What is Travel Cover?
What is Travel Cover in South Africa revealed.
We verified travel cover in South Africa.
This is a complete guide to travel cover in South Africa.
In this in-depth guide you’ll learn:
- ☑️ What is travel cover?
- ☑️ Is travel cover affordable when you have medical aid?
- ☑️ Why do you need travel cover when you have medical aid?
- ☑️ Why should you consider travel cover?
- ☑️ What are the benefits of travel cover?
So if you’re ready to go “all in” with travel cover in South Africa, this guide is for you.
Let’s dive right in…
Overview
👉 If your flight is cancelled or you become unwell while travelling, travel insurance might give financial protection. Travel insurance can protect you financially in the case of an unanticipated event while on vacation.
👉 Travel Insurance providers give varying perks and features, therefore it is best to compare estimates before making a purchase decision. If your flight is cancelled or you become unwell while travelling, travel insurance might give financial protection.
👉 Travel insurance can protect you financially in the case of an unanticipated event while on vacation. Travel Insurance providers give varying perks and features, therefore it is best to compare estimates before making a purchase decision.
👉 If your flight is cancelled or you become unwell while travelling, travel insurance might give financial protection.
👉 In this article, we take a closer look at the various aspects of travel cover or insurance.
☑️ READ more about the 5 Best Travel Medical Insurances in South Africa revealed
Understanding travel cover in South Africa
👉 Travelling to exotic international destinations is the highlight of many South Africans’ lives. An injury or illness, on the other hand, could destroy the pleasure. If you are not covered for medical emergencies when travelling abroad, your trip could be disastrously expensive.
👉 Most open medical aid plans in South Africa provide limited coverage to members who travel outside of the country. The overseas component is typically outsourced to travel partners such as ER24 and Europ Assistance.
👉 Principal members and beneficiaries are protected for up to 90 days after departure. Benefits are limited to between R5 million and R10 million per trip for medical situations. Coverage can include emergency medical evacuation or repatriation.
👉 It’s worth noting that international travel insurance is sometimes omitted from low-cost entry-level plans. Members of the Discovery Health KeyCare Series and the BonCap option from Bonitas, for example, are not insured and must make other arrangements.
The purpose of travel cover
👉 Travel insurance provides protection against potential hazards and monetary losses when travelling.
👉 There is always the possibility of anything going wrong, from a minor inconvenience like missing a flight or having your luggage misplaced to a catastrophic event like being gravely injured or being extremely ill.
👉 If you’re planning a trip of a lifetime or simply travelling across the country to attend your cousin’s wedding, you may be wondering if and when you should purchase travel insurance.
👉 Simply put, you should only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Knowing the ins and outs of travel insurance will assist you in determining whether it is a worthwhile investment.
👉 Some of the most important advantages of travel cover are:
- ➡️ Protection against losing the cost of your flight if it is delayed or cancelled.
- ➡️ Insurance against unforeseen expenses caused by delays or lost, delayed, or destroyed baggage.
- ➡️ Protection against medication costs in the event of illness or injury during your trip.
👉 To get the most out of your cover, always buy it before you plan to fly. After an event has occurred, you will not be able to obtain insurance.
👉 It’s also a good idea to carefully look through your plan. Examine the fine print as well as the terms and conditions. Before signing anything, ask questions and make sure you completely understand what is covered.
☑️ Discover what is Health Insurance for Travel
Travel cover benefits
👉 Depending on the coverage you choose, travel insurance protects you against a wide range of dangers.
Sickness and injury
👉 If you become ill or injured while travelling, you may incur medical expenses that your usual health insurance does not cover. If you become ill or wounded before or during your trip, the costs of care may quickly outweigh the amount covered by your regular health insurance.
Missing luggage
👉 The costs of lost or stolen luggage may be mitigated in part by acquiring travel insurance. This is especially useful if your luggage is misplaced during transportation and the airline refuses to compensate you.
👉 Passengers who can provide receipts for the entire value of the things will receive the most compensation for their lost baggage and contents.
Extended cover
👉 Some credit cards, if they offer cancellation/interruption coverage at all, only give modest protection up to a specific annual maximum. Few credit cards, however, offer protection against the most expensive travel hazards, such as medical expenditures or emergency evacuations, which are frequently covered by travel insurance.
📢 Complete below form and receive a free, no obligation quote
Get the Best Medical Aid Quotes from Hippo Advisory Services
Types of travel cover
Travel insurance that can be cancelled
👉 You have the right to cancel if you get a hangnail after acquiring this insurance. In most circumstances, the insurance provider does not require an explanation.
👉 They simply ask that you cancel within the specified time frame, which is normally between 48 and 72 hours before your departure.
👉 It is more convenient, but you will receive less money. With cancel for any reason insurance, you can have up to 70% of your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenditures back, and you don’t even have to give a reason.
👉 This type of coverage is sometimes marketed alone, and occasionally as an add-on to a more comprehensive insurance.
Comprehensive cover
👉 Most people envision a policy like this when they think about travel insurance. All-inclusive policies often cover luggage loss, unexpected medical bills, and cancellations due to illness or death. Read the fine print to find out exactly what is included.
☑️ You might also like Top Medical Aid Plans for Women
An example of travel cover: Bonitas
👉 Europ Assistance manages the Bonitas International Travel benefit, which is administered by Linkham Services SA (Pty) Ltd (FSP 45396).
👉 The benefit is underwritten by GENRIC Insurance Company Limited (FSP: 43638), a licenced non-life insurer and Authorised Financial Services Provider.
👉 This Benefit is available to Bonitas members (except BonCap members) who live in South Africa and consider it their permanent abode.
👉 This insurance covers you and your dependents in the event of a medical emergency while travelling outside of South Africa.
👉 Your foreign travel insurance for Emergency Medical Conditions will cover unanticipated and unexpected illnesses or injuries if you have obtained pre-authorization to cover your hospital stay.
👉 The coverage provided is not a medical policy and does not cover medical operations conducted in South Africa.
☑️ READ more about GEMS
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all medical aids in South Africa offer travel cover?
📣 No, not all South African medical aids provide travel cover. The availability and scope of travel cover can vary between medical aid companies.
What does travel cover from medical aids typically include?
📣 Emergency medical costs, repatriation, and travel assistance services are all possible inclusions in medical aids’ travel coverage.
Do I need to inform my medical aid before traveling?
📣 To guarantee appropriate coverage and help during your vacation, it is recommended to let your medical insurance know before leaving.
What is typically not covered by travel cover?
📣 Typically, the following may not be covered by travel insurance: Pre-existing medical conditions, High-risk activities, Travel to high-risk countries, Non-medical emergencies Intentional self-harm, Injuries or accidents resulting from illegal activities or alcohol and/or drugs.
Are pre-existing medical conditions covered under travel cover?
📣 Medical aids may not all cover pre-existing medical issues under travel cover. To find out more specifics, see your policy.
Do you automatically need travel cover?
📣 Despite the fact that it is not legally required, many countries have added travel insurance to their entry requirements as a result of the pandemic. While some nations require coverage for COVID-19, others require coverage for all medical expenses.
What conditions affect travel cover?
📣 Some of the most frequent pre-existing medical conditions that must be disclosed when purchasing travel insurance include:
- Heart conditions. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are very common
- Diabetes
- Asthma and respiratory problems
- Chronic illnesses
- Joint and bone inflammation
- Mental health issues
