Digital Nomad Insurance Guide (3 Best Sites in 2024)

function reportWindowSize() { let barContainer = document.querySelector(“#kb-progress-bar15104_9145ff-80”); let type = “line”; let barSvg = barContainer.querySelector(“svg”); if ( ! barSvg ) { return; } let barPaths = barSvg.querySelectorAll(“path”); let path1 = barPaths[0]; let path2 = barPaths[1]; let stokeWidths = [2,2,2]; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[2]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[1]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); } else { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[0]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); } } window.onresize = reportWindowSize; var waitForProgressBar15104_9145ff80 = setInterval(function () { if (typeof ProgressBar !== “undefined” ) { clearInterval(waitForProgressBar15104_9145ff80); let responsiveStrokeSizes = [2,2,2]; let initialStroke; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[2]; } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[1]; } else { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[0]; } let progressBar15104_9145ff80 = new ProgressBar.Line(“#kb-progress-bar15104_9145ff-80”, { color: “#ffcc00”, trailColor: “var(–global-palette7, #EDF2F7)”, duration: “2000”, easing: “easeInOut”, strokeWidth: initialStroke, }); let progressBarController15104_9145ff80 = new ScrollMagic.Controller(); let desiredAnimation = new ScrollMagic.Scene({triggerElement: “#kb-progress-bar15104_9145ff-80”}); desiredAnimation.triggerHook(0.88); desiredAnimation.addTo( progressBarController15104_9145ff80 ); desiredAnimation.on(“start”, function (e) {progressBar15104_9145ff80.animate( 0.84 , { duration: 2000, step: function(state, bar) { let value = 0; let elementContainer = document.getElementById(“kb-progress-bar15104_9145ff-80”); let elementAbove = document.getElementById(“current-progress-above15104_9145ff-80”); let elementInside = document.getElementById(“current-progress-inside15104_9145ff-80”); let elementBelow = document.getElementById(“current-progress-below15104_9145ff-80”); if( false ) { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 100 ); } else { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 5); } value = bar.value() * 5; value = Math.round( value * 10) / 10;value = value.toFixed(1); if( elementAbove ){ elementAbove.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementInside ){ elementInside.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementBelow ){ elementBelow.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } elementContainer.setAttribute(“aria-valuenow”, value); } } , function(){} );});} }, 125);

function reportWindowSize() { let barContainer = document.querySelector(“#kb-progress-bar15104_0ff363-14”); let type = “line”; let barSvg = barContainer.querySelector(“svg”); if ( ! barSvg ) { return; } let barPaths = barSvg.querySelectorAll(“path”); let path1 = barPaths[0]; let path2 = barPaths[1]; let stokeWidths = [2,2,2]; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[2]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[1]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); } else { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[0]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); } } window.onresize = reportWindowSize; var waitForProgressBar15104_0ff36314 = setInterval(function () { if (typeof ProgressBar !== “undefined” ) { clearInterval(waitForProgressBar15104_0ff36314); let responsiveStrokeSizes = [2,2,2]; let initialStroke; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[2]; } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[1]; } else { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[0]; } let progressBar15104_0ff36314 = new ProgressBar.Line(“#kb-progress-bar15104_0ff363-14”, { color: “#ffcc00”, trailColor: “var(–global-palette7, #EDF2F7)”, duration: “2000”, easing: “easeInOut”, strokeWidth: initialStroke, }); let progressBarController15104_0ff36314 = new ScrollMagic.Controller(); let desiredAnimation = new ScrollMagic.Scene({triggerElement: “#kb-progress-bar15104_0ff363-14”}); desiredAnimation.triggerHook(0.88); desiredAnimation.addTo( progressBarController15104_0ff36314 ); desiredAnimation.on(“start”, function (e) {progressBar15104_0ff36314.animate( 0.8 , { duration: 2000, step: function(state, bar) { let value = 0; let elementContainer = document.getElementById(“kb-progress-bar15104_0ff363-14”); let elementAbove = document.getElementById(“current-progress-above15104_0ff363-14”); let elementInside = document.getElementById(“current-progress-inside15104_0ff363-14”); let elementBelow = document.getElementById(“current-progress-below15104_0ff363-14”); if( false ) { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 100 ); } else { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 5); } value = bar.value() * 5; value = Math.round( value * 10) / 10;value = value.toFixed(1); if( elementAbove ){ elementAbove.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementInside ){ elementInside.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementBelow ){ elementBelow.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } elementContainer.setAttribute(“aria-valuenow”, value); } } , function(){} );});} }, 125);

