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Travel Insurance for Africa

Travelling to Africa for a much-needed getaway? Compare your travel insurance options with Savvy.

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, updated on September 5th, 2023       

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Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30 Seconds

Whether you’re wanting to witness the Great Migration, frolic in the golden savanna long grass or relax on the beaches of Mauritius, it’s always important to have peace of mind when you’re travelling to Africa. If you’re searching for the right travel insurance cover for your next international journey, Savvy can point you in the right direction.

By comparing with us, you can find a policy which offers you the right protection, whether your flights are delayed, your luggage goes missing or you fall ill while overseas. We provide instant quotes from our partners, so you can consider their pros and cons and compare the cost of each policy. Before you take off overseas, compare your travel insurance options with Savvy today.

Do I need travel insurance for a holiday to Africa?

You don't necessarily ‘need' international travel insurance if you're taking a trip to Africa. However, it's strongly recommended that you purchase a policy before you jet off on your holiday to Africa, whether you want to take a luxurious trip to Seychelles for your honeymoon or lap up some of the scenery along the Garden Route.

There’s plenty to see and do on holiday to Africa, including safaris in Kenya, stunning mountain hikes in Tanzania and the pulsating nightlife of Cape Town. However, there are still dangers for tourists and visitors to look out for, so it's paramount you compare with Savvy and get the best travel insurance before leaving.

If you’re eager to experience all of what Africa has to offer, some of the incidentals to watch for include:

  • Crime: some parts of Africa have a very high abduction risk. If you go there, take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety. Always use caution while visiting uninhabited beaches, especially during the day. Always remember to lock your vehicle and roll up your windows, even while driving.
  • Natural disasters: drought, floods, agricultural pests and bushfires are the most common natural disasters that routinely affect the African continent; nevertheless, earthquakes, cyclones and volcanic eruptions may also pose a threat in some regions. If you’re caught up in a disaster, make sure you listen to the local authorities and pay close attention to local government warnings and media.
  • Terrorism: there’s a high probability of terrorist strikes across Africa, so stay away from out-of-the-way places. Keep an eye on the media and other sources to learn about potential dangers and look for a policy which offers terrorism cover.
  • Demonstrations: protests in Africa’s largest country, Algeria, are common and may become violent. It's best to stay away from any public meetings that could become political, as partaking in a protest is illegal in the country.
  • Diseases: except for the city of Nairobi and elevations over 2,500 metres, malaria is a problem in most of Africa. As such, it might be a good idea to pack some anti-malarial drugs. Dengue, Rift Valley fever, filariasis and African sleeping sickness are other illnesses transmitted by insects. Run a check of your accommodation to make sure it’s bug-free and wear repellent if insects are bothering you.

What’s covered by my travel insurance for my holiday to Africa?

One of the reasons you need travel insurance is to protect you if you become ill or injured while travelling, lose your things, or suffer flight cancellations or delays. Some of the ways travel insurance policies cover you include:

  1. Overseas medical bills: it’s a good idea to take out travel insurance in case you’re struck down with an illness or injure yourself and require medical attention while holidaying in Africa. Not having travel insurance can leave you footing a huge medical bill which you may have to pay upfront.
  2. Evacuation or repatriation: you may need medical evacuation back to Australia if you are in a critical condition due to illness or injury due to the varying condition of the continent’s hospitals. If you need repatriation out of Africa, the costs can be eye-watering and it can be hard to organise. Luckily, your insurer can pay for your evacuation and repatriation, including if you need to disembark a cruise ship, which may cost up to $100,000 without insurance.
  3. Cancellation: many travel insurance carriers may refund pre-paid deposits on hotels, flights, or excursions if you cancel your trip due to a covered occurrence. Illness, injury, or a sick or dying family member are among the valid reasons for cancelling a trip.
  4. Lost, stolen or damaged bags: most insurance providers will compensate or replace lost, stolen, or damaged baggage up to an agreed claim amount, which can reach up to $15,000.
  5. Individual items: taking a mobile phone or laptop on your overseas or domestic getaway? Many insurance plans offer sub-limits for lost, damaged, or stolen property.
  6. Travel delays: most travel insurance cover hotel, food, and other expenses if your flight is delayed longer than 24 hours. This includes delayed luggage owing to a delayed airliner. Most insurers have limits on how much you can claim if your travel arrangements are delayed.
  7. Personal liability: legal issues abroad may be costly. If you're held directly accountable for damage or injury, most companies may cover you up to $5 million.
  8. Accidental death: if you die overseas in a covered accident, your insurance company can repatriate your remains. They may pay up to $25,000 for funeral or cremation fees.
  9. Optional extras: planning to go scuba diving in Lake Malawi or hot air ballooning across the Masai Mara? Most travel insurance plans don't cover these activities automatically but they do offer supplementary coverage for an added premium.
  10. Pet cover: if your return home is delayed due to sickness or travel disruptions, your travel insurance covers the cost of additional boarding costs for your pet.

However, most travel insurance companies won’t cover you for the following incidentals:

  1. Unapproved pre-existing medical conditions
  2. Lost personal items left unattended
  3. Breaking local laws and road rules
  4. Accidents caused by drug or alcohol use
  5. Travelling to a country against Australian government advice
  6. Travelling for medical tourism

What factors should I consider before buying travel insurance for a trip to Africa?

