Long-Term Health Insurance for Travelers: Is It Possible?

Traveling for extended periods and moving country to country can be one of the most enriching experiences, but it also comes with unique challenges. One of the most significant concerns for long-term travelers, where you are sticking to the same place or moving around, is securing reliable health insurance that provides comprehensive coverage, including medical emergencies and travel-related incidents. But is long-term health insurance for travelers truly possible? 

The answer is yes, and I will give you my preferred long-term insurance option later in the article.  

But first… 

 

 

The Challenges of Health Insurance for Long-Term Travelers 

Traditional health insurance plans often fall short for globetrotters. Many plans are tied to a home country and don’t provide coverage abroad. Even international travel insurance, designed for short-term trips, may leave gaps in long-term coverage or fail to address the diverse needs of digital nomads and extended travelers. 

For example: 

• Limited Duration: Many travel insurance policies only cover trips up to a few months. 
• Exclusions: Policies often exclude pre-existing conditions or activities like extreme sports. 
• Inflexibility: Few options cater to travelers who hop between countries or spend extended periods in multiple locations. 

 

What Long-Term Travelers Need in an Insurance Plan 

To meet the unique needs of long-term travelers, an ideal health insurance plan should provide: 

1. Global Coverage: The ability to access care in multiple countries without restrictions. This ensures that no matter where your adventures take you, you can access necessary medical services. 
2. Comprehensive Benefits: Coverage for both health and travel-related incidents, including trip cancellations, lost baggage, and medical emergencies. These benefits offer peace of mind in unpredictable situations, from sudden illnesses to travel disruptions. 
3. Affordable Rates: A cost-effective solution that doesn’t break the bank, making it accessible for travelers of all budgets. 
4. Ease of Use: Simple sign-up, management, and claims processes, so you can spend more time enjoying your trip and less time dealing with complicated paperwork. 
5. Flexible Policies: Customizable plans that adapt to your changing travel plans, whether you’re hopping between continents or settling in one location for months at a time. 
6. Inclusion of Adventure Activities: Many long-term travelers engage in adventure sports or unique cultural experiences. An ideal plan would include coverage for these activities, ensuring that travelers are protected even during high-adrenaline pursuits. 
7. Support for Pre-Existing Conditions: Coverage options for pre-existing conditions, which are often excluded in standard policies, allow travelers with ongoing medical needs to explore the world confidently. 

By addressing these essential needs, the right insurance plan provides a safety net that lets travelers focus on making the most of their journeys. 

 

Why SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance Complete Is My Preferred Option for Long-Term Travel 

Unlike many insurance plans from other companies, SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance plan was designed specifically for long-term travelers. In my view, this insurance plan checks all the right boxes because it has: 

• Comprehensive Coverage: Nomad Insurance Complete has robust health insurance benefits, covering hospital stays, emergency care, and routine checkups. It also includes travel coverage for lost luggage, flight disruptions, and more. 
• Global Accessibility: With coverage in over 180 countries, you’re protected whether you’re trekking in the Himalayas or working from a café in Bali. 
• Affordable Pricing: Plans are budget-friendly, making it an accessible choice for digital nomads and budget-conscious travelers. 
• Ongoing Coverage: Unlike traditional travel insurance, Nomad Insurance Complete is designed for long-term use, ensuring continuous protection without the need to renew every few months. 
• User-Friendly Experience: SafetyWing’s platform is straightforward, with transparent policies and a hassle-free claims process. 

 

 

Additional Benefits of SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance Compared with Traditional Travel Insurance Plans 

When choosing travel insurance, digital nomads and frequent travelers often seek coverage that extends beyond traditional travel insurance options. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance offers unique advantages that cater to their lifestyle. 

The table below shows how SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance stands apart from conventional travel insurance, providing unparalleled flexibility and support for the modern traveler. 

Benefit	Nomad Insurance Complete	Traditional Travel Insurance
Global Coverage	Available in over 180 countries	Limited to specific regions or short durations
Pre-Existing Conditions	Coverage options available	Often excluded
Flexibility	Adaptable to changing travel plans	Rigid policies tied to fixed dates
Long-Term Coverage	Designed for extended travel	Typically capped at a few months
Adventure Activity Coverage	Includes high-adrenaline activities	Often excluded
Medical and Travel Incident Coverage	Comprehensive for both health and travel issues	Limited, often focused on emergencies only
Affordable and Transparent Pricing	Competitive, easy-to-understand pricing	Can be costly and complex
Health Emergencies vs. Non-Emergencies	Differentiated, with emergency and essential care	Non-emergencies often excluded

 

Covered by SafetyWing	Not Covered by SafetyWing
Hospitalization	If you’ve taken drugs or alcohol
Day surgery and outpatient treatment	Minor rashes/non-emergencies
Visits to registered medical practitioners	Reckless behavior
Prescribed medicines	Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home
Ambulances	Certain pre-existing medical conditions
Extra expenses to get you home, if medically necessary	Ongoing treatment at home

 

Who Can Benefit from SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance Complete? 

This plan is ideal for: 

• Digital Nomads: Those working remotely while traveling the world. They require insurance that provides both health and travel benefits without being tied to a specific location, enabling them to focus on productivity and exploration. 
• Long-Term Expats: People living abroad for extended periods without access to local health insurance. Nomad Insurance Complete ensures they have reliable medical coverage, whether they’re setting up a new life in a foreign country or frequently moving between locations. 
• Frequent Travelers: Individuals who frequently move between countries and need a flexible, consistent insurance solution that adapts to their on-the-go lifestyle. 
• Adventure Seekers: Those participating in activities like scuba diving, hiking, or skiing, which might not be covered by traditional insurance plans. SafetyWing’s robust coverage ensures peace of mind for thrill-seekers. 
• Families on the Move: Families traveling long-term or relocating abroad can benefit from plans that cover dependents, ensuring everyone’s health needs are met without the complexity of managing multiple policies. 
• Entrepreneurs and Remote Teams: Business owners and remote teams traveling together or individually across the globe can ensure their team members have consistent and reliable coverage, fostering productivity and reducing stress. 

 

 

My Personal Experience with SafetyWing 

When I was living in Serbia and Moldova to cut costs while working, I knew that I needed a reliable insurance for that period, especially as I was starting my travel blog and balancing the challenges of living in different countries.  

Traditional travel insurance just didn’t seem to cover the flexibility I needed, so I turned to SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance. It was an ideal solution, offering the right balance between coverage and affordability. 

One of the main reasons I chose SafetyWing was its ability to provide ongoing coverage while I moved between countries. Unlike typical travel insurance that often required me to return home in Brazil or renew every few months, SafetyWing allowed me to stay protected as I explored new these two new places.  

This was incredibly important for my lifestyle, as I didn’t know exactly where I would be based next. Additionally, SafetyWing’s affordable premiums saved me a significant amount of money compared to local health insurance options, which would have been much more expensive and really hard to get for a foreigner.  

The flexibility of Nomad Insurance also meant that I could continue my travels without worrying about gaps in my coverage, allowing me to fully focus on building my blog and embracing the nomadic lifestyle. 

 

My Secret to Peace of Mind While Exploring the World 

Traveling should be about adventure, discovery, and personal growth—not about worrying over what happens if you fall ill or face an unexpected situation. Long-term health insurance solutions like SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance Complete provide the coverage you need, so you can focus on enjoying your journey. 

So, is long-term health insurance for travelers possible? Absolutely. And with options like SafetyWing, it’s not just possible—it’s effortless.