SafetyWing vs. World Nomads: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads

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I know, I know – travel insurance is the least sexy part of planning a trip. But amidst all that excitement, it’s still important to prepare for the unexpected. And when things go awry, you’ll be glad you had travel insurance. In this definitive guide, I’ll compare two of the best travel insurance options for digital nomads: SafetyWing and World Nomads. I’ll dive into their features, tradeoffs, and challenges to help you make a smart decision for your next adventure.

Finding the ideal travel insurance can be a real pain these days for any traveler. The complexity, technical jargon, and seemingly unending phrases can leave us scratching our heads, questioning if we’re receiving adequate coverage. It’s especially difficult for digital nomads and travelers who require insurance tailored to their specific lifestyles.

This is where insurance companies like SafetyWing and World Nomads come in. These companies understand the demands of world travelers and provide plans designed exclusively for folks who spend the majority of their time abroad. Now let’s dive into the nitty gritty of these top two travel insurance providers.

Contents

1 What is SafetyWing?
2 What is World Nomads?
3 How to register for World Nomads:
4 Which is better: SafetyWing vs World Nomads?
5 Why do you need travel insurance?
6 MY TOP TRAVEL TIPS & RESOURCES

What is SafetyWing?

SafetyWing is a travel insurance provider designed with digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term travelers in mind. Their policies meet the needs of long-term travelers who do not have pre-defined travel plans and provide comprehensive coverage for medical and non-medical emergencies as they move from city to city. Let’s take a deeper look at SafetyWing:

Pros and Cons of Safetywing:

Pros

Flexible plans and packages for travelers who spend most of the year traveling;
Possible to start insurance at any time before or after the trip begins;
Visits to your country of origin are covered;
Cheaper than most long-term travel insurance alternatives;
Includes COVID-19 cover.

Cons

Doesn’t cover people over the age of 70;
Doesn’t offer coverage in North Korea, Cuba, or Iran;
Extreme sports may not be covered as widely.

How to register for SafetyWing:

Signing up for SafetyWing is easy. This can be done as follows.

Go to the SafetyWing website and go to the insurance section.
Enter your travel information and personal information.
Check your coverage options and choose the plan that’s right for you.
Make the required payment and voila! Your insurance documents slide straight into your mailbox.

Official website: https://www.safetywing.com

What is World Nomads?

World Nomads, founded by fellow digital nomads, has been providing a diverse range of travel insurance solutions since 2002. They understand the needs and challenges of travelers like us and have tailored their offerings to ensure we’re well-protected on our adventures.

Having been in the business for over two decades, this insurance company has skyrocketed in popularity, becoming the top choice for backpackers and digital nomads around the globe. And it’s no wonder why! Their policies offer an impressive amount of coverage that truly caters to the needs of adventurous travelers like us.

Pros and Cons of World Nomads

Pros

Possible to start or extend insurance at any time before or after the trip begins;
Covers a wide range of sports and adventure activities, and most volunteering experiences;
Includes COVID-19 cover plus cancellation insurance.

Cons

Slightly higher price compared to some other insurance companies
Doesn’t cover people over the age of 70;
Doesn’t offer medical coverage in your country of origin.

How to register for World Nomads:

Getting World Nomads travel insurance is as easy as pie:

Visit the World Nomads website and select your country of residence.
Enter your travel date, destination, and personal details.
Choose the coverage and advanced settings according to your preferences.
Check the policy terms and conditions and then seal the deal with payment.
Check your email for your insurance documents.

Official website: https://www.worldnomads.com

Which is better: SafetyWing vs World Nomads?

When it comes to deciding between SafetyWing and World Nomads, it all boils down to your needs. SafetyWing is a star at providing affordable coverage for essential medical needs, making it ideal for those who prioritize health emergencies. However, be aware that it may have limited compensation for trip cancellation or lost luggage. World Nomads shines when it comes to comprehensive coverage including trip cancellation, lost luggage and personal liability. They are a great choice if you are looking for more protection, especially for adventure activities. Keep in mind that this comprehensive coverage may come at a slightly higher price.

Ultimately, your decision will depend on your unique needs, preferences, and budget.


	Sign Up	Sign Up
Unexpected illness or injury abroad	YES	YES
Hospital, medical or dental expenses	YES	YES
Emergency transfer	YES	YES
Missed and delayed flights	YES	YES
Loss of checked baggage	YES	YES
Adventure activities	YES	YES
Coverage in the country of origin	NO	Every 90 days of coverage abroad offers 30 days of coverage in the country of origin (15 in the case of the United States)
Routine examinations and consultation	NO	NO
Preventive medicine	NO	NO
Pre-existing health problems	NO	NO
Insurance for remote company teams	NO	YES
Countries of coverage	All	All except North Korea, Cuba, and Iran
Equipment coverage	Mobile phones – Desktop computers -Laptops – Tablets -Cameras -Camera equipment	Mobile phones – Desktop computers -Laptops – Tablets -Cameras -Camera equipment
Amount of the claim	$100 per claim (excluding emergency medical evacuation and repatriation expenses)	$250 per policy
Purchase or extension of cover during the trip	YES	YES
Coverage in the United States	YES	YES + additional value
Monthly price	About $120 per month, depending on the plan	About $42 per month, depending on age
	Sign Up	Sign Up

Why do you need travel insurance?

