Digital Nomad Insurance Complete Guide

Nomad Travel Insurance

Thankfully several insurance providers have tapped into the digital nomad market. Medical costs are particularly important – and if you only opt for the most basic insurance you should make sure it covers you at a minimum.

There are now a variety of plans to suit different travel styles. Even within the digital nomad sphere, there are different needs. Some people stay in one country for months, others travel extensively. Insurance companies are more aware of this now and are starting to offer tailored coverage. This largely depends on what kind of traveler you are. These are some of the most common types of coverage digital nomads look for in health insurance.

• Medical

  If you don’t get anything else at least make sure you get medical insurance. Different countries have different healthcare systems – and you don’t want to end up in a country that charges through the nose for the most basic procedures. Medical coverage will give you peace of mind that you’ll be taken care of in the worst case scenarios. Medical coverage can vary from insurer to insurer. At the very least you want emergency cover – but for long term digital nomads we recommend opting for the more comprehensive plans. Nothing kills the vibe like toothache, you don’t want matters made even worse by how much the local dentists charge.

• Luggage and Gadgets

  Luggage insurance covers you in the event that an airline loses your luggage along the way. This is getting less common these days but it still happens. You want to make sure you at least have access to cash to replace your items when abroad. The last thing you want is to have to wear the same outfit for months at a time. Having said that, gadget insurance is increasingly more relevant since the last couple of years – especially for digital nomads. Laptops, phones and cameras are like magnets for pickpockets and thieves. If you lose these you might end up having to cancel your next trip in order to pay for them. Most insurance plans will charge a little extra for this coverage but it’s absolutely worth it.

• Cancellations and Emergencies

  Cancellations are a bummer but sometimes they’re unavoidable. Now more than ever it has become apparent how important this kind of coverage is. Those who were covered at the start of the pandemic were at least able to recuperate some of their emergency travel costs. You don’t want to have to fork out for something as basic as bad weather. Emergency costs can extend beyond sudden pandemics and natural disasters. You should also consider the political stability of the countries you are visiting. Some places might have tensions bubbling below the surface that are hidden from tourists. Emergency coverage takes care of you in case you need to get home fast.

Here is a quick rundown of our favorite insurance providers for digital nomads. Each offers something a little different – from medical coverage to gadget insurance.

Best Digital Nomad Insurance

1. Safety Wing
2. Insured Nomads
3. PassportCard
4. Medical for Nomads
5. World Nomads
6. True Traveler
7. TCP Insurance
8. Protect you Bubble
9. Travel Guard
10. IMG
11. Travelex

The amount of travel insurance companies on the market is overwhelming. In my opinion, I have found it difficult to sort through the viable options. It wasn’t until I started trying out different travel insurance companies for different trips that I started to figure out which companies are legitimate and work well for my travel style.

To save you the stress and hassle that we’ve gone through, we’ve laid out some of the best travel insurance companies on the market:

1. Safety Wing

Safety Wing is a startup that was established to solve a major problem with the digital nomad lifestyle – what do you do if you get sick abroad? If you come from a country with universal healthcare it can be daunting facing your first medical bills. Even those from insurance based systems will be horrified to discover the cost of setting up different plans in every country. The health insurance plan Safety Wing offers aims to remove these barriers. It covers you in almost every country in the world so you won’t have to worry about researching the different healthcare systems of everywhere you visit. They also offer online healthcare insurance for companies that employ digital nomads. So it might be worth chatting to your boss about it.

Safety Wing Travel Insurance

Beyond health insurance they also offer regular travel insurance. This covers you for things like missed flights, theft and lost baggage. They’ll even cover you for emergency flights home – a major cost that many digital nomads forget to consider. This is one of the most comprehensive travel insurance plans available to those that work remotely.

Safety Wing isn’t just about insurance, however – they’re also building some exciting new products that you can add to your monthly plan. Later this year they are launching remote doctors – a service that gives you the ability to chat to a healthcare professional from the comfort of your home. You will also be able to pick a dedicated doctor – in the same way you would choose a GP back home. They are also working on an extensive pensions plan. This is another major cost that digital nomads don’t think about. One day you won’t be able to work anymore – so you’ll need to make sure you have access to a pension. Depending on the rules of your home country you might not be eligible if you’ve lived abroad for a while. This will let you save up a retirement pot to cover you when you’re older.

They also offer sabbaticals where you can enjoy some of your savings before you retire. Perfect for that once in a lifetime destination. In short, Safety Wing is an online safety net for digital nomads. It’s easy to take social security for granted when you’re back home – but once you’re out on the road you don’t want to learn what it’s like to live without it. Safety Wing takes out some of this uncertainty and covers you through any bumps in the road.

2. Insured Nomads

Insured Nomads specializes in two categories of coverage: travel insurance for those who make regular trips abroad and health insurance for those who live and work overseas. No matter the requirements, all policies can be customised for individuals, couples or families.

For expeditioners using their home country as a base, the World Explorer package is suited to single trips of between seven and 364 days. This starter option encompasses 24-hour medical care, Covid-19 and emergency dental treatment, as well as evacuation and repatriation up to the sum of $2 million. 

You can also claim for lost luggage, flight delays and sports equipment. World Explorer Multi, meanwhile, boasts the same benefits but covers you for multiple trips of up to 30 or 45 days each, depending on the exact version you choose.

Created for American residents in particular, Insured Nomads offers World Explorer Guardian, which includes all the benefits of the standard World Explorer plan, plus trip cancellation coverage. 

As if that wasn’t enough, you can buy add-ons for adventure sports, pet insurance, car rental, and accidental death and dismemberment. It’s worth noting, however, that riskier countries like Iran, Syria, Sudan and North Korea are excluded from the policy.

Turning to the other side of Insured Nomads’ offering, the health insurance packages conceived for those living overseas long term are more comprehensive than the World Explorer options in terms of what is included. 

In addition to emergency assistance, you are also covered for routine, preventative and chronic care. That means not just physician consultations and surgeries, but mental health support as well. Vaccinations, prescriptions, screenings – all are contained by the Preferred Global Health bundle. 

