In this blog post, I want to show you 7 of the best digital nomad insurance plans that you can currently find out there. On top of that, you learn the different types of health and travel insurance, what conditions you need to look out for, and what digital nomad insurance is the best for your personal needs.
So make sure to not miss out and get the best health insurance when traveling the world.
Table of Contents
Types of Digital Nomad Insurances
Oftentimes, people use terms like travel insurance, international health insurance, or digital nomad insurance interchangeably. However, there are a few differences and when searching the web for the right provider, you should know what exactly you need.
I’ve already discussed this in detail in my blog post on international health insurance. So I just quickly summarize the differences here:
- Travel Insurance: This is a great option for everyone who has a home base and wants to go on trips occasionally. Here you are covered for trips for up to three or six months.
- International Health Insurance: This option usually doesn’t require you to have a residency anywhere. Here you are not only protected in case of emergencies and accidents, but it sometimes also reimburses you for certain check-ups and in case of ongoing diseases.
- Digital Nomad Insurance: If you want to become a digital nomad (which means: you don’t have a home base but travel continuously for several months or years in a row), the just-mentioned international health insurance works for you. Alternatively, you can also look for providers specifically offering digital nomad insurance. That’s basically the same but may come with a few more useful conditions.
What Should Your Digital Nomad Insurance Cover?
- Activities: Make sure to know what activities are covered. If you want to ride motorbikes or lots of adventure activities, e.g. scuba diving or skydiving, your insurance should cover these.
- Check-up and routine treatments: If you travel long-term, you probably want to do some routine check-ups every once in a while, e.g. see a dentist once a year.
- Emergencies: Your insurance plan should cover all types of emergencies, e.g. allergic reactions.
- Accidents: If you get insured, e.g. because your bus has an accident or you get hit by a motorbike, your insurance should have a high maximum limit in case of accidents.
- Search, Rescue & Transport: Let’s say you fall during a hike in the mountains, break your leg, and need a helicopter to fly you down. Things like that can get extremely expensive. So make sure it’s covered.
Best Digital Nomad Insurance Plans
More and more insurance companies today specialize in the needs of long-term travelers and digital nomads. In this list, I show the most popular and, in my opinion, best digital nomad insurance plans that you can currently find:
1. SafetyWing
My current favorite. SafetyWing is a global travel medical insurance that covers people from all over the world. It is specifically built for digital nomads by digital nomads. So you know you are in expert hands.
You can purchase it if you are already abroad and in addition to the usual medical coverage, it also covers things like:
- Home trip visits,
- Travel delays,
- Lost checked luggage,
- Natural disasters, and
- Personal liability.
These are topics that many other insurance providers won’t cover.
The plans are on a monthly subscription basis and you can decide if you want to set an end date from the very beginning or if you want the subscription. This can be canceled anytime.
They also have an additional insurance package, called Remote Health, made for companies. Here the employees and contractors worldwide are covered under one plan, which is a great idea.
If you want to learn more about this company and its insurance plan, check out my SafetyWing review or head over to the SafetyWing website directly.
For me personally, I think the value for money is just great so I can definitely recommend this digital nomad insurance.
SafetyWing Pros:
- Affordable monthly rates starting at $40/month
- Global coverage for travelers in most countries
- No residency requirement and can be purchased online
- Easy-to-use online dashboard for managing policies and submitting claims
- Offers travel medical coverage and some basic emergency benefits
- Good for long-term travelers or digital nomads
SafetyWing Cons:
- No coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Limited coverage for sports and adventure activities
2. Insured Nomads
Insured Nomads is a relatively new company, founded in 2019. I don’t have any personal experiences with this insurance provider, but it reminds me a lot of SafetyWing (which literally screams for a SafetyWing vs Insured Nomads comparison – Should I do one?!). The founders are global citizens, too, it is a completely remote company, and the insurance plan is specially designed for digital nomads.
Here you can pick between travel insurance and health insurance. While the first one covers you for single or multiple trips throughout the year, the latter one allows you to live and work wherever you want.
