For those who are planning a trip, you will need to have insurances in place. These insurances will ensure that you and your family are covered in case of an emergency, such as if your baggage is stolen or you are robbed while on holiday. If you are not insured while you travel, you might find your trip ruined by an unpleasant experience.
You will need to invest in travel insurance for any local travel to keep yourself and your belongings safe. Fortunately, travel insurance in South Africa is affordable and easy to apply for, which takes away one stress of planning your trip. Are you asking yourself “What is travel insurance?” or “What does travel insurance cover?” Well, read on below for some top tips.
So, is travel insurance that important?
The answer to this question comes down to how much you stand to lose if you are stopped from taking the trip or if something should go wrong during the journey. If you are going to be taking valuable items with you on your trip to see family, then travel insurance should be a top priority when planning your adventure.
If you find out that your flight or bus has been cancelled, then your travel insurance will reimburse you for your ticket cost. This way, you will not have wasted money on expensive tickets only to lose out. For tours and cruises, travel insurance is vital as you will be covered if your luggage goes missing or is lost. You will save yourself from a lot of stress and heartache if you invest in insurance before heading off on your travels.
What does it cover?
Now you know why you need it, you are likely wondering what travel insurance covers. It is a useful product because it covers an array of issues. This includes trip cancellation, delays, lost baggage and belongings, and emergency medical care if necessary. It is a comprehensive insurance which makes travelling easier and safer.
If you are going to a province or country which you are unfamiliar with, then having cover for incidents is vital. You might be entering an area which is known for muggings or robberies, and if your belongings are stolen, being compensated for this loss will help immensely. For foodies, if you are going to be eating new and exotic foods, you might find your stomach disagreeing with them, and your travel insurance will pay for medical care to remedy this.
Are there any exclusions?
As with all insurance, there are some exclusions. But these are not prohibitive and you will still be covered for every eventuality. Some travel insurance will not cover medical conditions that are pre-existing, such as a heart condition, so be sure to read over these terms before you decide on one for your trip.
Most policies will not pay for any losses or damages to your property which result from you acting foolishly or drinking too many cocktails on the beach. Extreme sports are also not covered, as these are considered to be high-risk and irresponsible activities. If you will be travelling to a country that has been deemed dangerous by your government, your travel insurance will not cover you.
What is on offer?
One aspect you should be on the lookout for is a waiver for pre-existing conditions. This means that if there is a medical condition that could cause you to cancel the trip, the claim will not be refused by the insurance company.
You should also look out for options which cover a repatriation service if you are in another country, a missed departure service for if you miss your flight or bus, and baggage cover. If these are not offered or if the cover is low, you might have to look at other options. Also, ask about any exclusions that might be too prohibitive to you or your family.
Will it cover my whole family?
The easy answer to this is yes, it will. You can look for a policy to cover your whole family while you are travelling. All you will need to do is ask for family cover options and decide on one which best suits your needs. Be sure to check how old your children have to be in order to still receive premiums for children.
Family policies will cover both parents and your children, usually up
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