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My Top International Health Insurance Plans for All Types of Travelers: Backpackers, Digital Nomads, Working Holiday Australia, Short-Term Travelers
Travel insurance, also known as international health insurance, is still one of the most crucial aspects to consider before your trip, alongside your flight and travel credit cards. The good news is, unlike travel credit cards, you can purchase travel insurance just shortly before your departure. So no rush!
But which travel insurance plan is right for you? In this blog post, I aim to answer all your questions and doubts. I’ll first provide a summary of the best travel insurance plans that I have personally used, and later I’ll outline the advantages of each plan. Last, but not least, I show you a small comparison between travel insurance providers.
Additionally, I’ll share bonus tips on how to save a lot of money on travel insurance even before your trip starts!
Let’s get started!
TL;DR Version: Best Travel Insurances Suitable for Every Travel Style
For further important details like services features and benefits of each travel insurance company, see below!
What You Really Need to Know About Travel Health Insurance
A travel health insurance is a must for your long-term stay abroad! Before you dive into your Work & Travel or backpacking adventure, you had better picked the appropriate travel health insurance for you.
With that said, please be aware that travel insurance plans I recommend you in the article is really only intended for emergencies! This is often misunderstood by travel newbies.
By the way, this is why most travel health insurance plans are so affordable. In case you have chronic or pre-existing conditions, you will definitely need to opt for “full” international health insurance. What are classic examples not covered by the basic travel insurance plans:
Typical examples not covered by travel health insurance include:
- Medications and drugs without seeing an emergency doctor first
- Routine check-ups (dermatologist, urologist, gynecologist, etc.)
- Dentist visits for checks and cleaning (except in emergencies)
- Blood tests for thyroid levels
- Cancer
The cost of a “full” travel insurance is about the same as that of statutory health insurance of your home country. Those of you who are a bit older know that the costs for instance in Germany are around €350, especially in the case that you are no longer covered by family insurance and perhaps even already working.
The expenses depend on other factors too, such as age, marital status, and pre-existing conditions.
Adventure and Safety Hand in Hand: My Illnesses and Accidents
We all hope our travels will go smoothly. But life is unpredictable, and especially on adventures, unexpected situations can arise.
Traveling means discovering new worlds, getting to know different cultures, and pushing personal boundaries to their limits. During this, accidents or sudden illnesses can occur. Here are some of my illness cases and accidents over 14 years of traveling:
- Almost a panic attack in a crowded metro in Jakarta (Indonesia). Specifically, no one could get in or out, with pushing and shoving at 35 degrees (Celsius) and high humidity environment
- Severe food poisoning (lasting several weeks), experienced in Mexico and Peru – just to name a few countries.
- Had a famous pandemic in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and who knows where else?
- Had to buy a lot of expensive medications after visiting the doctor, which I would have had to pay for myself without travel health insurance (easily hundreds of euros).
- Multiple times high fever without knowing the cause – all over the world.
- Phone stolen numerous times in Mexico and Colombia (new phones too).
- Numerous injuries from scooter accidents in Southeast Asia (SEA).
- Mugged and drugged in Colombia (Medellin).
- Injuries from playing football (soccer) in Mexico.
- Laptop stolen in Mexico.
- Dengue fever in Bali
- The list goes on…
Ask yourself what are YOU prone to get during your travels
Alright, that was just me, but about you? Look in the past and analyze what had happened to you + new experiences in your travel (future). Imagine surfing in Australia, hiking through the Andes, or exploring the streets of Bangkok and suddenly needing medical help. A good travel health insurance ensures that the costs are covered in case of an emergency, allowing you to focus fully on your adventure without worrying about high medical costs.
So always secure comprehensive health insurance before your trip and enjoy your adventure without worries! This way, you are well-prepared and can make the most of your travels.
Special Case Working Holiday Australia: Mandatory Travel Insurance
For your Work & Travel, also known as Working Holiday in Australia, you should definitely secure travel health insurance before departure. This is part of the application process for your Working Holiday visa anyway.
It is important to secure travel insurance from the start to the end of your trip (i.e., for one year).
Firstly, it is mandatory for Working Holiday and secondly, you might get discounts if you opt for longer contracts!
In theory, they could deny you entry to Australia without travel insurance. In practice, this probably never happens as you are required to show a sum of $5000 (Australian dollars) for a Working Holiday visa for Australia anyway. More on this here.
