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2023 Backpacker Insurance: What you need to know to stay safe
In this article, I will share with you the two most popular travel insurance providers, World Nomads vs. Safety Wing, or as I like to call it – David vs Goliath.
Let’s get to the nitty-gritty of it all and skip all that technical insurance jargon nobody understands.
If you’re simply going on a short trip getting travel insurance is no problem, but when it comes to leaving your home country for months or years at a time. You will require the proper travel insurance in case anything happens.
In the travel world, there are 2 main companies when it comes to digital nomads and long-term travelers. it’s SafetyWing or World Nomads, both great companies with different pros and cons which I will inform you about.
To make your life a little easier here’s a complete side by side comparison to help you make an educated decision on which insurance is right for you.
Table of Contents
World Nomads Vs SafetyWing Backpacker Insurance (side by side comparison)
View the comparison table below to see what both companies offer.
| World Nomads | SafetyWing | |
|---|---|---|
| What's Covered? | - Unexpected illness or injury abroad - Hospital, doctor, dental and prescription expenses - Emergency evacuation - Missed and delayed flights - Lost checked luggage and stolen or lost belongings (covering gear and tech) - Adventure activities | - Unexpected illness or injury abroad - Hospital, doctor, dental and prescription expenses - Emergency evacuation - Travel delays out of your control and lost checked luggage - Every 90 days of coverage abroad = 30 days of coverage in home country, unless U.S. which is 15 days |
| What's Not Covered? | - Routine check-ups and preventative care - Pre-existing conditions - Cancer treatment | - Routine check-ups and preventative care - Pre-existing conditions - Some adventure sports and activities |
| Where Are You Covered? | Worldwide | Everywhere but North Korea, Cuba and Iran |
| Is Equipment Covered? | Yes - Smartphones - Computers & Laptops - iPads & Tablets - Camera and camera gear | No, unless it’s lost checked luggage |
| Excess/Deductible | $100 USD per event claimed, except Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation expenses | $250 USD per policy |
| Adventure Sports Coverage | Yes (more covered with Explorer package) | Some, but not most |
| Buying Coverage | Buy coverage abroad and extend as much as you need while traveling | Buy coverage abroad and extend as much as you need while traveling |
| U.S. Coverage | Yes | Can pay for additional U.S. coverage, otherwise U.S. residents get 15 days of coverage for every 90 days of coverage abroad |
| Monthly Price | About $120 USD/4 weeks (depending on package) | About $37 USD/4 weeks (depending on age) |
| Get a Free Quote from World Nomads | Get a Free Quote from SafetyWing |
Keep reading for more of a deep dive on both companies.
But...Do I even need travel insurance?
The simple answer to that is…you guessed it. YES!!!
You need to ask yourself. What if something goes wrong? Jellyfish sting, a car accident, killer snake bite, or even a killer virus, the list goes on and on!
While traveling Thailand I saw countless people crash scooters, in fact, there are over 5000 people who die from motorcycle accidents in Thailand each year.
Let’s take Thailand again as an example, they drive on the left side of the road, and if you’re not use to that…well you might just end up in the hospital.
The risk of getting into any accident or scenario involving insurance increases 10x as most digital nomads are always on the go, and with the amount of they have, why risk it?
Let me be extremely raw with you…
While traveling, anything can happen at any time, especially when you least expect it. If you ever travelled for long periods, you know what I’m talking talking about. What would you do if you had a medical emergency? Would you even be able to afford paying those expenses?
Thankfully for companies like SafetyWing and World Nomads you can get an insurance plan that is right for you.
Having the proper insurance coverage is extremely important whether you’re a digital nomad or a long-term traveller. Companies like SafetyWing and World Nomads have made things simple with their packages.
Now each company does have their own differences, but in the end, they share the overall objective of ensuring travellers are in the areas they need it most.
Does an insurance plan that covers everything really exists? The short answer is yes! Both of these companies have created what we call “hybrid plans” meaning you can pay as your go (like Amazon prime, or Spotify) covering you in case of any accident or mishap that may occur which is groundbreaking for the travel industry.
