Travel Insurance for Remote Workers 2026: What You Need

What Travel Insurance Actually Covers

Before diving into providers, understand what you’re actually buying. Travel insurance typically includes:

Medical Emergencies

Coverage for accidents and sudden illness requiring treatment abroad. This is not comprehensive health insurance—it’s emergency care only. Expect $50,000-$250,000 limits depending on plan tier.

What counts: Broken bones, food poisoning, infections, accidents, acute illness.

What doesn’t count: Routine checkups, dental (unless emergency), mental health, pre-existing conditions (usually).

Emergency Medical Evacuation

Getting you to proper medical care or back home when local facilities can’t handle your situation. This is expensive—medical evacuations run $50,000-$100,000+. Good policies cover $100,000-$500,000.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption

Reimbursement if you cancel due to covered reasons (illness, death in family, natural disaster). Usually requires documentation. Typical coverage: 100% of prepaid costs up to plan limits.

Covered reasons: Illness, injury, death of family member, natural disaster, jury duty, job loss (some policies).

Not covered: “I changed my mind,” fear of travel, work schedule changes, non-refundable “feeling unsafe.”

Travel Delays

Reimbursement for expenses when flights are delayed—meals, hotel, essentials. Usually kicks in after 6-12 hours of delay. Typical limits: $100-$200/day.

Lost/Delayed Baggage

Coverage for lost, stolen, or delayed luggage. Limits vary wildly—$500-$3,000 total, often with per-item caps.

Personal Liability

Protection if you accidentally injure someone or damage property. Less relevant for remote workers but included in most policies.

What Travel Insurance Doesn’t Cover

The gaps are where nomads get burned:

• Pre-existing conditions: Almost universally excluded unless you buy within 14-21 days of trip deposit and meet other criteria
• Routine care: Checkups, prescriptions refills, ongoing treatment
• Mental health: Most policies exclude entirely or limit severely
• Dental: Only emergency extractions, not ongoing care
• High-value electronics: Capped at $500-1000 per item
• Adventure sports: Excluded unless you buy a rider (scuba below 40m, motorcycles, etc.)
• Pandemics: COVID changed things—check current exclusions carefully
• Working abroad: Some policies technically exclude “business travel”—read the fine print

Types of Travel Insurance Policies

Single-Trip Insurance

Best for: One-off trips with fixed dates, vacations, conferences.

Coverage for a specific trip with defined start and end dates. Cheapest option for occasional travel. Prices start at $30-50 for a week-long international trip.

Limitations: Must know your return date. No coverage outside trip dates. Buying repeatedly gets expensive.

Annual Multi-Trip Insurance

Best for: Frequent travelers taking multiple trips per year from a home base.

One policy covers unlimited trips throughout the year. Usually caps individual trips at 30-90 days. Good if you take 4+ international trips yearly.

Limitations: Per-trip duration limits. Need a “home country” to return to between trips. Not designed for continuous travel.

Typical cost: $150-400/year depending on coverage level and home country.

Long-Term Nomad Insurance

Best for: Digital nomads, remote workers abroad long-term, indefinite travelers.

Designed for continuous travel without return dates. Monthly subscription model. Better suited for the nomad lifestyle.

Key players: SafetyWing, World Nomads, IMG Global, Integra Global.

Provider Comparison: The Real Numbers

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

Price: $45.08/month (age 18-39), increases with age

Coverage highlights:

• $250,000 medical maximum
• $250 deductible
• $100,000 emergency evacuation
• Covers 185+ countries
• Home country coverage (15 days per 90 days for US)
• Monthly subscription—cancel anytime

The good: Cheapest option for long-term coverage. No end date required. Simple to sign up and manage. Covers COVID as any other illness.

The bad: $250 deductible per injury/illness adds up. No trip cancellation coverage. Limited home country coverage. $3,000 max for lost luggage with $500 per-item cap.

Best for: Budget-conscious nomads prioritizing basic medical coverage over comprehensive protection.

World Nomads

Price: Standard plan ~$100-150/month, Explorer plan ~$150-250/month (varies by age, origin, destination)

Coverage highlights:

• $100,000 medical (Standard) to $250,000 (Explorer)
• Trip cancellation included
• Adventure sports coverage (more activities on Explorer)
• Single-trip model but allows extensions
• 24/7 emergency assistance

The good: Trip cancellation/interruption included. Better adventure sports coverage than competitors. Can extend while traveling. Good reputation for claims.

