2026-03-19
Travel insurance is one of those things people often buy reluctantly and appreciate deeply the moment something goes wrong. It is not the glamorous part of travel planning, but it is one of the smartest.
A good travel insurance policy can help protect you against medical emergencies, cancellations, delays, theft, and unexpected changes to your trip. More importantly, in some cases it is not optional at all. It may be required as part of a visa application, particularly for Schengen travel.
Many travellers think insurance is only useful once they are overseas. In reality, buying it at the same time as your flights can also help protect you before departure. If illness or another valid reason prevents you from travelling, some policies may help cover part of your cancellation or change penalties. That makes timing important. Leaving it too late can reduce the value of the cover.
It is also important to carry the right supporting documents with you. Depending on your destination, that may include your insurance certificate, policy wording, and any embassy letter required for visa purposes. If you need medical care while travelling, or if you have to submit a claim for theft or disruption, having these documents available can save time and confusion.
Another useful tip is to keep emergency contact details on you while you travel. Some insurance packs include small emergency reference cards or contact details that can be carried separately from your main documents. It may seem old school, but when your phone battery is dead or your bag has gone missing, old school suddenly looks pretty clever.
If you do need assistance while travelling, contact the insurer first where possible. They may have specific doctors, hospitals, procedures, or paperwork requirements that need to be followed for your claim to be valid. The same applies if something is stolen and a police report is needed.
At Next Trip, we see travel insurance as part of good planning, not an optional extra. You hope you never need it, but when you do, you really do. And that is not the moment to discover you skipped it to save a few rand.