Insurer comparison

IMG vs Genki vs SafetyWing

For most digital nomads, IMG's Patriot International is the strongest of the three. It has the highest limits, up to US$1m on Lite and US$8m on Platinum, cover for sudden flare-ups of existing conditions up to US$1m, no hard upper age limit and the best-reviewed insurer of the three. Genki Traveler is a simple monthly subscription with direct billing for hospital stays, and SafetyWing Essential is the easiest to buy while already travelling.

By Mo Buglow, 25 years in international health insurance. Checked 28 September 2026 against each insurer's own documents.

Our verdict

IMG

The highest limits: up to US$1m on Patriot Lite and up to US$8m on Platinum, against €1m on Genki Traveler and US$250,000 on SafetyWing Essential.
Sudden flare-ups of an existing condition are covered up to US$1m for non-US citizens under 70. SafetyWing caps this at US$25,000, and Genki excludes conditions treated in the year before.
No hard upper age limit, although limits reduce from 65. Genki and SafetyWing stop at 69.
The best-reviewed insurer of the three on Trustpilot, from almost 25,000 reviews.

Where each one is stronger

IMG

Highest limits
Acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to US$1m
Choice of deductible from US$0
Cover past age 69

Genki

Simple monthly subscription, cancel after the first month
Direct billing for hospital stays
Low €50 deductible per case

SafetyWing

Buy it at any point while travelling
Home country visits: 30 days in every 90
No deductible listed in the policy

Limits and cost

Maximum limit: IMG: US$50,000 to US$1m (Lite); up to US$8m (Platinum); Genki: €1,000,000; SafetyWing: US$250,000
Deductible: IMG: Your choice: US$0 to US$2,500 (Lite), up to US$25,000 (Platinum); Genki: €50 per case; SafetyWing: None listed in the policy
Price from: IMG: US$1.33 a day (Lite, age 30); Genki: €52.50 a month (under 30); SafetyWing: US$62.72 every 4 weeks (ages 10 to 39)
How long: IMG: Lite up to 24 months; Platinum up to 36 months; Genki: Up to 12 months, monthly; SafetyWing: Renews every 4 weeks, up to 364 days per period

Feature	IMGPatriot International Lite and Platinum	GenkiGenki Traveler	SafetyWingNomad Insurance Essential
Maximum limit	US$50,000 to US$1m (Lite); up to US$8m (Platinum)	€1,000,000	US$250,000
Deductible	Your choice: US$0 to US$2,500 (Lite), up to US$25,000 (Platinum)	€50 per case	None listed in the policy
Price from	US$1.33 a day (Lite, age 30)	€52.50 a month (under 30)	US$62.72 every 4 weeks (ages 10 to 39)
How long	Lite up to 24 months; Platinum up to 36 months	Up to 12 months, monthly	Renews every 4 weeks, up to 364 days per period

Prices are indicative starting prices for the profile shown. IMG and Genki from our quote data; SafetyWing from its website.

What is covered

Pre-existing conditions: IMG: Excluded, but sudden flare-ups covered up to US$1m (non-US citizens under 70); Genki: Excluded if treated or diagnosed in the year before; SafetyWing: Excluded, but sudden flare-ups covered up to US$25,000 lifetime
Home country: IMG: Up to 14 consecutive days, incidental; Genki: Emergencies in the first 6 weeks of a visit, after 4 weeks abroad; SafetyWing: 30 days in every 90 (15 for US residents)
USA: IMG: Excluded, except up to 14 days incidental. Patriot America plans cover the USA; Genki: 7 days of emergency cover per stay; full cover costs more; SafetyWing: Optional add-on
Evacuation: IMG: Up to US$1m (Lite); up to the plan limit (Platinum); Genki: Covered; no limit published; SafetyWing: US$100,000 lifetime
Mental health: IMG: Excluded; Genki: Not covered; SafetyWing: Excluded
Maternity: IMG: Excluded; Genki: Excluded; SafetyWing: Excluded, except specified complications in the first 26 weeks