The bad: More expensive than SafetyWing. Single-trip model requires extensions for long-term travel. Per-trip limits still apply.

Best for: Active travelers doing adventure sports, or those who need trip cancellation coverage.

Allianz Travel Insurance

Price: Varies widely—$50-200+ per trip depending on trip cost and coverage level

Coverage highlights:

• Multiple plan tiers (Basic to AllTrips Premier)
• Annual multi-trip options available
• Trip cancellation up to 100% of trip cost
• $500,000 emergency medical on premier plans
• Rental car damage coverage
• 24-hour hotline assistance

The good: Established brand with good claim reputation. High coverage limits on premium plans. Annual options available. Good for US-based travelers.

The bad: Traditional insurance model—requires trip dates. Annual plans still cap individual trips (usually 30-90 days). More expensive for ongoing travel.

Best for: US-based travelers taking fixed-date trips or multiple shorter trips per year.

IMG Global

Price: Global Citizen plans from $100-300/month depending on coverage and age

Coverage highlights:

• Plans designed for expats and long-term travelers
• $1M-$8M medical coverage options
• Deductibles from $0-$5,000 (lower premium with higher deductible)
• Maternity coverage available
• Mental health coverage on some plans
• Wellness benefits included

The good: Highest coverage limits available. True expat-level insurance. Mental health included. Comprehensive options for those needing serious coverage.

The bad: Most expensive option. Application process more complex. May require medical underwriting for some plans.

Best for: Long-term expats needing comprehensive coverage, those with higher risk tolerance budgets, or anyone wanting coverage closer to traditional health insurance.

Quick Comparison Table

Provider	Monthly Cost	Medical Max	Deductible	Trip Cancel	Electronics
SafetyWing	$45	$250K	$250	No	$500/item
World Nomads	$100-250	$100-250K	$100	Yes	$500-2,500
Allianz	Varies	$50-500K	$0-250	Yes	Varies
IMG Global	$100-300	$1-8M	$0-5,000	Some plans	Varies

Reading the Fine Print: What Actually Matters

Pre-Existing Condition Clauses

Almost every travel policy excludes pre-existing conditions—defined as any condition you received treatment for, took medication for, or had symptoms of in the 60-180 days before coverage starts.

Workarounds:

• Some policies offer “pre-existing condition waiver” if you buy within 14-21 days of first trip deposit
• IMG and other expat insurers offer medical underwriting that can cover pre-existing conditions (at higher cost)
• SafetyWing specifically excludes pre-existing conditions with no waiver option

If you have ongoing health conditions, nomad insurance may not be sufficient—look into international health insurance or expat policies with proper underwriting.

Adventure Sports Exclusions

Standard policies exclude most activities beyond basic tourism. Check exclusions for:

• Scuba diving (often limited to 30-40m depth)
• Motorcycles/motorbikes (frequently excluded entirely)
• Skiing/snowboarding (off-piste usually excluded)
• Bungee jumping, skydiving, paragliding
• Martial arts, boxing
• Professional sports of any kind

SafetyWing excludes motorcycles and most extreme sports. World Nomads Explorer has the best adventure coverage—includes most activities up to specified limits.

If you’re planning to rent a motorbike in Southeast Asia (everyone does), check your policy carefully. Many nomads are uncovered for their most likely accident.

Geographic Exclusions

Every policy has country exclusions. Common ones:

• Countries under travel advisories (North Korea, Syria, Afghanistan)
• Your home country (limited or no coverage)
• Countries with US sanctions

SafetyWing includes home country coverage for 15 days per 90-day period (30 days for US). World Nomads excludes home country entirely.

Maximum Trip Duration

Even “nomad” policies have limits:

• World Nomads: Must extend every 12 months
• SafetyWing: Continuous coverage with monthly billing
• Allianz annual: 30-90 day per-trip maximum depending on plan
• IMG: Annual policies with continuous coverage

Filing Claims: What to Expect

When something goes wrong, here’s the process:

1. Document Everything

• Police reports for theft (required within 24-48 hours)
• Medical records and receipts (itemized)
• Receipts for any expenses
• Photos of damage/loss
• Flight delay documentation from airline

2. Contact Your Insurer Immediately

Most policies require notification within 24-72 hours of incident. Save the emergency hotline number—you’ll need it when your phone is stolen.

