Part of becoming a digital nomad is learning to expect the unexpected.
That’s why travel insurance for digital nomads is a must.
You never know when something unexpected can occur and you find yourself in a bit of a medical emergency.
Here’s the problem:
Finding the right travel insurance sucks.
You don’t want to comb through all of the fine print to make sure you are “covered properly”. On the other hand, you don’t want to discover that you are not covered for something you thought you were.
Ready for some good news?
I have done the hard work for you and found the 6 best travel insurance companies for digital nomads.
You are about to what the best travel insurance for digital nomads is and what you should look for when choosing a travel insurance company.
Let’s get started.
What Is Digital Nomad Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance for digital nomads protects you against potential losses that may incur while traveling.
The problem is that most travel insurance policies are designed to be in place for a predetermined time. In some cases, you are required to show a return ticket to get the insurance policy itself.
This causes a problem for digital nomads. Why?
Because digital nomads travel continuously.
They usually only return to their home country for smaller periods of time and don’t always know when that will be. Travel insurance for digital nomads needs to be different from traditional travel insurance.
Thankfully some insurance companies have created policies that are aimed at digital nomads specifically. These policies don’t stipulate a “return home” date and can usually be purchased outside your home country.
Why You Need Digital Nomad Insurance
This is my opinion:
You can’t afford NOT to have digital nomad travel insurance. Here’s why:
- Accidents can and do happen while traveling
- Emergency medical costs overseas are expensive
- Protect yourself against huge financial losses
- Get reimbursed if something happens to your stuff
- Peace of mind if anything unexpected happens
We buy digital nomad travel insurance to protect against significant expenses that can occur from unforeseen accidents.
If you walk across the road and get hit by a car, the medical expenses can be insane. Even in “cheaper countries”, medical costs can lead to financial ruin.
It’s just not worth the risk.
These Are The 6x Best Digital Nomad Travel Insurance Options
Here’s the truth:
The best insurance for digital nomads will be different for everyone. I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, but it’s the truth.
So to make this as valuable for every digital nomad as possible, I have done the research and put together what I consider the best travel insurance for digital nomads.
These are the best travel insurance for digital nomads:
- SafetyWing Nomad Travel Insurance – Best Digital Nomad Insurance Overall
- Genki Nomad Insurance – Best Travel Medical Insurance
- PassportCard Nomads Insurance – Best For No Deductible & No Out Of Pocket Claims Insurance
- World Nomads Travel Insurance – Best For Digital Nomads That Want Comprehensive Travel Insurance
- Atlas Travel Insurance – Best Price To Coverage Ratio Travel Insurance
- IMG Global Travel Medical Insurance – Best For Digital Nomads Who Want To Customise Their Policy
Each of them has different pros and cons. I’ve got a detailed list below so you can look through it and figure out which one is right for you personally.
How Is Each Company Insurance Compared?
There are a ton of things that can affect the price of your travel insurance.
In the interest of this blog, I am using a 28-year-old American male with no pre-existing medical conditions to get quotes from the companies. Prices may vary based on your age and nationality.
My goal is to give you a general idea of the best insurance for digital nomads and generally present each insurance company.
Just to be clear – I am not an insurance professional. This is my own research findings and personal opinion. Make sure you choose the best insurance for you personally and always check an insurance provider before purchasing travel insurance.
1. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
SafetyWing is one of the most well-known digital nomad travel insurance companies in the world.
It seems like every digital nomad uses and recommends them.
Why?
4 big reasons:
- They are primarily focused on digital nomads
- Their insurance plans are very flexible
- They’re super cost-effective
- They are very good at marketing
Those four things have made SafetyWing one of the best travel insurance for digital nomads.
Most employees at SafetyWing also work remotely, which means they really get the digital nomad lifestyle. This helps them build plans that suit the average digital nomad nicely.
What Do You Get With SafetyWing Travel Insurance?
SafetyWing offers excellent value for money for their nomad travel insurance.
They cover people from all over the world and usually want you to start a policy with them once you are outside your home country.
And the best part?
You buy it on demand and can keep it as a subscription. This is one of the things I love about SafetyWing.
