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Choosing some of the best Travel Insurance options in South Africa

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.

*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.

***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)