SafetyWing Travel insurance has a fixed monthly rate, for which you are insured in all the countries you visit. But is it worth it? To gain more insight, I made a full assessment based on users’ experiences and reviews.
SafetyWing’s official website: https://www.safetywing.com
What is SafetyWing?
SafetyWing provides travel insurance designed for digital nomads, remote workers, and frequent travellers. Unlike other international travel insurance companies, it offers global coverage for a monthly fee.
It’s made for people of all ages and nationalities, regardless of their travel plans.
The company raised $3.5 million in 2019 to improve its services. Its biggest differentiator is their offer including both medical and travel insurance. It’s the only company in the market which provides insurance containing both of these together.
It is also one of the pioneers of offering insurance covering all countries for less than $50.
Is SafetyWing reliable?
SafetyWing is a Y-Combinator and its insurance policy is managed by Tokyo Marine, which is one of the largest insurance companies in the world.
It was created by three digital nomads: Hans Kjellb, Sondre Rasch, and Sarah Sandnes. They realised that there was a lack of affordable and flexible travel insurance on the market. As mentioned above, SafetyWing invests heavily in improving the reliability and efficiency of its services.
Another highlight is that the company has good ratings on TrustPilot. This global site presents reviews of different services from around the world in the form of a forum run by the users themselves.
SafetyWing prices
SafetyWing’s monthly fee includes medical coverage and worldwide travel insurance.
In June 2023, get SafetyWing nomad insurance for $45/month
Click here: Activate Promo Offer
- You will be redirected to the official SafetyWing website.
- Click on “Sign me up”.
- Fill in the form and follow the instructions by clicking on “Next”.
- That’s it! You will receive your travel insurance at the end of the registration process.
If you travel to the United States, for example, it will cost you $68. This represents a 65% reduction in price when compared to other similar insurance alternatives.
The insurance cover is automatically renewed every month for 1 year. You can cancel this renewal at any time, and for free.
Who is SafetyWing insurance for?
Insurance is generally designed for anyone who believes they may need it. However, SafetyWing works a little differently, focusing on providing travel insurance for people who:
- Have no exact travel plan and need both travel and health insurance that covers the whole world;
- Travel at least 1 month of the year to foreign countries;
- Take risks on motorbikes or do “adventure sports” such as diving, climbing etc;
- Travel with fragile and expensive high-tech devices such as drones, cameras, laptops, and so on.
The “typical” travel insurance companies will require you to know exactly which destinations you intend to visit, as well as the start and end dates. This means that for those travelling frequently, or for those who are always on the road, it’s almost impossible to take out travel insurance!
Travel insurance for digital nomads
Digital nomads and people who are travelling the world often have difficulties finding services for a lifestyle with no fixed address. I know very well how problematic this situation is because it affects me directly as well.
Fortunately, services suited to our lifestyle are increasing in numbers! It’s a huge relief to no longer have to worry about taking out travel insurance, or notify the insurance company every time I change countries.
SafetyWing came about to help those who live this lifestyle. Besides health, another concern in the nomadic lifestyle is equipment. With the constant displacement, our work equipment can end up suffering a little. That’s why we say, besides being cautious, it’s essential to have insurance that covers your belongings.
Types of insurance at SafetyWing
The company offers three different insurance packages for those on the road. They are:
Nomad Insurance
This is a global travel insurance policy made for travellers and digital nomads alike. It can be described as the company’s main pioneering service, it’s also the service I’ve been testing over the last few months. You can hire it even if your trip has already started, and it includes all the following benefits:
- Automatic monthly payments. From the start date you choose, your insurance automatically extends every 28 days until you choose an end date. Like a subscription;
- Visits to your home country are covered. After spending 90 days abroad, you keep your medical cover for 30 days in your home country (15 days if your home country is the USA);
- Young children included. Up to 2 children under 10 years old per family (1 per adult) can be included in your insurance free of charge.
For more details and updated figures, log on to the official website: www.safetywing.com/nomad-insurance.
Remote Health
This is a health insurance policy totally designed for remote and nomadic workers who spend an indeterminate amount of time abroad. It also has full coverage in its country of origin and no exclusions for pandemics.
- It can be taken out even if you are already abroad. You can buy Remote Health from anywhere in the world and keep changing countries;
- Fast and easy reimbursements. For pre-planned admissions and treatments, payment can be arranged directly with the hospital. For minor non-pre-planned treatments where you are not hospitalised, there is an online claim process within 7 days;
- Support throughout all time zones. You can get support from anywhere in the world, either by phone or chat;
- It is completely global. Whether in your home country, or abroad.
This policy is more complete than the previous one, so it’s worth checking all the coverages in detail directly from the website: www.safetywing.com/nomad-health
Coverage comparison | Nomad Insurance | Remote Health |
Type of insurance | Travel and medical insurance | International health insurance |
Global coverage outside country of residence | For short stays only | |
Cancer | ||
Duration min. | 7 days | 1 year |
Travel cover (lost luggage, cancellation…) | ||
Home country coverage | Limited |
Remote Health for Businesses
This is a health plan designed for staff who work remotely. It basically offers the same coverage as “Remote Health” but with exclusive services for the company. If you have a team that works remotely on a global scale, this is the most suitable insurance. Here are some features:
- Cover people anywhere. Add your whole team to the same plan, regardless of location;
- Add and remove team members at any time;
- Support. The team receives 24/7 support from day one;
- Easy-to-use website. It provides a simple overview of your company’s insurance details and the members covered;
- Lower prices and extra benefits as membership increases;
- Customisable add-ons. Optional coverage for items such as dentistry, maternity, exams, and vaccinations.
What does SafetyWing insurance cover?
SafetyWing insurance is designed to cover you in almost all countries, with long-term travel, regardless of your age or nationality. It’s worth remembering that prices vary depending on how old you are.
