Being a digital nomad means the freedom to work and travel anywhere—but with that freedom comes risks. One adventure that caught my eye is the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam: a breathtaking motorbike journey through mountain roads, past Ma Pi Leng Pass’s iconic rice terraces, Tu San Canyon’s towering cliffs, and the hidden beauty of Lung Khuy Cave. However, I’ve also come across stories of serious accidents and even deaths along the route.
From motorbike crashes to stolen laptops, lost luggage to unexpected hospital visits, digital nomads face unique risks on the road. That’s why having the right digital nomad insurance isn’t optional—it’s essential.
But let’s be honest: insurance policies are filled with fine print, making them difficult to compare. That’s why I’ve created an easy-to-read comparison table to help you choose the best plan based on your travel style and budget.
🔹 Who is this guide for?
All digital nomads—whether you’re a budget backpacker, remote worker, or long-term expat.
🔹 Why is nomad insurance different?
✈ Traditional travel insurance → Buy before leaving, covers short trips.
🌍 Digital nomad insurance → Buy anytime, flexible, long-term coverage.
1️⃣ What to Look for in Digital Nomad Insurance
💡 Not all nomad insurance covers the same things. Here’s what to check:
- Medical Emergencies & Hospital Stays – Every plan covers emergencies, but limits and exclusions vary.
- Routine Care & Check-ups – Only full global health insurance covers regular doctor visits.
- Pre-existing Conditions – Some plans exclude them, others cover them with higher costs.
- Mental Health & Therapy – Not all plans include this, but it’s essential for remote workers.
- Home-country Visits – If you’re Canadian, this is especially important (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP rules).
- Adventure Sports & Remote Work Risks – If you surf, ski, or do extreme sports, you need coverage.
- Trip Protection – Some nomads need trip cancellations & interruptions, others don’t.
- Work Equipment Protection – Does the plan cover your laptop, camera, and tech gear?
- Flexibility – Can you buy or extend it while abroad?
2️⃣ Quick Comparison: Best Digital Nomad Insurance
| Provider | Sample Monthly Cost (USD, Age 37)1 | Medical Coverage | Covers Pre-Existing Conditions? | Routine Checkups? | Home-Country Visits? | Trip Cancellation / Interruption | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SafetyWing (Essential) | $56.28 USD | $250,000 | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (30 days per 90 days, 15 days for US) | ✅ Trip Interruption: $5,000 | Budget nomads & beginners |
| SafetyWing (Complete) | $150.50 USD | $1.5M | ❌ No | ✅ Yes ($350) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Trip Cancellation: $300 per trip, $600/year ✅ Trip Interruption: $5,000 | Mid-range coverage + wellness |
| World Nomads (Standard) | $217.05 CAD ~$150.84 USD | $5M | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Trip Cancellation: $2500 ✅ Trip Interruption: $2500 | Adventure travelers on a budget |
| World Nomads (Explorer) | $296.13 CAD ~$205.80 USD | $10M | ❌ Generally No (US residents can add a pre-existing conditions waiver) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Trip Cancellation: $5000 ✅ Trip Interruption: $5000 | High-risk adventure travelers |
| Cigna Global (Silver)2 | $183.72 | $1M | ❌ No | ✅Optional (add-on) | ❌ No (Can add Cigna Close Care for home coverage) | ❌ No | Long-term nomads needing full health coverage |
| Cigna Global (Gold)2 | $248.96 | $2M | ❌ No | ✅Optional (add-on) | ❌ No (Can add Cigna Close Care for home coverage) | ❌ No | Comprehensive health coverage |
| Cigna Global (Platinum)2 | $329.18 | Unlimited | ❌ No | ✅Optional (add-on) | ❌ No (Can add Cigna Close Care for home coverage) | ❌ No | Premium global health coverage |
| IMG Patriot Platinum | $84.38 (for $2M) | $2M (can choose $5M or $8M) | ❌ No (except for acute onset) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅Optional (add-on) | High coverage for nomads needing flexibility |
| Genki (Native)3 | Basic: €200 (~$217.67 USD) Premium:€280 (~$304.74 USD) | Basic: €1M (~1.09M USD) Premium: Unlimited | ❌ No | ❌ No (Basic) ✅ Yes (Premium) | ✅ Yes (For Canada and US: 30 days and limit of €250,000) | ❌ No | Digital nomads wanting flexibility and high medical limits |
| Genki (Explorer)4 | €57.30 (~$62.36 USD) | No limit | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (6 weeks per 180 days) | ❌ No | Long-term nomads needing emergency-only coverage |
| Insured Nomads (Travel Medical) | $164.70 | $2M | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (15 days per 90 day period) | ✅ Trip Interruption: $10,000 | Remote workers & frequent travelers |
| Insured Nomads (Global Health) | $246 (for $1M plan) | $500K – $3M | ✅ Yes | ✅Optional (add-on) | ✅ Yes (Emergency only, 42 days per trip) | ❌ No (Optionally add – on available) | Nomads wanting full health coverage + cashless claims |
| Heymondo (International Travel Insurance) | $108.51 | $10M | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Trip Cancellation: $7,000 | Travelers seeking flexible and comprehensive coverage |