Additionally, many countries are not entitled to the so-called “Medicare” in Australia. It’s by definition a mutual agreement on medical care between countries.
You can also indicate this in your tax return so that it is not charged. More on the tax return can be found here.
Click here to see all the requirements for your Working Holiday Visa (WHV).
Pro Tip for Statutory Health Insurance (German-citizens- only)
Important: This is just if you are German citizens. Please check for your country separately. I just know that also in France you can do a similar approach.
For those of you who are a bit older (no longer family insured after 23), it’s worth putting your statutory health insurance (e.g., AOK, Barmer, DAK, etc.) on hold until you return to Germany. This saves you a lot of money since you only pay for the travel insurance. Of course, this may not be possible for everyone, depending on pre-existing conditions.
How? Simply send an email (or visit in person) your local citizen’s office (Bürgeramt) and get your de-registration certificate (bring your ID).
Than send it per mail together with your new travel health insurance + flight ticket to your statutory health insurance provider.
By the way, with a de-registration certificate, you can also terminate all other contracts, as de-registration grants you extraordinary termination rights. This can be interesting for canceling or suspending ongoing contracts such as gym memberships, phone contracts, or statutory health insurance.
I am personally stateless and therefore only pay for my basic international travel insurance.
If you want more information or have questions about statelessness and its pros and cons, please mention it in the comments below or contact me personally. Otherwise, it would significantly exceed the scope of this post.
At a Glance: Services and Features That Travel Health Insurance Must Have for Me
- Open choice of doctors (private and specialist vs. public hospital). Tip: Don’t waste time and always go private!
- My parents must be generously compensated in case of death (my responsibility).
- The claims process must be quick and straightforward, without additional headaches.
- Transport back to Germany in absolute emergency (or wherever you live).
- Automatically renews (As I always say: Sign up once and FORGET).
- Covers adventure sports.
- Covers theft of electronics.
- Must cover helicopter rescue in an emergency.
- Must be cost-effective or offer good value for money!
- Can be canceled at any time (No “locked-in” contracts).
>>All travel health insurance plans presented here meet these criteria!
Preliminary Note: What Do the Following Travel Health Insurance Plans Have in Common?
- US Coverage costs extra with SafetyWing. Heymondo provides individual pricing calculations with US included.
- Can be purchased after departure. My recommendation: Always secure before your trip!
- No deductibles! Finally abolished in SafetyWing travel insurance plan!
- Upgrades for more coverage are possible and highly recommended!
- Short stays possible (Less than 1 week)
- Monthly cancellation possible
- Covid-19 covered.
All Travel Health Insurance Plans with Features and Benefits at a Glance (6/2024)
1. The International Choice: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
- Designed for digital nomads and flexible travelers, SafetyWing offers coverage that can be started or canceled anytime, with no deductible.
2. The All-inclusive Package: Heymondo – 5% Discount Only with My Link Here!
- Heymondo provides a premium, all-inclusive package suitable for all types of travelers. Enjoy a 5% discount by using my exclusive link.
1. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
All Benefits and at a Glance
- Cost: Starting from $56.28/28 days (~ €51.56). I highly recommend the “electronic theft” and “adventure sports” package for a total of $76.28, ensuring optimal protection! Maximal costs $76,28 without US coverage
- Upgrade for the USA available; for Canada, it’s included here.
- Easily sign up online anytime, even after departure!
- No deductibles anymore!
- Advance payment possible for severe illness/injury!
- Monthly cancellable at any time. Automatic renewal is adjustable!
- Short-term stays covered (from 5 days).
- Upgrade to “full”international health insurance possible (click here).
- Valid in your home country for up to 1 month.
- Bonus: Amazing Ambassador Program with a community where you can regularly earn money with SafetyWing content beyond insurance. Register for free HERE!
While SafetyWing Nomad Insurance may seem slightly pricier now at $56.28 compared to its previous rate of around $42, there’s a significant improvement: The elimination of the $250 deductible.
Now, you can claim back even small expenses, starting from as little as $1, making SafetyWing even more accessible and beneficial.
This change is particularly valuable for travelers in countries where medical services are more affordable than in the US, Europe, or Australia.
Additionally, it’s a game-changer for those on working holiday in Australia. From personal experience, I can attest that surpassing the $250 threshold can be challenging, especially for minor injuries that typically cost between $50 to $150, such as spider bites or minor workplace injuries in the construction or hotel industry.