It might be difficult to figure out which policy provides the most beneficial coverage for your next trip to Africa. However, by comparing with Savvy, you may be able to make the experience of searching for the perfect policy a whole lot easier.

Premium cost

It is, of course, in your best interest to keep your insurance premium costs to a minimum. To avoid overpaying for your travel insurance, it is crucial to shop around and get the best possible policy at a price that works for you. If you’re a senior over 65 and planning a trip to Africa, you’ll likely be paying a higher premium based on your age, so it will be worth shopping around to find the best seniors' travel insurance policy.

The type of policy you need

Numerous options exist for travel insurance, whether you're looking for single-trip, annual or one-way cover, so it’s important to consider your travel requirements. For example, if you’re travelling to Africa but also taking a holiday to the Maldives within the year, it might be good to find a multi-trip policy may be more suited to you than single-trip. Take a look at your itinerary, think about how often you’ll be flying and compare it with Savvy so you can get the best insurance for your trip.

What you’re doing in Africa

Carefully consider which insurance company provides the greatest value and level of protection if you’re looking to partake in high-risk pursuits before signing up. If you’re planning to raft through the White Nile or go gorilla trekking through Uganda, make sure you get a policy that covers you.

Claim limits

In most cases, the amount you may claim from your overseas travel insurance policy will be capped. Check if these limits are enough for your trip and the items you want to take with you by doing a side-by-side comparison of several brands with Savvy. For example, most comprehensive policies allow you to claim up to $7,500 if you lose your luggage or have it damaged while on holiday, compared to some other providers who only let you claim $3,000.

Inclusions and exclusions

When searching for the best international policy for your trip to Africa, make sure you opt for a policy that best suits your needs. Before settling on one choice, do your homework and weigh what's included and what isn't. For example, a pre-existing condition you suffer from may not be automatically included under one policy, while it could be covered by a competitor.

Types of travel insurance

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

Top tips for saving on your travel insurance to Africa

Combine policies

You can get group policies from providers covering you and your partner, your extended family, and even your children or grandchildren. Most providers allow you to include up to 25 people under the same policies, which, if the costs are divided among the travellers, can save you money.

Consider increasing your excess

You can take out cheaper travel insurance by increasing the excess you're willing to pay if you need to file a claim. A higher excess can help you save money in the long term, but it shouldn't be so high that it causes you financial hardship to pay it.

Only pay for what you need

There's no point paying for cover you're not going to use, whether you’re travelling for business or leisure. Before you purchase a travel insurance policy, read the PDS and make sure you aren’t paying extra for add-ons such as rental car hire or cruise coverage if you don't have any intentions of either hiring a car or sailing across the international seas.

Compare your travel insurance options

Using Savvy to help you decide lets you easily see which provider gives you the best travel insurance coverage for the lowest price. You can compare policies side by side so you can weigh what's included, what's not included, the price of your premium, and any other essential factors.

Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for Africa

Does travel insurance for Africa cover me for COVID-19-related costs?

Yes – most travel insurance policies cover any COVID-19-related expenses, such as medical treatment while you’re in Africa and the need to cancel your holiday if you test positive before you leave. However, cancellation due to COVID-19 isn’t usually available on basic policies. The risk of testing positive for COVID-19 is still quite high if you’re travelling to Africa as of October 2022, so it’s best to wear a mask when possible if you’re worried about contracting the disease.

Can I take out travel insurance if I’m already in Africa?

Yes – you can buy travel insurance online if you’re already wheels up and headed to Africa for your holiday. You won’t need much to take out travel insurance, only the details of your trip and some other important information. You’ll be afforded the exact coverage you would usually get if you purchased before departure. However, these policies have waiting periods of between 48 and 96 hours. This means that if you suffer a claimable incident inside this period, you won’t be able to make a claim.

When is the best time to buy travel insurance for Africa?

Most people in the know will tell you the best time to purchase your travel insurance is when you know your travel dates. That allows you to be covered for the maximum amount of pre-paid bookings, such as those for hotels or tours if something unforeseen happens and you need to call off your holiday. There are also often sales on around holiday periods, such as Easter, Christmas and the End of the Financial Year, which means you could snap up a policy at a discount.

How do I make a claim on my travel insurance if I’m in Africa?

When you do it online, claiming on your travel insurance is a pretty easy process. When you go to your insurance company's website, enter your policy number and the email address that goes with it. From there, you can do the following:

  • Fill out your claim form with plenty of detail
  • Attach any documents, such as receipts, medical evidence, or proof of purchase
  • Submit your claim

 
The majority of the time, you should hear back from your travel insurance company within about ten business days. It's best to quickly answer any requests for more information to avoid slowing down the process.

How much will my travel insurance to Africa cost?

There’s no average cost of travel insurance per se. instead, the price of your premium for a trip to Africa will be determined by a range of interchangeable variables, including:

  • Your age
  • The length of your trip and destinations
  • Whether you suffer any pre-existing conditions
  • If you need optional extras, such as adventure sports cover
  • The insurance company you’ve chosen
  • The level of cover you have purchased
  • What part of Africa you’re travelling to (for example, you may not be able to receive cover if you’re travelling somewhere experiencing a natural disaster or terrorism event)

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Disclaimer:
We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.

Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.

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