| Heymondo (Long Stay) | $161.53 (price for 3 months) | $2.5M | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | Digital nomads needing long-term, basic coverage |
| Now Health International (WorldCare) | Varies by plan, difficult to obtain a quote | $1.5 – $4.5M | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | High-end global health coverage |
| PassportCard (Compact) | €427.57 (~465.35 USD) | €1M (~1.09M USD) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Office visits up to €2000) | ❌ No | ❌ No | Comprehensive health with instant claim approvals |
| PassportCard (Comfort) | €566.24 (~616.27 USD) | €3.5M (~3.81M USD) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | Expats and remote workers needing full coverage |
| PassportCard (Premium) | €732.07 (~796.75 USD) | €5M (~5.44M USD) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | Luxury expat coverage with top-tier benefits |
Notes:
- The monthly costs shown above are sample prices for a 37-year-old Canadian individual and price can vary based on age, nationality, plan customizations, and other factors. Always get a personalized quote from the provider.
- Cigna Global provides evacuation and crisis coverage as separate add-on insurance.
- Genki Native has a minimum 1 year coverage duration.
- Genki Explorer has a €50 deductible per case.
🔹 Feature Breakdown: Extra Details
For readers who want more in-depth comparisons, this table covers additional benefits:
| Provider | Electronics Coverage | Sports & Adventure | Mental Health | Maternity Care | Dental & Vision (Routine & Preventative) | 24/7 Support | Claims Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SafetyWing (Essential) | ✅Optional add-on $1,000 per item (max $3,000) | ✅ Yes (Leisure sports & activities included; adventure sports add-on: $100,000) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (only complications up to 26 weeks) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Online |
| SafetyWing (Complete) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Leisure and adventure sports included) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Online |
| World Nomads (Standard) | ✅Included (Up to $1,000 for baggage & personal effects theft/damage) | ✅ Wide coverage | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Online |
| World Nomads (Explorer) | ✅Included (Up to $3,000 for baggage & personal effects theft/damage) | ✅ Wide coverage | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Online |
| Cigna Global (Silver) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (optional add-on) | ✅ Yes | Online & phone |
| Cigna Global (Gold) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes ($7000 coverage) | ✅ Yes (optional add-on) | ✅ Yes | Online & phone |
| Cigna Global (Platinum) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes ($14,000 coverage) | ✅ Yes (optional add-on) | ✅ Yes | Online & phone |
| IMG Patriot Platinum | ✅Optional add-on (for cell phone damage/theft) | ✅Optional add-on | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Online & mobile app |
| Genki (Native) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (Basic) ✅ Yes (Premium) | ❌ No (Basic) ✅ Yes (Premium) | ❌ No (Basic) ✅ Yes (Premium) | ✅ Yes | App-based |
| Genki (Explorer) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (Up to €1,500 per year) | ✅ Yes (Up to 12th week of pregnancy) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | App-based |
| Insured Nomads (Travel Medicine) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Optional add-on | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | App-based |
| Insured Nomads (Global Health) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Optional, part of outpatient benefits) | ✅ Optional add-on | ✅ Optional add-on | ✅ Yes | App-based |
| Heymondo (International Travel Insurance) | ✅ Optional add-on | ✅ Optional add-on | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | App-based |
| Heymondo (Long Stay) | ✅ Optional add-on | ✅ Optional add-on | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | App-based |
| Now Health International (WorldCare) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (Vision optional add-on) | ✅ Yes | Online & phone |
| PassportCard (Compact) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Pre-approval required) | ❌ No | Dental: ❌ No Vision: ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Instant payout via prepaid card |
| PassportCard (Comfort) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Pre-approval required) | ✅ Yes | Dental: ✅ Optional add-on Vision: ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Instant payout via prepaid card |
| PassportCard (Premium) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Instant payout via prepaid card |
3️⃣ Travel Insurance vs. Global Health Insurance: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Travel Insurance | Global Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Covers Emergencies? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Covers Routine Doctor Visits? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Covers Pre-Existing Conditions? | ❌ No (some exceptions) | ✅ Yes |
| Covers Trip Cancellations? | ✅ Some plans | ❌ No |
| Covers Work Equipment? | ⚠️ Limited | ❌ No |
4️⃣ Do Nomads Need Trip Cancellation or Interruption Insurance?
