I’ve always been wary of insurance companies. I have almost zero trust in them. So, when I stumbled across members of our South East Asia Backpacker Community singing the praises of SafetyWing, I was keen to find out what it was that made them so popular.
It all came down to one thing, flexibility.
Even if you have no plans and no specific end date for your trip, SafetyWing can cover you for the duration. Their Nomad Essential Insurance works as a subscription service which you can simply pause or cancel whenever you stop travelling!
This type of adaptable insurance proves very attractive for free-spirited backpackers, long-term travellers and digital nomads. It means you can change plans, travel extensively and not have to worry about getting screwed over by a maximum trip length clause buried deep within the small print!
But is SafetyWing coverage as good as other backpacker travel insurers?
Disclaimer: This article is not insurance advice. We’ve done our best to interpret SafetyWing’s policies accurately, but please check the full policy wording yourself before buying.
Related: (links open in a new tab)
- The Best Travel Insurance for Backpackers
- When To Buy Travel Insurance
- Trip Planning for Southeast Asia
Review of SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
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SafetyWing Nomad Essential & Nomad Complete
SafetyWing offers two Nomad Insurance plans: Nomad Essential and Nomad Complete. This guide focuses on the Nomad Essential plan, which provides regular travel medical insurance. Their Nomad Complete plan provides full health insurance coverage with extra travel-related protection. Read our SafetyWing Nomad Insurance comparison guide here.
SafetyWing Pros and Cons
- Flexible
- Covers almost the entire world
- Can get insured while already on the road
- Comprehensive coverage with Nomad Complete
- Includes coverage in home country
- Basic coverage with Nomad Essential
- Expensive items not fully covered
- Doesn't cover pre-existing medical conditions
- No cover for travellers over 69
- Visiting the USA adds significant additional cost
SafetyWing at a Glance
Cost of SafetyWing Travel Insurance
SafetyWing Nomad Essential policy costs $56.28 USD for 28 days cover if you’re aged 18-39. However, the price goes up for older age groups. (Nomad Complete is $161.50USD per month for 18-39 year olds.)
Nomad Essential is a rolling plan so every 4 weeks your cover will auto-renew. It means you don’t have to know exactly when your trip will start or finish, unlike with most travel insurance providers.
When your trip is over, simply log into your SafetyWing account and click the “Stop Insurance” button.
What’s Covered by SafetyWing Nomad Essential Insurance and What’s Not
| Covered | Not Covered |
| Emergency Medical Cover – unexpected illness and injury | Electronics (unless you buy the add-on) |
| Travel Delays and Lost Luggage | Pre-Existing Medical Conditions |
| Visits Home (up to 30 days) | Cancer Treatment |
| Children | High-risk Activities |
| Use of Mopeds and Scooters | Muay Thai Training (unless you buy the Adventure Sports Add-on) |
| Pandemics (inc. COVID-19) | Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
This is a very quick overview of the cover offered by SafetyWing. For more information keep reading!
Getting yourself a SafetyWing Nomad Insurance policy is quick and easy. You can be set up and ready to go within just 15 minutes, leaving you more time to plan your trip!
SafetyWing – A Deep Dive
SafetyWing was founded by three digital nomads who were fed up with constantly fighting to get insurance without a fixed abode. They soon realised there must be a better way.
SafetyWing introduced a new way of doing travel insurance. Initially built for digital nomads, it didn’t take long for backpackers and long-term travellers to flock towards this innovative brand.
10 Reasons Our Readers Choose SafetyWing
1. No End Date Required
SafetyWing don’t require you to know the exact dates you’ll be travelling. Their Nomad Essential Insurance works more like a subscription service. Every 28 days you’ll be billed for the month and your cover is ongoing until you cancel it. When your trip is over, simply log into your account and stop the payments.
Note:
Each policy only actually lasts 364 days. After this time, you’ll need to start a fresh policy with SafetyWing. This can be done while on the road so as long as you’ve got an internet connection, you’re sorted!
2. You Don’t Need to Tell Them Exactly Where You Are Going
SafetyWing know itineraries are fickle and travel plans change. They just need to know the first country you plan to visit on your trip, after that, they don’t need to know unless you make a claim!
SafetyWing recommend letting them know exactly where you’re going in case you need proof of insurance to get a visa but it’s not mandatory.
3. You Can Buy Insurance After Your Trip Has Started
As a rule, general travel insurance companies will not insure you if you are already on the road. Even if you find one that will, they will make sure they are making their money out of you! I was once quoted $600 USD for a two-week insurance policy to get me through to the end of a trip. The coverage for the eight-month trip up until that point had cost $500 USD…
SafetyWing make it easy to get insured on the road and the costs are exactly the same!
Note:
Many of the most popular backpacker insurance companies allow you to get your insurance cover while on the road. So, while it’s good that SafetyWing offer this, it’s not unique to them!
