- The Best domestic Travel Insurance Plans
- What Is Domestic Travel Insurance?
- The price of domestic travel insurance
- What domestic travel insurance covers
- The conditions of domestic travel insurance
- Why take out domestic travel insurance?
- Choosing the right domestic travel insurance
- Domestic travel insurance coverage under your current policies
- FAQ
domestic travel insurance: key takeaways
1. Definition: Domestic travel insurance covers unexpected events like medical emergencies and cancellations for trips within South Africa.
2. Price: A one-week domestic policy in South Africa can cost between R200 and R500 per person.
3. Coverage: It typically covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost luggage, but excludes most pre-existing conditions.
4. Bank cards and health insurances: Medical aids like Discovery and bank cards offer limited cover, often excluding trip cancellation or lost baggage.
5. Tips: Check cover for adventure activities like safaris and ensure it supplements your medical aid in remote areas.
6. Other useful info: Prioritise policies with strong emergency medical evacuation cover, especially for travel to remote national parks.
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 here everything you need to know to choose the best domestic travel insurance.
The Best domestic Travel Insurance Plans
Here is a selection of the best domestic travel insurance plans available for residents of South Africa in 2025. These policies stand out for their high medical and personal liability coverage, low deductibles and clear policy conditions, ensuring peace of mind for travel within South Africa.
| Contract we recommend | Medical reimbursement | Deductible | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloTravel Premium | R150,000 | R400 |
|
| Cap Assistance 24/24 | R100,000 | R500 |
|
| Tourist Card | R120,000 | R600 |
|
| World Travel | R80,000 | R400 |
|
| Globe Partner | R120,000 | R600 |
|
| Globe Traveller | R100,000 | R500 |
|
- Strong medical and baggage benefits.
- Easy digital claim submission.
- Family and group cover options.
- Dedicated 24/7 assistance line.
- 24/7 free support number.Adventure activities covered.
- Mobile app for claims.
- No premium change with age.
- Fast claims process.
- Includes emergency transport.
- Pre-existing condition options.
- Family discounts available.
- Direct billing with hospitals.
- COVID-19 coverage included.
- Modification flexibility.
- Senior-friendly policy.
- Digital claims platform.
- Quick claim turnaround.
- Emergency cash advance.
- Adventure activity cover included.
- Up to 14 days per trip covered.
- Stable premium rates.
- Multilingual support.
- Suitable for self-drive and remote stays.
The best domestic travel insurance may vary according to your needs. We encourage you to use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool to find the right plan and subscribe online.
Compare the best travel insurance for freeI compareWhat Is Domestic Travel Insurance?
Domestic travel insurance is cover for South Africans travelling within the borders of South Africa, protecting against unexpected incidents during local trips.
It typically provides financial protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, delays, and personal liability while travelling domestically.
Unlike international travel insurance, domestic policies are tailored to local healthcare costs and risks, often making them more affordable.
Domestic cover is sometimes mistaken for medical aid, but it adds trip-specific benefits and covers gaps outside your home province.
Expert advice
Here are the situations where taking out domestic travel insurance is especially important in South Africa:
- When your medical aid has limited cover outside your home province.
- For trips to remote areas like game reserves or mountains.
- If you plan adventure activities like hiking, diving or safaris.
- When booking expensive or non-refundable flights, tours, and accommodation.
- If you have a pre-existing health condition or are a senior.
- During long road trips across different provinces in South Africa.
- When travelling with valuable equipment like cameras or laptops.
The price of domestic travel insurance
On average, domestic travel insurance costs between 2% and 5% of the total price of your trip.
| Trip | Trip cost (ZAR) | Indicative price per person (ZAR) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days in Cape Town | 2,000 | 60 to 100 |
| 7 days Durban to Garden Route holiday | 8,000 | 180 to 320 |
| 10 days safari to Kruger National Park | 15,000 | 240 to 450 |
| 14 days road trip through four provinces | 12,000 | 200 to 400 |
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 domestic travel insurance depends on several factors:
- trip duration: longer trips increase the overall premium paid.
- destination and remoteness: visiting remote or rural areas can lead to higher costs, especially for emergency evacuation services.
- level of coverage: adding cancellation, personal belongings, or sports/adventure activities cover will increase the price.
- traveller’s age: older travellers, especially those over 65, will pay more.
- pre-existing conditions: including coverage for chronic illnesses or special medical needs results in higher premiums.
What domestic travel insurance covers
Domestic travel insurance is designed to protect South Africans during trips within the country.
