I get the same question all the time, “Do I need to buy travel insurance”? The answer is yes. I’ve traveled to more than 42 countries and it’s my number one secret for supporting my well-being. If you consider yourself a health-conscious traveler, then insurance is a must.
Years ago, I would gamble with my health and opt out of any extra costs because I wanted to save money for the trip. This mentality immediately changed when I sustained a traumatic brain injury from collegiate sports and learned health wasn’t a luxury.
Healing from an invisible disability has had its challenges – migraines, dizziness, neck pain, memory problems, sleep disturbances – so I can’t afford to travel and chase my dreams without reliable coverage. It’s a game changer, and you never know when you’ll need it most.
From the hot deserts of Wadi Rum to the charming city of Boise, Idaho and the green city of Denver, Colorado, I’ve learned that travel insurance is the easiest way to keep yourself healthy on the road.
This post is my honest review of the best health plan for wellness-focused travelers, Safetywing.
Disclaimer: The content in this post is not intended for nutritional or medical advice. Please consult with your doctor if you have any questions regarding nutrition and health conditions. This post contains some affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission on the purchase at no additional cost to you! Thanks for your support friend!
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Is travel insurance worth it?
Yes, it’s always worth it! You are your number one asset and you never know when things may go wrong.
Not only does travel insurance protect your trip, but it safeguards your health so you don’t have to pay out of pocket for any medical emergencies, surgeries, or medications. It also covers lost luggage, trip delays, and unexpected travel issues.
I still remember having to go to urgent care while we were living in Cyprus. I had a serious scalp infection and could barely sleep – it was awful. Thankfully, insurance reimbursed us for everything including ER visits, follow up appointments, and medications.
A month later we moved to Malta and ended up in the ER again – yikes! This time, it was my husband. He passed out, face forward in a museum, then was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance to get stitches. We didn’t pay a dime for this incident thanks to our insurance.
How do I find budget-friendly travel insurance?
Research is your best friend when it comes to finding affordable health travel plans. Luckily, your travel bestie (aka me) has done most of the heavy work since I’ve bought countless coverages over the years.
If you’re looking for the most affordable travel insurance with an easy to navigate platform, Safetywing is the best for health-conscious travelers. For a more comprehensive coverage with the ability to pick your insurance provider, they may not be the right fit.
Is Safetywing worth the hype? My honest review
As a travel writer who’s always on the move, I need travel insurance that can keep up with me. This is my honest review of Safetywing’s travel insurance as a wellness-focused traveler. I’ve been to more than 42 countries and Safetywing has been a dependable travel companion for many of my adventures.
Why? Because it helps me maintain a healthy body, which is crucial after recovering from a traumatic brain injury.
I love how flexible the plans are with the “buy while abroad” feature. You can buy it at your destination and you don’t have to look for travel health providers. This is a plus, especially when I get a last minute assignment as a travel content creator or writer.
Although I do wish their claims process was a bit easier. The last time I submitted a claim regarding stolen luggage in Japan, it was denied due to insufficient paperwork. My husband, who’s a travel advisor, explained that it’s normal for lost or stolen luggage claims to get denied.
To avoid this, make sure you save everything (i.e. receipts from purchase before and during the trip) and get a police report of the incident. This will help you get reimbursed with ease!
Overall, I’m still a big fan of Safetywing because of its versatility and convenience.
How does Safetywing travel insurance work?
Buying insurance doesn’t have to be stressful. Below I’ve shared my top tips on how to decide if Safetywing is the best insurance for your needs and goals.
This comparison chart presents everything clearly, so you can understand your costs upfront—making it easier to plan with confidence.
Who is Safetywing best for?
What I love about Safetywing is their mission to provide globally healthcare across borders. It offers coverage in more than 180 countries and has a feature that lets you “buy while abroad”. The subscription based model makes it both flexible and easy to use for first-time travel insurance buyers.
This insurance is great for digital nomads, remote workers, health-conscious travelers, and anyone looking to maintain their wellness while traveling.
Who is Safetywing not for?
Keep in mind if you need travel insurance for cruises, this is not the best plan for you. You’ll want to find a different company that specializes in this coverage. In fact, many major cruise lines – Royal Caribbean, Disney, Princess, and Norwegian – do offer cruise insurance.
Safetywing also does not cover pre-existing health conditions. This basically means if a condition started before you purchased insurance, it’s classified as a pre-existing condition. For example, if your arm broke one week before your trip and you haven’t bought insurance, it won’t get covered.
