Traveling alone as a woman is one of the most empowering things I have ever done. You get complete freedom over your itinerary, meet people you would never have crossed paths with otherwise, and learn a lot about yourself along the way.
But there is also a reality that every solo traveler encounters; If something goes wrong, you’re the one who takes care of it. No travel companion. No one else to figure things out.
And I learned that lesson the hard way in my early 20s, when I spent some time living in Bali. Scooters are everywhere on the island and like many travelers, I rented one so I could explore more easily. At that moment I felt completely normal, until a moment when it stopped being so.
I ended up wiping out on a freshly graveled road and getting pretty bad rashes on my legs. The skin damage was so severe that I still have visible scars to this day.
What made the situation worse was the fact that I didn’t have travel insurance at the time..
Since I was paying for everything myself, I was hesitant to go to the best clinic available. Instead of immediately seeking out the right treatment, I found myself worrying about how much it would cost and trying to manage things as cheaply as possible.
Looking back, being in Bali without insurance was the wrong decision. When you suffer an injury in a foreign country, the last thing you want to think about are medical bills.
That experience was a turning point for me and since then I always make sure I have travel medical insurance whenever I leave the country. After traveling to over 50 countries, it has become one of the most important things I organize before I travel.
If you plan to travel alone, here’s what I recommend looking for and some travel insurance providers worth considering.
Not all insurance policies are designed with solo travelers in mind, and it’s something I didn’t really understand until I’d been traveling for a few years.
Some policies look great on paper, but become frustrating once you’re traveling, so these are the things I pay attention to now when choosing travel health insurance.
Strong medical coverage
Medical care abroad can get expensive surprisingly quickly. Even something that seems minor – a scooter accident, a serious infection or a broken bone – can turn into hospital visits, scans, medications and follow-up care.
When you travel alone, that type of situation becomes even more stressful. Having solid health coverage can make a big difference if something unexpected happens.
The possibility of purchasing insurance while you are already traveling.
Many solo travelers don’t always know how long their trip will take. Sometimes a two-week trip turns into a few months once you start exploring. Being able to purchase or extend coverage while you’re already abroad can be incredibly useful.
No fixed return date
Traditional travel insurance policies typically require exact travel dates. But if you’re traveling for a long period, working remotely, or moving between countries, that type of structure may seem restrictive. Flexible coverage tends to work much better for trips of indefinite duration.
Coverage of adventure activities
Many destinations involve activities such as hiking, surfing, diving or scooter riding. Making sure these activities are covered is important for anyone who likes active travel.
Simple and affordable prices
Travel insurance shouldn’t seem too complicated. Solo travelers often manage their own budgets, so clear pricing and easy renewal options are always a plus.
Below is a quick comparison of some travel insurance providers commonly used by solo travelers.
| Supplier | best for | Approximate cost | Verdict |
| security wing | Long-term travelers and digital nomads | $62.72 for 4 weeks | Flexible and easy to manage |
| heymondo | Traditional travel insurance with strong app support | varies depending on the trip | Great for shorter trips |
| Nomads of the world | adventure travelers | varies | Good coverage for active trips. |
Each of these providers offers slightly different benefits depending on the type of trip you are planning. security wing is the most flexible of all, while Heymondo is good for short trips where you have fixed start and end dates.
For travelers spending longer periods on the road, SafetyWing Essential nomad insurance It has become a popular choice in the digital nomad community. I started hearing about it from other travelers long before I seriously investigated it myself.
One of the biggest differences is the 28-day rolling subscription model. Instead of purchasing a policy with a fixed end date, coverage automatically renews every four weeks and can be canceled at any time. This works particularly well for travelers who don’t have a strict return date.
Another feature that makes it attractive for long-term travelers is the possibility of Buy or extend coverage even while you’re already traveling. Many traditional insurance policies require you to purchase coverage before leaving your home country, but SafetyWing allows you to start coverage during your trip.
SafetyWing travel medical insurance also provides coverage for everything More than 180 countriesmaking it suitable for travelers who plan to visit multiple destinations.
The price is also quite simple. For older travelers 18 to 39coverage currently costs approximately $62.72 for four weeks. Since it’s billed every four weeks instead of monthly, it’s relatively easy to maintain coverage during a long trip.
Another interesting feature is that Children under 10 years old can be added to the parent’s policy at no additional cost.which can be useful for families traveling together.
In general, this type of coverage tends to work well for:
- long-term solo travelers
- digital nomads
- people who visit several countries
- travelers who prefer flexible insurance coverage
One thing I appreciate is how simple the system is. When moving between countries, the last thing you want is complicated paperwork or rigid travel dates.
Can Explore SafetyWing Nomad Insurance here.
Heymondo is another travel insurance provider that many travelers use, especially for shorter trips.
One of the most notable features is its mobile applicationwhich allows travelers to manage complaints and contact support directly from their phone. For solo travelers, this can make things a lot easier if something goes wrong abroad.
Heymondo policies typically include emergency medical coverage, travel assistance services, and protection for common travel problems such as lost luggage or trip interruptions.
The company offers a variety of plans depending on the type of trip you take, from short vacations to longer trips abroad.
For travelers who prefer a more traditional policy structure with an easy-to-use mobile app, Heymondo may be a good option.
World Nomads is one of the best-known travel insurance providers among backpackers and adventure travelers.
The company has been popular with travelers for years, largely due to its coverage of a wide range of adventure activities such as diving, trekking and other outdoor sports.
Policies can usually be purchased before your trip and extended while you travel, providing some flexibility if your plans change.
Many travelers choose World Nomads when their trip involves activities that are outside the scope of basic travel insurance policies.
However, depending on the length of the trip, the price can sometimes be higher than other options, especially for long-term trips.
If you’ve never had to use travel insurance before, it may seem like an unnecessary extra expense. But traveling has a way of teaching you lessons the hard way, and sometimes those lessons come with scars.
Medical emergencies, accidents, infections, and unexpected travel interruptions can happen anywhere. When you’re alone in another country, having financial protection and access to support can make a stressful situation much easier to handle.
While most of my trips went without a hitch, my accident in Bali was a stark reminder of this.
In addition to medical coverage, travel insurance can also be useful for things like lost luggage, lost passports, and delays or cancellations that can derail a trip.
After traveling to over 50 countries, I learned that preparation matters more than people think. Flights and accommodation are obvious things to plan for, but travel medical insurance should also be part of that preparation.
If you’re looking for the most flexible coverage, especially on longer trips, SafetyWing is the option I personally prefer. What sets it apart is how well it fits into the way many people travel today. The 28-day rolling subscription means you don’t need to commit to a fixed return date, and the ability to buy or extend cover while you’re already abroad is incredibly useful if your plans change mid-trip.
If you plan to move between countries or work remotely while traveling, that flexibility can make a big difference. Safetywing is also relatively affordable compared to many traditional policies, making it easier to maintain coverage for longer trips.
When you’re planning a solo trip, it can be tempting to skip travel insurance to save some money, but honestly, it’s not worth the risk. After my scooter accident in Bali, having that peace of mind is something I no longer take for granted.