Depending on where you are planning to reside, the cost will differ – the most expensive alternative covers the entire world (apart from the US), but the cheapest choice excludes such locales as Australia, Mexico and the European Union. If you want US-inclusive coverage, however, you’ll have to opt for Preferred Global Health Plus.

All Insured Nomads policies include INC membership as an added bonus. This entitles you to benefits like a telemedic consultation and mental health assessments, as well as more generally helpful things like cultural cheat sheets that tell you how much to tip and what the local traditions are. In some instances, you’ll be provided with airport lounge access and a VPN for cybersecurity abroad.

The company also gives back to communities through partnerships with charitable organisations like Not For Sale and Share Hope International, making a donation each time coverage is purchased.

For 10% off with Insured Nomdas Click Here

3. PassportCard

PassportCard bases its reputation on being the first travel insurance company on the planet to offer pay outs in real time. What that means is that when you encounter an emergency abroad, all you have to do is contact PassportCard and they’ll immediately calculate the costs and transfer the money to your branded Mastercard debit card, so you don’t ever have to be out of pocket. No fuss, no muss. 

This can be done via the phone for immediate service, as well as through their official website or app. Bear in mind, though, that this doesn’t apply to any non-emergency claims related to health or travel, which will have to be claimed back at a later date.

• Starter

The most basic choice covers emergency care and medical evacuation for up to $500,000 and will set you back from $59 per month. Designed for trips of less than six months, Starter comes with up to $500 of emergency dental care. 

As with all PassportCard packages, you can add on coverage for possessions like luggage, laptops and cameras. For the extreme sport aficionados, there’s also the option to get any accidents resulting from these activities included for an additional fee.  

• Remote

Up the ante with the Remote option, which has an increased limited liability of $1 million and emergency dental care for $1,000. Costing from $119 per month and valid for trips of up to 12 months, it also features non-urgent elective medical treatment, specialist consultations and wellness care. 

• Complete

The most comprehensive policy raises the claims maximum to $3.5 million. Designed for individuals who plan to be abroad for more than a year, it beefs up your coverage when it comes to continuous hospitalization as well as routine medical care for chronic conditions. 

Headquartered in London, PassportCard covers digital nomads wherever they travel – with the notable exception of the USA. The UK, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brazil, Singapore and Switzerland are also not included as standard, though you can purchase addendums to suit your individual requirements.

While PassportCard is all about making sure you don’t have to feel anxious about shelling out your own money on expensive bills, you can also claim back expenses down the road if you happen to forget your PassportCard at your hotel or Airbnb when it comes to paying the hospital.

As a final bonus, those worried about ongoing effects of the pandemic can feel secure knowing all plans include inpatient treatment in case of Covid infection.

For an Automatic Free Laptop coverage with Passaportcard click here

4. Medical for Nomads

Medical for Nomads is a specialist healthcare insurance plan for digital nomads. They’re very clear about the fact they do not provide travel insurance. It is simply health coverage for those who live and work abroad. Whilst some expats use it this is specifically tailored for those who are constantly crossing borders. They have four levels of health insurance.

• Major Medical plan

  Their most affordable plan is the Major Medical plan. This covers you for medical emergencies and inpatient treatment (including cancer treatment). It goes a little bit beyond the bare minimum for health insurance. If you’re from the EU, think of it like an EHIC card but with more extensive inpatient coverage (and also valid outside of member states).

• Standard Plan

  The Standard Plan is where outpatient benefits start to kick in. GP visits, specialist consultation and prescribed medicine are all covered under this plan. It offers a lot more than the Major Medical Plan, whilst only costing you a small amount more every month. This compares to most Universal Healthcare schemes across the world.

• Comprehensive Plan

  Their Comprehensive Plan is where those coveted extra benefits really start to come into play. Things like dental care, eye care and annual check-ups are all included with the plan. Importantly, you can also receive vaccinations under the comprehensive plan – an absolute essential for visiting some countries.

• Fully Comprehensive

  Finally, their most expensive plan is the Fully Comprehensive option. This covers you for everything above, but with higher (or completely removed) spending limits. You will also get to enjoy a fully private healthcare system. Whilst all of the other plans rely on a mix of private and public healthcare depending on the country you are needing care.

Beyond healthcare benefits, they also offer a few extras. All of the plans come with some level of psychology, security (muggings etc) and death benefits. You can also pay a little bit extra for evacuation and repatriation cover. Something that we’d suggest if you’re visiting an area that experiences natural disasters or unstable politics.  This would also cover you in the event of having to evacuate a country due to an emerging healthcare issue (such as COVID-19 and Ebola breakouts).

5. World Nomads

World Nomads is a comprehensive travel insurance plan that caters to both vacationers and long-term digital nomads. They provide coverage for citizens from across the globe. With plans differing slightly depending on where in the world you are. The coverage is underwritten by a local insurance company in your home country.

The feature that really makes World Nomads Travel Insurance stand out is its flexibility. You don’t need to start your plan in your home country – you can purchase it whilst you’re already out on the road. If you decide to extend your trip abroad you can also extend it indefinitely, giving you ultimate flexibility if your plans change (although you cannot decrease how long your coverage lasts). This is an absolute game-changer for digital nomad insurance. Often plans have to change at the last minute  and a one-year trip to Australia can become a two-year trip that includes New Zealand and the South Pacific.

World Nomads Travel Insurance means you don’t have to faff about with flights back home before you can extend your coverage. Their coverage is also pretty extensive. Health care is included in the event of emergencies – including a 24/7 assistance team that can help you navigate international healthcare systems. Your transport and treatment will also be included (up to a certain limit) giving you peace of mind if you suddenly feel ill abroad. They also pride themselves on offering coverage for more than 200 adventure activities. Kayaking, skiing, rock climbing are all covered, as well as a number of cultural experiences. Started by digital nomads, World Nomads understand how important this coverage is to let you truly enjoy your destination. You don’t want to have to worry about how to deal with a broken wrist during a sporting accident.