#1 – Genki Health Insurance for Nomads

function reportWindowSize() { let barContainer = document.querySelector(“#kb-progress-bar15104_0e1114-de”); let type = “line”; let barSvg = barContainer.querySelector(“svg”); if ( ! barSvg ) { return; } let barPaths = barSvg.querySelectorAll(“path”); let path1 = barPaths[0]; let path2 = barPaths[1]; let stokeWidths = [1.75,1.75,2]; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[2]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[1]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); } else { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[0]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); } } window.onresize = reportWindowSize; var waitForProgressBar15104_0e1114de = setInterval(function () { if (typeof ProgressBar !== “undefined” ) { clearInterval(waitForProgressBar15104_0e1114de); let responsiveStrokeSizes = [1.75,1.75,2]; let initialStroke; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[2]; } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[1]; } else { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[0]; } let progressBar15104_0e1114de = new ProgressBar.Line(“#kb-progress-bar15104_0e1114-de”, { color: “#ffcc00”, trailColor: “var(–global-palette7, #EDF2F7)”, duration: “2000”, easing: “easeInOut”, strokeWidth: initialStroke, }); let progressBarController15104_0e1114de = new ScrollMagic.Controller(); let desiredAnimation = new ScrollMagic.Scene({triggerElement: “#kb-progress-bar15104_0e1114-de”}); desiredAnimation.triggerHook(0.88); desiredAnimation.addTo( progressBarController15104_0e1114de ); desiredAnimation.on(“start”, function (e) {progressBar15104_0e1114de.animate( 0.9 , { duration: 2000, step: function(state, bar) { let value = 0; let elementContainer = document.getElementById(“kb-progress-bar15104_0e1114-de”); let elementAbove = document.getElementById(“current-progress-above15104_0e1114-de”); let elementInside = document.getElementById(“current-progress-inside15104_0e1114-de”); let elementBelow = document.getElementById(“current-progress-below15104_0e1114-de”); if( false ) { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 100 ); } else { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 5); } value = bar.value() * 5; value = Math.round( value * 10) / 10;value = value.toFixed(1); if( elementAbove ){ elementAbove.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementInside ){ elementInside.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementBelow ){ elementBelow.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } elementContainer.setAttribute(“aria-valuenow”, value); } } , function(){} );});} }, 125);

Pros:

• Health insurance made for digital nomads
• Choose your doctor
• Monthly subscription you can cancel anytime

Cons:

• Not travel insurance
• Not available if age is 50+

. Genki is a relatively new provider specifically aimed at the digital nomad community. It functions as a monthly subscription, with pricing dependent on age and starting under $40 USD per month.

I am quite fond of how Genki allows me to pick any approved healthcare provider and that there my deductible is only fifty euros. They also state that there are typically no limits for most types of medical care, and reasonable restrictions for emergency dental car, mental illness treatment, and pregnancy care.

It`s also great that Genki lets you opt whether coverage applies in the US & Canada. The US healthcare system is costly, so you can pay more if you need that, but since I don”t it`s nice to get the less expensive pricing.

I also appreciate that Genki covers medical issues like sports injuries and COVID-19 treatment, which are both very important matters for me.

There are two major drawbacks I see with Genki. First, Genki does not provide coverage if you are over age 49. Second, Genki only offers health insurance – not travel insurance ( more on the difference below). As a result, I often purchase separate travel insurance policies in addition to my Genki health insurance, especially when traveling somewhere high-risk.