Most travel insurance companies will ask you for specific dates and the countries you intend to travel to. With SafetyWing you buy travel insurance on a 28-day subscription. It automatically renews unless you cancel it. I personally like this set-it and forget it model!
One thing I should mention about SafetyWing is their claims. If you Google “SafetyWing claims review,” you will see lots of people complaining about how long it takes for them to pay.
Some people are still waiting even after 9 months.
This can be a downside of SafetyWing. But I have also heard from other people that their claims were processed quickly. I am sure many factors go into it, but it’s just something to keep in mind.
Here are some of the highlights of what SafetyWing covers:
| SafetyWing Nomad Insurance | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Maximum Limit | $250,000 with a $250 Deductible |
| Medical Expenses | Hospital, Room & Nursing Services, Ambulance, Emergency Dental |
| Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care | Up To $50/day |
| Travel Delay | Up To $100/day (max 2 days) |
| Lost Checked Luggage | Up To $500 per item |
| Lost or Stolen Passport & Visa | Yes |
| Natural disasters | Yes (5 nights stay up to $100 per night) |
| Political and Emergency Evacuation | Yes |
| Personal liability | Yes |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | Yes |
SafetyWing does include some pre-existing condition coverage, but it must meet stringent policy guidelines to be covered.
For a complete list of what’s covered by SafetyWing, click here.
SafetyWing Pros & Cons
SafetyWing Pros:
- Simple and affordable pricing
- Offers good value for money – possibly the best available to nomads at the moment
- The subscription model allows you to pay monthly instead of upfront
- Designed especially for digital nomads and allows you to cancel any time so you don’t have to estimate how long you will be away for
- For every 90 days you renew, you are covered in your home country for up to 30 days (15 days for US citizens) which makes it easy to return home to see friends and family
- As long as you keep renewing, you only have to pay the $250 deductible once per year (364 days), not per claim
- You can be outside of your home country when you start your SafetyWing insurance policy
SafetyWing Cons:
- “High-risk” sports activities are not covered – this includes almost every fun sports activity you can think of, so that sucks
- Trip cancellation and missed flights are not covered
- You must have an international motorbike license to be covered if you have a scooter or motorbike accident
- There are reports online that it can be difficult to make a claim and SafetyWing tasks a while to pay
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance Pricing
SafetyWing costs $42 for 4 weeks (28 days) for a person aged 18-39.
It’s a subscription, so you buy the insurance for 28 days. It automatically renews a few days before the expiration date until you cancel it.
Don’t need it for the full 4 weeks?
You can set specific dates and pay for them based on the days you need to be covered for.
SafetyWing does include most countries in the world. But if you are traveling to the United States and wish to be covered, you will need to pay a higher amount.
Including the US will bring your payment to about $77 for 4 weeks (28 days) for a person aged 18-39.
Over the age of 39?
You can still get SafetyWing nomad insurance but the costs are slightly higher.
SafetyWing offers simplified and easy-to-understand payment options. They are also one of the cheaper travel insurance options on the list.
Ready to get covered by SafetyWing? Use the form below:
Don’t forget to check out our complete SafetyWing review for more information!
2. Genki Nomad Travel Medical Insurance
If we had a runner-up to SafetyWing, then it’s definitely Genki Insurance.
They have the best travel medical coverage of any insurance provider on the list!
Genki was designed with digital nomads and remote workers in mind.
They offer transparent travel insurance plans and you can signup outside of your home country, almost anywhere in the world. The plans are very transparent and the signup process is very smooth taking just a few minutes to register.
Genki Insurance is backed by insurance giant Allianz Partners and claims are handled by DR-WALTER. These are two well-known insurance companies with good reputations for paying claims in a timely manner.
What Do You Get With Genki Travel Insurance?
Genki offers excellent value for money with its insurance plans.
They have a monthly subscription that is automatically renewable for up to 2 years. This means you can buy and cancel your insurance plan anytime you want. No need to commit for a long-term period.
Their monthly also plan renews on the same day every single month! That means you get a full month included, not just 28 days. This makes a difference if you plan to have Genki over the course of a year or longer!