World Nomads Local Charities

Your money will also go further than your own insurance coverage. World Nomads donate to local charities in the destination of your choice. These charities run projects that work directly with the community. World Nomads have carefully vetted each charity – making sure your money actually helps people in need. This is a great way to give back to the communities that have provided you with life changing experiences.

6. True Traveller

True Traveller have been around since the 1980s. Making them one of the most experienced travel insurance providers for backpackers. They provide mostly vacation cover, but they also have a number of plans that cover more long-term excursions. These plans are super customisable, ensuring you only pay for what you need. True Traveller specialises in insurance for under 40s. Backpackers have been travelling with their plans for decades, and in that time they have finely tuned their offering to cater to the long term travel market. They have a number of plans that offer coverage for multiple trips throughout the year rather than just a single trip. This is one of their most popular plans – especially with digital nomads.

The one catch is that you will still need to have a home base. If you’re the kind of digital nomad that likes to spend a couple of months at home before heading back out on the road this is a great plan for you. Otherwise, if you plan to be gone for years at a time it might be worth considering another plan more catered to that style of travel.

Their True Value plan is another popular choice with young travellers. This is their most affordable coverage – and should take care of most of your needs when visiting another country. It is their most accessible plan for last minute trips – meaning you can book the day of travel just before you fly. If you’re finding yourself in a last ditch attempt to get coverage this is the plan for you. Traveller Plus is their most expensive offering but also their most comprehensive. This offers an enhanced medical coverage – perfect if you require treatment for a pre-existing condition. It also provides enhanced cancellation coverage. There are some rules that you can’t avoid (if you have chosen to travel to a place that is on a government quarantine list, for example) but this will cover you in those unforeseeable events.

They offer some specialised packages depending on what kind of trip you are taking. They cover IEC Trips in Canada, and also offer some specialist gap year plans. You can also take out one of their more value friendly plans whilst already on the road – giving you a little bit of flexibility with your coverage.

7. TCP Insurance

TCP offers specialist insurance for photographers and video producers. It’s becoming increasingly common for digital nomads to need cameras, sound equipment and laptops when working abroad. Regular travel insurance coverage doesn’t usually include these without also asking for massive monthly fees to cover these items. TCP recognised the importance of this insurance for many photographers and videographers and created a bespoke package to cover this kind of equipment.

They offer coverage for camera, sound recording equipment, editing hardware and computers. They also provide drone insurance – perfect for those that want to get mesmerising travel shots. Beyond equipment they can also insure you for your work. Similar to limited liability insurance, this is essential if you are working with other people across the world. You will be covered for things like injuries, theft, and cancellations related to your production. This is a must for anyone whose main source of income is photography or filmmaking. Their automotive insurance covers your vehicle and any equipment left in your vehicle. This is an area where many photographers and videographers need coverage- especially in countries with high crime rates. Sometimes you have no choice but to leave your equipment in the car. This coverage gives you peace of mind that everything is taken care of in the worst case scenario.

They also offer a home and renters insurance. Similar to the automotive cover, your equipment is protected if you leave it at home and it is stolen. Your landlord takes care of the building cover, so think of this like contents insurance that’s specialised for filming and photography equipment. TCP works with some of the biggest film and photography companies in the world. Everyone from major global corporations to independent photographers insure with them. This gives you an added layer of trust that you will be treated fairly should you have to make a claim. It’s one of the leading insurance companies for camera rental shops across the world.

One limitation with TCP is that they will only cover equipment that is used for film and photography production. Whilst this includes laptops, you’ll only be covered if you actually use this laptop for that kind of work. Digital nomads that work in other industries will need to find another type of insurance to take care of their gadgets.

8. Protect Your Bubble

Protect Your Bubble specialise in insurance for gadgets. Similar to the insurance above – they go beyond just film and photography equipment. Everything, from mobile phones to laptops, is covered under their plans. This coverage can also be extended so it keeps your gadgets covered when you are abroad. Given that most digital nomads require a laptop to make money, this is absolutely essential. Plans are variable depending on how much you want insured.

How it works is you let them know about your ‘bubble’. This is a list of all the gadgets you own and want covered by the insurance. If you want to cover home items you can also include things like televisions, stereos and smart home systems. As long as it’s a gadget you can include it. One of their biggest selling points is their price. For only £15.99 per month you can cover any three gadgets. There is a maximum price limit but this incorporates the vast majority of gadgets. For digital nomads this is a major consideration – and will leave you with more money in your pocket to travel the world. They offer special insurance plans for mobile phones (especially iPhones) in case you really only want minimal insurance cover. Mobile phones are one of the most stolen items by pickpockets in major theft hotspots across the world. No matter how secure your bag and pockets are, it’s sometimes impossible to avoid. You probably also keep a lot of travel tickets on there so losing it could be devastating.

Protect Your Bubble are also among the best rated insurers on the market! They have earned a score of 4.3/5 on Trustpilot thanks to their trustworthiness with customers. They also won the best insurance provider award at the 2020 What Mobile Awards. Both individuals and industry professionals offer excellent reviews of the company. Around 98.4% of insurance claims are accepted by Protect Your Bubble – incredibly high compared to other similar companies. Insuring your gadgets with them will give you peace of mind in the event any of your beloved personal effects are stolen. You don’t want to be caught at the other side of the world without a mobile phone – and their quick payouts mean you won’t have to wait too long to get a good replacement.

9. Travel Guard

Travel Guard offers one of the most comprehensive travel insurance coverages in the United States. This is the travel offshoot of AIG – one of the biggest insurance companies in the country. They have years of experience behind them, resulting in some great packages to suit a variety of travel styles.

• Essential Plan

  Their essential plan is their most affordable and hugely popular with budget travellers. They cover you for trip cancellation, interruption and delay. You’ll also be covered for baggage, emergency medical and emergency evacuation. Essentially, this is the plan for you if you’re really just after the basics.

• Preferred Plan

  Their next level plan – and most popular offering – is the preferred plan. This covers you for everything above but with larger payouts. You’ll also be covered for missed connections and travel inconvenience benefits (this is anything involving delays and diversions that cause you to change your itinerary). This plan is also where their 24/7 assistance kicks in. You’ll be able to get help from their dedicated team whenever you need to navigate something within your coverage. You can also enjoy benefits like their bag tracker service.

