World Nomads vs SafetyWing vs IMG - Best Insurance for Digital Nomads 2025

The digital nomad insurance challenge

Traditional travel insurance isn't built for digital nomads who:

• Travel continuously for months or years
• Work remotely from multiple countries
• Don't have fixed return dates
• Need coverage that adapts as plans change
• Want to extend coverage while already traveling

The three dominant players in this space are World Nomads, SafetyWing, and IMG Global Medical. Each takes a different approach to covering the modern nomad lifestyle.

Quick comparison overview

Feature	World Nomads	SafetyWing	IMG Global Medical
Best for	Adventure travelers, short/mid-term	Budget nomads, auto-renewing coverage	Long-term expats, comprehensive coverage
Coverage duration	Up to 12 months (renewable)	Continuous (monthly subscription)	12-36 months per policy
Medical coverage	$100k-$300k (plan dependent)	$250k	$50k-$1M (highly customizable)
Evacuation coverage	Unlimited (Standard: $300k)	$100k	$500k-$1M
Adventure sports	✅ 200+ activities	Limited (skiing with add-on)	Limited (requires rider)
Home country coverage	❌ No	✅ Yes (limited, 30 days/90)	❌ No (designed for abroad)
Can extend while traveling	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (auto-renews)	✅ Yes (before expiration)
Monthly cost (example)	$80-$150/month	$42-$56/month (age dependent)	$100-$250/month
Age limit	69 years (some plans 74)	69 years	74 years (some plans higher)

Detailed provider breakdown

World Nomads: The adventure-first choice

Company background: Founded in 2002, backed by Allianz. Designed specifically for backpackers and adventure travelers.

Coverage levels:

Standard Plan:

• Medical: $100,000
• Evacuation: $300,000
• Trip cancellation: Up to $2,500
• Baggage: $1,500
• Adventure sports: 200+ activities included

Explorer Plan (premium):

• Medical: $300,000
• Evacuation: Unlimited
• Trip cancellation: Up to $5,000
• Baggage: $3,000
• Adventure sports: 200+ activities included

Pricing examples:

30-year-old, 3 months in Southeast Asia:

• Standard: ~$240 ($80/month)
• Explorer: ~$450 ($150/month)

25-year-old, 6 months in South America:

• Standard: ~$480 ($80/month)
• Explorer: ~$900 ($150/month)

Pros:

• ✅ Covers 200+ adventure activities (skiing, scuba, bungee, paragliding, etc.)
• ✅ Can extend coverage while traveling (even if already abroad)
• ✅ Trip cancellation coverage included
• ✅ 24/7 emergency assistance
• ✅ No medical questionnaire (unless age 70+)
• ✅ Available to citizens of 140+ countries

Cons:

• ❌ Higher cost than SafetyWing
• ❌ No home country coverage
• ❌ Trip cancellation limits relatively low ($2,500-$5,000)
• ❌ Must be outside home country when you purchase
• ❌ Age limit of 69 (74 on some plans)

Best for:

• Adventure travelers (skiing, diving, climbing, extreme sports)
• Backpackers who change plans frequently
• Short to mid-term nomads (1-12 months)
• Those who value flexibility to extend coverage

---

SafetyWing: The budget nomad favorite

Company background: Founded in 2017 by Norwegian entrepreneurs specifically for remote workers and digital nomads. Subscription-based model.

Coverage details:

Nomad Insurance (only plan):

• Medical: $250,000
• Evacuation: $100,000
• Trip interruption: $5,000
• Baggage: Not included
• Home country coverage: 30 days per 90-day period

Pricing:

Fixed pricing by age (per 4 weeks):

• Ages 18-39: $45.08/month
• Ages 40-49: $56.32/month
• Ages 50-59: $67.60/month
• Ages 60-69: $101.40/month

Example: 30-year-old traveling for 6 months = $271 total

Pros:

• ✅ Lowest cost of the three options
• ✅ Auto-renewing subscription (never forget to renew)
• ✅ Can start coverage while already traveling
• ✅ Covers 30 days in home country per 90-day period (unique!)
• ✅ Simple, transparent pricing
• ✅ No deductible for serious accidents
• ✅ Easy to cancel anytime

Cons:

• ❌ $250 deductible per incident (waived for accidents)
• ❌ Limited adventure sports coverage (skiing available with add-on)
• ❌ Lower evacuation limit ($100k vs $300k-unlimited)
• ❌ No baggage coverage
• ❌ No trip cancellation (only interruption)
• ❌ Pre-existing conditions not covered
• ❌ Not available to U.S. residents while in the U.S.

Best for:

• Budget-conscious digital nomads
• Long-term travelers (6+ months)
• Remote workers who occasionally return home
• Those who want "set it and forget it" coverage
• Travelers in relatively safe destinations (cities, not extreme adventures)

---

IMG Global Medical: The comprehensive expat solution

Company background: International Medical Group, founded 1990. Specializes in expat and international health insurance.

