conditions and exclusions

Conditions and exclusions

Take a moment to review the conditions and exclusions so you know exactly what's covered, helping you travel with confidence and peace of mind.

  • Get insured intimer5 mins

Floating Button

Conditions and exclusions of TIC travel insurance

Before you set off on your adventure, it's helpful to know the ins and outs of your travel insurance policy. This page covers the key conditions and exclusions, so you'll understand what's included - and what's not - during your trip. With a clear view of your coverage, you can focus on enjoying your trip, knowing you're prepared for the unexpected.

Exclusions overview

Here's a quick guide to the exclusions in your travel insurance policy, so you know what situations and activities aren't covered, helping you to plan with confidence and avoid surprises.

Territory exclusions:

Travel to any of the following territories is excluded from cover: Afghanistan, Antarctica, Belarus, Burma (Myanmar), Crimea, Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Iran, Iraq, Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), Marion Island, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Russian Federation also referred to as Russia.

You are insured for travel in the covered area as stated on your policy schedule of insurance.

Activities exclusions:

  • Travelling for emigration purposes (unless on an Emigration Policy).
  • Engaging in off-road, dirt-road and or quad biking, jet skiing, or racing of any kind.
  • Diving with artificial breathing equipment unless certified or supervised.
  • Hazardous sports and activities premium.
  • Activities related to war, civil unrest, or terrorism.

Health exclusions:

  • Travelling against medical advice or for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment.
  • Pre-existing conditions not covered for travellers over 69 Cardiovascular or cerebrovascular conditions for travellers 70 or older is excluded.
  • Psychiatric, emotional, or psychological illnesses are not covered.
  • Incidents involving alcohol or drugs above the legal limit is excluded.
  • Pregnancy past the 26th week is not covered.
  • Traveling with a terminal prognosis is a general exclusion.

Employment exclusions:

Cover does not apply if you are:

  • Piloting or crewing an aircraft.
  • Engaging in employment involving weaponry, armed services, or military duties.
  • Driving of a commercial vehicle transporting goods or people on public roads.
  • Underground mining and working on oil rigs.

Legal and general exclusions

  • Acts of fraud or illegal conduct.
  • Breaking the law in the country you're traveling in.
  • Non-admittance to a country due to visa issues or legal restrictions.
  • Cyber-related losses and power grid failures.

Emergency medical and related expenses exclusions

  • Pregnancy-related costs from the 26th week onward.
  • Where the purpose of the trip is to obtain medical treatment or advice.
  • Travel against medical advice.
  • Costs incurred within your country of residence.

Key exclusions for trip disruptions and additional benefits:

  • Events resulting from personal choice or financial circumstances.
  • Delays or denials due to improper documentation or government prohibitions.
  • Terrorist incidents within 60 days in the same city.
  • Epidemics or pandemics, including COVID-19-related claims.

*Note: a formal quote will provide comprehensive details on benefits, limits, cover terms, conditions, and exclusions.

Why is it important to know about conditions and exclusions

  • tick

    Avoid surprises

    Knowing conditions and exclusions helps you avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses during your trip.

  • tick

    Maximize cover

    Understanding what's covered lets you make the most of your policy benefits and travel with peace of mind.

  • tick

    Informed decisions

    Awareness of exclusions ensures you make travel plans that align with your coverage limits.

  • tick

    Smooth claims process

    Familiarity with policy details simplifies claims, reduces delays, and ensures faster assistance when needed.

Helpful tips

replacement

Save documents

Keep receipts and documentation for easy claims processing.

plan

Plan responsibly

Ensure you have the correct travel documents and follow local laws.

Need assistance?

Our 24/7 support is just a call away for claims and emergencies.

Conditions of cover

Reviewing the conditions of cover ensures you understand the extent of your cover so you're fully protected and prepared throughout your trip.