#2 – Insured Nomads (Health OR Travel Insurance)

function reportWindowSize() { let barContainer = document.querySelector(“#kb-progress-bar15104_6c041f-cd”); let type = “line”; let barSvg = barContainer.querySelector(“svg”); if ( ! barSvg ) { return; } let barPaths = barSvg.querySelectorAll(“path”); let path1 = barPaths[0]; let path2 = barPaths[1]; let stokeWidths = [1.75,1.75,2]; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[2]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[1]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); } else { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[0]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); } } window.onresize = reportWindowSize; var waitForProgressBar15104_6c041fcd = setInterval(function () { if (typeof ProgressBar !== “undefined” ) { clearInterval(waitForProgressBar15104_6c041fcd); let responsiveStrokeSizes = [1.75,1.75,2]; let initialStroke; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[2]; } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[1]; } else { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[0]; } let progressBar15104_6c041fcd = new ProgressBar.Line(“#kb-progress-bar15104_6c041f-cd”, { color: “#ffcc00”, trailColor: “var(–global-palette7, #EDF2F7)”, duration: “2000”, easing: “easeInOut”, strokeWidth: initialStroke, }); let progressBarController15104_6c041fcd = new ScrollMagic.Controller(); let desiredAnimation = new ScrollMagic.Scene({triggerElement: “#kb-progress-bar15104_6c041f-cd”}); desiredAnimation.triggerHook(0.88); desiredAnimation.addTo( progressBarController15104_6c041fcd ); desiredAnimation.on(“start”, function (e) {progressBar15104_6c041fcd.animate( 0.86 , { duration: 2000, step: function(state, bar) { let value = 0; let elementContainer = document.getElementById(“kb-progress-bar15104_6c041f-cd”); let elementAbove = document.getElementById(“current-progress-above15104_6c041f-cd”); let elementInside = document.getElementById(“current-progress-inside15104_6c041f-cd”); let elementBelow = document.getElementById(“current-progress-below15104_6c041f-cd”); if( false ) { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 100 ); } else { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 5); } value = bar.value() * 5; value = Math.round( value * 10) / 10;value = value.toFixed(1); if( elementAbove ){ elementAbove.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementInside ){ elementInside.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementBelow ){ elementBelow.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } elementContainer.setAttribute(“aria-valuenow”, value); } } , function(){} );});} }, 125);

Pros:

Offered both travel & health insurance (separately).
• Easy to customize based on your needs
• “World Explorer Guardian” is a combined plan intended for US inhabitants

Cons:

• Health plans require annual commitment
• Travel insurance quotes seem expensive

Insured Nomads is one more insurance company developed particularly for digital nomads. I really met the founder of Insured Nomads while I was on the Nomad Cruise, and I was impressed with his complete professional nature.

What makes Insured Nomads unique compared to Genki is that Insured Nomads offers both travel and health insurance. Compared to Genki, Insured Nomads provides you with many options to customize your coverage, which is really beneficial (although also potentially overwhelming for some).

Want a combined policy? For US residents they offer a World Explorer Guardian plan which offers trip cancellation and medical insurance integrated into a single plan. This flexibility of coverage options is a major advantage of Insured Nomads.

The major drawback of Insured Nomads, and the reason I haven`t become a customer yet, is that they necessitate a significant one year commitment for their health insurance plans. I personally prefer that Genki allows me to cancel at any time.

#3 – VisitorsCoverage (Traditional Travel Insurance)

function reportWindowSize() { let barContainer = document.querySelector(“#kb-progress-bar15104_c2d1b3-eb”); let type = “line”; let barSvg = barContainer.querySelector(“svg”); if ( ! barSvg ) { return; } let barPaths = barSvg.querySelectorAll(“path”); let path1 = barPaths[0]; let path2 = barPaths[1]; let stokeWidths = [1.75,1.75,2]; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[2]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[1]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); } else { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[0]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); } } window.onresize = reportWindowSize; var waitForProgressBar15104_c2d1b3eb = setInterval(function () { if (typeof ProgressBar !== “undefined” ) { clearInterval(waitForProgressBar15104_c2d1b3eb); let responsiveStrokeSizes = [1.75,1.75,2]; let initialStroke; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[2]; } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[1]; } else { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[0]; } let progressBar15104_c2d1b3eb = new ProgressBar.Line(“#kb-progress-bar15104_c2d1b3-eb”, { color: “#ffcc00”, trailColor: “var(–global-palette7, #EDF2F7)”, duration: “2000”, easing: “easeInOut”, strokeWidth: initialStroke, }); let progressBarController15104_c2d1b3eb = new ScrollMagic.Controller(); let desiredAnimation = new ScrollMagic.Scene({triggerElement: “#kb-progress-bar15104_c2d1b3-eb”}); desiredAnimation.triggerHook(0.88); desiredAnimation.addTo( progressBarController15104_c2d1b3eb ); desiredAnimation.on(“start”, function (e) {progressBar15104_c2d1b3eb.animate( 0.8 , { duration: 2000, step: function(state, bar) { let value = 0; let elementContainer = document.getElementById(“kb-progress-bar15104_c2d1b3-eb”); let elementAbove = document.getElementById(“current-progress-above15104_c2d1b3-eb”); let elementInside = document.getElementById(“current-progress-inside15104_c2d1b3-eb”); let elementBelow = document.getElementById(“current-progress-below15104_c2d1b3-eb”); if( false ) { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 100 ); } else { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 5); } value = bar.value() * 5; value = Math.round( value * 10) / 10;value = value.toFixed(1); if( elementAbove ){ elementAbove.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementInside ){ elementInside.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementBelow ){ elementBelow.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } elementContainer.setAttribute(“aria-valuenow”, value); } } , function(){} );});} }, 125);

