Traveling abroad is an exciting adventure – whether it’s exploring exotic destinations, creating lasting memories with family, or attending important business events. But what happens when the unexpected strikes, like a sudden illness or injury? A dream vacation can quickly turn into a stressful situation if you’re not prepared. That’s where travel health insurance comes in. This article will delve into the importance of travel health coverage, what it includes, common exclusions to watch out for, and advice on extending your coverage for peace of mind while travelling overseas.

Why You Need Travel Insurance for International Travel

International travel often brings about unfamiliar challenges, and medical emergencies are one of the most concerning risks. Medical care abroad can be expensive, especially if you’re unprepared. Travel insurance offers protection for medical expenses, trip cancellations, and even lost luggage. Many South African medical aid plans offer travel insurance that extends coverage while you’re abroad. It’s vital to check whether your medical aid includes this feature and to understand the terms of coverage.Fedhealth Medical Schemeoffers comprehensive travel coverage. It is important to verify whether your specific plan includes international travel insurance and to review the scheme’s guidelines for coverage during overseas travel. Travel insurance plans could provide coverage for up to 90 days from the date of departure from South Africa. It’s always recommended to inform your insurance provider of your travel plans in advance to ensure the coverage remains active throughout your trip.

What Travel Insurance Typically Covers

Travel insurance generally covers a wide array of medical-related emergencies while you’re overseas. Commonly covered situations include:

• Emergency Medical Treatment: If you experience an illness or injury, travel insurance can help cover the cost of doctor visits, hospitalisation, and surgeries. This ensures that you don’t bear the full financial burden of healthcare abroad.
• Medical Transportation: In case of severe illness or injury, some travel insurance plans cover the cost of emergency medical evacuation. This can include air ambulances or transportation to a nearby hospital, ensuring you’re not left stranded in a foreign country without proper medical attention.
• Repatriation: If the situation is serious and you need to return to South Africa for further treatment, insurance policies often cover the cost of flights home, provided you’re medically cleared to travel.

While these coverages are common, policies may differ, so it’s essential to check what exactly is included and how it applies to your specific circumstances.

FedHealth Travel Insurance Coverage

For FedHealth members, travel insurance is often available as an optional add-on to your medical scheme. According to the FedHealth Travel Insurance guidelines, the cover includes emergency medical treatment, evacuation costs, and repatriation, similar to what is typically offered in most international plans. However, coverage at Fedhealth is usually limited to 90 days, and any treatment required beyond that would need to be covered separately. Additionally, members must inform the scheme of their travel plans prior to departure to ensure their insurance is activated.

Exclusions in Travel Insurance

Though travel insurance can provide essential coverage, there are exclusions that you must be aware of to avoid unpleasant surprises. Here are some of the most common exclusions:

• Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Travel insurance often does not cover medical conditions that were diagnosed or treated within 30 days of your departure. For example, if you have a chronic condition that may require treatment during the trip, it’s vital to discuss it with your insurance provider before leaving.
• High-Risk Activities: Adventurous activities like hiking in remote areas, scuba diving, skiing, or skydiving are generally not covered by standard travel insurance policies unless additional coverage is purchased. If you’re planning such activities, you may need to take out a specialised insurance policy that covers these risks.
• Pregnancy: Most travel insurance providers will not cover expenses related to pregnancy after 24 weeks, including complications, childbirth, or newborn care. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, it’s important to check your coverage carefully.
• Age Restrictions: Older travellers or those with pre-existing conditions may face higher premiums or reduced coverage. Age restrictions vary between insurers, so it’s important to inquire about these limits before booking your trip.

Extending Your Coverage for Greater Protection

While basic travel insurance offers important protection, it might not be sufficient for every traveller, particularly those engaging in high-risk activities or with specific health needs. To ensure maximum coverage, consider extending your insurance policy.

Many specialised insurance companies offer extended or supplementary travel insurance, which can cover everything from adventurous sports to high-risk medical conditions. For instance, if you plan to participate in activities such as skiing, bungee jumping, or mountaineering, you may want to add additional coverage for those activities. Travelers with pre-existing health conditions may need to purchase additional coverage that includes specific conditions. Policies can also vary depending on your age and medical history, so it’s crucial to disclose all relevant information to your insurer to avoid complications later.

Financial Considerations: Coverage Limits

In South Africa, travel insurance coverage limits vary significantly depending on the provider and policy type. Given the fluctuating exchange rates, especially with the current volatility of the rand, the amount allocated may not go as far as you might expect. For this reason, travellers may want to opt for higher coverage limits, especially if traveling to destinations where medical expenses are known to be particularly high.

Conclusion

According to the Journal of Travel Medicine it is estimated that between 30 -50% of travellers become ill or injured whilst travelling. Therefore securing travel health insurance is one of the most important aspects of international travel preparation. It ensures that you’re protected against the high costs of medical emergencies abroad, including doctor visits, hospital stays, medical transportation, and repatriation. Understanding what your insurance covers and any exclusions it may have is key to ensuring a safe and worry-free trip.

Don’t allow medical emergencies to ruin your overseas adventure – investing in comprehensive travel insurance can make all the difference in safeguarding your health and financial well-being while abroad.

References

1. Fedhealth. (2017). Go Skiing With travel Insurance. https://www.fedhealth.co.za/articles/go-skiing-with-travel-insurance/

2. Fedhealth Sanlam Healthcare Partner. (2024). International travel insurance benefit for Fedhealth members. https://www.fedhealth.co.za/storage/2024/05/9894-fedhealth-travel-insurance-brochure-2024.pdf
3. Fedhealth. (n.d.). Yes, you can afford medical aid. https://www.fedhealth.co.za/
4. Leggat, P. A. (2006). Travel insurance and health. Journal of Travel Medicine. https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article-abstract/6/4/243/1834207?redirectedFrom=PDF
5. Megna, M. (2025). Travel insurance for adventure sports and activities. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/adventure-activities/
6. WorldTrips. (n.d.). Travel health insurance tips for world travellers. https://www.worldtrips.com/resources/travel-health-insurance-tips