Hippo Staff Writer · Published 2 April 2026 · Updated 4 July 2026 · 5 min read

Choosing some of the best Travel Insurance options in South Africa

Female traveller with a sun hat and backpack looking out over a European city skyline representing travel insurance

There is a lot of research and consideration that goes into travelling abroad. We decide on flights, visas, hotels, itineraries, and budgets. It gives us a feeling of control when all the boxes are ticked and you’re ready to enjoy a blissful trip. The truth is things can go wrong on holiday. A flip-flop failure on a hot expanse of sandy beach. A scratch on the coral while snorkelling. Or an all-you-can-eat buffet and daiquiri-induced stomach ailments. But what if things go really wrong and your luggage is lost or, even worse, you or a family member has to go to hospital? That’s where Travel Insurance comes in and why it should be on your holiday checklist.

What is Travel Insurance?

Travel Insurance is completely optional yet often recommended before you travel to another country. It protects you against those unforeseeable events that can turn your dream holiday into a nightmare, leaving you out of pocket in a foreign currency.

Who needs Travel Insurance?

As South Africans, we have a serious case of wanderlust. When we’re not exploring our own beautiful country, we love a trip beyond our borders, particularly over our Dezembah peak period. Stats SA recorded 667,890 departures by South African residents in December 2025 by air, road and sea.

What does Travel Insurance cover?

Each short-term Travel Insurance policy is different but usually includes a combination of (or all) of the below for when there’s trouble in paradise.

Cover type	What it helps with	What to check
Emergency medical*	Doctors, hospital, tests, meds	Limits, exclusions, pre-existing conditions
Evacuation and repatriation	Moving you to proper care or an emergency flight home	If included, consider any caps that may apply.
Cancellation or trip cut short	You can’t go, or must come home early	Reason list, documentation required
Baggage and valuables**	Lost/stolen/delayed luggage	Sub-limits for phones/laptops
Delays leading to missed connections	Meals, accommodation, new transport options	Waiting periods, proof needed
Personal liability	You injure someone / damage property	Limit + exclusions

*Schengen visa rules require travel medical insurance valid across member states, covering the whole stay, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.

**Airlines still mishandle bags at scale. IATA cites 6.3 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers (33.4 million in 2024).

What would “optimal” Travel Insurance cover?

Once your trip is planned, take a moment to think through what could realistically go wrong once you’re at your chosen destination and what it might cost you to sort it out. In other words, match your cover to your actual risks like healthcare costs, distance from home, activities planned, and how strict your bookings and cancellations are.

Core cover should include: emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, evacuation/repatriation, trip cancellation/curtailment, baggage loss/delay, travel delays, and personal liability.

Optional but useful add-ons: infectious disease, adventure sports, rental car excess, and 24/7 emergency assistance services.

What’s the real value, beyond the payout?

It provides peace of mind when travelling.

Depending on the policy and circumstances, the assistance provider may help with:

Coordinating hospitals.
Guaranteeing payment for services.
Ensuring appropriate care is received.
Arranging flights home if necessary.

How much can Travel Insurance cost* with Hippo’s partner - Hepstar?

*The comparison below is illustrative only and is not a recommendation. Benefits differ by policy and underwriting terms.

Hepstar offering	Who it is for	Medical cover and evacuation	Trip disruption cover	Baggage cover	Pre-existing and adventure sports
Comprehensive Travel Insurance	SA residents under 71	Medical emergencies up to R50 million includes repatriation, emergency treatment or evacuation	Trip cancellations up to R50,000, travel delays for flights delayed more than 2 hours (lounge access, meals, refreshments)	Up to R30,000 for stolen, damaged, or lost luggage, plus ability to buy essentials while claim is processed	Includes inpatient treatment for pre-existing medical conditions, includes listed adventure sports injuries (per their plan description)
Budget Travel Insurance	SA residents under 71	Medical emergencies up to R2 million incl repatriation, plus “actual expenses” repatriation if arranged by them	Baggage delay essentials if baggage delayed outside SA for over 24 hours, personal accident up to R100,000	Up to R5,000 for stolen or damaged luggage	Excludes pre-existing medical conditions, adventure sports, trip cancellation, and flight delays
Inbound Travel Insurance	Non-South African residents visiting South Africa	Emergency medical expenses including hospitalisation and repatriation up to R15,000,000	Includes assistance services such as emergency travel arrangements, accommodation, cash advance, 24-hour trauma support
Credit Card Top-Up Travel Insurance	Travelers who already have cover via credit card or medical scheme and want to add more	Medical emergencies up to R15 million including repatriation, plus hospital cash benefit for longer stays	Trip cancellations up to R30,000, travel delays cover for delays over 2 hours (lounge access, meals, refreshments)	Baggage protection up to R30,000	Pre-existing inpatient treatment up to R1 million; listed adventure sports injuries up to R500,000

***At time of publication

Pre-trip Travel Insurance checklist

Hippo covers a range of Travel Insurance options to save you the bother of having to get hold of call centres or do too much research. Here’s a handy Hippo checklist for what to consider when considering suitable Travel Insurance for your trip.

Medical cover limit that is realistic for your destination
Evacuation and repatriation included
Cancellation cover matches for what you’ve paid for (flights + accommodation + tours)
Excess (your out-of-pocket) expense is affordable
Pre-existing conditions are declared
Activities covered (skiing, hiking, scooter hire, scuba diving, etc.)
Valuables and electronics limits understood (phones/laptops/cameras)
Know the emergency number or app and how to contact the insurer 24/7
Know what proof you’ll need for reimbursement (receipts, doctors' letters, police reports)

Hippo as your trip advisor on Travel Insurance

When you’re ready to find the right Travel Insurance cover, Hippo helps you find better.

Find better cover at a better price
Cover suited to your travel requirements and destination.
It takes a few minutes and is absolutely free.
No obligations.
We never share your information or data.
Compare competitive quotes from top insurers side-by-side.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice. Coverage terms, pricing, and availability may vary. Always review policy documents carefully and confirm current pricing with providers before making any decisions.

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