Seeking an in-depth SafetyWing Review?
Within this article, we will delve into the nuances of using SafetyWing, shedding light on what we admire and where there’s room for improvement.
Additionally, we will provide an overview of SafetyWing’s latest offering, Nomad Health – a health insurance solution tailored to digital nomads and remote workers.
For individuals embarking on long-term journeys or embracing the digital nomad lifestyle, the weight of medical expenses while on the road ranks high among concerns.
Even if you possess health insurance in your home country, it often comes with limitations when venturing abroad, translating to substantial out-of-pocket expenses, infrequent direct billing, and the potential risk of being without coverage.
These are genuine concerns that underscore the significance of travel health insurance, precisely why companies like SafetyWing have developed specialized health insurance policies for long-term explorers and digital nomads alike.
The importance of travel health insurance
For the typical traveler, standard travel insurance generally offers adequate coverage.
This form of insurance encompasses aspects such as trip cancellation, lost luggage, and various logistical mishaps that can occur during travel. In addition to safeguarding your financial investment in the trip, it also extends coverage to potential medical emergencies during your journey.
In contrast, medical insurance primarily addresses medical expenses, encompassing a range of non-emergency medical costs. For example, it provides coverage for hospital accommodation, surgical expenses, intensive care fees, ambulance charges, and various other related medical expenditures.
While general travel insurance serves its purpose, it may not fully address the requirements of long-term travelers and digital nomads.
Firstly, general travel insurance has limitations, including restrictions on trip duration, and its medical coverage primarily focuses on emergencies. Additionally, obtaining travel insurance may become challenging once you’ve already departed your home country.
Extended stays abroad often entail situations where you might need to consult a doctor or potentially require an extended hospital stay. These circumstances can incur significant expenses, and traditional travel insurance doesn’t cover them. This is where companies like World Nomads and SafetyWing step in.
These companies have innovatively blended elements of both travel insurance and conventional health insurance, offering comprehensive coverage to long-term travelers and digital nomads, ensuring they are well-supported in foreign lands should the need for medical care arise.
Introducing SafetyWing travel insurance
If you’re a long-term traveler or a digital nomad, having medical insurance is an absolute necessity. Life is unpredictable, and accidents can occur at any time, making it wiser to be prepared rather than regretful.
As seasoned long-term travelers ourselves, we’ve encountered our fair share of travel-related mishaps. Without medical insurance, we would have been burdened with substantial out-of-pocket expenses, which is a financial strain that few travelers can bear.
Who wants to grapple with such financial stress while on the road?
This is precisely why investing in travel medical insurance, such as SafetyWing, tailored explicitly for individuals like us (and you), is a prudent choice.
SafetyWing effectively alleviates the financial anxiety associated with serious illnesses and accidents while traveling abroad, ensuring you are safeguarded against unforeseen events that may arise during your journey.
How does SafetyWing work?
As a partner of WorldTrips, a subsidiary of the insurance giant Tokio Marine, SafetyWing offers a comprehensive insurance package that combines both medical and travel-related coverage.
For individuals aged 18 to 39, the cost is $45.08 for a 4-week coverage period, with premiums increasing for older age groups. It’s important to note that if you’re traveling within the United States, the coverage comes at a higher cost, so it’s a factor to consider when enrolling.
The coverage is designed to automatically renew every four weeks and extends for a total of 364 days, providing you the flexibility to cancel at any time without incurring penalties – a convenient feature!
You have the flexibility to sign up for SafetyWing from anywhere, whether you’re still at home or already on the road, making it a great choice for those seeking on-the-go coverage.
In case you require medical attention, you can consult any licensed physician, whether they practice in the public or private sector. If you’re in need of suggestions for recommended physicians in your area, SafetyWing can assist you. Additionally, they offer support for advance billing should you find yourself admitted to a hospital or requiring surgery.
It’s noteworthy that SafetyWing’s deductible stands at $250 per policy period.
SafetyWing Coverage: What’s Included
SafetyWing offers comprehensive cover, especially for unforeseen illnesses or injuries, ensuring that you are protected in case of any medical emergency during your journey.
Here is some notable content that is especially relevant to long-term travelers and digital nomads:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Medical costs
- Emergency dentistry
- Hospital Rooms and Boards
- Transporting family members from home in case of an extended hospital stay
- Terrorist evacuation
- Disaster accommodation
- Trip interruption
- Delay your trip
Highlights of travel insurance:
Trip Interruption: Coverage extends up to $5,000 with no deductible.
Travel Delay: In case of an unplanned overnight stay due to a delay exceeding 12 hours, coverage provides up to $100 per day, with a maximum of 2 days. No deductible applies.
