comprehensive medical coverage.
Here’s an example of what health insurance covers:
- Routine checkups
- Prescriptions
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Preventive care
Travel Health Insurance
You should have both travel and health insurance when you travel. So, the best insurance option for digital nomads is actually travel health insurance, which covers both your travel and health needs. This well-rounded coverage is all you need when you leave your home country, so you can rest assured you’re covered in cases of delay or lost luggage as well as hospital visits.
What to Look Out for in Digital Nomad Insurance
Selecting the right digital nomad insurance plan is definitely an important decision. With a wide range of insurance providers and policies to choose from, what should you look out for to find the best insurance for you and your needs?
Here are some key factors to consider:
Global Coverage
As a digital nomad, you’ll be jumping from country to country, so the insurance plan you choose must have worldwide coverage. Make sure you know exactly where you are covered, and keep tabs on whether there are any exceptions or limitations in specific regions.
Health Coverage
Review the extent of health coverage, including inpatient and outpatient care, emergency medical expenses, and preventive healthcare services. Be certain that the plan offers comprehensive protection for illnesses and injuries. You should also consider your own health and your needs.
Travel Coverage
Look for travel-specific coverage, such as coverage for trip cancellations or delays and lost baggage. Furthermore, if you travel with valuable equipment or personal belongings essential for your work, ensure that the insurance plan includes coverage for loss, damage, or theft of these items as well.
Activity Coverage
Besides your standard travel and medical coverage, you’ll want to check to ensure your chosen insurance covers your activities. If you plan to do any “extreme” sports of any sort, you’ll need to opt for travel medical insurance that covers these activities, or if you end up in an accident caused by this “extreme” activity, you will not be covered! In many cases, you may end up having to purchase an add-on that covers extreme sports.
Coverage Duration
Since you’ll be away from your home country for weeks, months, if not years, at a time, check whether the insurance plan allows for extended periods of coverage. Some plans might have certain limits on the maximum duration, so check that it aligns with your travel plans.
Cost
Understand the deductible amounts and premium costs associated with the insurance plan you are looking at. You should also assess the balance between affordability and the level of coverage offered.
Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, check if the insurance plan covers these conditions. Some plans might have waiting periods before coverage kicks in.
Repatriation Coverage
In the unfortunate event that you need to return home due to injury, illness, or even death, repatriation coverage will cover the costs associated with this. Though it might seem morbid to think about this, like we’ve said already, you just never know!
Insurance Claims
Make sure the insurance claims process is straightforward and easy. You should also understand exactly how long to expect the claims process to take so that you don’t have any unrealistic expectations. Many insurance companies take up to months to pay claims.
Customer Support
Research the insurance provider’s reputation for customer support and responsiveness. It’s essential to have a reliable point of contact in case you encounter issues or require assistance.
Reviews and Recommendations
Look for reviews and recommendations from other digital nomads – both online and offline. Ask other digital nomads what they are using and see if they would recommend that insurance company. You can also check online resources for reviews, such as TrustPilot and reviews.io.
Digital nomad insurance is a must-have in any digital nomad’s arsenal. Check out the other 60+ essentials you should pack for your digital nomad adventures!
Get Yourself Insured!
You might think to yourself: Ah, but I never get into any accidents and rarely get sick. I might save myself some money and not purchase any travel medical insurance. But that’s dangerous thinking! The reality is that you NEVER know what may happen. It only takes one bad driver, one slip, one mistake, or one sickness that may end in a trip to the hospital. And IF that happens, the last thing you want to worry about is being able to afford your healthcare because you thought you could get away with not getting any insurance as you travel.
Travel insurance for digital nomads does not have to be expensive. In fact, there are some budget-friendly options that we’ve listed above that more than cover your basic needs. So, what are you waiting for? Get insured!
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