Best Travel Insurance for Russians
No matter where you’re from, all travelers and digital nomads should be thinking about their health and travel insurance options. If you’re a Russian nomad traveler, however, we are aware that finding the best coverage can get a little bit trickier, and it's certainly not an easy task.
Let’s be real, the availability of international travel and health insurance for Russians has changed in recent years. Now, with international restrictions and policy exclusions, hunting for comprehensive and budget-friendly coverage can feel like a never-ending slog.
But travel and health insurance are non-negotiable. Not only do you need protection from unexpected costs, but it's also required for a lot of digital nomad visas. That’s why we’re diving into the best nomad providers for you, as a Russian citizens, and we look at things like coverage, costs, restrictions, and claims process.
Why Russian Nomads Need Special Insurance
While health insurance for Russian citizens in Russia is free, the second you leave the country, you’re uninsured. That leaves you potentially vulnerable to any and all health-related costs, from small things like check-ups to bank account-draining emergency procedures.
Not only does travel insurance protect you from these unexpected and necessary costs, but it’s also a necessity for Russian citizens to get entry permissions to a lot of places around the world. For instance, without valid health/travel insurance, Russian citizens cannot travel anywhere within the Schengen zone.
We also want to make it clear that travel insurance and digital nomad health insurance are not the same thing! Traditional travel insurance is designed for short-term trips that have a pre-determined start and end date and usually only covers medical emergencies - that’s not the way that digital nomad lifestyles work.
As a Russian digital nomad, you need insurance that is both comprehensive and flexible. You need to have a policy that covers you across multiple countries, auto-renews, and ideally also includes trip interruption and personal belongings because, let’s be honest, anything can happen when you travel full-time.
What to Look For a Travel Insurance as a Russian Citizen
Since 2022, some travel insurance providers have made it more difficult for Russian citizens to get global coverage. And, just because a provider does still offer policies, doesn’t mean they’re designed for Russian digital nomads.
To help with your insurance hunt, we’ve made this quick checklist of things to look for in the best nomad insurance options for Russian citizens:
- Global coverage: Does the provider cover travel across multiple countries?
- Medical coverage and emergency assistance: What’s included?
- Pre-existing conditions: Does the provider offer coverage for ongoing health issues?
- Trip disruption policies: Are you covered for delays and cancellations?
- Personal belongings: Can you claim for lost or stolen items?
- Claims process: How easy is it to make claims as a Russian nomad?
- Adventure sports and activities: What’s covered and are there optional add-ons?
Now that we got all the requirements out of the way, let's look at the options you have as a Russian digital nomad.
Best Travel Insurance Providers for Russian Nomads
We don’t like to brag, but we really know our stuff when it comes to finding the best travel insurance for digital nomads. We’ve experienced just about everything when it comes to making claims from the road, which is why we feel confident in sharing this list of insurance providers that are most suitable for Russian digital nomads.
1. Genki – Best Overall Nomad Health Insurance
Genki is our choice for budget-friendly nomad health insurance for Russian citizens. Genki Native is ideal for Russian expats who need comprehensive health insurance year-round with options to cover more than just regular checkups - we’re talking family planning, adventure sports, and even some pre-existing conditions. They also offer Genki Explorer for on-the-go nomads who want flexible global coverage for up to a year.
We do have to note, Genki is a dedicated nomad health insurance. That means there’s no coverage for non-medical costs like trip cancellation or personal belongings.
2. SafetyWing – Best for Hybrid Coverage
We love SafetyWing because their insurance policies are made specifically with people like us in mind - their product is literally called Nomad Insurance. The health and travel hybrid policy comes in two tiers: Essential from $56.28/month and Complete from $150.50/month, and it goes beyond just medical expenses.
You can feel safe knowing you’re covered for often annoyingly unavoidable nomad expenses like lost luggage and travel delays. There are also add-on options for electronics theft and adventure sports.
3. Cigna Global – Best for Heavy-Duty Coverage
Cigna is a highly established insurance company that offers worldwide coverage at three different levels: silver, gold, and platinum. They're a heavy-duty insurance option with inclusions like fully covered cancer care, private hospital rooms, and mental health support up to $5,000. Premium coverage does come at a premium rate, with the lowest plan starting from around $115/month with a $750 deductible.
We do have to highlight that Russian citizens can only purchase Cigna Global if they are planning to primarily live outside of Russia for the period of coverage. That makes it perfect for Russians looking for insurance for their time living abroad on a digital nomad visa.
4. Allianz Care – Best for Multi-Plan Options
If you're looking for worldwide coverage policies under one year, then Allianz Care is worth considering. Their Flexicare gives you the choice of a three, six, or nine-month policy that covers medical expenses like prescriptions, diagnostic tests, and a semi-private hospital room.
Allianz Care's 12+ month worldwide health insurance has a few different price points, with the most expensive offering exceptional coverage for maternity plans and laser eye surgery at €244/month.
5. MondialCare – Best for Schengen Zone Insurance
MondialCare is a French insurance company that provides insurance specifically designed for people applying for a Schengen Zone visa. They offer three months, three+ months, and annual contracts that insure Russian citizens across all countries in the Schengen Zone.
Prices vary by age and contract, but all policies generally cover medical costs, repatriation, and telemedicine consultation. For a 30-year-old traveling in the Schengen Zone, prices start at €44/month for a €35,000 policy, or €59/month for a €100,000 policy.
And that's it! You're sorted now. Make sure to choose the digital nomad insurance that works best for you and don't forget to check each individual policy to see if you meet the requirements as a Russian digital nomad. Good luck with your search and stay safe!
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