One of the biggest benefits of Genki is the level of comprehensive medical insurance that you get. A lot of their coverage has no limits which means they won’t cap the expenses.
Here’s a breakdown of what is included by Genki:
| Coverage | Limits |
| Emergency inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment, including operations | No limit |
| Medicine, remedies and dressing material | No limit |
| Dental treatment for pain relief and simple fillings as well as repair of existing dentures and dental prostheses per case |
€ 500 |
| Medically necessary dental treatment as a result of an accident | € 1,000 |
| Outpatient initial treatment of mental illnesses | € 1,500 |
| Inpatient emergency treatment of first-time mental or emotional disorders | € 20,000 |
| Transport costs to the nearest hospital (e. g. with ambulance vehicles) | No limit |
| Return transport to the Insured Person’s place of residence in their home country | No limit |
| Transport of the Insured Person’s mortal remains (repatriation costs) | No limit |
Genki also has excellent coverage for sports activities.
Most digital nomad travel insurance companies have a huge list of exclusions when it comes to activities. The list of dangerous activities that are excluded from the Genki insurance plans are:
- Motorcycle & car racing
- Parachuting
- Paragliding
- Bungee jumping
- Base jumping
- Mountaineering (if specialized equipment is required)
- Free climbing
- Diving
That’s it. Genki even covers scooter and car accidents!
That also means that activities like surfing, kitesurfing, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking and more are all covered. I haven’t seen any other insurance company cover this amount of activities.
Overall Genki offers a great level of coverage especially when you factor in how cost-effective the price is.
Genki Pros & Cons
Genki Pros:
- Comprehensive travel medical insurance with almost no limits on most medical coverage
- Offers great value for money with a low monthly cost
- The subscription model allows you to have continuous coverage for up to 2 years
- Designed especially for digital nomads and allows you to buy outside your home country and cancel any time
- Low or no deductible fees are available
- Covers lots of activities with only a very small “dangerous activities” exclusion list
- Transparent and easy signup process
- Claim payment times are some of the fastest we’ve seen for any travel insurance company
- Genki is backed by Allianz Partners and DR-WALTER which are big insurance companies with great reputations
Genki Cons:
- Doesn’t cover anything outside of medical coverage such as travel delays, lost checked baggage or trip interruption
- Higher monthly costs for people aged 30+
Genki Insurance Pricing
Genki insurance starts at just €35.70 per month.
The monthly amount that you pay depends on-
- Your age
- The regions of cover you choose
- The deductible you choose
This is all pretty standard for subscription-based travel insurance companies. Here’s a table that shows the full breakdown of how much Genki insurance costs with all plan options:
| Genki Insurance Plan | Ages 18 to 29 | Ages 30 to 49 |
| Worldwide (excludes Canada & US) – €50 Deductible | €35.70 | €54.60 |
| Worldwide (All Countries) – €50 Deductible | €72.30 | €108.60 |
| Worldwide (excludes Canada & US) – NO deductibles | €45.00 | €65.10 |
| Worldwide (All Countries) – NO Deductibles | €83.10 | €128.70 |
Genki’s pricing compared with their coverage is really impressive.
The truth is that if you just want comprehensive travel medical insurance, you can’t do much better than Genki. They cover more than SafetyWing in terms of medical and have competitive pricing on a convenient monthly subscription.
Sign up for Genki Insurance here.
Make sure that you also check out our complete Genki insurance review to learn more about Genki’s digital nomad travel insurance.
3. PassportCard Nomads Insurance
PassportCard Nomads Insurance is unlike any other digital nomad insurance on the list.
They offer excellent medical coverage without all the usual paperwork and hassle that usually comes with buying nomad insurance.
The truth is PassportCard Nomads has really taken travel insurance for digital nomads to a new level. We think it is possible the future of the digital nomad insurance industry.
Here’s why:
Passportcard Nomads has a $0 deductible and no claims. I know, crazy right?
When you sign up for PassportCard, they will send you a “red debit card”. Now let’s say you need to visit a doctor and make a claim overseas. While at the doctor’s office, you simply contact PassportCard Nomads using the PassportCard app (yes, they have an app). They will load the red debit card on the spot and you can pay directly to the doctor.
