We moved our family of four to Bali. I quoted “Global Health Insurance” for all of us: $1,200/month. We panicked. Then we found a local expat plan for $300/month. The difference in price is staggering, but so is the coverage gap.
Key Takeaways
- Kids are expensive on Travel Plans: SafetyWing allows 1 kid per adult for free (under 10). But if you have 3 kids, you pay. World Nomads charges for everyone.
- Local vs. Global:
- Global (Cigna/GeoBlue): Covers you everywhere (including trips back home). Expensive.
- Local (Luma/April): Covers you only in SE Asia (or your region). Much cheaper.
- The “US” Factor: If you exclude the US from your coverage zone, premiums drop by 50-60%.
- Maternity/Vaccines: Travel insurance pays $0 for school vaccines or checkups. You need a “Resident” plan for this.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Over-insuring.”
Do you need coverage in London and New York while living in Ubud? Probably not. Buying a “Worldwide” policy is overkill.
- The Trap: Buying a local plan that has too low limits (e.g., $50k max). A NICU stay for a child can hit $100k quickly.
The Investigation: I Called Them
- SafetyWing (Family): 2 Adults + 2 Kids (Ages 4, 7). Kids are free! Total cost ~$112/4 weeks.
- Cons: High deductible ($250 each). No routine care. No vaccines. Good for catastrophe only.
- Cigna Global (Silver): Worldwide excluding US. Quote: $850/month.
- Pros: Full coverage.
- Cons: Mortgage-level payment.
- Luma (Asia Pacific Plan): Regional coverage (Thailand/Vietnam/Bali). Quote: $350/month for the whole family.
- Verdict: The smart choice for regional nomads.
Comparison Table: Family Insurance Costs
| Feature | SafetyWing (Nomad) | Cigna Global (Silver) | Local Regional Plan (Asia) |
| Kids Cost | Free (1 per adult) | Full Price | Discounted |
| Zone | Worldwide | Worldwide | Asia Only |
| Routine Care | NO | YES (Optional) | YES (Usually) |
| Approx Cost | ~$112/mo | ~$850/mo | ~$350/mo |
[IMAGE: Graphic of a family stick figure group. One umbrella covering them labeled ‘Global’, another smaller umbrella labeled ‘Local’]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Exclude the US: If you are American, promise not to get sick in the US. Exclude it from the policy to save 50%.
- Use SafetyWing for “Free Kids”: If your kids are healthy and you just want emergency cover, SafetyWing is unbeatable value (kids free).
- Buy Local for Routine: Pay cash for vaccines ($30 in Bali) and checkups. Don’t insure the small stuff.
- Check “Inpatient” Only: To save money, buy a plan that covers only Hospitalization (Inpatient). Pay cash for Outpatient (doctor visits). This cuts premiums drastically.
FAQ
What if my child needs braces?
Orthodontics is almost never covered unless you buy the supreme dental package (not worth it).
Does the policy cover school physicals?
Resident/Global plans: Yes. Travel plans: No.
Can we split policies?
Yes. Put the healthy kids on SafetyWing and the parent with diabetes on Cigna.