SafetyWing Nomad Insurance: A Game-Changer? (2023 Review)
A friend of mine had a motorbike accident in Thailand which left him medically evacuated and millions in debt at just 21 years old.
A simple insurance, costing no more than a dinner or two at a restaurant, could've prevented this life-altering situation. And that's why I never leave home without a proper insurance anymore.
In this review, I'll break down how SafetyWing can keep you from ending up in a mess like my friend did. Keep reading to see if it's worth your money.
Note: The content provided on this page, is based solely on my personal research, experiences and opinions. I am not a lawyer, insurance expert, or official representative of any insurance company, including SafetyWing. It's essential that you refer directly to SafetyWing's official website for accurate information and details on the terms of their service. Always consult with a professional at SafetyWing before making any decisions based on the information provided here.
What is SafetyWing and Nomad Insurance?
SafetyWing is a company that focuses on providing insurance services for remote workers and digital nomads. Or anyone traveling, really.
The company is run by nomads so one of their main goals is to keep the price low. I've yet to come across a travel medical insurance with prices like SafetyWing's.
They offer a range of products, with their most popular being Nomad Insurance, a travel medical insurance for digital nomads and remote workers.
The team behind SafetyWing is also remote, working from various locations around the world.
What does SafetyWing cover?
Important! Make sure you read the official SafetyWing Description of Coverage policy for a comprehensive and up to date list of coverage inclusions and exclusions.
Medical Coverage
Max Limit
$250,000
$100,000 for WorldTrips policy holders over the age of 65
Deductible
$250
Medically necessary treatment of unexpected illness or injury (inpatient or outpatient)
Up to max policy limit
Ambulance and emergency transportation
Up to max policy limit, when covered illness or injury results in hospitalization
Emergency transportation to a better equipped hospital (medical evacuation)
Up to $100,000 lifetime max, or up to $25,000 in relation to a pre-existing illness or injury
Emergency dental treatment
Up to $1,000 in relation to acute onset of pain as long as you seek treatment within 24 hours of the pain starting
All other benefits
Up to the overall max limit
Travel Coverage
Unforeseen events in your home country requiring you to interrupt your trip and go home
Up to $5,000
Unplanned overnight stay
Up to $100 per day for up to 2 days
Lost checked luggage
Up to $3,000 per active insurance period, $500 per item. Up to $6,000 lifetime max.
Accommodation in a different place if a natural disaster causes evacuation
Up to $100 a day for up to 5 days
Evacuation from local political unrest
Up to $10,000 lifetime max
Personal liability
Up to $25,000 lifetime max for third person injury or property, and up to $2,500 for related third person property.
If you die
- Arrangement for your body (burial or repatriation of remains)
- Up to $20,000 for transportation or up to $10,000 for local burial
- Cash payout to your beneficiary (accidental death)
- Up to $25,000. Your death has to be the sole and direct result of bodily injury caused by external, violent and visible means.
What is not covered by the insurance?
- High risk sports activity
- Pre-existing disease and injury
- Cancer treatment
What does SafetyWing cost?
Price Calculator
Pros and Cons
Now that we have some technical details out of the way, let's talk about pros and cons.
I've read through the policies in detail, had video interview with SafetyWing representatives, and researched the opinions of hundreds of people.
People who not only are customers of SafetyWing, but who have had to claim money due to accidents, injury or sickness.
Pros
- Easy to use: It's like a subscription and has options for all kinds of travelers and remote workers.
- Insanely cheap: Their travel medical insurance starts at around $45 for 4 weeks. I haven't seen a cheaper option, and I've spent more than 30 hours researching travel insurance providers.
- Motorbike or Scooter Coverage: Motorbike coverage is not something I've seen offered by any other insurance provider.
- Includes COVID-19 and quarantine coverage.
- Global and some home country coverage: You're covered worldwide and can get some coverage in your home country for up to 30 days every 3 months.
- High trust factor: I noticed that SafetyWing is backed by Y-Combinator (worlds largest startup accelerator) and their policy is managed by Tokio Marine, a big insurance company.
- Buy it anywhere, anytime: Available in 180 countries and you can buy it even if you're already traveling.
- 24/7 support: It's easy to get quick help from them.
- Made for nomads: One thing I liked is that they're not just a generic insurance company with outdated policies for travel. They truly are made for nomads and by nomads.
- Simple and straight forward: No hidden fees or complicated rules.
- Big community: Over 55,000 members use our insurance.
Cons
- No coverage for certain high risk sports. If you're looking to do a lot of base-jumping or other high risk sports, this might not be the insurance for you.
- No coverage for pre-existing conditions. Make sure you read their policy on this.
- Limited coverage for your personal items, such as phones, laptops etc.
- Has an age limit
- Deductible is mandatory. So you have to cover the initial $250.
How to File a Claim with SafetyWing
Filing a claim with SafetyWing is a straightforward process designed to be user-friendly. Whether you're dealing with a political evacuation or medical expenses, the company aims to make the claims process as seamless as possible.
- Visit SafetyWing's online claims portal to fill out the claim form. Alternatively, you can download the form and send it via email or mail.
- Attach all required documents such as original itemized bills, receipts, and proof of payment for the expenses you're claiming.
- Include your policy number and contact information on the claim form for easy reference.
- Submit your claim within 60 days of the date of service or as soon as reasonably possible.
- Receive a confirmation email, and your claim will start being processed.
- Claims are typically resolved within 20 to 45 business days, depending on the volume of claims being processed.