Pros:

• Easy & affordable quotes for short trips
• Can choose trip or medical coverage
• Will provide quotes for most age groups & existing medical conditions

Cons:

• Only emergency medical care
• Not true “nomad insurance”

The final choice on our list is TravelersCoverage. I personally utilized TravelersCoverage in the past to get travel protection in Mexico. It`s a comparison site where you can immediately get quotes from dozens of travel insurance providers.

Unlike some companies, VisitorsCoverage functions more as a traditional travel insurer – it does not cater specifically to digital nomads. They only offer short-term medical coverage abroad or reimbursements for cancellations, unlike full health plans.

Therefore, the primary disadvantage of VisitorsCoverage is that it does not constitute a long-term insurance solution for digital nomads. However, it may be sufficient for digital nomads and remote employees on shorter excursions, if emergency medical situations are a larger concern than regular ongoing healthcare.

Travel vs Health Insurance for Digital Nomads

When people refer to “digital nomad insurance,” they could potentially be indicating two different types of coverage: travel insurance or health insurance. What`s the distinction?

Travel health insurance for digital nomads is similar to traditional medical coverage and typically involves routine checkups and care. In contrast, trip insurance for nomadic travelers commonly only covers emergency healthcare but often incorporates extra benefits such as cancellation or theft protections.

Let`s delve deeper into digital nomad health insurance starting here:

What is Digital Nomad Health Insurance?

Digital nomad health insurance is a name given to a type of coverage that is intended to function the same way as a normal health insurance policy: by covering both routine care and emergency medical expenses.

The general concept of health insurance is that it pays your medical expenses when hospital treatment is required, but also pays for things like routine checkups and sometimes (depending on the plan) eye and vision care.

Subject to your plan, digital nomad health insurance could cover elements like:

• Prescribed medication
• Vaccinations & tests
• Medical checkups
• Cancer Screenings & Treatment
• Psychiatric care
• Dental treatment & optical care
• Emergency medical assistance & healthcare transportation

Of course, no insurance coverages 100% of medical costs at all times.

I personally consider how each of the following comes into play when assessing any nomad healthcare plan:

• 💸 Costs you pay before any benefits apply – this is an amount you”ll need to pay out-of-pocket before any benefits kick in (example: a $500 threshold requires you pay your first $500 in total costs per year out-of-pocket yourself)
• 💵 Out-of-pocket costs (or excess amounts) – these vary depending on the type of care received and represent additional expenses you need to pay initially (e.g., a $50 co-payment for medicine means you pay the first $50 for each claim, with the insurer covering the balance)
• ⚠️ Limits of Coverage – these cap the insurer`s accountability for costs at a definite level. Most policies have overall limits of coverage and also explicit limits for types of care.
• i️ Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions – if you have a pre-existing medical issue, you`ll need to carefully examine these to see what related care is and isn`t included.
• ✨ Other Exclusions – depending on the policy, various things might also be excluded (e.g., many health policies exclude costs for cosmetic surgery)

Compared to travel insurance, health insurance is typically both more extensive and more limited. It”s more extensive because it typically includes much more health coverage for things like routine care (which can also make it more costly). But it”s more limited in that this type of coverage does not apply to things like trip delays or cancellations.

That`s where travel insurance tailored for digital nomads comes into play. Let`s explore that next:

What is Digital Nomad Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a very different product than health insurance. Travel insurance is generally aimed at the more customary visitor, who typically requires something like coverage for a Greece vacation of a week or two.