Cool, right?
You don’t have to pay out of your own money and wait months for reimbursement. Everything is sorted right there and then. And if that’s not enough…
PassportCard has award-winning customer 24/7 customer service to back up these incredible insurance features.
What’s Included With PassportCard Nomads
So they clearly have the coolest technology of any digital nomad insurance provider on this list.
But what’s actually included?
Similar to Genki and SafetyWing, PassportCard Nomads works on a monthly subscription. But where they differ is the plans that they offer.
PassportCard Nomads offers 2 different plans to choose from:
- Remote – Hybrid of travel and health insurance
- Comfort – Complete global health insurance
Here’s a breakdown of what’s included in each plan:
| Plan Benefits | Remote | Comfort |
| Description | Global travel medical insurance with health benefits. Ideal for long-term nomads with no plan to return home soon. | Comprehensive medical health insurance. Ideal for those who want full health and medical coverage. |
| Price | From $119 / month | From $200 / month |
| Age | 18 – 45 | Up To 65 |
| Deductible | $0 | Might be eligible for $0 deductible |
| Maximum Coverage Per Policy Period | $1,000,000 | $3,500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Expenses | Included | Included, Sub-Limits May Apply |
| Emergency Surgery & Inpatient Care | Included | Included, Sub-Limits May Apply |
| Emergency Dental Coverage | Up To $1,000 | Up To $8,000 Per insurance Year |
| Maternity & Childbirth | Emergency coverage up to week 12 of pregnancy | Up To $10,000 Per Insurance Year (Subject To Waiting Period |
| Non-Urgent Elective Medical Treatment, Surgery & Derivative Hospitalization | Up To $5,000. Subject To Prior Written Approval | Included, Sub-Limits May Apply |
| Physiotherapy / Chiropractic Treatments | Up To $50 Per Treatment. Maximum 8 Treatments Due To Acute Incidents | Inpatient Physiotherapy Included Up To Maximum Limit |
| Outpatient Care – Specialist Consultations & Office Visits | Up To $250 Per Visit. Maximum 4 Visits | Included |
| Routine Checkups | Up To $500 For All Wellness Benefits Per Insurance Year | Up To $400 Per Insurance Year(Can Be Higher) |
| Hospitalization & Inpatient Care For Continuous Medical Conditions | None | Included, Sub-Limits May Apply |
| Chronic & Routine Medical Care | None | Included, Sub-Limits May Apply |
| Cancer Treatment | None | Included |
| Inpatient Mental Healthcare | None | Up To $10,000 Per Insurance Year (Subject To Waiting Period) |
I love the flexibility that PassportCard offers with its plans. You can choose the plan based the coverage you want and don’t pay extra for something you won’t use.
You also might have noticed that all of the plans only cover things related to medical and health. So what about coverage for things like baggage and personal items?
PassportCard Nomads offers these as “extra add-ons”.
While they are not included in the base plans, you can customize your plan so it insurers things that are important to you. The downside to this is that it can drive up the cost of your nomad insurance plan significantly.
All of this can be managed directly through the incredible PassportCard Nomads app. This includes buying, extending and canceling your plan.
PassportCard Nomads Pros & Cons
PassportCard Nomads Pros:
- Easy claims process with no out-of-pocket expenses using the red debit card (great benefit)
- $0 deductibles (this is very rare)
- Great coverage across 3 different plans
- Excellent app for managing your nomad insurance plan
- Completely customizable add-ons so you only pay for what you want
- Award-winning customer service and 24/7 emergency hotline
- Buy insurance while you are abroad
- Cancel, extend or modify your plan anytime you need
- Plans are paid on a subscription model with no massive upfront costs
- Easy signup process and everything is managed digitally (no paperwork)
PassportCard Nomads Cons:
- Have to pay extra for add-ons such as baggage and personal items
- Very limited coverage sports in based plans (available as “extreme sports add-on”)
- Minimum 7-Day waiting period on all insurance plans
- Not possible to add on trip cancellation coverage at all
PassportCard Nomads Pricing
How much does PassportCard Nomads?
