See you in South Africa
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TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Keen to spot a zebra on safari? Or take in the seaside from a Cape Town cabana? Whatever your South African holiday looks like, scroll on down for our handy guide on visas, getting around and the must-see spots. Zoom's South Africa travel insurance has you covered for any unexpected holiday hurdles. Cover includes medical expenses should you fall sick or become injured, as well as cover for trip cancellation, lost luggage, family emergencies and more! What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!
SOUTH AFRICA QUICK GUIDE
After a turbulant past, South Africa is emerging as one of Africa's most popular tourist destinations. With wonderous, diverse landscapes and wildlife, and an increasingly metropolitan cultural scene, there is something for everyone here.
No matter which kind of South African experience you're planning, Zoom can cover your trip with a range of plans. You can minimise your costs with Medical Only cover, or choose to buy Comprehensive Travel Insurance for extra protection to cover things like travel delays and cancellation. Compare Zoom's Travel Insurance plans online today.
VISAS FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Regardless of where you are coming from, you will also need require proof of onwards travel - typically a return flight ticket - and a yellow fever immunisation certificate if you travel to South Africa through the yellow fever area of Africa or South America.
This information may change quickly, so check with your nearest South African Embassy, Consulate, or High Commission for details.
ON ARRIVAL
If you land at O.R. Tambo, you can catch the Gautrain high-speed rail between 5:15am and 10pm. There are also a number of shuttle buses that cover all the major towns and suburbs. If you're a first-time visitor and would like to be dropped straight to your door, there are accedited meter taxis that will go to most places in Johannesburg.
If you land at Cape Town, there is the airport MyCiTi shuttle, which goes to the Civic Centre in central Cape Town, other shuttle services to Cape Town and the western cape. If you go with a taxi, the safest option is Touch-Down Taxis, the service endorsed by the airport.
GETTING AROUND
Minibuses and shared taxis run almost everywhere; in some areas, they may be the only way to get around. They're a good way to experience South Africa off the beaten track, but can also be a magnet for touts and people trying to take advantage of tourists. They often hold between 10 and 16 people, and generally don't leave until they are full, so you might be waiting a little while if you're headed somewhere remote.
Uber is also becoming increasingly popular in the big cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban. While this has produced some positive outcomes - the rates of drink driving have fallen significantly - tensions between Uber drivers and taxi drivers have become increasingly violent. So if your driver wants you to meet you a few blocks from the train station, or asks you to appear chatty and hug them before you get out of the car, that may be why.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
So hit the beach in the south west for a summer beach holiday, or take advantage of the dry winters the north-eastern national park areas on safari, with Africa's unique wildlife tending to concentrate around water sources.
WHERE TO GO
The Cango Caves in the western cape is the largest cave system in Africa. With formations which took millions of years to grow, it is one of the great natural wonders of the world.
Cape Town is one of South Africa's top destinations for tourists; it features the glorious Table Mountain, the Cape Camino walk and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
MUST KNOW TIPS
The best way to travel South Africa as a woman is with a friend or two. Avoid travelling on your own, and don't consider shared taxis or hitchhiking after dark.
ZOOMING ELSEWHERE?
Are you planning to zoom somewhere else on your holidays? If South Africa is a stopover on your trip to Europe, we've got plenty of helpful advice on other popular travel destinations to check out. What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!WHY BUY WITH ZOOM
medical cover
Relax knowing that your hospital expenses are covered with Zoom's unlimited medical coverage. Zoom to top notch cover!
Travel delays
Setbacks on your sojourn are never much fun. Cover your South Africa travel disruptions in a flash with Zoom travel cover. We keep things zippy!
LUGGAGE COVER
Your stuff is precious and we get that. Take off on your adventure in South Africa knowing your luggage is protected with Zoom.
Family emergencies
Had to rush home or cancel your trip due to a family emergency? We'll cover your non-refundable deposits so you can focus on the rest.
Adventure activities
Hiking Table Top Mountain or Surfing in Capetown? Zoom to great cover with our adventure pack.
rental car excess
Driving in South Africa? Our rental vehicle excess add-on is a must for roadtripping travellers.
easy claims
We've done away with lengthy forms and have kept our claims process simple. We guarantee to assess fully documented claims in a flash.
