SafetyWing vs Cigna Global

Overview

SafetyWing and Cigna Global both serve people living abroad, but they sell fundamentally different products. Understanding this distinction is critical—because choosing the wrong one could leave you with a $200,000 hospital bill or paying for coverage you don't need.

SafetyWing burst onto the scene in 2017 as a startup built specifically for digital nomads. Their flagship product, Nomad Insurance, is travel medical insurance—not health insurance. It covers emergencies while traveling, with a subscription model that lets you cancel anytime. It's affordable, flexible, and perfectly adequate for healthy young travelers who just want a safety net. They also offer Remote Health, which is actual health insurance, but most people know SafetyWing for Nomad Insurance.

Cigna Global has been providing international health insurance for decades. They offer comprehensive health insurance plans that cover everything from routine checkups to cancer treatment. With a network of 1.5+ million providers worldwide and unlimited coverage options, they're the premium choice for expats who want complete healthcare coverage. You pay more because you get more.

This comparison will help you understand exactly what each product covers, what it costs, and which one matches your actual needs—not which one has better marketing.

The Fundamental Difference

This matters because many people choose SafetyWing thinking they're getting health insurance at a great price. They're not. They're getting travel medical insurance—which is a completely valid product, but serves a different purpose.

What Travel Medical Insurance (SafetyWing Nomad) Actually Covers

• Emergency room visits after accidents or sudden illness
• Emergency hospitalization for acute conditions
• Emergency surgery (appendicitis, broken bones, etc.)
• Emergency evacuation to a better hospital
• Acute illness medications (antibiotics for infection, etc.)
• Emergency dental for pain relief only

What Travel Medical Insurance Does NOT Cover

• Routine doctor visits when you're feeling off
• Preventive care like annual checkups or vaccinations
• Ongoing prescriptions for blood pressure, thyroid, etc.
• Mental health of any kind
• Pre-existing conditions even if they become emergencies
• Chronic disease management like diabetes care
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Non-emergency surgery even if medically necessary

If you have high blood pressure and have a stroke abroad, SafetyWing Nomad may deny the claim as a pre-existing condition. If you develop depression, there's no coverage. If you need a non-emergency MRI to investigate chronic pain, you're paying out of pocket.

Coverage Comparison

Here's the detailed coverage breakdown between SafetyWing Nomad Insurance and Cigna Global health plans. Note that SafetyWing's Remote Health product has different coverage—more similar to Cigna.

Coverage Limits Matter

SafetyWing Nomad has a $250,000 lifetime maximum. That sounds like a lot until you realize:

• A week in a US hospital ICU can cost $100,000+
• Cancer treatment often exceeds $300,000
• Major surgery with complications can hit $200,000
• Emergency air evacuation alone can cost $50,000-100,000

Cigna's plans go up to unlimited coverage. For Silver and Gold, you typically get $1-2 million. Platinum offers unlimited. If something catastrophic happens, you're not doing math on whether your coverage is enough.

The Pre-existing Condition Question

SafetyWing Nomad: Pre-existing conditions are excluded entirely. If you have asthma and have an asthma attack abroad, that's not covered. If you have a heart condition and have a heart attack, not covered. This is standard for travel medical insurance.

Cigna Global: Uses full medical underwriting. You'll complete a health questionnaire, and Cigna may: cover conditions normally, exclude specific conditions, add a premium loading, or decline coverage. The process is more involved, but conditions you disclose may eventually be covered (often after a waiting period or as part of ongoing care).

Plan Options

Both providers offer multiple tiers, but the structure is completely different.

SafetyWing Products

Nomad Insurance (~$45/month for age 30):

• Travel medical insurance (emergencies only)
• $250,000 coverage limit
• $250 deductible
• Cancel anytime, 4-week billing cycles
• Up to 90 days US coverage per year
• Best for: Short-term travel, healthy young nomads

Remote Health (~$100-600/month depending on age):

• Actual health insurance
• Up to $10 million coverage
• Multiple deductible options ($0 to $10,000)
• Mental health included
• Maternity available (12-month waiting period)
• Pre-existing conditions covered after waiting period
• Best for: Long-term nomads wanting real insurance

