If you're wondering "Is SafetyWing insurance legit?" or you're on the hunt for a flexible and affordable World Nomads alternative, you're in the right place.
As a full-time traveller since before it was a TikTok trend, and someone who’s actually made successful insurance claims (gasp), I’ve been using SafetyWing consistently since 2018 - long before they were trendy. In this honest SafetyWing review, I’ll break down the pros, cons, and everything you need to know before you decide if they're right for you.
Let’s be real: insurance is annoying. Much like cars, mortgages, and gender reveals, it’s one of those adult things you wish you didn't have to pay for. I used to feel the same - until a few yikes-level medical emergencies abroad made me realise: travel medical insurance isn't a luxury; it's a non-negotiable.
Even the most budget-conscious nomads need it. Without insurance, a single injury could wipe out your savings faster than you can say "oh I wish I had insurance".
You can check the latest SafetyWing prices here.
Ah, World Nomads - the gateway to the world of travel insurance for full-time travellers. It served me well... until it didn’t.
Why Travel Insurance Matters (Even If You’re Someone Who Hates Paying for Stuff)
Let’s be real: insurance is annoying. Much like cars, mortgages, and gender reveals, it’s one of those adult things you wish you didn't have to pay for. I used to feel the same - until a few yikes-level medical emergencies abroad made me realise: travel medical insurance isn't a luxury; it's a non-negotiable.
Even the most budget-conscious nomads need it. Without insurance, a single injury could wipe out your savings faster than you can say "oh I wish I had insurance".
SafetyWing Insurance: Quick Overview
- Name: SafetyWing
- Type: Travel medical insurance
- Best for: Digital nomads, long-term travellers, remote workers, and spontaneous adventurers
- Price: Starts at $45 / 4 weeks (global coverage, higher if you add the USA)
- Covers: Medical emergencies, travel delays, lost luggage, and more
- Claim success: Yes - I've personally claimed successfully
- Bonus: Offers home country coverage (30 days every 90 days)
You can check the latest SafetyWing prices here.
Why I Switched from World Nomads to SafetyWing
Ah, World Nomads - the gateway to the world of travel insurance for full-time travellers. It served me well... until it didn’t.
World Nomads used to be the go-to for digital nomads, but after a few frustrations (complicated claims, high costs), I went looking for a better alternative - and found SafetyWing.
For the long version, check out: “SafetyWing vs. World Nomads - Which One is Better?”
Forgetful? Already left your home country? No worries. Unlike most providers, SafetyWing lets you buy insurance after your trip has started. Total lifesaver.
SafetyWing covers nearly every country in the world (except North Korea, Cuba, and Iran). Yes, even the USA (for an added cost). So if you’re the kind of traveller who says “yes” to spontaneous invites from strangers in hostels, you’re covered. Like I got injured a bit in Hungary almost 10 years ago (before I discovered SafetyWing) and I was okay in the end but man it would've been useful for my piece of mind - here's the video:
SafetyWing vs. World Nomads: The TL;DR
- More affordable: SafetyWing starts at $45/month vs. ~$100+ for World Nomads
- More flexible: You don’t need to list every country you’re visiting
- Easier to use: Subscribe, manage, and cancel online with ease
- Home coverage: World Nomads doesn’t offer this but I'll give you one guess who does (SafetyWing does)
For the long version, check out: “SafetyWing vs. World Nomads - Which One is Better?”
5 Reasons Why SafetyWing Is the Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads
1. You Can Start It While Abroad
Forgetful? Already left your home country? No worries. Unlike most providers, SafetyWing lets you buy insurance after your trip has started. Total lifesaver.
