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When we first started traveling as low-budget backpackers, we honestly thought travel insurance was just another unnecessary expense. Trying to save money wherever possible, it felt easy to assume nothing serious would happen — especially on short trips.
But over the years, we realised we were wrong.
During our travels, we experienced a few situations where having insurance made a big difference. We had to deal with dengue fever in Thailand, a painful tooth infection in the Philippines, and a few smaller health issues that required medical attention abroad.
In those moments, we were really glad we didn’t have to worry about the cost of treatment or finding reliable care in an unfamiliar country.
When you travel long-term, move between countries, or don’t have a fixed return date, having the right insurance becomes even more important. Medical costs abroad can be surprisingly high, and unexpected situations can quickly turn into expensive problems.
After testing different options over the years, we found that SafetyWing is one of the best travel insurance providers for long-term travel. It offers one of the most flexible solutions, with plans starting from around $2 per day, which makes it surprisingly affordable for extended trips.
In this guide, we explain why long-term travel insurance is different, what to look for when choosing a policy, and whether SafetyWing is worth it based on our experience.
Why long-term travel insurance is different
When you travel for several months (or even years), your plans can change frequently. You might visit multiple countries, stay longer in places you enjoy, or adjust your route along the way.
Traditional insurance often requires you to choose exact travel dates in advance, which doesn’t work well for open-ended trips or digital nomad lifestyles.
Long-term travelers also often need insurance that:
- covers multiple countries
- can be extended easily without complicated paperwork
- allows you to start or renew coverage while already abroad
- offers emergency medical treatment and evacuation coverage
- remains affordable even when traveling for several months
This is exactly why we started looking for an option specifically designed for long-term travel, rather than traditional short-trip insurance plans.
What we personally use for long-term travel
For long-term travel with open-ended trips, we personally use the SafetyWing Essential plan. Instead of buying a new policy for every trip, we wanted something flexible, simple to manage, and designed for long-term travelers.
What we like most is that it works as an ongoing coverage rather than a one-time purchase with fixed dates. This makes it practical when plans change, when we decide to stay longer somewhere, or when we move between countries.
We don’t need to constantly think about arranging new insurance each time we travel.
We’ll explain how SafetyWing works, how much it costs, and the difference between the Essential and Complete plans below, but for our style of travel, the Essential plan has been a practical and reliable choice.
SafetyWing cost – how much it costs per day
One of the reasons many long-term travelers choose SafetyWing is the relatively affordable price compared to traditional insurance.
The Essential plan starts at around $56 per 4 weeks, which works out to roughly $2 per day for travelers aged 18–39.
Because the insurance works as a subscription, you don’t need to pay a large amount upfront for several months of coverage. Instead, the policy renews automatically every 4 weeks, which makes budgeting easier for long trips.
The price can vary depending on age, add-ons (for example USA coverage or adventure sports), or the level of coverage you choose.
How SafetyWing works
SafetyWing works as a monthly subscription travel medical insurance designed for people who travel long-term or move between multiple countries.
The coverage automatically renews every 4 weeks, which makes it very convenient if your plans change or you decide to extend your trip.
You can sign up online in just a few minutes, even if you are already abroad, and your coverage can start almost immediately.
Another advantage is the simple claims process. Everything can be handled online, which is helpful when dealing with medical situations abroad.
Claims Process explained
The claims process has improved significantly in recent years. Everything can be handled online through your SafetyWing dashboard, so you don’t need to deal with paperwork or contact multiple offices while traveling.
If you need medical treatment, you typically pay the doctor or hospital first and then submit a claim by filling out a short online form and uploading documents such as invoices, receipts, or a medical report.
Once submitted, you can track the status of your claim directly in your account. Many claims are processed within a few days, although more complex cases can take longer depending on the situation and required documentation.
SafetyWing also offers 24/7 customer support via chat, which can be helpful if you are unsure whether your situation is covered or which documents you need to provide.
SafetyWing Essential vs Complete plans
SafetyWing currently offers two main options: Essential and Complete, designed for different types of travelers.
The Essential plan is travel medical insurance that covers unexpected health issues and emergencies while abroad. It is typically the most popular option for backpackers, digital nomads, and long-term travelers who mainly want protection against unexpected medical costs.
The Complete plan is more comprehensive and works similarly to regular international health insurance. In addition to emergency care, it also includes routine doctor visits, mental health support, and broader long-term medical coverage.
Pros and cons of using SafetyWing
Pros
- flexible monthly subscription with automatic renewal
- coverage valid in 180+ countries
- affordable price compared to many traditional insurers
- can be purchased even after leaving your home country
- simple online signup process
- relatively straightforward claims process
- option to choose between Essential and Complete plan
Cons
- pre-existing conditions are usually not covered
- some activities may require additional add-ons
- may not cover high-risk sports without extra coverage
- Complete plan is more expensive
- coverage structure is less customizable compared to some traditional insurers
What’s not covered
As with any travel insurance, there are situations that are not included in standard coverage. It’s important to understand these in advance.
Some of the more relevant exclusions include:
- epidemics, pandemics, or disease outbreaks if a travel or health warning was already in place before your policy started (except specific COVID-19 coverage described in the policy)
- pregnancy and childbirth, except certain unexpected complications
- sexually transmitted diseases
- most dental treatments, except emergency dental care needed to relieve severe pain or treatment required after an accident
- war, terrorism, or military-related incidents
- search and rescue operations, such as helicopter rescue in remote areas
Because coverage can vary depending on the situation, it’s always a good idea to review the policy details carefully before traveling, especially if your trip includes activities in remote locations or higher-risk environments.
FAQ
Yes, since SafetyWing works as a monthly subscription, you can cancel before the next billing cycle if your travel plans change or you no longer need coverage.
Yes, you can select your start date during signup. Coverage can begin even if you are already traveling abroad.
Limited coverage in your home country may be included for short visits, depending on your policy terms and eligibility.
Is SafetyWing worth it for long-term travel?
For long-term travel, we think SafetyWing is a very practical option, especially if your plans are flexible or you’re visiting multiple countries. The monthly subscription model makes it easy to stay covered without committing to fixed travel dates, which is something we personally find very useful.
The Essential plan, which we use, covers the most important things, while still keeping the cost reasonable at around $2 per day. This balance between affordability and coverage is what makes it attractive for longer trips.
It may not be the perfect choice for every traveler, especially if you need very specific coverage or extensive add-ons, but for digital nomads, backpackers, and anyone planning to travel for several months, it offers a simple and flexible solution.
For us, having reliable medical coverage while traveling long-term gives peace of mind and allows us to focus on the experience rather than worrying about what could go wrong.