- The best business travel insurance plans
- What exactly is business travel insurance?
- The price of business travel insurance
- What does business travel insurance cover?
- The conditions of business travel insurance
- Why take out business travel insurance?
- How to choose the right business travel insurance
- Do my current insurance policies cover business travel?
- FAQ
business travel insurance: key takeaways
1. Definition: Business travel insurance covers work-related risks like medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost business equipment.
2. Price: A one-week business trip to Europe typically costs between R800 and R1,500 for standard cover.
3. Coverage: It typically covers medical costs and business equipment but often excludes pre-existing conditions and unattended items.
4. Bank cards and health insurances: Bank cards and medical aids like Discovery offer limited cover, often excluding business-specific risks.
5. Tips: For frequent trips, choose an annual policy and ensure cover limits match your business equipment's value.
6. Other useful info: Your employer may have a corporate group policy with better rates; check with your HR department first.
Why trust HelloSafe ?
HelloSafe is an international specialist in travel insurance comparison, advising over one million travellers every month. After analysing 41 travel insurance policies available in South Africa, our experts share everything you need to know to choose the best business travel insurance.
The best business travel insurance plans
Here is a selection of the best business travel insurance plans available for residents of South Africa in 2025. These options are among the best due to their high coverage limits, low deductibles and streamlined processes for business travelers.
| Contract we recommend | Medical reimbursement | Deductible | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloTravel Premium | R5,0M | R500 | • Covers business equipment. • Rapid digital claims. • Trip interruption covered. • Dedicated helpline for travelers. |
| Cap Assistance 24/24 | R5,0M | R500 | • 24/7 multilingual support. • Covers lost laptops. • Online travel certificate. • Trip extension assistance available. |
| Tourist Card | R4,0M | R750 | • Quick replacement for lost documents. • Laptop protection included. • Refunds for business cancellation. • Mobile app support. |
| World Travel | R5,0M | R600 | • Premium medical and business equipment cover. • Concierge services. • Extra accommodation for business interruption. • Global coverage. |
| Globe Partner | R3,5M | R800 | • Digital management. • Unlimited document replacement. • No-cost trip changes. • Coverage for local and global business travel. |
| Globe Traveller | R4,0M | R600 | • Policy valid for 12 months. • Multilingual assistance. • Document and laptop cover. • Rapid claim settlement. |
• Rapid digital claims.
• Trip interruption covered.
• Dedicated helpline for travelers.
• Covers lost laptops.
• Online travel certificate.
• Trip extension assistance available.
• Laptop protection included.
• Refunds for business cancellation.
• Mobile app support.
• Concierge services.
• Extra accommodation for business interruption.
• Global coverage.
• Unlimited document replacement.
• No-cost trip changes.
• Coverage for local and global business travel.
• Multilingual assistance.
• Document and laptop cover.
• Rapid claim settlement.
The best business travel insurance depends on your individual and company requirements. Use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool to find the right plan and subscribe online.
Compare the best travel insurance for freeI compareWhat exactly is business travel insurance?
Business travel insurance is a specialised policy that provides protection for professionals travelling for work outside South Africa.
It covers unexpected events during work trips, including medical emergencies, lost business equipment, trip cancellation, and business interruption abroad.
Business travel insurance offers higher limits and extra guarantees such as coverage for laptops and important documents, distinguishing it from regular travel insurance.
This type of policy is also called corporate travel insurance and is essential for employees and employers needing reliable support while working internationally.
Expert advice
Here are the situations where taking out business travel insurance is especially important if you are travelling from South Africa:
- When carrying valuable business equipment like laptops or important documents.
- If travelling to countries with high medical costs like the USA.
- For travel in Africa needing medical evacuation back to South Africa.
- When your destination country requires proof of insurance for a visa.
- If trip cancellation causes major financial or operational business losses.
- When your employer's policy mandates specific business travel insurance.
- If your work involves potential personal liability risks while abroad.
