Navigating the World With Confidence: Your Guide to SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

FAQs about Nomad Essential and Nomad Complete: What’s covered? How do I file a claim? Which plan is right for me?

Imagine this: You’re trekking through the lush landscapes of Bali, your laptop safely tucked away after a morning of remote work. The sun is setting, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. Suddenly, you trip over an unseen root, and before you know it, you’re nursing a fractured wrist miles away from home. Or perhaps you’re exploring the bustling streets of Barcelona, and your backpack — with your essential gadgets — is nowhere to be found. As a digital nomad, freelancer or avid traveler, these scenarios can be part and parcel of the adventurous life you’ve chosen. 

But with adventure comes unpredictability, and that’s where SafetyWing Nomad insurance steps in, ensuring you’re covered, no matter where the journey takes you.

Frequently Asked Questions about SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

What is SafetyWing Nomad insurance?

SafetyWing's Nomad insurance is a comprehensive insurance solution tailored for individuals who live and work remotely across the globe. It offers two distinct plans: Essential and Complete, designed to cater to varying needs of travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers. Whether you're seeking coverage for unexpected medical emergencies or a full-fledged health insurance plan with added travel protections, SafetyWing has got you covered.

What’s the difference between the Nomad Essential and Nomad Complete plans?

• Essential Plan: This plan focuses on travel medical insurance, covering treatment for new and unexpected medical issues while you're traveling. It includes hospital stays, surgeries, medications, emergency evacuations, and even lost luggage. However, it doesn't cover routine check-ups, pre-existing conditions, maternity care, or cancer treatment. It's ideal for those seeking coverage primarily for unforeseen incidents during their travels.

• Complete Plan: Building upon the Essential Plan, the Complete Plan offers full health insurance with additional travel protections. It covers routine medical care, wellness therapies, mental health support, and cancer treatment. Additionally, it provides coverage for burglary, canceled accommodations, and delayed luggage. This plan is perfect for long-term travelers or digital nomads seeking comprehensive health coverage alongside travel insurance.

Can I purchase Nomad insurance if I’m already abroad?

Absolutely! SafetyWing allows you to sign up for Nomad insurance before you depart or at any point during your travels or while living abroad. There's no need to be in your home country to purchase a policy. 

Does Nomad insurance cover COVID-related expenses?

Yes, medical treatment for COVID-19 is covered under both the Essential and Complete plans, provided the virus was contracted after your policy start date. Routine testing or preventive measures are not covered unless deemed medically necessary due to symptoms. 

Are there any age restrictions for the plans?

The Essential plan is available for individuals up to 69 years old. The Complete Plan, however, is available for individuals up to 64 years old. Premiums vary based on age brackets.

How does home country coverage work?

• Essential Plan: After being abroad for 90 days, you retain medical coverage for 30 days when you visit your home country (15 days if your home country is the U.S.). This is designed to provide short-term coverage during brief visits back home.

• Complete Plan: This plan offers full coverage in your country of residence without any time limitations, making it suitable for those who split their time between multiple countries or frequently return home.

What add-ons are available to customize my coverage?

SafetyWing offers several add-ons to enhance your coverage:

• Adventure Sports: Extends coverage to include high-risk activities such as scuba diving, skydiving, white-water rafting, and more.

• Electronics Theft: Provides reimbursement for stolen electronics, ensuring your gadgets are protected.

• U.S. Coverage: For non-residents, this add-on includes coverage for trips to the United States.

How do I file a claim if something goes wrong?

Filing a claim with SafetyWing is straightforward:

1. Report the incident. Notify SafetyWing as soon as possible about the incident.

2. Gather documentation. Collect all relevant documents, such as medical reports, receipts, police reports (in case of theft), and any other supporting evidence.

3. Submit the claim. Log in to your SafetyWing account and fill out the claim form, attaching all necessary documents.

SafetyWing aims to process claims efficiently, ensuring you receive reimbursement promptly. 

What are pre-existing conditions, and are they covered?

A pre-existing condition refers to any illness or injury that you have been diagnosed with or received treatment for before your SafetyWing policy start date. Unfortunately, both the Essential and Complete plans do not cover pre-existing conditions. It's crucial to review the policy details to understand the specifics of this exclusion. 

How do I choose between the Nomad Essential and Nomad Complete plans?

Think of it this way:

• Nomad Essential is great if you want solid travel medical coverage for unexpected illnesses, injuries, or hospital visits while abroad. It’s ideal if you’re generally healthy and don’t need coverage for routine checkups or ongoing medical care.

• Nomad Complete is for nomads who want full health insurance, including preventative care, mental health support, and trip protections like lost luggage, trip cancellations, and liability coverage. If you plan to be abroad long-term or need a safety net beyond medical emergencies, this plan makes more sense.

