"It was day 11 of my Bali trip. I'd been riding the same 110cc scooter for a week without incident. Then a dog ran into the road near Ubud, I swerved, hit loose gravel, and that was it."
— Composite story based on community experiences
What happened — the crash
Documents you need for a successful claim — prepare these before you need them
The fall happened at around 15km/h — slow by most standards, but fast enough to slide across asphalt and hit a concrete drainage ditch. The immediate injuries: deep road rash on both arms and one leg, a suspected broken wrist, and a gash on the left knee that would need stitches.
Within minutes, a local family came out of a nearby warung (food stall) and helped. One of them spoke English and offered to drive to BIMC Hospital Ubud — the nearest hospital for foreigners in the area. I accepted. In the moment, I wasn't thinking about insurance. I was thinking about the blood on my arm and whether my wrist was broken.
At BIMC Hospital — the bill
BIMC Ubud is clean, modern, and English-speaking. The staff was professional throughout. Here's what the treatment required:
- Wound cleaning and dressing (arms, leg): 3 sessions
- X-ray (wrist): confirmed fracture
- Wrist splint and casting
- 12 stitches (knee)
- Antibiotics and pain medication
- Two follow-up visits
The total bill: IDR 42,000,000 — approximately $2,600 USD.
In Bali terms, this was a moderate accident. A friend who had a more serious accident the following year (motorcycle collision, broken collarbone, surgery) paid over $18,000. The Indonesian hospital staff is warm and professional — but the moment they know you're a foreigner without local insurance, they ask for a deposit before treatment continues.
What I didn't have: insurance
I had been traveling for 6 weeks without insurance. I kept telling myself I'd buy it "next week." That $2,600 came entirely out of my travel savings. For context, SafetyWing would have cost me $62.72 per 4 weeks — about $94 total for my 6-week trip so far. The entire hospital bill was 27× the cost of the insurance I didn't buy.
What I did next — buying insurance mid-trip
From my hospital bed, I bought SafetyWing on my phone. Yes, right then. The signup took about 4 minutes. I set the start date to that evening, and noted the 2-day waiting period for illness coverage (injuries are immediate, but illnesses require 48 hours).
The $2,600 I'd already spent at BIMC was not covered — it happened before my policy started. But two things happened in the following weeks that vindicated the purchase:
- My road rash became infected 4 days later (a common complication). The treatment for the infection — antibiotic IV at a clinic in Canggu — was covered under SafetyWing.
- I developed a respiratory infection 10 days after buying the policy, likely from dust exposure during recovery. Doctor visit and antibiotics: fully covered.
Total claimed under SafetyWing in the following 3 weeks: approximately $380. Total SafetyWing cost: $62.72. The math is very clear.
The 5 things I'd do differently
1. Buy insurance before arriving
I had 6 weeks of uninsured travel behind me when I crashed. SafetyWing cost would have been ~$94 total. The crash cost $2,600. There is no version of this math where skipping insurance makes sense.
2. Get a valid motorcycle license before riding
I was on a 110cc scooter without an international motorcycle license. Even if I had bought SafetyWing before the accident, the claim would have been denied because I didn't have a valid license. Genki Traveler covers 125cc without a license — but most plans, including SafetyWing, require one for anything above 50cc.
3. Save the emergency number before you need it
SafetyWing's 24/7 emergency line is +1 (415) 723-3140. Genki's is on your policy certificate. Having this saved means you call before treatment, not after — which significantly improves reimbursement outcomes.
4. Know where your nearest hospital is before an emergency
I was lucky a local knew about BIMC Ubud. Research the nearest hospital with international insurance acceptance for every area you travel in. In Bali: BIMC (Kuta, Nusa Dua, Ubud) and Siloam.
5. Keep every receipt and document
For the claims I did make under SafetyWing (infection treatment, respiratory infection), I kept every receipt, every prescription label, every doctor's note. The claims were processed within 9 days with zero issues. Documentation is everything.
What I use now
After this experience I switched from SafetyWing Essential to Genki Traveler — specifically because of the scooter license rule. Genki covers 125cc scooters without a motorcycle license. For Bali-based nomads who ride scooters (which is nearly everyone), this is the single most important differentiator.
Related reading
Disclaimer: This story is a composite of real community experiences. Names and identifying details have been changed. Hospital costs reflect real Bali private hospital pricing as of 2025. Insurance coverage outcomes depend on your specific policy and circumstances — always read your policy documents. Affiliate disclosure: NomadShield earns a commission when you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.