Is SafetyWing Legit? Why I Stopped Skipping Travel Insurance
In September 2024, I hiked Pikes Peak in Colorado with a traveler I met at a hostel. We were slower than we thought, so we went up to the top and hitched a ride down with some visitors instead of walking back.
The next day, I heard that another hiker hadn’t been so lucky. She was exhausted. She couldn’t finish the descent, and because it was already dark and freezing, the hostel had to call a helicopter to get her out. I had never met her, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
I didn’t have any travel insurance that month. I had SafetyWing Nomad insurance for one month in Alaska, then because nothing happened and I tried to save everything I could for my 5-month backpacking trip, I cancelled it.
If it had been me on that mountain, a rescue like that could have cost me my entire savings. From that time on, I never skipped travel insurance.
I also stick with SafetyWing. If you’re wondering whether SafetyWing is legit, what it actually covers, and whether it’s worth it. Here is everything I’ve learned from using it myself.
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Why I used to skip travel insurance
For years, I didn’t think I needed it. I had been traveling for over a decade without getting sick or injured, and I’m always trying to stretch my savings, mostly by volunteering abroad.
I’m from the Philippines, and I don’t have a working healthcare system. I pay $50 per month for private health insurance back home for $20,000 coverage. One serious accident abroad could use up my savings or, worse, might not even be enough.
My partner is from Germany, and he has good health insurance at home that he could even use abroad. We don’t have that. And if you’re in the same situation as me, please consider travel insurance, seriously.
Is SafetyWing legit?
Yes, SafetyWing is a real and legitimate global travel medical and health insurance provider. It was specifically built for digital nomads, remote workers, and frequent travelers.
SafetyWing launched Nomad Insurance in 2018. You can easily find their policy documents and process claims through their 24/7 live chat or mobile app.
I’ve compared five other travel insurance providers before going with SafetyWing. I went with them because I can read the actual policy even before buying. I also tested how fast their support is and how clear their claim process is. I never had a claim (thank God), but I felt secure with how fast their support was.
What can go wrong, like with any insurance
I was an insurance agent for seven years. I understand why insurance providers have the worst Trustpilot rating, and you often see Reddit posts like “SafetyWing scam”.
Insurance only pays for what the policy covers, so a claim can be denied if it falls under an exclusion, such as a pre-existing condition. That is how insurance works, and it is the reason to read the fine print before you buy, not after something happens.
Is SafetyWing worth it?
As of October 2026, Nomad Essential starts at $62.72 for 4 weeks for travelers aged 10 to 39, which is about $2.24 a day. Prices change with your age and the add-ons you choose, so check the calculator for your own numbers.
Good news if you’re buying Nomad Essential for the first time: you can get the Electronics Theft add-on free for 8 weeks with my code HOTW. On the Nomad Insurance page, click the pink camera icon and enter the code before you create your account. It only works for new Essential members, on a 28-day subscription or an annual plan.
You can also buy it for a short trip. Five days outside the US cost $11.20 when I checked. If you add US coverage to those same five days, it becomes $20.75.
For me, the question was never whether it is cheap. I need reliable coverage in case ‘one Colorado bad day‘ happens.
Nomad Essential vs Nomad Complete
SafetyWing has two main plans. Here’s the comparison using SafetyWing’s own calculator and help center (checked October 2026).
| What you get | Nomad Essential | Nomad Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $62.72 every 4 weeks (ages 10 to 39) | $177.50 per month (ages 18 to 39) |
| Commitment | None, billed every 4 weeks | 12 months |
| Emergency medical | Up to $250,000 | Up to $1,500,000 |
| Evacuation to a better hospital | $100,000 lifetime | $100,000 lifetime |
| Check-ups, specialists, mental health | Not included | Included, with limits |
| Cancer treatment | Not covered | Up to $1,500,000 |
| Maternity | Not covered | $2,500, after a 10-month wait |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | $300 per trip, $600 per year |
| Home country | First 30 days | Year-round |
| Pre-existing conditions | Not covered | Not covered |
Say I broke my leg abroad. Both plans cover emergency treatment and hospitalization, up to $250,000 on Essential and up to $1,500,000 on Complete. The difference is everything around it. Routine check-ups, specialist visits, mental health care, cancer treatment, and coverage in your home country come with Complete, not Essential.
I use Essential because I still come back home and I have my insurance back home. Complete would make sense for me if I traveled all year and had already canceled my insurance back home.