Peace Of Mind
Zoom to Zen. You can sit back and relax on your holiday knowing that you’re covered by award winning travel insurance.
COMPARE SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL INSURANCE
COMPARE PLANS(Benefits are per adult) Expand to see benefits & limits in detail
|
Medical Only | Standard | Comprehensive MOST POPULAR |
|---|---|---|---|
 MEDICAL
|
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 24/7 Emergency Assistance Services | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 24 Hour emergency medical assistance services, access to trained medical advisers, medical evacuation, hospital expense guarantees, ambulance fees, messages to family, and funeral arrangements. | |||
| Overseas Emergency Medical & Hospital Expenses^ | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Overseas medical treatment if you are injured or become sick overseas, including hospital stays, surgery, prescription drugs, and doctor visits. | |||
| Includes Dental Expenses (per person) | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Cover for emergency dental treatment for the relief of sudden and acute pain to sound and natural teeth. | |||
| Additional Expenses | - | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| Cover for additional travel expenses if you cannot travel because of an injury or sickness (whilst overseas) | |||
| Includes Family Emergency | - | Yes | Yes |
| Cover for additional travel expenses such as your return flight to Australia if a relative of either you, or travelling companion requires hospitalisation or dies unexpectedly. (no excess applies) | |||
| Includes Resumption of Journey | - | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Reimbursement for the cost of airfares for you to return to the place where your journey was interrupted in the event of a relatives death or hospitalisation, following serious injury or illness. (no excess applies) | |||
| Includes Emergency Companion Cover | - | Yes | Yes |
| Additional accommodation and travel expenses you incur to remain with your travelling companion. (no excess applies) | |||
| Hospital Cash Allowance^^ | - | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| An allowance of $50 per day if you are hospitalised for more than 48 continuous hours whilst overseas. | |||
| Accidental Death | - | - | $25,000 |
| A benefit payable if you die because of, and within 12 months, of an accidental bodily injury sustained during your journey. (no excess applies) | |||
| Permanent Disability^^ | - | - | $25,000 |
| A lump sum benefit if you suffer a total permanent disability as result of an accidental injury during your trip. (no excess applies) | |||
| Loss of Income^^ | - | - | $10,400 |
| Weekly benefit payable if you become disabled within 30 days of an injury you sustained during your journey, and you are unable to work more than 30 days after returning to Australia. (no excess applies) | |||
|
CANCELLATION
|
- | $25,000 | Unlimited |
| Cancellation Fees & Lost Deposits | - | $25,000 | Unlimited |
| Cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel expenses that you cannot recover when your trip is cancelled or cut short due to unexpected events such as illness, injuries, accidents, strikes and natural disasters. | |||
| Alternative Transport Expenses | - | - | $5,000 |
| Reasonable travel expenses incurred to reach special events such as weddings, funerals, conferences and sporting events on time following transport delays beyond your control. (no excess applies) | |||
| Travel Delay Expenses | - | - | $2,000 |
| Cover for reasonable meal and accommodation expenses if your journey is disrupted for more than 6 hours due to circumstances beyond your control. (no excess applies) | |||
|
LUGGAGE
|
- | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| Luggage & Personal Effects | - | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| Repair or replacement cost of any personal effects that are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged during your journey. This includes items such as cameras, laptops, tablets and mobile phones. | |||
| Luggage & Personal Effects Delay Expenses^^ | - | - | $250 |
| Cover to purchase essential personal items following your luggage and personal effects being delayed, misdirected or misplaced by your carrier for more than 12 hours. (no excess applies) | |||
| Travel Documents & Transaction Cards^^ | - | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Replacement cost of lost or stolen travel documents including passports and credit cards. This includes costs incurred due to fraudulent activity on your credit card not already covered by the financial institution. | |||
| Theft of Cash^^ | - | - | $250 |
| Cover for cash, bank notes, currency notes, postal orders or money orders stolen from you during your journey. | |||
|
PERSONAL LIABILITY
|
$2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Personal Liability | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Cover for legal liability including legal expenses for bodily injuries or damage to property of other persons as a result of a claim made against you. | |||
Medical Only
Show Benefits-
MEDICAL Unlimited
- Overseas Emergency Medical Assistance^ Unlimited
- 24 Hour emergency medical assistance services, access to trained medical advisers, medical evacuation, hospital expense guarantees, ambulance fees, messages to family, and funeral arrangements.