Coverage levels:

Global Medical Insurance (most popular plan):

• Medical: $1,000,000-$8,000,000 (customizable)
• Evacuation: Up to $1,000,000
• Trip interruption: Varies by plan
• Prescription coverage: Included
• Mental health: Limited coverage included

Pricing examples:

Highly variable based on:

• Age (30 vs 60 makes huge difference)
• Deductible ($0 vs $5,000)
• Coverage area (worldwide vs excluding U.S.)
• Medical maximum ($100k vs $1M)

Typical costs:

• 30-year-old, $100k medical max, $1k deductible: ~$150/month
• 30-year-old, $1M medical max, $250 deductible: ~$350/month
• 50-year-old, $500k medical max, $500 deductible: ~$400/month

Pros:

• ✅ Highest medical limits ($1M-$8M)
• ✅ Extremely customizable (deductibles, coverage areas, limits)
• ✅ Covers prescriptions and routine care (on some plans)
• ✅ Mental health coverage included
• ✅ Maternity coverage available (important for long-term travelers)
• ✅ Direct billing to hospitals (cashless treatment)
• ✅ Can renew for up to 3 years continuously

Cons:

• ❌ Most expensive option (but most comprehensive)
• ❌ Complex plan selection (overwhelming for some)
• ❌ Adventure sports require additional rider
• ❌ Pre-existing conditions typically excluded
• ❌ No trip cancellation coverage (medical-only)
• ❌ No baggage coverage
• ❌ Not designed for short trips (better for 12+ months)

Best for:

• Long-term expats (1-3 years abroad)
• Digital nomads with families (maternity, dependents)
• Travelers with higher medical needs
• Those who want expat-quality health insurance
• Remote workers living in expensive medical markets (Europe, Australia)

Head-to-head: Which wins in each category?

Price (winner: SafetyWing)

• SafetyWing: ~$45/month for under-40
• World Nomads: ~$80-$150/month
• IMG: ~$150-$350/month

Medical coverage limits (winner: IMG)

• IMG: $1M-$8M
• SafetyWing: $250k
• World Nomads: $100k-$300k

Adventure sports (winner: World Nomads)

• World Nomads: 200+ activities included
• SafetyWing: Limited (skiing extra)
• IMG: Limited (rider required)

Flexibility/convenience (winner: SafetyWing)

• SafetyWing: Auto-renews, start anytime, cancel anytime
• World Nomads: Extend while traveling
• IMG: Renew before expiration

Evacuation coverage (winner: IMG/World Nomads)

• IMG: $500k-$1M
• World Nomads Explorer: Unlimited
• SafetyWing: $100k

Home country coverage (winner: SafetyWing)

• SafetyWing: 30 days per 90
• World Nomads: No
• IMG: No

Comprehensive health (winner: IMG)

• IMG: Prescriptions, mental health, routine care options
• SafetyWing: Emergency only
• World Nomads: Emergency only

Real-world scenarios

Scenario 1: Budget backpacker (25, Southeast Asia, 6 months)

Profile: Traveling through Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia. Mostly scooter rides, some trekking, no extreme sports. Budget of $1,500/month.

Best choice: SafetyWing

• Cost: $271 for 6 months
• Adequate medical coverage ($250k)
• Can return home for holidays (30-day coverage)
• Easy to extend if trip runs longer

Runner-up: World Nomads Standard ($480 for 6 months) if planning adventure activities

---

Scenario 2: Adventure digital nomad (30, South America, 12 months)

Profile: Rock climbing in Patagonia, skiing in Chile, paragliding in Colombia, scuba in Ecuador.

Best choice: World Nomads Explorer

• Cost: ~$1,800 for 12 months
• Unlimited evacuation (critical in remote areas)
• All adventure activities covered
• Can extend if plans change

Why not SafetyWing: Doesn't cover most adventure sports

---

Scenario 3: Professional remote worker (35, Europe, indefinite)

Profile: Working full-time for U.S. company, living in Portugal/Spain/France. Good income, wants comprehensive coverage. Occasional skiing.

Best choice: IMG Global Medical

• Cost: ~$2,400-$4,200/year (depending on plan)
• High medical limits for European healthcare costs
• Direct billing (no upfront payment)
• Can add skiing rider

Why not others: World Nomads max 12 months, SafetyWing has lower medical limits for expensive European healthcare

---

Scenario 4: Couple traveling together (both 28, worldwide, 9 months)

Profile: Mix of cities and adventure travel. Scuba diving, hiking, some skiing.

Best choice: World Nomads Standard (both)

• Cost: ~$720 each × 2 = $1,440 total
• Covers adventure sports
• Flexible extension
• Good balance of coverage and cost

Alternative: SafetyWing for one person (less adventurous), World Nomads for the more adventurous partner ($1,170 total)

---

Scenario 5: Family of 3 (parents 35/33, child 2 years old, 18 months)

Profile: Traveling full-time, homeschooling child, working remotely. Need maternity coverage for second child.

