Verified Apr 15, 2026· source: SafetyWing
International insurerSafetyWing: 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.
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
| Plan | From/mo | Coverage | Deductible | Max age | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SafetyWing Nomad EssentialMost affordableWorldwide (30 days home country per period) | $63 | $250K | $250 | 69 | 5.8 |
| SafetyWing Nomad CompleteFull insurance + home countryWorldwide (includes home country) | $177 | $1.5M | $0 | 64 | 7.2 |
- 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
Monthly price by age
| Age | SafetyWing Nomad Essential | SafetyWing Nomad Complete |
|---|---|---|
| 10-39 | $63 | N/A |
| 40-49 | $98 | $260 |
| 50-59 | $155 | $390 |
| 60-69 | $248 | $550 |
| 18-39 | $63 | $177 |
| 60-64 | $248 | $550 |
- 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
Essential
ages 18–39
Complete
ages 18–39
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).
| Age | Essential /mes aprox. | Complete /mes |
|---|---|---|
| 18–39 | $61 | $150 |
| 40–49 | $100 | $210* |
| 50–59 | $158 | $290* |
| 60–64 | $214 | $400* |
| 65–69 | $214 | Not 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
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
United States
Verified Exclusions
Source: Official SafetyWing terms and conditions. The following situations are NOT covered under any plan:
SafetyWing vs PassportCard vs Cigna: Real Comparison
| Criteria | SW Essential | SW Complete | PassportCard Comfort | Cigna 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 payment | Reimbursement | Reimbursement | Card | Varies |
| Maternity | ✗ | $2,500 (10m wait) | $10,000 (12m wait) | Included |
| Routine dental | ✗ | Add-on $1K | Add-on | Add-on |
| Mental health | ✗ | 10 visits/yr | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cancer | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Home country | 30 days/90 | No limit | ✓ | ✓ |
| USA | Add-on | 30 days incl. | Add-on | Add-on |
| Revisa24 Score | 8.2/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
* 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?
Is SafetyWing valid in Panama?
How does the reimbursement process work?
Does SafetyWing cover pre-existing conditions?
Is SafetyWing a good option for long-term expats in Panama?
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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