4. They Cover Your Visits Home
Most insurers have stipulations written into their policy that nullifies the coverage as soon as you return to your home country. SafetyWing not only allow you to visit home without invalidating the insurance, they also cover you while you’re at home! However, coverage with Nomad Essential only extends to 30 days in your home country. If you’ll need longer, it’s good to know that SafetyWing’s Nomad Complete offers unlimited coverage in your home country.
Some conditions apply to the home cover, be sure to read your policy wording!
5. Simple Pricing
No matter where, when or how you’re travelling, SafetyWing make their pricing structure easy to understand. The only factors they take into account are your age and whether you’ll be visiting the USA.
6. They’re Good for Families
SafetyWing aren’t only for backpackers and digital nomads. They’re also great for travelling families. One child under 10 can be included with each adult Nomad Essential policy free of charge (up to two children per family). Any more children under 10 will need to be added to the policy in the same way as an adult.
7. They Cover Your Classic Backpacker Activities
SafetyWing offer cover for hiking, surfing, riding a scooter or motorcycle (but only if you’re licensed to ride a motorcycle in your home country) and even tackling Bolivia’s infamous Death Road. This means you can get on with your travels without constantly worrying about whether you’re insured!
If you want to take part in activities like scuba diving or Muay Thai, you’ll need to purchase the Adventure Sports Add-on (unless you have Nomad Complete, which covers these as standard).
Of course, it’s always worth confirming with SafetyWing themselves if you’re concerned about whether you’re covered for a specific activity.
8. They Offer Pandemic Cover
Until 2020, most of us hadn’t even considered that we might need pandemic cover. Or even knew that it isn’t included as standard with most travel insurance.
After COVID-19 hit the news and changed the face of travel, SafetyWing stepped up and now offer COVID-19 cover as a part of their Nomad Insurance plans.
9. They Offer Political Evacuation
Some of the most popular countries for backpackers are known to be a little unstable at times. When $h!t hits the fan, SafetyWing are there to make sure you can get to a safer destination!
You only have to look at past events in Peru, Myanmar, Venezuela, Colombia and even Thailand to realise you never know what might happen while you’re travelling – having a way out is always a good idea!
10. They’re Easy to Contact
It shouldn’t really be a selling point but if you’ve ever tried contacting a traditional insurance company, you’ll know they’re not always keen to get back to you! SafetyWing have a dedicated 24/7 team available to help you with whatever you need. They have a good reputation for speedy response times; the Customer Care team usually reply within 1 minute!
What Do SafetyWing Cover and What’s Not Covered?
I know it’s boring but you really should read the description of coverage before buying travel insurance. You’ll be amazed at how many ways your insurer will worm their way out of parting with cash.
For example, SafetyWing will not cover you for kidnapping unless you have, to the best of your ability, kept the existence of your insurance policy a secret.
This isn’t specifically SafetyWing mugging you off though, it’s very normal for travel insurers to have exclusions like this, which is why it’s so important to understand what you are paying for before buying your insurance!
Editor’s Update:
SafetyWing responded to the above statement with the following…
“The breach would likely only come into play if there is an explicit connection between the incident and the insured ignoring the confidentiality requirement, like posting on Twitter: ‘I just bought kidnap and ransom insurance.'”
In General, SafetyWing’s Nomad Essential Insurance Covers:
Medical Cover
SafetyWing’s Nomad Essential Insurance covers you if you fall ill or have an accident while travelling. This is assuming it wasn’t sustained during a high-risk activity, isn’t due to a pre-existing medical condition* and isn’t a cancer treatment.
*If you suffer from an acute onset of a pre-existing medical condition while travelling then you WILL be covered for treatment but only under certain circumstances.
Your emergency transportation to a hospital, nursing, treatment and room costs are all included in your cover. You’ll also be covered for emergency dental treatment up to $1000 USD in value.
Psst… If you’re looking for comprehensive medical treatment (including routine check ups), SafetyWing’s Nomad Complete plan might be more appropriate.
Travel Cover
As well as medical coverage, SafetyWing protect you financially from travel-related issues such as delays exceeding 12 hours and unplanned overnight stays. Emergency evacuation due to natural disasters or political situations is covered too, with a few exceptions.
Visits Home
SafetyWing’s Nomad Essential Insurance will cover you when visiting home. This cover is only valid for 30 days every three months. Essentially, you can visit home for a one-month period once every three months and not have to worry about getting extra cover. If you are from the United States, this cover is only valid for 15 days every three months.
Children
One child under ten can be included with each adult policy. It’s worth noting that you can only add two children under ten per family. Any more and you’ll need to pay for their policy as you would an adult.