2. True Worldwide Coverage
SafetyWing covers nearly every country in the world (except North Korea, Cuba, and Iran). Yes, even the USA (for an added cost). So if you’re the kind of traveller who says “yes” to spontaneous invites from strangers in hostels, you’re covered. Like I got injured a bit in Hungary almost 10 years ago (before I discovered SafetyWing) and I was okay in the end but man it would've been useful for my piece of mind - here's the video:
Bonus: They include home country coverage - something rare in the industry! For non-US citizens, that means 30 days of coverage back home every 90 days (15 days for Americans).
SafetyWing was literally founded by nomads, for nomads. They understand that your itinerary isn’t always crystal clear - and that flexibility is king. If you work online, travel full-time, or just hate planning too far ahead, SafetyWing is built for you.
At just $45 for 4 weeks of coverage, SafetyWing is one of the cheapest options on the market. And no, they’re not cutting corners - they cover:
3. Built for Remote Workers and Nomads
SafetyWing was literally founded by nomads, for nomads. They understand that your itinerary isn’t always crystal clear - and that flexibility is king. If you work online, travel full-time, or just hate planning too far ahead, SafetyWing is built for you.
4. It’s Affordable (But Still Covers What Matters)
At just $45 for 4 weeks of coverage, SafetyWing is one of the cheapest options on the market. And no, they’re not cutting corners - they cover:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospital visits
- Travel delays
- Lost checked luggage
- Natural disasters
Note: They don’t cover pre-trip cancellation or missed flights... but if you’re using Kiwi.com like me, that’s not a big deal (Kiwi’s refund policy is actually legit).
Last but not least I love their inclusive approach. They don’t discriminate based on:
Fairness. Compassion. Equal access!
As someone who travels with a portable hand blender for hummus emergencies, I also appreciate that you can add coverage for personal electronics like laptops, cameras, or blenders - if they’re valuable enough to insure, they’re valuable enough to be protected.
No insurance is perfect, and that includes SafetyWing. A few things to keep in mind:
5. Inclusiveness
Last but not least I love their inclusive approach. They don’t discriminate based on:
- Where you’re from
- Where you’re going
- Whether you’ve already started your trip
- How long you’ve been travelling
Fairness. Compassion. Equal access!
As someone who travels with a portable hand blender for hummus emergencies, I also appreciate that you can add coverage for personal electronics like laptops, cameras, or blenders - if they’re valuable enough to insure, they’re valuable enough to be protected.
Things to Watch Out For with SafetyWing
No insurance is perfect, and that includes SafetyWing. A few things to keep in mind:
- No trip cancellation coverage
- Doesn’t cover missed flights (doesn't matter if using Kiwi)
- High-risk activities (e.g. scuba diving, motorcycling, etc.) may require add-ons
- No coverage if you were drunk when injured (RIP to many wine-fuelled nights)
The last two points are true for every insurance I've come across. Always check the fine print and ask them if you’re unsure - their 24/7 customer service is actually helpful!
SafetyWing is ideal for people who want affordable, flexible coverage without the admin headache. If that’s you, give them a try: you can sign up for SafetyWing here.
Yes. 100% yes.
SafetyWing is the best travel insurance I’ve used in 10+ years of full-time travel. It's reliable, budget-friendly, and perfect for people like me who don't want to stop travelling just to appease a clunky insurance form. Wish I had SafetyWing back when this happened:
Who Should Use SafetyWing?
- Long-term travellers
- Digital nomads
- Remote workers
- Backpackers
- Spontaneous travellers
SafetyWing is ideal for people who want affordable, flexible coverage without the admin headache. If that’s you, give them a try: you can sign up for SafetyWing here.
Final Verdict: Is SafetyWing Travel Insurance Worth It?
Yes. 100% yes.
SafetyWing is the best travel insurance I’ve used in 10+ years of full-time travel. It's reliable, budget-friendly, and perfect for people like me who don't want to stop travelling just to appease a clunky insurance form. Wish I had SafetyWing back when this happened:
If you want simple, flexible, global travel medical insurance that actually works - without sacrificing your hummus budget - SafetyWing is your answer. You can get covered with SafetyWing here.