So just to break it down for you…as I’m sure your head hurts by now!
Most travel insurance companies out there provide coverage for flight cancellations, trip interruptions, and lost, stolen, or damaged luggage. As for health insurance, on the other hand, they will cover you for such things as, hospital stays, air ambulances, and medication in case you get sick.
Having travel insurance as a digital nomad or frequent traveller comes quite in handy as SafetyWing and World Nomads cover your belongings as well. Example: Someone stells your camera or laptop.
Don’t get me wrong you will still want to get medical coverage because as they say…”health is wealth”.
So, let’s thank SafetyWing and World Nomads for creating something the world needed.
As mentioned, both companies offer hybrid travel and health insurance plans. Meaning whatever happens to you and your stuff, you will be covered.
Note: Always make sure to check the fine print when purchasing your travel insurance.
Things To Look For When Buying Travel Insurance
When looking at various insurance companies, here are a few things you will want to look for.
Always choose a policy that covers the following:
- Hospital room and board
- Emergency evacuation
- Local ambulance
- Outpatient care
- Crisis response in case of emergency (terrorism, kidnapping, etc)
- Natural disaster coverage
- Return of remains
- Adventure activities
- Emergency medical and dental treatment
Most of these are already standard in most coverage plans, but some have limitations when it comes to activities and such. Specifically scuba diving and extreme activities like bungee jumping.
Last but not least…Make sure the company you choose has 24/7 global assistance. Which means no matter where you are in the world, someone will be able to assist you.
World Nomads or SafetyWing...(which one to choose)
The reality is that buying the right travel insurance in this day and age has never been easier.
Both of these companies are extremely affordable. Meaning you can focus more on eating amazing food and experiencing new things.
SafetyWing was designed for both long-term and short-term travelers. If you’re considering a short family trip, they also have you covered making it the perfect all-around insurance for any traveler. Because let’s be honest unforeseen things can happen when you’re traveling.
Apart from their competitive pricing…
The best part of these companies is the fact that they offer flexibility. Let’s say you forgot to buy travel insurance before leaving on your epic adventure, not to worry, they have you covered. (you no longer need to be in your home country to purchase your insurance coverage)
So no need for long-term coverage if you don’t want to, but the option of extending your coverage is always on the table.
As world travelers, we are blessed to have both World Nomads and SafetyWing as they are both able to offer us peace of mind while traveling.
While both have the same philosophy which is to provide flexible, affordable coverage to those on the go. However, each one offers different policies, prices, and coverage, making each one worth comparing before deciding which is best for you.
Below is a thorough breakdown of each company so that you can make the best decision for yourself and your loved one.
World Nomads Travel Insurance: Things To Note
Get to know World Nomads and what they offer.
They essentially offer 2 plans. The Standard plan and the Explorer plan. The Standard plan gives you all the basics you need while traveling and the Explorers plan lets you be a little more adventurist.
With that said…both World Nomad Plans cover the following:
- Emergency medical expenses abroad, including hospital stays, dental treatment, prescriptions, medical evacuation, emergency medical transportation, and more
- Gear protection covering lost, stolen, or damaged gear and tech, as well as loss of passport or travel documents
- Travel delays include missed, delayed, or canceled flights
- 200+ adventure activities including motorbike and scooter accident coverage
- Coverage in the U.S. if you’re a U.S. citizen
What’s Not Covered?
- Pre-existing conditions that you’ve shown symptoms of or been treated for
- Routine check-ups and preventative care
- Cancer treatment
Where Are You Covered?
Coverage depends on your country of residence but in most cases (namely for U.S. residents) you’re covered worldwide!
How Long Does Coverage Last?
World Nomads coverage is totally flexible in the sense that you’re able to choose the dates that you’ll be traveling for and get coverage accordingly. You can always extend your coverage while on the road, too!
How Much Does World Nomads Cost?
Finally, the question and answer you’ve been waiting for.
World Nomads pricing depends on where you’re traveling, your country of residence, and what plan you’ve decided to go with. Generally, coverage costs around $120 USD per month, which is more than reasonable considering what’s covered.
