SafetyWing Alternatives When You're Already Abroad
SafetyWing isn't the only insurer that sells to people who've already left. Here's how some alternatives describe their rules, so you can compare like for like.
Short answer
Several insurers sell to people who are already abroad, but on different terms. Some make you wait before full cover starts: 72 hours at World Nomads if you buy while overseas, or an initial 14 days on Genki Traveler. Some can start the next day. International health insurers usually need an application. The right alternative depends on how soon you need cover and how long you'll be away.
Travel insurance alternatives
World Nomads
World Nomads applies a 72-hour waiting period to policies bought while you're already overseas. During those 72 hours, emergency medical and emergency transport cover can still apply if you're injured in an accident after buying; the wait applies to everything else, including illness. Worth considering if you want broader travel insurance and can manage a short wait for illness cover.
Genki
Genki Traveler can be started while you're already abroad. An initial 14-day waiting period normally applies, during which cover is limited to medical emergencies, and Genki describes circumstances in which this waiting period can be waived if you had qualifying continuous insurance before.
Genki also has a health-insurance-style product. Genki Native can be started while you're already abroad, with the earliest start date 7 days after you complete the application.
IMG
IMG policies can become effective as soon as the next calendar day for eligible people who are, or will be, outside their home country. IMG sells several plans with different rules, so check the specific plan's certificate.
An insurer that doesn't sell after departure
Some big names won't help once you've left. For example, Allianz Travel's US site says it's too late to buy its travel insurance once you've left on your trip. Check before spending time on a quote.
International health insurance alternatives
If you're living abroad long term, compare SafetyWing Complete with traditional international health insurers. Expect an application, and often medical underwriting, before cover is offered:
- Cigna Global uses medical underwriting, including a medical questionnaire where applicable.
- Allianz Care's personal international health insurance is designed for people living abroad long term.
See travel vs international health insurance for how to choose.
How to compare alternatives fairly
- Can you buy it from where you are now, as a resident of where you live?
- When does cover start, and does a waiting period cover illness, accidents or both?
- What are the overall limit, the evacuation limit and the deductible?
- Are your planned destinations, including the US, included?
- Can you extend or renew without going home?
- How are pre-existing conditions defined?
Or go back to our SafetyWing review to compare against it.
Common questions
Do you earn money from these alternatives?
Not currently. Our only affiliate relationship today is with SafetyWing. If that changes, we'll say so on our affiliate disclosure page.
Is this every insurer that sells to people abroad?
No. It's a selection of well-known options whose rules we could summarise from their own published material. Local insurers in the country you're in may also be worth asking.
Sources
Insurer details on this page are summarised from each insurer’s own published material; general guidance comes from the official sources listed. Terms change, so check these pages and the policy wording before you buy.
- World Nomads — Are there any waiting periods?
- Genki — Starting Genki Traveler
- Genki — Starting Genki Native while already travelling
- IMG — Visitor insurance FAQs
- Allianz Travel (US) — Is it too late to buy travel insurance?
- Cigna Global — Underwriting guide (PDF)
- Allianz Care — Personal international health insurance FAQ