Planning a trip is always fun, paying for it…not so much, unless you are more successful at sticking to a budget than I am. I’m a real sucker for…, “if you pay today” and “for an additional…”
As a result, the last thing on my mind is if the travel insurance I have is enough, let alone what it covers. This could be instrumental in making or breaking your trip.
We are all more than aware of the national South African Airways strikes and their threat to cancel domestic and international flights.
Although SAA promised to reschedule flights, reimburse passengers for their tickets or try to book replacement seats on other airlines, accommodation, transport and various other bookings are made alongside initial flight arrangements and thus, these cancellations posed a disaster for travellers.
Those covered with travel insurance found themselves protected from the repercussions of the strike however, those who didn’t have such cover were in a difficult position. Furthermore, uninsured passengers were unable to take out travel insurance in response to the strikes as by that time they were a known event therefore, those affected would no longer be covered.
This example indicates the vitality of travel insurance for exactly this reason, to protect yourself from unexpected circumstances, before they happen. Travel insurance provides the security that, irrespective of the many complications that can affect your travel arrangements, all will be appropriately handled.