Best Digital Nomad Insurance: SafetyWing
Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads is probably not at the top of your mind when you plan your next travel. But when you suddenly find yourself needing one, you’ll be grateful you got one. There are a lot of different options for insurance, so it can be difficult to pick the right one specifically for you. That’s what we’re here to help you with!
Spoiler alert: Go with SafetyWing, they’re the leading Digital Nomad Insurance company, backed by us!
Whether it’s to simply cover expenses related to lost items, or added medical insurance, there’s something for everyone. Let’s have a look below!
What exactly is digital nomad insurance?
Digital Nomad insurance is meant to cover the costs and losses associated with traveling. This can be either domestic travel or abroad. There is no set rule as to what exactly these insurances cover. It will vary per insurance company what they offer their clients. You can also opt for different packages, and the price you pay for one package will decide what is covered and what is not.
What is included?
You first need to decide what is necessary for you.
Do you have a lot of digital equipment that needs to be covered?
Are you traveling to a region where natural disasters are prevalent?
Perhaps the political situation is unstable, and you might need to evacuate the country during your stay?
A Digital Nomad Insurance Example
To make it a bit more tangible, let’s have a look at travel insurance provided by SafetyWing, a remote nomad insurance company:
- The insurance covers expenses of flights being delayed or canceled, up to a fixed amount. Even though some airlines offer compensation for these disruptions as well, you will have greater leverage with insurance in place.
- Should your luggage go missing when you’re traveling, they will cover the costs of the missing items, up to a certain amount. You should however note that this only applies to luggage that has been checked by the travel provider. If you leave your luggage unattended, and it gets stolen, this will not be covered by the insurance.
- If there is a natural disaster such as an earthquake, and you need to move locations, this will be covered by the insurance. Likewise, if you need to evacuate your current residence because of a political situation, this will also be covered.
- Certain bodily injuries and medical emergencies will also be covered. This usually only applies to sudden or urgent situations. This means that if you for instance have medical issues before your travels, they will not cover treatment costs for these kinds of issues.
Please note again that other insurance companies might not offer the same compensation. They might include others that are not listed here.
You need to think ahead a bit here, to assess what kind of coverage you will most likely need. Some common items for most digital nomads are laptops, cameras, and other digital equipment. These should be insured.
In times like these, you should also be extra careful to choose insurance that covers costs relating to the pandemic as well.
How much does Digital Nomad Insurance cost?
Whilst normal travelers only need to be covered for a short duration, such as a two-week vacation, digital nomads need a long-term plan. The costs of your insurance will vary depending on which duration you go for. To give you an example: the travel insurance provided by SafetyWing costs $42 per month (4 weeks) on average for single travelers under the age of 39. You can check out their price calculator here for exact pricing.
Calculate your custom price:
Do I need Digital Nomad Insurance?
Whilst insurance adds an extra cost to your budget, without you even using it, the answer is a definite yes. You can not be in control of every situation, and accidents do happen. If you’re not insured, you might end up spending ten times the price of the insurance to cover the costs out of your own pocket.
In some instances, you will even need to show proof of insurance in order to be eligible for a visa. Having sufficient insurance in order will allow you to let go of worries. This way you can focus on your work and travels. Are you looking to acquire a Visa as a digital nomad? Check out our collection of guides per country to get you up and running.
Insurances do also come with other great perks, not just financial ones. Some companies offer 24/7 support, should you need to contact someone in case of problems. They are a great point of contact to help you find suitable medical facilities, for instance. That might be comforting to know if you’re in unfamiliar territory all by yourself.