The price of business travel insurance
On average, business travel insurance costs between 2% and 5% of the total price of your trip.
| Trip | Trip cost (ZAR) | Indicative price per person (ZAR) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-day meeting in London | 30,000 | 600 to 1,500 |
| 2-week business project in New York | 80,000 | 1,600 to 4,000 |
| 3-day local conference in Durban | 7,500 | 150 to 375 |
| 10-day assignment in Dubai | 40,000 | 800 to 2,000 |
These prices are provided as an indication and may vary depending on the type of plan chosen (standard or premium) and the specific conditions of each insurer.
The price of your business travel insurance depends on several factors:
- trip duration: longer business trips increase the cost of cover.
- destination: insurance is more expensive for trips to countries with higher medical costs or increased risks.
- traveller’s age: higher ages can increase the premium due to greater health risks.
- coverage level: selecting higher limits or broader cover for business equipment raises the price.
- business-related options: cover for business interruption, loss of documents, or emergency replacement of laptops and phones will add to the cost.
What does business travel insurance cover?
Business travel insurance is designed to protect professionals during work-related trips, both in South Africa and abroad.
It offers specific guarantees aimed at minimising business disruption while safeguarding the traveller and employer.
| Covered guarantee | Definition | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| 🗒️ Trip cancellation | Refund of costs if your business trip is cancelled before departure for a covered reason. | A minimum of R15,000 is recommended, with a deductible below R500 per claim. Cancellation due to company policy changes, visa refusal, or pre-existing illness is often excluded. |
| 🛄 Business equipment cover | Compensation for stolen, lost or damaged laptops, phones, or key business documents. | Choose coverage of at least R40,000, deductible under R1,000. Unattended items, normal wear and tear, and misuse are commonly excluded. |
| ✈️ Missed departure or connections | Covers costs if you miss a flight or onward connection due to delays outside your control. | The recommended minimum cover is R15,000, with no deductible for valid claims. Personal lateness, missed connections from tight schedules, or lack of evidence are excluded. |
| 🏥 Emergency medical expenses abroad | Key guarantee. Pays for hospital care, ambulance, and treatments needed during business trips overseas. | Insist on at least R2.5M of cover, with no deductible or one under R500. Chronic illnesses, routine care, and non-urgent treatments are excluded. |
| 🚑 Medical repatriation | Key guarantee. Pays for evacuation to South Africa in case of a serious medical emergency during your trip. | Cover should be at least R2.5M, preferably unlimited. No deductible preferred. Refusal to return, or voluntary stays abroad, are generally excluded. |
| 💼 Business interruption | Reimburses extra costs if your business trip is interrupted by illness or disruptive events. | Choose at least R10,000 per incident, deductible below R500. Non-emergency changes, voluntary curtailment, or events without documentation are excluded. |
| 👔 Personal liability abroad | Covers accidental damage or injury you cause to others during your business travel. | Minimum R1.5M of cover, deductible under R1,000. Professional mistakes, damage to rented items or family are excluded. |
| 🛡️ Legal assistance abroad | Compensation for legal fees or bail if involved in a formal dispute during a trip. | Look for at least R50,000 for legal fees, deductible under R500. Acts under the influence, criminal acts, or disputes with your own employer are excluded. |
| 📑 Document replacement | Pays for emergency passport, visa, or key document replacement if lost or stolen. | Target R10,000 cover, deductible no more than R200. Negligence, incomplete reports, and old document replacements are excluded. |
| 🧳 Baggage delay | Covers cost of essentials if your luggage is delayed or misrouted during your business trip. | Minimum R3,000 for delays of 24 hours or more, with no deductible. Delays under 24 hours, failure to declare promptly, or documented exception cases are excluded. |
Cancellation due to company policy changes, visa refusal, or pre-existing illness is often excluded.
Unattended items, normal wear and tear, and misuse are commonly excluded.
Personal lateness, missed connections from tight schedules, or lack of evidence are excluded.
Chronic illnesses, routine care, and non-urgent treatments are excluded.