- If you have any questions or concerns during this period, you can contact SafetyWing's customer support.
In summary, SafetyWing aims to make the claims process efficient and straightforward. While the time for claim resolution can vary, their excellent customer support is always available to assist you throughout the process.
Is SafetyWing right for me?
| Good for | Not good for |
|---|---|
| Nomads who travel often | Older travelers (> 69) |
| Nomads who wants peace of mind against the largest unexpected expenses | People who want coverage against pre-existing conditions |
| Travelers looking for budget options | People who want coverage against high risk activities |
| People who don't have much travel gear (laptops and electronics) | |
| Peoplo who plan to ride motorbikes and scooters |
SafetyWing is right for you if you're looking for a straightforward, affordable insurance option that excels at covering major risks, all while offering a user-friendly experience.
SafetyWing excels at covering the big, scary expenses that can ruin your travels, like major accidents or medical emergencies.
They're not so much about the small stuff, but when it comes to the big hits, they've got your back.
What sets them apart is their user-friendly website, quick sign-up process, and excellent customer support.
For digital nomads who want to get insured quickly without breaking the bank, SafetyWing is a solid choice.
I found their offerings to be straightforward and transparent, unlike other insurance providers that often have complicated fee structures and hidden costs.
SafetyWing compared to other insurance providers
| Provider | Coverage | Deductible | Covers pre-existing conditions | Covers high risk sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SafetyWing | Emergencies. Evacutations. Tripl delays. Lost luggage. | $250 | No | No |
| WorldNomads | Treatments. Evacutation. Trip cancellations. Theft. | Varies | No | Yes |
| Insured Nomads | Treatments. Trip cancellations. | No | Yes | Yes |
Nomad Insurance Accessibility
Nomad Insurance is designed with accessibility in mind.
The website is user-friendly, making it simple to understand the features and benefits of their policies.
And I don't say that lightly.
As a web developer of 15 years, I'm incredibly harsh against the UX and design of most websites, especially against insurance companies who normally have incredibly slow and outdated designs and difficult navigations.
But SafetyWing really offers a seamless online purchasing process, which is a great advantage for tech-savvy travelers.
Contacting SafetyWing
Contacting SafetyWing is surprisingly easy.
Throughout my research, I have noticed that a lot of insurance companies make it difficult to contact them, hiding contact forms and email addresses behind FAQ's and such.
SafetyWing does not do this.
They offer multiple channels for communication, ensuring your queries are addressed promptly.
They have a customer service chat portal, and email addresses right on their website.
They are even active on reddit, which is just another testiment to their progressive and young company culture.
Real-life Experience: How SafetyWing Came to the Rescue Abroad
When you do research on a product, it's always important to listen to more than one voice.
Here are a couple of people who have used SafetyWing who explain in detail their experience with the company.
When Mike got hospitalized in Bali
When Kach had a car accident:
Read Kach's story on Facebook about surviving a horrible car accident in northern Pakistan, and how SafetyWing assisted with this.
Summary
SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance an excellent option for those of us who are budget-conscious and mainly looking to cover significant expenses.
On the flip side, it's not the best choice if you're traveling with a lot of electronics or need comprehensive coverage for trip delays or cancellations.
But the ease of use, the ridiculously low price, the motorbike coverage (yay, I love me some scooter riding), and the easy subscription based (buy and cancel anytime) format is well worth the downsides.
Despite its limitations, the unique features of SafetyWing Nomad Insurance make it a compelling choice for me.
In my opinion, it's the best travel insurance company out there for budget travelers like me.
FAQ
Who underwrites SafetyWing?
Tokio Marine HCC underwrites SafetyWing Nomad Insurance.
As a leading specialty insurance group, Tokio Marine HCC brings a wealth of experience and financial stability to the table.
Their partnership with SafetyWing ensures policyholders have access to comprehensive coverage while traveling.
It's worth noting that SafetyWing's commitment to providing reliable and affordable Nomad Insurance is further enhanced by this strategic underwriting relationship.
What is Nomad Insurance?
Nomad Insurance is one of the insurance products that SafetyWing offers. It is designed to meet the unexpected medical and travel needs faced by people traveling outside of their home country.
Is Nomad Insurance health insurance?
No. Nomad Insurance is a travel medical insurance policy for digital nomads. It is not a replacement for health insurance because it is only designed to cover accidents and emergencies that may happen while you travel rather than elective treatment or continuing treatment of chronic conditions.
How much does Nomad Insurance cost?
For a member aged 10-39 years, Nomad Insurance costs around $45 USD for any coverage period up to 4 weeks. Premiums increase with age.
Where can I travel with Nomad Insurance?
You are covered for travel anywhere in the world outside of your home country, with the exception of any country or area that is sanctioned. SafetyWing complies with US, UK, EU and UN sanctions.
Am I covered if I travel home?
Yes, they cover visits home, but note that the visit has to be incidental. What that means is that you returning home cannot be for the purpose of obtaining treatment for an illness or injury that began while abroad. For every 90 days, you are covered for up to 30 days in your home country (15 days if your home country is the US), for unforeseen eligible medical conditions.
If you stay in your home country longer than 30 days (15 for USA), your coverage is void until you leave. The coverage resumes once you are out of the country again. You can’t accumulate extra days; only 30 days (or 15 days if your home country is the US) are available per 90-day period.
References
safetywing.comycombinator.com
nomadgate.com
Get Nomad Insurance:
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