Choosing the Right
Travel insurance
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When you spend a lot of time traveling or living abroad, one of the most important decisions you can make is choosing the right medical insurance. This applies to long-term travelers, digital nomads, seasonal travelers, slow travelers, retirees abroad, and anyone taking extended trips. Once you leave your home country, your usual health coverage often does not work the same way.
We learned this as our own lifestyle evolved. In the early days of our long-term travel, we used Cigna Global because we needed full medical coverage while adjusting to life abroad. As our travel patterns changed, we eventually moved to the plans we use today. It took research, questions, adjustments, and learning from other travelers to understand what actually matters when choosing international medical coverage.
The Moment It Became Real
Someone once said something to us that we will never forget.
Your trip lasts as long as your health holds up. Everything else is secondary.
At the time, it sounded like something people say to be dramatic. Over the years, it proved to be true.
We have heard countless stories from other travelers who found themselves in situations they never imagined. Stories of people who unexpectedly needed surgery out of the country, travelers stuck in hospitals far from home, and people who required medical evacuation because the nearest clinic did not have the equipment or specialists they needed. These stories come from ordinary people who were simply living their normal travel lives when the unexpected happened.
On our most recent two-month cruise, we heard more medical alerts than we expected. One night, the ship even had to turn around and return to port for a critically ill passenger. It was impossible not to think about how frightening that situation must have been. And then comes the practical thought many travelers overlook.
Can you imagine the cost of that without medical coverage?
You never expect these moments, but they do happen. Hearing so many real situations over the years is what made us understand how important it is to be prepared for the what-ifs.
Why Medical Insurance Matters
For us, insurance provides peace of mind. It means that if something goes wrong, we are not left facing enormous bills or trying to navigate a foreign medical system alone. It also means there is someone to call if we wake up sick in a city where we do not know the language or the best hospitals.
It gives us the confidence to keep exploring. We walk, hike, film, climb, and wander through unfamiliar places every day. Accidents can happen during simple activities, not just extreme adventures.
Long-Term vs Short-Term Coverage
Your travel style determines what type of insurance you need.
Short Trips / Vacations
If you already have healthcare at home and you are taking a temporary trip abroad, a travel insurance plan may be the right fit. These plans often cover emergency medical care, evacuation, lost luggage, and trip interruptions.
Long-Term or Flexible Travel
If you spend months abroad, travel full-time, or split your time between countries, you need more reliable protection. This is where international medical insurance becomes essential.
Travelers usually choose between:
● Long-term international medical insurance that functions like a true health plan
● Short-term renewable medical plans that focus mainly on emergency care
We initially had full-coverage international medical insurance and later transitioned to other options as our travel routine evolved.
What We Use
Four years of full-time travel and a handful of insurance companies later, this is still the one we keep coming back to: SafetyWing. It’s the option we trust and genuinely feel good recommending. It’s perfect for flexible travel plans, offering the essential emergency coverage you need without any unnecessary complexity. Ideal for digital nomads, long-term travelers, or anyone looking for reliable protection at a fair price. And the setup? An absolute breeze.
Other full-coverage options
For those who live abroad full-time or require comprehensive global health coverage, many reputable companies offer comprehensive medical plans. Every company offers different benefits, so comparing options is important.
What We Look For in a Plan
• Medical coverage for emergencies and hospital stays
• Coverage for sudden illness and injury
• Emergency evacuation to a reliable medical facility
• Coverage in the countries we plan to visit
• The ability to extend the policy while traveling
• A simple online claims process
• Trip interruption or cancellation options
Your needs may be different, but these features consistently give us peace of mind.
What About Cost?
Many travelers assume insurance is expensive. In reality, emergency coverage can cost less per day than a coffee. Full long-term medical plans cost more, but they also provide much broader protection.
The real question is whether you can afford to be without coverage.
From everything we have heard and learned, the answer is clear.
Final Thoughts
Traveling the world is one of the greatest experiences you can give yourself. But even the most beautiful places cannot prevent the unexpected. Medical insurance is the safety net that lets you explore confidently. It protects your health, your savings, and your ability to keep living the lifestyle you love.
We have heard enough stories over the years to understand that the what-ifs are very real. Being prepared with the right coverage means you do not need to fear them.
Choose the plan that fits your lifestyle. Compare your options. And travel knowing you have the support you need if the unexpected happens. Get a free online quote here