Notices

On Saturday, 28 February 2026, a conflict between United States of America, Israel, and Iran has erupted. At this time, it is unclear when this conflict will be de-escalated and brought to an end.

The result of the conflict has been the temporary closure of airports within the Middle East region, leaving many travellers stranded within these or other territories.

The airspace of the following countries, is at this time, affected:

• UAE — partially closed
• Qatar —closed
• Bahrain — closed
• Kuwait — closed
• Israel — closed
• Iran — closed
• Iraq — closed
• Jordan — closed

The affected airlines flying into or out of these territories are:

• Emirates Airways
• Etihad Airways
• Qatar Airways
• All other international carriers routing through Gulf airspace are impacted

Kindly be advised that, as the situation is very fluid, the information we have shared can change at any time. We therefore wish to further advise that policyholders need to verify the statuses of their travel information with the airlines they are booked with, official aviation authorities or travel agents they may use to make the bookings.

War and your Santam travel insurance policy:

Published: 2026-02-28

1. What is covered:

All Santam Travel Insurance policyholders are covered for Emergency Medical and Related Expenses for injuries suffered as an innocent bystander (not actively participating) as a result of war.

2. What is not covered:

Trip Cancellations and/or Trip Disruptions as a result of war are excluded under the following exclusion under Exclusions: Your trip:

War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities, or war-like operations (whether war be declared or not) or civil war; mutiny, military rising, military or usurped power, martial law, state of siege or any other event which determines the proclamation or maintenance of martial law, or state of siege, insurrection, rebellion, or revolution.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Santam Travel Insurance team. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

All Santam Travel Insurance policy-holders are fully covered for emergency medical and related expenses should the traveller contract the coronavirus whilst on an international journey. The related expenses include medical transportation and medical repatriation, repatriation of children and/or travel companion and burial or cremation or return of mortal remains.

Your Santam Travel Insurance policy does not provide cover for journey cancellation, curtailment or extension costs and expenses arising as a result from:

1. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or any variant or mutation of such virus; and/or
2. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or any variant or mutation of such disease; and/or
3. Any epidemic, pandemic or health emergency declared or classified as such by the World Health Organization or any national, regional or local governmental authority; and/or
4. Any fear or threat of 1, 2 or 3 above, whether actual or perceived

This exclusion also applies to the Unspecified Event Benefit.