Embarking on a safari to Africa is an exciting and rewarding adventure and we have so enjoyed creating these special trips for our clients for more than 30 years.  With all our years of experience has come the knowledge that amidst the enthusiasm of planning, it’s equally important to consider the less exciting trip details such as protecting your investment with travel insurance.

A safari is a significant commitment of both time and money, and, like all adventures, it comes with its share of unpredictability.  From unexpected flight delays to unforeseen health issues or even the possibility of canceling your trip, travel insurance offers a safety net that ensures your dream safari doesn’t turn into a financial burden. In this discussion, we’ll explore why travel insurance is not just an option, but a necessity for safeguarding your safari experience.  It also offers peace of mind, so you can focus on what truly matters—enjoying every magical moment of your Africa adventure.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a purchased plan that protects you from certain financial risks and losses that can occur while traveling. These losses can be minor, like a delayed suitcase, or significant, like a last-minute trip cancellation or a medical emergency overseas.  In addition to financial protection, the other huge benefit of travel insurance is access to assistance services, wherever you are in the world.  They can arrange medical treatment in an emergency, monitor your care, serve as interpreters, help you replace lost passports and so much more.

A few things you should know about travel insurance:

• Benefits vary by plan so it’s important to choose a plan that fits your needs, your budget and your travel plans.  Click here for more detailed definitions of all available travel insurance benefits.
• Travel insurance can’t cover every possible situation.  Most travel insurance policies cover only the specific situations, events, and losses included in your plan documents, and only under the conditions as described.
• Travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseeable events or events outside your control.  If, for example,  you wait to buy insurance for your safari until after you receive an unexpected diagnosis, your losses wouldn’t be covered.

How does travel insurance work?

In most scenarios, travel insurance reimburses you for your covered financial losses after you file a claim and the claim is approved.   Filing a claim means submitting proof of your loss so that your insurer can verify what happened and reimburse you for your covered losses.   How does this work in real life?  Let’s say you purchase a plan which includes trip cancellation benefits, to protect your upcoming safari to Africa.   Two weeks before departure, you become ill, and your doctor advises you to cancel the trip.   Without travel insurance, you’d lose the money you’ve paid for your trip, because safari travel is non-refundable.  As a serious illness is almost always considered a covered reason for trip cancellation, you would be reimbursed for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.  Travel insurance may also pay your expenses upfront if you require emergency medical treatment or transportation while traveling overseas.

What does trip interruption insurance cover?

Trip interruption occurs when a traveler must unexpectedly cut short their trip and return home. Additionally, interruption can cause you to stay at your destination longer than originally planned.  Trip interruption insurance can refund lost prepaid costs, minus any available refunds and up to the maximum benefit amount and cover the cost of your extra accommodations and/or your trip home.  Trip interruption benefits only apply if the interruption is caused by a covered reason. Travel insurance plans list many covered reasons for interrupting or canceling your trip. Some common covered reasons include the serious illness or injury of the traveler, traveling companion or a family member; a natural disaster that renders your home or your destination uninhabitable; and the cessation of services by your airline, causing you to miss more than half your trip.  Trip interruption insurance is essential for those travel emergencies you just can’t predict. Imagine you’re in the middle of a safari in the Serengeti when you receive word that your mom has been hospitalized. You need to return home asap!  With the help of the travel expert assistance team, you can get on the first available flight out of Kilimanjaro and travel back to the U.S.   Trip interruption insurance can help cover the cost of the flight and reimburse you for the unused portion of your safari.

What does trip cancellation insurance cover?

Trip cancellation insurance covers situations when you must cancel your trip before you depart, for a covered reason (generally, the same covered reasons that apply to trip interruption coverage.)  Trip cancellation benefits can refund the prepaid, nonrefundable costs of your trip, such as airfare, tour bookings and accommodations.   Plus, if you prepaid for shared accommodations, and your travel companion needs to cancel their trip for a covered reason, you can be reimbursed additional accommodation fees.

What does trip delay insurance cover?

The travel delay benefit helps you get through short(ish), unexpected pauses in your travel plans. It can reimburse you for lost pre-paid expenses as well as eligible costs you incur because of the delay, including meals, accommodations, communication and transportation.  Note that for such an event to be considered a delay, it must last for the minimum time stated in your plan. Also, the delay must have been caused by a covered reason as listed in your plan, such as a travel carrier delay or lost travel documents.

More travel insurance tips to keep in mind

• The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as you have made a non-refundable payment.  However, you must buy your plan within 14 days of your reservation fee payment in order to be eligible for the pre-existing medical conditions waiver.
• A comprehensive travel insurance plan will generally cost about 5% – 10% of the value of your trip (depending on your age).
• Children under 18 are usually covered under their parent’s policy at the time of purchase.
• Read the fine print and call the insurance company with questions.  If you’re not completely satisfied with your plan, you have 10-15 days to request a refund, provided you haven’t started your trip or initiated a claim. Premiums are non-refundable after this period.
• If you need to use your medical benefits, call the insurance company to ensure you are covered and get advice on which doctor/service to use.
• Some credit cards carry travel insurance policies, but you have to use the card to pay for your trip and you MUST double check to see what they actually cover, which is usually not sufficient for travel to Africa.
• Most insurance companies will reimburse you for costs you incur during your trip, like a doctor’s visit.  So keep your receipts.

Due to pre-payment requirements and substantial cancellation fees imposed by suppliers, we strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment against unexpected changes or termination of your travel arrangements.    If you still don’t think travel insurance is for you, please take a look at your passport. You’ll see the U.S. State Department recommends reviewing your health insurance before leaving the country because most policies (including Medicare) won’t cover you abroad. This means you could be on your own if you get sick or injured during your trip—and we certainly don’t want that to happen.

For 25 years we have partnered with Allianz Global Assistance, who offer a range of travel protection plans  that include different benefits and benefit limits.   While we don’t require you to take coverage with Allianz, they have a 100% track record in reimbursing our covered clients who have needed to cancel or interrupt their trip.  Please note a minimum of $500,000 emergency medical evacuation is required for travel to Africa.  We’re not insurance experts but we have many years of experience with clients who have relied on insurance when needed, so don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions.

Additionally, if you have more questions about how travel insurance works, what your specific coverage issues may be, which benefits you need, or how to file a claim, please call Allianz on +1-866-884-3556.  Their representatives are available 24/7.   If you’re already traveling, and you’re facing a travel crisis or just need some advice, call Allianz’s emergency assistance hotline: 1-800-654-1908 (from the U.S.) or 1-804-281-5700 (collect).