6 Best Long-Term Travel Insurance Options (+ what I use)
I spend at least half of the year abroad (usually more). I love the nomadic life and while things are mostly smooth sailing, small issues still pop up occasionally.
That’s why finding good long-term travel insurance is so important — it’s peace of mind and smart protection for your safety and all of your most important stuff.
This post is a review of my top picks and go-to plans.
So let’s get to it!
Table of Contents Show
What Is Long-Term Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is coverage for travel-related financial windfalls and/or unforeseen circumstances (like lost luggage, injuries or natural disasters).
If you’re just taking a shorter vacation (like for a couple weeks), then a simple single-trip travel insurance policy is all you’ll need.
But if you’re taking multiple trips or traveling for an extended amount of time, you’ll want a longer-term policy.
Long-term travel insurance is an insurance policy that covers you the same way regular travel insurance would, but for longer durations.
It’s perfect for digital nomads, students taking a gap year, remote workers, professional travelers or anyone who’s spending multiple months abroad.
But before we get into the best long-term travel insurance options, let’s dig deeper into the different types of travel insurance and the benefits of getting a plan.
Types of Travel Insurance
Trip cancellation or interruption
Damage and baggage loss
Emergency evacuation
Natural disasters
Rental insurance
Emergency medical and dental coverage
Accidental death and dismemberment
Comprehensive coverage
Importance of Travel Insurance
Protect yourself from emergency medical bills or unforeseen travel expenses
Feel more in control
Be more carefree and travel with less stress
Have more peace of mind
Protect your luggage and important personal items
Minimize financial hits
Travel safer
6 Best Long-Term Travel Insurance Options
After lots of deep dives (and personal experience), these are my favorite long-term travel insurance options.
Let’s start with who I use, SafetyWing.
1. SafetyWing
SafetyWing works as a sort of monthly subscription type of service.
They’re the most affordable and flexible option and they cover all the important emergency situations for international travel.
It’s who I’m going with for my upcoming three-month trip to Japan.
Coverage Info
Flexibility with pay as you go (cancel anytime)
Covered for up to 30 days back home (15 days for US residents)
Trip interruption
Unplanned overnight stays (up to 2 nights)
Natural disaster accommodations (up to 5 days)
Evacuation from political unrest
Lost baggage
Emergency medical and dental
User Reviews
4.1/5 stars, based on 900+ reviews (Trustpilot)
3.5/5 stars, based on 200+ reviews (Product Hunt)
There are a few add-on policy options (like adding US coverage), but these are only available to non-US citizens.
You can learn more about SafetyWing Nomad Insurance here.
2. World Nomads
World Nomads is another popular choice for travelers. They offer travel insurance for longer trips up to 180 days.
But you can extend your coverage with a new plan after expiration.
While SafetyWing is cheaper and offers more flexibility, World Nomads has more coverage options and benefits.
Coverage Info
Emergency evacuation and natural disasters
Travel accidents, emergency medical and overseas dental coverage
Domestic travel coverage (in the US)
Trip cancellations
Lost, stolen or damaged gear
Adventure activities
Pregnancy coverage
User Reviews
3.4/5 stars, based on 2,400+ reviews (Trustpilot)
3.9/5 stars (MarketWatch)
As a side note, I couldn’t get a quote while using the World Nomads site. :[
I put in my information and tried loading a quote page multiple times (on different days), but nothing ever loaded.
So if you’re running into the same issue, you’ll need to reach out directly for help signing up.
3. Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz Travel is a reputable company that offers flexible travel protection (they have options for shorter trips or annual plans).
You can put in your basic information and travel plans on their site to get a quick quote. But it looks like it’s about the same price as World Nomads (making SafetyWing still the cheapest option).
Coverage Info
Many long-term plan options to suit your needs and budget
Cancel anytime upgrade option
Annual plan options
Convenient TravelSmart App
User Reviews
4.4/5 stars, based on 64,000+ reviews (Trustpilot)
4.1/5 stars (MarketWatch)
4. WorldTrips
WorldTrips is another travel insurance provider offering comprehensive coverage options.
After doing some research, I’ve found that their plans were on the pricier side. And according to MarketWatch, their claims process is lengthy compared to other insurers and plans aren’t available for some US states.
Still, they offer some noteworthy benefits as a tradeoff (like coverage for pre-existing conditions)
Coverage Info
Some plans include pre-existing conditions
Trip cancellation, delay or interruption
Medical evacuation coverage
Baggage delay
Missed connection protection
Cancel for any reason upgrade options
User Reviews
4.1/5 stars, based on 400+ reviews (Trustpilot)
4.28/5 stars, based on 400+ reviews (Squaremouth)
5. Heymondo
Heymondo is a reputable travel insurance provider that offers relatively affordable and flexible plans.
Based on reviews and exploring the site, they offer solid coverage options for travelers who need either shorter term or long-term travel insurance. So let’s look closer at their standout features.
Coverage Info
Annual, multi-trip travel insurance plans
Coverage for adventure sports (snowboarding, scuba diving, etc.)
A simple app to manage your insurance
Reimbursement for lost, damaged or stolen electronic equipment
Cruise travel coverage
Emergency medical and dental
Natural disaster, evacuation and search and rescue coverage
Trip delay, cancellation and interruption
Baggage coverage
User Reviews
4.5/5 stars, based on 2,000+ reviews (Trustpilot)
6. Check Your Credit Card Benefits
If you use your credit card to book your trip, some may offer travel insurance options (like trip cancellation coverage).
For example, I have an AMEX Gold Card and I get perks like car rental loss and damage insurance, baggage insurance and purchase protection as part of my card benefits.
So check out what options are available to you with your current credit card(s) — you may be surprised.
But with or without travel insurance benefits, having a travel credit card is a smart move for things like no foreign transaction fees and travel rewards.
BONUS (compare plans using Squaremouth)
Squaremouth isn’t a travel insurance company per se, but rather a travel insurance comparison site.
So if the options above aren’t doing it for you, you can use this site to explore some more choices.
It’s also a great resource for learning more about the different types of travel insurance benefits and what you need for your trip and lifestyle.
They offer policies from many different insurance providers, including:
AEGIS
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
Detour Adventure Travel Protection
Nationwide
WorldTrips
battleface
Later ✌️
Getting long-term travel insurance is a smart move.
You can protect yourself against medical emergencies and surprise circumstances like lost baggage or trip cancellations.
It gives you peace of mind and supports a more relaxed, carefree trip.
Currently, my favorite option is SafetyWing for their convenience, flexibility and affordability. But it’s important to consider your unique circumstances, goals and budget when deciding.
If you’re still not sure, it’s helpful to compare options using a tool like Squaremouth or speak with an agent at your current insurance company to see what options they have.
Either way, stay safe out there and enjoy the trip!
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