Lost Checked Luggage: Coverage reaches up to $3,000 per certificate period, with individual items covered up to $500. There is a lifetime limit of up to $6,000, and no deductible is required.
Natural Disaster – Alternative Accommodation: In the event of a natural disaster, coverage offers up to $100 per day for 5 days to secure alternative accommodation. No deductible applies.
Political Evacuation: Coverage extends up to a lifetime maximum of $10,000 and is not subject to a deductible.
Emergency Medical Evacuation: This coverage reaches a lifetime maximum of up to $100,000 and is not subject to a deductible or an overall maximum limit.
Medical Insurance highlights:
Maximum Limit: $250,000 (For individuals aged 65-69: $100,000)
Deductible: $250
Coverage for Hospital Room and Nursing Services
Intensive Care: Coverage extends up to the overall maximum limit
Ambulance Services: Charges are covered at the usual, reasonable, and customary rates when the covered illness or injury results in hospitalization
Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Care: Reimbursed up to $50 per day, with the requirement of a physician’s advance order
Emergency Dental Care: Coverage extends up to $1,000, provided that initial treatment is received within 72 hours (24 hours if the policy was purchased before February 1, 2023), and it is not subject to a deductible
All Other Eligible Medical Expenses: Covered up to the overall maximum limit
What’s Not Covered
Similar to many insurance policies, SafetyWing has specific exclusions. These include routine check-ups, pre-existing conditions, and cancer treatment. These exclusions are reasonable given that SafetyWing is travel medical insurance, not primary health insurance.
If you require primary health insurance, please refer to the section below regarding Nomad Health.
Additionally, SafetyWing does not provide coverage for trip cancellations. For a comprehensive breakdown of what is covered (and what is not) within a SafetyWing policy, we recommend visiting their website.
Nomad Health Review
As mentioned earlier, the primary focus of this discussion is SafetyWing’s travel insurance. However, SafetyWing has recently introduced Nomad Health, which is a specialized health insurance product primarily tailored for remote workers.
So what exactly is Nomad Health? It’s a global health insurance solution designed for remote workers and digital nomads, providing comprehensive health coverage worldwide, including within your home country.
Nomad Health offers coverage in more than 175 countries, allowing you to seek treatment from any licensed healthcare professional at both private and public clinics or hospitals.
It’s important to note that coverage for the US, Singapore and Hong Kong is valid for up to 30 days when traveling to these areas.
Let’s now provide a brief overview of the two policy packages offered by Nomad Health.
Nomad Health Insurance
In essence, Nomad Health provides comprehensive coverage similar to regular health insurance. However, it’s tailored specifically for individuals who lead nomadic lifestyles, constantly moving between different locations throughout the year.
The policy offers a maximum coverage limit of US$1,500,000 per policy year, ensuring full coverage for inpatient expenses, including standard private rooms, ICU care, emergency room services, prescription medications, cancer tests, medications, treatments, and more.
For combined outpatient expenses, the maximum allowable amount is up to five thousand dollars (US$5,000) per policy year, with a ten percent (10%) co-insurance charge applied to all outpatient services. This category encompasses physician visits, medications, physical therapy, and additional services.
Overall, the extent of coverage offered by Nomad Health is quite impressive, especially considering that many health insurance plans are tied to specific geographical locations.
When you opt for a Nomad Health policy, you have the option to include dependents (spouse/children), which will increase your premium based on the number of individuals added.
For a comprehensive list of what’s covered in the policy, I recommend referring to the link provided below.
Personal Experience With SafetyWing
Our experience with SafetyWing has been overwhelmingly positive thus far!
As we sought to explore a new insurance provider, we’ve been genuinely satisfied with our experience. We haven’t encountered any issues, and we’ve found their website and procedures to be highly user-friendly.
Notably, we recently submitted a dental claim with SafetyWing and received prompt reimbursement, following their streamlined process for emergency dental claims.
What We Like about Safety Wing
SafetyWing not only offers coverage tailored to our requirements but also boasts a user-friendly platform that simplifies the onboarding process.
What we particularly appreciate is the flexibility to make payments every four weeks, with the freedom to cancel at any time. The absence of a long-term, binding contract proves exceptionally convenient, particularly for those looking to test the waters or individuals embarking on shorter-term travels.
From a personal standpoint, I am particularly fond of the monthly commitment aspect, as it enhances both financial manageability and flexibility.
The subscription model holds significant appeal, especially for long-term travelers who are uncertain about the duration of their global adventures. It provides continuous coverage for the entire duration of your travels, eliminating concerns about specific plans or predefined timeframes.
Moreover, SafetyWing offers coverage for 30 days in your home country for every 90 days of coverage abroad (15 days for U.S. citizens).
