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The best long stay travel insurance: Options, cost & tips
In this guide, we'll help you choose the best long-stay travel insurance policy from among the most popular options on the market.
If you’re going to spend a long time abroad, choosing travel insurance stops being a mere formality and becomes one of the most important decisions in your planning, since it’s often either a visa requirement or a way to protect both your wellbeing and your belongings while you travel.
It’s important to choose your insurance carefully, because the wrong policy can cost you thousands in medical bills, leave you without help, or fail you when you need it most.
Long stays come with different risks than short tourist trips. People often travel across several countries, work remotely, study abroad, or take part in activities like extreme or outdoor sports.
In this guide, you’ll learn what to look for when comparing long-stay travel insurance, which types of coverage matter most, and some of the top options available on the market.
How to choose good travel insurance for a long stay?
When looking at long-stay travel insurance, a few key factors can really shape your experience as a traveler. To make things clearer, here are the most important things to watch for in a policy.
1. Duration of coverage
Some insurers only allow coverage for a few months at a time, while others are more flexible, offering policies that last up to a year or can be renewed periodically.
Before you buy a policy, make sure the coverage period fits your travel plans and how long you’ll be staying. If you’re planning to live abroad for a while, study overseas, or travel without a set return date, this is an important factor for your peace of mind.
2. Option to extend insurance coverage during the trip
It’s best to choose companies that let you renew or extend your coverage while you’re already traveling. Some policies even allow you to do it directly from a mobile app for added convenience.
This is helpful if you travel through several places and stay longer in some countries, since you may need a visa that allows you to extend both your stay and your insurance.
3. Coverage in multiple countries
Long-stay travelers often visit several countries on the same trip, so it’s important to make sure your policy keeps you covered the whole time and doesn’t require extra steps every time you cross a border.
Try to keep insurance paperwork and admin to a minimum, so you don’t have to contact your insurer every time you cross a border.
4. Geographic and territorial restrictions
Some insurance policies have specific geographic restrictions, so it’s important to know which areas or countries aren’t covered during your trip, as this can affect both your itinerary and your budget. Keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the continent.
For example, some insurance plans get much more expensive when they include destinations like the United States or Canada because of the high cost of healthcare there.
5. Coverage for remote work or volunteer work
If you’re working as a digital nomad, volunteering, or joining cultural exchange programs, check the work-related exclusions. Not all insurance covers accidents while working, even if it’s unpaid volunteering.
6. Deductibles and copayments
A cheap policy can hide high deductibles that won’t be helpful in a medical emergency, since you’ll have to pay part of the costs before the insurance kicks in. Checking this in advance helps you avoid unpleasant surprises when it matters most.
7. Coverage for outdoor activities or extreme sports
Most insurance plans include basic coverage for extreme sports or outdoor activities. However, it’s important to check the terms and conditions for medical coverage in these cases, as there are often several limitations.
8. Policies to protect your personal belongings and travel documents
To protect your travel budget and your belongings during a long trip, compare insurers to see which ones offer better coverage and fewer limits if your items are lost or stolen.
Which types of coverage are most important for a long-term stay?
On a multi-month trip, some types of coverage matter much more than they do in a standard short tourist plan. Here are some key coverages you shouldn’t overlook.
1. Medical and hospitalization expenses
This is the most important coverage in any long-stay travel insurance, since your health and safety come first.
A hospital stay in countries like the United States, Japan, or Australia can easily cost thousands of dollars. That’s why it’s a good idea to look for high coverage limits and 24/7 medical assistance.
2. Repatriation and early return
Alongside medical coverage, medical and funeral repatriation is one of the most important types of assistance when traveling, as it covers both the costs and the logistics of transporting you back to your home country in the event of a serious accident or illness.
Similarly, some insurance policies typically cover early return due to family reasons or emergencies at home.
3. Civil liability
It protects you if you accidentally cause damage to someone else. For example, in a rental or if you injure someone by mistake. It can save you from paying high repair or compensation costs.
4. Sports and high-risk activities in natural areas
If your long stay includes extreme or outdoor sports like hiking, diving, surfing, or climbing, it’s a good idea to get strong coverage in case you have an accident or get lost in remote areas and need rescue.
Not all policies include them automatically. Some insurers offer them as optional add-ons, so it’s worth checking this before you buy.
