6 Best Long-Term Travel Insurance Options (+ who I use)

I spend at least half of the year abroad (usually more). I love the nomadic life and while things are mostly smooth sailing, small issues still pop up occasionally.

That’s why finding good long-term travel insurance is so important — it’s peace of mind and smart protection for your safety and all of your most important stuff.

This post is a review of my favorite options and go-to plans. My top pick goes to SafetyWing, which is who I’m currently using. They’re convenient, high-quality and have an excellent reputation.

But there are other options worth exploring, depending on your needs and goals.

So let’s get to it!

Table of Contents Show


    Hey there, just a heads up some links in this post may be affiliate links, which earn me a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you, but helps me keep the lights on. Thanks for your support!

    Also note: I am not an insurance professional or an insurance company. This review is based on my personal research and experience as a traveler and digital nomad. Make sure you choose the best long term travel insurance for you based on your needs, and always check the insurance provider before purchasing any digital nomad insurance.


    What Is Long-Term Travel Insurance?

    Travel insurance is coverage for travel-related financial windfalls and/or unforeseen circumstances (like lost luggage, injuries or natural disasters).

    If you’re just taking a shorter vacation (like for a couple weeks), then a simple single-trip travel insurance policy is all you’ll need.

    But if you’re taking multiple trips or traveling for an extended amount of time, you’ll want a longer-term policy.

    Long-term travel insurance is an insurance policy that covers you the same way regular travel insurance would, but for longer durations.

    It’s perfect for digital nomads, students taking a gap year, remote workers, professional travelers or anyone who’s spending multiple months abroad.

    But before we get into the best long-term travel insurance options, let’s dig deeper into the different types of travel insurance and the benefits of getting a plan.

    Types of Travel Insurance

    • Trip cancellation or interruption

    • Damage and baggage loss

    • Emergency evacuation

    • Natural disasters

    • Rental insurance

    • Emergency medical and dental coverage

    • Accidental death and dismemberment

    • Comprehensive coverage

    Importance of Travel Insurance

    • Protect yourself from emergency medical bills or unforeseen travel expenses

    • Feel more in control

    • Be more carefree and travel with less stress

    • Have more peace of mind

    • Protect your luggage and important personal items

    • Minimize financial hits

    • Travel safer

    6 Best Long-Term Travel Insurance Options

    1. SafetyWing

    SafetyWing works like monthly subscription. And they’re my go-to travel insurance provider. I love them because their coverage is great, the customer service and claims process is simple (all online and quick) and they keep things affordable.

    Plus, they have options for expats looking to get more comprehensive medical insurance.

    SafetyWing has two main plans:

    • Nomad Insurance. Emergency travel insurance and essential protection for travelers.

    • Nomad Health. More comprehensive medical coverage for expats and those living overseas long-term.

    Whichever plan you choose, SafetyWing is a super flexible option to protect yourself and your stuff abroad. It’s who I always use when I head overseas.

    Coverage Info

    • Nomad Insurance Coverage

      • Emergency sickness, injury and hospital stays

      • Emergency evacuation

      • Lost luggage

      • Motor accident coverage

        • Must have eligible license for the country you’re visiting and a helmet to get reimbursed

      • Injuries from leisure sports and activities

      • Flights back home for emergencies (such as a death in the family)

      • Meals and accommodations for travel delays of 12+ hours

      • Coverage for trips back home (up to 30 days; 15 days for US residents)

      • Global coverage

      • Repatriation of remains

      • Emergency transportation in the event of natural disasters or civil/political unrest

      • Fast and easy online claims process

        • Claims takes 5 minutes to submit and <3 days to get resolved

      • Purchase plans while already traveling abroad

    • Nomad Health Coverage

      • Same coverage in 175+ countries

      • Choose any doctor

      • Hospital stay

      • Doctor and specialist visits

      • Wellness therapies (10 visits per year)

      • Mental health care (10 visits per year)

      • Cancer tests and treatment

      • Physical therapy

      • Maternity care

      • Medical checkups and vaccines

      • Fast and easy online claims process

        • ~ 5 minutes to submit a claim and 14 days to get resolved

      • Optional premium boost add-on (+$75):

        • Routine dental care

        • Vision

        • Extra coverage

    User Reviews

    There are a few add-on policy options (like adding US coverage), but these are only available to non-US citizens.

    Use the box below to get started with SafetyWing Nomad Insurance!


    2. World Nomads

    World Nomads is another popular choice for travelers. They offer travel insurance for longer trips up to 180 days and they’re particularly good for high-intensity, adventure sports and activities.