The amount you pay depends on your chosen plan and the countries you want to be covered. Here is the base cost for each plan:
| Remote | Comfort |
| $119 per month | $200 per month |
| Renewable for up to 12 months | Renewable forever (unlimited) |
| Plan Limit: $1,000,000 | Plan Limit: $3,500,000 |
| Comprehensive medical travel insurance. Also includes outpatient care and routine checkups. | Comprehensive remote health insurance including things like chronic illness treatment and cancer treatment. |
PassportCard Nomads’ pricing tends to be more expensive than some other digital nomad insurance providers. That’s because you don’t pay any deductibles and you have no out-of-pocket expenses. You also get a higher level of digital nomad travel insurance compared to a lot of other options.
For a lot of digital nomads, I think this will be worth the extra cost.
If you want hassle-free digital nomad insurance that offers excellent coverage and the flexibility to match your lifestyle, you can’t do much better than PassportCard Nomads.
Sign up for PassportCard Nomads Insurance here.
Interested in learning more about PassportCard Nomads? Check out our complete PassportCard Nomads Review to see why we think they are the future of digital nomad travel insurance.
4. World Nomads Travel Insurance
World Nomads is another big name in the digital nomad travel insurance game.
They cover residents and citizens from lots of countries worldwide. World Nomads tends to be a little higher in the price for their travel insurance, but they also offer some unique benefits.
They tend to be more expensive because they utilise lots of insurance companies around the world to be able to offer comprehensive insurance plans. While they may not be for the budget digital nomad, World Nomads is great for those who want higher travel insurance coverage.
World Nomads also has an excellent reputation when it comes to insurance claims. Lots of people say the process was smooth and they have excellent customer service.
What Do You Get With World Nomad Travel Insurance?
There are two travel insurance policies available through World Nomads:
- Standard plan
- Explorer plan
What’s the difference?
The Standard Plan covers more than 200 sports and activities, is cheaper and has lower coverage limits. The Explorer Plan adds on another 60 activities and sports you are covered for, but you will pay more for it.
This is what World of Nomads covers:
| World Nomads Insurance | Standard Plan | Explorer Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Limit | $100,000 (no deductible) | $100,000 (no deductible) |
| Medical Expenses | Hospital, Room & Nursing Services, Ambulance, Emergency Dental | Hospital, Room & Nursing Services, Ambulance, Emergency Dental |
| Trip Interuption | Up To $2,500 | Up To $10,000 |
| Trip Delay | Up To $500 | Up To $3,000 |
| Lost Checked Luggage | Up To $500 per item | Up To $500 per item |
| Lost or Stolen Passport & Visa | Yes | Yes |
| Natural disasters | Yes | Yes |
| Political and Emergency Evacuation | Yes | Yes |
| Personal liability | Yes | Yes |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | Yes | Yes |
Word Nomads Pros & Cons
World Nomads Pros:
- Covers lots of “high risk” sports and activities on the explorer plan
- Good coverage for the loss and theft of expensive equipment including electronics
- Excellent customers service and known to pay claims in a timely manner
- Offers a really good amount of coverage for potential travel-related accidents
- You can return home once during a trip without making your policy void
- Even though you can only get a quote online of up to 180 days, you can extend the policy indefinitely
World Nomads Cons:
- World Nomads is one of the more expensive travel insurance companies for digital nomads
- Costs can fluctuate significantly based on the countries that you are visiting
- It’s hard to get them to cover scooter and motorbike accidents, even if you have an international motorbike license
World Nomads Insurance Pricing
Word Nomads provides insurance quotes on a person by person basis.
For a 32-year-old male from California in the United States, this is what cost each plan was for 28 days:
- Standard Plan – $126.65 USD
- Explorer Plan – $226.40 USD
World Nomads tends to be more expensive than other digital nomad insurance companies. But they also provide a more comprehensive coverage, higher max limits and most of their policies don’t have deductibles.
Interested in seeing what World Nomads offers you?
Click here to get a free quote.
5. Atlas Travel Insurance
Atlas Travel Insurance by World Trips is really competitive with what they offer.
Where they really shine is flexibility.
While other providers on this list set their plans and prices, you can completely customise your travel insurance plan with Atlas. If you like to customise, you might love Atlas.
