Travel Insurance
What SA expats in Asia actually need — and what to skip. Cover that matters for the long-haul flight home.
Cover that matters for Asia–SA routes
Emergency medical
Minimum R2.5 million (USD$135,000) cover. Covers hospitalisation, emergency treatment, and evacuation. Asian private hospitals can cost USD$500–2,000 per day. Non-negotiable for expats.
Medical evacuation
Emergency medivac from Vietnam, Thailand or Cambodia to South Africa can cost USD$50,000–100,000. This must be explicitly included — not just implied by the medical cover.
Trip cancellation / delay
Asia–SA fares are expensive. Cancellation cover pays out if you cannot travel due to illness, family emergency, or other covered events. Look for at least R30,000 cover per person.
Baggage and personal effects
Covers lost, delayed, or stolen luggage. Useful given long connection times through Dubai, Doha, Nairobi. Check the single-item limit — laptops and cameras often need separate cover.
Personal liability
Covers you if you accidentally injure someone or damage property. Required by some travel visa types. Usually included in comprehensive policies.
Rental car excess
Unless you're renting a car in South Africa, skip this add-on. It inflates premiums without benefiting most expat trips home.
Expat-specific considerations
If you're in Asia for more than 6 months at a time, a single-trip policy may not cover you for the full duration. Look for multi-trip annual policies or expat-specific health insurance with travel benefits.
Most standard travel policies exclude pre-existing conditions. If you have any chronic conditions, declare them and look for a policy that covers them — the premium increase is usually worth it.
Discovery, Momentum, and most SA medical aids do NOT cover you outside South Africa except for limited emergency cover. Check your policy. Most expats need separate travel or expat health insurance.
Make sure your policy includes a 24-hour international emergency line. Language barriers in Vietnamese or Thai hospitals make having someone to call on your behalf essential.
Children are usually covered under a parent's family policy, but check the age limit. Some policies only cover children up to 18; others up to 21 if in full-time education.
Motor scooters, motorcycles, and motorbike taxis are extremely common in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. Many standard policies exclude these. If you ride, you need specific cover.