• Deluxe Plan

  Finally, their Deluxe Plan covers everything above with even higher payouts offered. You’ll also get an expanded list of travel inconveniences, and coverage if you need to move your travel plans to an earlier date. On top of all of these plans you can also build in extra coverage for pre-existing medical requirements, sports, pets and vehicles.

For digital nomads they also offer two fantastic packages outside of their usual cover. Pack N’ Go is ideal for those last minute trips. You won’t be covered for trip cancellation (which is rarely a concern for this kind of travel) so you’ll get to save some money. They also offer annual coverage that provides the above benefits for multiple trips across a year.

Due to state regulations with insurance, residents of New York State aren’t eligible for any of these plans. However, there is another set of packages available for those in the state. Residents of Kansas and Montana are not eligible for their regular annual coverage, but there are also some other packages worth checking out. 

10. IMG

IMG is another fantastic American insurance company with heaps of experience in the travel sector. They offer both health and regular travel insurance packages – as well as some tailormade plans for expats and digital nomads. These plans are a little pricier than others in the market, but you’ll receive great service and unbeatable coverage in return. For digital nomads the best plan is one of their Expat/Global Citizen Plans. These are specially designed for Americans living abroad. IMG recognizes that many expats stay in more than one country throughout the year so they offer a variety of plans that you can carry across the world with you. If you only plan on staying in the one place for a while and want to save some cash they also have dedicated expat insurance that will cover digital nomads.

Their regular Travel Medical Insurance covers you in most countries across the world – but you take this out on a trip by trip basis. Thankfully they have a number of packages that can be tailored to how long you are away for. Whether you’re taking a two week vacation or studying abroad for a semester or two they have plans that cover you. This is one of the most flexible travel medical plans on the market right now. Of course, medical expenses aren’t your only concern when travelling abroad. IMG offers three plans that cover other travel related costs. These take care of things like cancelled flights, lost luggage and evacuation. Their three plans cover – single trips, annual multi-trips and family cover. You can also mix and match between these policies. As mentioned above this is one of the more expensive options. That being said, it’s still not out of reach for most digital nomads and the level of cover on offer is truly exceptional.

They have tonnes of experience behind them – with knowledge of business, government and personal travel under their belt. IMG doesn’t just pay for emergency travel costs – they also have an extensive network across the globe that can make sure you receive the best treatment as quickly as possible. There are many physicians across the world that are in the company’s contact book. You’ll also have 24/7 access to online support and a dedicated call centre team to talk you through accessing your policy.

11. Travelex

Travelex Insurance (not to be confused with the forex company) offers basic, customisable plans that let you control exactly what cover you want. This is great for those that want to avoid the expensive extras that many other insurance companies force you to take in order to receive the coverage you want. Outside of their basic coverage, Travelex Insurance only adds on the cover that you want.

Speaking of their basic coverage – this plan is already pretty comprehensive. You’ll be covered for up to $15k medical expenses, $10k trip cancellation costs and $500 for lost baggage. There aren’t any deductibles – and you can opt for single trip or annual multi-trip coverage. This is the bare minimum that anyone should travel with.

Travel Select Plan

Their travel select plan is where you get to add on coverage that matters to you. Going on an adventure trip? They can cover you for specific sports activities. Need more baggage coverage for that expensive laptop? You can add that in with this plan. Need coverage for your hire car? They have a number of extensions depending on your specific needs. This high level of customizability is exactly what people love about Travelex Insurance. You only pay for what you need – so you don’t need to throw money away on insurance features that don’t really suit your itinerary. Uniquely, they also offer a Travel America plan. This is for residents of the US that will be travelling domestically. You’ll be covered for things like roadside assistance, emergency medical expenses and trip delays.

You can also cover your pet if you plan on taking them on the road with you. Many travellers (especially digital nomads) don’t bother with domestic insurance – but this is actually one of the places where you need it the most. Travelex Insurance claim they offer packages for every kind of traveller. So if you don’t see something that quite aligns with your needs it’s worth getting in touch.

Their bespoke packages don’t end with what is visible on the website. Their dedicated customer service team can help you build an insurance plan that suits your needs. Regardless of your age, travel style and reason for travel you are sure to find something that aligns with exactly what you require.

Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads

Now that you are aware of what travel insurance is and which companies offer the best policies, I’m sure you are wondering what kind of travel insurance you need for each country you travel to. Here is a comprehensive list of travel insurance for common countries and situations:

Best Travel Insurance For Cruises

Cruises have many things that need to go right for a successful trip. You need to catch your ship in an exotic or faraway destination then visit other countries during the cruise… and not miss a single connection. According to Travel Insurance Review, it is important to look for these factors when choosing cruise travel insurance:

1. Evacuation Coverage – minimum $500,000
2. Trip Interruption Coverage – Up to 150% reimbursement of unused travel cost 
3. Missed Connection Coverage – In case your flight is cancelled, delayed, or other travel issue that forces you to miss your ship
4. Financial Default Coverage – To cover the company going bankrupt and no longer able to operate your cruise.    
5. Hurricane Coverage – Many cruises take place in areas where hurricanes are common.

There are three main players in the cruise travel insurance industry that fit these specific requirements: TinLeg, Travel Insured, and IMG. It’s hard to say that there is a clear main player in the cruise travel insurance business, but each of these companies have their own perks and benefits that fit each price range. 

• TinLeg is best for anyone that is searching for value. They have hurricane insurance that triggers immediately after any delay and no deductible for medical evacuations. TinLeg also has a luxury plan that includes a Cancel For Any Reason clause. 
• Travel Insured’s hurricane coverage kicks in if there are any warnings, before a hurricane hits. This expands your protection tremendously and offers peace of mind in an emergency. The company also covers any change or re-booking fees if a cancellation is necessary. 
• Finally, IMG has hurricane warnings included as well as a Cancel For Any Reason clause (Especially relevant at the moment with the COVID-19 pandemic). Their Travel LX plan even expands to cover adventure activities, rental car damage, and non-medical evacuations.  

