In the digital nomad space, the debate between World Nomads vs SafetyWing for the best travel insurance is a hot topic.
SafetyWing and World Nomads have emerged as leading providers, each offering unique benefits tailored to the nomadic lifestyle.
But which one is the best fit for your needs?
This article aims to answer that question. We'll provide an in-depth comparison of their offerings, from cost to coverage, and share insights from fellow nomads who've used these services.
As digital nomads ourselves, we understand the importance of having reliable and comprehensive coverage while exploring the world and working remotely. So, our goal here is to equip you with the information you need to make an informed decision, ensuring your adventures are covered, no matter where your travels take you.
What is SafetyWing?
SafetyWing, often referred to as Nomad Insurance, has quickly become a go-to choice for many digital nomads and remote workers worldwide. Established with the mission to build a global safety net for freelancers and entrepreneurs, SafetyWing offers a flexible, subscription-based model that allows you to start, pause, or cancel your insurance plan as per your travel needs.
Their insurance coverage is comprehensive, covering unexpected illnesses or injuries abroad, including hospital, doctor, and even some dental expenses. They also provide coverage for emergency evacuation and travel delays beyond your control. However, it's worth noting that SafetyWing does not cover trip cancellations or routine check-ups and preventative care.
One of the standout features of SafetyWing is its affordability. With coverage starting at $45.08 USD per 4 weeks, it's a cost-effective solution for digital nomads seeking comprehensive yet budget-friendly insurance.
Read our full review of SafetyWing:
Luca Mussari
What is WorldNomads?
World Nomads, on the other hand, is a well-established name in the travel insurance industry, known for its comprehensive coverage tailored towards adventurous travelers and backpackers. Their mission is to inspire, connect, and empower travelers, providing them with the freedom to explore the world with confidence.
World Nomads offers two tiers of plans - the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan, allowing travelers to choose the level of coverage that best suits their needs. Their coverage includes unexpected illness or injury abroad, hospital, doctor, dental and prescription expenses, emergency evacuation, and even trip cancellations. They also provide coverage for lost checked luggage and stolen or damaged gear, which includes electronics, a feature that sets them apart from many other providers.
While World Nomads is a bit pricier than SafetyWing, with coverage starting at about $120 USD per 4 weeks, it's recognized for its extensive coverage, especially for high-risk sports and activities, making it a popular choice among adventure travelers.
Read our full review of World Nomads:
Irene Lidia Wang
SafetyWing vs World Nomads: A Quick Comparison
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Medical (including some dental), Emergency Evacuation, Travel Delays, Lost Checked Luggage | Medical (including dental), Emergency Evacuation, Travel Delays, Trip Cancellation, Lost, Stolen or Damaged Gear |
| Cost | Starting at $45 USD per 4 weeks | Starting at $120 USD per 4 weeks |
| Payment Model | Subscription model, can start, pause, or cancel anytime | One-time payment, can extend or claim online while traveling |
| Coverage Area | Worldwide coverage excluding North Korea and Cuba, and limited coverage in the US | 140+ countries |
| Home Country Coverage | Limited coverage for 30 days every 3 months (15 days for US citizens) | No coverage in home country |
| Adventure Activities | Limited coverage, some activities excluded | Extensive coverage, including high-risk sports and activities |
| Personal Belongings | Coverage for lost checked luggage | Coverage for lost, stolen or damaged gear, including electronics |
| Deductible | $250 per claim | Varies by plan and coverage type |
| Maximum Limit | $250,000 for medical expenses | Varies by plan and coverage type, up to $1 million for medical expenses |
| COVID-19 Coverage | Coverage for COVID-19 related illnesses at no additional cost | Coverage for COVID-19 related illnesses, subject to terms and conditions |
| Customer Support | 24/7 customer support via email and phone | 24/7 customer support via email and phone |
SafetyWing vs World Nomads: A More Detailed Comparison
When comparing World Nomads and SafetyWing, several key factors come into play. We will look mainly at 4: coverage, cost, flexibility, and additional benefits.