🔹 When Trip Cancellation Insurance is NOT Needed for Nomads
❌ Skip it if:
- You book one-way or flexible flights.
- You rent month-to-month and can cancel easily.
- You don’t have major prepaid expenses.
✅ Consider it if:
- You book expensive, non-refundable trips in advance.
- You need coverage for family emergencies, natural disasters, or political unrest.
💡 Best Plans for Trip Interruption:
✔ World Nomads – Covers trip cancellation and interruptions.
✔ SafetyWing (Complete) – Covers trip cancellation and interruptions.
5️⃣ Full Health Insurance vs. Paying Out-of-Pocket: What’s Best for Nomads?
When Paying Out-of-Pocket is Cheaper:
- Low-Cost Healthcare Countries – Countries like Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam, and Indonesia have high-quality private healthcare at a fraction of Western costs.
- Minor Medical Needs – Routine checkups, dental cleanings, or simple outpatient treatments can often be cheaper than paying for comprehensive insurance.
- Short-Term Stays – If you’re hopping between countries frequently, it may not make sense to pay for full global health insurance when you can just pay as you go.
- No Pre-Existing Conditions – If you’re generally healthy and just need occasional care, paying out-of-pocket can be more affordable than a $200+ per month insurance plan.
Example Costs in Popular Nomad Destinations:
💉 Thailand: Doctor visit: $20-$50 | Dental cleaning: $30-$60 | Private hospital specialist: $50-$150
💉 Mexico: Doctor visit: $25-$50 | Blood tests: $20-$80 | Dental cleaning: $40-$80
💉 Vietnam: Doctor visit: $20-$40 | Full-body checkup: $100-$200 | X-ray: $20-$50
💉 Indonesia (Bali): Doctor visit: $30-$50 | Physiotherapy: $25-$50 | Private hospital minor emergency outpatient treatment: $100-$500+
When Insurance Might Still Be Necessary:
- Emergency Care is Expensive – While routine care is cheap, emergency hospitalizations, surgeries, or serious conditions can cost thousands without insurance.
- Some Countries Have Pricey Private Care – While Thailand and Mexico are cheap, private hospitals in places like Singapore or Dubai can be extremely expensive.
- Pre-Existing Conditions Need Coverage – If you require ongoing medication or specialist care, insurance may be more cost-effective.
- Visa Requirements – Some countries (e.g., Schengen visa, UAE, certain digital nomad visas) require health insurance.
Best Strategy for Nomads:
✔ Combine a basic emergency insurance plan (e.g., SafetyWing, Genki, Heymondo) with out-of-pocket payments for routine care.
✔ Research healthcare costs in your destination before canceling insurance.
✔ Have an emergency fund in case of unexpected hospital visits.
6️⃣ Canadian-Specific Considerations
Will Your Provincial Health Plan Still Cover You? (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP Rules)
Most provincial health plans in Canada do not cover long-term stays abroad. If you’re planning to be outside Canada for an extended period, your provincial coverage could lapse, leaving you uninsured when you return. Each province has different rules:
- OHIP (Ontario) – You can keep OHIP for up to 212 days (about 7 months) per 12-month period while outside Ontario. You may qualify for an exception if you apply in advance (e.g., studying or working abroad).
- MSP (British Columbia) – Covers up to 6 months per calendar year outside Canada. If you leave for more than 6 months, you must apply for Temporary Absence Coverage to extend it to 24 months.