5. Coverage for electronic devices
If you’re a student, content creator, or digital nomad, protecting your tech should be a priority. Some insurers let you add extra coverage for laptops, cameras, phones, and tablets in case they’re stolen, lost, or accidentally damaged.
6. Luggage and personal belongings
With flights, buses, and accommodations, there’s a real risk of losing your belongings or having them damaged, which can lead to significant losses and force you to budget for replacing some or all of your luggage.
You can prevent these situations by having solid insurance coverage to protect you in case something like this happens during your trip.
The 5 best long-term travel insurance plans
The following travel insurance providers are popular with long-term travelers, international students, and digital nomads thanks to their comprehensive coverage and flexible plans.
1. IATI Frequent Travelers
It’s one of the best-known travel insurance companies and offers plans designed specifically for long-term travelers, such as backpackers and digital nomads.
Its plan stands out for its extensive medical coverage, support across multiple destinations, and protection for trips that span several countries. It also lets you add coverage for adventure sports and other activities.
It’s an excellent choice for travelers who prioritize comprehensive medical coverage.
2. Heymondo Long-Term Stay
It has established itself as one of the leading insurance companies thanks to its digital approach and the ease with which claims can be managed through its mobile app.
Its long-stay insurance includes medical coverage, 24/7 assistance, repatriation, luggage protection, and the option to extend certain benefits based on the traveler’s needs.
Its flexible plans make it a good option for anyone planning to travel abroad for several months.
3. Chapka Cap Assistance
Chapka is a well-known insurance provider among backpackers, international students, and travelers who spend extended periods of time outside of Europe.
Their plans are designed for long trips and provide coverage across multiple countries for several months. They also have options for exchange programs, volunteering, and adventure travel.
Their policies are designed with long-term travelers in mind, covering many of the situations that can come up during extended trips.
4. Assist Card for Long Stays
It’s a well-known travel assistance company that offers plans for long trips. The insurance covers medical care, hospital stays, medical repatriation, luggage, and 24/7 support.
One of its main strengths is its wide international assistance network, which makes it easier to get medical care and support in different destinations around the world.
It also offers multilingual support and online tools to help you deal with unexpected issues while traveling. It’s a good option for students and long-term travelers who want reliable help worldwide.
Comparison of coverage for each insurance policy
| Services | IATI | Heymondo | Chapka | Assist Card |
| Multiple countries | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Option to renew while traveling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Medical expenses | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gastos médicos | Up to $570,000 | $11,500,000 | $1,400,000 | $3,500,000 |
| Additional extreme sports | Yes | Yes | Yes | Depending on the plan you choose |
| Coverage for tech devices | Limited | Yes | Optional | Optional |
| Baggage protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Liability coverage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Approximate cost for 3 months | Between $280 and $450 | Between $240 and $400 | Between $320 and $340 | Between $250 and $450 |
How can I get internet access during a long stay abroad?
While traveling, you may run into internet connection issues, which can make it harder to stay connected as you move between different countries.
It’s a good idea to have a reliable internet connection so you can stay in touch with family and friends, contact your insurance provider in an emergency, book accommodation, use maps, work remotely, and access important information wherever you are.
That’s why Holafly’s monthly plans are one of the easiest and most convenient options. You can choose between 25 GB or unlimited data, share it with your other devices, and travel across more than 160 destinations without having to switch or manage your data plan every time you cross a border.
You also get the Always On benefit, which gives you 1 GB of free data every month to stay connected in emergencies, even if you run out of data or cancel your plan.
Frequently asked questions about long-stay travel insurance
Yes, some insurers allow you to renew or extend your coverage while you’re already traveling. Just make sure your initial policy doesn’t expire first.
Most long-term travel insurance plans cover travel across multiple countries within the same region. Just make sure to check for any destination restrictions before you buy, so you don’t run into problems during your trip.
Some adventure sports and activities may be covered under a standard plan, but in most cases you’ll need to add extra coverage to make sure you’re protected if you have an accident.
Choose a plan with high medical coverage, especially if you’re traveling to countries with expensive healthcare like the United States or Canada. In Europe, you need at least $35,000 in coverage to enter, but a higher amount is recommended for long stays.
The most common ones include pre-existing medical conditions, high-risk work activities, undeclared extreme sports, and travel to countries excluded by the insurer.
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Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
