Heymondo vs SafetyWing: A 6-Year Expert Review by Full-Time Nomads
Stop guessing which travel insurance you need. We’ve spent 4 years with a SafetyWing subscription and used Heymondo for high-risk US trips. Get the 2026 facts on medical caps, electronic theft, and the $0 deductible secret that saved us thousands in Thailand and Bali.
We’ve used both, Heymondo and SafetyWing – But for different trips!
The planning phase of every adventure, whether a road trip in Morocco, a unique itinerary in Vietnam that includes riding motorbikes, or a chilled escape to Bali. The point for us isn’t just having medical coverage, but overall a clear mind of enjoying our time in the moment, more than worrying about “what if that happens”.
Both Heymondo and Safetywing have covered our ass. It’s been about 6 years since we have been using and working with them constantly.
Both are great, but for different reasons and circumstances. That’s why we want you to make an educated choice between Safetywing vs Heymondo.
This comparison of Safetywing and Heymondo will guide you through which is the best travel insurance for your next trip, what they cover, what’s not listed, and what’s behind the technical, complex wording of each term and condition.
Jump to the essential:
Best for Comprehensive/Medical: Heymondo – It’s our top pick for short trips, or the one we go for up to 60 days. From our claim experience, the process is smoother than Safetywing; they have more private clinics coverage across the world.
Best for Long-Term/Nomads: SafetyWing – For our long-stay trips, we have setup a recurrent package, which we renew automatically. We’ve also added their additional insurance for electronic theft. Process is smooth, and they grant up to $100 for flight delays or cancellations per day.
The above shot in the Atlas Mountains (Tizi n’Tichka pass) looks peaceful, but moments before, a shredded tire and mechanical failure threatened our entire itinerary. We look calm because we were. Our insurance handled the roadside assistance and trip interruption costs, turning a potential desert disaster into a minor one-day delay. That’s the “Peace of Mind” we pay for.
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👋Toti & Ale here
London couple, 45+ countries, 300+ guides. We are full-time content creators, travelling as slowmads, spending quality time in places we love the most. We want travellers to be in the known of terms and policies of travel insurance to avoid scams and difficult situations. We live the adventures in first person, and wish to anybody to face a medical emergency or be stranded without having a travel insurance to cover it.
March 22, 2026 This update reflect the 2026 changes in policy for travel insurances, electronics, USA visits, country bans, excess coverage and more, related to new regulations. No AI; all road-tested.
When we actually used Safety Wing and Heymondo
After 4 years of continuous coverage as full time travellers, with multiple claims filed across 10+ countries, we don’t just “review” insurance—we rely on it.
SafetyWing is our long standing subscription, for the past four years. Either for month long stays of overseas long haul flights. However, in the course we have pivot to Heymondo, especially for shorter trips from the UK or extremely healthcare destinations like the US.
Travel insurance is like a safety net, catching us when unexpected things might happen. Yep, like what happened to us while travelling from Istanbul to Georgia to attend a travel conference.
Our flight got cancelled, and we had to replan the whole thing. Well, we were lucky to have Safetywing watching our back.
