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Trip cancellations or disruptions
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Travel insurance for trip interruptions
With the right cover, you can stay stress-free knowing you're protected against the costs related to cancellations, disruptions, delays, and more. Keep your trip on track and your peace of mind intact. Don't let unexpected trip disruptions interfere with your travel plans.
Cover for trip interruptions - general notes
This section on your travel insurance policy covers non-refundable payments made up to the benefit limits should you need to cancel or make a change to your trip.
Your policy specifies the events you are insured for; these events include not being able to travel due to unforeseen emergency medical events or bereavement, home emergencies such as fire or flood, or flight cancellations by airlines due to weather or strike action. Any event not specified in the policy is not insured, unless you opt for the optional Unspecified Event cover available on some plans.
Unspecified Event cover provides cancellation cover for events or causes not specified under the section titled cancellation cover. Enjoy additional cover for all travel and accommodation purchases made within 72 hours prior to purchasing the policy and any additional payments made after purchasing the policy with this optional extra benefit.
Summary of important exclusions for all trip disruptions
The following events are excluded from all cover options:
- Your disinclination to travel or your financial circumstances
- The inability of any travel agent, tour operator or similar service provider to complete arrangements for a group due to a deficiency in the number of persons
- Pregnancy or childbirth from the 1st day of the 26th week of pregnancy
- Vascular, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular conditions if you, your travel companion, a member of your immediate family, business associate, whether they are travelling with you or not, is 70 years or older
- Government prohibition or you not having the required, or valid, or correct travel documents, or visas, including transit visas or the public conveyance refusal to allow you to board
- Any omission to comply with health requirements of any country to be visited by you
- Travel bans, travel restrictions, and border closures imposed by the authorities
- Your failure to check-in or board at the correct prescribed time for your scheduled transport services
- War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities, and war-like operations
- Travelling when a doctor has advised against it or travelling internationally to seek medical treatment or advice
- Epidemic and/or pandemic
*Note: a formal quote will provide comprehensive details on benefits, limits, cover terms, conditions, and exclusions.
What we cover
Cancellation
Cancellation is for calling off your trip before it starts due to unexpected, specified events, like an illness, injury, or family medical emergency, that prevents you from travelling.
Missed connection
Missing a scheduled travel connection, like a flight or train, due to the late arrival of your preceding transport, which requires additional arrangements to stay on track.
Weather conditions
Weather conditions benefit refers to your flight being cancelled due to natural events like storms or floods.
Denied Visa (SA passport holders)
When your visa application was rejected, preventing you from travelling as planned.
Delayed Visa
When there is a hold-up in visa processing by VISA authorities that could impact your travel schedule.
Disruption
This benefit covers costs should you need to shorten, extend or postpone because of unexpected, specified events, such as sudden illness, family medical emergency, or serious incident affecting your home.
Public conveyance delay
Cover for expenses when your transportation is delayed for more than 4 hours during your journey.
Airport lounge access
Claim the cost of access to an airport lounge while you wait, when your public transportation is delayed for more than 4 hours.
Cancellation or disruptions for unspecified events
(Optional Extra) Cover should you need to cancel or make a change to your trip for a cause outside your control not specified by us. You qualify for this benefit by purchasing the policy, with this benefit, before making payments towards your trip, or within 72 hours of making payments towards your trip.
Cancellation
Reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses for which you are liable, if it is necessary for you to cancel your international trip before the departure date, as a result of one of the following specified events:
Events covered for:
- Your unexpected sudden illness, injury, or death (pre-existing conditions excluded)
- Your flight is cancelled by transport provider as a result of hijack, strike, or civil commotion
- Accidental loss or damage at your home of more than R100 000 within 30 days prior to departure
- Retrenchment
- Traumatic event
- Theft of your travel documents preventing departure
- Incident of terrorism within 14 days of your departure at one of the destinations noted on your pre-paid itinerary
Denied Visa (South African passport holders only)
Cover for your travel and accommodation expenses if your visa is denied by the Embassy.