What neither plan covers
Neither plan covers pre-existing conditions. Both also have other exclusions, like professional sports, so read the policy before you buy.
Pre-existing conditions and what you need to file a claim
Pre-existing conditions
SafetyWing counts a condition as pre-existing if you had it, or had symptoms, before your policy started, even if no doctor had diagnosed it yet. Neither Essential nor Complete covers it. If you’re not sure whether something counts, ask SafetyWing’s Customer Care before you buy. You can create an account before buying here.
What you need to file a claim
SafetyWing’s member guide says a claim always needs a medical report, itemized receipts and itemized invoices. Depending on what happened, you may also need a police report for accidents, prescriptions or test results. You have up to 180 days from the date of treatment to file.
You file online through your SafetyWing dashboard. You can upload missing documents later, but that slows the claim down.
How long claims take
SafetyWing says most claims are resolved in 10 to 15 business days, and the money arrives 7 to 10 business days after approval. For Essential, it takes up to 15 business days after you submit everything correctly. Like I said, I never filed a claim, but I see a mix of positive and negative reviews.
My experience with SafetyWing
If there’s one thing I really pay attention to when choosing travel insurance, it’s customer service. Insurance is very technical and can get confusing fast.
I’ve chatted with their support team a few times, and the answers came quickly. They usually reply with links and screenshots.
Signing up
Signing up is also very easy. It took me less than five minutes, and everything was super straightforward. As soon as I signed up, I got a confirmation email with my proof of insurance and a Schengen visa certificate.
Where I’ve used it
I first got SafetyWing when I traveled around the U.S. in July 2024. I used it for one month in Alaska, then cancelled it because nothing happened during that time.
Since then, I’ve used it through Europe and Southeast Asia. I mostly use the Nomad Essential plan. I renew it every 4 weeks whenever I’m traveling, and I cancel it when I’m home since I have local insurance in the Philippines.
One time, I forgot to cancel, and two days after it auto-renewed, I reached out to their support. They canceled the plan and refunded me, which I really appreciated.
Did I file a claim?
Luckily, no. I have never had to file a claim with SafetyWing, and fingers crossed I never will. I have never filed one with the other insurers I’ve used, Mapfre and Chubb, either.
What I don’t love
SafetyWing isn’t the cheapest option for every trip. The shortest plan I could pick was 5 days, so for a very short trip like 3 days, I’ve found Klook’s insurance cheaper. Essential also doesn’t include trip cancellation (it’s included in Complete up to $300 per trip).
Other travel insurance I’ve used: Mapfre and Chubb
SafetyWing isn’t the only travel insurance I’ve tried. I’ve also used Mapfre and Chubb, and I have never filed a claim with either, so I can only compare price and sign-up, not payouts.
Planning a trip to Japan? I looked at whether you really need travel insurance for it.
Which one would I choose?
It depends on the trip, so here is what I do. For trips of a few weeks, I buy Nomad Essential because I don’t pay for extras I don’t need, and I can add adventure sports or electronics theft cover if I want them.
Nomad Complete is the one I would get if I want a health cover that also pays for routine care, mental health visits, and cancer treatment, like regular health insurance. I haven’t used it, so check the terms for yourself.
None of this is insurance advice. Read the policy documents and check the current terms before you buy, because prices and coverage can change.
New to SafetyWing? Use my code HOTW to get 8 weeks of the electronics theft add-on free: click the pink camera on the SafetyWing page and enter it before you create your account (new members only).
SafetyWing FAQ
Is SafetyWing a scam?
It’s not a scam. It is a legitimate insurance provider with public policy terms, a written claims process, and 24/7 chat support. Like any insurance, a claim can be denied if it falls outside the policy, so read the exclusions first.
How long do SafetyWing claims take?
SafetyWing says most claims are resolved in 10 to 15 business days, plus 7 to 10 business days for the money after approval. I haven’t filed one myself.
Does SafetyWing cover pre-existing conditions?
No. Neither Essential nor Complete covers them.
Does SafetyWing cover the US?
US coverage is an optional add-on for Essential, and it is for non-residents only. Complete has an add-on for Hong Kong, Singapore, and the US.
Can I cancel SafetyWing?
With Essential, I cancel whenever I’m home, and when I forgot once, support refunded me. Complete has a 12-month commitment, and you can cancel within the first 15 days of coverage or at renewal.
How many countries does SafetyWing cover?
More than 170 countries, according to SafetyWing. Check the policy for any exclusions before you go.
Have you ever skipped travel insurance? Tell me in the comments.
