South Africa Travel Insurance - Best Options for Kiwis 2024
Compare the best travel insurance options for visiting South Africa. Our detailed guide compares policies from 10+ insurers, helping you find the right protection at the best price.
Updated 30 October 2024
Summary
Our approach:
Results:
To review South Africa options, our guide covers:
A) South Africa Travel Insurance Comparison by Traveller Type and Age Group:
B) Essential Reading:
Advertising Disclaimer: At MoneyHub, we maintain transparency and independence in our reviews and comparisons. While we may have commercial relationships with some insurers featured in this guide, these partnerships do not influence our rankings, recommendations, or the prices you see. Our commitment is to provide New Zealanders with unbiased, trustworthy information to help them make informed decisions based on their needs.
Summary
- When planning a trip to South Africa, many New Zealanders overlook the importance of travel insurance - South Africa is a difficult place to get sick or have an accident, even though medical care can be cheaper than other destinations. If something is wrong and you need to be flown back to New Zealand, it's at least a 20+ hour journey.
- Furthermore, travel insurance offers more than just medical protection - comprehensive policies cover cancellations, lost luggage, travel resumption, disruption and even legal assistance, which can be useful.
Our approach:
- Our research, specific to South Africa and the only of its kind published in New Zealand, extensively reviews and compares travel insurance options. We look at 10+ insurers covering all segments of the market.
- We’ve categorised insurers into three clear groups based on their underwriting structure, so you know exactly who is backing your policy and what that means for you.
- Our research covers individuals, couples, families and older travellers, alongside important travel insurance tips and frequently asked questions to help you choose the right policy for your needs.
Results:
- Based on our extensive sample quotes below, Allianz consistently stands out by offering competitive pricing, reasonable excesses, and comprehensive coverage for all types of travellers we tested.
- Allianz simplifies the claims process as its own underwriter, which means you'll deal directly with them if and when you need to make a claim, avoiding being passed to another company.
- With its well-established reputation, Allianz also underwrites policies for trusted brands like AA Travel, AMP, Tower, and House of Travel, making it a top choice worth considering given its best-in-market pricing.
To review South Africa options, our guide covers:
A) South Africa Travel Insurance Comparison by Traveller Type and Age Group:
- Individual: One 25-year-old in South Africa for 15 Days
- Couple: Two 35-year-olds in South Africa for 15 Days
- Family: A Family of Four in South Africa for 15 Days
- Older Couple: Two 65-year-olds in South Africa for 15 Days
- Allianz vs CoverMore vs Southern Cross Travel Insurance
B) Essential Reading:
- Must-Know Travel Insurance Facts and Tips For New Zealanders Visiting South Africa
- Credit Card Travel Insurance vs Buying a Standalone Policy for South Africa Travel
Advertising Disclaimer: At MoneyHub, we maintain transparency and independence in our reviews and comparisons. While we may have commercial relationships with some insurers featured in this guide, these partnerships do not influence our rankings, recommendations, or the prices you see. Our commitment is to provide New Zealanders with unbiased, trustworthy information to help them make informed decisions based on their needs.
South Africa Travel Insurance Comparison by Traveller Type and Age Group
What we looked for:
Our Sample
Our sample travellers travelling to South Africa for fifteen days:
Quote basis: Our pricing is based on the fact that the traveller is a resident of New Zealand, intends to return to New Zealand after the journey, purchases the policy in New Zealand before travel, and the start date on the policy is the date the traveller leaves their normal place of residence in New Zealand to start the journey.
Underwriters:
- Comprehensive cover for more than just medical - we analysed in detail, beyond the cheap policies offering nothing but accident cover. We looked for policies labelled as "comprehensive", offering reasonable levels of medical cover and decent reimbursements for travel delays and lost or stolen personal items.
- Low excess - Excesses vary, but most insurers have policies with $100 excesses, so this is the benchmark we used (except when otherwise noted).
- Zero excess on essentials - some policies don't charge an excess on certain events - delays and hospital cash are some examples, which means you can claim without being out of pocket for the excess.
- Value for money - We ordered our results by price, from lowest to highest and indicated if the insurer offers additional discounts for existing policyholders (the price quoted does not include the possible discount).
Our Sample
- To obtain our quote data, we used several different ages as specified below, travelling to South Africa.