This is pretty standard practice across most travel insurance companies.
Side note: While pre-existing injuries or illness aren’t covered, Safetywing may cover emergency treatment depending on the health condition which is great news! If you have questions, reach out to discuss your situation in detail to make sure you’re covered.
How does it compare to other travel insurance companies?
Let’s create a case study! In this case study, I’m using myself, a 30-something year old who’s traveling to Spain for a month from California and wants to protect her health. My trip is fully paid off, it costs $2000, and I’m looking for basic coverage.
Here’s what I found ⬇️
Safetywing
World Nomads
Allianz
Safetywing was a clear winner when it came to affordability!
What does this travel insurance cover and not cover?
Safetywing is a membership based travel insurance with two main options: essential and complete. In addition, they both have a 28-day rolling policy and “cancel anytime” feature which is great for last minute travels and living abroad.
The Essential plan covers:
- hospitalizations and medical treatments
- lost luggage
- motor accidents
- travel delays and trip interruptions
- evacuations due to civil unrest
- leisure sports-related injuries
- end-of-life arrangements
This plan does not cover dental care, pre-existing health conditions, high-risk activities or sports, and electronic theft. However, the last two can be added on at an extra fee.
The Complete plan covers everything listed in the essential plan and:
- doctor and specialty visits
- wellness therapies (i.e. chiropractor, dietician, etc.)
- psychologist appointments
- cancer tests and treatments
- trip cancellation
- routine annual check-ups
- maternity leave
It also doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic treatments, birth control, weight loss treatment, and gym memberships.
How much does travel insurance cost?
I love how budget-friendly Safetywing is at any age! Since most of my audience is under 39 years old, I’ll focus on this age group.
Essential coverage costs $62.72 every four weeks. If a subscription type insurance isn’t your preference, it’s possible to pay in full for your trip duration.
Complete coverage costs $161.50 every month and it’s a 12-month commitment. You can also add dental care which is a huge perk! It works a lot like regular health insurance, with the choice to pay in full—but you’ll save more by going with monthly payments.
The complete coverage is an ideal option for anyone looking to intentionally cover their health needs while living abroad. For an extra fee, you can also add in extra coverage for electronic theft and high-risk sports to both plans.
Use the interactive planning tool below to get a free quote!
FAQs: Travel Insurance for Health-Focused Travelers
✅ What travel insurance should I get?
I’ve bought several travel plans and they all have different benefits. Safetywing is affordable, beginner-friendly, and offers membership-based pricing so you never have to go without coverage. This is a steal if you’re looking to support your health and wellness.
If you’re looking for an extensive plan with more freedom to choose from a variety of insurance providers, other companies have more options.
The most important thing is that you get insurance to protect both your health and your trip.
✅ Can I buy travel insurance on the day of travel?
Absolutely! Not all insurance plans will allow it, but Safetywing does. It prides itself on its “buy while abroad” option and is one of the top reasons I’m a huge fan of this company.
When last minute press trips come up, Safetywing is the first place I look to buy inexpensive travel insurance that’s high quality. It eliminates stress and saves you a ton of time since you don’t have to search for multiple travel health providers.
✅ How much travel insurance do I need?
This highly depends on how long your trip duration, travel interest and activities, age, and your medical history.
For instance, if you are a globe-trotting digital nomads or health-conscious travelers, comprehensive travel insurance (like Safetywing’s complete plan) would be ideal to fully cover your health. On the other hand, if you’re 21 years old backpacking through Sri Lanka for 10 days, a basic plan might be perfect for you.
✅ Do travel insurances cover pre-existing conditions?
Yes, some travel insurance companies may cover pre-existing health conditions if they are stable. You might be asked to fill out a preexisting conditions waiver if you’d like to get coverage.
Keep in mind that many travel plans don’t typically cover medical issues like anxiety, depression, cosmetic procedures, or injuries from extreme sports. If you have a serious health condition that you need coverage for, I highly recommend reaching out to the travel insurance company. It will save you a lot of time and effort!
Final thoughts
In summary, I’m a huge fan of Safetywing’s travel insurance, especially for health-conscious travelers or digital nomads who want to stay on top of their health. The coverage is dependable, user-friendly, and adaptable so you can buy insurance if you’re already abroad. I know I have!
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you’re covered. Whether you decide to buy this travel and health insurance or not, just make sure to buy insurance. Your future self will thank you!
Happy adventuring!
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