Travel insurance for South Africa

It’s a good idea to check whether the travel insurance you take out includes cover for medical expenses. Australia doesn’t have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with South Africa, which means you’ll have to pay for any healthcare you require while travelling.

However, one good thing about getting travel insurance is that you may be financially covered for things like the common flu, malaria or even something more serious like a broken arm. Hospital fees, medical evacuations and more can be covered by a travel insurance policy, all of which can be expensive to pay yourself.

South African public hospitals may treat overseas visitors for free; however, the standard of medical care may not be equivalent to what you’d expect in an Australian hospital. Private hospitals generally have better-quality medical care but will often want up-front payment, which can be expensive without travel insurance to cover you.¹

To ensure you’re adequately covered for a high level of medical care without potentially paying thousands out of pocket, you should consider a comprehensive travel insurance policy. This top-level cover includes emergency assistance, medical emergencies, medication, hospital fees and repatriation.

When you’re heading overseas, you’ll probably want to see of much as the country as possible – which means a lot of travelling. However, South Africa is known to have rolling blackouts that can affect traffic lights and cause travel delays or cancellations.

You may plan to fly to Johannesburg from Cape Town, only to find road closures cause delays and you miss your flight, disrupting your travel plans. Your comprehensive travel insurance cover may be able to provide assistance, such as paying for an extra night’s accommodation until you can catch the next flight. Or, if unforeseen circumstances cause you to need trip cancellation cover, your international travel insurance may be able to reimburse you for flights and accommodation.

If you like adventure, South Africa can be a great holiday destination; it has incredible wildlife that you can experience up close by embarking on safari tours. And the adventures don’t stop there! Maybe you’re planning to jump off the world’s highest commercial bridge bungee in South Africa’s Garden Route or ride an ostrich (yes, you can really do this); either way, if you’re participating in activities that aren’t covered by general travel insurance, consider purchasing an adventure cover add-on.

This add-on may cover you for these more dangerous activities that aren’t included in standard insurance. As policy inclusions differ from insurer to insurer, remember to check out the PDS to know precisely what you are and aren’t covered for.

South Africa doesn’t require travellers to have an international driver’s license to rent a vehicle; just an Australian license. However, there are some things to remember before you jump in the driver’s seat:

• Don’t stop to feed any wild animals.
• Carry extra fuel and drinking water with you, as petrol stations are scarce the further away you are from populated areas.
• Always lock up your vehicle, leaving nothing inside the car that can be spotted from outside.
• Drunk drivers and road hazards are common, so stay alert when driving, especially at night.
• Be aware of potential car-jackings and theft at night, in busy intersections and on main roads. Keep all doors locked even when you’re driving.

If you’re involved in a car accident, your rental car excess may be covered by your travel insurance, depending on your policy.

According to Smartraveller, you may need to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate before you enter South Africa if you’re arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country.¹ Malaria and cholera are common in some areas of South Africa, as are tuberculosis, hepatitis, measles, rabies, Rift Valley fever, bilharzia (schistosomiasis) and typhoid.

This is general advice, so be sure to ask your GP well in advance of your departure for up-to-date advice on which vaccinations and medications you may require. Failing to get inoculated may mean you cannot claim on your insurance.

Finally, be mindful that the rate of HIV/AIDS in South Africa is extremely high.

There are a number of ways that criminals may target tourists in South Africa,¹ but so long as you remain vigilant and exercise caution wherever you go, you should be fine. However, keep in mind that:

• Violent crime typically increases at night. Never travel alone, and stick to crowded, well-lit areas.
• There’s no such thing as ‘Tourist Police’. It’s just criminals looking to steal your belongings and cash.
• ATMs in busy locations may be targeted as ideal places to skim credit cards. Be wary of this by only using ATMs in controlled areas, like banks, rather than out in the street.
• Watch your drinks. Criminals have been known to spike beverages and then rob incapacitated individuals.
• Don’t wear a lot of jewellery. It’s also a good idea to not display your phones, handbags or other valuables.

If you’re worried about the cost of replacing your belongings, travel insurance is a smart idea. Provided you took as much care as possible to keep your things safe, you may be able to claim back their value if they’re stolen, lost or destroyed.