Considering the high cost of living as a backpacker in Australia, opting for SafetyWing Nomad Insurance as your primary coverage is a smart move, especially if you’re not eligible for medicare in Australia. With SafetyWing Nomad Insurance, you can travel and work with peace of mind, knowing that even minor medical expenses are covered without the burden of a crazy deductible.
Add extra coverage: US coverage adventure sports, electronic theft!
As you can see in the picture above, you can decide which extras you want to add for your travels in Australia or worldwide.
Adventure Sports and Electronic Theft each cost an additional $10 each, so you will end up paying $76.28 instead of $56.28 if you choose both.
In my opinion, you really need to consider whether you actually need the extra adventure sports coverage, while the $10 for electronic theft I would definitely keep! Especially as a backpacker staying or living in hostels!
Just make sure to follow the requirements to be covered for electronic theft. For instance, take good photos or keep receipts of all your belongings with their serial numbers, etc. (Laptop, mobile phone, e-book reader, etc.)
Here is a list of all sports covered in the “adventure sports” extra, with coverage up to $100,000:
- American football
- Aussie rules football
- Aviation
- Bobsleigh
- Boxing
- Cave diving
- Freestyle skiing
- Hang gliding
- High diving
- Ice hockey
- Karting
- Kite-surfing
- Martial arts
- Luge
- Motorbiking
- Motorized dirt bikes
- Mountaineering at elevations under 6000 meters altitude
- Parachuting
- Parasailing
- Paragliding
- Quad biking
- Rugby
- Ski/snowboard jumping
- Ski-flying
- Skiing/snowboard acrobatics
- Skydiving
- Skeleton
- Snowmobile
- Spelunking
- Scuba diving accompanied by an instructor certified by PADI/NAUI/SSI/BSAC
- Tandem skydiving
- Tobogganing
- Whitewater rafting
- Wrestling
Lastly, US coverage is $46.16, which I think is a fair price. We all know that traveling and medical expenses in the US are quite expensive anyway! With just US coverage and without the other extras, SafetyWing Nomad insurance would be $104.44.
Altogether, with the add-ons, you will need to spend $124.44 a month with US coverage if you wish.
I’ll make it easy for you! Get a quote yourself to see how much you will need to pay for your specific requirements:
Further features SafetyWing Nomad insurance
The rest of the characteristics of the SavetyWing nomad insurance stay the same, that is:
- Sign up during your trip or any point, really, during your journey
- coverage in 180 countries and extra coverage for US as mentioned above
- No need to check to see specific doctors, you can go to any doctor you like (I recommend not to go to public hospitals in emergencies if you can)
- Even in our home country, you are ensured with up to 30 days
Pro TIP
Don’t forget to unsubscribe from your legal insurance if you are traveling longer than a month, so you can save the money, which is quite a huge junk. Once you are back, you can subscribe again or never again if you want to get your digital nomad lifestyle started like me!
Heymondo: Clueless Travel Reader will get by default 5% off
All Benefits at a Glance
- Premium Travel Health Insurance: Higher maximum coverage in case of emergencies!
- Cost: Individual cost calculation. For instance, Australia from €83.90/month with my 5% discount. I also recommend an upgrade with “electronics” (theft protection) and “adventure sports” (extreme sports)!
- Suitable for short term stays (from 1 day)
- Easily sign up online anytime, even after departure!
- Covers non-medical emergencies such as luggage issues, flight delays, and trip cancellations. Perfect as a comprehensive insurance package!
- Supreme Support!
- Heymondo App for easier management and overview!
- Suitable for extreme sports!
If for some reason you don’t want to be insured by SafetyWing Nomad Insurance, whether for personal reasons or due to factors like the maximum insurance coverage being typically lower than their competitors (thus the lower price). I recommend Heymondo Travel Insurance as the best alternative!
Heymondo travel insurance in a nutshell
Heymondo is top-notch travel insurance made easy. They’ve got you covered for all the essentials like medical emergencies, lost luggage, and trip delays. Plus, their cool perks include 24/7 access to doctors through WhatsApp and a smartphone app to make claims hassle-free. Whether it’s a short trip or a whole year of adventures, Heymondo has flexible options to keep you safe on the go.
Follow me on Instagram @traveltainment_eduard to receive and see my discounts campaigns with 15% off!
