The Best Travel Insurance for Surf Nomads & Long-Term Travelers

Digital Nomad, Surfer Life, Travel Tips

This article shares my personal recommendation for the best travel insurance when you’re planning to stay abroad for more than a month.

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You are planning a surf trip more than one month? Whether you’re a surf-loving nomad, a digital free spirit, a backpacker, or simply someone who dreams of living by the sea, there’s one thing that should be right at the top of your to-do list: a reliable travel insurance.

Whether you get injured while surfing, catch a stomach bug in Southeast Asia, or simply want peace of mind while you sleep, having insurance that truly fits your active, travel-hungry lifestyle is essential.

I’ve spent countless hours comparing plans, reading reviews, and diving deep into real travel experiences. In this post, I’ll share my personal recommendation, what you should look for in a travel insurance plan, and what surf nomads and long-term travelers truly need to feel safe and covered on the road.

(Affiliate-Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, marked with an *. If you book through one of these links, I’ll receive a small commission – at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep this blog alive and full of salty inspiration.)

My Personal Recommendation: Young Travellers

As soon as we had our flights booked, I dove deep into research mode – spending hours comparing travel insurance providers. When it came to value for money, coverage, and flexibility, one option stood out above the rest: Young Travellers*.

I’ve been insured with Young Travellers ever since, and I’ve already been thankful for it more than once. Like after a surf accident in Bali where I bruised my ribs. I had to see an emergency doctor, but the reimbursement process was super easy – all digital, fast, and completely stress-free.

Another big plus for me? Coverage during visits to my home country. Since we return to Germany once a year to see family and friends, it was important to me to stay insured even during those periods.

Why Young Travellers Is Ideal for Surf Nomads

Young Travellers covers exactly what digital nomads, surf travelers, and adventurous backpackers need most:

  • All sports covered – including high-risk sports like surfing, diving, and snowboarding
  • Work-related coverage – including jobbing and accidents at work (perfect for Working Holiday or freelance trips)
  • 24/7 emergency hotline – accessible worldwide, day and night
  • Medically necessary repatriation – even if it’s not life-threatening, but recommended by a doctor

Basic vs. Premium: Why I Chose the Premium Plan

I’ll be honest – I’ve had my fair share of dental issues, and now that I’m in my 30s, preventive care and women’s health have become more important to me. That’s why I realized the Premium plan fits my needs much better than the Basic one.

Here’s why I chose Young Travellers Premium*:

  • No deductible (Basic plan has €100 per claim)
  • Unlimited dental treatments + preventive checkups included
  • Pregnancies that occur during your trip are fully covered
  • Flexible duration – up to 5 years
  • Monthly payment & cancellation
  • Optional USA/Canada coverage based on your destinations
  • Excellent value for surfers, long-term travelers & digital nomads

How to Book Your Insurance

Young Travellers insurance is available exclusively through their official site. You can get personal advice directly from them – no pressure, no hidden fees and full transparency.

Here’s the full overview & booking page:

Young TRavellers Travel Insurance*

Travel Insurance Alternatives to Young Travellers

While I personally recommend Young Travellers, here are a few other strong options for long-term travel, backpacking, Working Holiday Visas, or surf nomad life:

1. HanseMerkur Long-Term Travel Insurance

  • A well-established German provider with long experience in international travel insurance.. Young Travellers policies are underwritten by HanseMerkur – but offer a better package.

2. CareMed Travel Secure

Great for students, Working Holiday travelers, or extended vacations.

  • Covers return visits to your home country (up to 6 weeks)
  • Optional add-ons: liability & accident insurance

3. World Nomads

Well-known international provider popular among backpackers.

  • Wide coverage for adventure sports like surfing & diving
  • Pricey! Much more expensive than others
  • Easy to buy & extend online – even while abroad

Travel Insurance Checklist: Don’t Leave Without This!

Make sure you’re properly covered before your surf trip or long-term adventure. Here’s a quick checklist to stay safe & stress-free:

  • Buy your travel insurance at least 2 weeks before departure
  • Choose a realistic travel duration – better book a little longer than needed
  • Check if surfing & risk sports are included
  • Only include USA/Canada coverage if you’re staying there more than 50% of the time
  • Compare deductibles & benefits (Basic vs. Premium) based on your personal needs
  • Save your insurance documents digitally (e.g. in an app or cloud)
  • If returning early, check if unused premiums can be refunded
  • Understand your emergency hotline & repatriation rules
  • Consider a combined policy (e.g. personal liability insurance if you don’t have one)

Final Thoughts

A reliable travel insurance is an absolute must-have for surfers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads. Especially if you’re often surfing, staying active, or traveling off the beaten path.

Whether it’s a surf injury in Indonesia, food poisoning in Asia, or a toothache in the middle of nowhere – the right policy keeps you covered and calm.

I hope this guide helps! Want to dig deeper? Check out my FAQ section on travel insurance for surf nomads.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance (FAQ)

For trips longer than 56 days (or outside the EU), a regular travel health insurance is not enough. For extended stays, you’ll need long-term Travel Health Insurance.

Ideally, you should take out your policy at least 2 weeks before departure. Most providers make it easy to sign up online or via email.
Already on the road? No worries – Young Travellers is one of the few providers that lets you take out a policy even after you’ve left your home country.

In most cases, extensions from abroad are not allowed. So it’s better to book a few extra weeks upfront. If you return home early, most insurers will refund the unused portion.
And if needed, simply start a new policy once the old one expires – Young Travellers makes this possible, even from abroad.

That depends on your country, your current insurance and your travel plans. In Germany for trips longer than 8 weeks, it’s often worth considering. Just call or email your insurance provider, they’ll advise you.

That depends on the plan – most offer worldwide coverage, with or without the USA/Canada included.
Bonus with Young Travellers: You only need to choose the higher-priced USA/Canada plan if you’re spending more than 50% of your trip there – a great way to save money.

You visit a doctor abroad, pay upfront, and submit the invoice digitally – usually via email or an app.
Reimbursements are typically processed within a few days.

It varies based on your destination, age, trip length, and plan. You’ll find a clear pricing overview directly on the website of Young Travellers*.

That depends on your travel duration. You typically choose a start and end date based on your trip, or until you hit the maximum coverage period. Most providers offer coverage for up to 12 months.
Young Travellers goes even further – up to 5 years, making it ideal for digital nomads and long-term travelers.

My tip: Book a few extra weeks just in case. If you come home earlier, you can cancel and get a refund.
Extending from abroad, however, is often tricky.

Standard travel insurance covers acute medical emergencies, things that happen while you’re abroad and need immediate attention: fever, injuries, dental pain, broken bones, etc. These are usually covered. But extras like private rooms or treatment by a chief physician typically are not.

If you want no deductible or added benefits like preventive dental care, pregnancy coverage, or unlimited dental treatment, you should definitely consider a premium plan.

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