Our Travel Insurance Claims: Real Stories from 5 Years of Nomad Family Life

After five years of full-time travel as a worldschooling family, we choose to always have travel insurance. We’ve had our fair share of medical emergencies, equipment damage, and unexpected situations that required support from our insurance providers.

This is our honest story of the claims we’ve made over the years, the good experiences, the challenges, and what we’ve learned along the way.

Our First Major Claim: COVID-19 Scare in Vietnam

Our first real test came during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. When our son got a fever while traveling in Vietnam, we were terrified. The world was in lockdown, and any fever could mean the worst.

World Nomads responded immediately. They made daily calls to check on Elijah’s condition and reassured us throughout the process. Their support team was compassionate and understanding during what was an incredibly stressful time for our family.

Aaliyah’s Hospital Stay: Our First Major Medical Claim

In December 2020, we faced our first significant medical emergency. Aaliyah developed an abscess that required hospitalization in Vietnam. We spent four nights in the hospital, and I was terrified about the costs.

World Nomads handled everything smoothly. They communicated clearly with the hospital, and the claim was processed quickly and without any issues. The nursing team was incredibly supportive, regularly checking in to ensure Aaliyah was comfortable and that we understood the treatment plan.

Rimaha’s Tet Holiday Emergency

At the start of 2021, during Vietnam’s Tet Holiday, Rimaha needed urgent medical care at a private hospital. The timing couldn’t have been worse—most services were closed for the holiday.

Again, World Nomads’ contact center was responsive and efficient. The claim was processed quickly, and we didn’t have to worry about the financial burden during what was already a stressful medical situation.

Equipment Damage: The Laptop Claim

In June 2021, my laptop suffered water damage—a nightmare for any digital nomad. Getting the necessary documentation was challenging since we weren’t near an Apple Store, but World Nomads assured us there was no time limit for claiming.

Once I finally gathered all the required documentation, the claim was processed without any issues. This experience taught us the importance of keeping detailed records, even when you’re in remote locations.

The Rental Car Incident

August 2021 brought another challenge when we slightly damaged a rental car. The rental company was difficult to work with, taking six to eight months to provide the necessary documentation.

Throughout this frustrating process, World Nomads’ claims team was incredibly helpful. They followed up with the rental company on our behalf and kept us informed of the progress. When the documentation finally arrived, our claim was processed immediately.

The Switch to SafetyWing: A Different Experience

In September 2021, we couldn’t extend our World Nomads policy any further, so we switched to SafetyWing. This transition was tested almost immediately when, in October 2021, I was rushed to the hospital as my waters broke at just 25 weeks pregnant.

The experience with SafetyWing was markedly different. They couldn’t reassure us that anything would be covered and advised us to pay full costs upfront, with reimbursement only if the claim was successful. They never followed up to check on our situation.

Fortunately, we weren’t out of pocket, and even more fortunately, our baby waited until January 2022 to be born—but the experience left us feeling less supported during a critical time.

What We’ve Learned

Over five years of making insurance claims, we’ve learned several important lessons:

Documentation is crucial. Keep detailed records of everything, even when you’re in remote locations or dealing with language barriers.

Communication matters. Having a responsive insurance provider who communicates clearly and follows up makes all the difference during stressful situations.

Every claim is different. What works for one family might not work for another. Your experience will depend on your specific situation, location, and the type of claim.

Peace of mind is priceless. While we’ve been fortunate to avoid major catastrophes, having insurance has given us the confidence to continue our nomadic lifestyle.

The Reality of Long-Term Travel

Living and traveling full-time means we face different risks than vacation travelers. We’re away from our home country’s healthcare system, we’re in unfamiliar environments, and we’re responsible for our children’s safety in places where we don’t speak the language fluently.

Insurance isn’t just about financial protection—it’s about having someone to call when you’re scared, confused, or in over your head in a foreign country.

Looking Forward

We’ve been using SafetyWing since 2022, and while our experience with them during the pregnancy emergency wasn’t ideal, we’ve found their monthly payment structure works well for our nomadic lifestyle.

The key is finding insurance that works for your specific situation and being prepared for the reality that claims processes can be complex, especially when you’re dealing with international healthcare systems and language barriers.

Important Note: These are our personal experiences and do not guarantee similar outcomes for other travelers. Every insurance claim is assessed independently, and your experience may differ significantly from ours.