What’s Included with Atlas travel insurance?
You can build your travel insurance plan by choosing your:
- Deductible
- Coverage length
- Overall maximum coverage
You also have the option to increase your insurance coverage for a number of key benefits at the time of purchase. Every customisation affects the price you have to pay at the end, so you never have to pay for something you don’t want.
Here’s what can be included in Atlas policies:
| Atlas Travel Insurance | Atlas International Plan | Atlas International Premium Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Limit | $250,000 with 250 deductible. | $250,000 with 250 deductible. |
| Medical Expenses | Hospital, Room & Nursing Services, Ambulance, Emergency Dental | Hospital, Room & Nursing Services, Ambulance, Emergency Dental |
| Trip Interuption | Up to $10,000 | Up to $15,000 |
| Trip Delay | Up to $100/day | Up to $100/day |
| Lost Checked Luggage | Up to $50 per item | Up to $50 per item |
| Lost or Stolen Passport & Visa | Yes | Yes |
| Natural disasters | Yes | Yes |
| Political and Emergency Evacuation | Yes | Yes |
| Personal liability | Yes | Yes |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | Yes | Yes |
For a complete list of what’s covered with Atlas Travel Insurance, click here.
Atlas Travel Insurance Pros & Cons
Atlas Travel Insurance Pros:
- Atlas does really well with medical coverage offering great value for money
- Trip cancellation is included with most plans and Atlas provides comprehensive coverage for cancellations
- Flexible policies that allow you to customise your plan, so you only pay for what you want
- Competitive pricing compared to other travel insurance companies
- You can buy Atlast travel medical insurance even after leaving your home country
Atlas Travel Insurance Cons:
- Lost items coverage only includes clothes and personal items up to a max of $50 USD per item
- You must estimate how long your trip is and buy insurance for those dates
Atlas Insurance Pricing
Atlas Insurance has really competitive pricing.
For a 32-year-old male from the United States, this is what cost each plan was for 28 days:
- Atlas International Plan – $42.46 USD
- Atlas International Premium Plan – $99.40 USD
But if you were willing to take an overall maximum coverage of just $50,000 and pay a deductible of $5,000 – you could pay as little as $17.08 USD for the month.
I certainly wouldn’t go this low, but they really do allow you to customise your policy!
6. IMG Global Travel Insurance
IMG Global is a big insurance company.
They are financially strong and have some of the most competitive prices out there for what’s included.
IMG Global is another company with a good reputation for claiming insurance. They have great reviews and offer outstanding customer service.
What Do You Get With IMG Global Travel Insurance?
IMG Global offers flexibility with the maximum coverage and deductibles, just like Atlas.
But they take it to a whole new level. You can choose the “category” of insurance:
- Travel Medical Insurance
- Travel Insurance
What’s the difference?
Travel insurance coverage just covers the travel part of your trip. It excludes insurance for medical bills and costs while traveling.
Travel medical insurance covers the travel and medical costs that you may incur. For the sake of this blog, I am reviewing the travel medical insurance plans offered by IMG Global.
They have 2 plans for travel medical insurance:
- Patriot International
- Patriot Platinum International
This is what they cover:
| IMG Global Travel Insurance | Patriot International | Patriot Platinum International |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Limit | $100,000 with 250 deductible. | $2,000,000 with 250 deductible. |
| Medical Expenses | Hospital, Room & Nursing Services, Ambulance, Emergency Dental | Hospital, Room & Nursing Services, Ambulance, Emergency Dental |
| Trip Interuption | Up to $10,000 | Up to $10,000 |
| Trip Delay | None | None |
| Lost Checked Luggage | Up to $50 per item | Up to $50 per item |
| Lost or Stolen Passport & Visa | Yes | Yes |
| Natural disasters | Yes | Yes |
| Political and Emergency Evacuation | Yes | Yes |
| Personal liability | Yes | Yes |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | Yes | Yes |
The truth is the table above doesn’t do justice to what IMG Global covers. They have so many extras that the other companies don’t cover. You’ll need to review it yourself if you want to get the complete picture.
To see a complete list of what IMG Global covers, click here.