Cigna Global Tiers

Silver (Inpatient only):

• Hospital stays and surgery
• Day-patient treatment
• Cancer care
• No outpatient coverage
• Lowest premium tier

Gold (Most popular):

• Everything in Silver
• Outpatient visits and tests
• Specialist consultations
• Prescriptions
• Physical therapy

Platinum (Comprehensive):

• Everything in Gold
• Wellness and preventive care
• Annual checkups
• Vaccinations
• Unlimited coverage

Pricing Breakdown

Price is where SafetyWing shines—if you compare apples to oranges. When you compare apples to apples (SafetyWing Remote Health vs Cigna), the gap narrows significantly.

*Estimates based on 2024-2025 quotes for individuals excluding US coverage. Actual prices vary based on health history, exact location, and plan customization.

Why SafetyWing Nomad Is So Cheap

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance costs 70-80% less than Cigna because it covers 70-80% less. It's travel medical insurance—emergency coverage only. When you need actual healthcare (not just emergency rescue), you pay out of pocket.

The Fairer Comparison: Remote Health vs Cigna

SafetyWing Remote Health is actual health insurance, comparable to Cigna Gold. At these tiers:

• Remote Health is roughly 10-15% cheaper for young, healthy individuals
• The gap narrows for older individuals (over 50)
• Cigna often wins for families due to better multi-person discounts
• Remote Health's deductible options can reduce costs further

Network & Hospital Access

How you actually use your insurance day-to-day differs dramatically between these providers.

Cigna's Network Advantage

Cigna's 1.5+ million provider network with direct billing is genuinely useful. In practice:

• Walk into a network hospital, show your Cigna card
• Get treated, sign paperwork
• Walk out without paying anything (or just your copay)
• Cigna handles the bill directly with the hospital

The mobile app shows nearby network providers, lets you get pre-authorization, and tracks claims in real-time. For non-emergency situations, this convenience is significant.

SafetyWing's Reimbursement Model

SafetyWing primarily works on reimbursement:

• Find a hospital or clinic
• Pay the bill yourself
• Submit claim with receipts
• Wait 10-30 days for reimbursement

For major emergencies, SafetyWing will coordinate with hospitals for direct billing. But for anything non-emergency, expect to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement.

What This Means Practically

With Cigna, you can see a doctor for a cold without thinking about money. With SafetyWing Nomad, there's no coverage for that anyway—but even with Remote Health, you might pay $100-200 out of pocket and wait weeks to get it back. If cash flow matters, Cigna's direct billing has real value.

Claims Experience

SafetyWing Claims

SafetyWing's claims process is straightforward but basic:

• Submit via: Online portal or app
• Processing time: 10-30 days typically
• Documentation: Receipts, medical reports, sometimes additional forms
• Payment: Direct to bank account

Reviews are mixed. Small claims (few hundred dollars) usually process without issues. Larger claims or anything touching pre-existing condition exclusions can face scrutiny and delays. Some users report having to appeal denials. This is fairly typical for budget travel insurance.

Cigna Claims

Cigna's claims process reflects their premium positioning:

• Submit via: App, online portal, email, or even fax
• Processing time: 5-10 business days typically
• Documentation: Minimal for small claims; detailed for large ones
• Direct billing: Most hospital claims never become "claims"—Cigna pays directly

Cigna has more resources and a longer track record. Complex claims get assigned to case managers. Pre-authorization is straightforward through the app. The experience is more consistent than budget insurers.

Customer Service

SafetyWing Support

• Channels: Email and chat (no phone)
• Hours: Business hours, not 24/7
• Response time: Usually same day for chat, 1-2 days for email
• Languages: English primarily

SafetyWing is a startup. Their support is adequate for basic questions and standard claims, but don't expect white-glove service. For a $45/month product, the support matches the price.

Cigna Support

• Channels: 24/7 phone, email, chat, app
• Response: Immediate for phone, same day for digital
• Languages: Multiple languages available
• Special services: Case managers for complex situations, medical concierge

Cigna's support is genuinely premium. Need help finding a specialist at 2am? Call them. Need documents for a visa application? They'll expedite. Having a medical emergency? They coordinate with hospitals directly. This is part of what you pay for.

