Don't Leave Home Without It

Credit card travel insurance typically has very low coverage limits — often just $25,000 for medical, requires you to pay the full trip on that card, and excludes pre-existing conditions entirely. A dedicated travel insurance policy like SafetyWing covers up to $250,000 in medical expenses, works regardless of how you paid for your trip, and includes emergency evacuation which credit cards rarely cover. The $56/month cost is tiny compared to a single hospital visit abroad.

A single night in a US hospital averages $10,000–$15,000. Emergency appendix surgery in Japan can run $30,000–$50,000. Even a broken leg in Thailand — considered affordable — costs $5,000–$10,000 with surgery. SafetyWing's medical coverage up to $250,000 means you'll never face a bankruptcy-level bill. They pay the hospital directly in most cases so you never have to front the cash.

Yes — SafetyWing's monthly subscription model lets you sign up from anywhere in the world, even if you're already travelling. Coverage begins 3 days after purchase (to prevent last-minute fraud claims). World Nomads also allows you to purchase mid-trip. However, any condition that arose before you purchased the policy will be considered a pre-existing condition and won't be covered, so earlier is always better.