Best travel insurance for independent travellers
Honest comparison of three policies covering different types of traveller, what each covers, what each misses, and how to choose.
Most travellers buy travel insurance the same way they buy airline seat upgrades, reluctantly, at the last moment, choosing the cheapest option without reading what it covers. Then something goes wrong and they discover the policy they paid for doesn't cover the specific thing that happened to them.
This guide covers three policies that between them cover most types of independent traveller, what each one is designed for, what it misses, and the questions worth asking before you buy. Price and coverage details change frequently and vary significantly by age and destination, so we keep this at the level of what each policy is built to do rather than specific numbers. Check each insurer's website directly for a quote that reflects your actual situation.
What to look for
The five things that actually matter when comparing travel insurance policies.
Medical coverage limit. This is the number that matters most. This is the number that matters most. Hospital treatment in the US or Australia can cost hundreds of thousands in days, and medical evacuation to a proper facility can add even more. Make sure the limit is high enough to cover a worst-case scenario in the most expensive country on your itinerary.
Emergency evacuation. If you get seriously ill somewhere with inadequate medical facilities, evacuation to the nearest appropriate hospital by medical air transport can cost a significant sum in its own right. This is non-negotiable, it should be included in any policy you consider.
Adventure activities coverage. Standard policies exclude most sports beyond walking and swimming. If you're planning to ride a motorbike, go rock climbing, scuba dive or do anything with an element of risk, check the exclusions list carefully before buying.
Trip cancellation and interruption. This covers you if you have to cancel or cut short a trip due to illness, family emergency or airline failure. SafetyWing doesn't include this. World Nomads does. Whether you need it depends on how much you've pre-booked and how flexible your itinerary is.
Can you buy it after departure? Traditional insurers require you to purchase before you leave home. SafetyWing and World Nomads can both be purchased after you've already started travelling, useful if you decide mid-trip to extend, or if you forgot before you left.
What no policy covers: Pre-existing medical conditions (unless declared and accepted), incidents while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, losses from unattended belongings, and travel to countries under a government-issued "Do Not Travel" warning. Read your exclusions before you need them.
Our picks
Three policies for three different types of traveller, each fills a gap the others don't.
- Highest medical coverage, €500,000
- Adventure sports included as standard
- Search and rescue up to €15,000
- Extendable mid-trip
- 5% discount via our link - Soon
- 4.3★ Trustpilot, unusually high for insurers
- Cancellation is optional add-on only
- Not monthly, priced per trip
- Equipment cover raises the price significantly
- Buy after leaving home, no deadline
- Month-to-month, cancel anytime
- Covers 180+ countries
- Home country coverage (15 days / month)
- Very low cost for long trips
- Claims process is straightforward
- No trip cancellation or interruption
- No lost luggage or personal items
- Limited adventure sports coverage
- USA coverage costs significantly more
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Lost, stolen or damaged gear
- 200+ adventure activities covered
- Buy after departure
- Strong reputation for paying claims
- Expensive for trips over 6 weeks
- Lower medical limit than SafetyWing
- Not available to all nationalities
- Per-trip pricing, not flexible
Which one to choose? If you're travelling long-term with a flexible itinerary and minimal pre-booking, SafetyWing is the most cost-effective option, medical-only, monthly, cancel anytime. If you want the highest medical coverage and adventure sports included as standard, IATI is the strongest all-round option. If you're taking a shorter trip with significant pre-paid flights and hotels to protect, World Nomads covers trip cancellation which the others don't. Whatever you choose: always verify that your specific activities are covered, and check the exclusions before you need them, not after.
Coverage details and prices are indicative and subject to change. Always verify current terms and pricing directly on each insurer's website before purchasing.