The prices are a bit higher than the SafetyWing plans but then again they also offer things like mental health therapy or dental and maternity treatments.
Insured Nomads Pros:
- Customizable plans with a range of options and coverage limits
- High coverage limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Additional benefits like trip cancellation and baggage loss/delay
- Good for travelers looking for more comprehensive coverage
Insured Nomads Cons:
- More expensive compared to some other insurance providers
- Limited benefits for some plans, especially the more affordable options
- Some exclusions and limitations on coverage for certain activities or destinations
3. True Traveler
True Traveler is a company similar to World Nomads, that offers great travel insurance for adventure travelers out there.
Here you can get single or multiple-trip coverage. You can also purchase it while already traveling and it is designed for passionate travelers and backpackers. You can find policies for winter sports, trekking, or gap-year experiences.
Their basic plans are made for last-minute travelers and adventurous holidaymakers. If you are looking for a plan that provides enhanced medical cover, check out the “Traveler Plus” section.
Biggest downside: At the moment, they are only able to insure residents of the UK and Europe.
True Traveler Pros:
- Affordable coverage options
- Customizable coverage and limits
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions is available on some plans
- Additional benefits like trip cancellation, baggage loss/delay, and adventure sports coverage
True Traveler Cons:
- Limited availability for residents of the UK only
- Some plans require a medical exam
- No coverage for home visits
4. Genki
Genki is another digital nomad insurance that is particularly made for this target group. Just like SafetyWing, it is based on a monthly subscription that can be canceled anytime. This allows you to stay spontaneous and you don’t need to plan too much ahead.
Here you can pick any authorized healthcare provider but you should call Genki’s customer service beforehand if possible. After sending in your claim, you get paid within a month.
They are currently working on a new plan called “World Resident”. This is an offer made for life-long travelers that also covers things like:
- Preventive care,
- Psychotherapy,
- All kinds of sports, and
- Family members.
This sounds very promising for digital nomads, especially since monthly costs seem to be more on the lower end in comparison to other digital nomad insurances.
Genki Pros:
- Affordable rates
- No residency requirement and can be purchased online
- Global coverage for travelers in most countries
- High coverage limits for medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and accidental death and dismemberment
- Additional benefits available like trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss/delay, and emergency dental treatment
- Good for budget-conscious travelers looking for comprehensive medical coverage
Genki Cons:
- No coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Limited coverage for sports and adventure activities, with additional coverage available for an extra fee
- No coverage for home visits or routine check-ups
5. IMG Global
IMG Global is an award-winning company that offers international health and travel medical insurance. Here you can choose from many different plans depending on your needs. As a digital nomad, you’d probably want to pick “Global Medical Insurance” which is particularly made for expats and global citizens.
Here you can get your entire family insured and can select from multiple deductibles and modes of payment. This is a good choice for everyone who wants to travel for a certain period of time and already knows when the trip is going to end.
IMG Global Pros:
- Comprehensive coverage options tailored to specific types of travelers
- High coverage limits for medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and personal liability
- No residency requirement and can be purchased online
- Additional benefits like trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss/delay, and adventure sports coverage
- 24/7 global assistance services and multilingual support
- Good for long-term travelers, expatriates, and business travelers
IMG Global Cons:
- More expensive compared to some other insurance providers
- Limited coverage for some sports and adventure activities
- Some plans require medical underwriting and may not be available to all travelers
6. PassportCard
This is a concept that I’ve honestly never heard of but the idea sounds very promising so I just had to include it in this list. The PassportCard plans are insured by a member of the Allianz group, one of the biggest insurance companies in the world. So you know that it’s a legit project.
Here you get a debit card that works like a Mastercard and you can pay all your medical expenses with it. For instance:
- Doctor visits,
- Purchasing prescribed medications,
- Laboratory tests, or
- Emergency room visits.
All you have to do is to contact PassportCard when you need medical help. They will then load your card with sufficient funds and you can pay the doctor with the card.
