UK insurance or South African insurance??

BlueJay

Hi folks,

I am asking this question of behalf of a friend whose parents are planning a trip to South Africa. A brief history:

They are permanent UK residents (both born in UK) but lived & worked in SA for a number of years and are now using their SA pension payout to fund the trip.

The flights, car hire, accomodation etc are all being paid for in South African rands to a South African travel agent, who is now offering travel insurance.

The question is this: Do they take out travel insurance with the South African travel agent, as all the travel arrangements are being booked in SA, and paid for in SA? Or would SA travel insurance be invalid in the UK?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

BlueJay

dzug1

SA travel insurance is for SA residents. It might be valid in the UK but would for example only provide for repatriation to SA in case of an emergency

They should get travel insurance in the UK.

Never buy travel insurance from a travel agent BTW. They are usually ignorant about the details of the product - as seems evident here.

BlueJay

Thank you dzug1,

I thought as much, just wanted to double check.

I think they were concerned how a policy bought in the UK in pound sterling would be able to pay out on a trip bought in SA rands.

dzug1

BlueJay wrote: »

Thank you dzug1,

I thought as much, just wanted to double check.

I think they were concerned how a policy bought in the UK in pound sterling would be able to pay out on a trip bought in SA rands.

It would be paid out at a possibly (and only possibly) disadvantageous exchange rate if you didn't provide evidence of an actual rate.

Gosia

I would definitely get UK travel insurance - it probably covers more and like someone mentioned above you may need cover for repatriation costs back to the UK - the SA insurance is unlikely to cover this.

I've travelled extensively in SA and booked certain parts of hte trip via SA travel agents, directly with SA airlines e.g. Mango etc but would always take out UK travel ins.

Voyager2002

I agree with the above, who all make useful points. In addition: if the flights have not yet been paid for, do check the air fares. It is probable that an agent in South Africa will only be able to offer relatively high fares for flights TO South Africa, and they would probably do better buying a ticket from the UK from someone in the UK.

HXDave

DZUG1

Never buy travel insurance from a travel agent BTW. They are usually ignorant about the details of the product - as seems evident here.

I trust in this comment you meant travel agents in SA, and not from the UK?

After all, only a few years ago ALL TRAVEL AGENTS who sold travel insurance had to go through an official FSA exam in order to sell travel insurance. Certain agents (usually shop managers / assistant managers) then had to take a supplementary exam in addition.

However you can go to tesco, pick up a cellophane wrapped leaflet, get the 19 year old at the till to scan it and you are covered. Hmmmmmmmm, i wonder what there response would be if you asked what Uberrmira Fides mean in the policy booklet.............

BlueJay

Many thanks to you all for your responses, very much appreciated!

BlueJay