Travel Insurance Africa
Travel Insurance Africa
Travel Insurance Policies When Travelling To South Africa
Travel Insurance Policies When Travelling To South Africa
- Travel insurance is often neglected when planning a holiday or business trip. In Britain we are used to a free healthcare system and often forget that in many countries this is not the case. We tend to not realise that luggage can be lost at an airport and that pick-pockets operate in Lisbon as well as London. Most of the time, travel insurance acts as a peace of mind…right up to the time you need it and then it can be the most important article in your suitcase.
Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?
As we are all aware, accidents can happen at any time and in any place to anybody In the worst of circumstances, this can cause significant injury as well as ruining a holiday or business trip. Unfortunately no-one can predict when these accidents will occur or the severity of them when they do. The only thing to do is to have a high quality travel insurance policy. It may feel like you are gambling against yourself when arranging such a policy, however, nothing could be further from the truth.
Luggage can be easily lost at airport, this in normally sufficient to ruin a holiday, having to endure a flight and then to traipse around a shopping centre to buy clean socks and shirts. Travel insurance can’t make this impossible to happen, but can help pay for your new clothes, which will ease the pain a little.
Something as innocent as a wet floor or trip down a flight of stairs could lead to a hospital trip, for example, to administer to a broken wrist or ankle. Medical insurance will usually cover the cost but if you need to return early your travel insurance policy may have a clause to allow this to be claimed for.
When in a foreign country and hiring a car try to know the local traffic laws. We drive on the left in the UK, not too many countries follow suit on this, luckily South Africa is one of those that does. If you cause an accident, personal liability may be an issue. A good travel insurance policy will also have a clause that allows travel back to the UK if a medical emergency arises.
What Should I Look For In Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a safety net when abroad. A good travel insurance policy should cover you for medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad, 24 hour emergency service and assistance and personal liability cover in case you are sued for causing injury or damaging property.
Other things to consider when purchasing travel insurance are, what is the value of your lost and stolen possessions cover? What’s the maximum you can claim on a single piece of your inventory? Are you covered for cancellation and/or curtailment of your flight or ferry? Does your policy have extra cover for activities that are usually not included standard policies, such as jet skiing or adventure activities? Are there any financial insurances in case your carrier airline becomes bankrupt before or during your excursion abroad?
Socio-political Issues
South Africa is such a divided country that information becomes very fragmented. In the busy tourist areas, there is a relative safety, although be highly vigilant. Tourists have been followed from airports and then hi-jacked and mugged, often at gunpoint. It is considered prudent to have a photocopy of your passport in the event of yours being stolen or lost. There is a high crime rate in the townships surrounding the larger cities, although for tourist areas there is a dedicated tourist police force.
If you mugged or car jacked, do not make eye contact or offer any kind of resistance. Hand over whatever they wish to take. After they have left, phone the police and report it. After this contact your travel insurance provider and explain the situation, they will do their best to offer assistance. Goods, baggage, money and belonging can all be replaced.
There is some nationalistic tension between South Africans and neighbouring Zimbabwe. If the mood starts to turn a little ugly at public gatherings, discreetly, but speedily, leave. Riots are bad enough, but handguns are very common in South Africa.
South Africa can at times have heavy storms. These can wash away some roads and cause confusion to the infrastructure. Use common sense to get to your airport to return home. If the weather forecasters are predicting a major storm, leave for the airport before the weather becomes too severe.
Specific Insurances In South Africa
South Africa has many wonderful areas of outstanding natural beauty. From the shores at Durban, to the peak of Table mountain, to the Kruger Wildlife park, there is an awful lot to see and do in South Africa.
It is important to have full medical and travel insurance when in South Africa. Emergency repatriation flights are not to be forgotten when choosing a travel insurance policy. The medical care is of a high standard, however waiting lists can be long and treatment is expensive.
It is important when selecting your travel insurance policy to factor in which activities you are choosing to do. If visiting Durban, its fair to assume you’ll be visiting the wonderful beaches. If so include water sports in your policy. This covers you for all most all beach and ocean sports and explorations.
If you are visiting the Limpopo region the Kruger national park is a major attraction so factor in the policy adjustments you are likely to require. Travel insurance policies can be a wide as the horizon across the Polokwane game reserve, so why restrict your activities due to lack of travel insurance cover.
If you need additional help after your medical and travellers insurance the British Consulate can be found at
British High Commission
255 Hill Street, Arcadia 0002, Pretoria, South Africa
Consular Section: 256 Glyn Street, Hatfield 0083, South Africa
Pretoria
Telephone: (27) (12) 421 7500
Fax: (27) (12) 421 7555 Switchboard
(27) (12) 421 7599 General Enquiries
(27) (12) 421 7877 Passport Enquiries
(27) (12) 421 7888 Visa Enquiries
Am I required to have an insurance when travelling to South Africa?
Also, my flight is transit via amesterdam to Cape Town, do i need trvel insurans for that?
ok its not required but its a good thing to have. i live in johannesburg, sa and let me give you some advice try to blend in! tourists strand out… take your pic and put your camera away, opt for a cash card from the exchange co (they cant pick you if you dont have cash) dont go into a squarter camp (with/without a local) o yes dont get out of your car in the kruger national park, the animals are wild and the lions will eat humans. but enjoy your trip, it truely is a great country.
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