- We evaluated comprehensive policies offered by 10+ insurance companies.
- In most cases, travel insurance quotes rarely move "within the range", so if you and your children are of a different age to what we used, the quotes will still be similar to what we have given below, the age of school-aged children is not a significant factor for policy prices and are often covered until the age of 18 (but check the insurer's policy).
Our sample travellers travelling to South Africa for fifteen days:
- Individual: One 25-year-old
- 35-year-old couple: two 35-year-olds
- Family: two 40-year-olds and two children aged 8 and 10
- 65-year-old couple: two 65-year-olds
Quote basis: Our pricing is based on the fact that the traveller is a resident of New Zealand, intends to return to New Zealand after the journey, purchases the policy in New Zealand before travel, and the start date on the policy is the date the traveller leaves their normal place of residence in New Zealand to start the journey.
Underwriters:
- Most travel insurance sold in New Zealand by brands such as State, AA, 1Cover and Air New Zealand is underwritten by major insurers. This means the policy has strength, and you are not relying on the solvency and financial strength of your provider to pay out any claim.
- For example, you'll see statements that say the policy is underwritten by Allianz, Cover-More, Chubb, Southern Cross and Tower, and we have noted the underwriter with every insurance provider.
- You also have the option to purchase policies directly from Allianz and Southern Cross, allowing you to deal directly with the underwriter throughout the entire process. This approach is popular among many New Zealanders, and as shown in the sample pricing and coverage benefits below, Allianz and Southern Cross offer a compelling value proposition.
- Please note, we have excluded AON, Chubb, American Express (underwritten by Chubb Insurance), and nib and Worldnomads (underwritten by Pacific International) due to their higher premiums and similar coverage compared to the core insurers listed below. However, AMEX Gold Rewards, Airpoints Platinum and AMEX Business Gold card holders receive comprehensive travel insurance covering South Africa when the minimum purchase requirements are met.
Important: Why we’ve categorised insurers by their underwriting structure
When choosing a travel insurance policy, it’s important to understand the provider and who actually underwrites the policy. The underwriter is responsible for evaluating risk and paying claims, so knowing who’s behind your policy is crucial for making an informed decision.
We’ve categorised insurers into three groups to make this clear:
1. Insurers who are also underwriters
2. Specialist insurers using external underwriters
3. Web-based insurers using external underwriters
Online insurers like Mixandmatch or Webjet typically use external underwriters to support their policies, making offering competitive prices via their web platforms easier. While their services are convenient and often cheaper, it’s essential to know that a different entity will handle the actual claims process—usually a large, well-known underwriter.
Why this matters to you
By breaking insurers into these categories, we aim to give you full transparency into how each policy is structured. Understanding the distinction between the insurance provider and the underwriter helps you:
Our View: Clarity is key to making informed decisions about travel insurance and ensuring you get the best value for your money. Our focus is on providing transparent and reliable information that lets you choose the best coverage for your needs.
We’ve categorised insurers into three groups to make this clear:
1. Insurers who are also underwriters
- These companies, like Allianz and Southern Cross, both sell and underwrite their own policies. This means you’re dealing directly with the company responsible for assessing and paying your claims.
- Many New Zealanders prefer this arrangement for its transparency and simplicity, as it reduces the layers involved in the claims process.
2. Specialist insurers using external underwriters
- These providers, such as 1Cover, AA, AMP and Tower, specialise in selling insurance but rely on large, reputable underwriters like Allianz or Zurich to manage the risks and claims.
- This can offer competitive pricing while ensuring you’re backed by trusted, international firms with strong financial capabilities. However, understanding this relationship is important, as you’re effectively buying from one company but dealing with another in the event of a claim.
3. Web-based insurers using external underwriters
Online insurers like Mixandmatch or Webjet typically use external underwriters to support their policies, making offering competitive prices via their web platforms easier. While their services are convenient and often cheaper, it’s essential to know that a different entity will handle the actual claims process—usually a large, well-known underwriter.
Why this matters to you
By breaking insurers into these categories, we aim to give you full transparency into how each policy is structured. Understanding the distinction between the insurance provider and the underwriter helps you:
- Make better decisions: You know exactly who you’ll be dealing with at every stage, from purchasing your policy to making a claim.
- Build confidence in your choice: Choosing a policy from a provider supported by a strong underwriter gives you peace of mind that your claims will be handled efficiently.
