The 2014 FIFA World Cup, hosted across 12 cities in Brazil,
kicks off on 12 June. The tournament is the most viewed and followed sporting
event in the world and also an exhibition of the very best in the beautiful
game.
Heading off to the World Cup in Brazil is a once in a
lifetime experience for all football loving fans. However, fans planning for
the trip really need to think about travel insurance before they go. They
should not only think about it as a visa requirement but also a measure of
mitigating many of the risks that will occur during their visit.
Brazil is the largest country in South America. Brazil is
also a country with paradise-like beaches, the legendary Rio Carnival, and the
famous Christ the Redeemer- a massive statue of Jesus Christ watching over Rio
de Janerio. Ghana is in Group G alongside Germany, Portugal and USA. Ghana will
be playing the group stage matches at Estadio das Duncas in Natal, Estadio
Castelo in Fortaleza, and Estadio Nacional in Brasilia. The driving time from
Natal to Forteleza, where our second group match will be played against Germany
is about 7 hours. It will take you over 28 hours to drive from Forteleza to
Brasilia to watch the final group game against Portugal.
One thing you should know is that, driving in Brazil is not
the same as driving in Europe or the USA. The streets of Brazil are not
pedestrian friendly. Although, the Local Organising Committee has assured
travelling fans of tightened security during the tournament, I will advise you
to take the appropriate travel insurance cover for the journey. There are too
many risks you could face during your visit to Brazil; illness or sickness,
personal injury, death, loss or baggage, loss of passports and other valuable
documents, etc.
What Travel Insurance does like any other insurance policy
does for anyone who purchases it, is to offer security which gives you peace of
mind. Thousands of Ghanaians travel overseas every year but many choose
insurance based on cheaper quotes, rather than benefits, meaning they are not
properly covered against accidents or illness abroad. With many insurance
companies offering similar products on the market, it is important that
customers, both consumers and corporate bodies, are aware of the differences
and that standard cover is not always enough.
The travel insurance policy helps a would-be traveler meet
the travel documentation requirement for those countries that make proof of
insurance cover mandatory. The policy itself provides financial and other forms
of assistance to the holder in the event of mishaps occurring, whilst he/she is
in another land outside the country. Two types of policies are available;
·
Single trip, where cover must be arranged each
time a trip is undertaken. Most policies offer cover for a period up to 90
consecutive days stay per trip.
·
Annual, where cover is automatically provided
for all trips within a twelve month period. Each trip must not go beyond 90
consecutive days. Frequent travelers are advised to purchase this cover as this
is cheaper compared to taking up insurance cover for every single trip.
Majority of the policies on the market include at least the
following basic cover;
·
In the event of illness or injury, the insurance
will pay for emergency medical treatment including surgical fees, hospital
charges and other medical costs. It will also pay for emergency dental fees and
pharmaceutical products prescribed by the attending medical officer.
·
Transportation or repatriation costs in the
event of illness or injury where the insured has to be moved to a well equipped
hospital or sent back home.
·
Repatriation of mortal remains in the event of
death.
·
Emergency return home following hospitalization
or death of a close relative after the departure of the policyholder.
In addition
to the basic cover provided by most insurers, some insurers also provide the
following additional cover. Most are automatically included; others may require
the payment of an additional premium.
- Cover for loss or damage to personal belongings (including
clothing) and personal luggage.
- Delayed baggage cover provides monies to make essential
purchases of clothing and toiletries as a result of delayed bagged.
- Compensation for loss of baggage.
- Cover for locating lost baggage and arranging for its delivery
- Travel delay covers the delays in departure of aircraft,
ship or train. The policy pays for additional expenses borne by the
policyholder.
- Personal accident benefits provide cover for capital sums
for death, loss of limbs or sight, or permanent disability caused by an
accident whilst on holiday.
- Loss of passport and driving license cover is provided for
the additional travelling and accommodation costs to obtain a replacement
of passport or driving license following loss or theft. Cover also includes
the costs of temporary replacement passport or driving license.
Each section cover is subject to a limit of liability/sum
insured and sometimes an excess.
The cover takes effect from the time the policyholder sets
off for the port of departure, during his/her stay at agreed destination and
ends at the port of entry back into his/her country of usual residence (Ghana).
This is however subject to the period of insurance.
Policies are sold to adults of sound mind although there are
age limits. Underwriters usually charge extra premium if the age of the policyholder
exceed the limit. Some underwriters also
offer free insurance cover for children below a certain age limit. The premium
charged is primarily based on the country (ies) being visited. The most common
territorial limits used by insurers are;
- Africa
- Europe
- Asia/Middle East
- Worldwide
The standard exclusion applied to majority of the travel
policies on the market include;
·
Taking part in hazardous activities.
·
Travelling against medical advice or to get
treatment.
·
Pregnancy or child birth
·
Self-inflicted injury, solvent abuse, alcohol
and the use of drugs.
·
Suicide or any attempt thereat
·
Chronic illness or previously knowing existing
prior to the inception of the policy.
·
Loss of baggage caused by confiscation
It is essential that the policyholder keeps the document
issued in a safe place and takes it when he/she travels. Insurance is a
contract; therefore you must read and understand the policy document very well.
Insurance companies offering travel insurance policies are agents for foreign
insurers offering same products. In the event of illness or injury whilst
abroad, most insurers provide a contact number on the policy document that the
policyholder must call for assistance. If you bought the insurance through a
reputable insurance broker, the policyholder may contact them as well. This is
one of the many advantages of arranging travel insurance as well as other
insurances through a reputable broker. The broker could take prompt action to
assist you in processing your claim whilst you take care of other issues.
Receiving medical care outside Ghana is very expensive and
also losing your valuable documents and baggage can be very frustrating, especially
when you are in a country where English is not the first language and so large
like Brazil. It is quite a jungle out there. But that is what we are here for-
to help the customer, both consumers and corporate bodies make the right
decisions and ensure that they make the right insurance choice.
