revisa24

Verified Apr 15, 2026· source: SafetyWing

International insurer

SafetyWing: full review 2026

Essential from $61/mo, Complete from $150/mo, coverage in 180+ countries and a $0 deductible. Founded in 2017, backed by Y Combinator. What it really covers and who it is for.

4.4/5 Trustpilot · 180+ countries · $0 deductible · Founded 2017, Y Combinator · Reimbursement model

Score Revisa24

8.2/10

Average of 2 plan(s) across 6 criteria, public methodology.

  • Value7.8
  • Coverage5.5
  • Flexibility7.5
  • Claims5.3
  • Digital8.3
  • Transparency7.5

Verdict: the reference for nomads, not for settled expats

SafetyWing remains the reference insurer for digital nomads in 2026. Its monthly model with no long-term contract, competitive pricing and global coverage set it apart. For permanent Panama residents who prioritize local medical networks and Spanish-language care, ASSA or MAPFRE are more appropriate.

From

$63/mo

SafetyWing Nomad Essential

Max coverage

$1.5M

SafetyWing Nomad Complete

Max entry age

69

New contracts

Plans

2

What it does well

  • Lowest entry price on the international market
  • 100% online signup, no paperwork, immediate coverage
  • $0 deductible on both plans
  • Coverage in 180+ countries including home country (30 of every 90 days on Essential)
  • Monthly renewal, no annual contract

The real limitations

  • Reimbursement only: you pay first and recover later (5 to 15 business days)
  • No pre-existing condition coverage on any plan
  • Very limited maternity ($2,500 on Complete only, 10-month wait)
  • Pre-authorization required above $500 or reimbursement drops by 30%
  • Essential is not full health insurance, it is emergency coverage

The 2 SafetyWing plans

Verified Apr 15, 2026· source: SafetyWing

  • SafetyWing Nomad EssentialMost affordableWorldwide (30 days home country per period)
    From/mo
    $63
    Coverage
    $250K
    Deductible
    $250
    Max age
    69
    Score
    5.8
  • SafetyWing Nomad CompleteFull insurance + home countryWorldwide (includes home country)
    From/mo
    $177
    Coverage
    $1.5M
    Deductible
    $0
    Max age
    64
    Score
    7.2
Entry price for a healthy adult aged 30 to 34. Final premium depends on age, deductible and health declaration.

Monthly price by age

  • 10-39
    SafetyWing Nomad Essential
    $63
    SafetyWing Nomad Complete
    N/A
  • 40-49
    SafetyWing Nomad Essential
    $98
    SafetyWing Nomad Complete
    $260
  • 50-59
    SafetyWing Nomad Essential
    $155
    SafetyWing Nomad Complete
    $390
  • 60-69
    SafetyWing Nomad Essential
    $248
    SafetyWing Nomad Complete
    $550
  • 18-39
    SafetyWing Nomad Essential
    $63
    SafetyWing Nomad Complete
    $177
  • 60-64
    SafetyWing Nomad Essential
    $248
    SafetyWing Nomad Complete
    $550

Verified Apr 15, 2026· source: SafetyWing

Who it is for

  • Digital nomads frequently traveling to multiple countries

    Global coverage without a fixed residency requirement, which traditional insurers do not allow.

  • Young people (18 to 35) who prioritize price over comprehensive coverage

    Essential at $61/mo is the lowest entry point with real emergency coverage and evacuation.

  • Freelancers without a fixed base or those with primary insurance

    As a travel supplement or basic legal coverage it works well; for everything else, Complete.

Who it is not for

  • You have pre-existing conditions

    Both plans exclude any diagnosis or treatment from the prior 2 years. Cigna is the alternative.

  • Maternity is a priority

    The $2,500 limit does not cover a private birth in Panama ($3,000 to $5,000). PassportCard Comfort or Cigna cover more.

  • You are an established expat in Panama with dependents or over 64

    You need direct payment, a local network and full coverage: ASSA, MAPFRE or PassportCard fit better.

What is SafetyWing?

SafetyWing is an insurance company founded in 2017 in San Francisco by Norwegians Sondre Rasch, Hans Nyvold Kjellby, and Sarah Sandnes, ex-Airbnb employees. They are backed by Y Combinator and have grown to insure over 500,000 nomads in 180+ countries.

What they do differently: health insurance for nomads and long-term travelers without the fixed residency requirements traditional insurers demand. Underlying policy is underwritten by Tokio Marine HCC, rated A (Excellent) by AM Best.

Important: SafetyWing operates on a reimbursement model. Unlike PassportCard (which provides a debit card for direct payment), with SafetyWing you pay the medical visit first and then request reimbursement. For treatments exceeding $500, you must request pre-authorization or the reimbursement is reduced by 30%.

The Two Plans: Essential vs Complete

SafetyWing rebranded their products in 2025: Nomad Insurance → Essential · Remote Health → Complete

Formerly: Nomad Insurance

Essential

$61/mes

ages 18–39

Coverage limit$250,000
Deductible$0
Max duration364 consecutive days
Max age69
Hospitalization and emergencies
Medical evacuation ($100K max)
Emergency dental ($1,000)
Leisure sports and accidents
COVID-19 included
30 days home country per 90 days
No maternity
No cancer
No mental health
No routine dental
Reimbursement only, no direct payment
Quote Essential →
Recommended for expats
Formerly: Remote Health

Complete

$150/mes

ages 18–39

Coverage limit$1,500,000
Deductible$0
Outpatient co-insurance10% (máx. $5,000/año)
Max age64
Everything in Essential +
Maternity $2,500 (10-month wait)
Mental health: 10 visits/year
Cancer treatment
Routine visits and prevention
No home country restrictions
Dental add-on: $1,000/year
Renewable indefinitely
Reimbursement only, no direct payment
Pre-authorization required for >$500
Quote Complete →

Pricing by Age: Verified Data

Source: SafetyWing official site. Essential: 4-week price converted to monthly. Complete: monthly price for standard zone (excl. USA, SG, HK).