Coverage
Both companies offer comprehensive coverage for unexpected illnesses or injuries abroad, including hospital, doctor, and some dental expenses. World Nomads, however, also provides coverage for trip cancellations and lost, stolen, or damaged gear, including electronics, which SafetyWing does not.
Top choice: WorldNomads
Cost
SafetyWing is generally more affordable, with coverage starting at $45 USD per 4 weeks, making it a budget-friendly option for many digital nomads. On the other hand, World Nomads' coverage starts at about $120 USD per 4 weeks, but it offers more extensive coverage, especially for high-risk sports and activities.
Top choice: SafetyWing
Flexibility
SafetyWing operates on a subscription model, allowing you to start, pause, or cancel your insurance plan as per your travel needs. World Nomads offers two tiers of plans - the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan, allowing travelers to choose the level of coverage that best suits their needs.
Top choice: SafetyWing
Additional Benefits
World Nomads stands out for its coverage of high-risk sports and activities, making it a popular choice among adventure travelers. SafetyWing, on the other hand, offers a unique benefit of limited home country coverage, providing protection for short visits home.
Top choice: WorldNomads
As you can see, the choice between World Nomads and SafetyWing depends largely on your specific needs, travel style, and budget. If cost is a significant factor, SafetyWing may be the better choice. However, if you're looking for more extensive coverage, especially for adventure activities or electronics, World Nomads may be worth the higher price.
What Do Digital Nomads Think of SafetyWing and World Nomads?
Let's look now at what people think of both digital nomad insurance providers us by checking out their reviews on the two most trustworthy review websites for travel insurance: TrustPilot and Product Hunt.
SafetyWing Reviews
SafetyWing has a "Great" rating of 4.2 out of 5 on TrustPilot, based on over 800 reviews at the time of writing. Customers have praised the company's efficient customer support and quick claim processing times. However, some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the claims process and coverage.
On ProductHunt, SafetyWing has a rating of 3.4 out of 5 based on 200 reviews at the time of writing. Users have highlighted the convenience and affordability of the service, but some have raised concerns about the claims process, particularly for more significant medical issues.
World Nomads Reviews
World Nomads has an "Average" rating of 3.6 out of 5 on TrustPilot, based on over 2,280 reviews. Customers have praised the company's easy-to-use online claim form and fast processing times.
However, some users have reported difficulties in contacting the company and delays in the claims process.
Unfortunately, there are no available reviews for World Nomads on ProductHunt for us to report on this front.
SafetyWing vs World Nomads: Our Personal Experience
As digital nomads ourselves, we've had the chance to personally test both SafetyWing and World Nomads, and our experiences have given us some unique insights.
We found SafetyWing to be a fantastic fit for the majority of our travels. Its affordability and the flexibility of its subscription model were perfect for our lifestyle. We could start, pause, or cancel our coverage at any time, which was a huge advantage given the unpredictable nature of our travels. The coverage was comprehensive for our basic medical needs and managed to cover us for over $1500 of medical expenses from a scooter accident that we experienced in Turkey this year. As digital nomads, we don't always engage in high-risk activities, so the lack of coverage in this area wasn't a significant issue for us most of the time.
However, we do love our share of adventure! When we planned to go camping in remote areas of Romania, hiking and trailing in the rough terrains of Maderia, or surfing in Sri Lanka, we turned to World Nomads. The comprehensive coverage for high-risk activities gave us the confidence to fully enjoy these experiences without worrying about potential accidents or injuries. The gear coverage was also a major plus, as we often travel with expensive equipment. The higher cost we thought was justified by the peace of mind it brings during these adventurous breaks from work.
Both insurance have served us well in different scenarios, and we believe the choice between the two should be based on your individual needs, lifestyle, and travel plans.
So, Which is the Best Health Insurance for Digital Nomads: SafetyWing or World Nomads?
When it comes to health insurance coverage for digital nomads, both SafetyWing and World Nomads have their unique strengths and weaknesses.