    You can extend your coverage with a new plan after expiration. World Nomads is a popular choice for travelers and you really can’t go wrong (especially if you’re doing action sports and activities).

    Explore more:
    World Nomads vs. SafetyWing (what to know)

    Coverage Info

    • Emergency evacuation and natural disasters

    • Travel accidents, emergency medical and overseas dental coverage

    • Domestic travel coverage (in the US)

    • Trip cancellations

    • Lost, stolen or damaged gear

    • Adventure sports and activities covered

    • Pregnancy coverage

    User Reviews


    3. Allianz Travel Insurance

    Allianz Travel is a reputable company that offers flexible travel protection (they have options for shorter trips or annual plans).

    You can put in your basic information and travel plans on their site to get a quick quote. But it looks like it’s about the same price as World Nomads (making SafetyWing still the cheapest option).

    Coverage Info

    • Many long-term plan options to suit your needs and budget

    • Cancel anytime upgrade option

    • Annual plan options

    • Convenient TravelSmart App

    User Reviews


    4. WorldTrips

    WorldTrips is another travel insurance provider offering comprehensive coverage options.

    After doing some research, I’ve found that their plans were on the pricier side. And according to MarketWatch, their claims process is lengthy compared to other insurers and plans aren’t available for some US states.

    Still, they offer some noteworthy benefits as a tradeoff (like coverage for pre-existing conditions)

    Coverage Info

    • Some plans include pre-existing conditions

    • Trip cancellation, delay or interruption

    • Medical evacuation coverage

    • Baggage delay

    • Missed connection protection

    • Cancel for any reason upgrade options

    User Reviews


    5. Heymondo

    Heymondo is a reputable travel insurance provider that offers relatively affordable and flexible plans.

    Based on reviews and exploring the site, they offer solid coverage options for travelers who need either shorter term or long-term travel insurance. So let’s look closer at their standout features.

    Coverage Info

    • Annual, multi-trip travel insurance plans

    • Coverage for adventure sports (snowboarding, scuba diving, etc.)

    • A simple app to manage your insurance

    • Reimbursement for lost, damaged or stolen electronic equipment

    • Cruise travel coverage

    • Emergency medical and dental

    • Natural disaster, evacuation and search and rescue coverage

    • Trip delay, cancellation and interruption

    • Baggage coverage

    User Reviews


    6. Check Your Credit Card Benefits

    If you use your credit card to book your trip, some may offer travel insurance options (like trip cancellation coverage).

    For example, I have an AMEX Gold Card and I get perks like car rental loss and damage insurance, baggage insurance and purchase protection as part of my card benefits.

    So check out what options are available to you with your current credit card(s) — you may be surprised.

    But with or without travel insurance benefits, having a travel credit card is a smart move for things like no foreign transaction fees and travel rewards.

    BONUS (compare plans using Squaremouth)

    Squaremouth isn’t a travel insurance company per se, but rather a travel insurance comparison site.

    So if the options above aren’t doing it for you, you can use this site to explore some more choices.

    It’s also a great resource for learning more about the different types of travel insurance benefits and what you need for your trip and lifestyle.

    They offer policies from many different insurance providers, including:

    • AEGIS

    • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

    • Detour Adventure Travel Protection

    • Nationwide

    • WorldTrips

    • battleface

    Later ✌️

    Getting long-term travel insurance is a smart move.

    You can protect yourself against medical emergencies and surprise circumstances like lost baggage or trip cancellations.

    It gives you peace of mind and supports a more relaxed, carefree trip.

    My go-to travel insurance is SafetyWing for their convenience, flexibility and affordability. But it’s important to consider your unique circumstances, goals and budget when deciding.

    If you’re still not sure, it’s helpful to compare options using a tool like Squaremouth or speak with an agent at your current insurance company to see what options they have.

    Either way, stay safe out there and enjoy the trip!


    Want More? Nice. Here’s More.

    quin

    Hey. My name is Quin.

    I’m an artist, musician, blogger and digital creator who loves to travel. And I’m on a mission to inspire more creativity, adventure and carefreeness.

    I also spend a lot of time in Japan and drink too much coffee.

    Through my websites and passions, I’m building a personal multi-brand. It’s all a creative project and I’m loving every minute of it — everything is art…

    So welcome, I’m stoked you’re here! Drop me an email to say what’s up :]

    Previous
    Previous

    How to Plan A Trip to Japan In 8 Steps (tips from a local)

    Next
    Next

    Have Travel Projects (6 steps to traveling with a purpose)