Why is travel insurance so important for digital nomads and all travelers? Let’s break it down:

Trip Cancellation or Termination: Unexpected events such as illness or natural disasters are, well… unexpected. And you might be forced to cancel or shorten your trip on short notice. Thankfully, travel insurance provides financial protection by compensating non-refundable expenses.

Medical emergencies: If you’re out there living your best life and YOLO-ing, sometimes accidents do happen. And what’s worse than getting stuck in a hospital on a trip? Getting stuck in a hospital with a hefty hospital bill. Travel insurance guarantees you quality medical care and covers the cost of treatment, hospitalization and emergency evacuation.

Lost or delayed luggage: Lost or delayed luggage is one of my worst nightmares. There’s (almost) nothing worse than rocking up to a new country and having none of your belongings with you. Travel insurance helps cover replacement costs for essentials, giving you peace of mind.

Personal Liability: Accidents happen while traveling and you may be liable for damage or injury to third-party property. Travel insurance protects you against potential legal and financial liabilities.

Peace of mind: Travel insurance provides peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your adventures without worrying about unexpected expenses or emergencies.

Choosing the right travel insurance policy requires careful consideration of the impact it will have on your travel plans and overall experience. Will you just be touring a metropolitan city like Tokyo? Or will you be jumping out of airplanes in New Zealand? Consider each provider’s coverage options, limitations, and exclusions.

Reading user reviews is a good way to get an idea of whether SafetyWing or World Nomads will work best for your travel plans. But remember that what works for one person may not be the best for another.

When it comes to travel insurance for digital nomads, SafetyWing and World Nomads are both reputable options. SafetyWing specializes in affordable coverage for medical emergencies, while World Nomads offers comprehensive coverage for a wider range of travel-related accidents. Remember that travel insurance is an investment in your peace of mind and security, ensuring that unexpected events will not interrupt or cancel your trip.

MY TOP TRAVEL TIPS & RESOURCES

Here are my top travel tips and resources to help you save money and plan your trips effectively! If you're looking for more tips, head over to my travel tips resource page or my comprehensive guide on trip planning.

Booking Flights: When it comes to finding great flight deals, I always start my search on Google Flights or Skyscanner. To save some cash, consider flying mid-week or on the weekends, opt for carry-on only with budget airlines, and be open to red-eye or early morning flights. Check out my in-depth guide on how I find the cheapest flights.
Accommodations: I'm a stickler for finding the absolute best deals on my stays, so I will obsessively oscillate between a few booking sites: Booking.com (in general) and Agoda (for Asian destinations). When it comes to vacation rentals, there's Airbnb or VRBO.
Travel Insurance: It's always a wise decision to purchase travel insurance for international trips. I can't stress this enough - it's highly recommended! For international travel insurance, I suggest considering World Nomads or SafetyWing. SafetyWing, in particular, stands out as one of the few policies that cover Covid-19. They also offer excellent monthly policies that are perfect for digital nomads and long-term travelers!
Travel Credit Card: My go-to travel credit card for booking trips is the Wise travel card. I love that there are no foreign transaction fees, so I can pay like a local and never get any surprises at the end of my trip. You can also withdraw cash from the ATMs wherever you are. With Wise, you are always guaranteed the best exchange rate, and I have saved sooo much money just by using this card. Most of the time, I get charged the exchange rate I see on Google, plus or minus a few cents.
Tours: Most times, I prefer traveling independently but sometimes, getting a guide and a local's perspective makes the experience all the more enriching. When it comes to tour bookings, I trust Viator and GetYourGuide to provide me with excellent options. In Asia, I choose Klook as they are the biggest provider in the region. Plus, you can often get entrance tickets and discounted prices!
Transportation: To navigate through public transit options and plan my journeys from one place to another, I rely on Rome2Rio. When it comes to rental cars, I compare rental companies and find the best deals through DiscoverCars.
Connection: It's essential to me to have seamless connectivity wherever I go. I need it to navigate to new places, Google what's around me, and keep in touch with my loved ones. But fumbling around with multiple SIMs has always been a nightmare, which is why I choose Airalo when I travel. No more switching SIMs, just purchase a plan on your phone, on the go, anywhere, and stay connected.
Luggage Storage: Whenever I need to check out early or take advantage of a long layover, I securely store my luggage with LuggageHero. It's a reliable service that allows me to roam around freely. As a bonus, you can use this link to enjoy your first hour of FREE luggage storage on me!
What to Pack: I always have packing anxiety once I've left home—you know the phantom feeling that you've forgotten something even though you've checked 372836 times. So I made my own packing list and use it religiously before every trip, and by religious I mean I tick off that list at least 7 times before I zip up my bag. Check out my in-depth packing list here.