The following conditions apply
a. Criteria for your application as set out by the relevant Embassy/Consulate must be met;
b. You are a South African passport holder;
c. Your visa application is submitted to the relevant Embassy/Consulate in South Africa;
d. You do not have a criminal record;
e. You are applying for a tourist or business visa;
f. Your visa application is submitted before you depart;
g. Your visa application is submitted timeously, within the prescribed minimum number of days required to process such an application as stipulated by the Embassy/Consulate;
h. You must provide the Embassy with the correct or required documentation according to their specific requirements as stipulated in their terms and conditions;
i. You can provide us with your proof of payment for your visa application;
j. You do not have a previous visa violation;
k. Your policy is purchased before you apply for your visa;
Missed connection and public conveyance delay
Missed connection and travel delay provides cover if you miss a connection or face extended delays.
Missed connection
Cost of economy transportation if you miss your connecting scheduled transportation due to the late arrival of the inbound transport. There must be 3 or more hours scheduled between connections to qualify for this benefit.
Public Conveyance delay
Expenses if your flight is delayed by 4 hours or more.
Additional reimbursable benefit for missed connection - Airport lounge access.
Weather conditions / Natural disaster
Cover for costs if your scheduled public transport is cancelled or your pre-paid accommodation is damaged to an uninhabitable extent as a direct result of weather conditions or a natural disaster.
Disruption
If it is necessary for you to shorten, extend or postpone your international trip as a result of one of the following reasons, you are covered for travel and accommodation expenses.
Events covered:
- Your unexpected sudden illness, injury, or death (pre-existing conditions excluded)
- Your flight is cancelled by transport provider as a result of hijack, strike, or civil commotion
- Accidental loss at your home of more than R100 000
- Traumatic event
- Theft of your travel documents
- An incident of terrorism occurring in the same city noted on your prepaid itinerary
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Help and FAQ
If you have any questions or queries, please visit our Contact us page
If you are experiencing an emergency, click here
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
What types of trip interruptions are covered by TIC?
TIC covers various trip disruptions, including flight cancellations due to weather, flight delays, and interruptions due to unforeseen circumstances such as medical emergencies, and family emergencies.
Does TIC cover trip cancellations due to illness?
Yes, TIC provides cover for trip cancellations if you or a family member becomes unexpectedly ill, and you are unable to proceed with your trip. Medical proof is required to file a claim. Cancellation due to a pre-existing illness is not covered.
Are non-refundable bookings covered if my trip is disrupted?
TIC reimburses you for non-refundable bookings, such as flights, accommodation, and tours, if your trip is disrupted due to a covered reason, helping to minimise your financial loss.
Are missed connections covered under TIC trip disruption policies?
Yes, TIC provides cover for missed connections, reimbursing you for additional costs incurred to rebook economy class transportation. We pay these costs if there is a minimum of 3 or more hours between your original scheduled arrival time and your connecting transportation's scheduled departure time.
Service-related
How do I file a claim for a trip disruption with TIC?
You can file a claim online via the TIC client portal. Provide documentation such as receipts, proof of delay or cancellation from the airline, and any additional paperwork supporting your claim.
What documentation is required to claim for a cancelled or interrupted trip?
You will need to submit proof of your bookings, such as airline tickets and accommodation receipts, along with a detailed reason for cancellation or interruption and supporting documents like medical certificates or airline notices.
How long does it take to process a trip disruption or cancellation claim?
TIC aims to process claims quickly, though the time may vary depending on the complexity of the case. Submitting all necessary documentation promptly will help speed up the process.
Can TIC assist me with rebooking flights or accommodation if my trip is disrupted?
Yes, TIC offers 24/7 emergency assistance to help you manage your trip disruptions. This includes assistance with rebooking flights, arranging accommodation, and other logistical support.
What should I do if my trip is disrupted while I'm already travelling?
Contact TIC's emergency assistance team immediately. They will guide you through the next steps, help with arrangements, and advise you on how to file your claim once the disruption is resolved.
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