- Understand pricing differences: Sometimes, policies with similar coverage come at different price points due to the involvement of an external underwriter. Knowing this helps you understand what you’re paying for.
Our View: Clarity is key to making informed decisions about travel insurance and ensuring you get the best value for your money. Our focus is on providing transparent and reliable information that lets you choose the best coverage for your needs.
1. Individual: One 25-year-old in South Africa for 15 Days
- Travellers: Single traveller, 25 years old
- Single trip quote: Comprehensive cover
- Excess: Varies per insurer
A) Insurers who are also underwriters - Allianz and Southern Cross
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$166.99 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Zurich (CoverMore's owner) |
$139.00 |
$250 |
International Comprehensive Premium |
|
Southern Cross Travel Insurance |
$159.17 |
$250 |
International Comprehensive |
B) Specialist insurers using external underwriters
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$137.00 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Zurich |
$225.00 |
$100 |
International |
|
Zurich |
$210.00 |
$100 |
International Plan I |
|
Allianz |
$159.00 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
HDI Global Specialty SE |
$215.52 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Allianz |
$144.00 |
$100 |
Comprehensive |
|
HDI Global Specialty SE |
$245.16 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
C) Web-based travel insurers using external underwriters
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$148.00 |
$150 |
Comprehensive |
|
Cover-More NZ / Zurich AUS |
$140.00 |
$100 |
Travel Safe Plus International |
2. Couple: Two 35-year-olds in South Africa for 15 Days
- Travellers: Two travellers, 35 years old
- Single trip quote: Comprehensive cover
- Excess: Varies per insurer
A) Insurers who are also underwriters - Allianz and Southern Cross
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$291.60 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Zurich (CoverMore's owner) |
$278.00 |
$250 |
International Comprehensive Premium |
|
Southern Cross Travel Insurance |
$304.00 |
$250 |
International Comprehensive |
B) Specialist insurers using external underwriters
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$316.00 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Zurich |
$450.00 |
$100 |
International |
|
Zurich |
$480.00 |
$100 |
International Plan I |
|
Allianz |
$368.00 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
HDI Global Specialty SE |
$391.02 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Allianz |
$298.00 |
$100 |
Comprehensive |
|
HDI Global Specialty SE |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
C) Web-based travel insurers using external underwriters
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$346.00 |
$150 |
Comprehensive |
|
Cover-More NZ / Zurich AUS |
$294.00 |
$100 |
Travel Safe Plus International |
3. Family: A family of Four in South Africa for 15 Days
Travellers: Four travellers, two 40-year-olds and two children aged 8 and 10
- Single trip quote: Comprehensive cover
- Excess: Varies per insurer
A) Insurers who are also underwriters - Allianz and Southern Cross
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$306.72 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Zurich (CoverMore's owner) |
$278.00 |
$250 |
International Comprehensive Premium |
|
Southern Cross Travel Insurance |
$298.46 |
$250 |
International Comprehensive |
B) Specialist insurers using external underwriters
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$316.00 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Zurich |
$450.00 |
$100 |
International |
|
Zurich |
$480.00 |
$100 |
International Plan I |
|
Allianz |
$368.00 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
HDI Global Specialty SE |
$386.59 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Allianz |
$298.00 |
$100 |
Comprehensive |
|
HDI Global Specialty SE |
$540.38 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
C) Web-based travel insurers using external underwriters
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$346.00 |
$150 |
Comprehensive |
|
Cover-More NZ / Zurich AUS |
$294.00 |
$100 |
Travel Safe Plus International |
4. Older Couple: Two 65-year-olds in South Africa for 15 Days
- Family: Two travellers, 65 years old
- Single trip quote: Comprehensive cover
- Excess: Varies per insurer
A) Insurers who are also underwriters - Allianz and Southern Cross
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$341.23 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Zurich (CoverMore's owner) |
$492.00 |
$250 |
International Comprehensive Premium |
|
Southern Cross Travel Insurance |
$349.10 |
$250 |
International Comprehensive |
B) Specialist insurers using external underwriters
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$336.00 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Zurich |
$640.00 |
$100 |
International |
|
Zurich |
$512.00 |
$100 |
International Plan I |
|
Allianz |
$388.00 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
HDI Global Specialty SE |
$657.97 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
|
Allianz |
$344.00 |
$100 |
Comprehensive |
|
HDI Global Specialty SE |
$787.89 |
$200 |
Comprehensive |
C) Web-based travel insurers using external underwriters
Insurance Provider |
Underwriter |
Price (Single Trip) |
Excess |
Policy Name |
Allianz |
$366.00 |
$150 |
Comprehensive |
|
Cover-More NZ / Zurich AUS |
$442.00 |
$100 |
Travel Safe Plus International |
Allianz vs CoverMore vs Southern Cross Travel Insurance
To help you compare the policies offered directly by each underwriter (and not those sold under brands like Tower, AA, or AMP), we’ve outlined the core benefits below. These comparisons focus solely on the policies sold directly by Allianz, CoverMore, and SCTI to travellers.