Digital Nomad Travel Insurance For Europe

Europe has many different countries within the continent all with different views of the required amount of travel insurance for visitors. That’s why I consulted Schengen Visa Info for the most up to date requirements for European travel insurance. Here is what the website recommends:

1. Medical Emergency – Sickness or accident
2. Emergency Evacuation
3. Repatriation Of Remains
4. Return Of A Minor
5. Trip Cancellation
6. Trip Interruption
7. Accidental Death Or Injury
8. Funeral Expenses
9. Lost Or Stolen Luggage
10. Emergency Replacement Of Essential Items
11. Hijacking/ Terroism
12. Travel Delays/ Cancellation
13. Pregnancy-Related Expenses

As you can see, it is quite an extensive list of requirements for the continent. Travel insurance to Europe is surprisingly reasonably priced considering that the policy must include all of the EU member countries and the list of requirements. There are two companies that Europe suggests using for travel insurance.

• Axa

  The first one is Axa. The company meets all of the requirements for Europe and provides plans ranging from 8 to 180 days (6 months). They have two plans. The first one is Axa Schengen and it only covers the Schengen zone (Creative I know!). The second one is Axa Europe Travel. This plan covers all of the Schengen zone plus the UK and any EU members (Example: Norway).

• Europ Assistance.

  The second company that Europe recommends for travel insurance is Europ Assistance. They have two similar plans to Axa. One plan covers only the Schengen zone while the other plan covers Schengen plus the EU. One nice addition that Europ Assistance has in the Schengen plus EU plan is the return and lodging of a companion. It’s nice to have the comfort of knowing that your partner, friend, or loved one can make it home safely in case of an emergency.

Overall, you can’t go wrong with either company if you are traveling solo, but if you are traveling with someone, we recommend Europ Assistance.

Nomad Insurance For Cuba

Starting in 2010, the Cuban government required all tourists visiting Cuba for any period of time to purchase travel insurance. This law came about because tourists were abusing the medical system by not paying outstanding hospital bills.

Depending on what country you are from, Cuba will require a more comprehensive or basic plan. For example, Canadians only need to show proof that they are part of their provincial health care system where they reside. Americans, on the other hand, need additional travel insurance beyond what they currently have.

Cuba does not have certain requirements for the travel insurance policy. However, it is recommended that a plan be more comprehensive for traveling in Cuba. Our recommendation for Cuba travel insurance is Arch Roam Right’s Pro Plus plan. The mix of value and benefits is phenomenal. This policy has many features baked into it. It is one of the only plans on the market to include primary medical coverage. What does that mean exactly? This means that if there is an emergency, Arch Roam Right will pay for your medical bills before your health insurance. The plan also has no deductible for an emergency sickness or accident. No matter how small or big the emergency may have been, you will be covered by Arch Roam Right.

One interesting part of the policy that you rarely see in any others is the Cancel For Work Reasons clause. This is a great clause for any employee that has a deadline that can change and can’t or doesn’t want to work during vacation. Finally, the Pro Plus plan includes repatriation back to the US for further medical care if needed and the patient is deemed stable enough. Otherwise, you are allowed to stay in a Cuban hospital and be covered by the policy.

Digital Nomad Travel Insurance For Thailand

The country is known for its heart-racing, adrenaline inducing activities. With all of this risk (and potential for food poisoning trying all those exotic foods) comes the need for top of the line travel insurance. While the Thai government only requires health insurance for retirees who are applying for immigrant visas, it is important that all visitors are covered.

Choosing the right travel insurance for you depends on how long you are going to be in Thailand and what you plan to do there. In my opinion, there is only one insurance company to go with if you decide to take a trip to Thailand. World Nomads insurance is the perfect option for trips that are anywhere from one to six months in length. You can also extend the coverage if you fall in love with Thailand and decide to stay. One huge benefit that World Nomads offers is that you can book coverage for your trip while you are in Thailand. This is often not the case for most traditional insurance companies that make you book coverage prior to your trip.

World Nomads has two travel insurance plans. There is the Standard and Explorer plan. There are two main differences between the coverage otherwise the plans are identical. The first difference is that the Explorer plan covers sports and other adventure activities such as bungee jumping, canyoning, and scuba diving. The Standard plan covers none of these activities. The second difference is emergency evacuations. The Explorer plan covers up to $50,000 while the Standard plan offers up to $30,000. Whether you are training to be a Muay Thai fighter, a Divemaster, or just want to sit on a beach in Koh Phi Phi, World Nomads has the right policy for your Thailand trip. 

Digital Nomad Health Insurance For Israel

The draw to Israel is undeniable. From the amazing Mediterrean food, the weather, the culture and the fascinating history, Israel is well worth a visit. Like any other country in the Middle East, there are certainly understandable security concerns for foreigners. That should not stop tourists from visiting because Israel is overwhelmingly safe. However, it is always better to prepare for the unexpected. The Israeli government does not require tourists to purchase travel insurance, but it is recommended for all travelers.

One thing to note is that most online travel insurance websites consider Israel a part of Europe (No idea why, but they do). It is important to recognize that Israel is not in the Schengen zone so it is not necessary the extensive travel insurance that Europe requires. There are many companies that provide travel insurance plans for Israel, but the best mix of value and quality comes from AIG. The company’s Preferred plan is perfect for any international traveler. Through the plan, you’ll receive 24/7 medical assistance service, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and lost or delayed baggage coverage.

You’ll also get three unique benefits. First, you’ll receive a travel inconvenience benefit. This means you’ll get reimbursed up to $750 for any mode of transportation that gets diverted or delayed. Second, you’ll receive a trip saver benefit. You will get a reimbursement of up to $2,500 for any extra costs that are incurred if your trip starts earlier than expected due to bad weather or if the airline changes their schedule.

Finally, you’ll be entitled to an ancillary evacuation benefit. Through this benefit, if you are evacuated for any reason (including war) you’ll be able to claim $5,000 to cover transportation and baggage. AIG’s Preferred Plan is hands down the best coverage for Israel.