Still unsure? Ask yourself: Do I need routine doctor visits, dental care or mental health support? If yes, go for Nomad Complete. If not, Nomad Essential will likely be enough.

Coverage	Nomad Essential	Nomad Complete
Medical Emergencies	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
COVID Coverage	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Emergency Dental	🚫 No	✅ Yes
Trip Cancellation / Interruption	🚫 No	✅ Yes
Trip Delay	🚫 No	✅ Yes
Lost / Stolen Luggage	🚫 No	✅ Yes
Electronics Theft	🚫 No	✅ Yes
Natural Disaster / Political Evacuation	🚫 No	✅ Yes
Personal Liability	🚫 No	✅ Yes
Routine Checkups	🚫 No	✅ Yes
Mental Health Support	🚫 No	✅ Yes
Pre-Existing Conditions	🚫 No	🚫 No
Home Country Coverage	✅ Limited (30 days after 90 days abroad, 15 days for U.S.)	✅ Full Coverage
Adventure Sports	🔹 Available as add-on	🔹 Available as add-on
U.S. Coverage	🔹 Available as add-on	🔹 Available as add-on

Ready to Travel Smarter?

Nomad life is unpredictable — that’s part of the fun. But having the right coverage means you can focus on adventure instead of worrying about hospital bills, stolen gear or canceled flights. –Wally

Get covered with SafetyWing and travel with confidence.

Digital Nomad Life: What No One Tells You About Working From Anywhere

Remote work from anywhere isn’t always a dream. From visa runs to Wi-Fi fails, here’s what digital nomads really face.

You’ve seen the Instagram posts: Laptop perched on a sunlit café table, feet buried in the sand, a coconut drink in hand. It’s the digital nomad dream, right?

But let’s be honest: Remote work from paradise isn’t always as effortless as it looks. Nobody posts about their Wi-Fi dropping mid-Zoom call, the sketchy hostel that overbooked their room, or the unexpected trip to a foreign hospital (because, yes, street food roulette is real).

So, let’s get real about what working from anywhere actually means — and how to keep your sanity (and your wallet) intact.

1. Your “office” might be a disaster waiting to happen. 

You imagine working from a trendy coworking space in Bali, but reality often looks more like:

• A café where the Wi-Fi is slower than dial-up.

• A beach where your laptop overheats in the sun.

• A hostel with one power outlet…that isn’t compatible with your plug.

Solution? Research before you go. Check coworking spots, invest in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, and always have an offline backup of important files. And, of course, make sure you’re covered if your laptop takes an unfortunate dive off a tuk-tuk (because, yes, that can happen).

2. Visa runs can feel like a full-time job. 

Digital nomads often get by on tourist visas, which means every few months, you’ll be scrambling for a visa run. Cheap flights to nearby countries sound fun — until you’re stuck in an immigration office explaining why you’re back again after only 24 hours.

Pro tip: Some countries are getting strict about this. If you’re hopping around, check visa policies before you arrive, and consider places with long-stay digital nomad visas.

3. You will get sick at the worst time possible.

It’s not if, it’s when. One day, you’ll eat the wrong street taco, get a surprise ear infection before a long-haul flight, or sprain your ankle trying to look cool on a scooter.

And unless you want to drain your savings on an ER visit in Thailand, having travel medical insurance is a non-negotiable.

Consider a policy specially designed for your lifestyle, like Nomad Essential so you’re covered for the basics, like unexpected medical bills, emergencies and even COVID. And if you want full coverage, including trip protection, electronics theft and liability insurance, Nomad Complete has you covered. Because the only thing worse than getting sick abroad is getting stuck with the bill.

4. Loneliness is real (even when you’re in a crowded hostel).

Digital nomad life can be thrilling, but it also means constantly saying goodbye. It’s easy to feel untethered when your friends are scattered across five continents.

Fix it: Join local digital nomad communities, coworking spaces and online groups. And if you can, pick a few “home bases” instead of constantly moving — it helps with routine, friendships and, let’s be honest, finding a reliable coffee spot.

5. The nomad life isn’t a vacation (though it can feel like one). 

Working from the beach sounds cool…until you realize the sand, sun and people having actual vacations are just distractions. Finding work-life balance while constantly on the move is an art form. Some tips:

✅ Set work hours.

✅ Take real days off.

✅ Don’t burn out in the name of “freedom.”

Because at the end of the day, being a digital nomad isn’t about escaping reality — it’s about designing a life that works for you.

Stay Covered, Stay Nomadic

Whether you’re bouncing between continents or settling into a new home base, Nomad Essential and Nomad Complete insurance plans are designed for remote workers like you. They’re flexible and built for life on the move — so you can focus on the adventure, not the what-ifs.