Who Should Choose Which

The Middle Ground: SafetyWing Remote Health

If you want comprehensive health insurance but prefer SafetyWing's digital-first approach, Remote Health is worth considering. It offers:

• Actual health insurance (not travel medical)
• $10 million coverage limit
• Mental health included
• Pre-existing conditions covered after waiting period
• 10-20% cheaper than Cigna for young individuals
• Similar subscription flexibility

Remote Health competes more directly with Cigna Gold. The trade-off is less established networks and less premium support.

Real-World Scenarios

Let's see how these products perform in actual situations expats face.

Scenario 1: The Digital Nomad Testing the Waters

Maya, 27, is leaving her tech job to try the nomad life for 6 months. She's healthy, takes no medications, and has savings to cover minor medical expenses. She'll be in Portugal and Thailand.

Best choice: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

At ~$45/month, Maya gets emergency coverage without commitment. If she breaks her leg surfing in Bali, she's covered. If she catches a cold, she'll pay $30 to see a local doctor—worth it at her savings. She can cancel anytime if she decides to go home.

Scenario 2: The Family Relocating for Work

The Johnsons (both 42, two kids 8 and 11) are moving to Spain for a 3-year work assignment. Dad has controlled high blood pressure. They want real healthcare.

Best choice: Cigna Global Gold

Dad's pre-existing condition disqualifies SafetyWing Nomad immediately. Cigna can underwrite the blood pressure and likely cover it (with possible exclusion initially). The kids get full pediatric care. Routine checkups are covered. Direct billing means no out-of-pocket hassles with four people needing care.

Scenario 3: The Early Retiree Abroad

Robert, 58, is retiring to Costa Rica. He's reasonably healthy but knows healthcare needs increase with age. He wants to know he's protected for anything.

Best choice: Cigna Global Gold or Platinum

At 58, Robert can't rely on $250K coverage limits. A serious illness could easily exceed that. SafetyWing Nomad doesn't cover the routine care he'll increasingly need. Cigna's unlimited coverage (Platinum) or high limits (Gold) plus full outpatient care makes sense. Yes, it costs $400-600/month—but one major health event could cost far more.

Scenario 4: The Budget-Conscious Long-Term Nomad

Carlos, 34, has been nomading for 3 years and plans to continue. He's healthy, budget-conscious, but wants more than just emergency coverage as he ages.

Best choice: SafetyWing Remote Health

Carlos has outgrown Nomad Insurance's limitations but doesn't want Cigna's price tag. Remote Health gives him real health insurance—mental health, comprehensive care, higher limits—at ~$150/month. It's the middle ground he needs.

Scenario 5: The Wealthy Expat Prioritizing Quality

The Chengs (55 and 52) are semi-retired, moving between their homes in Singapore, Portugal, and occasionally visiting family in the US. Money isn't their primary concern—quality and convenience are.

Best choice: Cigna Global Platinum with US coverage

The Chengs want the best: unlimited coverage, any hospital worldwide, premium support, no thinking about claims. Cigna Platinum with US coverage costs ~$1,200/month per person but delivers VIP healthcare globally. Direct billing everywhere, 24/7 concierge service, and complete peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Verdict

SafetyWing and Cigna Global serve different needs for different people at different life stages. The right choice depends entirely on what you actually need.

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is excellent travel medical insurance for young, healthy people who just need a safety net. At ~$45/month with no commitment, it's perfect for testing the nomad lifestyle. Don't expect healthcare—expect emergency rescue. If you're 28, perfectly healthy, and just want something in case you break your leg, SafetyWing Nomad delivers.

Cigna Global is comprehensive health insurance for people who want to actually be insured. If you're over 40, have any health conditions, have a family, or simply want the security of knowing you're covered for anything, Cigna is the better choice. You pay 3-5x more because you get 3-5x more coverage. That's not a ripoff—it's a different product.

SafetyWing Remote Health sits between them—real health insurance at a startup price point. Worth considering if you want comprehensive coverage but prefer SafetyWing's approach.

The mistake is choosing SafetyWing Nomad thinking you're getting Cigna-level coverage at a bargain. You're not. Choose the product that matches your actual needs and risk tolerance.