Usually, the risks of concern there include what happens if a hurricane strikes, they experience a car accident, they get robbed, or they suddenly need emergency medical care.

Unlike health insurance, travel protection typically is not intended to cover routine medical care, checkups, or vision or dental care.

Depending on the policy (always read the terms carefully!), nomad travel insurance may cover things like:

• 🆘 Emergency Medical Coverage – This usually covers emergency costs such as if you twist your ankle hiking in Georgia, catch the flu while in Nigeria, or come down with a case of dengue in Thailand. Note the difference between emergency and routine care.
• 🚑 Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage – If you have an accident in a remote place like a mountain or island, evacuation coverage can become important if it applies.
• 💸 Third Party Liability Coverage – If an accident occurs, you might need to pay someone else`s bills in addition to your own.
• ✈️ Trip Cancellation & Interruption Coverage – Trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage are intended to reimburse non-refundable expenses when a covered event interrupts or cancels the trip.
• 🚗 Vehicle Insurance Coverage – Depending on the details, some travel policies may cover car, motorbike, or vehicle rentals. Check the terms carefully.
• i️ Lost and Stolen Items Protection – Travel protection may provide refund if you have items lost or taken without permission, though there are usually limits and exceptions for expensive items like laptop computers and cameras.

Travel insurance designed for short trips does not work well for nomads who need doctor visits and routine care, and usually travel insurance won`t apply there.

Another factor to consider is the expense involved. For weekly or biweekly trips, many visitors find the costs of travel insurance worthwhile given the peace of mind it provides.

However, as digital nomads frequently travel throughout the year, the expense of maintaining such continuous insurance coverage can progressively become prohibitive for many wanderers. During my earliest year on the road, I paid over $1,000 for my year-round travel protection plan through World Nomads!

Digital Nomad Insurance & Covid-19

The main point regarding COVID-19 and digital nomad health insurance is to carefully examine the terms of any policy before purchasing. It is also important to understand that COVID-19 presents various risks related both to travel and health insurance, and no single policy will cover everything.

Personally, I have major concerns regarding receiving medical care if the worst happens while traveling abroad.

The major reason I am presently using Genki for my own nomad medical care is that they unambiguously affirm that they cover COVID-19 healthcare (although they also directly affirm that they do not cover quarantines).

Why I Don”t Use SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

Thanks to robust marketing and word-of-mouth programs, you have likely seen many bloggers, YouTubers, and influencers discussing SafetyWing. SafetyWing markets itself as providing “Insurance for Nomads by Nomads” and representing “your home country on the Internet

SafetyWing was among the first providers known for specifically targeting the digital nomad community. When they presented their “Nomad Insurance” product several years ago, numerous nomads welcomed it, myself included. It was pleasant, after all, to have a company that recognized the exclusive needs of nomads (or so I believed). I became a patron myself and, for a few months, also recommended them as an affiliate.

Then the pandemic happened.

Spring 2020 was truly a scary time to be a digital nomad traveling abroad. It was precisely the sort of scenario where the digital nomad community could have really benefited from a company that understood our unique needs.

In my opinion, SafetyWing unfortunately failed to meet expectations.

SafetyWing originally refused to provide COVID-19 medical coverage, despite the obvious reality that COVID-19 was clearly an emergency situation (similar to dengue or any other viral infection) and despite the fact that their policies did not contain a pandemic exclusion.

Contemporary hotel on Fira’s main street (significant traffic out the front entrance). Fresh and elegant rooms all have a balcony or terrace. Beautiful outdoor pool with hot tub and poolside bar. Great breakfast buffet.

SafetyWing`s representatives provided me with multiple accounts that all seemed to essentially boil down to stating that covering COVID-19 medical costs for all callers was too financially demanding for their organization. I repeatedly challenged their explanations, and even presented calculations demonstrating that addressing COVID-19 healthcare was reasonably affordable (though a company`s monetary interests should not determine such an important issue).

Many months after that post, SafetyWing reversed their stance and began covering medical care for COVID-19. That is a welcome development, but it only occurred after I and many other customers had ended our coverage. Many of us felt abandoned during the single most stressful event to ever affect the nomad community.