|
What’s happened |
Insurance |
The Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
Flight Cancelled (Istanbul to Georgia) |
SafetyWing |
Covered $100/day for meals and essentials. Reimbursed within 7 days. |
|
Visa Crisis + Missed Connection (China) |
SafetyWing |
During a flight delay in Chengdu, we were at risk of overstaying our Chinese visa. SafetyWing stepped in immediately, covering our transport and meals (including that essential Starbucks! 😂) while we coordinated a backup plan. We were reimbursed within one week—no stress, no overstay. |
|
Medical Emergency (Bali & Thailand) |
Heymondo |
Direct Billing: This was the game-changer. Heymondo sent us to a local clinic and handled the bill directly. We paid $0 out of pocket and skipped the paperwork. |
Quick comparison table about differences
|
Coverage |
SafetyWing |
HeyMondo Top |
|---|---|---|
|
Trip Cancellation |
Not Included |
$3,500 |
|
Travel Disruption |
Covers Meals, accommodation and transportation up to $100 per day. Up to 2 days. |
$450 (Missed Connection $300) |
|
Purchase with trip ongoing |
Included |
Possible for a fee – Trip up to 60 days |
|
Emergency Medical |
Up to $250K – Covers Dental Emergency |
Up to $5 MILLIONS – Covers Dental Emergency |
|
Medical Transport |
Included – Up to $100K |
Included – Up to $500K |
|
Baggage loss/damage |
$3,000 – For Checked luggage and up to $500 per item |
$1,700 |
|
Baggage Delay |
Not Included |
Up to $300 – Only checked luggage |
|
Electronic Equipment |
Optional – Extra $10 per 4 week coverage |
Optional – Up to $3 extra per week |
|
Adventure Sports |
Optional – Extra $10 per 4 week coverage |
Optional – Up to $10 extra per week |
|
Cruise |
Not Included |
Not Included |
|
Accident while driving |
Included – Up to $250K |
Included |
|
Rental Car damage/theft |
Not Included |
Not Included |
|
Pre-existing Conditions |
Not Included – Emergency treatment of a pre-existing illness or injury is covered |
Not Included |
|
Accidental death/disability |
Up to $20K |
$10K |
|
Personal Liability |
$250K |
$60K |
|
Others |
Covers Pet Ticket Return |
Covers Babies from 90 days |
Our Strategy: Why we switch between them two
We don’t stick to one “brand” blindly; we choose based on the itinerary:
- For Long-Term “Slowmading” (e.g., 3 months in Sri Lanka): We use SafetyWing. The monthly subscription ($56/4 weeks) is unbeatable for budget consistency.
- For Shorter, High-Value Trips (e.g., Tampa bay in USA or Hiking Sapa): We switch to Heymondo.
- Higher Limits: Their medical coverage is “beefier,” which is essential in the US.
- Electronic Theft: They integrated our laptops and cameras into a single short-term policy more affordably than a SafetyWing upgrade.
- No Deductible: Unlike SafetyWing’s standard $250 deductible, Heymondo often starts at $0, meaning small clinic visits don’t cost us a penny.
Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary
Heymondo Pros:
- Comprehensive coverage, including trip cancellation and personal belongings
- User-friendly app with trained personnel and large medical coverage worldwide
- High coverage limits for medical expenses
- If a trip gets cancelled, you are covered for all unexpected expenses and the trip as well
- Ideal for short trips (1 to 3 days) or short itineraries that involve basic sightseeing (5 to 14 days)
Heymondo Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than SafetyWing, especially for long-term travel
- Only 60-day trips are covered by the annual multi-trip policy
- The constant need to add extra makes it overwhelming and leverages the overall price
- Some sports and activities, such as trekking and scuba diving, aren’t included
SafetyWing Pros:
- Affordable monthly plans ideal for long-term travellers and digital nomads
- Extensive medical coverage with a straightforward chat support team 7/24
- Plans roll, and your money is deducted from your card each month
- Possibility to pause it when back home
- Global coverage, including short visits to home countries
- You can purchase the policy when you are already on the trip. (We did one to be covered where Heymondo wasn’t – Yep, we got two insurance at the same time at some point)
- Perfect for Digital Nomads constantly on the go
- Excellent Electronic coverage for cheap
SafetyWing Cons:
- Lower maximum coverage for medical expenses compared to Heymondo
- No trip cancellation coverage in standard plans
- Some countries are not covered by the Safetywing policy (Cuba, North Korea, and Iran)
- Some extreme sports are not covered (skydiving and paragliding)
- Does not cover personal belongings beyond checked luggage
- Over 70-year-olds aren’t covered
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Some countries will ask you for proof of insurance coverage
As 2026, more countries are requiring proof of travel and medical insurance upon entry. Some block the visa process if you don’t provide necessary compliance upon send the application. Laos is one of the countries requiring, but while passed the border by land we weren’t questioned.
