Domestic travellers’ blind spot can prove costly
03. Jun, 2009
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People travelling overseas are usually diligent about taking out travel insurance but when it comes to domestic trips, they have a ‘blind spot’ that can prove to be very expensive. Thamsanqa Ndebele, regional travel manager for AIG Africa, said that when people travel domestically they often fail to take out travel insurance even though they are exposed to similar risks of international trips.
“I’m sure that when someone is flying from Johannesburg to Cape Town for example, they feel they don’t need to take out travel insurance as they are in their own country and tend to believe not much can go wrong because they are close to home.
“But like an overseas trip, we advise people to be prepared for things such as personal liability claims, loss of luggage, flight delays and cancellations.”
Ndebele notes that domestic travel insurance can often be bought from as little as R18 one way between Cape Town and Johannesburg and could end up saving thousands.
“For example if you are a businessman and your flight is delayed or cancelled it could be very costly. You could miss a connecting transport and even have to make another trip if you have missed a meeting. If you have a standard AIG travel insurance policy, you will be compensated by as much as R5000.
“Another common problem local fliers are all too familiar with is lost or stolen luggage. Recently it was reported that up to 40 bags a day are being stolen or having items pilfered at South African airports.
“A good policy will pay between R500 and R2000 over and above the compensation received from the airline.”
Ndebele also points out that it’s not just the trip itself that people need insurance for but that personal liability is something most travellers don’t even know they are exposed to.
“For example, if you are in your hotel and leave a tap running, you could be personally liable for the damage that causes. This could run into tens and even hundreds of thousands of rands especially if it seeps through to the room below.
“It is well worth taking out travel insurance,” said Ndebele.
Travel insurance can be bought from carriers like Mango and 1Time to which AIG South Africa supplies domestic travel insurance policies or it can be bought from AIG South Africa directly.
My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
Would your personal insurance not cover such cases?