You can get a free quote for how much your World Nomads insurance should cost below or check out their website for further information
Get a quote below.
Why buy travel insurance from World Nomads.com?
- Backed by specialist insurers and global assistance partners
- Buy Online, even if you’ve already left home
- Buy more cover and claim online while traveling
- Covers a range of adventure sports and activities
- Give a little back and support a community development project
All of the information provided about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states, or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.
SafetyWing Travel Insurance: Everything You Need to Know
Combined with its affordable and flexible options, but less comprehensive coverage. SafetyWing comes as a great alternative. All depending on what you need, SafetyWing might be the best choice for you. Read the entire breakdown to see all of the details!
What’s Covered?
- Emergency and medical coverage abroad for unexpected illness or injury, including hospital stays, doctors, and prescriptions, as well as emergency medical evacuation
- Lost checked luggage and travel delays out of your control
- For every 90 days of coverage, you get 30 days of coverage in your home country, unless it’s the U.S. in which case you get 15 days.
What’s Not Covered?
- Routine check-ups and preventative care
- Treatment for pre-existing conditions
- No coverage for expensive electronics like laptops, GoPros, iPads, cameras, lenses, etc
- Limited coverage for sports and adventure activities
Where Are You Covered?
SafetyWing offers worldwide coverage excluding North Korea, Cuba, and Iran. There’s coverage in the U.S. but it costs an additional $31 for four weeks.
How Long Does Coverage Last?
SafetyWing operates on a pretty convenient system of offering coverage per four weeks, or 28 days.
When you sign up, you’ll pay for the first 28 days, with the option of an automatic extension every four weeks until you decide to cancel it. This can happen for up to a year, at which point you’ll need to purchase another package.
There’s no set amount of time for how long you can be covered by SafetyWing. This is why I love their pay-as-you-go system.
How Much Does SafetyWing Coverage Cost?
The cost of SafetyWing’s insurance depends on your age and whether you need U.S. coverage, but it can be as inexpensive as $40 USD per month! Get a quote below.
Why buy travel insurance from World Nomads.com?
- Backed by specialist insurers and global assistance partners
- Buy Online, even if you’ve already left home
- Flexibility
- Reliable and affordable
All of the information provided about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states, or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.
Pros & Cons: SafetyWing Vs World Nomads
Yes…here they come. The good old pros and cons! Let’s start with SafetyWing.
The pros for SafetyWing are:
- Affordability and flexibility.
If you’re a budget traveler then SafetyWing will do just fine. At 40$ per month, it won’t break the bank, so you can spend your money on more plane tickets!
As for the downside of SafetyWing…. its U.S coverage is not the greatest if you’re thinking of spending a long time traveling around. Lastly, they do not have the best gear insurance, so if you have thousands of dollars in gear (laptop, camera) etc…
As for World Nomads…
- good coverage anywhere in the world
- gear coverage for tech and other digital nomad equipment
- adventure activities and sports coverage
- two different packages to choose from
The only drawback with World Nomads is the price. 120$ per month in insurance is not something everybody can afford. The way I see it is this…If you’re an extremely clumsy and forgetful traveler that has loads of gear. Then yes I suggest World Nomads.
If you're still not convinced yet, check out the reviews on Trust Pilot SafetyWing and World Nomads.
Conclusion: World Nomads or SafetyWing?
Both companies are great it just depends on what you wish to be covered for. SafetyWing is great for solo travelers heading out and about for a few weeks and World Nomads is better if you’re a digital nomad that has a lot of gear such as drones, cameras, laptops, etc… World Nomad covers gear and Safetywing does not.
So again it depends on what you want and what you need. Just make sure to have one or the other, because you never know what can happen while traveling.
As you can see buying insurance can be a headache. It simply comes down to your style of travel. Are you a very active and adventurous person, if yes…get World Nomads, on the other hand, if you’re just a casual traveler, looking for tasty food then SafetyWing will do just fine.
So, don’t leave home without travel insurance.
Get a FREE QUOTE below
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