Another aspect we genuinely appreciate is the simplicity and clarity of SafetyWing’s policies and coverage details. The policy breakdowns on their website are straightforward and devoid of the typical insurance jargon often associated with such information. While a comprehensive policy document is available for those interested, having a user-friendly guide to understand the coverage is immensely helpful.
SafetyWing’s availability in 180 countries, the option to purchase coverage while already abroad, and the absence of proof of residency requirements further enhance its appeal, streamlining the signup and coverage acquisition process.
Lastly, SafetyWing offers extensive coverage at an exceptionally affordable price point. A premium of $45.08 every four weeks represents a remarkably cost-effective choice, significantly more budget-friendly than alternative options. This affordability is a standout feature that strongly influences our decision to renew our coverage.
The Claims Process for Safety Wing
The claims process with SafetyWing is refreshingly straightforward, reinforcing our appreciation for this provider.
To initiate a claim, you simply log in to your SafetyWing account and select the ‘Submit a Claim’ option. This will redirect you to a Docusign form that you need to fill out.
Upon submission, you will promptly receive a confirmation email from Docusign. You can subsequently access the WorldTrips Member Portal to stay informed about the progress of your claim.
Having continuous updates throughout the process, rather than solely receiving notification of claim approval or rejection, adds to the overall convenience.
Safety Wing Customer Service
Another standout aspect of SafetyWing is their exceptional customer support.
They are extremely accessible and consistently have a team ready to assist us. Whenever I need to visit a doctor, I often reach out to their customer service to inquire about the specific requirements for making a claim in that particular scenario. This proactive approach helps me ensure that I have all the necessary documentation before leaving for my appointment.
Fortunately, we haven’t had to file any claims with SafetyWing ourselves. We did inquire about the possibility of filing a claim for dental treatment but received clarification from their customer service that our treatment did not qualify under the emergency dentist clause.
However, we have many friends who used SafetyWing when the Covid-19 pandemic first broke out. They have successfully obtained insurance for full repatriation flights to their homeland from many parts of the world.
SafetyWing Insurance FAQ
Is SafetyWing insurance reputable?
Absolutely, SafetyWing is a reputable insurance company operating under Tokio Marine HCC. We personally use their service and appreciate its ease of use and availability of monthly payment options.
Where can I travel with SafetyWing?
When you have SafetyWing coverage, you are protected for travel anywhere in the world outside of your home country, with the exception of *Cuba, Iran, Syria, and North Korea. In your home country, you have coverage for 30 days, and if you’re from the US, it’s 15 days.
Can I purchase this insurance while already abroad?
Unlike some insurance providers that require you to obtain coverage in your home country, SafetyWing allows you to acquire coverage wherever you are. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for frequent travelers and digital nomads.
Does SafetyWing provide coverage for Covid-19?
SafetyWing treats Covid-19 like any other illness, as long as it was not contracted prior to your coverage start date and does not fall under any other policy exclusions or limitations. It’s important to note that Covid-19 testing is covered only if deemed medically necessary by a physician, while antibody tests are not covered as they are not considered medically necessary.
For those with Nomad insurance, quarantine expenses are also covered outside your home country, providing $50 per day for up to 10 days, with a limit of one occurrence within a 364-day period.
How do you initiate a claim with SafetyWing?
Once covered, you can start your claim by filling out a claim form and uploading it, along with a photo or screenshot of your receipt, to WorldTrips’ online portal. We strongly recommend that you document every detail when dealing with insurance claims. While the claims process can be a bit tedious (an aspect common to all insurance providers), thorough documentation is essential.
Does SafetyWing provide insurance for motorbike/scooter accidents?
Yes, SafetyWing offers coverage for Motorcycle/Scooter accidents, as long as the accident does not fall under any exclusions, such as those related to racing or drunkenness. Remember, it is essential not to drink and drive.
Our general thoughts on the Safety Wing
For long-term travelers and digital nomads, SafetyWing should definitely be your insurance provider’s top consideration. Their simple, affordable and comprehensive coverage enhances safety and convenience no matter where you are in the world.
The only group of travelers I would not recommend SafetyWing to are those who regularly participate in extreme sports or travel with expensive equipment because these factors are not covered by their policy.
If you are looking for more information about SafetyWing, you can also visit their Trustpilot page to access unbiased reviews.
Overall, SafetyWing is a great choice for long-term travelers and digital nomads if you’re looking for health insurance on your adventures abroad.
What is notable is their commitment to continuously improving the product. In the field of travel medical insurance, SafetyWing offers a great option for those who are passionate about exploring the world and working remotely. Its affordability and versatility make it an attractive choice.
