Travel insurance: single trip or annual cover
Travel insurance pays for medical emergencies abroad, trip cancellation, lost baggage and related costs. A single-trip policy covers one journey; an annual policy covers every trip in a year. Prices depend on the destination, how long you are away, your age and the cover level. The USA is the most expensive region for medical cover. Updated September 2026.
Who it suits
Travel insurance suits anyone leaving South Africa, and it is a requirement for a Schengen visa, which needs medical cover of at least 30 000 euros. Annual cover suits people who travel more than twice a year. Travellers over 70 may be asked a few medical questions. A departure within the next 30 days is the most common request on our form, and quotes are usually emailed, which is why we ask for an email address.
What the insurer will ask, and why
These are the questions on our form for travel, with what the insurer does with each answer. Nothing here is optional guesswork: every question exists because a licensed insurer needs it to quote.
- Type of cover
- Destination
- Region sets medical cost tables; USA is the highest band. Schengen requires EUR 30 000 medical.
- Departure date
- Departure within 30 days is the highest-intent segment.
- Return date
- Purpose
- Number of travellers
- Age of the oldest traveller
- Age bands; 70+ often needs a medical screening.
- What matters most? (optional)
- Does any traveller have a medical condition that needs cover? (optional)
Questions people ask
Does my credit card already cover me?
Are adventure sports covered?
Can I buy cover after I have left?
Olvian is a marketing and lead-referral service. We are not a licensed financial services provider, we do not give advice, and we do not sell insurance.