1) Medical Coverage
2) Cancellation Coverage
3) Luggage and Personal Effects
4) Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess
5) Personal Liability
6) Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Coverage:
7) Travel Delay and Disruption Benefits:
8) Accidental Death and Disability:
1) Medical Coverage
- Allianz: Provides unlimited overseas medical and hospital expenses and qualifying dental costs.
- CoverMore: Provides unlimited overseas medical and evacuation cover but has a similar $3,000 emergency dental coverage.
- SCTI (Southern Cross): Offers unlimited overseas medical and evacuation expenses with a $3,000 limit for emergency dental.
2) Cancellation Coverage
- Allianz: Cancellation cover begins as soon as you purchase the policy; $4,000 is standard, and for a few dollars more, you can increase the cover to as high as $200,000.
- CoverMore: Allows you to choose your cancellation cover limit, offering flexibility depending on how much you want to insure.
- SCTI: Provides up to $50,000 for trip cancellations.
3) Luggage and Personal Effects
- Allianz: Covers $15,000 for personal belongings and has a base excess on some luggage claims.
- CoverMore: Covers up to $30,000 for luggage, with sub-limits such as $2,500 for phones and $5,000 for laptops.
- SCTI: Provides cover for personal belongings up to $30,000, with individual item limits (e.g., $5,000 for a laptop).
4) Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess
- Allianz, CoverMore and SCTI all offer coverage for up to $10,000 in excess rental vehicle insurance.
5) Personal Liability
- Allianz: Matches CoverMore with up to $5,000,000 in personal liability.
- CoverMore: Provides up to $5,000,000 in personal liability cover.
- SCTI: Offers personal liability cover up to $2,000,000.
6) Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Coverage:
- Allianz: Requires pre-existing conditions to be disclosed and approved for coverage. Some conditions may not be covered, or additional premiums may apply.
- CoverMore: Offers coverage for some pre-existing conditions, subject to assessment and approval. CoverMore is relatively flexible in this regard but requires thorough disclosure.
- SCTI: Generally excludes pre-existing conditions unless disclosed and accepted. They require full disclosure, and certain conditions may not be covered.
7) Travel Delay and Disruption Benefits:
- Allianz: Provides solid cover for delays and missed connections, offering reimbursement for additional expenses up to a certain limit.
- CoverMore: Offers extensive cover for travel disruptions, including cover for accommodation and additional travel expenses caused by delays.
- SCTI: Provides cover for travel delays and missed connections, but specific limits apply depending on the situation. It’s suitable for standard coverage, but not as extensive as others.
8) Accidental Death and Disability:
- Allianz: Covers up to $50,000 for accidental death and disability, comparable to SCTI.
- CoverMore: Provides up to $25,000 for accidental death and disability, with options to increase this coverage with certain add-ons.
- SCTI: Offers up to $50,000 for accidental death and disability.
Must-Know Travel Insurance Facts and Tips For New Zealanders Visiting South Africa
- Travel insurance can be expensive, and the quotes do range, but saving money on a suitable policy is easy when you know what you're looking for and have options shortlisted.
- With one in three New Zealanders not thinking you need travel insurance per 2024 research, taking a risk could be costly if something goes wrong. Being sick in South Africa can be a problem, and a 20+ hour journey home to New Zealand if there are complications. Things will get expensive.
- If you have booked a trip but have not bought travel insurance, we strongly suggest considering it. Policies are not as expensive as you may think, and the peace of mind from comprehensive protection is worth the expense. The right policy will cover you for cancellation, delays and other events that arise irrespective of how careful you are.
