[Going on an African safari can be a wild experience! But merely booking a safari does not guarantee that you will actually be on one as planned, and most safari operators insist that you purchase insurance, including trip cancellation insurance, to tide over the uncertainties inherent in safaris.|An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Safaris, however, are dependent on many factors, and your safari operators often require you to be prepared for changes in the schedule of the safari, with appropriate trip cancellation insurance.|Like most trips and travel plans, there are chances that a booked African safari may be cancelled. To avoid the financial burden of such a cancellation, it is best to purchase trip cancellation insurance for safaris—in fact, many safaris require proof of such insurance before travelers report for the trip.]
[Trip cancellation insurance is not the only insurance that you will need when planning an African safari. You will also require a plan that covers medical expenses, should the occasion arise.|There are other types of insurance you will need when preparing for an African safari. These include international medical insurance, in addition to the trip cancellation insurance.|However, international travel health insurance is also required in addition to trip cancellation insurance for African safaris.] [While most safari operators will offer some trip cancellation insurance and medical insurance plans, coverage may not be adequate.|Safari operators may extend some insurance, but remember that the coverage may be both expensive and inadequate. |Safari operators may extend coverage when a trip is booked, but it is important to check that their coverage is adequate and costs are reasonable.]
[Ensure that your trip cancellation insurance covers cancellation and curtailment of the safari, baggage loss, and baggage delay.|The trip cancellation insurance plan must cover these benefits: safari cancellation and curtailment, and baggage loss and delay.|Generally, trip cancellation insurance offers other benefits such as baggage safety against loss or theft, in addition to safari cancellation and rescheduling.] [Remember that theft of baggage is a common problem at African airports.|African airports are notorious for thieves targeting the baggage of foreigners, so this coverage is not merely a formality.|Baggage safety remains a major problem at African airports.]
[While most African safaris are held on time, it is not rare for the weather to necessitate change in the safari schedule.|It is not just the weather that can cause your African safari to be cancelled or postponed—it can also be due to the low turnout for a particular safari.|Safaris can/could be cancelled due to the weather, the lack of enough participants for the safari, or baggage problems.] [Other reasons for the cancellation or postponement of a safari include the lack of the optimum number of participants on the safari, and baggage delay. Trip cancellation insurance can be extremely handy in such a situation.|Baggage delay is another reason your safari can be postponed, so it’s not difficult to see why you need trip cancellation insurance.|Even if the cancellation of a safari is not a usual occurrence, insurance for trip cancellation is very important.]
[In case of medical insurance, ensure coverage for all major medical problems, as well as emergency evacuation and repatriation benefits.|Your insurance plan’s medical schedule of benefits must cover unplanned medical care, evacuation in emergency medical situations, and the sending home of remains in the unfortunate case of death.|Usual and necessary medical coverage includes coverage for all sudden medical issues. Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of mortal remains are also usually included.] [Usually, trip cancellation insurance can be bundled together with travel medical insurance.|You might be able to save costs if trip cancellation insurance is purchased together with the medical insurance.|Many plans offer trip cancellation insurance together with international medical coverage.] [Shop around for plans until you receive a suitable trip cancellation and medical insurance plan that works for an African safari.|Remember to look for and buy coverage that suits your needs.|It is best to look for and purchase a plan that will work for an African safari.]
[Travel cancellation insurance usually covers the cancellation of your airline ticket, hotel reservations, and any other non-refundable activities you might have planned to participate in.|The safari is not the only thing that your trip cancellation insurance will cover. The non-refundable portions of your travel tickets, accommodation, and any other travel-related expenses are also covered.|Trip cancellation insurance usually covers those costs related to travel that are not refunded. These may include hotel reservations, airfare, and other tickets purchased.] [You will require receipts and proof of reservation and cancellation in order to make a claim on a trip cancellation insurance plan.|To make a successful claim, the trip cancellation insurance company will require you to display proof that you have indeed lost that money—with the help of receipts and proof of the actual reservation.|There must be reasonable proof that there was loss of money related to travel, which can include cancellation receipts and reservation slips.]
[In the case of the medical evacuation insurance clause in an African safari, one of the things to remember is that many of the areas of the safari are not reachable by phone. This might render impossible pre-approval or contacting the plan administrator to organize the evacuation.|While taking out medical insurance, you must ensure that the expenses will actually be paid for in a safari situation. Most of the plans will require that you pre-approve or organize the evacuation through the insurance company, and most safari emergencies will likely occur in places where communication with the outside may be impossible.|One of the hitches in the emergency medical evacuation clause is the fact that most areas that safaris cover are remote and not well connected by phone. So when an emergency actually occurs, getting prior permission or organizing it through the insurance company may not be an option.] [You must check with your trip cancellation insurance and travel medical insurance company how you plan to still ensure your claim is honored.|It’s important that you square aspect before you purchase travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance.|The trip cancellation and travel insurance company selected must be able to still accept claims.]
[Remember to also purchase your travel cancellation insurance and medical insurance within seven days of booking your travel.|To get the best deals, you must purchase your travel cancellation insurance no later than a week from buying your tickets.|The best rates and coverage for your travel cancellation insurance plan are often available within a week of purchasing the travel tickets.] [Many travel cancellation plans have this clause built in, and some others cover pre-existing conditions only if the plan is purchased within the time limit.|Carefully check the plan you have chosen—it might feature the one-week purchase limit as a prerequisite for coverage, or as a prerequisite for extra benefits.|In some cases, travel cancellation is only available within the one-week window, while other plans offer extra benefits to plans purchased within a week of reservations.]