Feature	IMGPatriot International Lite and Platinum	GenkiGenki Traveler	SafetyWingNomad Insurance Essential
Pre-existing conditions	Excluded, but sudden flare-ups covered up to US$1m (non-US citizens under 70)	Excluded if treated or diagnosed in the year before	Excluded, but sudden flare-ups covered up to US$25,000 lifetime
Home country	Up to 14 consecutive days, incidental	Emergencies in the first 6 weeks of a visit, after 4 weeks abroad	30 days in every 90 (15 for US residents)
USA	Excluded, except up to 14 days incidental. Patriot America plans cover the USA	7 days of emergency cover per stay; full cover costs more	Optional add-on
Evacuation	Up to US$1m (Lite); up to the plan limit (Platinum)	Covered; no limit published	US$100,000 lifetime
Mental health	Excluded	Not covered	Excluded
Maternity	Excluded	Excluded	Excluded, except specified complications in the first 26 weeks

The insurer

Age limits: IMG: From 14 days old; limits reduce at 65, 70 and 80; Genki: Join up to 69; SafetyWing: 14 days to 69
Claims: IMG: MyIMG app or portal; direct payment at IMG's discretion; Genki: Direct billing for hospital stays; outpatient pay and claim; SafetyWing: Pay and claim online
Insurer: IMG: SiriusPoint Specialty Insurance Corporation; Genki: Squarelife; SafetyWing: SafetyWing Insurance I.I. (Puerto Rico)
Trustpilot: IMG: 4.6 from 24,991 reviews; Genki: 4.2 from 984 reviews; SafetyWing: 4.3 from 4,109 reviews

Feature	IMGPatriot International Lite and Platinum	GenkiGenki Traveler	SafetyWingNomad Insurance Essential
Age limits	From 14 days old; limits reduce at 65, 70 and 80	Join up to 69	14 days to 69
Claims	MyIMG app or portal; direct payment at IMG's discretion	Direct billing for hospital stays; outpatient pay and claim	Pay and claim online
Insurer	SiriusPoint Specialty Insurance Corporation	Squarelife	SafetyWing Insurance I.I. (Puerto Rico)
Trustpilot	4.6 from 24,991 reviews	4.2 from 984 reviews	4.3 from 4,109 reviews

Common questions

Is IMG better than SafetyWing for digital nomads?

On cover, yes. IMG Patriot International has limits up to US$1m on Lite and US$8m on Platinum, against SafetyWing Essential's US$250,000, and covers sudden flare-ups of existing conditions up to US$1m rather than US$25,000. SafetyWing is simpler to buy mid-trip and allows more time in your home country.

Is Genki or SafetyWing better?

Genki Traveler has a higher limit (€1m against US$250,000) and direct billing for hospital stays, with a €50 deductible per case. SafetyWing Essential allows 30 days at home in every 90 and covers sudden flare-ups of existing conditions up to US$25,000, which Genki does not.

Do nomad insurance plans cover mental health or maternity?

Not these travel medical plans: IMG Patriot, Genki Traveler and SafetyWing Essential all exclude mental health and routine maternity. For that you need international health insurance, such as IMG Global Medical Insurance, Genki Native or SafetyWing Complete.

Which nomad insurance covers the USA?

None of the three includes full USA cover by default. IMG sells separate Patriot America plans, Genki offers full USA and Canada cover at a higher price, and SafetyWing has a paid USA add-on.

Is HealthiNomad independent?

HealthiNomad is a trading name of Cogotec Ltd, an insurance intermediary, and may earn commission when you buy a plan through us. The facts on this page come from each insurer's own documents, which are linked below. The verdict is our view, not personal advice.

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Sources

Plans change and benefits vary by country of residence. Always read the policy wording before you buy. This page is general information, not advice.