Best choice: IMG Global Medical (family plan)

• Cost: ~$600-$800/month for family
• Covers dependent child
• Maternity coverage available
• Highest medical limits for family safety

Why not others: SafetyWing and World Nomads have limited/no coverage for dependents and maternity

Coverage gaps to watch

World Nomads gaps:

• ⚠️ No coverage in home country (must be abroad)
• ⚠️ Low trip cancellation limits ($2,500-$5,000)
• ⚠️ Pre-existing conditions not covered
• ⚠️ Prescription coverage limited to emergency only

SafetyWing gaps:

• ⚠️ $250 deductible per incident
• ⚠️ $100k evacuation may be insufficient for remote areas
• ⚠️ No baggage coverage
• ⚠️ Adventure sports mostly excluded
• ⚠️ Pre-existing conditions not covered

IMG gaps:

• ⚠️ No trip cancellation coverage
• ⚠️ No baggage coverage
• ⚠️ Adventure sports excluded without rider
• ⚠️ Pre-existing conditions not covered (on most plans)
• ⚠️ Complex plans can be confusing

Add-on coverage to consider

All three providers lack comprehensive trip cancellation. If you have expensive flights or accommodations booked:

• Consider adding stand-alone trip cancellation policy
• Use credit card trip protection as backup
• Book refundable accommodations when possible

Baggage coverage is minimal or absent on all three:

• World Nomads: $1,500-$3,000 (included)
• SafetyWing: None
• IMG: None
• Solution: Homeowner's/renter's insurance may cover personal property abroad

Electronics coverage is typically excluded:

• Most policies won't cover stolen laptops, cameras, phones
• Solution: Dedicated electronics insurance (Worth Ave Group, Lemonade) or manufacturer AppleCare+

Country-specific considerations

U.S. citizens:

• World Nomads: Cannot purchase while in U.S., only when abroad
• SafetyWing: Can purchase anytime, but no U.S. coverage for U.S. citizens
• IMG: Can purchase while in U.S., designed for international coverage

Non-U.S. citizens:

• All three providers available to most nationalities
• SafetyWing: Available to citizens of 180+ countries
• World Nomads: Available to citizens of 140+ countries
• IMG: Available worldwide, popular with European expats

High-cost medical countries (U.S., Switzerland, Japan):

• IMG recommended for highest medical limits
• World Nomads and SafetyWing may have insufficient limits in these markets

Claims and customer service

World Nomads:

• Claims process: Online portal, submit documents, 15-45 day processing
• Customer service: 24/7 phone support, backed by Allianz
• Reputation: Generally positive, responsive emergency assistance

SafetyWing:

• Claims process: Simple online submission, fast approval (7-14 days typical)
• Customer service: Email-based support (24-48 hour response), emergency hotline
• Reputation: Mixed reviews on claim speed, but improving

IMG:

• Claims process: Traditional medical claims, can be complex for large claims
• Customer service: 24/7 phone support, dedicated case managers for serious incidents
• Reputation: Professional, experienced with complex international medical claims

Final recommendations

Choose World Nomads if:

• You're doing adventure sports (skiing, diving, climbing, etc.)
• You want flexibility to extend coverage while traveling
• You value comprehensive emergency assistance
• Trip duration is 1-12 months
• You're okay with mid-range pricing

Choose SafetyWing if:

• You're budget-conscious and traveling long-term
• You want simple, auto-renewing coverage
• You occasionally return to home country
• You're not doing high-risk activities
• You want "set it and forget it" insurance

Choose IMG Global Medical if:

• You're planning 12+ months abroad
• You want expat-quality health insurance
• You have family/dependents to cover
• You need high medical limits ($500k+)
• You can afford comprehensive coverage

Hybrid approach:

Some digital nomads use:

• SafetyWing for base medical coverage (cheap, continuous)
• World Nomads for specific adventure trips (add for 1-2 months when skiing/diving)
• Stand-alone trip insurance for expensive flights/accommodations

Decision matrix

| Your priority | Best choice | |--------------|-------------| | Lowest cost | SafetyWing | | Adventure sports | World Nomads | | Highest medical limits | IMG | | Simplicity/convenience | SafetyWing | | Home country visits | SafetyWing | | Long-term (2+ years) | IMG | | Family coverage | IMG | | Flexibility | World Nomads | | Trip cancellation | World Nomads |

Next steps

• Get quotes: Visit each provider's website to get personalized pricing
• Compare coverage: Use the comparison tool to see side-by-side
• Read reviews: Check recent customer experiences for claims and service
• Consider your lifestyle: Match the insurance to your actual travel style, not the cheapest option
• Check exclusions: Read what's NOT covered before purchasing

Most digital nomads find that one of these three providers fits their needs. The "best" choice depends entirely on your travel style, risk tolerance, and budget.