Coverage varies according to each plan, ranging from health insurance to travel insurance.
SafetyWing medical cover
SafetyWing health insurance provides access to a qualified global network of hospitals and doctors to treat injuries and accidents. This insurance includes consultations with doctors, admissions to hospitals, and emergency medical transfers. If something happens along the way, and you get sick, SafetyWing will cover all the costs.
SafetyWing travel insurance
SafetyWing includes cover in case of delay, lost checked baggage, natural disasters, and civil liability.
In addition to providing comprehensive coverage, SafetyWing includes other services designed specifically for digital nomads and frequent travellers.
Coverage in the country of origin
With SafetyWing, you can even use your medical coverage in your home country. Nomad Insurance has a limit, Remote Health does not, so it’s always a good idea to check beforehand.
Children under 10 years included
One child per adult is covered (up to two children per family), under 10 years old, at no additional cost.
What SafetyWing does not cover?
Like any other insurance alternative, SafetyWing does not cover certain risks. These include routine check-ups, or treatment for cancer and chronic illnesses.
SafetyWing coverage also excludes extreme and adventure sports. If you need cover for adventure activities such as kitesurfing or diving, you should opt for WorldNomads or another suitable travel insurance policy that includes this cover.
For more details on what’s covered and what isn’t, we recommend you visit the SafetyWing official website
How much are you covered for?
Coverage varies according to each type of insurance package. Insurance for digital nomads should be more complete, so it’s important to always keep this in mind. Here are some covers:
Detailed plan | Price in US Dollars |
Overall ceiling | $250,000 |
Maximum per injury/illness | $250,000 |
Emergency medical transfer | $100,000 |
Emergency meeting | $50,000 |
Trip interruption | $5,000 |
Loss of checked baggage | $3,000 per period |
Travel delay | Up to $100 per day |
Natural disaster | Up to $100 per day (5 days) |
Return for pets | Up to $1,000 |
This is just some of the coverage offered, to find out about all the guarantees available, go to the SafetyWing website. It’s worth remembering that the plan has a deductible, as mentioned above.
SafetyWing in action: Enelin’s experience
Imagine you’re walking through the streets of an exotic land far away. You’re strolling around in complete bliss, you’re carefree, relaxed, living the good life!
Now imagine that, out of nowhere, things suddenly take a turn for the worst. You trip, fall, and seriously injure yourself.
What do you do?
When this happened to Enelin, a digital nomad, she first thought it was a minor injury. What she didn’t expect, however, was that…
She’d broken her toe after falling in the street. She didn’t worry too much, and decided to continue with her life until the pain and inflammation was gone.
But the pain got worse, and soon the swelling became a concern.
Five days after the accident, and because of abnormal pain and inflammation, she decided it was time to see a doctor. The Doctor said that her toe had become infected and immediately prescribed antibiotics.
Luckily, Enelin had taken out SafetyWing insurance.
After buying antibiotics from the pharmacy, she logged on to the online portal and downloaded the PDF of the medical claim form from the insurance company. After filling it out, she sent it back to the SafetyWing email address with the hospital and pharmacy accounts included.
Message from Enelin to SafetyWing
After 24 hours, SafetyWing sent a confirmation email stating that they would assess the claim, and another email with the results of the review.
They also explained to Enelin how she could follow the steps of the complaint process through their online portal: Customer Zone.
SafetyWing’s initial response arrived 24 hours later.
One month later, on 19 June, Enelin received an email with the results. SafetyWing accepted her request and sent an email explaining all the necessary information. This included the details of the policy, the benefits, and information on how to appeal if you felt the decision was inappropriate.
The SafetyWing insurance plan had a $250 deductible: the money paid to the doctor and pharmacy is subtracted from this deductible. If something happened during the following 11 months, Enelin’s deductible would have been reduced to $141.20 (medical costs would have costed $108.80).
Her deductible ultimately costed $250 per year.
Overall, Enelin was satisfied with the process and the coverage offered by SafetyWing. The claims’ system is simple as you only needed to send an email, and you can check the status of your claim during the reimbursement process.
So, the next time you trip and fall, you know you’re covered anywhere in the world.
Stories like Enelin’s are common. It’s important that we digital nomads, who live and work abroad, protect ourselves from the dangers of everyday life.
How to hire SafetyWing?
Enrol abroad or at home
SafetyWing insurance can be purchased from anywhere, at any time, whether you’re still at home or already travelling. There are no special restrictions, and SafetyWing insurance is available in 180 countries, with no time limit.
Automatic monthly payments
From the start date you choose, your insurance will automatically renew itself every 28 days until you choose a termination date.
Using travel insurance
If you need to use your insurance, simply search on the web for a member hospital near you. Schedule a medical appointment, and the hospital will send a bill directly to SafetyWing, free of charge for you.
Or, if you prefer, you can consult any medical centre, pay for the consultation in advance, and then send a claim to SafetyWing.
Did you know that: if you have normal health insurance or a Visa Premier or MasterCard bank card, your cover is limited to 3 months abroad? This is why new bank cards are emerging on the market.
Conclusion
Is SafetyWing travel insurance good? Is it reliable? Is it worth it? After this thorough evaluation, we can draw some conclusions. If you are a digital nomad or travelling around the world without a fixed home, I advise you to take out SafetyWing.
One of the biggest highlights is the price! The monthly fee is much lower than the competition. Another distinguishing factor which, in my opinion, makes all the difference, is that with SafetyWing you’re insured in every country.
Finally, it’s highly possible that one forgets to take out travel insurance, and then only ends up realising once it’s too late. With SafetyWing, this won’t happen, as you pay a monthly fee. Furthermore, if you decide to stop travelling for a few months, you can cancel without any problems.