IMG Global Pros & Cons
IMG Global Travel Insurance Pros:
- IMG Global has excellent customers service and processes claims efficiently
- You can extend your policy easily with IMG (and not as expensive as World Nomads)
- You get up really high emergency medical coverage and medical evacuation coverage
- Customise your plan to meet your needs and get a price you’re comfortable with
- Optional additional coverage for skiing, bungee jumping and scuba diving – you can even be covered for up to $10,000 for a search party in case you get lost
- Some plans allow you to cancel for any reason or interruption without an extra fee
- Value for money is excellent with really good policies for great prices
IMG Global Travel Insurance Cons:
- Your travel insurance plan will be cancelled if you return home for over 14 days in most countries and immediately in the US.
- IMG Global have a wait time before you can claim lost baggage or trip cancellation
IMG Global Insurance Pricing
IMG Global may offer the most competitive pricing on the list, depending on what you need.
For a 32-year-old male from the United States, this is the cost of each plan for 28 days:
- Patriot International – $31.92 USD
- Patriot Platinum International – $45.08 USD
If you plan to go with IMG Global, Patriot Platinum is a no brainer for me.
You pay just $13 more for the 4 weeks and the maximum coverage is huge. You also get a ton more benefits in your plan.
Our Choice: Best Travel Insurance For Digital Nomads
We use SafetyWing.
Here’s why:
They have a good range of coverage options and their simplified subscription model makes it easy.
We don’t have to constantly be booking new insurance policies or pay a huge fee upfront for an extended trip. We simply get billed every month and can cancel anytime.
But there’s one thing I should mention…
We don’t always use SafteyWing. There are some cases where it makes more sense to use a different insurance company.
For example, if you want to ride a scooter while in Southeast Asia, SafetyWing will only cover you for an accident if you have a proper license. Genki Insurance has told me that they will cover scooter accidents even if you don’t have the proper license.
In this case, we might switch over to Genki for a few months!
As digital nomads, we have lots of flexibility.
My advice is to be smart and buy travel insurance with the company that makes sense for the situation and country you are in. Sometimes that can mean being insured with one company for 1 month and then switching over to another company for the next month.
Generally though, we pretty much just use SafetyWing for convenience and cost.
Thinking about getting SafetyWing nomad insurance?
Use the form below to get started:
The Difference Between Digital Nomad Travel Insurance vs Health Insurance
Let me be clear:
There is a big difference between health insurance vs travel insurance – especially for digital nomads.
They have different types of coverage that applies to different situations. Here’s a brief overview of both.
Travel Insurance:
Focuses on issues you might encounter when traveling. This includes things like:
- Lost baggage
- Getting robbed
- Accidents that occur while you are traveling
- Emergency medical treatment
And more. But the thing to remember is that all of the insurance relates specifically to the trip you are on.
Health Insurance:
Health insurance relates to medical issues and health-related needs you have while in your home country. This can include:
- Medical emergencies
- Pre-existing conditions
- Maternity and baby care
- Treatment for ongoing serious health conditions
Usually your health insurance only covers you while in your home country. That’s why you may still need digital nomad travel insurance even if you have health insurance back home.
Some companies like World Nomads even allow you to extend your home health insurance overseas while traveling. It does come with a pretty substantial fee, but it is possible in some cases.
What Should Travel Insurance For Digital Nomads Include?
There are a number of things that insurance for digital nomads can cover.
You need to decide what you need to be covered and that will help you make your decision. Here are some things to consider.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Emergency medical insurance covers sudden, unexpected and unforeseen illnesses, injuries or accidents that happen during your trip and are acute in nature. “Acute in nature” means that the issue needs to be treated now.
Check your travel insurance plan to see what their emergency medical insurance covers and the total cost it will cover.
Emergency Evacuation
Emergency evacuation is for any situation that means you need to be evacuated from the location that you are in. Here are some examples of what can be included:
- Medical reasons – You need treatment in another city/country
- Political reasons – A country’s political situation becomes unstable and dangerous
- Natural disasters – There has been or is about to be a significant natural disaster
- Terrorism – There is a real and unexpected threat of terrorism in your current location
You need to check what emergency evacuations (if any) your policy covers. A great recent example was the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some digital nomad travel insurance companies such as SafetyWing evacuated people back to their home countries under their political evacuation policy when the pandemic started.