Refusal to return, or voluntary stays abroad, are generally excluded.
Non-emergency changes, voluntary curtailment, or events without documentation are excluded.
Professional mistakes, damage to rented items or family are excluded.
Acts under the influence, criminal acts, or disputes with your own employer are excluded.
Negligence, incomplete reports, and old document replacements are excluded.
Delays under 24 hours, failure to declare promptly, or documented exception cases are excluded.
Reimbursement limits vary depending on the insurer and the plan selected (eco, standard, premium). They must always be checked in the general terms and conditions.
To identify the business travel insurance with guarantees that best match your needs, compare plans directly on HelloSafe.
The conditions of business travel insurance
Business travel insurance policies are only valid if certain conditions are met. These conditions may depend on the insurer but the main requirements in South Africa are as follows:
- Professional purpose: the trip must be primarily for business reasons, such as meetings, conferences or site visits.
- Pre-trip purchase: the insurance must be taken out before your business travel begins and while you are still in South Africa.
- Traveller eligibility: coverage usually applies to South African residents and employees of registered companies in South Africa.
- Clear documentation: proof of business purpose, such as an invitation letter, must be provided if requested by the insurer.
- Trip duration limit: the travel period must fall within the policy’s maximum stay limit, for example 90 days per trip.
- Area of travel: travel to countries under official travel warnings or sanctions is generally excluded from cover.
- Incident reporting: you must notify the insurer as soon as practical after a claimable incident occurs.
- Intended activities covered: only activities related to business and listed in the policy schedule will be covered, not manual work or hazardous activities.
Watch out!
Many South Africans assume their bank card's free travel insurance is enough for business trips. These policies often have low medical limits and typically exclude crucial cover for business equipment like laptops, leaving you exposed to significant financial risk. Always check the fine print before you fly.
Why take out business travel insurance?
Travelling for business comes with many unexpected risks, and unforeseen medical costs abroad can quickly become financially overwhelming, impacting both you and your company.
Here are some examples of healthcare costs abroad:
| Type of treatment | Average cost | Covered by insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Foot sprain (X-ray and consultation) |
| Up to R5,000,000 |
| Medical repatriation |
| Up to R3,000,000 |
| Appendicitis surgery and hospitalisation |
| Up to R5,000,000 |
| Stitches after a fall |
| Up to R5,000,000 |
| Consultation and treatment for an intestinal infection |
| Up to R5,000,000 |
- Europe: R4,500
- North America: R8,200
- Asia: R2,800
- Europe: R180,000
- North America: R320,000
- Asia: R150,000
- Europe: R85,000
- North America: R450,000
- Asia: R45,000
- Europe: R3,200
- North America: R6,500
- Asia: R1,900
- Europe: R2,800
- North America: R5,200
- Asia: R1,600
Coverage varies greatly depending on the plan chosen (standard or premium) and the insurer. Refer to the general conditions and always compare with tools like HelloSafe.
In addition to medical expenses, business travel insurance can include useful protection: trip cancellation, lost or delayed work equipment, personal liability, emergency document assistance, business interruption and professional support services.
Good to know
Don't let a medical emergency or lost laptop ruin your business trip. Healthcare abroad can cost hundreds of thousands of Rands, and bank card insurance often isn't enough. A dedicated policy, like one from ACS, provides comprehensive protection for you and your business assets.
How to choose the right business travel insurance
Business travel insurance policies can differ greatly, especially in reimbursement limits, coverage details, and policy conditions. Knowing how to compare the main criteria makes it easier to choose the policy that protects both you and your employer.
| Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|
| 💶 Reimbursement limits | A low limit could expose you to significant risk in case of expensive incidents | Always select a plan with high enough limits for medical and equipment coverage. |
| 📉 Deductible | This is how much you pay out of pocket for any claim | Choose a low deductible on medical and electronic items for better cost control. |
| 📋 Policy conditions | Some benefits require specific advance booking or reporting | Read all terms closely, especially for business equipment and trip interruption benefits. |
| 👤 Traveller profile | Business travelers need coverage for work assets and urgent meetings | Ensure your plan covers laptops, phones, and other essential business gear. |
| 📆 Trip duration | Business trips may extend unexpectedly | Check if your policy allows extensions without major restrictions. |
| 🌍 Geographic area | Health and legal risks vary with region | Prefer global coverage, and verify that BRICS and Africa are specifically included. |
| 🛡️ Existing coverage | You might already have partial protection via employer or bank card | Compare all policies to avoid gaps between personal, employer, and travel insurance. |
| 🧳 Planned activities | Attending trade shows, meetings, or site visits changes your risk profile | Disclose all types of meetings and business events for proper liability coverage. |
| 🖥️ Online subscription | Enables quick enrolment and instant policy delivery | Always use a secure website or app for enrolling, and store your proof of cover digitally as backup. |
Do my current insurance policies cover business travel?
It is legitimate to wonder if your current insurances, such as credit card coverage or the public health system, are enough for business travel cover, but unfortunately they rarely meet the needs of business travellers. Here is a summary table to help you review your current insurance and what it covers.
| Type of insurance | Business travel insurance included? | What it covers | Why Travel Insurance is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public health insurance (Discovery Health Medical Scheme) | Never | Usually only emergency medical expenses in South Africa, up to R1,000,000. No repatriation, business equipment cover, trip cancellation, liability, or assistance abroad. | Travel insurance covers up to R5,000,000 internationally and includes baggage, evacuation, liability, and business interruption. |
| Private health insurance (Momentum Health, Bonitas Medical Fund) | Almost Never | Emergency stabilization treatment in South Africa or limited overseas care, up to R500,000. No reimbursement for business interruption, equipment loss, or extra trip costs abroad. | Travel insurance offers up to R5,000,000, plus interruption, baggage, documents, and extended overseas coverage. |
| Classic credit card (FNB Gold, ABSA Gold) | Almost Never | Basic emergency medical (max R300,000), limited baggage (max R8,000), only while using the card. No cover for business equipment, business loss, trip interruption, or repatriation. | Travel insurance can offer up to R2,000,000 to R5,000,000 plus business-specific guarantees. |
| Premium credit card (Nedbank Private Wealth, Standard Bank Platinum) | Limited Coverage | Some overseas medical (up to R1,000,000), evacuation (up to R500,000), basic baggage loss or trip delay. No comprehensive cover for business interruption, high-value equipment, or documents. | Travel insurance gives comprehensive business coverage, repatriation up to R5,000,000, and support for key losses. |
No repatriation, business equipment cover, trip cancellation, liability, or assistance abroad.
No reimbursement for business interruption, equipment loss, or extra trip costs abroad.
No cover for business equipment, business loss, trip interruption, or repatriation.
No comprehensive cover for business interruption, high-value equipment, or documents.
Expert advice
South Africans, be aware: bank card and health insurance often exclude trip interruption for family emergencies. Read your policy's fine print carefully to avoid costly surprises abroad. In all cases, it is safer and more reassuring to subscribe to dedicated travel insurance tailored to your trip.
FAQ
Is business travel insurance mandatory?
Business travel insurance is not always mandatory, but it is required by some countries for visa applications, including members of the Schengen area and certain Asian destinations. Even when not mandatory, it is strongly recommended. For example, if a business trip to the USA is unexpectedly disrupted by illness or lost equipment, insurance covers the resulting medical and business losses.
When is it recommended to purchase business travel insurance?
The best time to buy business travel insurance is as soon as your business trip is confirmed and before making any major payments for flights or hotels. This ensures the widest possible coverage, including trip cancellation, and protects against unexpected incidents from the earliest stages of your planning.
How do I purchase business travel insurance?
First, compare offers—HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparator provides a good starting point to review available plans for business travelers. Second, carefully check what is covered and the exclusions specific to business activities so you avoid unpleasant surprises. Then, purchase your policy online. You will receive your digital certificate immediately by email, which you can use for visa applications or travel documentation.
