Best Travel Insurance for South Africa from UAE

South Africa is no less a paradise for travellers. It is one of the most beautiful continents on the earth that keeps attracting millions of visitors from all around the world. If you're travelling to this amazing country and planning to get the best travel insurance for a trip to South Africa then this post is for you. Keep reading to learn about different aspects of having travel medical insurance in South Africa. 

Do UAE Citizens Require Visa for Travelling South Africa?

As of now, Emirati citizens can stay in South Africa for a period of 90 days without any tourist visa. However, soon, it is expected that UAE travellers may need an electronic e-Visa to stay in South Africa for business or tourism. 

South Africa Visa Requirements for Travellers Visiting from UAE

If you're planning to stay in South Africa for more than 90 days, then you need to obtain a visa or e-Visa once it is launched. Before applying for the visa, simply review the requirements for Emirati citizens online. 

Just like other visa applications, UAE travellers will need to provide a valid passport for a minimum of 6 months after the travel date. Furthermore, the form for the e-Visa application needs to be filled out before submitting it. 

And because the entire visa process is going to be online, provide your valid email ID for receiving the important documents and information. You also need a valid credit card for paying online visa charges for South Africa. 

Is Travel Insurance Compulsory in South Africa? 

No. Having travel insurance is not compulsory in South Africa, as of now. However, it is highly advised to get visitor travel insurance in Africa. Since your trip to this wonderland can be full of exciting and adventurous activities like safari, adventure sports, etc., the best travel insurance for South Africa will keep you covered in case of unfortunate and unpredictable events. 

Moreover, if you're planning to stay in the country for more than 90 days, then you'll need a visa. And for obtaining a visa, you will need to buy travel insurance. 

 Benefits of Travel Insurance Plan

Travel insurance is one of the most important requirements for a trip, regardless of its purpose. It provides cover against multiple risks involved during travel. This includes medical emergencies, document loss, personal-belonging loss, and so on. In simple words, it can save you from a lot of unexpected expenses that may arise during your trip abroad. 

Below are the major benefits of travel insurance:

1. Protects against losses 

The best travel insurance for South Africa covers a magnitude of losses including loss of passport, loss of personal belongings like a cell phone or jewellery, etc. Providing cover for such losses can save you from a plethora of additional expenses that may occur because of these losses. 

2. Compensated for medical expenses 

The biggest reason for having travel insurance is to get compensation against medical or accidental treatment expenses that may occur during your travel. In case of any medical treatment, dental treatment, or accidental treatment, the expenses will be covered by the insurance policy up to an agreed limit. Moreover, some travel insurance providers in UAE also have a huge network of hospitals where you can get your treatment and file claims or get a cashless treatment if needed. 

3. Offers coverage against trip itinerary changes 

Certain changes can occur in your trip itinerary because of several unforeseen events, cancellation by the travel company, flight cancellation, health problems, financial problems, etc. The best travel insurance policy will offer compensation against such kinds of losses that may occur before the beginning of a trip. 

4. Offers coverage against liabilities 

Personal liability includes any coverage against the damage caused by you (the insured) to any other person (third party). During travel, if by any chance you happen to cause any damage to a third person (or property), the travel insurance will provide that person with compensation. However, this can differ from product to product. 

 

Following are the types of travel insurance for South Africa from the UAE:

Single Trip Travel Insurance -

This insurance scheme offers single-trip coverage. It starts from the time you leave for the destination and ends with the culmination of your trip. This type of policy includes all the basic covers. Below are the plans that can be purchased with this type of travel insurance:

Family Travel Insurance:

In this plan, you get protection coverage for all the family members who are traveling overseas. Note that the age group for this plan varies from plan to plan. 

Individual Travel Insurance:

This plan offers benefits only to the traveler. It generally includes trip-related benefits, travels medical insurance for South Africa, coverage for baggage loss, etc. 

Senior Citizen Travel Insurance:

This plan is specially designed for senior citizens aged more than 65 years.  

Annual Multi-trip Travel Insurance:

This type of travel insurance plan comes with an annual validity. It offers coverage for multiple trips made within the validity period. It is great for people who travel overseas at least thrice a year. 

How to Buy Travel Insurance for South Africa from the UAE? 

Although there are hundreds of insurance providers in the UAE, not all of them are worth purchasing a policy from. If you end up buying from the wrong insurance company, you'll never be able to settle your claims smoothly. Hence, it is strongly recommended to buy your travel insurance policy from a reputed insurance provider. 

When talking about reputed insurance companies, Policybazaar is the best place to buy your insurance policies. The platform allows you to purchase insurance from the best insurance providers in the country. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Go to Policybazaar.ae. 
• Choose the ‘Travel Insurance’ option 
• Select ‘Travel out of the UAE’ and click ‘Proceed’ 
• Select the type of trip: single, annual, or multi-trip 
• Enter the dates of your trip and the country you're travelling to (South Africa in this case) 
• Mention the number and details of companions, if any 
• Click ‘Next’ 
• Fill in your personal and contact details and select the ‘View Quotes’ option. 