Main Differences: SafetyWing VS Heymondo:
Coverage and Price: Heymondo offers competitive pricing with comprehensive coverage, making it a cost-effective option for travelers. While SafetyWing Nomad insurance may have lower prices, Heymondo provides better coverage, ensuring travelers get more value for their money in case of emergency.
Additional Services: Like stated above, Heymondo stands out with unique services like 24/7 medical assistance via WhatsApp and a dedicated mobile app for claims and communication. These features provide added convenience and peace of mind to travelers — especially newbie travelers —, distinguishing Heymondo from other insurance providers including SavetyWing
Discounts and Promotions: Heymondo frequently offers discounts, including a 5% discount for readers of Clueless Travel and occasional promotions for up to 15% off, especially before public holidays. This makes Heymondo an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers seeking quality insurance coverage at a reduced price.
Policy Options: Heymondo offers three packages of travel insurance (Single Trip, Long Stay, and Annual Multi-Trip) to approach different travel needs. Each policy type provides varying levels of coverage, allowing travelers to choose the option that best suits their itinerary and duration of stay. SafetyWing, on the other hand, primarily focuses on long-term travel insurance for digital nomads, offering fewer policy options compared to Heymondo.
- Overall, Heymondo’s combination of affordability, comprehensive coverage, additional services, and promotional discounts makes it a top choice for travelers seeking reliable travel insurance for their adventures.
Final thoughts and conclusion
Travel health insurance is essential for any trip, often as crucial as booking flights. Unlike other preparations, insurance can be bought shortly before departure, providing flexibility.
In this blog, I highlighted the best international health insurance plans for various travelers: backpackers, digital nomads, working holiday participants, and short-term travelers.
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance:
- Cost: Starting from $56.28/28 days (~ €51.56)
- No deductible, flexible plans
- Add-ons for electronic theft and adventure sports
- Suitable for digital nomads with coverage in 180 countries
Heymondo:
- Premium travel health insurance with higher maximum coverage
- Cost: From €83.90/month with a 5% discount using my link
- Covers non-medical emergencies and offers comprehensive support
- Suitable for short-term and long-term stays
- Includes a user-friendly app for easy management and claims
My personal tip: Go for Heymondo as travel newbie and SafetyWing as experienced traveler
Don’t think too much about which travel insurance to pick. There is not a right or wrong. For most travelers either plan is totally fine, and if not read through the post again to decide which one is better for YOU!
BUT choose one! Not having travel insurance is definitely the wrong choice!
Get your insurance now:
- Get SafetyWing
- Get Heymondo
Stay insured, travel smart, and enjoy your adventures!
Your Eduard, Clueless? Travel!
Questions? Let’s connect:
What’s next in your journey?
For working holiday starters:
Open this overview guide here!
- Apply for the working holiday maker visa subclass 417 (usual approval time 1 min — 14 days) or 462 (usual approval time at least 14 days due to further requirements)
- Provide further details if necessary to get the application going (health examination etc.) in your immigration account (ImmiAccount)
- Get credit cards, especially a WISE account (Australian bank account) and check passport validity! (min. 2 weeks – 1 month before you plan to flight)
- Book your flights (AFTER received approval letter from immigration)
- Packing list 2024 (Coming soon)
- Get international travel insurance before you fly here. Are you from Germany? Then get it here!
- Get an Onward ticket ALWAYS! (24-48h before your flight, evidence of leaving the country you enter). For working holiday Australia visa holders, it’s NOT necessary.
- Book your accommodation via hostelworld to get to know people quickly. I recommend the first two weeks at the same spot
- First days in Australia: Kickstart your working holiday with this blog post!
- Job hunting and other bureaucratic stuff (once in Australia)
- Open up your US LLC to get your Freelancer business started!
- Sign up to my Newsletter to get a smarter traveler and stay up-to-date
For digital nomad starters:
- Open up your US LLC to get your Freelancer business started! (4 weeks before your trip)
- Get credit cards and check passport validity! (min. 2 weeks – 1 month before you plan to flight)
- Apply for possible longer stays like digital nomad visa or extended visa (typically 2 months before your flight)
- Book your flights
- Packing list 2024 (Coming soon)
- Get travel insurance before you fly here
- Get an Onward ticket 24-48h before your flight (evidence of leaving the country you enter, ALWAYS!). If you have a visa, it’s not necessary!
- Book your accommodation via hostelworld to get to know people quickly. I recommend the first week in one spot
- Sign up to my Newsletter to get a smarter traveler and stay up-to-date