Nomad Insurance For Germany

As we mentioned earlier in the article, Europe’s Schengen countries have strict visa travel insurance requirements. Germany is located within the Schengen zone so it is important that your travel insurance is compliant.  Germany itself has 4 different visa requirements for travel insurance:

1. Travel insurance must be worth 30,000 Euros ($32,785 at time of writing)
2.  A repatriation clause
3. Emergency Medical evacuation benefit
4. The insurance provider must have an office located within Europe

It is critically important to have insurance that meets all of these requirements otherwise your travel insurance will not be valid even if you paid in full! Even if you are visiting for less than 90 days and you are a citizen of a country that does not need a visa, it is still strongly recommended to have travel insurance. Luckily, there are quite a few insurance companies that offer compliant travel insurance for Germany.

Our travel insurance recommendation for Germany is Allianz’s OneTrip Premier plan. The company is based in Germany so you will not have a problem meeting the European office requirement. The OneTrip Premier far surpasses the 3 other requirements. The coverage is worth well over $750,000. One of the best benefits about this plan is the fact that they cover emergency medical transportation up to $500,000. You can rest easy knowing that you are adequately covered for any emergency accident that may occur.

Another great benefit that is highly underrated is the loyalty program redeposit fee coverage. It covers up to $500 in case of a cancellation where you booked using points. Anyone that’s lost points and had to pay to redeposit them knows how frustrating this can be. Allianz’s OneTrip Premier plan is a great option for any international traveler that has Berlin on their bucket list.

Travel Insurance For Nomad for Mexico

This North American country is known for its beautiful beaches, mountains, and incredible street food (tacos!). Travel insurance is not mandatory in Mexico, but due to growing civil unrest in the region and food safety concerns, we would recommend to have some sort of basic coverage. It’s common in Mexico to pay out of pocket for a small hospital procedure, however, you will want some protection for any longer stays that might arise. It’s worth mentioning that Mexico has a booming medical tourism industry. The medical care is fantastic. You’ll pay a fraction of the price you would back home to see a specialist.

There are many different travel insurance options to make sure you’re safe in Mexico, but Seven Corners RoundTrip travel insurance will definitely put your mind at ease when you’re traveling. They have three different options for all budgets: Economy, Choice, and Elite. In my opinion, Seven Corners Choice plan maximizes the amount of benefits while delivering the most value. 100% of your trip is covered for cancellations up to $20,000 and 150% of your trip is reimbursed for trip interruptions. (In many cases, this is more than enough since Mexico is quite budget friendly.) Seven Corners Choice also coveres for $100,000 worth of emergency accident and sickness medical expenses. This is worth it to have since many travelers report food poisoning. Hospitalizations from food poisoning are rare, but it can happen.

Finally, the Choice plan has a political evacuation benefit that reimburses you up to $20,000 in case of civil, military, or political unrest.  Seven Corners Round Trip Choice will give you the confidence to travel Mexico and be ready for whatever may come your way.

Insurance Option for Nomads For South Africa

The African country is well known for its stunning beauty, delicious Braais (South African version of a BBQ), and incredible wildlife. It is relatively easy to get to South Africa with direct flights from the US and Europe. The number of tourists has been growing steadily for the past several years. Unfortunately, South Africa can be a dangerous country to visit if you go to the wrong places. That’s why it’s important to have the peace of mind knowing you are covered for any event that might happen.

Like many other countries, South Africa does not require travel insurance for visitors. However, no matter what you want to do in the country, it’s a good idea to have travel insurance. For South Africa, we recommend getting Travelex’s Select plan. This plan is perfect for any family that is looking to take that once-in-a-lifetime South African safari. Under the Select plan, children under 17 are allowed to join the plan for free when traveling with a covered adult. This significantly reduces travel insurance costs for a 4 person family. Another bonus is the sporting equipment baggage delay. This is a great benefit for anyone that brings their own gear to go surfing or kayaking. You are covered up to $200 for any sort of delay.

The plan still works well for solo or group travelers that are adventurous. TravelEx offers an adventure sports upgrade to protect you if you choose to do mountain climbing, parasailing, or go for a hot air balloon ride. They will also cover up to $50,000 for any emergency medical or dental expense. 

TravelEx’s Select plan gives you the comfort of knowing you are covered whether you want to explore Cape Town, go surfing at Jeffreys Bay, or go on a safari at Singita. 

Best Travel Insurance For Philippines

If you like incredible beaches and delicious fruit, you’ll feel right at home in the Philippines. The Philippines has become a go-to traveler hotspot in Asia. Besides beaches and fruit, the people are extremely friendly and welcoming to foreigners.

There are many adventure sports and activities in the Philippines. The country boasts some of the best scuba diving in the world. The Philippines gives you the rare opportunity to swim with a Whale Shark! If you want to do this, it’s crucial to have tested travel insurance. That’s why we recommend choosing Axa’s Platinum plan. The policy offers 100% back on any canceled trip, a $1,000,000 coverage for any emergency medical evacuation (coverage comes in hand for any surfer… There are big sharks off the coast of Philippines), and $1,000 sports equipment rental coverage.

Axa will cover up to $3,000 if you need to buy any baggage or personal items that were lost. Finally, Axa’s plan covers up to $1,500 for any missed connection. This is important because it’s hard to find direct flights to Manila. Travelers often have to layover with tight connections in a hub. Axa’s Platinum plan will give you the safety and comfort you need in the Philippines to dive headfirst in the water with a Whale Shark!

Nomad Insurance During Pregnancy

There are many different factors to consider when traveling during pregnancy. Many airlines have their own policies for pregnant women. Delta has no restrictions for pregnant women, while United requires a doctor’s certificate for travel after the 36th week of your pregnancy.

Traveling during pregnancy is often not recommended, but sometimes it can be necessary to travel for holidays or family events. One must take precautions and care in these moments. It is absolutely vital to have travel insurance if you are pregnant. It’s even more important to have travel insurance if you are more than 6 months along in your pregnancy.