You don’t have to fill out any paperwork or claim forms and you don’t need to pay anything out of your pocket.
Their plans also cover a wide range of treatments, like cancer treatments, hearing or vision appliances, acupuncture, or child care and a dog sitter during hospitalization.
I love the innovative idea and can’t wait to hear more about it.
PassportCard Pros:
- Simple and convenient claims process with instant payments
- No deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses
- Can be purchased online and no residency requirement
- 24/7 customer support
- Good for short-term travelers and those seeking cashless medical coverage
PassportCard Cons:
- Limited coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Limited coverage for sports and adventure activities
- No coverage for emergency evacuation
- Only available in select countries
7. IntegraGlobal
IntegraGlobal is an insurance provider based in the UK with more than 20 years of experience. Despite being such an “old” player, the company definitely offers a modern approach to international insurance.
The plans are designed for expats, remote workers, and global nomads. As with most providers, you are covered for things like:
- Natural disasters,
- Emergency evacuations, and
- Rehabilitation.
You can also pick the premium plan which comes with extra coverage such as pregnancy, chronic conditions, or mental health benefits.
All claims can be filed via the new state-of-the-art app called “yourHealth” app.
Integra Global Pros:
- Comprehensive coverage for medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and personal liability
- No residency requirement and can be purchased online
- Additional benefits like trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss/delay, and adventure sports coverage
- Good coverage for pre-existing conditions, with some plans offering full coverage after a waiting period
- 24/7 global assistance services and multilingual support
Integra Global Cons:
- More expensive compared to some other insurance providers
- Limited coverage for some sports and adventure activities
- Some plans require medical underwriting and may not be available to all travelers
Ranking: What Digital Nomad Insurance Do I Need?
Here is a quick overview of, what I think, are some great digital nomad insurance plans:
- Digital Nomad Insurance That’s Best For Short-Term Travelers: Insured Nomads
- Digital Nomad Insurance That’s Best For Long-Term Travelers: SafetyWing
- Digital Nomad Insurance That’s Best For Expats: SafetyWing
- Digital Nomad Insurance That’s Best For Families: IMG Global
- Digital Nomad Insurance That’s Best For Adventure Junkies: True Traveler
- Digital Nomad Insurance That’s Best For Low-Budget Travelers: Genki
- Digital Nomad Insurance That’s Best Value for Money: SafetyWing
Digital Nomad Insurance Checklist
There are certain individual requirements you should watch out for before signing up with an insurance provider:
- When do you need to sign up? Do you have to be in your country of residence or can you also sign up when already traveling?
- Do you need to keep your residency or is the insurance plan valid when you are a full-time nomad without a home base?
- How can you file a claim? Can you do it all online, via an app, or do you need to send in actual papers via mail, e.g. a doctor’s confirmation?
- What doctors and hospitals can you see? Is every medical institute covered or does the insurance provider only accept claims from partnered places?
- What are the cover limits? Are they high enough to cover all medical procedures you may need?
- How high are the deductibles? Are you able to pay that much out of your pocket or should you look for other plans?
- Can you extend while traveling? In case you want to travel for longer than you originally planned, can you extend your plan while still traveling or do you have to return to your country of residence and start a new plan?
- Are you covered in your country of residence? In case you want to make a short visit to your country of residence, are you covered in case something happens there?
- What countries are covered? Countries like the USA are excluded from many insurance plans (or can be added for an additional fee) due to their high costs of medical treatments.
- Are pre-existing conditions covered? In case you have any chronic issues or diseases, check if your expenses for these are covered.
Important Digital Nomad Insurance Tips
Here are a few things that I found helpful over the years when dealing with insurance-related issues. Check them out and see what you can implement:
- Receipts: As soon as you receive any type of receipt, e.g. a doctor’s report or a pharmacy receipt, take a photo of it and send it to your email address or save it in a cloud. These little papers get easily lost or damaged while traveling so file them digitally as soon as possible.