- Overseas Emergency Medical & Hospital Expenses^ Unlimited
- Overseas medical treatment if you are injured or become sick overseas, including hospital stays, surgery, prescription drugs, and doctor visits.
- Includes Dental Expenses (per person) $500
- Cover for emergency dental treatment for the relief of sudden and acute pain to sound and natural teeth.
- Additional Expenses -
- Cover for additional travel expenses if you cannot travel because of an injury or sickness (whilst overseas)
- Includes Family Emergency -
- Cover for additional travel expenses such as your return flight to Australia if a relative of either you, or travelling companion requires hospitalisation or dies unexpectedly. (no excess applies)
- Includes Resumption of Journey -
- Reimbursement for the cost of airfares for you to return to the place where your journey was interrupted in the event of a relatives death or hospitalisation, following serious injury or illness. (no excess applies)
- Includes Emergency Companion Cover -
- Additional accommodation and travel expenses you incur to remain with your travelling companion. (no excess applies)
- Hospital Cash Allowance^^ -
- An allowance of $50 per day if you are hospitalised for more than 48 continuous hours whilst overseas.
- Accidental Death -
- A benefit payable if you die because of, and within 12 months, of an accidental bodily injury sustained during your journey. (no excess applies)
- Permanent Disability^^ -
- A lump sum benefit if you suffer a total permanent disability as result of an accidental injury during your trip. (no excess applies)
- Loss of Income^^ -
- Weekly benefit payable if you become disabled within 30 days of an injury you sustained during your journey, and you are unable to work more than 30 days after returning to Australia. (no excess applies)
-
CANCELLATION Unlimited
- Cancellation Fees & Lost Deposits Unlimited
- Cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel expenses that you cannot recover when your trip is cancelled or cut short due to unexpected events such as illness, injuries, accidents, strikes and natural disasters.
- Alternative Transport Expenses -
- Reasonable travel expenses incurred to reach special events such as weddings, funerals, conferences and sporting events on time following transport delays beyond your control. (no excess applies)
- Travel Delay Expenses -
- Cover for reasonable meal and accommodation expenses if your journey is disrupted for more than 6 hours due to circumstances beyond your control. (no excess applies)
-
LUGGAGE -
- Luggage & Personal Effects -
- Repair or replacement cost of any personal effects that are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged during your journey. This includes items such as cameras, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
- Luggage & Personal Effects Delay Expenses^^ -
- Cover to purchase essential personal items following your luggage and personal effects being delayed, misdirected or misplaced by your carrier for more than 12 hours. (no excess applies)
- Travel Documents & Transaction Cards^^ -
- Replacement cost of lost or stolen travel documents including passports and credit cards. This includes costs incurred due to fraudulent activity on your credit card not already covered by the financial institution.
- Theft of Cash^^ -
- Cover for cash, bank notes, currency notes, postal orders or money orders stolen from you during your journey.
-
ANCILLARY $2,500,000
- Personal Liability $2,500,000
- Cover for legal liability including legal expenses for bodily injuries or damage to property of other persons as a result of a claim made against you.
- Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess Optional
- Cover for the excess payable on your rental car's insurance in the event of accidental damage or theft during the car rental period.
-
Note: Benefit limits shown are per adult traveller. For accompanying dependants, the policy benefits are shared with the adult traveller.
^^ There is no cover for these benefits while travelling in Australia.
Sub-limits apply to some sections. Please refer to the section titled Cover Benefits In Detail of this PDS for more information.
Standard
Show Benefits-
MEDICAL Unlimited
- Overseas Emergency Medical Assistance^ Unlimited
- 24 Hour emergency medical assistance services, access to trained medical advisers, medical evacuation, hospital expense guarantees, ambulance fees, messages to family, and funeral arrangements.
- Overseas Emergency Medical & Hospital Expenses^ Unlimited
- Overseas medical treatment if you are injured or become sick overseas, including hospital stays, surgery, prescription drugs, and doctor visits.
- Includes Dental Expenses (per person) $500
- Cover for emergency dental treatment for the relief of sudden and acute pain to sound and natural teeth.
