Uganda Travel Insurance - Travel Insurance for An African Safari Vacation

Ok, let's talk financial protection.
No matter what research you've done or how long a travel or a safari company or service provider has been in existence, in today's environment things can happen. Things that affect your vacation, holiday investment and overall financial health. The global recession has now made it essential to always travel with inclusive comprehensive insurance that covers all areas of your trip. Most holidays result in wonderful memories. But, on occasions, unexpected events or accidents can leave you with cancelled plans and significant unbudgeted expenses. Travel insurance can help you protect yourself, your belongings and your travel investment against unwelcome surprises.

Did you know that...

  • More than 50 airlines worldwide declared insolvency in 2008?
  • Since 1998, 25 US airlines have ceased operations due to financial failure? This number includes 6 airlines failing in the latter part of 2008 alone. Some of these include Skybus, Aloha Airlines & ATA (Hawaii), Sun Country and Frontier.
  • Familiar names such as United Airlines, Continental Airlines, America West, US Airways, Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines have been reorganized under bankruptcy protection? These airlines are still operating but it is unclear whether they will survive the economic climate.
  • The failure of UK travel businesses increased by 86% from July to September 2008? (Times Online; Nov 7, 2008)

Abacus African Vacations has identified and addressed these risks. From unforeseen and unexpected circumstances, pre-departure to on vacation challenges (including but not limited to financial failure, death, illness or accidents). We advise on taking insurance to protect your holiday, holiday investment and overall financial health. It's true that you may never need to use these coverages, but you've worked too hard to put your holiday and investment at risk.

Travel Insurance should be purchased at the time you confirm your trip as coverage is provided not only when you are traveling but for the period before you travel as the examples below show:

"I have become sick and am not able to travel"
If you become sick and are unable to travel non-refundable payments you have made for land and air ticket arrangements are covered by travel insurance.

"My father-in-law fell and injured himself – I normally care for him"
The illness or injury of family members is included under covered reasons to cancel. It’s important to remember that even if you are fit to travel, other events may make departing on your trip unthinkable.

"A terrorist act has occurred in a city through which my flight will be connecting"
Both domestic and international terrorist acts are covered reasons to cancel your trip provided the act occurs in the insured’s city of destination and you must be scheduled to arrive in that city within 30 days following the terrorist incident.

Other covered events (depending upon policy chosen) include pregnancy, divorce, military obligations, jury duty and more...

Insider's Tip: 1 in 6 travelers, who purchase travel insurance end up filing a claim (according to the Insurance Information Institute). Trip cancellation makes up 75% of all claims. Of these 60% are related to injury or illness suffered by the traveler, traveling companion or immediate family.

All Abacus African Vacations clients are advised to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan upon booking. This should cover you for events that may occur before, or during travel, such as airline / tour operator bankruptcy / financial default, trip cancellation, trip delay or interruption, terrorism, lost stolen or delayed baggage, emergency accident (before or during travel), sickness and evacuation of at least US $200,000, 24 hour medical assistance, traveler's assistance, and emergency cash transfer. There are several companies that sell travel insurance among which a few are listed below;

1. World Nomads - World Nomads travel insurance is designed with backpackers in mind. Their main advantage is that it can be purchased and renewed from anywhere giving total flexibility. They also cover you for all types of work which makes it an ideal policy for working holidaymakers. If you decide World Nomads are the insurance that suit you best, save 6% use the World Nomads Promotional Code on their website when paying for your policy.

2. Travel Guard - Abacus African Vacations works very closely with Travel Guard, the #1 travel insurer in US and World. Travel Guard has 5 comprehensive travel insurance options to help you enjoy your travels with greater peace of mind (see below). Only two of these policies, “Gold” and “Platinum” are sufficient for international travel. To give you an idea of insurance costs please find a sample quotes below. Note: trip insurance premiums are based on each traveler’s age and total land / air costs. As a traveler’s age and trip cost increases so do premiums. The sample quotes are based on May 2009 premiums.