3. Keep Original Receipts

Scans aren’t always accepted. Keep physical copies of everything. Medical bills must be itemized—summary invoices often rejected.

4. Expect Delays

Claim processing takes 2-8 weeks typically. Complex claims (evacuation, large medical) take longer. Be prepared to follow up multiple times.

5. Know Your Deductible

SafetyWing’s $250 deductible applies per incident. Multiple small claims may not be worth filing. Calculate whether the claim exceeds your deductible meaningfully.

Tips for Successful Claims

• Read your policy before you need it
• Take timestamped photos of valuable items before your trip
• Save all documentation digitally (cloud backup)
• File promptly—late claims get denied
• Be detailed and honest in your claim description
• Follow up if you don’t hear back within stated timeframes

Protecting Your Work Equipment

Standard travel insurance doesn’t adequately cover expensive electronics. Options:

Travel Insurance Electronics Rider

Some policies offer enhanced electronics coverage. World Nomads Explorer includes up to $2,500 for electronics. Still may not cover a full MacBook Pro setup.

Specialized Gadget Insurance

• Worth Ave Group: Popular for electronics coverage while traveling
• Safeware: Covers laptops and equipment internationally
• Personal articles policy: Add to existing renters/homeowners insurance

Credit Card Benefits

Premium credit cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum) include purchase protection and sometimes travel insurance. Usually limited to 90-120 days from purchase and requires paying with that card.

Home Country Insurance Extension

Some renters/homeowners policies extend worldwide. Check with your provider—may need to add a rider for international coverage.

Reality check: If your equipment is worth $3,000+, basic travel insurance isn’t enough. Budget $10-20/month for proper electronics coverage.

Recommended Approach by Traveler Type

The Budget Nomad (Long-term, cost-conscious)

Get: SafetyWing ($45/month) + separate electronics coverage if equipment value exceeds $1,500

Why: Lowest cost for essential medical coverage. Accept the $250 deductible and limited extras. Self-insure for trip cancellation by booking refundable where possible.

The Active Traveler (Adventure sports, moderate budget)

Get: World Nomads Explorer plan

Why: Best adventure sports coverage. Trip cancellation included. Worth the premium if you’re doing activities that SafetyWing excludes.

The Frequent Flyer (Multiple trips from home base)

Get: Allianz AllTrips annual plan + credit card travel benefits

Why: Annual coverage for unlimited trips. Combine with premium credit card perks for layered protection.

The Long-Term Expat (12+ months abroad, needs comprehensive coverage)

Get: IMG Global or similar expat health insurance

Why: Real health insurance coverage with high limits, potential pre-existing condition coverage, mental health included. More expensive but actually comprehensive.

The Workation Crowd (Occasional 2-4 week trips)

Get: Single-trip policy from Allianz or World Nomads per trip

Why: Don’t overpay for coverage you won’t use. Buy per-trip and compare each time based on destination and activities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming credit card insurance is enough: It’s supplementary, not primary. Limits are low, and claims processes are difficult.

Buying the cheapest policy without reading it: That $30 policy probably doesn’t cover what you think it covers.

Waiting until you’re already traveling: Pre-existing conditions are defined by when coverage starts. Buy before you leave.

Not documenting incidents properly: No police report = no claim for theft. No itemized medical bill = no reimbursement.

Assuming “travel insurance” covers everything: It doesn’t. It’s emergency coverage for specific situations, not comprehensive health insurance.

Riding motorcycles without checking coverage: The most common cause of injury among nomads in Southeast Asia, and the most commonly excluded activity.

The Bottom Line

Travel insurance for remote workers isn’t one-size-fits-all. Traditional travel insurance works for short trips with fixed dates. Long-term nomads need nomad-specific policies that handle indefinite travel, monthly billing, and ongoing coverage.

The minimum viable setup for most nomads:

1. SafetyWing or similar for medical emergencies (~$45/month)
2. Separate electronics coverage if your gear exceeds $1,500 in value
3. Understanding of what’s excluded so you can self-insure or avoid those risks

Don’t skip coverage to save $45/month. One medical emergency abroad can wipe out years of savings. The goal isn’t to over-insure—it’s to cover catastrophic risk while accepting manageable out-of-pocket costs for small incidents.

Read your policy. Know what’s covered. Save the emergency numbers offline. And maybe reconsider that motorbike rental in Bali unless you’ve got specific coverage for it.