- Cybersecurity: When sending sensitive data about your health or banking information to your insurance provider or anyone else, make sure to always use a VPN to keep your data safe! I’ve been using NordVPN for years and can’t recommend it enough. Check out my NordVPN review for more details or head over to the NordVPN website
- Contact Numbers: In case of emergency, always have the contact details of your insurance provider ready. Save them to your phone straight after signing up and also add your customer number to get help quicker. Make sure to have the details in your email account, too, or on a piece of paper in your luggage, in case your phone gets stolen or lost. You could also send the information to your emergency contact at home, e.g. your parents or a friend, to be able to access it at any time.
- Photos of luggage: If your insurance covers lost or damaged luggage, it can help if you take photos before you start traveling of everything that’s in your backpack or suitcase. This makes it much easier later on to remember all of your valuables and serves as proof to the insurance company.
- Copy important documents: Take a photo of documents like your passport, driving license, or your insurance policy and save it online to be able to access it from anywhere in case something gets stolen or lost.
- Emergency fund: Sometimes it can take a couple of days or weeks until the insurance company transfers the money. Have access to enough money to cover your expenses during that time.
- Medications: If you need regular medications, e.g. for allergies or chronic conditions, check if you can buy these in the countries you’re traveling to or bring enough with you. If you need to carry large amounts of medication with you, like pills or syringes, get a doctor’s certification to prevent running into issues at airports.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are some great digital nomad insurance plans for your health and travel out there. As said before, my favorite is SafetyWing as they offer the absolute best value for money and truly understand the needs of digital nomads.
In any case, make sure to read the conditions carefully and check if the coverage works for your individual needs and follow the mentioned insurance-related tips when traveling. Until then, safe travels!
FAQs
What is digital nomad insurance?
Digital nomad insurance is a type of health and travel insurance that is designed specifically for people who work remotely and travel frequently.
Why do digital nomads need insurance?
Like most travelers, digital nomads often face unique health and travel risks, such as unexpected illnesses or injuries while abroad. Since these are usually not covered by traditional health insurance plans in their home country, it is important to get additional coverage for financial protection and peace of mind in case of emergencies.
What types of coverage should I look for in digital nomad insurance?
As explained before, digital nomad insurance plans typically include coverage for emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, or trip cancellation. Depending on your needs, you can also look for coverage for baggage loss or theft, adventure sports, or pre-existing conditions.
Can I purchase digital nomad insurance if I am already traveling?
That depends on the company you want to go for. More traditional travel insurance providers require you to be in your country of residence when purchasing the plan. However, digital nomad insurance plans that are made particularly for this target group allow you to purchase coverage while you are already traveling.
How do I choose the best digital nomad insurance plan for me?
This completely depends on your individual situation and needs. When choosing a digital nomad insurance plan, consider factors such as the level of coverage, cost, deductibles, exclusions, and customer reviews. It’s also important to make sure the plan meets the requirements of your travel visa or other legal obligations.
How much does digital nomad insurance typically cost?
The cost of digital nomad insurance can vary widely depending on factors such as your age, health, travel destination, and level of coverage. Low-cost plans can start at around $40 per month whereas premium plans can go up to $400 monthly.
Can I use digital nomad insurance for routine medical care?
While most travel insurances are typically designed to cover only emergency medical expenses rather than routine care, many new digital nomad insurance plans also offer coverage for preventive care or routine checkups.
What happens if I need to make a claim on my digital nomad insurance?
If you need to make a claim on your digital nomad insurance, you will typically need to provide documentation of the incident and any medical expenses incurred. These need to be handed in via mail, email, or app. The claims are then processed by the insurance provider’s claims department and you get reimbursed within a couple of weeks.
The only exception: PassportCard (as mentioned above) goes a different route and hands out debit cards that are preloaded with money for you to pay for your medical expenses. So you don’t need to do any paperwork or fill out documents.
Can I cancel my digital nomad insurance plan if I change my plans?
Please check out the fine print of your insurance for details. Some digital nomad insurance plans allow you to cancel your coverage and receive a prorated refund. However, other plans may have restrictions or fees associated with cancellation.