- AHCIP (Alberta) – Covers up to 6 months of absence per year. You can apply for an extension for up to 24 months once every 5 years if you have a valid reason (e.g., work, education).
💡 If you lose provincial health coverage, you may have to reapply and serve a waiting period before being reinstated. Some digital nomad insurance plans require you to have active provincial health coverage, so check the fine print.
Tax & Residency Issues for Canadian Nomads
Many digital nomads want to maintain Canadian residency for tax or healthcare purposes, but this depends on how long you’re away and your residential ties (dwelling, spouse, dependents) to Canada.
- If you spend 183+ days in Canada in a tax year, the government considers you a resident for tax purposes (meaning you must file a tax return and pay Canadian taxes).
- If you leave Canada permanently and cut most ties (bank accounts, property, family connections), you may be classified as a non-resident and lose access to provincial healthcare.
- Snowbirds (part-time nomads who return often) may still be eligible for provincial health coverage, but must check their province’s home visit requirements.
💡 Want to keep Canadian residency? Consider returning for a few months per year or maintaining essential ties (e.g., a Canadian mailing address, driver’s license, or bank account).
Home-Country Visit Limitations in Insurance Plans
Many digital nomad insurance plans limit how long you can visit your home country while staying covered. If you plan on visiting Canada frequently, check these rules:
✅ SafetyWing – Covers visits to Canada for 30 days per 90 days abroad (15 days if visiting the U.S.).
✅ Genki (Explorer) – Covers 6 weeks per 180 days in Canada.
✅ Cigna Global – Some plans allow short emergency visits back to Canada.
❌ World Nomads, Heymondo, Insured Nomads – Typically do not cover home-country visits.
💡 Returning to Canada for long periods? Consider a plan that includes home-country coverage or switch to provincial health + a top-up insurance plan when visiting.
7️⃣ Best Digital Nomad Insurance Plans for Canadians
💡 Based on home-country visit rules and healthcare needs, these are some of the best options for Canadian nomads:
🏆 Best Overall: Cigna Global – Allows full health coverage, including routine checkups and home visits (with some restrictions).
💰 Best Budget Option: Genki (Explorer) – Covers emergency care and allows 6 weeks per 180 days in Canada.
🌎 Best Flexible Plan: SafetyWing – Covers short home visits and offers affordable rates for nomads.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Nomad Insurance
- Assuming all plans cover routine care (many only cover emergencies!)
- Not checking pre-existing condition exclusions
- Forgetting to check if the plan lets you visit your home country
- Overpaying for coverage you don’t need
8️⃣ Best Digital Nomad Insurance by Travel Style
- Budget Nomads → Best cheap option = SafetyWing Essential
- Long-Term Digital Nomads → Best full health coverage = Cigna Global
- Frequent Travelers → Best flexibility = IMG Patriot Platinum, Insured Nomads Global
- Canadian Nomads → Best plan allowing home visits = Cigna Global, Genki Explorer
9️⃣ Comparing Digital Nomad Insurance to Regular Travel Insurance
| Feature | Digital Nomad Insurance | Regular Travel Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Long-term | Short-term |
| Flexibility | Monthly subscriptions | Fixed durations |
| Covers Routine Checkups? | ✅ Yes (some plans) | ❌ No |
| Covers Work Equipment? | ✅ Yes (some plans) | ❌ No |
🔟 How to Choose the Right Plan
Evaluate your needs:
- Budget-friendly vs. premium coverage
- Destinations & length of stay
- Activities (e.g., adventure sports)
- Pre-existing conditions & mental health coverage
🔹 Final Thoughts: Which Insurance is Best for You?
📌 Key Takeaways:
- Cheapest option → SafetyWing Essential
- Best full health insurance → Cigna Global
- Best for frequent travelers → IMG Patriot Platinum, Insured Nomads Global
💡 Bookmark this guide, compare the table, and choose the best coverage for you. If you want to learn more about credit card insurance vs standalone travel insurance click here. In addition, don’t forget about travel vaccines for your trip!
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. While we strive to keep the content accurate and up to date, insurance policies, coverage details, and pricing may change at any time. Always review the official policy documents and consult directly with the insurance provider before purchasing a plan.
If you have specific questions about coverage, exclusions, or claims, we recommend speaking directly with an insurance professional or the provider’s customer support team.