- Additional Expenses $30,000
- Cover for additional travel expenses if you cannot travel because of an injury or sickness (whilst overseas)
- Includes Family Emergency Yes
- Cover for additional travel expenses such as your return flight to Australia if a relative of either you, or travelling companion requires hospitalisation or dies unexpectedly. (no excess applies)
- Includes Resumption of Journey $3,000
- Reimbursement for the cost of airfares for you to return to the place where your journey was interrupted in the event of a relatives death or hospitalisation, following serious injury or illness. (no excess applies)
- Includes Emergency Companion Cover Yes
- Additional accommodation and travel expenses you incur to remain with your travelling companion. (no excess applies)
- Hospital Cash Allowance^^ $2,500
- An allowance of $50 per day if you are hospitalised for more than 48 continuous hours whilst overseas.
- Accidental Death -
- A benefit payable if you die because of, and within 12 months, of an accidental bodily injury sustained during your journey. (no excess applies)
- Permanent Disability^^ -
- A lump sum benefit if you suffer a total permanent disability as result of an accidental injury during your trip. (no excess applies)
- Loss of Income^^ -
- Weekly benefit payable if you become disabled within 30 days of an injury you sustained during your journey, and you are unable to work more than 30 days after returning to Australia. (no excess applies)
-
CANCELLATION Unlimited
- Cancellation Fees & Lost Deposits Unlimited
- Cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel expenses that you cannot recover when your trip is cancelled or cut short due to unexpected events such as illness, injuries, accidents, strikes and natural disasters.
- Alternative Transport Expenses -
- Reasonable travel expenses incurred to reach special events such as weddings, funerals, conferences and sporting events on time following transport delays beyond your control. (no excess applies)
- Travel Delay Expenses -
- Cover for reasonable meal and accommodation expenses if your journey is disrupted for more than 6 hours due to circumstances beyond your control. (no excess applies)
-
LUGGAGE $5,000
- Luggage & Personal Effects $5,000
- Repair or replacement cost of any personal effects that are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged during your journey. This includes items such as cameras, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
- Luggage & Personal Effects Delay Expenses^^ -
- Cover to purchase essential personal items following your luggage and personal effects being delayed, misdirected or misplaced by your carrier for more than 12 hours. (no excess applies)
- Travel Documents & Transaction Cards^^ $2,000
- Replacement cost of lost or stolen travel documents including passports and credit cards. This includes costs incurred due to fraudulent activity on your credit card not already covered by the financial institution.
- Theft of Cash^^ -
- Cover for cash, bank notes, currency notes, postal orders or money orders stolen from you during your journey.
-
ANCILLARY $2,500,000
- Personal Liability $2,500,000
- Cover for legal liability including legal expenses for bodily injuries or damage to property of other persons as a result of a claim made against you.
- Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess Optional
- Cover for the excess payable on your rental car's insurance in the event of accidental damage or theft during the car rental period.
-
Note: Benefit limits shown are per adult traveller. For accompanying dependants, the policy benefits are shared with the adult traveller.
^^ There is no cover for these benefits while travelling in Australia.
Sub-limits apply to some sections. Please refer to the section titled Cover Benefits In Detail of this PDS for more information.
Comprehensive
Show Benefits-
MEDICAL Unlimited
- Overseas Emergency Medical Assistance^ Unlimited
- 24 Hour emergency medical assistance services, access to trained medical advisers, medical evacuation, hospital expense guarantees, ambulance fees, messages to family, and funeral arrangements.
- Overseas Emergency Medical & Hospital Expenses^ Unlimited
- Overseas medical treatment if you are injured or become sick overseas, including hospital stays, surgery, prescription drugs, and doctor visits.
- Includes Dental Expenses (per person) $500
- Cover for emergency dental treatment for the relief of sudden and acute pain to sound and natural teeth.
