Written by
John Spencer
John Spencer is the founder of Compare Expat Plans, where he focuses on helping people compare health plans for life abroad. He emphasizes clear information, neutral analysis, and practical decision support.
Overview
SafetyWing launched in 2017 with a mission to build the first "country" for digital nomads—starting with insurance. Founded by Norwegian entrepreneurs, they brought a Silicon Valley startup mentality to an industry that desperately needed disruption.
Their flagship product, Nomad Insurance, became wildly popular by doing something radical: treating travel insurance like a subscription. No annual commitments, no complicated applications, just pay-as-you-go coverage that works anywhere in the world.
Quick Facts
- Founded: 2017 (San Francisco)
- Headquarters: San Francisco, CA (distributed team)
- Countries Covered: 180+ (varies by product)
- Plan Types: Nomad Insurance, Remote Health, Remote Doctor
- Underwriter: Tokio Marine (Nomad), various (Remote Health)
- Known For: Digital nomad community, subscription model
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Plans and Coverage
SafetyWing offers three products targeting different needs. Understanding which one fits your situation is critical—they're very different.
| Plan | Type | Billing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomad Insurance | Travel medical | Every 4 weeks | Digital nomads, frequent travelers |
| Remote Health | Full health insurance | Monthly | Long-term expats, remote workers |
| Remote Doctor | Telemedicine | Monthly | Primary care supplement |
Nomad Insurance (Travel Medical)
This is SafetyWing's original product and what made them famous. Nomad Insurance is travel medical insurance—not comprehensive health insurance. It covers emergencies and acute illness while traveling, not ongoing healthcare.
- Coverage: $250,000 maximum (relatively low)
- Deductible: $250 per injury/illness
- Home Country: 30 days per 90-day period (for visits)
- Age Limit: 10-69 years old
- Children: One child under 10 included free per adult
Important Distinction
Nomad Insurance is travel medical insurance, not health insurance. It covers emergencies and unexpected illness while traveling. It does not cover routine checkups, ongoing prescriptions, pre-existing conditions, or planned treatments. If you need comprehensive coverage, look at Remote Health instead.
What Nomad Insurance Covers
- Emergency Medical: Hospitalization, surgery, emergency care
- Acute Illness: New illnesses that arise while traveling
- Injuries: Accidents, sports injuries (amateur)
- Emergency Dental: Pain relief only (up to $1,000)
- Medical Evacuation: Up to $100,000
- Trip Interruption: Up to $5,000
- Travel Delay: $100/day for 2+ days
- Lost Baggage: Up to $3,000
What Nomad Insurance Doesn't Cover
- Pre-existing conditions (at all)
- Routine care, checkups, preventive care
- Mental health
- Maternity and childbirth
- Ongoing prescriptions
- Dental (except emergency pain relief)
- Vision
- More than 30 days in home country per 90 days
| Benefit | Nomad Insurance | Remote Health |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Coverage | $250,000 | $1M-$10M |
| Deductible | $250 | $0-$5,000 |
| Hospitalization | Covered | Full coverage |
| Outpatient | Emergency only | Full coverage |
| Maternity | Not covered | Available (waiting period) |
| Mental Health | Not covered | Included |
| US Coverage | Up to 30 days/90 | Optional add-on |
| Pre-existing | Not covered | Covered after waiting period |
Remote Health (Full Health Insurance)
Remote Health is SafetyWing's answer to expats who need actual health insurance, not just travel medical. It's a completely different product with comprehensive coverage.
- Coverage: $1M, $2.5M, $5M, or $10M options
- Deductible: $0, $500, $2,500, or $5,000
- Outpatient: Included (doctor visits, labs, imaging)
- Mental Health: Included
- Maternity: Available with 12-month waiting period
- Pre-existing: Covered after 24-month waiting period
- Age Limit: 18-74 years old (new enrollees)
Remote Health Tiers
- Standard: Core coverage, $1M maximum
- Premium: Enhanced coverage, $2.5M maximum
- Elite: Top-tier coverage, $5M-$10M maximum
Remote Health is significantly more expensive than Nomad Insurance—but it's actually health insurance, not just travel medical.
Remote Doctor (Telemedicine)
A supplementary telemedicine service providing unlimited virtual consultations. Useful as a complement to high-deductible plans or for quick primary care access.
