Travel Insurance

March 2020

Why Travel Insurance Coverage is important when booking a safari

Going on safari is an amazing experience entailing a lot of detailed planning. There are many different reasons for a safari – great experiences with the family, a surprise wedding proposal in the wild or the beach, a destination wedding, a honeymoon, etc.

A safari usually comes with game drives, nature walks, getting into closer range with wildlife, climbing mountains, rafting, boating safaris, exploring the savannah plains and a lot more. As you plan the details of your safari, you should also plan to purchase comprehensive travel insurance.

Considering Insurance is not about how careful you plan to be during the safari, but it is important that you have a travel insurance policy every time you plan to travel especially when you are going to another continent.

Safari destinations are safe, but just like things can happen home it’s possible for them to happen in another continent. The difference here is, when you are in another country which is not home, it is usually hard to arrange for treatment, care or any solution in case something goes awry. When you have a travel insurance policy you can relax and travel with a peace of mind knowing that just in case of anything, you are covered.

On your safari, if something does go wrong, with adequate travel insurance, you will be much better prepared to handle the situation. Although an African safari is not dangerous to go on, and as in other travels, accidents, theft and trip cancellations may happen and if you aren’t covered you may suffer financially (medical attention is not cheap in Africa).

Purchase Africa travel insurance within 7 days of paying your trip deposit.

Many policies will insure your trip deposit and cover you for any preexisting medical conditions and default by most airlines and safari companies if you purchase it within seven days after initial deposit but if you don’t the latter won’t be covered.

There are two types of coverage that are important for an African safari so make sure you get both of them.

What your Travel Insurance should Cover

Travel Destinations– Before you get an insurance policy ensure you communicate to your agency that you will be covered for every destination you will visit; there are some areas that are not covered in standard travel insurance. Therefore it is important you make research about every area you are visiting.

Trip Cancellation and Curtailment
This incorporates cover against cancellation or curtailment of the safari which can happen if the operator doesn’t have enough participants for a tour, trip interruption or travel delay; loss or theft of, or damage to, baggage and baggage delay (theft of baggage is a problem at some African airports so make sure you keep valuables on your person when flying).

Medical Expenses
This should include cover for all medical expenses incurred, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation expenses. You may already have cover in some form or other (airline ticket purchased with a credit card or employer insurance) but make sure that all the above cover is included and if it isn’t then you need to get an additional comprehensive Africa travel insurance policy.

Medical Repatriation
This is costly and more like an emergency; it includes things like airlifts and medical evacuations back to your home country. This coverage may be an add-on to your travel insurance.
Activities–In most cases the medical insurance doesn’t cover some activities like hot air balloon safaris or white water rafting and other adventurous activities, therefore as you plan to to engage in any of these activities ensure that your insurance policy covers them.

Make sure you have access to cash by credit card or wire transfer

Something that many people aren’t aware of is that most medical providers in Africa won’t accept payment from an insurance company so you will have to pay any medical bill in full yourself and claim the amount back from your insurance company. They might refuse you medical attention if you don’t have any means to pay them directly so make sure you set this up before you leave home just in case it becomes necessary. If you need assistance remember to contact your country’s local embassy or representative.

How to get authorization for emergency medical evacuation

Travel agents and tour operators who are on the ball will address this issue but if yours doesn’t then you need to bring it up and ask them about it. Most Africa travel insurance companies stipulate that you must obtain authorization from them prior to any emergency medical evacuation but on safari some of the camps and lodges are so remote that it might not be possible to have access to a telephone to get the authorization beforehand. Check with your chosen company if they have this clause and what can be done to get around it if the eventuality does arise.

Travel Credit Card Benefits

Some credit cards have travel benefits, and while payments via credit cards may incur a surcharge of approx. 3 – 5% of the total amount payable, it’s probably a good idea to take advantage of the travel benefits of the credit cards.

The Best Travel Credit Cards of 2020 – Conde Nast

Cancel for any reason Travel Insurance Upgrade

A good upgrade option for travel insurance is to opt for a Cancel for Any Reason addition. This is an extra add-on to the travel insurance but the traveller can have peace of mind, knowing that the option is always there should there be a challenge to travel.
Cancel for Any Reason coverage comes with its own terms and conditions. Make sure you check these with the travel insurance provider.

Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance – Conde Nast

We purchase Emergency Evacuation Insurance for you

Ahnasa Destinations purchases Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance coverage for all our clients as part of our service. Emergency Evacuation insurance is mandatory for some higher risk activities, however for our guests peace of mind, we purchase this as part of the itinerary package. When on safari, this covers your evacuation from the bush or beach where it’s harder for insurance companies to get to help you. This coverage gets you to a city hospital via ambulance or air ambulance with qualified medical personnel until you reach a hospital where your travel / medical insurance takes over.

And Ensure That…

You share your correct age and any health conditions to the insurers, as this will affect the recommended policy for you and the total cost. Also ensure that you read the policy in its entirety so that you don’t miss out anything indicated by the insurers.

Travel Insurance