WORLD CUP TRAVEL INSURANCE

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.