It provides financial security against accidents, illness, or disruptions on journeys that take place inside South Africa.
| Covered guarantee | Definition | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Trip cancellation | Refund for non-refundable travel bookings if you cancel for approved reasons before your trip. | Choose cover of at least R15,000 with deductible below R500. Cancellation for personal choice, known events, or work reasons are not covered. |
| 🚫 Missed departure | Pays for extra travel costs if you miss your flight, bus, or train for reasons beyond your control. | Opt for cover of R3,000+, no deductible preferred. Lateness, tight connections, or lack of documentation are typically excluded. |
| 🧳 Baggage loss or theft | Compensation for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage during your trip within South Africa. | At least R8,000 cover, deductible under R300. Unattended bags, wear and tear, or valuables above covered limits are excluded. |
| ⏳ Travel delay | Fixed benefit if your journey is delayed by a covered event within South Africa. | Minimum R2,000 payout after 6 hours of delay, low or no deductible is best. Delays under 6 hours, known strikes, or unproven claims are excluded. |
| 🏥 Emergency medical expenses | Key guarantee. Pays for urgent medical treatment if you fall ill or are injured while travelling domestically. | Minimum cover of R100,000, deductible below R500. Routine check-ups, pre-existing conditions, and elective care are not covered. |
| 🚑 Emergency transport | Pays for ambulance or emergency evacuation within South Africa to the nearest hospital. | Minimum recommended R25,000 cover, deductible below R300. Non-emergency transport or failure to use insurer’s hotline are excluded. |
| 🌙 Emergency accommodation | Pays for extra hotel nights if you are stranded due to illness or travel disruptions. | Choose at least R2,500 per claim, deductible below R150. Voluntary upgrades, extended holidays, or luxury hotels are often not covered. |
| 🪪 Personal liability | Pays legal costs if you accidentally injure someone or damage property during a domestic trip. | At least R500,000 cover, deductible below R1,000. Intentional acts, professional activities, and motor claims are excluded. |
| ⚖️ Legal assistance | Pays for a lawyer or legal help if you are involved in a dispute while travelling domestically. | Minimum R10,000 cover, low deductible. Criminal acts, alcohol use, and employment disputes are not covered. |
| 💔 Trip interruption | Covers additional costs if your trip is cut short for a covered emergency. | Minimum R8,000 cover, deductible under R300. Returning early for personal choice, mild illness, or business reasons is excluded. |
Cancellation for personal choice, known events, or work reasons are not covered.
Lateness, tight connections, or lack of documentation are typically excluded.
Unattended bags, wear and tear, or valuables above covered limits are excluded.
Delays under 6 hours, known strikes, or unproven claims are excluded.
Routine check-ups, pre-existing conditions, and elective care are not covered.
Non-emergency transport or failure to use insurer’s hotline are excluded.
Voluntary upgrades, extended holidays, or luxury hotels are often not covered.
Intentional acts, professional activities, and motor claims are excluded.
Criminal acts, alcohol use, and employment disputes are not covered.
Returning early for personal choice, mild illness, or business reasons is 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 find the domestic travel insurance plan best suited to your needs and trip, compare cover options easily on HelloSafe.
The conditions of domestic travel insurance
Domestic travel insurance is valid only if certain requirements are met, depending on your policy and the insurer. The most common conditions in South Africa are as follows.
- Policy purchased before departure: you must buy the domestic insurance before the start of your trip.
- Residency requirement: you should be a legal resident of South Africa at the time of application.
- Within South Africa only: cover applies exclusively to trips within the borders of South Africa, not to international journeys.
- Trip duration limit: the insurance is valid only for travel periods not exceeding the maximum specified in your policy, often 30 or 60 days.
- No pre-existing travel: insurance cannot be activated if the trip has already started or is ongoing when the policy is purchased.
- Incident notification: you must notify the insurer as soon as possible after an incident, especially for emergencies.
- Supporting documentation: for claims, you will need receipts, medical reports, or official documents to prove the event.
- Covered activities only: usual leisure and travel activities are included, but exclusions may apply for high-risk or professional activities.
Watch out!
Relying solely on your medical aid for domestic travel can be a costly mistake. Many South African schemes have limited coverage outside your home province, especially for emergency transport or private care. Domestic travel insurance is designed to fill these critical gaps, ensuring you're fully protected.
Why take out domestic travel insurance?
Even when travelling within South Africa, unexpected health issues or accidents can lead to high private healthcare costs that are not always covered by medical aid.