When we passed through Saudi Arabia, there was a mandatory check box about travel insurance, and in fact we found it linked with our tourist visa.
Not all the countries make it mandatory, but as the world changes, we urge you to look into a travel insurance, even before applying for visa. Just a short clinic visit can cost $1000 USD or more! Getting sick or injured abroad can come with a huge price tag.
A valid alternative to safetywing and Heymondo is EKTA. It’s one of the hidden gems in the sector. Many budget travellers keep the secret, because it’s cheaper than others. Although coverage is limited, it offers an incredible value for money at just $0.99 per day.
Price comparison – Which is cheaper Safetywing or Heymondo
Let’s go to the core of the topic: which travel insurance is cheaper for backpackers and digital nomads? Well, we find that the price for coverage changes depending on the needs. Comparing the two basic packages Safetywing provides the lowest price for the policy, however, it doesn’t cover as much as Heymondo.
Theprice for Safetywing’s basic coverage policy is $56.28 per person and is valid for four weeks from activation.
If you are away just for a week or two, Heymondo will cover the journey for €96 for the regular policy, €116 for premium coverage, and € 88 for medical coverage. These options are valid for four weeks, too.
Heymondo Key Features
Comprehensive Coverage: Heymondo offers extensive coverage, including medical expenses, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.
User-Friendly App: Their app is highly intuitive, making it easy to manage your policy, file claims, and even consult a doctor through their telemedicine service.
24/7 Assistance: You get round-the-clock customer support, ensuring help is always a call away.
Only Medical: HeyMondo offers one of the cheapest travel insurance options on the market. They offer the possibility of covering only medical emergencies. The flat rate covers Medical Expenses, dental emergencies, Lodging and quarantine, and physiotherapy treatment. Also, you can count on basic Medical transport and repatriation up to $500K .
Different Packages: Depending on your travel style, you can choose between standard, premium and medical-only coverage. This can vary depending on the length of your trip, saving money purchasing a multi-trip, long stay and recurring option.
Safetywing Key Features
Affordable Monthly Plans: SafetyWing offers competitive pricing, especially attractive for long-term travellers who need continuous coverage.
Cheap for adventure and Electronics: If you are a digital nomad like us, you know that electronics are important. Safetywing covers it in any way possible.
Global Coverage: Their policies cover you in almost every country, with options for coverage in your home country for limited periods.
Multi-trip doesn’t have limitations: If you travel constantly or get on the road for a longer period, Safety Wing is ideal, as its coverage isn’t limited in time.
Focus on Medical: While SafetyWing does offer travel-related coverage, its strong suit is its medical insurance, making it a top choice for those prioritizing health coverage.
Claims reimbursement is fast: We had to request reimbursement for unexpected expenses and within 48 hours we received it in our bank account, just upon presenting receipts.
ALSO WORTH A LOOK
We use Heymondo ourselves!
Read our genuine Review about Heymondo
What’s the excess coverage for Safetywing and Heymondo?
Excess coverage seems like a hidden feature for many, while it is very easy to explain. In case of necessity, Heymondo covers the expenses from the first $1 you spend on any policy. Instead, Safetywing introduced this new feature as an add-on in March 2024. In case of an emergency with a Safetywing travel insurance plan, you must cover the $250 excess upfront, and then the rest is covered by the insurance according to the maximum.
In fact, we consider Heymondo very convenient. However, the upfront excess is paid by the lower fee of Safetywing on the long-term plan. If you pay the extra for the 0 deductible policy with Safetywing, the price for the policy will be the same as for the two travel insurances. Consider safety your ally when you are confident that you can cover the cost of small issues yourself and have peace of mind for big, unexpected occurrences.
ALSO WORTH A LOOK
For further recommendations about Travel insurance? Make sure you read this guide!