Trip Interruption & Delays
Only 80% of flights arrive on time.
That means 20% of the time, you can expect your flight to be delayed or interrupted. And that’s just flights.
If you are traveling by bus or car, there are a ton of other reasons your trip might get delayed or interrupted.
Trip interruptions can end up being costly. Your travel insurance policy may include some form of trip interruption (and even cancellation) coverage.
Baggage Loss
Have you ever lost a bag?
I have. My bag just disappeared on a Turkish Airlines flight from Dubai to The Netherlands. When I asked the staff what happened, they refused to tell me where it was. Thankfully I got mine back, but that’s not always the case.
Travel insurance policies often differentiate between losing your items and losing your baggage. Weird I know, but make sure you check what the policy covers.
Protect Your Electronics
Often the most expensive items that need to be covered are electronics. A couple of your t-shirts probably don’t cost as much as your phone and laptop, right?
Check to see if the travel insurance provider differentiates between lost/damaged items they’ll cover, such as electronics.
24/7 Emergency Assistance
If you find yourself in a hospital for non-life-threatening large medical expenses, the hospital may not treat you without a guarantee of payment.
At this time you want your travel insurance provider to be on call.
Most travel insurance plans include some form of 24/7 emergency assistance like a hotline. If they don’t, it might be worth considering another company.
Simple & Flexible
This is a big one for digital nomads.
Travel insurance plans are complex in nature. And for good reason.
But ensure you choose a digital nomad insurance that you actually understand. It should also be flexible enough to meet the demands of your lifestyle.
Price Of Policy
Insurance pricing doesn’t have to be complicated or outrageously expensive.
But different travel insurance plans cover different things. Typically the more you play, the better coverage you’ll get. And that just makes sense.
Think about what coverage you need for your digital nomad lifestyle and choose a company and plan that will look after you.
Insurance Claims & Time
Insurance companies have a bad reputation for not paying or taking their sweet time to pay (3-9 months for some things).
Read this section of your travel insurance policy carefully and make sure you understand it.
Found something you aren’t sure about?
Email the company and ask for an explanation. Be specific with your questions so you get the answers you need.
Insurance tip: Don’t call; email them instead.
Proof in writing is proof you can depend on. If it ever comes down to it, you will have written proof with a timestamp that you can use to help your claim go through.
A Word About Pre-Existing Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you need to be more selective.
Most travel insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing medical conditions at all. Some will cover acute pre-existing conditions, which generally means it needs to be a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of the pre-existing condition. There’s usually also a requirement for it to be urgent.
Have a pre-existing medical condition?
Don’t assume it’s covered. Double-check the policy to make sure it is.
Wrapping It Up
The digital nomad movement has become so big travel insurance companies have designed policies just for us.
And you aren’t even limited to just one digital nomad insurance provider. More and more companies are adding digital nomad insurance to their list of policies every day.
Not sure which is the best digital nomad travel insurance?
I recommend checking our SafetyWing first. You get good value for money and the flexibility you need as you travel from location to location. If you just want excellent medical coverage then Genki Insurance could also be a great option.
Just make sure you check their policy inclusions to ensure it’s right for you!
Want a higher level of coverage?
Health insurance might be what you need. Check out our comprehensive review of the best digital nomad health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is digital nomad insurance?
Digital nomad insurance are insurance policies designed for digital nomads. Digital nomad insurance is flexible, offering the benefits you need and allowing you to continuously travel without booking a return ticket to your home country.
What is the best travel insurance for digital nomads?
The best travel insurance for digital nomads is SafetyWing. They offer good benefits within their policies and you don’t have to set a specific policy time. You pay a fixed fee for 28 days and the subscription automatically renews.
How much does Nomad insurance cost?
Digital nomad insurance typically costs between $40 and $125 per month depending on the company and policy you choose. The more you pay usually means the better the coverage – but not always. The most important thing is that your nomad insurance covers what you need and is flexible enough for your lifestyle.