Here are some examples of healthcare costs in South Africa:
| Type of treatment | Average cost | Covered by insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Foot sprain (X-ray and consultation) |
| Up to R200,000 |
| Emergency transport to hospital |
| Up to R100,000 |
| Appendicitis surgery and hospitalisation |
| Up to R200,000 |
| Stitches after a fall |
| Up to R200,000 |
| Consultation and treatment for an intestinal infection |
| Up to R200,000 |
- Western Cape: R2,500
- Gauteng: R2,800
- Western Cape: R8,000
- Gauteng: R6,500
- Western Cape: R45,000
- Gauteng: R50,000
- Western Cape: R1,800
- Gauteng: R2,000
- Western Cape: R3,200
- Gauteng: R3,500
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, domestic travel insurance can also offer cover for trip cancellation or interruption, lost or stolen personal items, personal liability, emergency accommodation and roadside assistance services.
Good to know
Your medical aid might not cover you fully out-of-province. Domestic insurance protects against unexpected medical bills and trip cancellations, ensuring peace of mind. With 24/7 assistance from providers like Chapka, you can explore SA worry-free, from the Cape to Kruger.
Choosing the right domestic travel insurance
Domestic travel insurance policies can differ widely in coverage limits, reimbursement amounts, and eligibility conditions. It is important to compare specific criteria to ensure your policy matches your needs and travel style within South Africa.
| Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|
| 💶 Reimbursement limits | Determines how much you can claim for medical or other covered expenses | Select a plan with at least R100,000 for medical and emergency transport costs |
| 📉 Deductible | The amount deducted from each claim payout, affecting your out-of-pocket expense | Choose a policy with as low a deductible as possible for medical emergencies |
| 📋 Policy conditions | Exclusions or waiting periods may impact coverage eligibility or timing | Read all terms carefully, especially for exclusions or emergency notification rules |
| 👵 Traveller’s age | Senior travelers may face higher premiums or special conditions | Check if the insurer imposes age limits or extra fees for travelers over 65 |
| 👨👩👧 Traveller profile | Single, couple, or family status impacts both coverage needs and costs | Family or group plans usually offer better value than multiple individual policies |
| 📆 Trip duration | Some policies only cover trips up to a specific number of days | Verify that your planned trip duration fits within the policy's maximum coverage window |
| 🛡️ Existing coverage | You may already have partial coverage through medical aid or bank card | Compare your current medical aid and card cover to avoid paying for duplicate benefits |
| 🧗 Planned activities | Adventure activities may be excluded or require extra options | Declare all planned sports or adventure activities like hiking or diving in advance |
| 🖥️ Online subscription | Fast and easy sign up gets you instant policy documents for your trip | Use a secure online portal and save a digital copy of your insurance certificate on your phone |
Domestic travel insurance coverage under your current policies
It is reasonable to question whether your existing cover, such as credit card insurance or medical aid, offers you domestic travel insurance, but unfortunately, this is usually inadequate. Here is a summary table to help you review your current insurance and what it covers.
| Type of insurance | Domestic travel insurance included? | What it covers | Why Travel Insurance is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public health insurance (GEMS) | Never | Emergency medical within state or contracted facilities, typically only up to scheme tariff. No trip cancellation, baggage loss, emergency accommodation or private-sector evacuation. | Travel insurance covers up to R200,000 for medical, plus trip interruption, cancellation and baggage loss. |
| Private health insurance (Discovery Health, Bonitas) | Almost Never | Private emergency care nationwide, often subject to scheme limits and provider networks. No cover for lost baggage, trip delays, or emergency transport outside medical necessity. | Travel insurance provides up to R200,000 for emergencies, plus additional claims like delays or baggage. |
| Classic credit card (FNB Gold, Standard Bank Blue) | Never | Basic emergency medical, very limited, typically under R25,000. No trip cancellation, delays, baggage cover or liability. | Travel insurance adds cover up to R50,000–R200,000 plus accommodation, cancellation and personal liability. |
| Premium credit card (FNB Premier, Nedbank Private Wealth) | Limited coverage | Medical emergencies, sometimes up to R150,000, limited baggage and delay cover. No cover for trip cancellation, interruption, or comprehensive liability claims. | Travel insurance provides higher medical cover and up to R2,000,000 for liability, plus trip cancellation. |
No trip cancellation, baggage loss, emergency accommodation or private-sector evacuation.
No cover for lost baggage, trip delays, or emergency transport outside medical necessity.
No trip cancellation, delays, baggage cover or liability.
No cover for trip cancellation, interruption, or comprehensive liability claims.
