Orlagh Claire

How to Slow Travel the World

The Best Travel Insurance for New York City Trip

This blog post is all about the best travel insurance for New York.

travel insurance for new york

So, you’ve booked your flights to New York City, got your ESTA sorted, and started daydreaming about yellow cabs, rooftop views, and late-night pizza slices in Manhattan.

But before you zip your suitcase shut, there’s one thing you really shouldn’t overlook: travel insurance.

Now I know travel insurance isn’t the most exciting part of your trip prep, but trust me when I say this: New York City is not the place to travel without it.

In this blog post, I’m going to walk you through the reasons why you need travel insurance for New York City and why I recommend Safetywing.

RELATED New York City blog posts to read:

This blog post is all about the best travel insurance for New York City.

How Healthcare Works in the USA
(And Why You Can’t Risk Going Without Travel Insurance for New York)

The US has one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world, and it operates very differently from what many visitors from the UK, Ireland, Europe, or Australia are used to.

There’s no NHS. No public healthcare. No “just pop into the A&E” and be seen for free.

Here’s how healthcare works in the US:

  • Healthcare is entirely private
  • You pay out of pocket unless you have insurance
  • Even minor treatment can cost thousands
  • An ambulance ride alone can be over $1,000 USD
  • Emergency room visits? Easily $2,000–$5,000 USD depending on what’s needed

And yes, they will treat you in an emergency — but they’ll also definitely send you the bill afterwards.

So whether you trip on the subway stairs, end up with food poisoning from a dodgy street vendor in Queens, or twist your ankle in Central Park, the potential costs are not something you want to face uninsured.

Why I Use SafetyWing for Travel Insurance

As someone who travels full-time and works remotely, I’ve used a lot of different insurance providers over the years, and SafetyWing is the one I’ve stuck with.

Whether I’m in Southeast Asia, Europe, or America, it’s the provider I trust and recommend.

Here’s why I personally use and recommend SafetyWing:

SafetyWing has been my go-to through dozens of countries (including the US when I visited New York in January) and the peace of mind it provides is worth every cent.

What Does SafetyWing Cover?

Here’s a breakdown of what SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance plan typically includes:

CoverageIncluded?
Emergency medical care✅ Up to $250,000 USD
Emergency evacuation✅
Travel delay/interruption✅
Lost checked luggage✅
Trip cancellation❌ (not included in base plan)
Dental emergency✅ Up to $1,000
COVID-19 treatment✅
USA coverage✅ (optional add-on)
Rolling monthly subscription✅
Purchase from abroad✅
Adventure sports❌ (can be added separately)

You can view the full coverage details here, but this is the gist.

For most travellers visiting NYC for a few days or weeks, this is more than enough for your travel insurance for New York.

Who is SafetyWing Ideal For?

SafetyWing is perfect if:

  • You’re a budget-conscious traveller
  • You’re working remotely or travelling long-term
  • You want flexible coverage without being tied to fixed dates
  • You’re looking for value for money and don’t want to spend £200+ on a rigid insurance policy

But let me be real with you, if you’re someone who wants very high-level coverage, pre-existing condition support, or extras like gear theft or expensive electronics protection, you might want to shop around for premium insurance.

That said, you’ll also be paying premium prices.

For the rest of us (especially those not planning to skydive off the Empire State Building), SafetyWing is ideal base-level travel insurance for New York that covers the essentials at a fair price.

Why Travel Insurance for New York is a Must

New York is unpredictable, that’s part of the charm, right?

But that also means things can go wrong, even if you’re careful. Here are just a few examples of where travel insurance for New York comes in handy:

  • You eat something questionable from a street vendor in Queens and end up with food poisoning
  • Your flight home is cancelled due to a snowstorm at JFK
  • You leave your luggage on the wrong train heading out of Penn Station
  • Your Airbnb falls through and you need a last-minute hotel
  • You slip on ice in Bryant Park and need an x-ray

Travel insurance for New York means you’re not facing those problems alone. And in NYC, that can make a huge difference to your bank account and your sanity.

How to Sign Up for SafetyWing

It genuinely couldn’t be easier.

Here’s how to get covered:

  1. Go to SafetyWing’s website
  2. Choose your start and end dates, or opt for a rolling subscription
  3. Select USA coverage when prompted (important for buying travel insurance for New York!)
  4. Enter your details and payment and you’re done in 5 minutes

You’ll receive a confirmation and can access everything via the website or their app. You can also pause or cancel your plan at any time, and it automatically renews every 4 weeks unless you tell it not to.

For digital nomads or longer-term travellers, the flexibility is unmatched.

Heading to New York? I’ve Got You Covered

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing a trip to New York City is on the horizon, and I could not be more excited for you.

NYC is my favourite city in the world.

I lived there, I visit as often as I can, and I never tire of exploring it.

It’s chaotic, beautiful, inspiring, gritty, glamorous, and absolutely unforgettable.

Over the years, I’ve written loads of blog posts about the city, including:

And I’ve bundled everything into one ultimate NYC guide, with ready-made itineraries for:

  • First-time visitors
  • Second or third-time travellers looking to explore deeper
  • People who want to see the real New York beyond Times Square

Download my New York City Travel Guide here — it’s packed with recommendations from someone who’s lived it, loved it, and still goes back as often as possible:

New York Travel Guide Blog Ad

Why You Need Travel Insurance for New York

New York is one of the greatest cities in the world, but it’s not the place to test your luck when it comes to insurance and buying travel insurance for New York.

One small accident can turn into a massive bill, and no one wants to spend their holiday fighting with hospital admin or trying to get reimbursed without coverage.

That’s why I always recommend SafetyWing to fellow travellers when buying travel insurance for New York. It’s flexible, affordable, covers the essentials, and most importantly, it works.

Pair that with a solid plan (like my NYC guide), and you’re all set for an incredible, stress-free adventure in the Big Apple.

RELATED New York City blog posts to read:

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