I’m a budget traveller myself, and I love to save money. Travel insurance is one expense that you shouldn’t skimp on.
Even after 17 years of travel, I never leave the house without it.
Why?
I know how valuable it is and how much it can save.
Over the years, I’ve had my luggage lost, my camera damaged, and I’ve even needed emergency medical assistance.
I’ve always had travel insurance. It has not only saved me money but also given me peace of mind when I travel.
Over the years, I have written extensively about the importance of insurance, how to choose the right provider and my personal favourites.
SafetyWing is my preferred travel insurer.
SafetyWing is a brand-new company.
SafetyWing offers affordable insurance for digital nomads and budget travellers (although you do not have to be one to qualify). The company is run by ex-pats and nomads who understand the needs of such travellers.
SafetyWing provides basic insurance (called “Nomad Essential”) at a fraction of the cost charged by other companies, but it is less comprehensive. However, it is my favourite travel insurance provider.
Nomad Insurance’s standard coverage for travellers aged 10 to 39 costs only USD 56.28 per four weeks. This is one of the lowest rates for reliable travel coverage, and the price is very competitive.
The coverage is available up to the age of 69. However, those aged 60-69 will have to pay more than USD 196 per year for their coverage. It’s still a very good deal.
Is the coverage really good enough? How is the customer service?
Safety Wing is a great travel insurance option. I’ll review it today and tell you when to use it.
What does SafetyWing cover?
SafetyWing offers the Nomad Insurance Plan as a standard plan. The cost is just $56.28 USD per week for travel outside the US—that’s only $1.87 USD a day!
This plan is for travellers aged under 64.
- Emergency medical coverage of USD 250,000
- Emergency dental care: USD 1,000
- Medical evacuations are covered by USD 100,000 (USD 25,000 in the case of acute onset pre-existing conditions)
- A political evacuation costs USD 10,000
- Trip interruptions are eligible for USD 5,000.
- After 12 hours of delay, a stay overnight is required. Maximum 2 days.
- $12,500-25,000 USD for death or dismemberment
- Repatriation of remains: USD 20,000
Check the coverage description for any conditions.
The USD 100,000 medical evacuation policy is on the lower end of the spectrum, but it should be sufficient unless you are heading into the wilderness. If you’d like higher coverage, MedJet is the way to go.
SafetyWing’s payout for travel delays is quite low. However, most credit cards and airlines offer travel delay coverage, so you may not need it. It also doesn’t cover expensive electronic equipment, which is a bummer if you own a camera or video gear.
This policy does not cover pre-existing medical conditions or certain adventure sports. It is, therefore, not suitable for those who plan to engage in many adventure activities while on the road.
There are a few useful add-ons which many travellers will find helpful. These include coverage for adventure sports and electronic theft. If you want the extra coverage, you will have to pay for it. If you do not need it, you will not have to pay, which keeps your costs down. As someone who needs electronic coverage but never needs adventure coverage (I am not an adrenaline junkie), I can appreciate that.
What is not covered?
The Essential plan is designed to cover medical emergencies, as well as basic travel mishaps like delays and lost luggage. It is not covered for the following:
- Alcohol or drug-related incidents
- Extreme sports and adventure activities (unless non-US residents purchase the adventure sports add-on).
- Check-ups for pre-existing conditions and general health check-ups
- Trip cancellation
- Cash stolen or lost.
Nomad Complete: Coverage of Digital Nomads, Long-Term Travelers and Digital Nomads
SafetyWing will launch Nomad Health in 2023 (now known as their “Complete Plan”). This is insurance for digital nomads and remote workers, as well as long-term travellers. This new plan combines the standard emergency coverage we discussed above with “regular health care coverage,” such as preventive care and routine visits.
The Complete plan offers coverage for 175 countries and includes mental health benefits, wellness benefits, and the option to select your doctor when travelling. The plan will also expand coverage, adding an “electronics” add-on (which I, as someone who was robbed on a trip, think is a good idea).
This is similar to the health insurance that you would find in your own country. It ensures you are taken care of no matter what happens when you are abroad.
SafetyWing Essential is perfect for those who are only travelling for a few weeks or months. This plan is ideal for emergencies, and it’s affordable and designed for budget-conscious travellers. I use this plan when I travel.
If you plan to work abroad or travel for several months (or even years), their new Complete Plan is the best option. It offers more coverage at a lower cost. I wished I had it when I first started travelling long-term.
Learn more about the complete plan by reading my review.
Making a Claim
SafetyWing’s online portal makes it simple to submit a claim. Upload all required documents, screenshots and photos and wait for a response. Most claims are processed in under a week.
You can read online reviews and find that most people who didn’t like the service either didn’t know about the deductible or disliked the long wait time to receive payment. It’s not unusual for people to be unhappy about this.
SafetyWing has a four-day average for handling a claim. This is much quicker than most companies.
Notice about COVID
SafetyWing covers COVID-19. If the virus is not covered, it must be medically necessary.
SafetyWing covers quarantine expenses (outside of your home country) up to USD 50/day for a maximum of 10 days.
SafetyWing: Pros and cons
You can see the pros and cons of SafetyWing in a single glance, helping you decide whether it is the right insurance provider for your trip and yourself.
Who is SafetyWing good for and not good for?
SafetyWing’s primary purpose is to provide medical coverage. SafetyWing was designed to be affordable for digital nomads, so it does not cover certain areas that are more important for shorter-term travellers. This quick chart will help you decide whether SafetyWing is the right choice for you.
I always travel with my travel insurance. It’s not a fun topic to research or read, but you can save hundreds of dollars on bills. It’s the only thing I ever take with me when I leave home. You shouldn’t, either.
SafetyWing is a great option for the next time that you are on the road. They are my favourite travel insurance provider for budget travellers.