Expert advice
Your bank card or medical aid often excludes trip interruption for a relative’s illness. Read the fine print carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises abroad. In all cases, it is safer and more reassuring to subscribe to a dedicated travel insurance policy tailored to your trip.
FAQ
Is domestic travel insurance mandatory?
Domestic travel insurance is not mandatory for travel within South Africa, and there are no specific government or provincial regulations requiring it. However, it is strongly recommended, especially if you prepay for accommodation or activities. For instance, if your luggage goes missing on a flight or you fall ill in a remote area, insurance can save you from major financial loss.
When is it recommended to purchase domestic travel insurance?
Purchase domestic travel insurance as soon as your bookings are confirmed and before you start your trip. Early purchase provides immediate cover for trip cancellation, medical emergencies, or delays. This is especially important over peak periods or if you are planning costly or non-refundable experiences, such as a safari or holiday tour.
How do I purchase domestic travel insurance?
Begin by comparing different policies using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform. Carefully check all guarantees and exclusions that apply to domestic policies, such as medical expense limits or baggage cover. Once you have found a suitable option, purchase it online and you will instantly receive your certificate by email.
Can I purchase domestic travel insurance after booking my trip?
Yes, you can purchase domestic travel insurance after booking your transport or accommodation, provided you do so before your travel start date. To benefit from cancellation cover and pre-departure protections, it is better to buy as early as possible. Coverage for medical emergencies and delays starts from your selected policy start date.
How do I make a claim on domestic travel insurance?
Contact your insurer’s emergency helpline or claims portal as soon as possible if you need assistance or want to claim. Prepare supporting documents like medical bills, police reports, and proof of travel bookings. Most leading insurers in South Africa offer digital claims processing, and you should typically receive feedback within a few working days.
Does domestic travel insurance cover adventure activities?
Many domestic travel insurance policies include adventure activities such as hiking, game drives, or water sports as standard. Always check your policy’s list of covered activities or ask your insurer if risky activities like bungee jumping or shark cage diving are explicitly included. If not, consider a policy upgrade for full adventure protection.
Is my medical aid enough for domestic trips, or do I still need travel insurance?
Most medical aid schemes only cover emergency healthcare and may not pay for private hospital admission, emergency transport, or out-of-province incidents. Domestic travel insurance bridges these gaps, providing extra cover for evacuation, lost baggage, and accommodation or transport delays, making it highly recommended for comprehensive protection.
Is domestic travel insurance mandatory?
Domestic travel insurance is not mandatory for travel within South Africa, and there are no specific government or provincial regulations requiring it. However, it is strongly recommended, especially if you prepay for accommodation or activities. For instance, if your luggage goes missing on a flight or you fall ill in a remote area, insurance can save you from major financial loss.
When is it recommended to purchase domestic travel insurance?
Purchase domestic travel insurance as soon as your bookings are confirmed and before you start your trip. Early purchase provides immediate cover for trip cancellation, medical emergencies, or delays. This is especially important over peak periods or if you are planning costly or non-refundable experiences, such as a safari or holiday tour.
How do I purchase domestic travel insurance?
Begin by comparing different policies using HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform. Carefully check all guarantees and exclusions that apply to domestic policies, such as medical expense limits or baggage cover. Once you have found a suitable option, purchase it online and you will instantly receive your certificate by email.
Can I purchase domestic travel insurance after booking my trip?
Yes, you can purchase domestic travel insurance after booking your transport or accommodation, provided you do so before your travel start date. To benefit from cancellation cover and pre-departure protections, it is better to buy as early as possible. Coverage for medical emergencies and delays starts from your selected policy start date.
How do I make a claim on domestic travel insurance?
Contact your insurer’s emergency helpline or claims portal as soon as possible if you need assistance or want to claim. Prepare supporting documents like medical bills, police reports, and proof of travel bookings. Most leading insurers in South Africa offer digital claims processing, and you should typically receive feedback within a few working days.
Does domestic travel insurance cover adventure activities?
Many domestic travel insurance policies include adventure activities such as hiking, game drives, or water sports as standard. Always check your policy’s list of covered activities or ask your insurer if risky activities like bungee jumping or shark cage diving are explicitly included. If not, consider a policy upgrade for full adventure protection.
Is my medical aid enough for domestic trips, or do I still need travel insurance?
Most medical aid schemes only cover emergency healthcare and may not pay for private hospital admission, emergency transport, or out-of-province incidents. Domestic travel insurance bridges these gaps, providing extra cover for evacuation, lost baggage, and accommodation or transport delays, making it highly recommended for comprehensive protection.
