Your Complete Guide to Protection Abroad
Hey there, fellow wanderers! It’s the Roamio Travel team here, and today we’re diving into something that probably won’t be the most exciting part of planning your adventures, but it probably is the most important: travel insurance. Understanding when you need travel insurance can make all the difference in your journey.
Having your camera stolen in Barcelona, getting food poisoning in Thailand, or breaking your ankle while hiking in the Alps is NOT FUN. And we know these things aren’t fun because, well, they’ve happened to us! But you know what made these situations a whole lot less terrible? Having solid travel insurance to back us up.
The Myth of “It Won’t Happen to Me”
We all think we’re invincible when planning that dream trip (all of us!). “I’m careful with my stuff,” you might say. “I never get sick,” another common one. But here’s the truth bomb—travel has a funny way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them.
Over our combined decades of travel experience, our team has:
- Had a backpack with all worldly possessions stolen (Barcelona, 2019)
- Needed stitches after a motorbike tumble in Thailand
- Missed flights due to unexpected transportation strikes
- Spent time in foreign hospitals for various reasons
And this is just the tip of the iceberg! While we don’t want to scare you (promise!), we do want to prepare you for knowing exactly when you need travel insurance.
Tip Box: Keep digital copies of your insurance policy details in your email and share them with an emergency contact back home. When you’re in a stressful situation abroad, having someone relatively removed from the situation (and can assist you!) can really help!
Finding your Perfect Insurance
Choosing travel insurance is kind of like dating—what works for your friend might not work for you. Your ideal insurance match depends on your travel style, destinations, and what you’re bringing along.
For Digital Nomads: SafetyWing
If you’re living that location-independent lifestyle (we’re not jealous at all… okay, maybe a little), SafetyWing offers subscription-based coverage starting at just $42 for 28 days. What we love about their model is that it feels more like health insurance that follows you globally rather than traditional travel insurance.
We’ve found their medical coverage to be pretty solid, though their coverage for electronics and gear isn’t as comprehensive as some alternatives. But for long-term travelers who need continuous coverage without constantly renewing policies? It’s a game-changer.
For Adventure Seekers: World Nomads
Heading off to trek in Nepal? Planning to scuba dive in Australia? If your idea of a good time involves activities that make your mom nervous, World Nomads might be your best bet.
We’ve used World Nomads for years whenever we’re planning anything more adventurous than lounging on a beach (though they cover that too!). Their Standard and Explorer plans offer different levels of coverage depending on just how wild you’re planning to get.
One of our team members was incredibly grateful for their policy after a particularly unfortunate incident involving a zip line in Costa Rica and what turned out to be a poorly secured helmet. Medical evacuation ain’t cheap, folks!
For Protecting Your Gear: Insure My Equipment
For those of you traveling with expensive camera gear, laptops, or other electronics, dedicated equipment insurance is worth considering. When we were exploring those incredible 10 Budget Friendly Hidden Gems in Western Europe, having our photography equipment covered gave us peace of mind while capturing those perfect sunset shots over less-visited coastal towns.
Equipment policies generally start around $350-500 annually, which might seem steep until you consider the cost of replacing that DSLR or laptop. We’ve found these specialized policies particularly valuable when visiting places known for pickpockets. This is another important factor for considering when you need travel insurance.
Our Top Picks
After years of comparing policies and actually using them (unfortunately), here are our current favorites:
- Best Overall: Heymondo – Their app makes filing claims refreshingly simple, and their coverage limits are generous. We love their 24/7 medical chat feature.
- Best Budget Option: SafetyWing – Nothing beats their pricing for long-term travelers, and their subscription model is super convenient.
- Best for Adventure: World Nomads – Still the gold standard for covering those adrenaline-pumping activities.
- Best for Families: Allianz – Their family plans offer great value when traveling with kiddos.
The Real Cost of Going Uninsured
We get it—adding another expense to your travel budget isn’t exciting. But consider this real scenario from our team:
Last year, while exploring some of those hidden gems in Western Europe we mentioned (seriously, check out that article for some incredible under-the-radar destinations!), one of our writers slipped on wet cobblestones in a charming but remote Portuguese village. The result? A broken wrist requiring surgery, two nights in hospital, and an adjusted flight home.
Total cost without insurance: approximately €8,700 Cost with insurance: €100 deductible
That’s the difference between an unfortunate incident and a financial disaster. This example perfectly illustrates when you need travel insurance – basically anytime you can’t afford to cover a worst-case scenario out of pocket!
Common Insurance Mistakes We’ve Made (So You Don’t Have To)
We’ve learned some lessons the hard way:
- Not reading the fine print about electronics coverage. One policy we purchased had a $2,000 total for valuables but a $250 per-item limit. Not helpful for a stolen camera worth $800!
- Assuming rental car damage was covered. Many travel insurance policies don’t include comprehensive rental car coverage. You might need a separate policy for this.
- Not reporting theft immediately. Most policies require a police report filed within 24 hours. Our team member who waited two days to report a stolen phone in Barcelona? Claim denied.
- Forgetting about pre-existing conditions. That asthma you haven’t had an attack from in years? If it flares up abroad, some policies won’t cover it unless you declared it.
Making a Claim: Less Painful Than You Think
Here’s the good news—making a claim is usually more straightforward than you might fear. Most companies now have online portals or apps where you can upload documents directly. The key is keeping everything:
- Medical reports and receipts
- Police reports for theft
- Documentation of flight delays/cancellations
- Receipts for emergency purchases
We’ve found that companies like Heymondo with app-based claim systems tend to process things faster than the old-school “mail in your documents” approach.
P.S. – We’re big fans of the Broke Backpacker. They have a great in-depth review of all Travel Insurance. Check it out!
Final Thoughts: Peace of Mind is Priceless
Look, we know comparing insurance policies isn’t as thrilling as planning which beaches you’ll visit in Thailand or which museums you’ll explore in Paris. But understanding when you need travel insurance allows you to travel with confidence—to say yes to that street food, rent that scooter, or venture to that off-the-beaten-path destination.
After countless trips, and many unexpected insurance claims, we can honestly say that good travel insurance is almost as essential as your passport. It might not be the most exciting souvenir from your travels, but it could end up being the most valuable.
So as you plan your next adventure—whether it’s to those budget-friendly hidden gems in Western Europe or somewhere entirely different—please don’t skip this crucial step. Your future self (potentially sitting in a foreign hospital or dealing with a stolen backpack) will thank you!
Have you ever had to use your travel insurance? Or do you have questions about which policy might be right for your next adventure? Drop us a comment below—we’d love to hear from you and help if we can!
Safe and insured travels,
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains carefully selected affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). These partnerships help keep our travel guides free and accessible, while ensuring we only recommend services we trust. Rest assured, all opinions are genuine and based on real experiences—we’ll never recommend anything we wouldn’t book ourselves!