SafetyWing offers a solid health insurance coverage that includes hospital stays, intensive care, emergency room visits, urgent care, and even some outpatient care. It also covers unexpected illnesses or injuries and provides coverage for COVID-19-related illnesses at no additional cost. One of the standout features of SafetyWing is its limited home country coverage, which provides coverage for 30 days every 3 months (or 15 days for US citizens). This can be a significant advantage for digital nomads who spend a portion of their time back home. SafetyWing's affordable pricing and flexible subscription model make it an excellent choice for digital nomads on a budget or those who prefer to have the flexibility to adjust their coverage as their travel plans change.
On the other hand, World Nomads offers more comprehensive health insurance coverage. In addition to medical and dental expenses, it covers emergency evacuation, which can be crucial if you're traveling in remote areas. World Nomads also covers a wide range of adventure activities, making it a great choice for digital nomads who love to explore and take on adventurous pursuits during their travels. While World Nomads is more expensive than SafetyWing, the extensive coverage it provides can offer peace of mind, especially for those who frequently engage in high-risk activities or travel to remote locations.
You may also be interested in:
Andrea Reyes
SafetyWing vs World Nomads: FAQs
Where is Safety Wing based?
SafetyWing is a global company with a distributed team, but it is officially registered in Delaware, USA.
How do I email SafetyWing?
You can reach out to SafetyWing via email at [email protected]. They have a dedicated customer support team that responds to inquiries and provides assistance.
How much does SafetyWing cost?
For a member aged 10-39 years, SafetyWing costs around $45 USD for any coverage period of up to 4 weeks. Premiums increase with age.
Can I buy SafetyWing insurance if I am already abroad?
Yes, you can buy SafetyWing insurance before or after you leave. There is no restriction saying you have to buy it before you leave.
How do I file a claim with SafetyWing?
For SafetyWing, you can file a claim by filling out a claims form and uploading it together with photos or screenshots of receipts to WorldTrips' online portal.
Does SafetyWing cover COVID-19?
Yes, SafetyWing covers medically necessary treatment and tests for COVID-19. The coverage works the same as any other illness as long as it was not contracted before your coverage start date, and does not fall under any other policy exclusion or limitation.
Can I buy World Nomads insurance if I am already abroad?
Yes, you can buy World Nomads insurance before or after you leave. There is no restriction saying you have to buy it before you leave.
Does World Nomads cover COVID-19?
Yes, World Nomads provides coverage for COVID-19-related claims, subject to the policy terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions.
How do I make a claim with World Nomads?
For World Nomads, you can submit a claim online through their website. It's recommended to keep all receipts and any other supporting documentation to help process your claim.
Does World Nomads offer CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason)?
World Nomads does not offer CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) coverage. However, their policies do include trip cancellation coverage for specific unforeseen events. It's always best to check the latest policy details directly from World Nomads.
Do Safety Wing or World Nomads insurance cover any cancellation?
Both SafetyWing and World Nomads provide coverage for trip cancellation, but the reasons for cancellation that are covered can vary. Typically, covered reasons might include serious illness or injury, a death in the family, or significant travel disruptions due to weather or other unforeseen events. It's important to read the policy details to understand what is and isn't covered.
Can I get a refund on unused travel insurance for Safety Wing or World Nomads?
For SafetyWing, you can get a refund if you cancel your policy before the start date. If you want to cancel after the start date, you can do so, but you won't receive a refund for the days already used. For World Nomads, you can get a refund within the cooling-off period, which is typically 14 days after purchase, provided you haven't started your trip or made a claim. After this period, the policy is non-refundable.
Do Safety Wing or World Nomads travel insurance cover trips already booked?
Yes, both SafetyWing and World Nomads can cover trips that you've already booked. However, the coverage will only start from the policy start date, not from when you booked your trip. So, if you're looking for coverage for events that might cause you to cancel your trip, you'll need to have the policy in place before those events occur.
Ready to Pick Your Digital Nomad Insurance To Get Extra Piece of Mind?
If you want more digital nomad guides like these, sign up for our free newsletter and get upcoming articles straight to your inbox!
You can also follow us on Instagram and join our Facebook Group if you want to get in touch with other members of our growing digital nomad community!
We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!
Disclosure: Hey, just a heads up that some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that, if you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission that helps us create helpful content for the community. We only recommend products if we think they will add value, so thanks for supporting us!