AgeEssential
/mes aprox.
Complete
/mes
18–39$61$150
40–49$100$210*
50–59$158$290*
60–64$214$400*
65–69$214Not available

* Complete prices for 40+ are estimates based on official pricing structure. Verify at safetywing.com for exact current prices.

Maternity: What You Need to Know

10 meses
Mandatory waiting period
$2,500
Limit per pregnancy + delivery + 30 days postpartum
20%
Co-pay paid by insured

SafetyWing Complete's maternity coverage is one of the most limited on the market. The $2,500 limit is insufficient for a private clinic birth in Panama, where a normal vaginal delivery averages $3,000–$5,000 and a C-section can exceed $6,000–$8,000.

→ If maternity is a priority, consider PassportCard Comfort ($10,000 coverage) or Cigna Global (unlimited in premium plans).

Home Country & USA: Critical Rules

Home country

Essential30 days per 90-day coverage period. If USA is your home country: only 15 days per period.
CompleteNo restrictions. Full coverage in your home country, except Hong Kong and Singapore (require add-on).

United States

EssentialMandatory add-on for US coverage. US medical prices are significantly higher.
Complete30 annual days included for most non-US residents. Add-on available for additional days.

Verified Exclusions

Source: Official SafetyWing terms and conditions. The following situations are NOT covered under any plan:

Pre-existing conditions (diagnosis/treatment within prior 2 years)
Cosmetic or elective treatments not medically necessary
Professional sports and uncovered high-risk activities
Fertility treatments and assisted reproduction
Self-inflicted injuries or suicide attempt
Drug or alcohol addiction (active detox)
Unapproved experimental treatments
Medical expenses exceeding plan limits
Recreational use of controlled substances
Acts of war or terrorism

SafetyWing vs PassportCard vs Cigna: Real Comparison

CriteriaSW EssentialSW CompletePassportCard ComfortCigna Silver
Price 18-39$61/mo$150/mo$200/mo~$280/mo
Deductible$0$0$0$500
Coverage limit$250K$1.5M$3.5M$1M
Direct paymentReimbursementReimbursementCardVaries
Maternity$2,500 (10m wait)$10,000 (12m wait)Included
Routine dentalAdd-on $1KAdd-onAdd-on
Mental health10 visits/yr
Cancer
Home country30 days/90No limit
USAAdd-on30 days incl.Add-onAdd-on
Revisa24 Score8.2/108.2/108.8/108.4/10

* Verified from official sources, Apr. 2026. Cigna: estimated price, varies based on medical questionnaire. All prices in USD.

Verdict: SafetyWing 8.2/10

SafetyWing remains the reference insurer for digital nomads in 2026. Its monthly model with no long-term contract, competitive pricing and global coverage set it apart. For permanent Panama residents who prioritize local medical networks and Spanish-language care, ASSA or MAPFRE are more appropriate.

Frequently asked questions about SafetyWing

What's the difference between Essential and Complete?
Essential (formerly Nomad Insurance) is the emergency plan at $61/mo with a $250,000 limit and no maternity, dental, or cancer coverage. Complete (formerly Remote Health) is the comprehensive health plan at $150/mo with full coverage including maternity ($2,500 with a 10-month waiting period), mental health (10 visits/yr), and cancer treatment.
Is SafetyWing valid in Panama?
Yes. SafetyWing covers 180+ countries including Panama. However, if Panama is your country of residence, the Essential plan only covers you for 30 days out of every 90-day coverage period. The Complete plan offers unrestricted coverage in your home country.
How does the reimbursement process work?
SafetyWing operates on a reimbursement model: you pay the clinic or hospital directly, then submit receipts and medical documentation via their app or web portal. Reimbursement is processed in 5–15 business days. For treatments exceeding $500, pre-authorization is required or the reimbursement is reduced by 30%.
Does SafetyWing cover pre-existing conditions?
No. Both plans exclude pre-existing conditions, defined as any medical diagnosis or treatment received within 2 years before the policy start date. This includes chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or asthma.
Is SafetyWing a good option for long-term expats in Panama?
For long stays in Panama, it depends on your situation. If Panama is your home base, the Essential plan has a significant limitation: it only covers 30 days out of every 90 in your home country. The Complete plan is the best option for long-term expats, as it offers unrestricted coverage in your home country, including routine visits, preventive care, and cancer treatment.

SafetyWing remains the reference insurer for digital nomads in 2026. Its monthly model with no long-term contract, competitive pricing, and global coverage set it apart from the rest. For permanent Panama residents who prioritize local medical networks and Spanish-language care, ASSA or MAPFRE are more appropriate choices.

Sources & Methodology

  • • SafetyWing Official Website: safetywing.com (consultado Abr. 2026)
  • • SafetyWing Policy Terms & Conditions (Tokio Marine HCC underwriting)
  • • TwoCanTravel: “SafetyWing Complete vs Essential Plan 2025” (precio Complete + co-seguro)
  • • NomadsEmbassy: “SafetyWing Complete Insurance 2025” (maternidad $2,500, espera 10 meses)
  • • TalesOfABackpacker: “SafetyWing Nomad Insurance Review” (precios Essential por edad)
  • • Trustpilot.com: valoraciones públicas SafetyWing (Abr. 2026)
  • Independent analysis: prices listed are verified but may change. Confirm at safetywing.com before purchasing.

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