- Our View: We don't believe Travel Insurance is about picking the lowest price or going with a well-known brand without properly comparing. Our list of facts below is published to help you make a fully-informed decision and get the most suitable cover without overpaying. Overall:
1. Travel Insurance is about covering the unpredictable
- Many Kiwis take a risk and say, "Why would I get travel insurance? I probably won't use it". It's the "probably" that is the issue. Any trip to South Africa exposes you to unpredictable events; no one can predict the future, and "safe" destinations expose you to unforeseen risks.
- Travel insurance is about protecting yourself from the things you don't plan for and don't want to pay for.
2. Buy travel insurance as soon as you've booked your trip to take advantage of cancellation coverage for a family event or pre-trip illness
- Many travel insurance policies include pre-trip illness and cancellation benefits, so buying it at the same time as a flight or holiday gives you added protection for free.
- It's never too early to insure your trip and get refunded if you are too ill to travel.
3. Don't assume all policies are the same
- Travel insurance coverage and terms are not always clear, and New Zealand insurers offer different inclusions and exclusions. There are many questions to ask yourself to make it easier, including "am I checking in bags or travelling only with hand luggage?", "am I taking expensive electronics (camera, laptop, phone etc)?", "am I partaking in adventurous sports, including skiing?" and "am I taking a lot of cash?". Answering these questions will help you pick the right policy.
4. Check with your credit card provider to see if you are already covered
- Many Platinum and Gold-branded credit cards include "free" travel insurance as part of their annual fee, and you will often have to pay for some or most of your trip with the credit card that offers that benefit. If you have one of these cards, check out exactly what it covers, who is protected, and how to activate the insurance cover.
- You can find the policy online or contact your card issuer. Our dedicated guide explains more.
5. If you are 70+ or there is a 70+-year-old travelling with you, separate policies may often be cheaper
- Some insurers consider older travellers a higher risk and charge much more for a policy, given the medical costs they can often incur. If you are buying for a group, the policy's price might be higher if you have one or more older travellers on the policy.
- It is often cheaper to get separate policies, i.e. one for the family and one for the grandparents, rather than combining everyone in one policy. However, this is not universally applied, so play around with separating or joining the groups when obtaining quotes.
- Furthermore, quotes for individual policies and family policies, as one policy is often cheaper than two. Covering your partner and/or family will likely be cheaper with one policy than buying individual cover for each person, but not always. In some situations, separate policies may be cheaper. This is usually the case when an individual is 65+, has a medical condition and has a history of making travel insurance claims
6. Be completely honest when buying a policy, and ALWAYS declare ALL medical conditions
- New Zealand travel insurers have a good reputation for paying claims, but they are under no obligation to pay you if you lied when you applied. To best protect you from a big problem later on, give your insurer a full description of all of your health problems; it is also important to inform them if you are pregnant, as this can affect the coverage offered.
7. One drink can prevent a claim from being paid
- The terms and conditions of a travel insurance policy make the rules around alcohol clear - if you are "under the influence" during an incident, your claim will be invalid. This means that if you go out drinking in South Africa and lose your bag while intoxicated, your policy won't cover you.
- It's important to have common sense regarding alcohol and travel. If you are going to go wine tasting, don't drive your rental car until you are sober. You may invalidate your policy if you have half a bottle of wine at lunch and then go skiing. Temptation is all around, but travel insurers won't cover when you breach the policy terms.
8. Check our list of activities that travel insurance generally doesn't cover, unless you specifically request to add it on
- If you plan to go beyond the beaten path and do anything considered adventurous, check your policy covers it. Often, it won't, which means you are uninsured if anything goes wrong.
9. Avoid just taking out "medical only" travel insurance - the price difference is rarely worth it
- Some insurers offer "medical only" policies, but for a fractional increase, you can get a fully comprehensive policy that includes everything from delays to cancellations and theft. The price difference may be $10 or $20, but it will be worth it if or when something happens.
10. Read the reviews of your insurer before you purchase
- Facebook pages are a good place to see how responsive the company is. Are there a lot of complaints about delays in paying claims or not paying claims at all? If so, this may be a red flag.
11. Travel insurance comparison sites don't often include more than 3-to 4 insurers which makes them incomplete
- Websites such as "comparetravelinsurance.co.nz" don't compare every travel insurance company but instead sell on behalf of a handful.