- Unlimited video consultations
- Prescription referrals
- 24/7 availability
- Low monthly cost (~$49)
Pricing
SafetyWing's pricing is straightforward—one of their biggest selling points.
Nomad Insurance Pricing
Nomad Insurance uses simple age-based pricing without complex underwriting:
- Age 10-39: $45.08 per 4 weeks
- Age 40-49: $76.28 per 4 weeks
- Age 50-59: $117.04 per 4 weeks
- Age 60-69: $189.28 per 4 weeks
US Coverage: Add ~$30-50 per 4 weeks for US inclusion (for non-US citizens).
That works out to roughly $42-175/month depending on age—remarkably affordable for travel medical coverage.
Remote Health Pricing
Remote Health is priced more like traditional health insurance:
- Age 25, $5K deductible: ~$100-150/month
- Age 35, $2.5K deductible: ~$150-250/month
- Age 45, $500 deductible: ~$300-450/month
- Age 55, $0 deductible: ~$500-700/month
Region affects pricing—US coverage increases premiums substantially.
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Pros and Cons
Pros
- No annual commitment—cancel anytime
- Simple, transparent pricing
- Easy online signup (5 minutes)
- Covers 180+ countries
- Free child under 10 with each adult
- Good for short-term/transitional coverage
- Modern, user-friendly interface
- Strong community of nomad users
Cons
- Nomad Insurance is travel medical, not full health
- $250K max is low for serious illness
- No pre-existing condition coverage (Nomad)
- No mental health coverage (Nomad)
- No maternity coverage (Nomad)
- US coverage limited to 30 days/90
- Less established than traditional insurers
- Claims can require persistence
The Real Trade-off
SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance is affordable because it's minimal coverage. If you're young, healthy, and just need emergency coverage while traveling, it's excellent value. If you have health conditions, need regular care, or want comprehensive coverage, you'll need Remote Health or a different provider entirely.
Claims and Service
Filing Claims
SafetyWing handles claims through their online portal. The process is straightforward but reviews are mixed:
- Submission: Upload receipts and documentation online
- Processing Time: 10-30 days typical
- Payment: Direct deposit or check
- Direct Billing: Limited—most claims are reimbursement
What Users Report
Reviews are mixed. Common themes:
- Positive: Easy signup, simple interface, responsive support for basic questions
- Negative: Claims can take longer than expected, some denials require appeals, limited direct billing
For emergency hospitalizations, SafetyWing does coordinate with hospitals—but smaller claims often require paying upfront and submitting for reimbursement.
Customer Support
- Email support (primary channel)
- Chat support during business hours
- No 24/7 phone line (email for emergencies)
- Knowledge base and FAQ
Support is adequate but not premium. You won't get the white-glove service of Cigna or Bupa.
Who It's For
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is ideal for:
- Digital nomads moving frequently between countries
- Young, healthy travelers (under 40)
- Remote workers on short-term assignments
- Gap coverage between jobs or moves
- Budget-conscious travelers needing emergency coverage
- People who hate long-term commitments
- First-time expats testing the lifestyle
SafetyWing Remote Health is better for:
- Long-term expats who need comprehensive coverage
- Remote workers with permanent base abroad
- People who want mental health and maternity coverage
- Those willing to wait out pre-existing condition periods
SafetyWing is not the right fit if you:
- Have pre-existing conditions you need covered now
- Need comprehensive coverage and Nomad Insurance's limits concern you
- Return to the US frequently (30-day limit is restrictive)
- Want premium customer service and direct billing
- Are over 69 (Nomad) or 74 (Remote Health)
- Need extensive mental health coverage (Nomad doesn't cover it)
Alternatives to Consider
Depending on your needs, consider these alternatives:
- IMG Global: Higher coverage limits, more traditional structure, better for longer stays. Read our review
- Cigna Global: Comprehensive coverage, premium service, higher cost. Read our review
- World Nomads: Another travel-focused option, good for adventure activities
- Allianz Care: Strong European presence, comprehensive plans. Read our review
- GeoBlue: Best for US citizens who need US network access. Read our review
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Disclaimer: This review is for informational purposes only. Plan details, pricing, and availability change. We are not affiliated with SafetyWing and are not insurance brokers. Verify all information directly with SafetyWing before purchasing.