According to Money Super Market, travel insurers do not treat pregnancy as a medical condition. In many cases, you don’t even have to inform the travel insurance company that you are pregnant. This means that travel insurance will not cost extra just because you are pregnant.\\

Most travel insurance policies will cover you if you do have complications due to your pregnancy, but usually up until a certain point. This is usually around the 40th week of your pregnancy. Also, the majority of travel insurance policies cover any cancellations due to pregnancy. For example, you and your husband booked a cruise a year ago, but three months ago, you found out you were pregnant. Depending on your policy, you would be covered for this.  On the other hand, according to Allianz,  if you booked a last minute trip in the 8th month of your pregnancy and your doctor tells you not to go 2 days before you are supposed to leave, then you would not be covered for a cancellation. This is due to the fact that there is no medical complication related to the pregnancy. If you plan to give birth internationally, it’s important to know if childbirth is covered. Some insurance companies do not cover the birth, but do cover any complications that arise from the childbirth. (Doesn’t make much sense at all..). Ask your insurance company if a hospital stay for childbirth is in the policy. Sometimes you can add it to the policy for an extra fee.

Overall, if you plan on getting pregnant within the near future, it is important to talk to your travel insurance provider about any plans that cover pregnancy. There are many different options available, but be sure to ask what the insurance covers and up until what week in your pregnancy. It is also important to ask about international childbirth if that is something you are considering.

Digital Nomad Health Insurance For Seniors

Traveling during retirement is a dream come true for many. At this point in their lives, many seniors have the time and resources to finally take the trips that they have been dreaming about. While there are many benefits to traveling as we age, there are also some issues to consider.

The older seniors get, the more likely it is for them to experience health complications. This is why travel insurance is a necessity for seniors. It’s important for seniors to evaluate any health issues they may currently be having before they travel. One myth that many American seniors believe is that Medicare covers them outside of the US. This is usually not the case.

For seniors, it is important to ask travel insurance companies about their medical emergency coverage. It is more likely for seniors to use this part of the policy. It is also critical for seniors to know about insurers pre-existing medical condition policy. Each company has a different idea of what a pre-existing condition is so it’s best not to assume.

Travel insurance will not be valid if you have a pre-existing condition that you did not declare to the insurance company. Be sure to consult with your doctor about this issue ahead of time. As grim as this may be, seniors need to know their travel insurance repatriation policy. The further senior travelers go from home, the higher the dollar amount needs to be to make sure the body arrives home safely.

Finally, many people try to scam or take advantage of older travelers. It is important for senior travelers to have lost or stolen luggage and personal item protection.

There are several travel insurance extras that senior travelers do not need to worry about. When it comes to travel insurance planning, most senior travelers do not participate in adventure activities. Any plan with this clause is generally a waste of money for senior travelers. Also, seniors will not be needing sports equipment (other than golf). Seniors generally do not need any rental car damage coverage. Most older travelers like to go on excursions specifically designed for them or hire a guide for their trip.

Traveling as a senior can be a rewarding and enriching experience with the right precautions and travel insurance.

Health Insurance For Digital Nomads

Digital nomad is one of those buzzwords that you hear all of the time. With the rise of the internet, many people came to their senses and realized they can make a living doing remote work anywhere in the world. Suddenly, the office became anywhere there was a good internet connection. The word digital nomad was soon born. Being a full-time, globetrotting digital nomad sounds like the dream life. It is in many regards, but let me be a buzzkill real quick.. What do digital nomads do about travel insurance?

There are many different areas that travel insurance needs to cover for digital nomads, but one area that remote workers cannot ignore is their money-making technology. Luckily, several forward thinking insurance companies like World Nomads have jumped at the chance to grab a hold of this growing market. Besides the usual coverage that you would expect from any travel insurance policies such as emergency medical evacuation and trip protection, World Nomads offers gear protection up to $3,000. This doesn’t mean it covers you if you left your technology somewhere. This policy protects you if your tech is stolen or broken.

These insurance companies also make it easy to be covered around the world. You can find full coverage travel insurance for up to one year. They cover you in almost every country around the world. Sometimes it can be confusing because this coverage might be called expat coverage. This type of coverage can be quite expensive, but if you know you will be traveling and working full-time, it’s worth it to have the peace of mind wherever you may explore.

For digital nomads that are considering putting down roots for a while, it may be worth it to consider the health care system of the country where you now reside. For example, you stay for 6 months in Berlin, but travel the other 6 months. It may be worth it to look into getting covered by a German insurance company.

Becoming a digital nomad involves a lot of planning. Travel insurance should be at the top of your list. Look for travel insurance that protects your tech and covers you worldwide. If you stay long-term in one country, consider insurance companies of the country you now reside in.

Credit Cards With Travel Insurance

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Considered one of the best travel credit cards in the industry, Chase’s Sapphire Reserve is known for its benefits that come with its recently increased $550 annual fee (Was previously $450). The travel insurance that comes with the credit card is outstanding, but there is room for improvement.

The Sapphire Reserve has trip cancellation up to $10,000 per person or $20,000 per trip. Rental collision damage waiver where you can decline the rental company’s accident insurance where they cover up to $75,000 if you charge the purchase to your card. Finally, travel accident insurance up to $1,000,000 when you book your air, bus, train, or cruise on the Sapphire Reserve. For a credit card, this amount of coverage is exceptional.

One thing that really makes the travel insurance on the Chase Sapphire Reserve stand out is the international travel and emergency assistance. The hotline will refer you to trusted, local legal and medical teams. When you run into an emergency on the road and don’t speak the language, it can be difficult to find local help. It’s nice that Chase makes your life easier by providing this hotline.  With all the advantages you have with the travel insurance on the Sapphire Reserve, there are some areas that they should improve. The emergency medical and dental benefit is sorely lacking. They only cover up to $2,500 for expenses and you must be 100 miles or more from your registered address. Also, the baggage delay reimbursement covers you for any baggage delay over 6 hours. You are covered for $100 a day and only for a maximum of 5 days.

It’s unclear when Chase considers a bag lost so it would be better for travelers if they would extend the baggage delay until the they determine the bag lost. Overall, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a well rounded credit card that is popular with travelers.