Can I purchase business travel insurance after booking?
Yes, you can buy business travel insurance after making travel bookings, but some coverage, like cancellation benefits, might only apply to incidents occurring after the insurance is purchased. It is therefore best to buy your insurance quickly after confirming your trip to maximize protection.
How do I make a claim?
To claim, collect all supporting documents such as medical bills, police reports, or proof of trip interruption. Notify your insurer as soon as possible—usually within 30 days of the incident—then follow their instructions for submitting your claim online or by email. Claims are generally processed within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the claim’s complexity.
Does business travel insurance cover my work laptop and devices?
Most business travel insurance policies include specific cover for business equipment, such as laptops, phones, or tablets, up to a certain maximum amount. You should check the coverage limits for electronics—these usually range between R25,000 and R75,000— and review any conditions regarding unattended items to avoid rejected claims.
Are pre-existing medical conditions covered by business travel insurance?
Pre-existing medical conditions are often excluded or covered only under certain circumstances. It is essential to declare any health conditions when purchasing the policy. Some insurers may offer optional cover at extra cost or based on a recent medical assessment. Always read the policy wording to ensure you have adequate protection for any existing health issues.
What if my business trip extends unexpectedly?
Many business travel insurance policies allow you to extend coverage if your work trip is unexpectedly prolonged, such as for delayed projects or emergencies. You must usually notify your insurer before the original policy expiry and pay any additional premium needed, ensuring you maintain continuous insurance protection throughout your stay.
Is business travel insurance mandatory?
Business travel insurance is not always mandatory, but it is required by some countries for visa applications, including members of the Schengen area and certain Asian destinations. Even when not mandatory, it is strongly recommended. For example, if a business trip to the USA is unexpectedly disrupted by illness or lost equipment, insurance covers the resulting medical and business losses.
When is it recommended to purchase business travel insurance?
The best time to buy business travel insurance is as soon as your business trip is confirmed and before making any major payments for flights or hotels. This ensures the widest possible coverage, including trip cancellation, and protects against unexpected incidents from the earliest stages of your planning.
How do I purchase business travel insurance?
First, compare offers—HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparator provides a good starting point to review available plans for business travelers. Second, carefully check what is covered and the exclusions specific to business activities so you avoid unpleasant surprises. Then, purchase your policy online. You will receive your digital certificate immediately by email, which you can use for visa applications or travel documentation.
Can I purchase business travel insurance after booking?
Yes, you can buy business travel insurance after making travel bookings, but some coverage, like cancellation benefits, might only apply to incidents occurring after the insurance is purchased. It is therefore best to buy your insurance quickly after confirming your trip to maximize protection.
How do I make a claim?
To claim, collect all supporting documents such as medical bills, police reports, or proof of trip interruption. Notify your insurer as soon as possible—usually within 30 days of the incident—then follow their instructions for submitting your claim online or by email. Claims are generally processed within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the claim’s complexity.
Does business travel insurance cover my work laptop and devices?
Most business travel insurance policies include specific cover for business equipment, such as laptops, phones, or tablets, up to a certain maximum amount. You should check the coverage limits for electronics—these usually range between R25,000 and R75,000— and review any conditions regarding unattended items to avoid rejected claims.
Are pre-existing medical conditions covered by business travel insurance?
Pre-existing medical conditions are often excluded or covered only under certain circumstances. It is essential to declare any health conditions when purchasing the policy. Some insurers may offer optional cover at extra cost or based on a recent medical assessment. Always read the policy wording to ensure you have adequate protection for any existing health issues.
What if my business trip extends unexpectedly?
Many business travel insurance policies allow you to extend coverage if your work trip is unexpectedly prolonged, such as for delayed projects or emergencies. You must usually notify your insurer before the original policy expiry and pay any additional premium needed, ensuring you maintain continuous insurance protection throughout your stay.