Get covered today and travel with peace of mind. Learn more about SafetyWing Nomad insurance. –Wally

11 Factors to Consider When Comparing Travel Insurance Plans

How to choose the best travel insurance to suit your needs, including coverage, costs and key features. 

Severely delayed or canceled flights, lost or stolen luggage, natural disasters, political turmoil in your destination country—any of these issues can quickly turn your dream trip into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a safety net, making it easier to adjust your travel plans and potentially lower your overall costs.

By covering many of the unexpected costs associated with travel disruptions, you can keep your budget on track and emergency funds intact, so you can focus on enjoying activities like excursions and dining.

What should I look for when comparing travel insurance plans?

Here are the most important factors to consider when comparing travel insurance plans to find the policy that best fits your needs.

1. Policy prices and your budget

Before choosing a travel insurance policy, figure out your total budget and how much you’re willing to pay out-of-pocket for claims (this is known as voluntary excess). For example, with a $200 deductible, you’ll cover the first $200 of any claim. Once you know your budget and deductible, you can narrow down your options accordingly.

A policy with more extensive coverage requires a larger investment but offers protection for a wider range of situations. Basic policies are more affordable but may only cover common travel-related issues, such as trip cancellation and interruption. Consider whether the added assurance of a comprehensive policy is worth the higher cost.

2. Coverage for trip delays, interruptions and cancellations

Travel insurance policies often provide financial protection if your trip gets cancelled, delayed or interrupted. 

A great travel insurance policy will cover things like hotel expenses, the cost of food and drink or other travel expensess when your trip is disrupted.

3. The areas covered by the policy

Travel insurance policies can cover a single country or multiple countries. If you plan on traveling across borders and visiting several countries in a single trip, consider getting an international policy so you have seamless coverage during your travels. However, if you have just one country to visit during your trip, a single-country policy will suffice.

4. The number of countries you’re visiting

There are various types of travel insurance policies available, including those for a single journey, multiple journeys or annual policies for an unlimited amount of travel within a 12-month period.

As the name suggests, a single journey policy covers you for one trip, and you’ll need to specify to your insurance provider which country you’re traveling to. International travel insurance plans cover hundreds of different countries, so you have more freedom to travel wherever you like, while still having some protection with your travel plans.

5. The number of people traveling 

Travel insurance policies can also be split into categories based on how many people are covered in a single policy. For example, you can get a single-person plan that only you can benefit from or a joint policy, where you can share your coverage with another person, whether it’s your partner, sibling, child or even a friend.

If you’re traveling with your entire family, consider getting a family policy. Compared with multiple single-person policies, a family policy often works out cheaper, so you have more to spend on booking the perfect holiday, dining in top-rated restaurants, where you can practice great tipping etiquette.

6. Healthcare coverage

Many travel insurance providers offer health insurance (also called medical insurance) as part of their policies. These policies help pay for access to doctors and other healthcare professionals in your local area when traveling. They may also cover prescription medications and ongoing therapies if you’re managing a chronic health issue.

Healthcare and medical treatments can be expensive in foreign countries, even in places that have free universal healthcare for their citizens. 

7. Coverage limits

Make sure you understand the maximum amount the insurance will pay out for various claims, such as medical expenses, lost luggage or trip cancellations. Some policies may have caps that are lower than what you might need.

8. Exclusions

Review what’s not covered by the policy. Common exclusions can include pre-existing medical conditions, certain activities like extreme sports or travel to specific countries. Insurance providers may exclude coverage for travel to countries that are deemed high-risk due to political instability, war, terrorism or health outbreaks. Examples of countries that might be excluded include Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, Libya and Yemen. 

Knowing these exclusions can prevent unpleasant surprises and help you select a policy that aligns with your travel plans.

9. Claims process

Understand how to make a claim, the documentation required and the timeframe for claim submissions. A simple and efficient claim process can make a big difference during a stressful situation.

10. Customer support

Check if the insurance provider offers 24/7 customer support, especially useful when traveling internationally. Immediate assistance can be crucial when dealing with emergencies in different time zones.

11. Repatriation and emergency evacuation

You might want to see if the policy covers the costs of repatriation and emergency evacuation if you fall seriously ill or get injured and need to be transported back home.

Travel Insurance: You’ve Got It Covered

When choosing a travel insurance policy, consider these 11 factors to help ensure you select the best coverage for your needs. Whether it’s protecting yourself against unexpected travel disruptions, covering medical expenses or ensuring your entire family is protected, a well-chosen travel insurance plan can provide peace of mind and financial security. 

Take the time to compare different policies, assess your needs and find the right balance between coverage and cost. With the right travel insurance, you can enjoy your international adventures with confidence, knowing you’re prepared for any unexpected events. Safe travels! –John Moran