Once you finish these steps, you'll be redirected to a page where you can find multiple quotes from the most reputed insurance providers in the UAE. Now, all you need to do is select the best policy that suits your travel needs. 

Tips to Purchase Best Travel Insurance for South Africa from UAE 

Below are some tips that will help you buy the best travel insurance for South Africa from UAE:

1. Check if you're already covered 

Before you start exploring different insurance policies in UAE, check if you're already covered. Talk to your insurance provider regarding this matter because sometimes the general life and medical insurance policies offer coverage for international trips as well. If you're travelling to South Africa for a brief period and already have overseas trip coverage included in your life insurance, then you might not need to buy travel insurance separately. 

2. Compare different insurance policies and providers 

It might be very convenient to purchase travel insurance directly from your travel company or tour organiser. However, don't be quick in making a decision and search for different policies and compare them with each other to find the best one for yourself. Moreover, resist falling for the cheap travel insurance in South Africa, as they may not offer you the best coverage and may also include a hectic claims settlement. Instead, go for travel insurance from a reputed insurance provider like Policybazaar. Here the best part is, that you can buy your insurance policy online without any hassle. 

3. Don't procrastinate buying your travel insurance 

Purchase your travel insurance policy as soon as you finalise your booking for the trip. The reason is that most travel insurance providers offer you a cancellation scheme where you can get compensation against the trip cancellation due to any reason. However, the cancellation scheme comes with multiple terms and conditions, which should be read carefully. 

4. Determine the level of coverage you'll need 

Before picking an insurance policy, it's a good idea to determine the level of coverage you need for the trip. Always choose the policy based on the duration of your travel, and the activities you're going to indulge in. For example: if you're taking a business trip that does not involve many adventurous activities or sightseeing, then pick a policy that offers basic coverage as compared to a trip full of adventure and thrill. 

5. Be clear about your medical conditions 

Before you finalise your policy with the insurance provider, talk clearly about any medical condition, if you have. This can result in two outcomes, either the insurance provider can increase your premium or it may turn down your policy request. In case you don't tell your insurer about your medical condition at the time of buying a travel insurance policy, end up having the same condition during your trip, and file a claim raising the same condition, the insurance company will not consider your request valid. This is the reason why it is super important to be clear about any condition you may have before buying the policy. 

Best Places to Visit in South Africa 

To help you make the most out of your South Africa trip, below is the list of must-visit places in the beautiful country:

1. Mandela Museum & Soweto

Mandela Museum is a must-visit place in South Africa. This historical centre includes a house with four rooms, original photos of the Mandela family, and a wide range of memorabilia that tells about the life of Nelson Mandela. Here, you can also see a huge assortment of Nelson Mandela's doctorates from different universities and colleges around the world. 

2. Constantia Valley

If you don't already know, Constantia is the most established wine-production region on the globe. Filled with unparalleled excellence and legacy, Constantia is a beautiful destination to stay for some time when visiting Cape Town. 

3. Kgalagadi National Park

Kgalagadi National Park is a tourist magnet, which is situated in the southern Kalahari Desert. The park features a wide variety of vegetation, dry riverbeds, stunning dunes and amazing wildlife. You can spot mighty animals like lions, cheetahs and leopards moving freely in their natural habitats inside the park, making it one of the best tourist destinations for wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts. 

4. Stellenbosch

If you want to spend a couple of days in a peaceful yet picturesque location, then consider staying for some days in Stellenbosch, a beautiful city and the only university town in the country. You'll be amazed to find out that the history of this city dates back to 1679. Moreover, when you are in the town, don't forget to visit the famous Stellenryk Museum and the Village Museum. 

5. Port Elizabeth 

Port Elizabeth is a beautiful port city nestled in the Eastern Cape Province. Located on the banks of the Baakens River, it is among the popular tourist attractions in the country. Here, you can enjoy the cleanest and most beautiful beaches. You can go swimming at Kings Beach or Humewood Beach. Furthermore, if you are a wildlife enthusiast, you can visit the Addo Elephant National Park, the Kragga Kamma Game Reserve or Cape Recife Nature Reserve. 

What is the Best Time to Visit South Africa from the UAE? 

Although South Africa is a destination that can be visited throughout the year, the best time to visit this magnificent country starts from May to September. Winters are very cold in South Africa, whereas the months from May to September are very pleasant and perfect. The wildlife safari is best during these months. 

Key Takeaway 

Travel Insurance is a must-have thing to have when travelling abroad. It can save you from a lot of unexpected causes and protect you against various risks. We have discussed the benefits of buying travel insurance for South Africa along with the tips to select the right insurance policy. We hope it helps.