Many South Africans use the Easter holidays to explore and discover new places in the country.
With an increase in domestic travelling, unexpected events can often occur, often leading to unplanned expenses.
Ryno de Kock, head of distribution at PSG Insure, says it is easy to forget that travelling comes with its fair share of risks that could prove costly if you’re unprepared for them.
Travel insurance
De Kock says it is best to take out travel insurance before travelling. This type of insurance aims at helping clients mitigate the risks surrounding travelling, including loss or theft of luggage, flight or trip cancellation, medical costs, death, disability, and personal liability cover.
“Pregnant women are not covered from the first day of the 26th week of pregnancy, in which case medical professionals may advise against travelling altogether, depending on the health of the woman in question.
“Medical claims, because of underlying illnesses of a vascular, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular nature, are excluded for travellers aged 70 and over.”
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Chronic conditions in insurance policy
He says the traveller’s health and whether they have any chronic conditions will also be considered.
While activities such as swimming and hiking will be included as a standard component of the policy, if an individual is travelling to participate in a professional sporting competition or extreme sport event, this, too, will affect the premium’s price.
“The exclusions and the conditions of each policy will vary significantly from case to case.
“For this reason, it’s important for travellers to talk to their insurance advisers ahead of time and discuss aspects like their itinerary, whether family members are accompanying them and any illnesses that need to be factored in.”
Road accidents
One of the biggest risks over the Easter period is road accidents. Ernest North, co-founder of Naked Insurance, says responsible drivers will want to do a range of routine safety checks and get adequate insurance to protect themselves against risks of financial losses.
“Easter is consistently one of the most dangerous times to be on South African roads, with authorities reporting a sharp increase in serious and fatal crashes each year. Unfortunately, alcohol consumption, speeding, driver fatigue, and using cellphones while driving are also major factors contributing to accidents over this period.”
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Safety checklist before setting off
North recommends that caravan and trailer owners follow a safety checklist before taking their vehicle on holiday:
- Is the vehicle licensed, insured, roadworthy and in good condition?
- Are the tyres (including the spare) properly inflated?
- Are all lights and indicators working as they should?
- Are connections and chains correctly and securely fastened?
- Is the caravan or trailer packed with proper weight distribution to avoid imbalance and swaying?
- Are gas cylinders in the caravan closed and secured?
- Can the vehicle be securely locked when unattended?
Choosing the right insurance
He adds that buying the right insurance is one key element of managing the risks associated with travelling with a caravan or trailer.
“This will not only protect your own property, but it will also safeguard you from third-party liability. Liability cover ensures you’re not stuck with the bill if your vehicle, caravan or trailer causes accidental damage to another person’s property.”
A comprehensive insurance policy for a caravan or trailer should include:
- Accident cover – for unexpected bumps, scrapes, or major repairs.
- Theft protection – so you’re covered if your caravan or trailer is stolen.
- Weather damage cover – for damage caused by hail, wind, or fire.
- Third-party liability – to cover damage your caravan or trailer causes to others.
- Roadside assistance – to help if you break down far from home.
Accessory cover – for valuable extras like awnings, roof racks, and solar panels.
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