American Express Platinum

One of the more upscale travel credit cards on the market, the American Express Platinum lives up to the hype in many regards. The credit card is similar to Chase’s Sapphire Reserve, but takes it up a notch when it comes to luxury travel. The Platinum card automatically gives you Gold Elite status at Hilton and Marriott properties, $200 annual Uber and airline credit, and access to luxurious lounges around the world.

Behind all of the fancy perks, the Platinum card is hiding its sorely lacking travel insurance.  American Express was notoriously stingy about offering travel insurance. For years, the credit card giant didn’t give its clients any travel insurance. While there were some disgruntled cardholders, most were happy to enjoy the card’s many other exclusive benefits. However, to keep up with its competitors, American Express started offering travel insurance as part of its $550 annual price tag.

The Platinum does have similar coverage to the Sapphire Reserve for trip cancellation and delay as well as lost luggage and rental car insurance. However, one area that differs dramatically for the two cards is trip accident insurance. With the Sapphire Reserve, as mentioned above, you are covered up to $1,000,000. With the Platinum, on the other hand, you are covered up to…zero. That’s right folks there is absolutely no travel accident insurance on the Platinum. You will need to take out extra travel insurance with the Platinum if this is a concern for you.  Overall, the American Express Platinum card is an exclusive, luxury credit card, but its travel insurance is disappointing. 

Wells Fargo Propel

If you are on a budget and you are searching for a travel credit card, the Wells Fargo Propel credit card is a solid option. It is one of the only travel credit cards to have a $0 annual fee. You also receive 20,000 points ($200 value) if you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months of opening the credit card. With this offer, there’s no better excuse to book all of your travel for the year. Wells Fargo also teamed up with American Express to release this credit card so you’ll receive many perks and benefits of an Amex card including no foreign transaction fees. This is a major perk since transaction fees can slowly eat up your travel budget and force you to come home earlier.

Benefits and perks aside, the Propel card offers standout travel insurance for a fraction of the cost of other travel credit cards. Much like the Chase Sapphire Card, Propel offers emergency assistance. Propel goes a step further by offering assistance on where to find passport, visa, immunization requirements, referrals for interpreters, urgent message relays to families and friends, and interestingly enough, cash bail out if needed. Through Propel you can access 24/7 roadside assistance, which you can use abroad. Most importantly, the card has travel accident insurance built in. You will be covered up to $150,000 for loss of sight, speech, or hearing to name a few. Of course, to be covered you will need to book the travel on the Propel card.

Wells Fargo’s Propel credit card offers incredible value. With no annual fee and a myriad of benefits, this card truly is a hidden gem. We would highly recommend the Propel card for any traveler on a budget that wants to feel covered for any travel emergency.

Capital One Venture

The Venture card provides plenty of value at a moderate price point. The card’s annual fee is $95, but the fee is waived in the first year. As a bonus you’ll receive 50,000 points if you spend $3,000 in the first three months of owning the credit card.

One of the best parts about the Venture card is that they make it easy to use your points. You can book travel on through any airline, hotel, cruise, train, rental car, or travel agency website and they will reimburse you with points after the transaction is posted on your account. Another perk is obtaining TSA PreCheck or Global Entry free of charge. The Venture card has some great perks at a price that won’t make you scream like the Platinum or Sapphire Reserve card, but what about Venture’s travel insurance? The card keeps delivering value in this area. Venture comes with lost luggage insurance up to $3,000. The policy states that there must be theft or disregard from the airline, train, or other travel operator. This policy does not cover money, glasses, art, contact lenses, or cell phones.

Another great benefit is the Venture card’s travel accident insurance. The policy not only covers you, but the rest of your family when you book a trip together. You and your family will be covered up to $250,000 for any loss of sight, hearing, or speech that is deemed an accident. The coverage is valid as long as you are in any travel vessel such as a ship or airplane.

Capital One Venture credit card offers tremendous value at a decent price. The card is worth it for those that travel often, want to start amassing points right away, and are looking to have peace of mind with fantastic travel insurance.

US Bank Altitude Reserve

One of the more under the radar credit cards, the US Bank’s Altitude Reserve delivers similar value to the Platinum with intriguing perks at a better price point ($400 annual fee) One of the more interesting upscale benefits that the Altitude Reserve offers is the ability to trade in points for flight time on a NetJet private flight. You can now tell all of your friends on Instagram that you own a jet! US Bank also partnered with Silvercar to offer Audi rentals at airports around the world for 30% off the total price.

The card comes with a whole host of other benefits, but the Altitude Reserve is an industry leader for travel insurance protection. The card comes with a rental car collision waiver and travel accident insurance, but the travel insurance is really taken up a notch for its trip cancellation/ interruption policy. Under the policy, you are entitled to not only receive your entire nonrefundable airfare back for you and your family, but you also will be eligible to receive reimbursement on any other form of transportation that you had reserved. One other area that US Bank leads the industry in is their trip delay insurance. When your flight is delayed 6+ hours or you need an overnight stay, you are eligible for up to a $500 reimbursement of hotel, food, transportation, and toiletries. They only require that you charge part of the trip on your Altitude Reserve card. These are extremely friendly user benefits that few other travel credit cards offer.

Overall, the Altitude Reserve is an excellent credit card with many benefits that is a bit on the pricier side. If you are searching for a customer-friendly travel insurance policy then US Bank’s Altitude Reserve is the card for you.

Digital Nomad Travel Insurance Final Thoughts

Travel insurance isn’t the most exciting expense but it’s absolutely necessary. We don’t want to sound too dramatic but for those traveling on a budget, it can literally mean life or death. Medical costs, stolen gadgets and flight cancellations will ruin your trip if you aren’t covered. Think about your specific travel needs by all means – but at least get the basics covered.

Thankfully there are plenty of travel insurance providers now offering digital nomad (and expat) friendly plans. These give you extra peace of mind whilst you gallivant around the world. You’re probably a freelancer so things like medical coverage aren’t a given – even in nations that extend socialized medicine to visitors and immigrants.