Advice & Information:
 Prior
to your visit to The Gambia it is strongly recommended
you at least take out a Single
Journey Travel Insurance Policy to cover you
against risk of illness, injury, theft or loss. It is
possible to get medical cover only; however there is
usually little difference in the price for such policies
covering West Africa. A good holiday
insurance policy should cover flight delays and cancellations,
loss of luggage, documents, belongings, and money up
to set limits, emergency medical treatment and/or international
medical evacuation.
If you are a frequent visitor to The Gambia or intend
to visit various countries throughout the year on holiday
or business then you should think about getting a comprehensive
Worldwide Annual Multi Trip Travel
Insurance, as these policies often attract a
lower rate per trip, can work out cheaper if you are
travelling more than two or three times a year and sometimes
offer holiday
cancellation cover. If you plan to take a trip with
your family or a group you may find that it is more
cost effective to purchase group or family cover.
An Expat Insurance Policy
will generally cover the duration of your stay and can
be purchased from several months to an annual basis.
If you live in The Gambia throughout most of the year
then it might be a good idea to ensure that you get
your premiums paid by direct debit in case you are in
the country at the time your plan expires. It is important
to get an International Health
Insurance policy from a reputable company with
plans customised for expatriates
such as BUPA Global (UK), AXA PPP International (UK),
Clements Worldwide (US) and Cigna (US).
If you are coming to The Gambia on a long stay then
consider the option of Long Trip
Travel Insurance which can cover you anywhere
from 3 months up to 18 months. This is best for example
if you are visiting family and friends, are on a short
work contract or on extended leave and don't often visit
the country. Some providers will offer the option of
being able to go back to your country of residence on
a short visit, for example 2 weeks, and return to Banjul
while still covered. Read the small print before committing
yourself.
TIPS:
• Before
you apply for a new policy, however, you should see
whether in fact you are already covered. A few all-risk
home indemnity policies might indemnify you for loss
of personal belongings while abroad. Also a good number
of private medical schemes include health cover when
overseas.
• Always read the small print
when shopping around as one of the most common reasons
for a claim being rejected is when an provider relies
on a particularly onerous or restrictive term in the
contract. Some policies specifically exclude 'dangerous
activities' such as quad biking, motorcycling and even
trekking.
• It is better to get a policy
from a company that will directly settle any costs you
incur in The Gambia, especially medical, rather than
refund you after you pay your bills.
• It
is highly advisable to buy travel insurance at the same
time as you book your holiday or flight. The reason
is that if your are forced, for example by illness,
to cancel your trip you could still be covered and as
a result could save you lots of money.
• Finally
you should also look for a plan that will indemnify
you for 'end supplier failure' - that is, if one of
the companies you are travelling with goes bankrupt,
such as a hotel, tour operator or airline.
* The UK tour operator The Gambia Experience, in partnership
with Travel & General Insurance Services Limited
(tagis), have negotiated zero excess on their holiday
insurance policy (except Personal Liability which is
at a set limit). NB that their plan does not cover any
pre-existing health conditions for people travelling
to Banjul.
Independent Travellers:
Most travel agencies specialising in independent voyages
also offer trip insurance,
which is customised to the requirements of the independent
traveller and often at slightly lower premiums than
the market average.
If you are a student or on a university gap-year and
your flight agent, broker or credit card company cannot
help you with a good explorer or backpacker
insurance, try a student travel service. Make
sure emergency flights home, loss of belongings, medical
treatment and medivac are covered.
Making A Claim:
In the event that you find yourself needing to make
a claim, you should keep all receipts for medications
and medical treatment received while in The Gambia,
and should you be a victim of theft or are injured in
an accident, you must get an official report from the
nearest local police station to where the incident occurred.
It is better to reduce the likelihood of having to make
a claim by using your common sense and taking precautions
with the things you have some control over such as your
personal
safety and belongings. Such measures include, but
are not limited to, using a hotel safety deposit box
for your valuables and documents, being aware of your
immediate surroundings and being conversant of good
food and drink safety practice. |