- Travel Guard Savvy Traveler (basic secondary comprehensive): This product is extremely basic and coverage’s are very low – it is meant for domestic travel. No international traveler should have this policy as it is very restrictive and would only cover the most basic of claims. This policy does not meet our insurance requirements.

- Travel Guard Essential (basic secondary comprehensive): “Essential” is the most basic, and affordable, comprehensive insurance Travel Guard offers and does not include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions (of yourself or family members) and does not include terrorism or tour operator bankruptcy coverage. Medical transport from Africa back to the USA can exceed US $200,000 where this policy only covers up to US $100,000. In short coverage is not sufficient for international travel. This policy is best used for "close to home" travel like Hawaii, Alaska, or domestic US destinations. This policy does not meet our insurance expectations.

- Travel Guard Silver (basic secondary comprehensive): “Silver” includes all the coverage’s of “Essential” plus coverage for pre-existing medical conditions (of yourself or family members up to US $15,000 of trip cost per person), tour operator bankruptcy and terrorism with lower benefits than Travel Guard’s Gold policy (see Gold below). Medical transport from Africa back to the USA can exceed US $200,000 where this policy only covers up to US $150,000. In short coverage is fine but not very sufficient for international travel. However this policy can still work for international travel as there is an additional umbrella policy which may be purchased (see below). This doubles medical coverage! Children under age 18 are covered at no additional cost for each insured adult who purchases a policy (child must be related to primary adult). This policy is not available to residents of all 50 states. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, terrorism and airline / tour operator bankruptcy are only available if purchased within 14 days of your trip deposit. If a couple in their mid 50’s were to insure a trip totaling US $8,000 per person the “Silver” insurance premium would be US $309 per person. The additional umbrella policy would be US $15 per person. There is a US $7 policy fee for each policy.

- Travel Guard Gold (secondary / primary comprehensive): “Gold” is the most popular travel insurance option as it is the “best fit” for most travelers. “Gold” offers higher coverage amounts than Travel Guard “Silver”. The limits aren’t too high nor are they too low. Most claims fit into the boundaries of this policy – perfect for travel to Africa (or any international destination). This is the “common sense” policy. Policy includes US $500,000 in primary medical evacuation and 150% trip cost / trip interruption coverage. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions (of yourself or family members up to US $30,000 of trip cost per person), terrorism and airline / tour operator bankruptcy are only available if purchased within 14 days of your trip deposit. Children under age 18 are covered at no additional cost if all accompanying adults purchase coverage (children must be related to primary adult). If a couple in their mid 50’s were to insure a trip totaling US $8,000 per person the “Gold” insurance premium would be US $368 per person. There is also an additional umbrella policy which may be purchased. In this case it would add US $18.00 per person to the total insurance cost. This doubles medical coverage! Other optional coverages include “Cancel for any reason” and “Cancel for work reasons”. There is a US $7 policy fee for each policy.

- Travel Guard Platinum (primary comprehensive): Travel Guard’s premier plan with the highest level of benefits including US $1,000,000 in medical evacuation and 150% trip cost / trip interruption coverage. If purchased within 14 days of your initial trip deposit coverage includes pre-existing medical conditions (of yourself or family members up to US $50,000 of trip cost per person), airline / tour operator bankruptcy and "Change of Mind." Other optional coverages include “Cancel for any reason” and “Cancel for work reasons”. Primary insurance is higher cost as it is primary (first to pay) to any insurance you may already have such as health insurance or homeowners insurance. This is important. If you had secondary / primary coverage such as Travel Guard “Gold” and made a claim for camera equipment that you dropped and damaged while traveling you would first need to contact your homeowners insurance. This could result in future homeowner’s insurance premium increases. With primary coverage such as “Platinum” you would not need to contact your homeowners insurance. Overall great for the international traveler who wants the very best. If a couple in their mid 50’s were to insure a trip totaling US $8,000 per person the “Platinum” insurance premium would be US $613 per person. There is a US $7 policy fee for each policy.
You may learn more about each policy and compare costs at www.travelguard.com