Summary of important conditions of cover.

health

Health and eligibility

  • Fit to travel: You must be healthy and fit to travel.
  • HIV/AIDS: Expenses related to HIV or AIDS are capped at R500,000.
  • Pre-existing conditions: Hospitalisation cover is available for sudden onset of pre-existing conditions for travellers under 69, if included in your policy.
  • Children's Cover: Accompanied children under the age of 21 years share the liability limit with their parent(s), up to the policy maximum.
trip

Trip requirements

  • Residency requirement: The policy applies to South African permanent residents travelling on return international return trips.
  • Trip start and end: Trips must begin and end in South Africa.
  • Sea travel: Emergency assistance is provided from the nearest port if you're traveling by sea.
  • Motorcycle use: Riders must have a valid license and helmet.
  • Driving requirements: You must have a valid license accepted in the country of travel, adhering to local road laws.
  • Air travel: Cover applies to:
    • Flights arranged by our assistance company.
    • Licensed passenger flights, with no trade-related activities on board.
documents

Cover details

  • Covered countries: Check your policy for covered countries; the U.S. is excluded unless specifically included and stated on the schedule.
  • Trip cancellation: The policy assumes no known reason for cancellation at the time of purchase and only covers trip cancellation if an unforeseen event occurs.
  • Policy issuance: The policy must be issued before your trip begins.
  • Duration limits:
    • Up to 365 days for travellers under 70.
    • Up to 90 days for travellers aged 70 - 85.
  • Policy adjustments:
    • You can adjust travel dates up to a year before departure.
    • Cover extensions are possible if requested prior to policy expiring, no claims have been made, subject to approval.
claim

Claims process

  • Prompt reporting: Notify us or the assistance company within 30 days of an incident. You are responsible for any claim submission costs.
  • Legal proceedings: We may handle legal proceedings for claims related to your cover.

Don't just take our word for it, here's what our customers have to say

Discover how our travel insurance has made a difference to others - hear directly from our happy customers.

Location: Democratic Republic of Congo

Paid amount: R400 000

I was really impressed with their service. I even flew back in first class. I would really recommend TIC to be the insurer of choice when travelling. I know it's a cliche, but an accident can happen so fast.

Mr F

Traveller

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

Paid amount: R235 000

The assistance company looked after us really well and reassured me that all would be fine. I think it is essential to have travel insurance especially if one is in a country where the medical care is questionable. If we didn't have that option our baby wouldn't have survived.

Mr B

Traveller

Trusted by 2 million + travellers

  • santam
  • asata

    Member of ASATA

  • VISA authorities

    Accepted by all VISA authorities, including SCHENGEN

  • entrust

    Secured by Entrust

Our articles

Help and FAQ

Direct

Tel: 0860 100 484 (RSA) or +27 (0)11 521 4000

E-mail: helpdesk@tic.co.za

Claims and emergency

Tel: +27 (0)11 521 4000

Policy-related FAQs

What types of events and emergencies does my travel insurance cover?

Your travel insurance covers a range of events, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, luggage delays, and personal liability. For full details, consult the Schedule of Benefits in your policy.

Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?

Yes, coverage is available for sudden and unexpected onset of pre-existing conditions for travellers under 69 if specified in your policy. Please refer to your policy document to confirm eligibility and any restrictions.

How long can I travel and still be covered under this policy?

Coverage duration varies by age: travellers up to 69 years can be covered for up to 365 days, while those aged 70 to 85 are covered for up to 90 days per trip.

Does my policy cover travel to the United States of America ?

Coverage for the U.S. is excluded unless specifically included in your policy. Be sure to check the covered regions in your policy schedule to confirm if the U.S.A is included.

Service-related FAQs

How do I get a travel insurance quote?

You can get a quick quote by selecting your destination, travel dates, and number of travellers on our website. Enter these details to see coverage options tailored to your trip.

What should I do in case of a medical emergency while abroad?

In an emergency, contact us or our assistance company as soon as possible to obtain prior authorisation for expenses. This ensures coverage and access to necessary support.

Can I extend my travel insurance if I stay abroad longer than planned?

Yes, you may request an extension before the policy expires, provided no claims have been filed. Extensions are subject to approval and must stay within the maximum cover period for your age group.

How soon will I receive a response on my claim?

Once you submit your claim along with the required documentation, our team will process it promptly. Please report any incidents within 30 days for a faster claims experience.

How can I reach assistance services if I'm in an area with limited phone connectivity?

In areas with limited connectivity, use our app to access emergency services via internet messaging or connect to a local Wi-Fi network. Our emergency support team can provide alternative ways to stay connected.

Buy travel Insurance in 5 min

Get quote

Our website uses Cookies

We use functional cookies to save your quotes, and analytics and marketing cookies to help personalize content for a better experience. By clicking “accept”, you agree to the terms of our Cookies Policy.