- Additional Expenses $50,000
- Cover for additional travel expenses if you cannot travel because of an injury or sickness (whilst overseas)
- Includes Family Emergency Yes
- Cover for additional travel expenses such as your return flight to Australia if a relative of either you, or travelling companion requires hospitalisation or dies unexpectedly. (no excess applies)
- Includes Resumption of Journey $3,000
- Reimbursement for the cost of airfares for you to return to the place where your journey was interrupted in the event of a relatives death or hospitalisation, following serious injury or illness. (no excess applies)
- Includes Emergency Companion Cover Yes
- Additional accommodation and travel expenses you incur to remain with your travelling companion. (no excess applies)
- Hospital Cash Allowance^^ $5,000
- An allowance of $50 per day if you are hospitalised for more than 48 continuous hours whilst overseas.
- Accidental Death $25,000
- A benefit payable if you die because of, and within 12 months, of an accidental bodily injury sustained during your journey. (no excess applies)
- Permanent Disability^^ $25,000
- A lump sum benefit if you suffer a total permanent disability as result of an accidental injury during your trip. (no excess applies)
- Loss of Income^^ $10,400
- Weekly benefit payable if you become disabled within 30 days of an injury you sustained during your journey, and you are unable to work more than 30 days after returning to Australia. (no excess applies)
-
CANCELLATION Unlimited
- Cancellation Fees & Lost Deposits Unlimited
- Cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel expenses that you cannot recover when your trip is cancelled or cut short due to unexpected events such as illness, injuries, accidents, strikes and natural disasters.
- Alternative Transport Expenses $5,000
- Reasonable travel expenses incurred to reach special events such as weddings, funerals, conferences and sporting events on time following transport delays beyond your control. (no excess applies)
- Travel Delay Expenses $2,000
- Cover for reasonable meal and accommodation expenses if your journey is disrupted for more than 6 hours due to circumstances beyond your control. (no excess applies)
-
LUGGAGE $7,500
- Luggage & Personal Effects $7,500
- Repair or replacement cost of any personal effects that are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged during your journey. This includes items such as cameras, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
- Luggage & Personal Effects Delay Expenses^^ $250
- Cover to purchase essential personal items following your luggage and personal effects being delayed, misdirected or misplaced by your carrier for more than 12 hours. (no excess applies)
- Travel Documents & Transaction Cards^^ $5,000
- Replacement cost of lost or stolen travel documents including passports and credit cards. This includes costs incurred due to fraudulent activity on your credit card not already covered by the financial institution.
- Theft of Cash^^ $250
- Cover for cash, bank notes, currency notes, postal orders or money orders stolen from you during your journey.
-
ANCILLARY $5,000,000
- Personal Liability $5,000,000
- Cover for legal liability including legal expenses for bodily injuries or damage to property of other persons as a result of a claim made against you.
- Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess Optional
- Cover for the excess payable on your rental car's insurance in the event of accidental damage or theft during the car rental period.
-
Note: Benefit limits shown are per adult traveller. For accompanying dependants, the policy benefits are shared with the adult traveller.
^^ There is no cover for these benefits while travelling in Australia.
Sub-limits apply to some sections. Please refer to the section titled Cover Benefits In Detail of this PDS for more information.
Note: Benefit limits shown are per adult traveller. For accompanying dependants, the policy benefits are shared with the adult traveller.
^^ There is no cover for these benefits while travelling in Australia.
Sub-limits apply to some sections. Please refer to PDS for more information.
SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL INSURANCE FAQs
Got some curly questions in regards to your South Africa travel insurance cover?
Be in the the know before you go with answers to the most common queries below.
-
Am I covered medically while holidaying in South Africa?
-
Yes, all our policies cover for unlimited medical coverage. Zoom provides cover for your overseas medical expenses including hospital stays, surgery, doctor visits, emergency evacuation and repatriation home if required. We can provide written guarantees of payment of reasonable expenses directly with your hospital in emergency situations. Phew!
-
What happens if I need medical assistance in South Africa?
-
Have complete peace of mind on your adventure to South Africa. Zoom provides immediate support through our emergency assistance provider, First Assistance. Help is just a phone call away any time of day 365 days a year. This includes access to medical advisors, medical transfers and emergency evacuation if required. We also assist with passing on messages to family and returning unsupervised dependants back to Australia.
-
How do alcohol and drugs affect my cover?
-
When it comes to alcohol we advise you to drink in moderation. One mahewu too many could see you jeopardizing your cover. Please note that we may exclude any claims where excessive drugs or alcohol have been involved.
