Africa is an exciting yet remote destination, and unforeseen events can happen. Travel insurance is your safety net for medical emergencies, cancellations, lost luggage, and more. Below, we outline why travel insurance is essential, what to look for in a policy, and common pitfalls to avoid.
1. When to Take Out Travel Insurance
- You should purchase travel insurance as soon as you book your trip.
- Many policies provide cancellation coverage from the moment of purchase, which protects you if unforeseen circumstances prevent travel.
- Some policies require insurance to be purchased within a specific timeframe after booking—check with your insurer to ensure your coverage is valid.
- We reserve the right to request proof of insurance before your departure(Clause 6.2).
2. What Your Policy Should Cover
A. Medical Cover & Emergency Evacuation
Medical treatment and emergency evacuation are the most critical componentsof travel insurance.
- Our trips take you to remote locations where access to medical care is limited.
- If an accident occurs, your policy must cover medical evacuation to the nearest major hospital and, if necessary, medical repatriation to your home country.
We strongly recommend the following minimum coverage amounts:
- Medical treatment: At least $100,000 per person.
- Medical evacuation & repatriation: At least $250,000 per person.
Some travel insurance companies pay medical costs upfront, while others require you to pay first and claim reimbursement later. We recommend a policy where the insurer pays directly to avoid financial burdens in emergencies.
B. Trip Cancellation & Curtailment
Cancellations happen, often due to illness, family emergencies, or visa issues. Our cancellation policy is strict (Clause 3), so you should ensure your policy covers:
- Non-refundable trip costs (including flights, accommodation, and permits).
- Cancellations due to illness, injury, or bereavement.
- Delays and missed connections, as well as costs incurred due to trip interruptions.
Some policies automatically cover trips up to a certain value (e.g., $5,000–$10,000 per person). If your trip costs more than this, you may need additional coverage.
C. Loss, Theft, and Damage
Your policy should cover:
- Loss of baggage, valuables, and travel documents.
- Flight delays and cancellations (including compensation for extended stays due to flight disruptions).
- Personal liability (in case you cause damage to property or injury to others).
3. Things to Consider When Choosing Travel Insurance
A. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
- Declare all pre-existing conditions to your insurer to avoid coverage disputes.
- If you have a medical condition, check whether your insurer provides coverage for it abroad.
B. Credit Card Travel Insurance – Is It Enough?
- Many credit cards offer limited travel insurance, but these policies often exclude evacuation, medical repatriation, or high-value claims.
- We recommend checking the maximum coverage amounts on your credit card policy before relying on it.
C. National Health Insurance Coverage – Does It Apply Abroad?
- Most national healthcare systems (e.g., NHS, Medicare) do not cover overseas medical treatment or evacuation.
- Contact your national health authority to confirm what coverage, if any, applies.
D. Private Health Insurance – Does It Cover Travel?
- Some private insurance policies provide limited international coverage.
- Contact your health insurance provider to determine whether you need additional travel insurance.
4. Where to Purchase Travel Insurance
Africa Travel Designers does not sell insurance, but we recommend researching and purchasing a comprehensive policy from a reputable provider.
- Large international insurers such as Allianz, AXA, World Nomads, and AIG provide comprehensive coverage.
- If you are unsure what coverage you need, we highly recommend speaking to an insurance broker before purchasing a policy.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: My policy requires me to pay medical costs upfront and claim reimbursement later. Is that okay?
- This is not ideal, as serious medical emergencies (e.g., evacuation) can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- We highly recommend choosing a policy where the insurer pays directly for medical expenses.
Q2: Does my U.S. health insurance cover my trip?
- Most U.S. health insurance policies do not cover international travel.
- Check your plan, and consider additional insurance to cover medical emergencies and repatriation.
Q3: Is my credit card’s travel insurance enough?
- Not usually. Most credit card insurance policies exclude medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and loss of valuables.
- We recommend checking the coverage limits and purchasing additional insurance if necessary.
Q4: Does national healthcare (e.g., NHS, Medicare) cover medical treatment in Africa?
- No. Most national health systems do not cover treatment abroad.
- You will need separate travel insurance to cover hospital stays, medical evacuation, and repatriation.
Q5: Why does Africa Travel Designers need my travel insurance details?
- In an emergency, we need to contact your insurer on your behalf.
- We will request your policy number, insurer contact details, and emergency assistance hotline before departure (Clause 6).
Q6: What happens if I don’t take out travel insurance?
- It is a condition of booking with Africa Travel Designers that you have travel insurance (Clause 6.1).
- If you fail to provide proof of insurance before departure, we reserve the right to cancel your booking without refund.
6. Final Reminder – Read the Fine Print!
Always read your policy carefully before purchasing. Unfortunately, some travelers assume they are covered only to find out later that exclusions apply.
If you have any doubts, consult your insurer or a travel insurance broker to ensure your policy covers everything you need.
7. Travel Insurance – A Condition of Booking
As outlined in our Terms & Conditions (Clause 6):
- Travel insurance is mandatory for all travelers.
- Proof of insurance must be provided before departure.
Africa Travel Designers is not responsible for any medical, repatriation, or cancellation costs if you fail to obtain adequate coverage.