Most holidays result in wonderful memories. But, on occasion, unexpected events or accidents can leave you with cancelled plans and significant unbudgeted expenses. Travel insurance can help you protect yourself, your belongings and your travel investment against unwelcome surprises.

Insurance should be purchased at the time you confirm your trip as coverage is provided not only when you are traveling but for the period before you travel as the examples below show:

"I have become sick and am not able to travel"
If you become sick and are unable to travel non-refundable payments you have made for land and air ticket arrangements are covered by travel insurance.

"My father-in-law fell and injured himself – I normally care for him"
The illness or injury of family members is included under covered reasons to cancel. It’s important to remember that even if you are fit to travel, other events may make departing on your trip unthinkable.

"A terrorist act has occurred in a city through which my flight will be connecting"
Both domestic and international terrorist acts are covered reasons to cancel your trip provided the act occurs in the insured’s city of destination and you must be scheduled to arrive in that city within 30 days following the terrorist incident.

Other covered events (depending upon policy chosen) include pregnancy, divorce, military obligations, jury duty and more...

Insider's tip: 1 in 6 travelers, who purchase travel insurance end up filing a claim (according to the Insurance Information Institute). Trip cancellation makes up 75% of all claims. Of these 60% are related to injury or illness suffered by the traveler, traveling companion or immediate family.

All Ultimate Africa clients are required to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan upon booking. This should cover you for events that may occur before, or during travel, such as airline / tour operator bankruptcy / financial default, trip cancellation, trip delay or interruption, terrorism, lost stolen or delayed baggage, emergency accident (before or during travel), sickness and evacuation of at least US $200,000, 24 hour medical assistance, traveler's assistance, and emergency cash transfer.

Ultimate Africa works very closely with Travel Guard, the #1 travel insurer in the US, and the World. Travel Guard has 5 comprehensive travel insurance options to help you enjoy your travels with greater peace of mind (see below). Only two of these policies, “Gold” and “Platinum” are sufficient for international travel. To give you an idea of insurance costs please find a sample quotes below. Note: trip insurance premiums are based on each traveler’s age and total land / air costs. As a traveler’s age and trip cost increases so do premiums. The sample quotes are based on December 2011 premiums.

> Travel Guard Savvy Traveler (basic secondary comprehensive): This product is extremely basic and coverage’s are very low – it is meant for domestic travel. No international traveler should have this policy as it is very restrictive and would only cover the most basic of claims. This policy does not meet our insurance requirements.

> Travel Guard Basic (basic secondary comprehensive): “Essential” is the most basic, and affordable, comprehensive insurance Travel Guard offers and does not include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions (of yourself or family members) and does not include terrorism or tour operator bankruptcy coverage. Medical transport from Africa back to the USA can exceed US $200,000 where this policy only covers up to US $100,000. In short coverage is not sufficient for international travel. This policy is best used for "close to home" travel like Hawaii, Alaska, or domestic US destinations. This policy does not meet our insurance requirements.

> Travel Guard Silver (basic secondary comprehensive): “Silver” includes all the coverage’s of “Basic” plus coverage for pre-existing medical conditions (of yourself or family members up to US $15,000 of trip cost per person), tour operator bankruptcy and terrorism with lower benefits than Travel Guard’s Gold policy (see Gold below). Medical transport from Africa back to the USA can exceed US $200,000 where this policy only covers up to US $150,000. In short coverage is not sufficient for international travel. However this policy can work for international travel as there is an additional medical policy which may be purchased (see below). This doubles medical evacuation coverage! Once child under age 18 can be covered at no additional cost for each insured adult who purchases a policy (child must be related to primary adult). This policy is not available to residents of all 50 states. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, terrorism and airline / tour operator bankruptcy are only available if purchased within 14 days of your trip deposit. If a couple in their mid 50’s were to insure a trip totaling US $8,000 per person the “Silver” insurance premium would be US $457 per person. The additional medical policy would be US $4 per person. There is a US $7 policy fee for each policy.

> Travel Guard Gold (secondary / primary comprehensive): “Gold” is the most popular travel insurance option as it is the “best fit” for most travelers. “Gold” offers higher coverage amounts than Travel Guard “Silver”. The limits aren’t too high nor are they too low. Most claims fit into the boundaries of this policy – perfect for travel to Africa (or any international destination). This is the “common sense” policy. Policy includes US $500,000 in primary medical evacuation, cancel due to job loss, cancel for other work related reasons and 150% trip cost / trip interruption coverage. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions (of yourself or family members up to US $30,000 of trip cost per person), terrorism and airline / tour operator bankruptcy are only available if purchased within 14 days of your trip deposit. Children under age 18 are covered at no additional cost if all accompanying adults purchase coverage (children must be related to primary adult). If a couple in their mid 50’s were to insure a trip totaling US $8,000 per person the “Gold” insurance premium would be US $472 per person. There is also an additional medical policy which may be purchased. In this case it would add US $5 per person to the total insurance cost. This doubles medical evacuation coverage and allows you to the choice of being treated at your preferred adepquate licensed medical facility ! Other optional coverages include “Cancel for any reason”. There is a US $7 policy fee for each policy.

> Travel Guard Platinum (primary comprehensive): Travel Guard’s premier plan with the highest level of benefits including US $1,000,000 in medical evacuation and 150% trip cost / trip interruption coverage. The policy also includes cancel due to job loss, cancel for other work related reasons. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions (of yourself or family members up to US $50,000 of trip cost per person), terrorism and airline / tour operator bankruptcy are only available if purchased within 14 days of your trip deposit. Other optional coverages include cancel for any reason. Primary insurance is higher cost as it is primary (first to pay) to any insurance you may already have such as health insurance or homeowners insurance. This is important. If you had secondary / primary coverage such as Travel Guard “Gold” and made a claim for camera equipment that you dropped and damaged while traveling you would first need to contact your homeowners insurance. This could result in future homeowner’s insurance premium increases. With primary coverage such as “Platinum” you would not need to contact your homeowners insurance. Overall great for the international traveler who wants the very best. If a couple in their mid 50’s were to insure a trip totaling US $8,000 per person the “Platinum” insurance premium would be US $682 per person. There is a US $7 policy fee for each policy.

You may learn more about each policy and compare costs at www.travelguard.com

If you would like to speak with a Travel Guard representative they may be reached toll-free on 1 800 826 4919.