- Our process is different, and with sample pricing for typical South Africa visits, we aim to be as complete as possible. We also encourage everyone reading this guide to source multiple quotes to get the best price and coverage.
12. Off on a cruise departing from South Africa?
- Cruises need extra cover, so make sure you get it. Standard travel insurance cover often won't protect you from cruise-specific events, such as missing your departure or being sick due to an onboard virus. Our dedicated guide to cruise travel insurance explains more.
Credit Card Travel Insurance vs Buying a Standalone Policy for South Africa Travel
Credit card travel insurance can be a convenient (and free) option to insure a trip to South Africa. However, it's important to note that the coverage offered may have limitations, such as caps on the number of travel days, exclusions for certain types of activities or destinations, and no coverage for certain travel-disrupting events. In addition, the coverage may only apply if you have spent enough on your credit card or paid for a certain percentage of your trip on the credit card with said benefit to activate the insurance.
For these reasons, some cardholders of platinum and gold bank-issued credit cards purchase a standalone travel insurance policy. By doing so, the benefits can be more comprehensive coverage and the flexibility to choose benefits that best protect your trip.
A standalone policy can cover many risks, including medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and emergency evacuations. While paying for something you already get for free may be annoying, credit card travel insurance policy benefits vary widely.
Know This: If you're considering relying on credit card travel insurance, it's essential to review the terms and conditions of the policy and understand any limitations or exclusions that may apply.
Before relying on credit card travel insurance for a trip to South Africa, we suggest considering the following potential limitations:
Next Steps: Our guide to Credit Cards that offer travel insurance has more details.
For these reasons, some cardholders of platinum and gold bank-issued credit cards purchase a standalone travel insurance policy. By doing so, the benefits can be more comprehensive coverage and the flexibility to choose benefits that best protect your trip.
A standalone policy can cover many risks, including medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and emergency evacuations. While paying for something you already get for free may be annoying, credit card travel insurance policy benefits vary widely.
Know This: If you're considering relying on credit card travel insurance, it's essential to review the terms and conditions of the policy and understand any limitations or exclusions that may apply.
Before relying on credit card travel insurance for a trip to South Africa, we suggest considering the following potential limitations:
- Coverage limits: Most credit card travel insurance policies have caps on coverage. What's offered will vary depending on the specific card and policy; reviewing the policy details is important to understand the limits and whether they're realistic for your plans.
- Duration of coverage: Credit card travel insurance policies may only cover trips up to a certain number of days, which may not be sufficient for longer trips.
- Pre-existing medical conditions: Credit card travel insurance policies may exclude coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, so reviewing the policy details is essential if you or someone travelling with you would fall into this category.
- Activation of coverage: To activate coverage, you may need to pay for all or a portion of your travel expenses with the credit card that offers the insurance. This may be paying for half of the trip, the flights or something else. If you don't qualify, the policy won't be valid.
- Coverage for travel companions: Some credit card travel insurance policies may provide coverage for your travel companions, while others may not. If you have a group, then it's unlikely you'll be covered.
- Coverage for adventure sports: Credit card travel insurance policies may exclude coverage for adventure sports and high-risk activities, but in some cases, you may pay to add this. Whether this is cost-effective depends on the credit card's insurer and your plans.
- Coverage for lost or stolen Items: Credit card travel insurance policies may include coverage for lost or stolen items, such as luggage, but the coverage limits may be lower than what you would get with a standalone travel insurance policy.
- Consider supplementary coverage: If the credit card travel insurance policy's coverage is insufficient for your needs, you may consider buying additional coverage to supplement the policy.
Next Steps: Our guide to Credit Cards that offer travel insurance has more details.
Making a Travel Insurance Claim
If something has gone wrong, it's a straightforward process to claim on your travel insurance policy. You'll need to know the excess fee on your policy and be prepared to answer any follow-up questions the claim assessor asks. If you do need to claim, our 5-step process is a proven approach:
Step 1. Contact your insurer immediately (or as soon as you can) to make a claim
You'll have all the information and can gather more details if requested. Do not wait until you get home to make claims. The quicker you submit a claim, the quicker it will be assessed and paid out.