In my opinion, the SafetyWing team really exhibited their true nature during that difficult period of time. I would need to see extra proof of authentic organizational change before I would trust them again with my private insurance or as a suggestion to my readers.

FAQs About Digital Nomad Insurance

Do digital nomads have health insurance?

Most digital nomads from the US will generally not have their domestic health insurance coverage apply while abroad, although policies can differ by company. Digital nomads can look for health insurance tailored to their needs through providers such as Insured Nomads or Genki.

How much does digital nomad insurance cost?

The expense of health or travel insurance for digital nomads fluctuates dependent on several factors, like age, pre-existing medical conditions, and country of origin. I browsed these 3 sites for nomad insurance, and estimated health insurance prices beginning at around $40 USD per month, and travel insurance quotes starting at approximately twice that.

***

function reportWindowSize() { let barContainer = document.querySelector(“#kb-progress-bar15104_4c98cf-3f”); let type = “line”; let barSvg = barContainer.querySelector(“svg”); if ( ! barSvg ) { return; } let barPaths = barSvg.querySelectorAll(“path”); let path1 = barPaths[0]; let path2 = barPaths[1]; let stokeWidths = [1.75,1.75,2]; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[2]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[2] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[2]); } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[1]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[1] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[1]); } else { if( type === “line” ){ barSvg.setAttribute( “viewBox”, “0 0 100 ” + stokeWidths[0]); path1.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); path2.setAttribute( “d”, “M 0,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2) + ” L 100,” + ( stokeWidths[0] / 2)); } path1.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); path2.setAttribute( “stroke-width”, stokeWidths[0]); } } window.onresize = reportWindowSize; var waitForProgressBar15104_4c98cf3f = setInterval(function () { if (typeof ProgressBar !== “undefined” ) { clearInterval(waitForProgressBar15104_4c98cf3f); let responsiveStrokeSizes = [1.75,1.75,2]; let initialStroke; if( window.innerWidth < 768 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[2]; } else if( window.innerWidth < 1025 ) { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[1]; } else { initialStroke = responsiveStrokeSizes[0]; } let progressBar15104_4c98cf3f = new ProgressBar.Line(“#kb-progress-bar15104_4c98cf-3f”, { color: “#ffcc00”, trailColor: “var(–global-palette7, #EDF2F7)”, duration: “2000”, easing: “easeInOut”, strokeWidth: initialStroke, }); let progressBarController15104_4c98cf3f = new ScrollMagic.Controller(); let desiredAnimation = new ScrollMagic.Scene({triggerElement: “#kb-progress-bar15104_4c98cf-3f”}); desiredAnimation.triggerHook(0.88); desiredAnimation.addTo( progressBarController15104_4c98cf3f ); desiredAnimation.on(“start”, function (e) {progressBar15104_4c98cf3f.animate( 0.9 , { duration: 2000, step: function(state, bar) { let value = 0; let elementContainer = document.getElementById(“kb-progress-bar15104_4c98cf-3f”); let elementAbove = document.getElementById(“current-progress-above15104_4c98cf-3f”); let elementInside = document.getElementById(“current-progress-inside15104_4c98cf-3f”); let elementBelow = document.getElementById(“current-progress-below15104_4c98cf-3f”); if( false ) { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 100 ); } else { value = Math.round(bar.value() * 5); } value = bar.value() * 5; value = Math.round( value * 10) / 10;value = value.toFixed(1); if( elementAbove ){ elementAbove.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementInside ){ elementInside.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } else if ( elementBelow ){ elementBelow.innerHTML = “” + value + “%”; } elementContainer.setAttribute(“aria-valuenow”, value); } } , function(){} );});} }, 125);

Pros:

• Health insurance made for digital nomads
• Choose your doctor
• Monthly subscription you can cancel anytime

Cons:

• Not travel insurance
• Not available if age is 50+

That concludes this guide to digital nomad insurance. I hope it has been informative for your journey to finding the best nomad insurance (whether travel or health insurance, or both) for your needs.

It is important to remember that only you or a licensed broker can choose insurance. Be sure to read the full terms and conditions carefully, and be skeptical of anything that seems too good to be true.

Interested in learning more about living a nomadic lifestyle? Check out all our guides about digital nomadism.

I hope this guide helped you understand the intricacies of digital nomad insurance a little better. Happy travels!