Mopeds and Scooters
The good news for backpackers is that moped use is covered by SafetyWing.* However, to avoid invalidating your insurance, you need to be properly licensed and have the correct paperwork to ride a motorcycle – and not be intoxicated. Obviously…
*SafetyWing will only cover your medical expenses should you be hurt in an accident. There is no liability insurance offered!
SafetyWing Do Not Cover:
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
SafetyWing do not cover pre-existing medical conditions. If you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition, SafetyWing will still offer you cover but they will not pay out for any complications with your ongoing condition.
If you have “acute onset” of your condition and seek treatment within 24 hours, you can claim for that treatment but make sure you understand the policy wording on this front!
Cancer Treatments
SafetyWing Nomad Essential Insurance does not cover cancer treatments either at home or abroad (but their Nomad Complete Insurance does!).
High-Risk Activities
There are A LOT of activities not covered by SafetyWing’s Nomad Essential for a full list check the description of coverage (activities are on page 20-23). With the Adventure Sport Add-on, you will be covered for additional activities, including martial arts (eg Muay Thai) and whitewater rafting. However, some sports are not included even with the add on, such as cliff jumping and all-terrain vehicles.
Mental Illness
SafetyWing’s Nomad Essential plan will not cover you for mental health conditions (but Nomad Complete will!).
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
SafetyWing do not cover any form of sexually transmitted diseases or infection.
Countries Not Covered
SafetyWing covers almost every country in the world with just a few exceptions. There is no cover in Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Puerto Rico, Russia, Syria or Ukraine.
You will also not be covered for kidnapping or express kidnapping in Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, or any country facing international sanctions
The countries listed above can change without notice. It’s always worth contacting SafetyWing directly to get the most up-to-date information.
Other
There are a bunch of other exclusions in the description of coverage – make sure you read it properly!
How to Make a Claim With SafetyWing
Making a claim with SafetyWing is very similar to making any travel insurance claim – just follow these simple steps!
- Make sure you keep all receipts.
- Fill out the claim form online.
- Upload copies of your receipts.
- Wait for confirmation.
- You can follow the progress of your claim on your SafetyWing profile dashboard.
- Once your claim is approved, you’ll be reimbursed.
Since SafetyWing became their own carrier (meaning they don’t need to be underwritten by a third party) their claims process has been simplified. It typically takes around two minutes to submit a claim online and payouts on successful claims are made within 10 working days.
If you’ve already cancelled your insurance, make sure you file the claim within 60 days of the policy ending!
SafetyWing Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cancel SafetyWing insurance?
To cancel your SafetyWing Nomad Essential policy, log into your account and click the ‘stop insurance’ button. This will prevent the policy from auto-renewing, stopping your coverage at the end of the current 28-day period.
Is SafetyWing insurance sufficient for international travel?
Yes, SafetyWing insurance is sufficient for international travel. Their policies are built by travellers for travellers and offer general cover for the most important aspects of your trip. Remember to always check the policy details for the most up-to-date information.
Can I purchase SafetyWing insurance for just one trip?
Yes, you can purchase SafetyWing insurance for a single trip. SafetyWing Nomad Essential insurance is a rolling monthly policy, so you can cancel the insurance as soon as you return home from your trip.
Is SafetyWing insurance available for travellers from all countries?
SafetyWing’s insurance coverage is available to travellers from most countries, however, you’ll need to check their terms and conditions to ensure they offer cover for you!
Is SafetyWing’s Insurance Available for Business or Cooperate Travel?
Yes, SafetyWing offer insurance coverage for business travel. However, you should read the terms and conditions to ensure it’s suitable for your needs.
A Round-Up – Is SafetyWing Insurance Worth It?
With their pioneering subscription-based travel insurance, it’s easy to see why so many travellers and nomads have opted for SafetyWing. Although other insurers now follow this model, SafetyWing led the way.
SafetyWing are consistently rated close to 4.1 on Trustpilot which is high for an insurance company. True Traveller has a higher rating but comes at a higher cost and World Nomads, who tend to be more expensive are also rated slightly higher.
Most poor reviews from customers of SafetyWing are from people who didn’t read their description of coverage properly and didn’t understand what they were getting. However, there are a few reports of SafetyWing being very slow to reply to people’s claims, queries or concerns and some reports of customers being completely unable to get in touch with the company.
Despite one quarter of customers reporting a less-than-excellent experience with SafetyWing, their Nomad Essential Insurance policy is still very popular among backpackers and digital nomads. Coverage is pretty basic, so if you need specialised insurance you’ll need to consider other options, or their more comprehensive Nomad Complete Insurance.
Ultimately, whether SafetyWing are right for you will depend on your needs. So, yes we know it’s boring, but always make sure to read the policy wording in full!
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Tim Ashdown | Gear Specialist
After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Tim decided life was too short to stay cooped up in his home county of Norfolk, UK. Since then, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His first book, From Paralysis to Santiago, chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorcycle accident and will be released later this year.