Step 2. If you are planning to claim for non-urgent medical treatment, get your insurer to accept it BEFORE you go any further
Call your insurer and discuss the medical treatment and whether it is covered by your policy. For example, if your bags are lost and you have essential medicines inside them, make sure they cover them. Also, make a note of who you spoke with so there is less chance of a rejected claim later. If it's an emergency, don't delay any treatment.
Step 3. If you've had something stolen, inform the police
The more evidence you have of a loss, the better your chance of success in your claim. Don't hesitate to report the theft and get the police report and/or crime reference number details to include in your claim.
Step 4. Keep all of your receipts
Whatever type of problem you experience, if you need to buy anything, make sure you keep all the receipts. This includes food and drinks for delayed flights, new clothes for delayed bags, and so on. A credit card statement may suffice, but itemised receipts make a claim much smoother.
Step 5. If your claim is rejected, appeal and complain
Facebook is full of complaints from travel insurance policyholders who have been rejected. If you have been rejected and think it's unfair, appeal it. Jump on the phone and explain why your claim meets the T&Cs of the policy you bought. If they don't agree, you can lodge a complaint with the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme, which resolves disagreements between customers and their insurers. Their free-of-charge service will make the final decision about your claim and order the insurer to pay out if they find it in your favour.
Step 1. Contact your insurer immediately (or as soon as you can) to make a claim
You'll have all the information and can gather more details if requested. Do not wait until you get home to make claims. The quicker you submit a claim, the quicker it will be assessed and paid out.
Step 2. If you are planning to claim for non-urgent medical treatment, get your insurer to accept it BEFORE you go any further
Call your insurer and discuss the medical treatment and whether it is covered by your policy. For example, if your bags are lost and you have essential medicines inside them, make sure they cover them. Also, make a note of who you spoke with so there is less chance of a rejected claim later. If it's an emergency, don't delay any treatment.
Step 3. If you've had something stolen, inform the police
The more evidence you have of a loss, the better your chance of success in your claim. Don't hesitate to report the theft and get the police report and/or crime reference number details to include in your claim.
Step 4. Keep all of your receipts
Whatever type of problem you experience, if you need to buy anything, make sure you keep all the receipts. This includes food and drinks for delayed flights, new clothes for delayed bags, and so on. A credit card statement may suffice, but itemised receipts make a claim much smoother.
Step 5. If your claim is rejected, appeal and complain
Facebook is full of complaints from travel insurance policyholders who have been rejected. If you have been rejected and think it's unfair, appeal it. Jump on the phone and explain why your claim meets the T&Cs of the policy you bought. If they don't agree, you can lodge a complaint with the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme, which resolves disagreements between customers and their insurers. Their free-of-charge service will make the final decision about your claim and order the insurer to pay out if they find it in your favour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need travel insurance when visiting South Africa?
We argue that the answer is yes - too many 'Givealittle' campaigns go live because someone didn't take out travel insurance and got sick or injured. Beyond medical costs, travel insurance will cover lost, stolen or damaged property and several other unfortunate events. If you don't get sick, you could still experience some other out-of-pocket expenses and inconvenience.
Our view: Travel insurance to South Africa is affordable, and to protect yourself from unknown costs and stress, we suggest considering buying a policy. Our research confirms you can buy 15-day policies for less than $150, which is affordable and provides many upsides should you need to claim.
Our view: Travel insurance to South Africa is affordable, and to protect yourself from unknown costs and stress, we suggest considering buying a policy. Our research confirms you can buy 15-day policies for less than $150, which is affordable and provides many upsides should you need to claim.
What does travel insurance usually cover?
Standard travel insurance policies usually provide cover for the following:
Expert tip: When purchasing a policy, check that it covers more than just medical - the difference in cost between policies not covering baggage and travel cancellation/delays and those that do cover them is often very little.
- Cancellation and travel delays: This includes pre-departure cancellations due to illness, delayed flights and delayed luggage
- Medical expenses: The costs of visiting a doctor and/or having medical treatment and all related medicines
- Personal liability: This is to cover damage you cause to a person and/or property
- Emergency evacuation: If you need medical treatment or aftercare back in New Zealand, this is the cost of flying you home.
- Baggage and personal belongings: This covers you if your bags or items are lost, stolen or damaged.
Expert tip: When purchasing a policy, check that it covers more than just medical - the difference in cost between policies not covering baggage and travel cancellation/delays and those that do cover them is often very little.
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